Liability [Simon Ghost Riley]

birthdays

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains as Simon awoke to find himself alone in his apartment. It was his birthday, a day he had become accustomed to treating like any other—without fanfare or celebration, as there were no family or close friends to share it with.

As he wandered into the kitchen, expecting just another ordinary day, hoping to get through it as painlessly as possible. Simon was met with a heartwarming surprise. She was adorning the room with colorful balloons and carefully setting up a beautifully decorated cake on the table.

Simon couldn't help but stare, a mixture of confusion and delight playing on his features. "love, what's going on here?" he asked, a touch of panic in his voice.

Turning around with a beaming smile, Phoebe exclaimed, "Happy birthday, Simon!"

His eyes widened as he took in the sight. Balloons of all hues danced in the air, and the aroma of the freshly baked cake filled the room. Simon felt a lump forming in his throat as he struggled to find words.

"Phoebe, I... I didn't expect..." he began, the vulnerability in his voice apparent.

Phoebe, sensing his emotions, cut him off with a surprised yelp. "I wanted your day to be special, Si."

As the realization sank in, Simon's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Thank you, Phoebe," he managed to say, the weight of her gesture lifting the familiar darkness that shrouded his birthdays.

Phoebe approached him, wrapping him in a warm embrace. "You deserve all the happiness today and every day. So my first gift to you is that I am all yours all day, whatever you want to do, we do!"

Touched by her understanding and kindness, Simon nodded, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Phoebe encouraged him to unwrap his gifts, each one carefully chosen to reflect his interests and passions.

The first package revealed a soft, stylish sweater. "I thought you might like something cozy, the winters here can be rough" Phoebe said, a twinkle in her eye.

Next came a set of sleek cooking knives and a 'kiss the chef' apron. "For your culinary adventures," she remarked, knowing how much he loved to cook.

A pair of high-quality running shoes followed, acknowledging his commitment to staying fit. "I saw your running shoes and noticed how sad they looked, so I did some research and saw a lot of really good reviews. So you'll have to try them out and let me know if they work" she added with a playful grin.

As the gifts continued, Simon's heart swelled with love. A massive package of his favorite Oreos, a fancy bottle of olive oil, and a handcrafted crochet blanket for the cold nights on base—all thoughtful reminders of her consideration and care.

The final gift brought a blush to Simon's cheeks as he discovered intimate Polaroid pictures of Phoebe. "A little something personal," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"love, these are... wow," Simon stammered, both surprised and touched.

She smiled lovingly. "Happy birthday baby!"

She grabs his arm and stands on her tip toes to kiss his cheek. In that moment, surrounded by love and thoughtful gestures. He was unsure how to react, never seeming to be able to find the words to express how much it meant to him. As he looked down at her she smiles "I know"

She responds, as if she could read his thoughts. Confirming that he didn't need to say anything. He picks her up and sets her on the counter, he kisses her gently and pushes a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So you said we can do anything I want?"

"I did yes"

"Lets play a game" he murmurs against her lips

"What is it?"

"Simon says" he smirks