Xander knew it was his Bonded's birthday, so he had some of the flowers he had grown and actually made himself, put in spots he hoped Serena could find, and the daggers he had handmade for her set out with a lovely note. Hoping to have given it to her himself.
"Happy Birthday my dearest one! Your day is something very special to celebrate. The flowers, both the roses and the orchids, I have mixed and had made especially for you, for they remind me of you and the orchid is a hunting type plant that attracts things it needs to eat with its beauty, for you are beautiful to me. The dagger....well...I know how you love your weapons, and I had hoped that you would like something from my actual past. This dagger belonged to my father, and I had it remade to bring it back to life and I hope they serve you well.
I am not very good at things like this, but I hope it makes you happy. I love you, Serena.
Love,
Your Xander xxx"
Serena had not at all been expecting that! She hadn't even been aware Xander knew her birthday. Lucifer or Maze, or possibly even Trent, must have told him. Flowers and weapons, how perfect!
Truth be told, she had been out of sorts lately regarding her relationship with Xander. She knew he was trying his best, but the fact of the matter was that she had serious issues from her lifelong, agonizing quest for love. It was hard to believe anybody, be it Lucifer or Xander or anybody else, could truly love her. But this birthday surprise had her floored!
She went to go find Xander, and as soon as she did, threw her arms around him in an excited embrace.
"You're amazing," she murmured, clinging hard to him. "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! But, Xander... what can I do for you? I've been struggling to figure out how I can express my love for you. Not long after we met, you told me you liked dragonfruit, but then I remember I got you a dragonfruit smoothie and you couldn't keep it down. You don't eat any other human food, sometimes you forget to feed, you don't need blankets or scarves, you..." She swallowed and looked up a him. "It troubles me sometimes, darling. I'd like to do more for you."
Xander had been reading in another room, awaiting his Bonded's return from whatever errands had her attention and was not expecting Serena to come boring into him, all but tackling him where he sat in a hug. He smirked a bit, hearing her words as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his lap.
"I take it you found and liked my gifts, Beloved?" He teased gently, smiling down at her. Moving a stray lock of hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. "But I thank you, that you still find me amazing, after all this time, and all the mistakes I have made." His eyes furrowed a bit. "I am still learning, Serena, but I promise to try harder to make you happy...for that's all I ever wanted for you."
Hearing what she said, he tilted his head to the side like a cute puppy, curious and confused a moment. "Serena....you already give me EVERYTHING...simply by breathing." His words were soft, but passion filled. His hand coming up to caress her cheek as he made her look up at him. "You gave me a place to belong, family with you, pulled me out of the darkness that I struggled in for so long...You ARE my reason for living now!"
Serena cooed happily and gave a little wiggle as she was pulled into her bondmate's lap. "I did! They're perfect, thank you, thank you, thank you! 34 is the best year ever so far!" She nuzzled his hand as he tucked her hair.
"Are you kidding? Of course I find you amazing! We all make mistakes. I know I have, too, and I know you can't be around 24/7, but I want you to know I'm the happiest when I'm with you. I could be having the worst day and one kiss from you makes it all better... though I do have to admit," she said with uncharacteristic shyness, "I do like it best when-- when you're feeding."
She tilted her head at the same time he did, her teal eyes looking into his blue ones as she nuzzled his hand again. "Well, sweetheart, I... How do I explain this? I'm... I'm used to doing things for people I'm close to. Knitting scarves, cooking, baking... setting up nanny cams," she said with an embarrassed little giggle. "And I like to! Just ... Just existing, just breathing, it feels..." She bit her lip and shook her head slightly. "I mean, I don't know how long I'll be alive, and I want to be able to do something that reminds you of me just in case, well, for after I'm gone. Like how some people, they remember their grandma's best meal or some people have a favorite scarf from a loved one or some-- you know, widows who still wear their rings. Does that make any sense?" she asked, aware that she'd been rambling.
"And... as for your struggle with darkness, that's, uh.... Having darkness is something I'm familiar with, but struggling with it is a bit of a foreign concept, I have to admit. But I adore you, dark or light or some shade of grey in between. As cliché as it is, I feel like you complete me. You and Luci are my favorite people in the entire world, well, this world and any other!"
"Don't..." Xander's voice was soft as he raised a hand as Serena made a comment about not sure how long she might be around for. It hurt, to even think of her as not being around one day. "You will live as long as I will, Bonded. Unless you desire it of me to release you when you have seen and lived enough. Lucifer isn't the only one with gifts of which he can bestow." He all but purred softly at her as he pulled her closer, just enjoying the feel of her in his arms. They didn't get to do this much, so he intended to enjoy it while they were able.
"If you wish to knit me things, do so. I will treasure each thing you make for me and wear it with pride. Food....not so easy, as there are some human foods I can eat, it's just been so long since I have even tried that it might take some trail and error on our parts." He laughed softly, a deep, rumbling purr that made his fangs show. "I doubt very much, you'd want lilac plums all over your wall....that's one food I steer clear of." He teased.
"Don't ever release me," Serena said quickly, shaking her head more vigorously. "I want to be by your side until the end of time if that's possible." She leaned against him, enjoying the cool of his body. There had been a heat wave lately, and being snuggled into him kept her cool. That was really the best supernatural gift he could give her. She didn't love him because he was a vampire, anyway. She loved him because he was him.
"Well... I did find some tea..." she said, "and I'm getting better with working with black yarn." She cuddled closer to him, enjoying the vibration from him purring, and playfully poked one of his fangs with her finger, lightly pricking herself in the process and giggling.
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