IT R UR BIRFDAY

[powerisyours]

[ the lab is clean, the table's set, the dogs are securely out of the way, and the candle on a small cake sitting on the counter's lit. all that's missing is the birthday girl, and this dude's watching the door like a hawk, drumming his fingers on the tabletop impatiently

because cake

and also birthday!!! ]

Comments

[powerisyours]

[ he actually looks genuinely apologetic and he's rolling himself off ]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. Or, well, I guess I did, but I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

[ridestherider]

It's complicated, okay? I'm sorry. I don't know what to tell you.

I never should have started anything. Or said anything.

[powerisyours]

[ headpets for you ]

Don't worry about it. I shouldn't have pushed, and I should've listened the first time when you said not to let you.

[ rubbing the back of his head and he might actually seem a little awkward when he continues ]

But . . . for the record, if it's you, that's a risk I'm willing to take.

[ridestherider]

Jiu Wu, I love you too much to have this blow up in my face. I hope you can understand that.

I'm not as brave about it as you are. I know where I stand with everybody else and you're one of so few people that might not just walk away if I don't mess everything up.

[powerisyours]

I know. I do understand it. I can't disagree. There are too many "what if"'s. Too many ways I could mess it up, or make you not want to be around me anymore.

Honestly? I don't know where I'd be right now if you hadn't taken me in back then. That gesture alone is enough to make me want to do whatever I can to see that you're reasonably happy.

[ridestherider]

You could never make me not want to be around you.

[powerisyours]

I can honestly say the same thing about you. I know you think I exaggerate, or say you're better than you really are, but I don't. I don't expect you to be anyone but you--flaws and all.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm keeping you for as long as I possibly can.

[ridestherider]

[You are not helping me not want to kiss you, dammit.]

[powerisyours]

[ I could go find a ferret to braise?

Alternately I can scoot up against your side and take your hand and squeeze it ]

And I'll take whatever comes with keeping you, too.

[ridestherider]

[Squeezing back and leaning on you.]

Sorry I ruined things today.

[powerisyours]

[ leaning in and pecking her cheek ]

You didn't ruin anything, Natsumi. If anything, I was the downer.

[ridestherider]

Why would you think that?

[powerisyours]

I kept asking weird questions you didn't want to answer.

[ridestherider]

It's not that I don't want to, it's that I don't exactly know how. It's complicated, I told you.

[powerisyours]

[ leaning in a bit so the side of his head is resting against hers ]

I hope you'll tell me if you figure it out.

[ridestherider]

I hope I can figure it out at all.

[powerisyours]

Well, there's that, too. But for now, there's something else.

[ridestherider]

What's that?

[powerisyours]

[ there's a grin getting wider on his face ]

You still haven't had your cake.

[ridestherider]

You mean shoving it into my face didn't count?

[powerisyours]

Well, did you eat any of it, or did I lick it off your face?

[ridestherider]

"Eat" is not the word that I would use, no.

[powerisyours]

[ climbing up to his feet and pulling her along with him ]

Then let's eat cake.

[ridestherider]

Fine, but no more fighting with it. I just washed my hair, and now I have to do it again already.

[powerisyours]

Eh, I'll do it for you later.

[ tugging her toward the table again and cutting another slice--this time actually putting it on a plate and handing it over ]