We're just friends...or are we.? |[ carlando]|

" best birthday ever... " - 37

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANDO!!!

(smut warning at the end!!)

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When Wednesday finally arrived, it was around 4:30 a.m., far earlier than Carlos would usually be awake, but he didn’t mind. As he opened his eyes, he felt Lando’s warmth beside him. Smiling softly, he leaned in to kiss the top of Lando’s head and whispered,

- “Happy birthday, Lan.”

He watched Lando for a moment, careful not to wake him, and then gently slipped out of bed.

Carlos tiptoed across the room, pulling on a comfortable hoodie and sweatpants. After quietly brushing his teeth, washing his face, and fixing his hair, he peeked back at Lando, who was still fast asleep. Smiling to himself, Carlos left the room, softly closing the door behind him.

Downstairs, he headed to the pantry, retrieving the decorations he’d hidden there. He spent the next hour quietly setting everything up, blowing up balloons and arranging the helium-filled ones around the dining area.

He hung up large silver “25” balloons, and as he stepped back, he couldn’t help but feel proud. Everything looked just right. Then his phone buzzed with a message—it was Lando’s parents at the door.

Checking the time, Carlos saw it was already 5:30. Time had flown by! He opened the door to greet Lando’s parents, who hugged him warmly. “Happy to see you!” he whispered, and they smiled, thanking him as he showed them to the guest room.

Once they were settled, Carlos returned to the dining room, arranging the 34 carefully chosen presents around the table and floor, making sure everything was perfect.

Carlos then placed the cake—Lando’s favorite Belgian chocolate—on the table. By now, it was 7:48, and with everything ready, he decided to take a quick nap on the couch.

He drifted off instantly, only to be gently shaken awake by his mother an hour later. Blinking, he sat up, realizing it was already 9:09.

He greeted his parents and Lando’s parents, who were now gathered in the kitchen, chatting quietly. After a quick shower, Carlos changed into a crisp white button-up shirt, leaving a few buttons undone, paired with loose jeans and clean white shoes. He joined everyone downstairs, and they spoke softly, exchanging smiles as they waited for Lando.

Soon enough, they heard the shower upstairs. Lando was up! Carlos and the families positioned themselves near the staircase, watching as Lando, dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt, dark jeans, and black shoes, began his way down, looking slightly groggy. The moment he reached the bottom step, they all shouted,

- “Surprise!”

Lando jumped slightly but quickly broke into laughter, rubbing the back of his neck as he took in the scene.

- “Oh wow! You guys…,”

he chuckled, clearly touched. They began to sing happy birthday, and Lando’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment and happiness, grinning as he met Carlos’s gaze.

As the song ended, Carlos walked up to him, brushing a soft kiss onto his curls.

- “Happy birthday, cariño,”

he said warmly, pulling him into a hug. Lando squeezed him back, looking around at everyone.

- “Thank you, everyone,”

he started, but Carlos’s mom quickly interjected with a smile.

- “Don’t thank us—Carlos is the one who did it all!”