What is family without a birthday?

[thatched]

Characters: This Family ™ (Marco, Grell, Ace, Thatch, Namur, Espio, Fionna), anyone else that wants to stop by.
Location: The Quad
Rating: PG-13 probably
Open/Closed/Finished: Open
Summary: Ace no Birthday Party~ Come join the fun~



Despite everything that had been going on, a party was needed and so a party was had. Thatch finished placing the last of the presents on the table, similar to the one they'd used for Namur's party, and turned up the music so as to lure any passersby. The more the merrier, since Ace would like that and who knew how many parties they'd be able to do in the future? And with who?

Comments

[espio]

"There's a few foods that are just kinda... ugh, though," Espio mused. "I once explained what balut was to Marco. I don't think he was very happy with me."

[mera_mera_ace]

"That was not very nice, Espio. He would take offense to that." Ace frowned and rubbed at his neck a moment. "Wanna get something to drink?"

[espio]

Espio shrugged. "I didn't really explain it directly," he pointed out. "I just came across it when reading and thought 'dumb humans need to learn there's worse food out there than just bugs'."

"And sure. I wouldn't mind a drink."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace just gave him a weary look. He could only imagine how Marco handled that knowledge.

Walking over to the bar, Ace poured them both a drink and offered him the glass. "To good friends?" He asked holding out his glass in salute.

[espio]

Attempted to threaten the kitchen that had never served it armed with only a blanket and a chameleon, before getting distracted by the shocking revelation that lizards have sex.

"Sure," he said, with a tilt of his head in agreement, mimicing the movement.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace clinked their glasses and then took a deep drink. He loved rum. It was so good. While this place's rum wasn't as good as that back home, it was still delicious.

"I wonder how many people will come, I wish you could have joined us at home for a party. So many people and so much food and booze. It was a celebration like nothing else."

[espio]

"I don't know," Espio said, only sipping at his own drink. "It's not that I can't handle being around a lot of people or anything, but I don't really enjoy big parties. It's too noisy."

[mera_mera_ace]

"To each their own I suppose. I'd never had a birthday party till I joined up with Marco and the others. Guess it's still a new thing for me." Ace said with a small smile, his eyes lost in remembering the first time someone other than Luffy and Sabo acknowledged the day of his birth like it was a good thing.

[espio]

"I never used to tell people my birthday," Espio said, with a shrug. "And I don't really care much for parties. My first birthday in the Garden, though, Grell decorated the whole place pink. That was even less fun."

He examined the contents of his glass for a moment, thinking. "I don't know... I like a little attention, but... in moderation, I guess. I'd rather have a little time with one or two friends than a big celebration just for me."

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace nodded. To each their own after all. But after having 1600 people celebrate the simple fact you were born...he really did miss it all. Especially Pops...he missed Whitebeard to the point his chest ached. The only man he ever considered a father...He shook his head, clearing that thought. Today was a happy day and he was going to stay happy.

"Well maybe when your birthday rolls around I can take you out or something and you can avoid Marco and Thatch trying to throw you a party."

[espio]

Well, his birthday wasn't for a long while yet, but getting away from the crazy for it definitely seemed like a good idea. After all, Marco was really just as bad for going crazy over it.

"If it gets me away, sounds like a plan to me!"

[mera_mera_ace]

"Yeah? Then I'll hold you to reminding me when it gets close. Alright?" Ace grinned and sipped his drink. He liked Espio, he was a nice guy. Even if he was a chameleon. I mean, he cooked him lots of yummy food, shared his bed with him....let him cuddle. Yeah Espio was nice.

[espio]

If Espio could read Ace's thought process, he would have pointed out that he only shared the bed to get him out of Marco's hair once in a while, and that he cooked food for all the family. As it was, however, he just tilted his head, amused. "You're the one suggesting it. I'll leave it to you to remember! You can compete with Marco for kidnapping priveleges."

[mera_mera_ace]

"Who said anything about kidnapping, I was hoping you would come willingly." Ace grinned at him and winked.

[espio]

That got a frown from Espio, because by this point the kidnappings were almost a family tradition - an accepted if often frustrating part of being adopted by the Sparklebird Crew. That expression, though...

Confused, he took another mouthful of drink. "What are you grinning at me like that for?"

[mera_mera_ace]

"Grinning like what? I'm just trying to be friendly." Ace said. In truth he really was acting no different than he usually did.

[espio]

There was just something that felt...

Ah, well, Espio was probably just imagining it. So, he shrugged. "Must be the light. You looked evil for a moment there," he said, jokingly.

[mera_mera_ace]

"Evil? Me? Nah, I'm not evil. A tease maybe but unless you kill someone I love I'm not gonna hurt ya. You're too cute for me to wanna hurt." Ace chuckled and rubbed Espio's head affectionately.

It was the first time acting like this with the chameleon, but in reality this is how he acted with his brothers. He was always affectionate.

[espio]

Espio frowned and batted the hand away, but only for one reason. "I'm not cute," he protested.

[mera_mera_ace]

"You my scaley friend. Are positively adorable at times." Ace smiled warmly and reached out cupping his cheek for a moment before releasing it him and then refilling their glasses.

[espio]

"Says who?!" Espio was quick to snap, but then froze at the gesture. God damn, this man was way too touchy-feely at the best of times, but to cup his cheek while calling him 'adorable' of all things...

Espio huffed and turned away a little, though his scales turned a tiny bit brighter as he suddenly found himself feeling far more self-conscious than he would have liked. He tried to find something to say but "don't touch me" sounded a bit too harsh.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace leaned in close and chuckled, "Me." He whispered before stepping back. "And you're cuter when you blush...bet it'd be cuter if you're human." He knew he was probably overstepping his boundaries but he really didn't care.

[espio]

E-eehh?!

That just made his scales brighten up even more. Espio wasn't exactly the quickest on the uptake about that kind of thing, but that wasn't just Ace being touchy-feely. No way. Shit, now what was he supposed to do?!

"I don't care if it's your birthday - what, exactly, do you think you're playing at?!" Espio demanded, though he was too busy freaking out to look at Ace's face.

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace's eyebrows furrowed a moment before he snickered softly. "Is it so wrong for to flirt a little? I didn't mean anything by it."

[espio]

"Well, cut it out then!"

At the very least, that answer did serve to calm him down, and the brightened scales faded back to their usual shade. Although, somehow... it was a little disappointing.

"Geez. Trying to flirt with me is a dumb move, don't you think?"