My Book of Fics

Birthday Wishes - Mason Mount

As you pad across the carpet to Mason's side of the bed you hope that he can't hear your movements. When you lean over his sleeping form you frown for a second before pressing a feather light kiss to his forehead, "I love you, i'm sorry" you whisper. He doesn't stir so you step back then spin around to leave the bedroom, the first tear rolling down your cheek as you shut the door silently. With quick steps you go down the stairs of the place that you once saw as yours, wiping the lone tear from your face as you grab the handle of your suitcase, which holds your belongings, to roll it out the door of the house. When you slide into the waiting taxi you start to feel guilty but push the feeling away telling yourself that this is for the better, not looking back as the driver pulls away from Mason's house, leaving the footballer unaware of his runaway girlfriend.

••••

Your disappearing act lasts a couple of years. The job you currently have is the one you've dreamed of since graduation Uni. It feels like a lifetime since you were with Mason and there's no more guilt clouding over you because of the way you left. Being on your own has taught you so much, it made you realize that you can't be happy without knowing who you are and what you want for yourself.

After having been through many ups and downs on your own, it's like all you see is the way your colleagues are happy with their significant others. The photos littering their social media accounts make you long for the same, in turn reminding you of those early stages of yours and Mason's relationship just after you finished your degree. It must show in your behaviour because those colleagues that are now family start to set you up on dates with guys they know, but they're never quite the right match in your eyes. Before long they stop after your constant pleading, their worry still not diminishing even as you reassure them.

••••

It takes a milestone birthday with a few too many drinks in your system to realize how lonely you are. You miss the way your closest friends are frowning at your slouched posture while you stir at your drink. Twenty-Five is supposed to be a big deal, a time where you have a certain maturity to be able to handle a full time job and a social life, but you're sitting in a club with a frown on your face while regrets swirl around your mind. "Come on birthday girl I think it's time to dance" you look up at your friends who are standing while holding their hands out towards you. The visible worry in their eyes make you leave your drink then take their outstretched hands, giggling when they tug you out of the booth and towards the crowded dance floor.

"You know what I think" you slur, they watch you curiously, "I think that I should've stayed that night" the two girls tighten their hold on your hands, knowing what you're talking about in your impaired state. "Y/N there's nothing you can do to change the past" you pout in response, "why not? I miss him" they pull you in for a group hug, "you made a choice, and you have to live with that" you shake off their embrace. "I can't keep going on these blind dates, it's always gonna be Mason and no one else, but my stubbornness ruined that so my only birthday wish is him" you say as tears roll down your cheeks, effectively ruining all of your makeup. "Oh babe, why didn't you say anything?" you shake your head, "because I don't deserve that sweet and honest man, I'm a coward that couldn't even say goodbye" they pull you out of the crowd to sit down, "you were doing what you felt was right for the both of you, that doesn't make you a coward just a human like the rest of us" you sniffle while using your palms to dry your cheeks as best you can.

One of your friends leaves but you don't notice until she's back, "have some water, it'll make you feel better" she explains while placing the glass in front of you, with a sigh you take a couple of long sips of the cold beverage, not noticing the quiet conversation happening between your friends. You put the water down feeling slightly better, "thank you" you mumble to them, they smile in response before pulling you up to your feet again, "always here for you babe" you smile while they start to move to the music, making you do the same. After a couple of minutes you start to feel joy, a few more drinks being bought to lift the mood again. You start to move around the dance floor, easily making new friends with other club goers, your mind becoming foggy while you laugh with strangers and your friends, pretty certain that all of this will be forgotten tomorrow.

