#reyson will absolutely have these clips in the future

[albaccelerando]

The Fodlan calendar might have Tibarn messed up and confused, but luckily he does not need a calendar to remember about this particular day. As student lectures and his duties are wrapped up, he shows himself on Reyson's doorstep; he holds back the wince that immediately tries to force itself onto his face at the sight of his brace, successfully replacing it with a smile.

"Well, look who has once again gotten a year older, eh." With the Heron's injury, the Hawk restrains himself from offering him a hug or even so much as a pat on the shoulder, instead simply handing him a small package; a set of light, decorative hair clips, in the style that the Herons would typically use.

"It's funny how the fact I know you well almost makes it harder, not easier, to find a gift for you sometimes." Setting aside, of course, how the majority of the "gifts" Tibarn and Reyson would usually offer each other were emotions, support both spoken and not, and other such intangible values, but he leaves that thought be.

"But I know you sometimes run through a lot of those... So, happy birthday." He chuckles, before gesturing towards Reyson's arm with a jerk of his head. "Give yourself a gift as well and don't get into misadventures like this again, alright?"

Reyson could sense Tibarn coming long before he actually appeared. Reyson senses the wince too, but ignores it as best as he can to focus on what Tibarn is saying. He also notes how Tibarn didn’t try to hug him - strange, but Reyson understands why. Tibarn still thinks he’s made of glass, and the brace only proves it.

He knows where this is going from the first few words, and he feels himself nervously flicking his uninjured wing, until Tibarn holds out the box. Reyson stares at the box offered to him, unsure of what to do other than slowly extending a hand and taking it.

“Tibarn...” He struggles with the box with his good hand, cautiously pulling it open to look at the clips inside. They shimmer in the light of the fading sun, and Reyson’s eyes sparkle with the similar light of excitement. “These are so pretty...” He feels his cheeks flushing slightly. He forces himself to look back up at Tibarn, a stupid, happy smile spreading across his face. “Thank you.” He closes the box again and wraps his good arm around Tibarn. “Thank you so much.”

He laughs softly when Tibarn says to stay out of trouble, looking up at him again.

“I’ll do my best to not get hit by students in the future,” he says. “I promise.”