Iridescent: The Prequel

I love you and the day you were born should be celebrated

(A/N- Just a small time hop."

*October 1996*

The couple has been together for close to three years and progressively had grown as individuals and as a couple.  No longer were they naive sixteen year olds in their first ever relationship.  Now they were legal adults in a long term relationship and living together.  They found that the years of friendship teamed with the years they had under their belt made being in a small apartment easy for them.  Parents weren't something they had to worry about anymore while at the same time, the parental figures continued to be a huge part of their lives.  Even though a couple of years ago the parental figures were concerned about the seriousness of the relationship, now they were secretly but also not so secretly hoping for the couple to stay together.  The mothers were honestly keeping their fingers crossed for the next step in the progression in a relationship while Muto constantly reeled them in while saying 'let them be kids'.

It hadn't always been easy to be together.  Two weeks following the Senior showcase, Theresa had fallen ill and was not able to make it to their high school graduation.  A week following the graduation itself she passed away.  Mila had taken it hard and began struggling with life without her grandmother around.  Mari had no choice but to place the once beloved piano into storage after her daughter refused to go into that area of the home.  It wasn't long after that when the people closest to her began noticing a bigger and more scary change in the kind hearted girl.  Bruises, scratches and a withdrawn behavior began to show causing many of them to worry.  Even Mike, who never had to worry about Mila keeping anything from him, didn't know the severity of what was going on until the day she broke down.  It hurt him to hear what she was feeling and the loss of control to stop from hurting herself.  The normally happy and cheerful girl was hidden underneath a huge layer of pain and grief.  Eventually with a short hospital stay and weekly therapy, Mila was able to become herself again right in time for school to start.  It was only after promising not only her mom, but also all of the Shinoda's that she would keep attending therapy, that they were okay with the couple living together alone.

Mila had kept her promise and continued to see her therapist for well over the first year at school.  After that time it went from weekly to bi-weekly sessions before moving to once a month.  Mike was proud of his girlfriend for everything she had been doing to stay in a good space while also continuing to work hard on her projects and assignments.  When one of her projects titled 'Conflicts Within Society' was chosen as a display piece within the art gallery, he stood proudly by her side at the opening and cheered loudly next to his family and hers when her award was given.  She was amazing in every way and even after years of being together, he was still in awe.

"Hey Cams," Mike greeted watching his girlfriend walk through the door of their apartment with a smile on her face and backpack slung on her back.  Truth be told he loved the fact that they lived together and at the end of their day they would be snuggled up in bed.

"Hi there," She replied placing her hands onto his legs as she leaned over pressing their lips together.  "How were your classes and work?"

His hands grabbed at her waist pulling her onto his lap sideways as she laughed.  "Both were good.  How was your day?"

"Tiring, but fine overall," Mila said shrugging her bag off her back as she snuggled in closer to her love.  "I'm happy to be home and see your face though."

A sideways kiss was pressed to her head making her smile.  "I'm happy to have you home."  The couple were silent for a couple of minutes not saying a word.  The silence was comfortable which was something they both enjoyed.  "Our favorite holiday is coming up."

"It is," She nodded kissing the side of his neck.  "Do you have a plan for it?"

"I was thinking we could have a party.  Brad and Rob have been wanting to get together and I know that Mark and Caleb would be down.  We can invite Joe and I guess Jecca," He replied causing her to chuckle.

"Eventually you will have to release that annoyance you have for her."

"I play nice," Mike retaliated scoffing.  "She's just so bossy."

"Sounds like someone else I know," Mila chuckled earning hands at her sides tickling.  "Hey, be sweet."

"You started it," He pouted pushing out his lower lip.  "I am not bossy."

"Okay, honey," She replied patting his arm gently.  "You're not bossy.  You're officious."

Mike shook his head sending her an unamused look as she smirked at him.  "That's the same thing just in a way that would make SAT preppers and Delson proud."

"Ah yes.  The people whose opinion matter most to me," She joked placing a hand on top of her heart.

"The sass is strong in you tonight," He laughed shaking his head.  "Anyway, what do you think? Are you up for a party?"

"As long as people wear costumes."

Mike smiled nodding his head.  "Of course, my dearest Cams.  I won't let them through the door if they don't."

Mila stood up from his lap nodding.  "Yep, not officious at all."

A couple of weeks later, Mila placed the final appetizer onto the full, black table clothed colored table.  Their apartment was full and everyone, as promised by her boyfriend, were dressed in costumes.  Friends from high school were mingling with friends from college bringing together two important years of education in the couple's lives.  None of it was all that surprising since they tend to gravitate towards individuals with laid back and kind natures, but it was still great to see. 

Mike and Mila had decided to, for the first time, give in to the tacky nature of being together and do a couples costume.  There were a lot of suggestions tossed back and forth between them, but only one stood out.  Morticia and Gomez Addams.  Mila will fully admit that it was cheesy, most couples costumes are, but this one fit them as a pair. 

Everyone who had ever met them separately will always comment on how different they are when with their partner.  For Mike, he was more nurturing, relaxed and protective while Mila was calm, outgoing and confident.  Neither one of them saw either of these traits as a bad thing and if anything, they saw it as the other bringing out the best sides that they kept hidden.  All the friends who saw the couples costume couldn't help but comment on how perfect it was.  For the friends from high school, it was also a teasing point since Mike had basically become the walking billboard for PDA.  Regardless, the costumes were a hit and as some would say, the most fitting they had ever worn.  The love the young couple had could rival that of the fictional gothic pair.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" Mike asked holding his free hand up while the other held a solo cup.  "I want to thank everyone for coming and also for dressing up.  I know a few of you don't like doing it, but we appreciate you joining in.  As most of you may know, it was Mila's birthday two and a half weeks ago and as always my loving girlfriend didn't want to do anything for it."

"Nope," Mila said shaking her head.

Her boyfriend smiled at her causing her to groan.  "Happy birthday to you..." Mike began singing as the others joined in while Rob carried out a birthday cake with lit candles.  The woman of the apartment shot her boyfriend a look as the cake came to be in front of her just as the song ended with horrific pitches and notes.  "Make a wish, Cams."

Shaking her head, she thought to herself a wish before blowing out the candles earning cheers from everyone in the room.  "Is this why you wanted to have a party?" Mila asked him eating the piece of cake in her plate.

"If I say 'yes' will you be mad at me?" Mike asked taking in the shaking of her head.  "I just wanted you to celebrate your birthday in some way.  You may not like celebrating it, but I do because I love you and the day you were born should be celebrated.  It's not just me who loves you either.  All of these people do.  You're an amazing person, Cams and I am forever thankful for you being here."

Mila gazed up at him silently, her hand moved to his face bringing their lips together.  "I love you.  Thank you for being the most supportive, loving and amazing boyfriend ever.  I'll never know what I did to deserve you, but I am forever thankful for you."

"I love you to, baby," He replied leaning his forehead against hers.  "And I'll always love you."