CUPCAKES CUPCAKES CUPCAKES

[chainedraven]

Who: Residents of House 53 plus anyone else who wants to show up
What: BIRTHDAY PARTY
When: The afternoon of Sunday, November 13
Where: House 53
Summary: It's isntyourfriend's birthday! Come wish him a happy day, or at least get some cake.
Rating: G unless Elliot gets really upset about the party

The surprise party for Elliot's birthday was probably one of the worst-kept secrets in the household, especially given how much cooking Gilbert had to do to prepare for it, but he'd done his best not to let Elliot know what was going on. And now the day has arrived, and the whole household has been invited, along with any of Elliot's friends. Does Elliot have any friends

The house is open to any and all guests, and there's plenty of food, tea, and cake for everyone. Come in and mingle and say hi to the birthday boy! He won't really hurt you. Promise.

Comments

[chainedraven]

[A secret blend of eleven herbs and spices...]

It is odd to still be here. Even with all these people I know, it still isn't home.

[He hesitates, giving Elliot a brief sidelong glance.]

I guess that's why I agreed a party would be a good idea. At least we're all here together.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[what have you done. It's kind of a strange feeling, but... Elliot agrees with what Gilbert says, even if he doesn't say so out loud. The fact that even if they're with people they know, they aren't home, so it isn't the same—that's exactly how he felt.

Even so, Gilbert is still saying some awfully embarrassing things, so Elliot frowns.]

...yeah. It's everyone... together.

[And that's important here. He knows that.]

[chainedraven]

[Insert another awkward pause here. Gilbert still isn't quite sure if Elliot is annoyed about the party or not, but at least he isn't yelling. That's a good sign.]

Well. Happy birthday.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[The birthday wish makes him look away again. This will never not be embarrassing.]

Th-thank you. [Another pause, but this time, Elliot won't let it linger. He'll look at him when he speaks again.] ...I mean it.

[chainedraven]

[Gilbert blinks, then almost despite himself the corners of his mouth curve into a small smile. So maybe this was a good idea after all, then.]

You're welcome.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

It's... nice. Parties are better like this. [When they're small and the only people there are people that he actually cares about, not the ones that he's supposed to impress.] So... thanks, I guess.

[chainedraven]

It wasn't my idea to begin with, though. I just agreed to do the cooking.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

You still didn't have to do it. Stop being so modest!

[chainedraven]

Did you think I'd just ignore your birthday?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Wh-what kind of question is that? The answer should be obvious!

[Of course he thought you'd ignore it. He kind of thought everyone would.]

[chainedraven]

I didn't have to do it but I wasn't going to do nothing.

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

You could have.

[He's not Oz. He didn't think he cared enough, so it always surprises him to learn otherwise.

...and surprising things are just confusing.]

[chainedraven]

Why would I do that?

[He was always avoiding the Nightray house because it was... well, the Nightray house. Not because Elliot was there.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

Since when do you care about this family?

[chainedraven]

I care about your birthday.

[Translation: I don't, except for one member of it.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[He cares about his birthday.

> implying that he doesn't care about anything else involving the Nightrays.

...but he cares about him.]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

S-stop saying such embarrassing things!

[chainedraven]

Then don't ask embarrassing questions!

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

How was I supposed to know you were going to say that?!

[chainedraven]

Did you think I would say that I hate you?

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

I didn't know what you would say.

[But he could have said that. Lots of people have said that. He wouldn't have been surprised at all if he had.]

[chainedraven]

[Gilbert gives a quiet grunt and looks away again, shoving his hands into his pockets.]

Well, I don't.

[Want to make something of it, Elliot? Huh?]

[isntyourfriend.livejournal.com]

[Elliot huffs indignantly. He doesn't really know how to deal with this, so the best thing to do is just brush it off.]

Well, whatever! It's not important. The important thing is... this party. So just worry about that, got it?!