This was probably the first time in his life that Connor had experienced boredom. Nothing interesting had come in on the DPT's computers in hours, so he was left to his own devices. Those devices were his coin in his pocked – freshly polished, curtesy of (Y/N) – his new phone (despite being a walking computer) and his own sub-conscience.

But something about this particular day felt strange. As though he was forgetting an important moment of some kind, perhaps something that happened to him. He just couldn't pinpoint what.

He felt a tug at his shirt sleeve. Turning to face the culprit, a smile crept up his face. His boredom was cured. "Hey lovely. What are you doing in?"

(Y/N) tilted her face to the side, arching an eyebrow. "You do realise your shift ended an hour ago, right?"

Connor paused, blinking. He spun his chair around to check the time on his computer monitor. He ran a hand over his face, exasperated. He worked too late again. "And that's the 3rd time this week. Please tell me I didn't keep you waiting at home. I wouldn't forgive myself."

She laughed at his worry, taking his hand. No matter how stressed he was, she always found a way to lighten the mood somehow. "Oh relax, you dork. I just came to rescue you, that's all. Now c'mon, I've got a little something planned."

Connor couldn't help but lean in a little closer to her. He lowered his voice, eyes scanning the almost empty office. "Is this the kind of something we should be discussing at work?"

This earnt him a slap over the shoulder.

"Okay, okay. Bad joke. I'm getting up." He chuckled, pushing himself up out of his chair and tucking it in. It was late into the afternoon, so most of the day shift was off doing other things downtown. Everyone but Connor, and Fowler sitting aimlessly in his office but that was beside the point.

That's when he noticed (Y/N) bouncing on the balls of her feet, rocking back and forth with her hands behind her back much like a child would. She was trying to keep it casual. A common sign that something was up.

"Alright, what are you hiding?"

"Hm?" She stopped her unconscious rocking to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"That's the same swing you were doing before my 'welcome home' party to celebrate me moving in. So, what are you hiding."

She acted clueless, tilting her chin up to the ceiling. If this were a cartoon, she'd be whistling innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about. You're imagining things."

 

He took her hand gently in his, pulling her closer to him. She smiled as he looked at her with an arched brow. "Am I now?"

 

But smooth moves weren't enough to rouse an answer from her. She threw his coat over her shoulder and began dragging him out of the bullpen. "Mhm. You are. Now c'mon, I kept the car running."

 

"I'll find a way to get it out of you."

 

"Sure you will."

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(Y/N) was surprisingly quiet on the drive home, the radio playing quietly in the background as she sat behind the wheel. She practically insisted she drive. Another sign that something was going on.

 

Connor was now beginning to doubt himself. Was he missing an important date? An anniversary? Someone's birthday? He just couldn't find the answer, and it was eating him up inside. He was getting worried he'd done something wrong.

 

"You haven't done anything wrong, sweetheart."

 

As if by some psychic ability, (Y/N) answered the questions in his mind. "How did-

 

"You were pulling the face." She didn't take her eyes off the road as she spoke.

 

"The face?"

"Yeah. You like- I don't know. You furrow your eyebrows and stare off into space with your mouth all creased. You look all serious. It's the face you pull when you're really deep in thought. I could see it from here. You haven't done anything wrong. I've just planned a little something for you."

 

"Me?"

 

"Yes you."

 

The car slowed as they approached their home, wheels rolling up the driveway. In an instant (Y/N) undid her seatbelt and bounded out of her seat. The door swinging open made the car's door alert sound in a light chime. "C'mon c'mon c'mon, you. Let's go."

 

He took off his own seatbelt and exited the vehicle. Just as he closed the door he was grabbed by (Y/N) and being tugged towards the house. He couldn't help but laugh. "You're keen."

 

"Well this is important, so let's goooooo." She dragged out. Once at the front door, she handed him the house keys. He quirked an eyebrow once more. "Go on, you do it."

 

"Why me?"
"Just do it."

 

He shrugged a little. He pushed the key in and clicked the lock out with a twist, turning the door handle and opening the front door. As it swung open into a dark house, Blue made an instant run at Connor. He leant down to the dog's level, giving his fur a loving scruff. "Hey there, buddy. How' you doing, hm? Know what your mum's up to?"
She scoffed. "Oh please, he'd never snitch. Just look at the lolly shop situation."

