Aro watched them embrace for the second time. He was leaning against the car when she exited the café, Devine behind her.

"Done?" he asked, and she nodded. Though her cheeks were streaked with tears, there was a lightness to her. Bunny was the epitome of strength in vulnerability.

"Hey Daph," Devine called and Aro's ears pricked at the sound of her real name. "Happy birthday."

With that Devine left.

Birthday? Aro swiveled around to see that Bunny was already heading to the passenger's seat of the car. He had no idea it was her birthday. He felt the compelling need to do something for her, so he entered the car and asked her a question.

"Since, uh, we're in the city... Do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"There are no documentaries shown in the cinema, Aro," she answered.

"Why do they have to be documentaries?"

"Because you don't like movies," she pointed out.

"Oh." Aro paused. "I didn't mean watch a movie like that. I mean, you watch any movie you want. That's what people usually do, right? On their birthdays?"

A look flickered through Bunny's face and she wiggled her eyebrows at him. "You want to take me out on my birthday?"

"O-Only if you..." he stammered. "Fine. Let's go home."

"Naurrrrr Aro!" she rolled her tongue. "Yes! Let's watch a movie! What do you want to watch?"

"Documentaries. However, we both know you don't understand anything."

"I mean, if you're taking me out on my birthday, I guess it's my choice."

"I'm not taking you out," Aro said stubbornly.

"Wait... So I'm paying for the movie?"

"N-No? Why would you? It's your birthday!"

"Then you're taking me out!" she concluded happily.

"Do you want me to take you out?" Aro asked bluntly, expecting her to say: No, Aro! How could you even say that?

But Bunny beamed and said: Yes, I want you to take me out on a whole package. Movie, popcorn, coke, and all!

"Coke like Coca Cola, right? Not cocaine?" Aro tested and she snorted at him.

"Yeah, 'cos I'm so the druggy type."

When they reached the closest movie theatre, they bickered on what flavors of popcorn was best. They ended up with a huge bucket of cheese and another of butter. Bunny got a free Hulk mask since the new Marvel movie came out and she told Aro to pitch the idea of merch to Champion.

"Imagine! Imagine people getting masks of Jay's face."

"Exactly," Aro said, grabbing her hand and leading her to the theatre. Bunny had no sense of direction and whenever she talked, she'd just zone out and randomly slam into people because her focus wasn't on her surroundings. "Imagine Jay's face everywhere. I'd die."

Aro did think it was a good idea, however. Another opportunity to capitalize off whatever they were and that meant for money for Champion. Champion would love it.

The movie was a romantic comedy that was a reboot of the original film 'No Strings Attached'. He only knew that because Bunny told him. He found it boring, but the woman beside him oscillated between crying and laughing.

He decided to enjoy it from a psychological aspect. Why would someone stay in that situation? It was doomed since the start. Why would the two main characters continue to sleep together if they knew they didn't want to label the relationship? Or commit?

Aro made a mental note to research on it later.

The movie ended and Bunny slid into her seat, basking in the emotions of the movie. When she was done, she announced: I'm done!

"I can't believe I took you out and you ended up crying," Aro said, handing her more tissues while she dabbed her eyes. "What am I? An onion?"

"Might as well be," she mumbled. "Let's go home, Aro."

________________________________________________________________________________

The ride home was peaceful. The smell of petrichor was strong when I opened the windows. Aro was deep in thought and I poked his arm that was on the gear.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, lifting up a bottle of water to take a swig.

"My brother."

I spit the water out, choking. "B-Brother? Aren't you an orphan? What brother? Why—"

Aro breathed in. "I'm an orphan, yes. My brother was adopted when I was eleven."

I blinked. "What's his name?"

"Avax. Avax Johnon."

"Aro and Avax," I repeated. "Do you still talk to him?"

Aro shook his head, his face hardening.

"Why?"

"Because it was I who was supposed to be adopted, Bunny. They wanted me. Avax and I are identical twins. The day that I was supposed to be adopted, he locked me in the attic of the orphanage. Went with the family. By the time they found out they brought home the wrong child, they decided to keep him because... Well, he can be charming if he wants to be."

That would have been horrible for Aro to go through. The betrayal of a brother.

I asked if Aro wanted to talk about it. I learned that Aro and Avax were inseparable. They played ball in the fields. Aro was described as cold. Avax was described as articulate.

"I still can't believe he would have done that to me," Aro admitted. "But years passed, and I've haven't heard from him."

I reached over to cover his hand with mine to give him comfort.

"You don't have to forgive him, Aro. Do it in your own time. No rush."

The side of his arm lifted in a smile. He turned his hands upward, intertwining our fingers together casually.

"Thank you, Bunny."

_______________________________________________________________________________

When we reached the manor, it was weirdly quiet. Aro wondered outloud if the security systems were done. When we entered the manor, we were greeted by darkness. I rubbed my eyes, trying to find the light switch when there was a loud bang and the living room lit up.

"SURPRISE!"

"HAPPY!"

"BIRTHDAY!"

"BUNNY!"

Jumping backwards, I crashed against Aro who steadied me with two hands. Jay was holding a baked cake (which smelled wonderful!). Andy and Chester had party hats on and Royal with banner. Champion stood in his suit with a poster of my face and a body drawn with marker.

Max was eating in the kitchen, looking as surprised as I was.

"Ah... I mean, happy birthday, Bunny!" Max said, his fork with spaghetti halfway to his mouth. "I just arrived so I had to eat in the dark."

"Thank you, guys!" I said, rushing to give all of them hugs. Even Champion and Max. "The cake smells wonderful, Nana!"

Beebo broke out into a song and asked me how old I was.

"Can we eat the cake now?" Andy asked and Jay nodded.

"Aro made me cry, by the way," I said and they all gasped. Aro narrowed his eyes at me. "Joking, we watched a rom-com movie."

They gasped again, pointing at Aro. A romantic comedy movie? Aro watched a romantic comedy movie?

"What did you do to our Aro?" Jay asked, punching my shoulder.

"Oh, shut up. I just took her out," Aro said flippantly.

They gasped again, Aro realizing what he just said.

Champion chuckled, grabbing a fork and trying the cake before complimenting Jay. He knocked shoulders with me.

"Welcome to the family, Bunny. I have a feeling that you'll be with us a long, long time."

I smiled.

"Ending Eight," Max said. "How does that sound?"

There still were many questions I had about Aro's past, about each and everyone of them.

But that day was the happiest I've been in a long time.

"Ending Eight sounds good to me," I said. "It sounds like family."

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