The next morning arrived gently.
For the first time in days, the Arcwell estate felt… light.
Raze woke to soft footsteps outside his room and the faint sound of whispered arguing.
"No, you're holding it upside down!"
"It still looks cute!"
"It looks like a crime scene!"
He smiled before he even opened his eyes.
The door burst open a second later.
"BIG BROTHER!!"
Lily sprinted inside wearing a paper crown that was clearly handmade—and clearly uneven. Glitter stuck to her cheeks, her hair, and somehow her elbows.
"It's my birthday!" she declared proudly. "You're awake now!"
Raze slowly pushed himself up, his body still sore but no longer screaming in protest.
"Happy birthday, Lily," he said softly.
She beamed.
"You promised you'd be better today!"
"I did," he replied. "And I am. See? Still alive."
"That's the minimum," she said seriously.
Raze laughed.
◆ ◆ ◆
They didn't plan anything big.
After Nightveil.
After the hospital.
After the fear that still lingered beneath everyone's smiles—
No one wanted crowds.
No one wanted attention.
Just family.
Just friends.
Just one safe, happy day.
The living room was decorated with pastel balloons and ribbons, most of them tied too low or taped crookedly to the walls.
A banner hung proudly across the center:
*HAPPY BIRFDAY LILY*
Raze stared at it.
"…Who spelled that?"
Luna crossed her arms defensively.
"I did. And it's close enough."
"It's missing an entire letter."
"It has emotional intent," Luna shot back.
(actually she made a mistake in painting that, but to correct it, she need to redo it from scratch)
Rose, arranging plates on the table, laughed softly.
"Let's leave it," she said. "It's perfect."
Lily nodded enthusiastically.
"It's MY banner."
Case closed.
◆ ◆ ◆
The first guests arrived mid-morning.
Lily's kindergarten friends came running in like a small army—tiny shoes thudding against the marble floors, voices echoing with excitement.
Some carried gift bags bigger than themselves.
Others brought toys clutched tightly to their chests.
"This is my house!" Lily announced proudly to everyone.
"And this is my BIG BROTHER!"
"And my BIG SISTER!"
"And my OTHER BIG SISTER!"—she pointed at a framed photo of Astra.
Raze watched from the couch, amusement softening his tired eyes.
Luna hovered nearby like a guard dragon, intercepting messes before they could become disasters.
"Shoes off."
"No running."
"Do NOT touch that—"
Rose gently redirected the chaos with practiced ease.
Roland stood in the background, arms crossed, pretending he wasn't enjoying every second of it.
◆ ◆ ◆
Raze's friends arrived later.
Roger burst through the door carrying a massive box wrapped in far too much paper.
"BIRTHDAY DELIVERY!"
"What's in that?" Raze asked.
"Hope. Chaos. And possibly something illegal."
Rain arrived quietly, holding a neatly wrapped book.
"I thought she might like this," she said softly.
"She will," Raze replied.
Gray stood awkwardly near the doorway, holding a small gift bag.
"…Happy birthday," he said.
Lily stared at him for exactly two seconds.
Then hugged his leg.
Gray froze completely.
"…I accept this," he said after a moment.
Roger wiped a fake tear. "Beautiful."
◆ ◆ ◆
The party itself was… uncontrolled.
Kids ran everywhere.
Balloons popped.
Someone spilled juice.
Someone else blamed someone else.
At one point, Lily declared the couch a "castle" and banned everyone except Raze from entering.
Raze endured ten minutes of being a "royal guard" before Lily decided he was promoted to "royal chair."
He didn't argue.
When he needed to rest, he sat.
When Lily needed him, he stood.
No one complained.
No one rushed him.
They just… adapted.
◆ ◆ ◆
Games came and went.
Hide-and-seek devolved into shouting.
Drawing turned into coloring walls (briefly).
Someone cried.
Someone else hugged them.
At one point, Lily made everyone sit in a circle.
"We play game!" she announced.
"What game?" Roger asked.
"Guess who I love the most."
Raze stiffened.
Luna narrowed her eyes.
Lily thought very hard.
Then spread her arms wide.
"EVERYONE!"
Cheers erupted.
Raze leaned back, letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
◆ ◆ ◆
The cake arrived in the afternoon.
It was small.
Homemade.
A little lopsided.
But Lily looked at it like it was treasure.
She climbed onto a chair, crown slipping sideways again.
"I wish…" she said seriously, hands clasped, "…that BIG BROTHER never gets hurt again."
The room fell silent.
Raze's chest tightened.
Lily blew out the candles.
Applause filled the room—soft at first, then louder.
Raze reached out and hugged her gently.
"I'll try," he whispered.
◆ ◆ ◆
As evening settled in, guests slowly left.
Lily grew sleepy, curling against Raze's side with her gifts piled around her.
"Best birthday ever," she murmured.
Luna watched from across the room, arms folded, but smiling.
Rose stood nearby, eyes warm.
Roland rested a hand on Raze's shoulder.
For a moment—
There were no villains.
No secrets.
No fear pressing in from the future.
Just warmth.
Just laughter.
Just a family holding onto something fragile and precious.
Raze closed his eyes briefly.
Tomorrow could worry about itself.
Tonight was Lily's.
And for once—
That was enough.