Cheer Up! - OOUIL One-Shot (River Altaïre)

Cheer Up! - River Altaïre

Happy birthday dr0wning_in_w0rds !!!!
This is just a short one-shot of River's birthday in celebration of dr0wning_in_w0rds '!

It's a bit boring and weird but I hope you enjoy!

Also thanks to PackWolfLegolas for the prompt.

When River Altaïre, jester's apprentice and ward, awoke, he felt... strange. There was a funny tingly feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if something was running around in there, and every limb shook. Sitting up, River felt energy swell inside of him, even more than was usual for the youth's general troublesomeness. He swung his legs out of bed and bounced happily into the jester's room as a bundle of excitement and happiness, feeling full of life and joy.

The reason: it was his birthday.

He came skidding to a halt, however, when he saw Cedric, making breakfast as always. He smiled when he saw his ward but made no comment on the special day; he simply gestured for River to sit down and eat before taking the seat opposite him. The boy's heart sank like a stone. Could he really of forgotten that easily?

"River, I've got some bad news for you."

Great, just what I wanted to hear. He thought sulkily. His shoulders slumped with disappointment and he felt as though it were crushing him slowly and heartbreakingly painfully. He had waited a whole year for today and now his even own guardian seemed to have stopped caring. Had he done something wrong? Was he being punished? Did Cedric simply not want him anymore? And now, 'bad news'.

"What is it?" His voice came out small and sad.

"I'm afraid you won't see much of me today. I have to go to the lower town and buy some things. I'll be back by midday if all goes to plan. He smiled as he stood and ruffled River's hair, but the same gesture that had always felt affectionate and caring now felt mocking and patronising. "Run along now, I'm sure you'll be fine."

River felt ready to burst into tears. He could feel them welling up inside of him, and he had to bite his bottom lip to prevent them from falling, because he would not cry over this. So what if Cedric didn't care? So what if he had forgotten? River had many friends around the castle who he could spend today with, rather than sit here dwelling on one man. It saddened him greatly that the person he loved most in the world didn't care for him back, but he was determined not to let that spoil his birthday. Besides, Cedic had probably just forgotten. River would remind him tomorrow and he would apologise and they could laugh and forget the whole thing. If he DID just forget.

Wiping his eyes decisively with the back of his sleeve, the youth pushed back his chair and grabbed a jacket, not bothering to put on shoes as he walked quickly along the passageway.

He saw Lady Teodora leaving her chambers. Cedric had told him a lot about her when she first came to the castle. They had become quite good friends. Perhaps she would celebrate with him. "Hey, Teo, did you know it's my-"

"-Not now, River, I'm busy. Talk to you later, ok?"

That's fine. He told himself. I'm absolutely not bothered. I don't care.

He continued down the corridor with his chin raised high, hoping that the bright lighting would hide his shining eyes. He couldn't help but smile, however, when he turned a corner to see a group of nobles and knights coming towards him. He recognised them: it was Callahan, Azric, Lucan and Amber. They would make an excellent party.