Until You [BL]

Chapter 9 - Until Now

It's Fallon's birthday in February. Fallon thought it is ironic that an unlovable person like him is born in the month of love. Every year, his father makes a big deal about his birthday. Inviting all of Fallon's classmates as well as Francis' own friends and business contacts. However, this year, Fallon finds that being away from his father is somewhat an advantage since he wants a quiet and uneventful gaining of age. He wants the day to pass by quickly with no one ever realizing it meant something to him. Because he too wanted the day to be ordinary and meaningless.

The 11th, which is his birthday falls on a Saturday. Fallon woke up to a call from Ash asking to cancel the coffee appointment in favor of early dinner at his house. Ash said he's working on finalizing a new scent and it may take him all morning.

With the cancellation, Fallon passed time by driving around his community until he saw a weekend market it seems inside Velasquez Park and adjoining streets. It was hard to find parking, but he was lucky enough to find one near Sedeño Street about a couple blocks away.

Fallon's eyes lit up when he saw various booths offering food, fresh fruit and other items not typically offered on regular groceries. He enjoyed sampling several kakanins* and fruit shakes. He also ended up buying a lot of fruits to refill his dwindling refrigerator stock. Fallon was so full that he did not feel like eating lunch later when he returned to his condo.

He decided to have a short nap, setting his alarm for 4:00 PM so he can get ready before Ash picks him up for their agreed early dinner.

Fallon just came out of the bathroom after taking a shower when he received a call from Ash that he's already on his way to pick him up. Fallon quickly finished dressing and getting ready after ending the call. Fallon then decided to wait for Ash at the condo lobby. It was like Fallon timed it perfectly because as soon as he reached the lobby, a message dinged from his phone saying Ash's stalling by the curb waiting for him.

"Hello Fallon." Ash flirtingly greeted Fallon with a wide smile.

"He-llo?" A slightly suspicious and confused Fallon greeted back.

Ash drove wearing the same wide smile as he brought Fallon to his house in a village near the outskirts of Makati business district.

"Falls!" River gushed when Fallon and Ash entered the spacious living room.

Fallon was a little surprised to find that not only Archer is home, but that River is also present. He did not think much of their presence though because one, Archer lives here and two, River told him that she and Archer are somehow on a flirting stage.

What came as a surprise was the dinner. Seems the cook exerted some effort in preparing it. And while they dined casually by the gazebo outside, the dishes served were all yummy and suited to Fallon's taste.

As they finished eating, Archer said, "I'll go get the dessert."

"I'll help him." River added before she and Archer both got up to leave.

Ash smilingly observed Fallon while River and Archer's away. It is a bit of a puzzle to Fallon that he and Ash can spend quiet time comfortably. They can just be together with no words between them, and it will not feel awkward at all.

A few minutes later, Ash looked over Fallon's shoulder. Ash then softly started singing "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,.." and then River and Archer's voices joined him.

"Happy birthday, happy birthday...happy birthday Fallon."

River and Archer presented a small cake with one long candle in the center. Fallon's so surprised that Ash had to nudge him and point at the cake before Fallon noticed that the candle was about to melt into the cake. Fallon quickly blew out the candle and then closed his eyes. Fallon said in his mind, 'I wish for peaceful days, nothing more.'

They ate the cake and later when the dishes have been cleared, Archer and River left Fallon and Ash alone. Fallon and Ash with their backs leaning, slightly sitting on the guard rails of the gazebo quietly enjoyed the night. A few minutes into the silence, Ash handed Fallon a white paper bag. "This is for you."

Fallon lifted a dark green box about the size of his hand with an elaborate embossed E at the top from the paper bag. Fallon opened the box and saw a white interior with a bottle nestled inside containing very pale green perfume, it's almost colorless.

"The formula is almost identical to my personal perfume, but I tweaked the percent of concentration on other notes. I have been trying to make a scent that is based on my own, but I've never been satisfied with past outcomes" Ash paused a little and then, "...Until now." Ash added almost in a whisper.

Ash then turned sideways a little, he then takes the box from Fallon and placed it on the table in front of them. Ash then held Fallon's right hand with his left hand. With his right hand, Ash lifted Fallon's chin with his forefinger and while looking in Fallon eyes said, "I don't know but somehow, I feel like you once loved the rain and all the things it brings with it. And while I see sadness in your eyes when it rains, I also see longing. I hope you will wear the fragrance because I am also hoping that one day, the freshwater note in this fragrance will bring back what originally rainy days meant to you. And I also hope it will wash away all the fake muddied slander made by some unimportant person who ruined beautiful rainy days for you."

Ash then hugged Fallon with his left arm circling Fallon's waist while the other supported Fallon's nape. About a minute into the embrace, Ash kissed the top of Fallon's head and whispered, "I hope this birthday has been a happy one for you."

***

That night his father called to greet him. Fallon's father seems apprehensive at first but still said quite a few things that somehow lightened the heavy feeling in Fallon's heart.

"Anak, I don't know what happened and I will not force you to tell me why you are distancing yourself from me. If daddy said or did something that caused you to believe you are not important to me then I am sorry. Know that you are the greatest gift your mom has ever given me, and I will always be behind you 100%. I am happy that you are building a new life with real friends who values you. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Remember daddy will always be here for you, son."

"Thank you, dad." Was all Fallon could say.

After ending the call, Fallon reached for the box on his bedside table and opened it. He removed the perfume bottle and unscrewed the lid. Immediately a wonderful scent filled the air. It is indeed similar to the one Ash always wore, the one that caught his attention the first time Fallon met him. But it is also somehow different. As the initial burst of fragrance fades, there is a hint of lingering earthiness, like a newly cut bamboo branch that invokes the thought of new life and somehow triggering a forgotten happy memory. One that he only previously feels when looking at rainy sceneries.

Fallon placed the bottle inside a pocket in his school bag. He walked back to bed and laid down.

As he was about to close his eyes, he thought, 'Not a bad birthday, not a bad birthday at all...'

A/N

*Kakanin – Filipino delicacies that is usually made of any of the following ingredients: rice, sticky rice and/or their flour form, coconut milk and sugar. Kakanin it seems is from the word kain (to eat) and kanin (rice).