Cooking isn’t his strongest point. This is why Bam makes sure to wake up extra early so he’ll have enough time to prepare something amazing. Most people tell him he’s an easy learner which he hopes applies to cooking as well. After all, it’s Aguero’s birthday. He deserves everything to be perfect, they both do. In the end, Aguero has given him too many things and all that’s left for Bam is to try and make up for them by plain acts of service. Aguero would die for him, had died for him multiple times. The least Bam could do is make him a nice birthday dinner.

In reality, some things are easier said than done. Bam spends most of his noon covered in flour while the entire kitchen table is full of burned food. Turns out controlling the Thorn is much easier than using the fire stove. He even asked Hwaryun for help, but the guide declined and instead suggested they should spend the day with friends.

“It’s a special day, you understand.” He tells her and they leave it at that.

More people try to convince him to go out instead of staying inside to cook. Bam can’t really blame them, they’re all a family, and it’s normal for them to want to spend Khun’s birthday with him as well. But Bam has gone past the point where he’s always selfless; this day is something sacred for only Aguero and him.

Before he realises it, it’s already evening. He quickly packs the bags of food and goes to meet Aguero. He had been waiting for him long enough. And god knew that nobody liked cold food.

.

It’s incredibly cold outside. Bam wears two jumpers and Aguero’s coat and yet he’s still freezing. He was jealous of Aguero never having to experience cold after he acquired the Fire Fish. “I know!” he said as he sat down across from his boyfriend, “soup!”

Truthfully, the moment he opened the bowl, heat radiated from it and warmed his face. He felt a little guilty over the soup going cold but he was sure Aguero would forgive him. If there was something he hated more than anything it was Bam getting a cold. It would stress him out endlessly until he would get sick too.

With a wide smile, Bam opened another food container. The smell of rice filled the atmosphere. It was another favourite recipe of Aguero. “It’s a little burnt but I tried my best,” he chuckled, “if you did it, it would be so much better, wouldn’t it?”

No answer is given to him.

“Black Turtle?” a familiar voice calls out to him. Bam doesn’t need to turn around to see who it is.

“You never celebrate with your great leader,” Rak complains as he sits next to Bam. They remain silent, watching the person across from them. Bam pulls a chocolate bar from his bag and hands it to Rak.

“I always take it in case you come.”

Rak looks at him. Silence embraces them once more.

“I’m sorry your stupid leader left you once more,” he pauses and smiles sadly, “Happy birthday blue turtle.”