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

[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?"

[mera_mera_ace]

"Oh, so trying to flirt is out..what if I did it seriously?" Ace asked eyeing Espio and glad that no one around them was paying attention.

[espio]

Espio stared at him blankly, scales - against his will - slowly brightening again. "Did... what?"

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace glanced around and then once he was sure no one was paying attention he leaned over and kissed Espio's cheek. "Flirted." He said with a small smile

[espio]

Again, Espio froze up, painfully aware that he'd turned a shade that would grab anyone's attention, heart suddenly pounding. This whole conversation was going from bad to worse, and the very worst thing was that - well, maybe, actually, a part of him actually liked the attention!

But even so, it was bad. Very bad. And he didn't exactly have much of a way out... or an answer to the question. However, he edged towards the door.

"W-well, I - uh - actually, you know what? I forgot the Grand Marnier for the crepes so I'd better go and get it, actually! And maybe I could grab one of those... those things with the salsa dip."

[mera_mera_ace]

"Oh? Well I can come with you, help you carry it all if you like." Ace offered mostly because he was a nice guy and not because he was still trying to rile Espio up. He liked him a lot acutally, more than he would usually admit. Ace wasn't one to commit to any one person...but he was terribly lonely and he really did like Espio.

[espio]

Espio didn't answer, but that was only because he didn't hear the offer - he had darted away the second he felt able, back inside, where he took a moment to lean against the wall and tried to calm himself down.

Honestly... why was he letting himself get so worked up by this?!

And why was Ace even bothering to try?! He knew full well that Espio was already engaged! Even if Tobias wasn't here right now, that didn't erase the promise that he had made.

Damn it. He'd just have to remind that complete idiot!

[mera_mera_ace]

Ace did follow after him, he rounded the corner, spotting Espio leaning against the wall. "Hey, you alright?"