seattle ; monday afternoon

[necroslacker]

Sam's birthday was in a few days. He'd honestly forgotten about it just due to the other things that had taken up residence in his head lately. It'd taken Ramon bringing it up to remind him. And when Ramon had realized that Sam had forgotten, he'd decided to throw a small, impromptu party at the house. Sam had tried to get out of it but Ramon had insisted and Sam hadn't been able to get him to relent.

Ramon had promised small and Sam was glad he was keeping to his word. There were a small group of people in the backyard, hanging out and chatting away. Ramon had even gotten his mom and Haley to show up which amused Sam, at least. Some had brought presents but most hadn't been prepared and Sam didn't really care anyway.

After getting over his initial dislike of the idea, Sam was a little more relaxed now. He had a drink in one hand and was quietly talking with Brid while the party went on around them.

He'd been nineteen in a few days and Sam was kind of amazed he was still alive. So, he could relax and enjoy himself.

[NFB but open for calls/texts/visits. Sam wouldn't have told a lot of people about his birthday but if you think you know and that Ramon might have called you, feel free to show up or call or whatever!]

Comments

[whenshewasnice]

"Hopefully," she agreed, resting her free hand on his shoulder, where it inevitably ended up closer to his neck. "It's not a huge party, though I can't tell whether that will help or not."

[necroslacker]

"I think that's mostly my fault," he told her quietly. "I don't have a lot of friends which means no huge, blow out parties. I'm surprised this many people showed up, you know."

[whenshewasnice]

"A party for me would be even smaller." And she had no problem with that, sounding absolutely neutral as she said it. It was a fact. "By my standards, this is pretty big."

[necroslacker]

"Yeah." Sam leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I was just gonna let the day go by without even worrying about it. Guess I should have known better."

[whenshewasnice]

"Yes, you should have." She sighed, closing her eyes. "I hear these kinds of things are what friends sometimes do."

[necroslacker]

"Nineteen isn't that momentous," he said and kissed her forehead again. "It's just another year."

[whenshewasnice]

"Still a birthday," Natalie murmured. "Still an occasion other people might want to celebrate."

[necroslacker]

"I know," he said, giving her one more kiss before smiling at her. "That's why I'm not hiding in my room or ordering everyone to go home."

[whenshewasnice]

"You don't actually have that kind of power over them," Natalie pointed out. Not without using his actual powers, anyway. "Hiding in your room would still be a thing you could do, yes. But not that other one."

[necroslacker]

"I know. If I tried that with my mom here, I'd be in deep crap," Sam chuckled, shaking his head. "I'd get a lecture, a glare and another lecture. Better just to enjoy the party."

[whenshewasnice]

"I suppose I can do that too," Natalie replied, even if she was under no obligation to do so. She reached up for a very light kiss. "I don't have a present for you yet."

[necroslacker]

"You don't need to get me anything," Sam told her against her lips. "I wasn't expecting presents anyway."

[whenshewasnice]

"Well, I'm staying the night." And not asking for his permission for that, either. "I'm sure I can come up with something immaterial whether you were expecting it or not."

[necroslacker]

"You're gonna stay?" Sam asked, brightening up even more now. "Awesome. I was gonna ask later but didn't wanna do it as soon as you'd gotten here."

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie laughed. Just a short sound, but it happened. "I thought it was kind of a given."

[necroslacker]

"Yeah, but I didn't wanna assume," he told her, shrugging. "So, I wasn't gonna assume until I heard otherwise, you know."

[whenshewasnice]

"Well, feel free to assume now," Natalie told him, amused. "Assume away. I'm staying."

[necroslacker]

"Good," he sighed, smiling. "Good. I had several bribes prepared in case you didn't wanna stay so now I can leave those for another time."

[whenshewasnice]

"I just cheated myself out of bribes?"

She didn't seem too upset by this thought.

"Too bad."

[necroslacker]

"Just for this time," he told her, laughing. "I'm sure I'll still have them for next time when I'm trying to get you to stay over. I stockpile my bribes."

[whenshewasnice]

"You think I am going to need bribing some other time?"

Well, occasionally that might be the case.

[necroslacker]

"I think anything's possible," Sam told her, shrugging. "So yeah, I think you might. Maybe. One of these days."

[whenshewasnice]

"That's a lot of uncertainty," Natalie remarked, with another kiss. It was his birthday celebration, she was allowed.

Besides, she was a little needy these days. "Maybe you just like the idea."

[necroslacker]

"I'll never tell," he said, waggling his eyebrows at her. "But, I like a lot of things. Bribery might be included."

[whenshewasnice]

"Mmhmm." She continued to look amused, even as she turned to glance around. "So... Who are the people I don't already know?"