Most kids pray their birthday falls on a school day so they can be the center of attention. In grade school, it means treats in class and everyone singing to you and being given a gold star badge or a crown, everyone who got an invitation to your birthday party being excited for the weekend. In middle and high school, it means free ice cream or cupcakes at lunch from friends, cards and gifts in your locker, and depending on your age being congratulated that now you can drive or buy alcohol.

Alcryst is the exact opposite. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate all the well wishes and cards and Mother bringing his favorite black and white cookies for everyone, but as a child it was a little overwhelming being the center of all that attention, and as he got older and got used to all the comparisons to his brother he felt like he wasn't worth all the fuss.

His 17th birthday falls on a Sunday. His friends left cards in his locker on Friday, and last night the group came over to watch movies in the basement and eat pizza as an early celebration. Fogado had been the last to leave, and told Alcryst to clear most of the next day.

Other than breakfast at the local coffee shop with Diamant and dinner with the family later, Alcryst has nothing planned. He arrives at the Solm household a minute before eleven-thirty in the morning, and Fogado greets him with one of his heart-stopping smiles.

"I hope you didn't go out of your way," Alcryst says. "I appreciate the gift certificate to Musical Mayhem and the first-edition copy of Neverwhere, that was more than enough."

"That's a lie and you know it." Fogado leads him inside. "And don't worry, my parents are visiting some friends and Timerra's at all-day karaoke Sunday with her friends. The house is ours for the next five hours."

The rec room is sparkling clean, there's flowers on the desk, and a few streamers above the photo collage Rosado made to congratulate them for getting together last summer. Alcryst's own copy hangs above his beanbag chair, for when he needs cheering up after a bad day.

There's no balloons, though. Alcryst isn't a big fan of balloons ever since they saw the remake of IT, and they've been a hard No in the Brodia household since Xena tried to eat one during Diamant's 14th birthday.

"I've got all our favorite movies lined up on streaming," Fogado says, "Panda Express keeping warm on the counter, and Bunet helped me make your favorite cupcakes!"

You're dating now, Alcryst reminds himself, you're dating, he's been your best friend since you were little kids, and it's your birthday. Just like Diamant's been treating him to breakfast every year since he was old enough to drive. Your therapist says it's important to let people spoil you, especially when you go out of your way for them.

"Thank you," he says. "And tell Bunet thank you as well. And your family!"

Fogado runs back upstairs to get their lunch, settles them down on the couch, and opens Hulu. He hits play on the first Carry On movie, the movie they saw for their first date even if at the time they didn't realize it was a date. All Alcryst remembers is his heart racing, not knowing whether it was from the obvious sexual tension between Simon and Baz or from Fogado being so close.

This is better. For one, they know how they feel about each other now. Two, they can eat in front of the TV. Even if some movie theaters let people bring their own snacks, sneaking in orange chicken with fried rice and egg rolls is considered taking advantage.

Alcryst never liked orange chicken until Fogado and Timerra introduced him to Panda Express.

Halfway through the movie marathon, after they've eaten their fill and stuck the leftovers in the mini-fridge, Fogado takes out a box.

"I know I gave you a couple gifts yesterday," he says, "but I wanted to give you this one in private."

It's a silver chain with a pewter dolphin pendant, with red gems for eyes. Just like the stuffed dolphin Alcryst brought with him his first week of kindergarten because he was worried he wouldn't make any friends and Mr. Flippers was the only one he had besides Citrinne.

He still has Mr. Flippers, but he sits comfortably at the top shelf of his closet, only taken down for a cuddle on the really bad days.

"I still remember the day we met. You were sitting in a corner by the books with that stuffed dolphin, and you were so cute I just had to come over and make friends," Fogado says as he helps Alcryst put the necklace on. "We've been part of each other's life for twelve years now."

"They've been a good twelve years." Alcryst smiles. "I love it, Fogado, I'll never take it off except when I'm in the shower, the pool, going through airport security, or when I'm sleeping." Fogado smiles, leaning in and gently bumping his forehead against Alcryst's.

"Happy birthday," he whispers, and their lips meet.

Alcryst loves it when his birthday falls on a weekend.