Jonah and Gruff sat in silence in their shared room. Jonah carefully tended to his prized sword while Gruff double-checked his travel pack.
Master called out from the other room. Jonah placed his sword on the bed and headed to the living room, and Gruff followed closely behind. "What's up, Master?"
"Are you packed yet?" Master looked up from her book.
"Of course I am." Jonah scratched the back of his head. "But just to be sure, I'm gonna go ahead and check that I have everything."
Gruff and Master watched Jonah walk out of the room. They looked at each other before snorting, "He didn't pack a thing, did he?"
"Of course not. He's been off doing who knows what."
"I know what. He's been setting up a prank this entire time."
"But he said he would only do one a year."
"He's not counting the pranks he pulled before promising that. He said they weren't good enough."
"Where's Marcia?" Gruff pulled out a seat and sat down across from Master.
"She headed out to get more supplies."
Gruff looked over at a bag sitting in the corner of the room. From what he could tell, the thing was packed to the brim with provisions. "Are you two packing for an army?"
Master chuckled softly. Her attention waned between Gruff and her book, and her eyes were glazed over as she stared blankly at the book.
"Is something wrong?"
Master sighed. Her book thudded closed, without marking her spot, "That man is back. The day we went berry picking-" Master shuddered. "That man looked exactly like he did all those years ago."
"Aren't there some creatures that are like that?
Enchantresses and elves and the like?"
"Yes, but" Master clasped her hands together and leaned into them, "Something about him feels dangerous. That red-eyed man. He reminds me of someone my master warned me of when I was small."
Gruff gulped, "What did she warn you?"
"A disaster will hit when the man with blood-red eyes comes out of hiding."
"B-but not for us, right? Disaster won't hit for us." Gruff looked at Master.
Master flinched, "Oh! I don't think so. I-I'm just worried about the village. There was a prophecy floating about back in the day. We should be fine. After all, he ignored us back then, so I'm sure he will ignore us now. Now, do me a favor and check if Jonah is actually packing."
Gruff got out of his chair. He looked back at Master once more, and she smiled. The door creaked shut, and Master placed her face in her hands once more. "It'll be fine, right?"
Later that night, everyone gathered. "Happy birthday, Gruffy." Marcia ruffled the taller boy's hair.
A little chocolate cake decorated with seventeen candles and cut-up strawberries sat in the middle of the table.
"How did you fit so many candles on such a tiny cake?" Gruff asked.
"Honestly, I had a hard time, but once Jonah started sticking them on the sides, we somehow got them all to fit."
The little cake was lit solely by the flickering candles atop it. A warm feeling grew in Gruff's gut as he looked up at his family as they purposely botched the happy birthday song.
"Make a wish and blow out the candles." Master said.
Gruff closed his eyes tightly; I wish to be happy like this forever. Gruff blew, and the candles went dark one by one, leaving only three in the back still lit.
"You missed some," Jonah teased, "now you won't get your wish." He quickly stole a strawberry and plopped it in his mouth.
Gruff punched Jonah on the arm before leaning over to blow out the last three candles.
"Don't say such ominous things," Marcia said. "I'm sure your wish will come true, Gruffy."
Marcia cut the cake into four pieces and handed each person one piece.
"Happy birthday," Master plucked the strawberry from her cake and shoved the bite-sized piece into her mouth. Jonah did the same. Master then pushed her plate over to Gruff, who snatched the strawberry quickly.
Jonah moved his hand away, pulling it behind his head. "I wasn't going to actually eat it, you know?"
"No one believes that for a second," Master patted Jonah's back with a force that almost sent him flying.