Happy Arbitrary Birthday!

"These are for you!"

First of all: Happy (legit) Birthday, Anna! It's crazy to think we've only been frands for a year. It feels like it's been way longer. :'D

As for the picture, I just wanted to illustrate a funny little tradition that cropped up over the years between Tris and Theo. Theo has always insisted that he doesn't want a fuss for his birthday—namely because he doesn't remember when it is, but also because he's not the type of person who likes to be the center of attention. Tristine tries to respect that, but she also really likes giving her friends gifts, so she's gotten into the habit of picking one day each year to allocate as "Theo (Birth)Day". She makes sure all of her Ambrotos business is done ahead of schedule so that when Theo arrives to take accounts, they can get through it quickly. That leaves plenty of extra time to give him the annual gift and just have a relaxing chat for half an hour or so.

She would never admit, of course, that she lives for the look on his face when he's legitimately impressed by her gifts. And she especially wouldn't admit that deep down she holds onto the silly little hope that maybe—just maybe—he will fall in love with her on the day she happens to pick his true birthday. So far she's tried 307 days across as many years with no such luck, but the hope refuses to die.

_{*slaps them both upside the head*}

Tristine and art © Art-Zealot
Theo and Sybal-Heim © Turtle-Arts