A couple of hours later you jump awake when your stomach lurches, you run to your bathroom with a hand over your mouth. You just make it to your toilet to empty the contents of your stomach, fingers brush your hair back gently and a hand comes to your back to rub soothing circles into it. Once you empty everything from your stomach you sigh, "better?" you tense up at the deep voice unsure if you're hallucinating so you turn your head. He looks older but has the same deep brown eyes and face full of freckles that you remember from years ago, "Mason?" you whisper, "we'll talk more in the morning, lets just get you back to bed" he explains so you nod and let him help you up from the floor, a million questions on your mind as he tucks you into your bed, "night Y/N" he mumbles before leaving the room. You somehow fall asleep even though your mind is wide awake.

••••

With a hand to your head and slow movements you walk into your living space. You notice the messy blanket on the couch before a clatter comes from the kitchen. The sound makes you groan quietly as your head pounds, but nonetheless you approach the commotion. "Quiet down" you say making Mason spin around, a sheepish smile on his face, "sorry" he replies then carefully places a pan on the stove. "Wanna tell me why you're here?" he sighs and the smile slips from his face, "I never thought you would call me after what happened, but last night your name appeared on my phone so I answered, it was one of your friends reaching out because you were having a tough time and feeling lonely, she asked me to come to the club so I did" you feel your heart squeeze at his explanation, not realizing how obvious it was. "Imagine my surprise when I show up to see you singing at the top of your lungs with a whole group of people looking as happy as ever, I couldn't put the pieces together that you were lonely, at least not until later when you spotted me and dragged me into your birthday celebrations" Mason drops his gaze from yours, "when you finally wanted to leave I took you home, during the drive you broke down and talked about how sorry you were for leaving and how much you missed me, how no one has compared" you groan while dropping your head to the kitchen counter, embarrassment flooding your body.

"Shit I'm sorry about that" you hear a chuckle so you lift your head, "it's okay Y/N, I probably would've said the same thing if I was drunk" you shake your head and furrow your brows, "you don't have to say that to make me feel better, I'm sure you've moved on to someone better" he snorts which makes you lift an eyebrow in confusion. "I'm not making it up Y/N, every time I try to move on I'm reminded that there's no one like you" your gaze goes to his, seeing complete sincerity in those brown eyes that you love so much, you take a shaky breath at all of the feelings getting laid out on the table, "but I did such an awful thing, how can you still look at me with something other than disgust?". Mason smiles before sitting next to you at the counter, "i was definitely angry and hurt at the beginning but I realized that space would do us more good than bad" you laugh in disbelief, "is this us being mature right now? Because I didn't think that would ever happen" he laughs so you smile. "I think it's all just a cover up for the immature children we are on the inside" you nod, "oh yeah for sure" he tilts his head towards the kitchen, "want some breakfast?" you smile, "a big yes from the hungover birthday girl" he smiles too and stands to move back to his original spot on the other side of the counter.

You rest your elbows on the counter and watch him move around the kitchen as if it's his own. "I didn't think birthday wishes ever came true" you say out of nowhere, Mason turns his head for you to see his confused expression, "what are you talking about Y/N, birthday wishes always come true" you frown while looking down, "mine never did, except for this year" he places his hand on yours making you look up, "what did you wish for?" you bite your lip gently while he moves his thumb along your hand. "I won't judge if that's what you're thinking" you sigh while releasing your lip, "you Mase, I wished for you" his thumb stops for a second before he fully takes your hand in his, "me? You used your birthday wish on me?" You shrug, "I'm done running away from what I want, I'm done finding out who I am without you, I frankly want you more now than I ever have when we were younger" he stands in silence for a couple of seconds so I start to feel nervous as I tug my hands away from his. The movement must break him out of his thoughts because he rounds the counter in a rush, catching your hand before you can leave, "let's find out who we are together Y/N, no games, no drama, just me and you" your hearts flutters at his words, all you do is nod, no words necessary as he pulls you in for a long awaited kiss, your hands holding onto him to make sure it's real and not just a dream. "Happy Birthday Y/N, let's be each other's birthday wishes from now on" you smile at Mason, "deal" he grins and you two fall into what feels like auto pilot while making breakfast like you always did all of those years ago.