Summary: Yuri does the unthinkable to get Ashe a birthday present.

He gave the army his latest ill-gotten windfall before remembering next week was Ashe's birthday. That was the trouble with the war and life in army camps where you didn't have quick access to calendars, the days just slipped by. If Mercedes hadn't mentioned baking a cake for him, Yuri might have forgotten entirely.

Theoretically, he could just pull another con job or some blackmail, get Ashe some fancy books or a new coat or a new bow, but Ashe didn't like when he pulled those stunts.

(Yuri still insisted it was worth the risk and that he was proud of what he did, but it was hard to hold to that when he remembered those puppy-dog eyes and freckles and that soft I just want to save my friend. He still couldn't believe he'd fallen for that cornball routine.)

He could also just give Ashe some flowers, but they were pretty far north and the few he'd seen growing here and there were nearly dead. Ashe may have appreciated something simple, but it was hard enough being born in a month dedicated to spooky stories, let alone receiving a gift of something dead.

Mercedes had the baking aspect covered, Raphael had that one dish Ashe liked so much down to a science.

And...well, it was Ashe. It didn't have to be a world-shattering display of love and adoration, but it had to be just right for him. A gift given through honest means, because Ashe made him want to be a better person. It still scared him, but it was getting harder and harder to fight it.

"Guess there's only one thing to do," he sighed, and walked up to the local merchant. "Hey, I heard you were looking for an assist stocking your wares. Whatever you're willing to pay me, I'll take it."

The merchant hired him with some trepidation, and Yuri spent the next week loading the cart, checking inventory, taking payments and giving out change with 100% honesty. No stealing from the till, no overcharging, no going back on sale deals, giving people their exact change, and filling out the forms correctly.

It was one of the hardest weeks of his life. But he came away five-hundred gold richer, and just in time for the bookseller to ride by Dominic territory.

The short story collection he wanted to give Ashe cost exactly four-hundred fifty gold, so he bought him a fancy bookmark with the remaining fifty.

"Happy birthday, sparrow." He watched Ashe carefully open the ribbon and the paper, blushing as those green eyes lit up in wonder at the sight of the fancy cover. "You haven't read that one yet, right?"

"No, and I've really been wanting to! Yuri, this is amazing, I think this is even a first edition!" Ashe carefully set it down on the bed and embraced him. "Thank you, I love it so much I won't even ask how-"

Ashe's eyes darted towards the pillow just then, and Yuri realized what he'd forgotten to put away. He groaned as Ashe picked up the letter from the merchant, read it, and grinned. Yuri blushed, burying his face in his hand.

"I can explain."

"The most honest worker I've ever had, huh?" Ashe grinned, and Yuri's face went from warm to scorching.

"I know you don't like when I do crimes, you know? And...it's your birthday."

"And this is one of the nicest presents I could get." Ashe kissed his cheek. "I'll treasure the book and the bookmark forever, but you're my greatest treasure." Fuck. Yuri could have cried just then, Ashe had some kind of special power that never failed to reduce him to a ball of feelings.

Goddess, how he loved this overly righteous, idealistic cornball.

"You're worth it." Yuri pulled him close and brushed his lips over each and every freckle on Ashe's cheeks before bringing their lips together. Ashe picked up the book and settled them comfortably onto the bedroll.

"We've got a little time before dinner. Let's enjoy these stories."

No amount of gold could buy a moment like this.