Tony'd kind of figured Gwen hadn't wanted to make a big deal of it -- most people who liked doing that made sure to mention it. That their birthday was coming up, their birthday was in two weeks, one week, five days, et cetera, really. But Gwen hadn't. He'd asked her about it once, had remembered it was right near Christmas, just a few days beforehand. Not too hard to forget.
He'd let her have the kind of day she wanted, because some people just didn't like making a big deal out of things. And around this time of year, Tony kind of got it. The idea of missing people who might usually celebrate with you who weren't around anymore. Alive, or here. Either one.
But now they could celebrate a little. Just the two of them and one very lopsided looking cake with one candle in it (and Dum-E on standby with a fire extinguisher, of course). "Yeah," he said sympathetically even as he hopped off of his desk. "Just wait, a few more years and you'll be able to predict the weather based on what kind of ache you're feeling. Bring it in, kiddo." Birthday hugs were definitely a thing.