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Amber drew her gaze back to William as he spoke, shifting the hoodie in her hands. She fiddled with it for a moment before pulling it on.
“Well… Now I feel special,” she murmured, only half joking as she smiled over at him. She hugged the too-big clothing to herself, already enjoying its warmth and the way it smelled like him. “Thank you, Will.”
"I almost hurt you that way," William said instead, looking at his fist, clenching and unclenching it. How she could look at him without flinching, William could never understand. "You didn't even deserve it and yet I almost hurt you. I've never forgotten the way you looked at me when you realized I would have done it. I was glad you hadn't accepted the apology I made afterward. I hadn't deserved it."
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Amber's smile fell from her lips, and she looked down at the ground. Now she was hugging herself for a very different reason. Gosh, why did he have to bring it up? She would have been fine if he hadn't mentioned it. Yes, the memory had crossed her mind anyway, but she had easily brushed it aside. That memory could be replaced with others of him and her together.
"Yeah…" she murmured.
"I'm sorry," William apologized, finally looking at Amber. The smile dropping from her face, her arms around her tight. "For the times I've lashed out on you. I've got no excuse. And I'm sorry for bringing it up again, but I wanted to apologize properly." He breathed out, trying to gauge her reaction. "I also understand if you want to go back to your room. I won't hold it against you. I won't get upset, or angry."
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Amber closed her eyes and let out a slow breath, shaking her head. She reopened her eyes and looked over at William, and, though they weren't quite their normal brightness, they were much closer to it than they had been when he first mentioned it. Removing her arms from around her stomach, she stepped closer to William and wrapped then around him.
"Thank you, Will… I forgive you for it all," she murmured, her face buried in his chest.
William was sure she would walk away. He didn't know why–he just thought she would. So when she wrapped her arms and buried her face in his chest, he froze. She had forgiven him.
It took him a minute, but he returned her hug, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. Relief coursed through him and he released a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"Thank you," he murmured into her embrace. "For forgiving me."
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Amber sighed and hugged him tighter. "Shall we sleep, now? Or at least get into bed and cuddle for a bit? I'm fine with ether, but the second sounds very nice."
William smiled before he pulled away, bending down to pick her up in his arms, ignoring her protests. He carried her off to the bed before setting her there gently, climbing in once he was done. He pulled the warm comforter over them and pulled Amber towards him, arms wrapped tightly, legs tangled.
"This good enough?" he murmured, running his fingers through her hair.
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Amber chuckled softly, shaking her head in amusement. She wrapped her arms around him and hurried her face in his chest.
“Mmhm… This is nice,” she confirmed.
“Goodnight, Blue,” William smiled, holding her closer, curling up around her almost protectively. “Dream of me.”
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“I don’t have to dream of you because you’re alrwady right here,” Amber murmured, reaching up to peck his lips. “Goodnight, babe…”
[TIME SKIP: Next Day, January 14]
When William woke up, Amber was she still asleep. He looked at her fondly, her sleeping face sending warmth throughout his body. He gently kissed her forehead before getting out of bed, careful not to wake her up. She didn’t stir, so he grabbed his clothes quickly—and quietly—before he exited the room, closing the door quietly.
Before he left, he set a card and a box on his desk, a place he knew Amber would see.
“Happy birthday, Blue. I’ll see you in the evening.”
(What’s in the box: https://pin.it/f5iyegby6ockl7)
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Amber made a soft sound in her sleep when William climbed out of bed, but she didn’t wake up. She didn’t notice him moving about the room, silent and quick. She didn’t see him place the box on the table, nor did she know when he left the room.
But when she awoke, she noticed everything.
She rolled over and placed a hand on the still-warm side of the bed where William had been sleeping but didn’t feel him there. She slowly opened her eyes, rubbing at them with a yawn, before sitting up. He wasn’t there… Where was— Oh, right. He said he would be busy today. What was he doing that he couldn’t even say a proper “good morning” to her?
Amber stretches and stood, then stretched some more. Her gaze roamed the room, catching on a box and a piece of paper that definitely hadn’t been there the night before. He made her way over and picked them up, smiling as she read the card.
Upon opening the box, she laughed. This guy… He thought he was so funny, didn’t he?
“‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’” she murmured to herself as she clasped the bracelet onto her wrist.
William looked over at the place, tilting his head. Okay, that looked good. Not too cheesy, but not too simple, either. It was his girlfriend’s birthday, so perhaps being cheesy was okay. Just for today.
It was six in the evening, but the sun was already going down, darkness rising. He had reserved the rooftop of a restaurant, and thankfully it wasn’t snowing. There was a table for two, and lit candles. He had already brought the cake, and Amber’s present was leaning against a wall. He was definitely going to be called sweet and cute again, but it didn’t seem to bother William.
Finally, he took out his phone and dialed Amber’s number.
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Amber was finishing up a piece of music she'd begun to write that morning, and that she happened to be rather proud of, when her phone rang. A glance at the caller ID brought a grin to her face, the name of her boyfriend appearing on the screen.
"Hey, hun. Feels like I haven't talked to you in forever," she joked with a chuckle when she answered.
“Hey,” William smiled upon hearing his girlfriend’s voice. “There’s my favorite voice. Are you free?”
He was already making his way down the stairs slowly, one hand stuffed in his hoodie.
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"Well, someone said he was going to make tonight amazing, so I cleared my empty schedule for him," Amber joked, chuckling to herself. "Yeah, I'm free. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
“I feel special,” William shook his head, chuckling. “No, I’ll pick you up myself. Just make sure you’re dressed well because it’s going to be cold.”
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"Sounds good, babe. Is this casual or fancy?" Amber wondered, standing up from the couch and making her way to her room.
“Casual sounds fine,” William answered. “It doesn’t really matter, though, so don’t think too much about it. I’ll be there in ten.”
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"All right, then. I'll see you soon, Will. Drive safe," Amber said, smiling as she hung up. She set her phone down on the dresser and pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans and a sapphire blue halter top that hang down loosely from her shoulders. Once she was dressed and ready to leave, she pulled her own jacket on and waited by the door for William.
William parked the car in front of the dorm, releasing a breath. He hoped Amber would like what he had planned. He hoped it would go on smoothly. Nothing to ruin it. He got out of his car to see Amber by the door, waiting. He walked over to her and pulled her close, a soft smile on his features.
"Hey there," he murmured. "What are you doing, waiting here in the cold?"
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Amber smiled up at William and wrapped her arms around him. “Waiting for my boyfriend and the surprise he has planned for me. Do I get to know where we’re going?”
“Absolutely not,” William responded, kissing the top of her head. “Did you like my little gift?”
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“Oh, the bracelet? Yeah, I loved it,” Amber chuckled. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”
William laughed, linking their fingers together and pulling her along. "What are you talking about, love? I am funny."
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“Mm, extremely,” Amber teased, bumping him with her shoulder.
“Come on, I don’t want us to be late,” William pulled her along quicker, unlocking the car and opening the door for Amber.
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“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Amber laughed as she was dragged along. She slid into the passenger seat, still chuckling.
William got into his seat, buckled his seatbelt and started his car again before he drove. He didn't say anything–he knew she would probably try to coax out the answer from him, so he stayed silent.
Finally, after a few minutes, they reached the restaurant.
"No, this is technically not where I'm taking you," William said to her before she could comment, getting out of the car and waiting for her to do the same.
