Time For A Moment Of Joy [OTA Birthday Mingle]

[kree_soldieress]

WHO: Everyone, Invited Or Otherwise
WHERE: Pink 13 - Young Avengers HQ and Residence
WHAT: A Birthday Party for Billy and Tommy
WHEN: October 13th
WARNINGS: None Anticipated (add CW to your threads as needed)

It's a surprise party. The word is spread around quietly in the background, passed by word of mouth and private messages into inboxes. Where it spreads beyond those initial invitees has a lot to do with how much people are trying to hide the work they're doing to help Lauri-Ell and Wanda. Word of mouth can easily outstrip intention of course, so there was nothing to say that everyone won't show up at the former store turned residence in time to join the party.

There's definitely a nod to decorations, in the form of colorful flowers and woven streamers of leaves settled with feathers, and and even bits of wrapping paper that Lauri had discovered somewhere and didn't understand the proper use of.

A variety of foods, put together by friends and others who care for the twins are laid out on tables that were carried in for the event, and in the corner stands a karaoke machine that had been hiding in Billy's room. That way they've got food and entertainment covered. Even a few bottles of various spirits and juices have been liberated from the diner and even filled from the orange-drink dispensers on a ship. How much of a party it is, though, will depend on the other guests and whether they bring other treats or entertainment to make it a true celebration. Lauri, after all, barely knows anything about human celebrations.



[OOC: Post your top-levels below, whether they're for planning or for the party itself, tag around, and enjoy a moment of community and celebration with your fellow He Rows. Even the uninvited are welcome to join the festivities, whether they wander by it, helped planned, or just heard someone else talking about it.]

Comments

[kyley_b]

Kyle takes Tommy's hand as they walk, Kyle leading him toward a cluster of abandoned buildings.

"Thanks for hanging out with me. I know I see you at work a lot, but this is different. I like having most of your attention."

[doubled_speed]

Most of his attention? Tommy laughed, leaning in to let his lips brush Kyle's ear. Granted it means he has to be on his tiptoes, but it's worth it.

"I like giving you attention."

[kyley_b]

"That's lucky. I think it's probably my love language or whatever." He points at some of the buildings. "Over there is where I found the shiny material. I don't think it's good for anything, it's just pretty."

[doubled_speed]

"Your what?" Tommy asked as he picks Kyle up. Time to get over there fast.

"You're pretty."

[kyley_b]

Kyle hangs on happily. "Love language. It's uhm, some dumb way of categorizing how you appreciate affection. Quality time is one."

He huffs a half laugh and turns red. "I'm really not," Kyle insists. "YOU are. You have beautiful bone structure."

[doubled_speed]

How he appreciates affection? Shit, Tommy doesn't even fucking know. But if Kyle wants quality time, he'd try that the best he could.

"Bone structure? Man you've got the most interesting compliments."

[kyley_b]

Kyle shrugs, cheeks pink. He doesn't know what compliments are interesting or not, he just says what he thinks.

"I'm weird, sorry."

[doubled_speed]

"You maybe weird," Tommy allowed because duh, that's obvious, "but you sorta have to be to like me."

[kyley_b]

"Nah, you're gorgeous and cool, people would fall for you easy," he says, then sighs melodramatically. "I never had a chance!"

[doubled_speed]

Tommy just wanted to roll his eyes at the gorgeous and cool. Of course he was those things. He just didn't think that was enough for a relationship.

But he laughs at the way it all compounds to 'never had a chance'.

"Dude, you can opt-out of this sexy beast any time you want."

[kyley_b]

Kyle shakes his head and snugs Tommy close to him. "Nope. Don't even joke."

[doubled_speed]

Oh man, Kyle, that made him feel almost... confident.

"I'm hilarious. But I promise not to do that again."

[kyley_b]

"You're stuck with me, dude. Oh, okay, see?" He lets go of Tommy to hurry over to one of the buildings, pointing at broken chunks of not-glass. Whatever the material is, it reflects back many dark colours - it looks a bit like a solid oil slick.

"I think it was purely decorative," Kyle says. "But it's cool, right?"

[doubled_speed]

"I don't see any glue, but I also can't seem to keep my hands off of you, so that works," he agreed. But there they were, showing up at the broken not-glass. And honestly? It's beautiful. Tommy smiles and leans down to poke the material briefly, careful not to cut himself.

"If I was any good at it, I'd make something out of this stuff. Something pretty."

He wouldn't say that he would do it for Wanda, but also for Kyle.

[kyley_b]

"Yeah, ditto," Kyle says. "I dunno what. Uhm. If light shines through ot, a stained glass window maybe? I dunno."

He smiles brightly at Tommy. "I'm glad you think it's neat." And even more glad that his distraction seems to be working.

[doubled_speed]

"But I'm no artist," Tommy answered with a shrug. So he knew he couldn't make something of it.

He does nudge Kyle, though, and smiles.

"Hey, you think your 'distract Tommy' duties will be long enough to let us play at making something pretty here? Or are we on a timer?"

[kyley_b]

Kyle looks at Tommy with wide eyed innocence. "What? I have no idea what you're talking about, I'm not distracting you from anything. I just thought you'd like a nice walking date." He looks at Tommy like a sad puppy.

"You're not having fun?"

[doubled_speed]

Oh how cute. Tommy laughs and kisses his cheek. What a fool, his boyfriend.

"Oh, I'm having fun, but I figured that you know how long before we're expected wherever and really, I want to enjoy as much time with you as possible after all."

He pulls Kyle closer, more than willing to pick the man up.

[kyley_b]

Kyle sighs, giving up the pretense. "Okay, you can't tell them I fucked up," he says. "Like, act surprised, okay? People just wanna show you how much they love you and your brother."

[doubled_speed]

"I never would. I've noticed this sorta building up for a few days," Tommy admitted. "The Big Blue Dog has been being weird."

People loving him and his brother? What?

"Dude, Billy's the one people love," he counted, his voice a bit soft.

[kyley_b]

Kyle sighs again. Here they thought they were being so sneaky.

"Dude. They love you, too. Billy's great but let's not forget how much you do for everyone here."

[doubled_speed]

Thing was, Tommy was used to being tolerated, not liked. Definitely not loved. This was so strange. Tommy had to stop, his hands coming up to cup Kyle's face.

"You're serious, aren't you? They... They aren't just tolerating me because I make the food?"

[kyley_b]

"Of course I'm serious," Kyle says, a little exasperated. "Dude, you don't plan a surprise party for people you only tolerate." He leans down to kiss Tommy's nose.

"They like you. I like you."

[doubled_speed]

"Pretty sure it's Aunt Wanda and the Big Blue Dog doing that," Tommy countered. People that were family and of course bound to Billy. But the kiss makes him smile and definitely made him feel good.

"I'm glad you do. It would make hanging out alone at your place way less interesting if we, you know, weren't enjoying each other."

[kyley_b]

Kyle frowns, a crease forming between his eyebrows. "You're not unlikable, Tommy," he says.

Rather than dwell on it, he kisses Tommy's lips softly. "Yeah, it'd be kinda awkward. Okay, well. We can't go back for like, at least twenty more minutes."