The Lunar Oneshots

Happy Birthday, Emperor

Kai stood as still as a statute while his personal dressers arranged his suit. It was a tailored white blazer on top of a navy blue dress shirt and white pants. The blazer had various pins representing  Eastern Commonwealth symbols and his high royalty status as emperor.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror in front of him and watched silently as the stylists made sure not one hair was out of place. He would wear this to his birthday ball later in the evening. It's not that he wasnt excited. He was just devastated his closest friends wouldnt be there to celebrate with him.

Cinder had to take care of some things in Artemesia, Jacin, Iko and Winter accompanied her there. Wolf and Scarlet couldnt leave the farm at the moment. Thorne and Cress had to drop off antidotes over at the American Republic. He was left with Torin and many, many court people. Kai thought Torin was fine as company on his birthday, though. He was like a father to him and he couldn't be more grateful. But he'd wanted his friends to come so he could have fun in his own palace for once.

What a way to start being 19.

The ballroom was already set up with round tables and roses for ornaments. The doors wouldnt open till later on but staff were going crazy to get this ballroom as beautiful as possible. Kai really didn't mind how the room looked, but like an emperor, he'd accept it. 

After the stylists and dressers left, he was left staring at the mirror, waiting for Torin to come in. He checked his portscreen and felt extremely satisfied and content when he noticed his friends had sent him their birthday wishes for him.

A beep erupted from the device and his heart stopped. Cinder was requesting a live comm. Without a moment's hestitate, he accepted the request.

He truly wished he could take the woman in front of his eyes into a meaningful and long hug.

Cinder sat on her throne, looking as queenly as ever. Her hair was braided into an updo and her periwinkle dress was glowing with small jewels. She smiled at him and began to talk.

"Kai," she began and frowned. "I'm so so sorry I cant be there. I really did want to come. I would never want to miss an important day for you."

Kai laughed it off, though he really did long for her. "It's fine. I know you're busy, whatever your doing is more important."

She frowned again. "That's not true."

"I -"

"Happy Birthday, Kai. I wish I could be there to say it in person, but this is close enough." she smiled sadly.

"Thank you," he breathed and smiled back. "I love you."

Her smile gleamed with happiness now. "I love you, too."

The panel on the wall then announced Torin's request of entering. They said their goodbyes and Kai accepted his request.

"Your Majesty," Torin bowed and looked at him. "People are starting to arrive. You should go greet them."

"I will," he nodded and stood up straight. Him and Torin strode all the way to the ballroom where the doors were open and they could hear faint instrumental music. When they entered, they could see some people already seated at their assigned tables and some chattering. Kai greeted all of them with gentle handshakes and kind hello's. He got a "happy birthday" from every single guest and he had said Thank You over more than 60 times in 4 minutes.

And surely after, the ballroom was completely full with giant skirts and the smell of cake. Many guests had a glass of wine in their hand and others just sat, talking and whatnot.

Kai felt extremely bored. He had eaten his cake and greeted every single person in this room. Torin talked a lot more to them and he felt lonely, sitting on his own table watching everyone. He had danced with plenty of court ladies and received many compliments. He wanted to dance with Cinder, though. To talk with Cress about what's new and make jokes with Winter and Thorne. Tease Wolf and Scarlet and argue pointless arguments with Jacin.

He never knew it but, his life had felt more complete when they were around. Now that they're not, he's stuck in this hot room with too many people wanting to dance.

A girl in the crowd got his attention, though. Her hair was hazelnut dark and she wandered around in a pale pink gown. Her skin was sun kissed and she looked gorgeous. Kai almost slapped himself. BUt then she turned towards him and he stiffled a gasp. He wanted to run to her and hug her and kiss her and tell her he loved her but he couldn't to that here.

Cinder walked towards him and finally sat down in front of him. She took a bite out of his cake and grinned, "Mmm."

"What - how, huh?" Kai looked at her wide eyed.

She laughed, "Surprise?"

Cinder didn't wait for a response, though. She took his hand and led him to the gardens. They sat on a marble fountain with koi fish. She didn't say anything for a while, instead hugged him. He hugged her back with everything he had and kissed her forehead.

"I'm so glad you're here," he said in between kisses.

She giggled and then he heard someone squeal. He knew that squeal. Iko?

Iko and Winter walked out of the bushes and were chuckling. Thorne, Cress, Jacin followed. Kai wanted to hug all of them in relief. Wolf and Scarlet were last and he finally gave in, hugging every single one. Although, Jacin didn't hug back.

Everyone wished him a Happy Birthday except Jacin. He only said, "I heard there was cake."

"Jacin," Winter slapped his arm, "be nice and wish the emperor a Happy Birthday."

"Winter, please." Thorne shook his head. "Never tell Jacin to be nice. It's not in his nature."

"I can be nice," Jacin argued and turned to Kai, "Happy Birthday, there."

Kai nodded and chuckled. He had missed this too much. The laughing the teasing and the love. Cinder leaned in and whispered in his ear, "There is cake though, right?"

__________________________

Everyone watched as the emperor opened his presents at the ball. He had received plenty of ancient plates and ornaments. Along with new ties and homemade blankets. Kai thanked everyone for coming and wished them all a good night. His friends would stay the night, which made him feel relieved again. One last night to enjoy this before they would reunite sometime in the future. That felt way too long for him.

Wolf was the only one still eating and he stuffed cake into his mouth every minute. The cooks looked shocked but everyone else just laughed it off.

"Did you really fall for it?" Thorne asked Kai.

"I thought he'd be suspicious or something," Scarlet grinned.

"Yeah like in a lot of movies, the birthday person always gets surprised by friends." Cress added.

"I guess I dont really watch movies." Kai shrugged. "You really did surprise me, though." he smiled. "I missed you guys."

"I miss fighting evil relatives for a throne I never knew I had." Cinder joked and it got startled chuckles from everyone.

Kai knew he only had a small amount of time left with his friends. It didn't stop him from enjoying it though. They stayed in the ballroom for hours talking and talking, catching up on stuff. They talked till sleep drowned them and the servants left them alone, because of Torin's orders.

HII IM SO SORRY I HAVENT UPDATED IN LITERALLY FOREVER PLS FORGIVE ME. Plus this kinda sucked but I really wanted to write something for Kai's Bday! happy bday to my precious son ily <3 but fr guys im super sorry i really havent found the right time to write anything. i actually rushed through this bc i really wanted to update and tell you guys im not dead. im still here and im not over writing. So pls expect more I promise ill try to update more often. not every 4 months ughh.