Joker

37. Shit I'm old now...

"Wake up old man." Came a familiar laughing voice as a kiss was pressed to Nakul's cheek.

Nakul opened his eyes and saw Aki hanging over him with a bright smile "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks angel." Nakul said in his raspy morning voice.

Aki kissed his forehead "Get ready. I've got breakfast waiting. Special breakfast for you, birthday boy."

"Lemme guess." Nakul sat up and ruffled his messy bed hair "Aloo paratha with chole. Coffee. Watermelon cut in the shape of hearts. Slice of sponge cake from my favourite bakery."

"How do you know?" Aki pouted.

"Ayu told me." Nakul grinned "Don't worry though. That's all he spilled. I'm looking forward to it."

"Not much else to look forward to right old man?" Aki teased "Now it's thirties then forties then fifties then-"

"Thirty is not old!" Nakul protested.

"Sure dimples." Aki kissed his cheek again "Also make sure you don't use up too much energy today. You'll need it for tonight master."

"Don't make my morning wood worse." Nakul warned, Aki's tone didn't help.

"Oh I had a solution for that by the way." Aki chuckled "Brush your teeth and come here." Aki pointed to his smirking lips.

"Oh I'll come here alright." Nakul tapped Aki's soft lips, grinned back and walked off to brush his teeth.

Nakul scarfed down his birthday breakfast happily. I love birthdays. Aki smiled at him from behind the counter and sat opposite him "Ah I'm hungry."

"I thought you'd be full though angel." Nakul smirked.

"Oh shut up Kumar." Aki blushed and sipped his tea.

Ayu ran up "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!"

"Thanks champ!" Nakul hugged Ayu back and pecked his forehead.

Ayu handed him a blue and green card "This year's card! Your present isn't here yet. Aki when is it coming?"

Aki checked his phone "It'll be here by eleven. Don't worry I'll pick it up."

"What present?" Nakul frowned.

"Ayu bought you something with his very own money." Aki grinned.

Ayu nodded proudly "You'll love it dad!"

"Aw baby thank you! You really didn't need to." Nakul kissed Ayu's cheek.

"Eh I did though. Just take it dad." Ayu sat next to Aki "I don't want chole."

"You cannot be my son." Nakul said as he stuffed his face.

"It's okay. I got cheese spread." Aki smiled.

Ayu whispered something to Aki. Aki chuckled "I was gonna give it later."

"Now!" Ayu whined "I wanna see dad's face!"

"Hm..." Aki thought "Yeah okay fine. I'll give it to him. Nakul hold on I'm getting you a gift."

"Wha?" Nakul mumbled through a mouthful of watermelon.

Aki left the table and came back with a flat thing. Nakul frowned. A canvas? He flipped it over and Nakul gasped. It was him! A painting of Nakul. That one picture he'd sent Aki that his brother had taken when he was in Vienna. Aki painted it. It looked beautiful. He looked almost ethereally perfect. I do not look that good how did he do this? Nakul admired the subtle yet captivating colours of the sunset sky, there was even a reflection of the sun in his eyes. This painting looked like the version of a utopian vision that didn't exist but felt so real yet unreal at the same time. He made this for me? I look so real it's like a photo! When did he do this?! There was a note attached to the bottom written in Aki's familiar cursive