 

"I'll never let you live that down."

 

"Oh believe me, I know."

 

Connor noticed a small slip of paper tucked into the German Shepherd's collar. He slid it out of its hold, letting (Y/N) coo quietly at Blue as he opened up the paper. He squinted a little to read the writing inside of it.

 

"Happy birthday Connor?" He read out, questioning.

 

Just then the lights flicked on and they were met with a crowd of voices yelling it back at him. "Happy birthday, Connor!"

 

Connor was shocked to say the least. Of course he'd forgotten his own activation day. On a whim, he'd once told (Y/N) about it. She must have added it to her calendar as his 'birthday'. She cared so much that it made his heart melt.

Everyone from the office was here, including Hank, Gavin, and Chris. He couldn't fight off the grin growing on his face. He stood up from the floor and instantly looked over to (Y/N). She was smiling softly up at him.

 

"Surprise. Happy birthday, babe."

 

"Did you plan all of this?"

 

Hank laughed out from where he stood. "Are you kidding? That kid gets distracted by a butterfly."

 

"It was a team effort."
"Like hell it was. Oh, and thank Christ for that couch. No way in hell was I crouching down to hide for that. I'd never get back up."

(Y/N) had obviously planned a lot of the party. The blue and silver decorations, the food laid out for their work companions and - of course - the drinks. It all screamed her. And he loved it.

 

They began the rounds of the house, thanking everyone for showing up. Connor accepted each gift he was given despite wishing they hadn't spent money on him. Socks covered with little Saint Bernards wrapped around a bottle of spirits from Hank, which was very in character of him. A book on society's reaction to the Turing Test from Gavin, which was a big shock.

 

"Ask (Y/N), she said you were into this shit. Hope it's alright."
Connor nodded with a small smile. "It is. Thanks, Reed."

 

After talking to most of the groups scattered around the house for what felt like hours and thanking everyone for their presents before they made their leave, Connor was only looking for one person. The one leaning against a doorway lazily as she talked on about something to Hank. A watered down drink in hand so she could have fun without getting out of control right off the bat. His person.

And as soon as she saw him, he saw the sparkle in her eye. She was thinking the same thing about him. Her person.

He couldn't be happier.

 

"What you think, birthday boy?"

 

"It's all so...big. Is that what all birthdays are like?"

 

"Not exactly. I just wanted this to be big because it's your first birthday."

 

Hank smirked. "If that's the case, Connor would be turning one. Looks like you're going to jail, (L/N)." He laughed loudly. If he were sitting down he would of slapped his knee, dad style.

 

"Shut it, you old fart!" She gave him a light elbow barge as she bit back a smile, Hank still laughing away.

 

"Alright, alright. I'm heading over to Chris before he leaves. If you need me, I'll be there."

 

"Got it."

 

Connor cut in once more as Hank made his exit. "It's all great. I love it. Although, I'm somewhat happy its ending. It was a lot of people."

 

"Well good. I'm glad you liked it. I can't believe you forgot your own birthday, you numskull!" She lightly punched her boyfriend's shoulder. "It's only your most important day."

 

"I'd disagree with you there. The most important day was that day in Jericho. The day I deviated. When I realised I was alive. The day I realised I was in love with you."

 

(Y/N)'s face softened into a loving smile. She got up onto her tip-toes and held his cheek, giving him a kiss. He leaned into it, holding her hand against his. "You're such a sap."

 

"You know you love it." He wrapped an arm around her waist so she was tucked into his side, standing next to him. She nestled into him.

 

"You're right. I do."

 

They waved off Hank and Chris as they made their way out. Connor leant his face down a little to mutter in (Y/N)'s ear as the last guests shut the door behind them. They watched them hop into their cars before he decided to speak. "You know, I don't remember getting a birthday present from you during that whole thing. Mind telling me what that's about?"

 

She smiled teasingly at him with a devilish look in her eye. She once again went in for a kiss, this one shorter but with more passion. "Well, I can't exactly fuck you in front of them all. It wouldn't be ethical. Now give me about 6 minutes to get upstairs ready for you."

 

He smiled right back. "I'll wait in great anticipation."