The music was as loud as thunder; it made the cutlery on the tabletops rattle. Neon lights flashed everywhere, and smiles plastered on every face in sight. all to celebrate my birthday, the one day of the year that gives people a reason to make the day all about you.

"There you are! I was wondering if you'd come!" Willow's voice cracks with cheer, as she grabs my side harshly; letting me know I was late and she had to cover my ass.

All the citizens of our little utopia had gathered here, probably even forced to come and wish me a happy birthday. Each individual came up to either shake my hand or hug me, both which I didn't enjoy.

But I had seemed to master the art of a fake smile, right down to the wrinkles of my eyes; No one had ever questioned it.

Arthur, one of my colleges; his station in the laboratory was next to mine, he had military training and was the only person in this facility that ever got the chance to wander upon the surface. He was just an inch taller than me, with blonde hair that whisp across his forehead, and rich hazel eyes. He was the oldest in the compound, at the age of twenty-two; which made him the elder here and well he basically was the only one who could reach the higher-ups.

"Happy Birthday Kira," Arthur whispers into my ear, using my pet name for him as he places a kiss on my cheek, with his one arm wrapped around my right shoulder. We could have had a budding romance, but my work was more important; our work was.

The last person in the line up was Willow, she was smiling her top row of teeth shining brightly. "I got you a gift," She stammered, "and before you say anything, just hear me out."

I sighed, "What is it?" my curiosity getting the best of me.

Everyone gathered around, framing me into a small circle.

"Well, everyone here, at the office decided to give you something pretty special." Willow glanced over towards Arthurs location, he gives me a smile that just seems so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness that unexpected warmth rushes through me.

"The higher-ups were gracious enough to allow you to be up and personal on the surface." Arthur finished the sentence for her, he was blushing and it was a dead give away that our feelings still sat among the surface of what could have been.

I smiled, it was eternally pressed upon my lips; like lipstick. If this was what true happiness was, I welcomed it with open arms. I finally get to see the surface, a once and a lifetime chance.

My excitement was contained by my hands shaking from jittery-ness, I leaped to Willow and engulfed her in a hug. I feel a light pressure on my mid back, and turn to see Arthur. My gaze slid to the side as he pulled me against his chest. I still didn't like to be so intimately handled bt the way his hazel eyes twinkled and deep down Arthur was trying to make me feel like this.

Arthur leans his head towards my ear, "With me accompanying you of course." His breath lightly feathers my neck, causing instant tingles.

"Thank you," I mutter under my breath, brushing Arthur off. "Thank you to each and every one of you, I know we work so hard, and I appreciate this beautiful gift so much." I smile politely, showing my gratitude towards the humans I work by every single day.

"We choose the best time for you to see the surface," Willow interjects, placing her hand on my shoulder and directing me towards the hallway.

"Sunrise!" She chippers in, looping her arms around my shoulder as we follow Arthur to the room; the room that has only been seen inside by one person, Arthur.

We come to a halt when Arthur turns around, his eyes twinkling in the fluorescent light, he glances at towards my friend, "Willow-"

"I know, I know-" She sighs heavily beside me before giving me death-defying hug, crushing my bones, and she leans in to say, "Even better to see the sunrise with a potential love interest." Willow snickers before pushing off of me and skips back down the hall.

"Sorry," Arthur's voice is soft, as he gives a kind smile, "It's the protocol that nobody gets exposed or tempted to leave."

"I know, I haven't gotten this far without following protocol. But, seriously Arthur," I tried to stay calm as our eyes met, a walk towards him placing my dainty hands on his large forearm, "Thank you for this."

I continue to clench his arm, and look up to his stunning eyes, the had smooth green on the edge contrasted beautifully with the amber color in the middle. His left dimple shows as he brings me inside the large tube.

"You ready?" He asks, reaching for the gas mask and full bodysuit that was made of hard rubber.

I smiled, as he handed me the equipment, "I never been more ready."

As we gather on our protective wear, I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of Arthur's toned torso as he takes off his jacket to replace it with the suit. I sucked in a sharp breath as his shirtless torso was exposed to me. Gawking wouldn't quite describe my state.

I quickly turned the other way, my face heating up from embarrassment.

"Hey, are you okay?" Arthurs strong hands embrace my shoulder and nod my head in response worried about what might come out of my mouth.

"Let's go," Arthur says directing me to the pod that would shoot us up to the surface, I walk with a bounce in my step.

My heart was beating out of my chest, I was vibrating with anticipation. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins, hands trembling and my eyes watering with such happiness.

I would finally see the Surface.

We both entered the tube, our bodies nearly close to touching; my nose was practically inches away from his mouth, I could feel every steady breath he took, as mine probably sounded like someone hyperventilating.

When we reached the top, light shone through the bare branches, shadowy arms stretching across the ancient ruins. What was left stood in spite of itself, defying gravity in its precarious way? Yet, this place kept secret by the trees, was safe. It had avoided modern man's destructive touch and we were standing on a narrow railroad track with loose gray pebbles covered between the wooden panels.

When the sun rose to cast the trees in their virescent hues and bringing the warm brown tones back to the earth, I felt something new. My steps felt lighter, tilting my face toward the brilliant shafts breaking through the trees above

"Perhaps," I spoke out loud moving towards the sunrise, "this is happy. This is why we do what we do, to restore the world to what it once was."

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as Arthur looked in my direction, he grinned and I snapped my head away, knowing that if I continued to stare I would get lost in his golden eyes. I could feel his eyes still on me, I silently inhaled and exhaled.

Arthur's voice was coarse like a fragmented rock in a hessian sack, moving and grinding against each other, somehow it compliments his ruddy complexion and raised veins. He wipes white hair from eyes and fixes us in a serious gaze.

"Akira," His voice soft, as he approaches me. His presence just behind me, as his gloved hand strokes my arm.

The plume of my breath billowed out and quickly dissipated in the cool morning air, "Arthur," I stammer before turning around to face his broad body.

But, in the corner of my eye, I can see a bloody person running towards us, his body collapsing against the train tracks, "Arthur!" I shout pointing towards the fallen man.