Bandom One-shots book 3

Birthday Surprises (Axl Rose x Steven Adler)

I've never been big on birthdays. Not since I was a kid, at least. Somewhere along the way, the idea of celebrating just stopped making sense. Maybe it was because nobody ever really cared enough to make a big deal out of it back then. Maybe it was because I never wanted the attention. Either way, February 6th was just another day to me.

That's why, when I wake up to Steven bouncing on the bed like a damn kid on Christmas morning, I groan and pull the blanket over my head.

"Stevie, what the hell—"

"Happy birthday, Ax!" he practically sings, giggling as he tugs the blanket down just enough to see my face. "C'mon, baby, wake up! I got somethin' for you."

I sigh, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I peek up at him. His blonde curls are a mess, his eyes bright with excitement, and it's impossible not to smile at him, even when I want to stay buried in bed.

"You didn't have to get me anything," I mumble, sitting up.

Steven just grins. "I wanted to. And you're gonna love it. I swear."

He reaches behind him, grabbing an envelope from the nightstand, and hands it to me with both hands, like it's the most important thing in the world. I raise an eyebrow but take it, my fingers sliding under the flap to pull out two slips of paper. My eyes skim over them, still groggy, and then—

I freeze.

Super Bowl tickets. The Super Bowl. The Patriots. My team. And right underneath them, another set—Warriors vs. Celtics.

I blink. My brain struggles to catch up.

"Stevie," I breathe, gripping the tickets tighter. "Are you serious?"

His grin widens, and he nods eagerly. "Yep! We're goin', baby. Both games. You always say you don't wanna do anything for your birthday, but I know how much you love football and basketball, so... I figured this was the best way to celebrate."

I stare at him, my heart doing something weird in my chest. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to say anything.

I haven't looked forward to a birthday in years. But this... this is different. This is him—knowing me better than anyone else, thinking about what would actually make me happy instead of just throwing a party or getting me something expensive. This is Steven, full of love and excitement, giving me something that actually means something.

I shake my head, a slow smile creeping onto my face. "You're unbelievable."

Steven giggles, leaning in to kiss me on the cheek. "Yeah, yeah, I know. But do you like it?"

I look back at the tickets, my hands tightening around them, and then back at him. And for the first time in a long time, I feel that warmth—the kind I used to think birthdays weren't meant to bring me anymore.

"I love it," I whisper. "I love you."

Steven beams, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug, giggling against my shoulder. And for once, I actually feel like celebrating.

A Few Days Later—Super Bowl Sunday

I've been to some wild shows in my life. I know what it feels like to stand in front of a crowd screaming their lungs out, to feel that electricity in the air when something huge is about to happen. But this? This is different. This is thousands of people, all losing their minds in the stands, the roar of the stadium shaking my chest in a way that has nothing to do with the speakers.

And I love it.

The energy is insane. The Patriots are on fire, and I swear I'm yelling louder than anyone else in the whole damn stadium. Steven keeps laughing at me, eyes full of nothing but affection as I practically jump out of my seat every time they make a play.

"You're adorable when you're like this," he shouts over the noise, nudging me with his shoulder.

I turn to him, breathless from excitement, and grin. "I told you, Stevie, this is my team! This is—" My words cut off as the Patriots score again, and I jump up, fists in the air, screaming along with the crowd. Steven just laughs and lets me have my moment.

And when the Patriots win? I swear I almost lose my damn mind. Steven doesn't even try to stop me—he just grabs me by the jacket, pulls me in, and kisses me right there in the middle of all the chaos.

"Happy birthday, baby," he whispers against my lips, his fingers tangled in my hair.

I don't even care that people are probably watching. I just kiss him back, grinning so hard it hurts.

A Week Later—Warriors vs. Celtics

Basketball is a whole different kind of rush. It's fast, it's unpredictable, and I'm on the edge of my seat the whole damn time. The Warriors are killing it tonight, every shot, every play making my heart race.

And Steven? He's got his arms around me, giggling at my reactions, loving every second of it just because I'm loving it.

"Think you might like this even more than the Super Bowl," he teases, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I smirk, never taking my eyes off the court. "Don't push your luck, Adler."

But truth is? I don't even know which one I love more. Because it's not just about the games. It's about him.

Every time I look at Steven, he's already looking at me—his eyes soft, his smile full of love, like this is exactly what he wanted. Not just to take me to the games, but to see me happy.

And damn it, I am.

I didn't think I needed birthdays. Didn't think I wanted to celebrate.

But as the Warriors sink the winning shot and I turn to Steven, laughing, grabbing him and kissing him right there in the middle of the stands, I realize something.

Maybe birthdays aren't so bad after all.

Later That Night

We get back to the hotel late, the rush of the game still buzzing in my veins. I throw my jacket on the chair, flopping onto the bed, and Steven crawls in beside me, his arms slipping around my waist.

"So?" he whispers, his lips brushing against my neck. "Best birthday ever?"

I turn onto my side, facing him, my fingers tracing the curve of his jaw. There's no hesitation in my voice when I answer.

"Yeah, Stevie. Best birthday ever."

His face lights up, and I kiss him slow, savoring the moment.

Because this? This is what it's all about.

And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

~Birthday Surprises~