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]

[ completely innocent!! ]

Yes?

[ridestherider]

Don't just lift people's clothes up like that.

But yes, I am right.

[powerisyours]

You're you. Normal rules don't apply.

[ dropping her shirt and prodding at his own stomach ]

Mine are still solid, though. It's just different definition.

[ridestherider]

I could probably whip you into shape if I wanted.

[powerisyours]

Well, you're already familiar with what I look like without the baby fat.

[ridestherider]

[... turning a little pink.]

Well, all the more reason then!

[powerisyours]

[ running a hand through his hair ]

I'm still better looking. He does that weird curly thing with his hair. It looks like a comb on a rooster.

[ridestherider]

Says the one with ear-tails.

[powerisyours]

The eartails add to the charm. His just looks like plumage.

[ridestherider]

You both have your high points.

[powerisyours]

My face is cuter, too.

[ridestherider]

[Thoughtfully.] Maybe.

[powerisyours]

His is--well.

[ a moment and his appearance is changing a bit--a little less fat here, a little more muscle there

and he's poking at his cheekbones ]

He has these.

[ridestherider]

He does, among other things.

[powerisyours]

[ tugging up his shirt again

look, Shan Shan, no babyfat! solid tummy with definite muscles ]

Those, too.

[ridestherider]

[I'm going to overheat and it's going to be your fault.]

Yes, definitely those too.

[powerisyours]

[ and now he's his normal self again ]

He does have about a decade on me. It's to be expected.

[ridestherider]

Mm, he's closer to my age. I forgot that somehow.

[powerisyours]

Twenty-eight, I think.

[ridestherider]

And I'm technically 25 now.

[powerisyours]

I'm--

[ counts on his fingers ]

I'll be twenty.

[ridestherider]

Barely an adult where I'm from! You'd finally be able to vote.

[powerisyours]

Well, as it was, I'm technically too young to get a motorcycle license, but when you're me, they make a few exceptions.

[ridestherider]

You're not Meng Zhu in my world, at least not that I know of.

[powerisyours]

Well, no, but I have ways of getting what I want.