revivalproject | Buffets and Birthdays

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Buffets and Birthdays

WHO: Tommy Shepherd, Billy Hargrove, Otherwise Open
WHERE: Various Buffets, Station Hydroponics, various in closed starter
WHAT: Tommy eating his fill (and yours), Growing Things because of course, and showing Hargrove a good time (no they aren't dating what are you talking about)
WHEN: Throughout March, March 29th in closed
WARNINGS: None

I. Eating Your Fill

The advantage of places like this was that Tommy could always get as much as he wanted to eat without having to rely in protein paste to fill things out. And, well... There was always buffets. And man wasn't Tommy enjoying them now, getting himself steadily onto 'must pay double' or 'do not serve' lists. Which was fine with him.

One day might find him in an all you can eat salad bar, piling on all the alien vegetables and making notes on his comm device about what things he might want to get seeds or seedlings for. Another is a place specializing in a wealth of soups, where he's again taking notes (this time on flavor combinations for cooking). Or, if you're really lucky, you'll find him on a day where he's got three different mounds of noodle dishes in front of him, happily chomping his way through them while just sitting back and watching the alien species around him.

No matter which buffet you find him at, one thing is sure. The staff is giving Tommy a disapproving look of some variety or other, he's got a stack of dirty plates near him, and he's at his table alone. Maybe go up and talk to him. He'd be happy for a companion.

II. Growing Pains

Of course to keep himself fed and to stock up the greenhouses of the ships requires something important: some form of trading capital. And where else was Tommy going to find it than through the work he'd been throwing himself at for years? Sure, he could work as an extreme speed courier on a lot of planets they have ended up on, but the space station clearly doesn't need that. With the various types of transportation it's clear that he'd not be the best price per pound for transport, and it wouldn't learn him as much. Which is probably why anyone coming to take up Station Operations on the offer to do some work in hydroponics in exchange for seeds and cuttings will find Tommy there, at most hours of the day.

Today he's humming softly to himself as he goes through and carefully clips small handfuls of greens from some salad vegetable, meant for someone's dinner, or perhaps to prune things back for better growth. But he still smiles in seeing another He Row and waves them over.

"Hey, you here to be my new assistant? They said that there was someone new coming in to work today. I'm happy for a familiar face."

III. It's Not A Date, It's A Birthdatey | Closed to Billy Hargrove

Sometimes the best thing you can do for a bro is to make sure they have a good day. No, more than that. A great birthday. And it's something Tommy had started planning the moment they set foot on the station. Sure, he was fitting it all around his work, but he was meticulously planning something out.

And now here Tommy was, showing up at the hammock where he's more than once seen Billy sleeping near he water on the ship.

"Hey, Sunshine," he says, smiling as he nudges the hammock. "Get on your damn feet. We're going on an adventure."

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Billy forgot that he had let it spill when his birthday was to Tommy. Though, in his defense, it was during a night of PTSD triggered by fireworks. Sleeping in that pillow fort was pretty bitchin' though.

Now, he was dozing in his hammock for the time being, surfboard propped up in the sand was he did so. Hearing someone's feet in said sand brought him back to the waking world, so when Tommy gets to him? Blue eyes are fluttering open and he's grinning at the name. Kicks out with one dangling foot at the nudge to his occupied space. "Adventure? I think I had my share of that with the fireworks."

Despite his words, he gets upright and shakes his curls free from being tangled. "What do you have planned, Tomothy Shepherd?"

Tomothy. He snorts in amusement at that one.

"If I tell you, it's not a surprise. Get comfortably dressed, okay? I've got plans. But I'm not ruining the surprise early, okay?"

Just give him this chance to impress you, birthday boy. Because he remembers, even if you might not, just what day it is.

"You didn't say 'surprise', you said 'adventure'," he points out to Tommy while getting up. He stretches, feeling his pop crack and quickly pulls the hem of his shirt down to make sure his scars don't peek out.

"Alright, c'mon. Lemme go change into something comfortable that isn't my beach clothes." Which were just his pajamas, really. Shorts and a covering shirt. He leads Tommy out of the beach area and down to where the living quarters were. "Wait here, I'll be out in a few."

Or don't wait, because Tommy could get from Point A to Point B and back to Point A before Billy could blink. But he goes inside and changes, making sure to fluff up his curls. A simple shirt and jeans, and boots. Always boots. He passes his hand over the vase for a moment. "Be back later, Mom." And he heads back out to meet with Tomothy.

There’s definitely going to be new beach clothes bought, seeing as Tommy won’t be able to get into Billy’s room after they leave the ship, but he’s smiling to himself pretty happily over his plans. He’s pretty sure he’s about to win the title for ‘best birthday provider’ by the end of this. Helped that he could keep it secret by racing back here for the board after they arrive.

“You ready? You want to start with food or the surprise?”

Because it’s best to ask.

"What are you planning, Tommy?" It’s not a mean question, said with a tone of curiosity. Maybe this was a very belated thing to help him feel better and move past the episode he had on the planet? He wasn’t sure with someone like Tommy.

Then Billy makes a show of thinking it over. "Surprise first. I feel like I need one with all the shit that’s happened."

"Well, clearly if I tell you then my adventurous plan is less of a surprise," he teases with a smile. But he is happy to put it first. Most of the rest of the day can be lost to it, he doesn't care. Not if it makes Billy happy.

"Alright then. So it's a long way. Mind if I carry you?"

Billy smirks fondly as he slides in to join his brother, eying the collection of dishes. "I'm glad to see you finally eating enough," he teases lightly, "They must love you here."

He wishes Tommy would let him help keep him this well fed back home.
"How've you been?"

"Fine, keep your adventurous surprises." He stretches one last time, pulling his shirt down again, before clapping Tommy on the shoulder. "Define 'a long way'. Hours to get there if you walk like a normal person? Or just one boring hour?"

He grins at Tommy. "Sounds like you just wanna carry me around to show off your strength."

"I'm not that strong, Sunshine," Tommy says with a shrug. "But if we took one of those little space shuttle things this place has, it would be one of those, and another hour and a half of walking."

So yes, maybe he does want to impress Billy just a little.

Billy makes a little show of thinking it over, despite already having decided. "I bet you're stronger than you look. But alright, space shuttle and then you can carry me so I can see just how strong you are compared to me."

Because of course he was going to compare someone else to his own strength. Billy knows his worth after all. He pauses. "Nothing I need to bring my axe for, right?"

"Like I haven't carried you before," Tommy laughs before shaking his head. Come on man, let's get going. He starts walking.

"Leave the weapons. I'm not security, I can't help you sneak it on board, Captain."

Though he supposed as their Captain, Billy can do what he damn well wants.

"Captain Hargrove. That has a good ring to it." He almost wishes he had a hat to give him that captain look. Billy laughs with Tommy and walks with him. Yes, the axe is left in his room for now. No one could get to it that he didn't trust he supposes.

"So what brought this along? This adventurous surprise of yours."

Well that's a good question now isn't it? Tommy smiles.

"I've been doing some math, man. I think, but I'm not perfectly sure, but I think it's your birthday."

And surely that's reason enough.

"I wanted it to be good for you."

For that, Billy looks shocked. That it was his birthday because time was fucked here, and two, that Tommy had remembered it. The Hargrove home wasn't known for remembering things like that. Only major holidays for the most part, especially religious ones or ones that celebrated the country.

"So you set me up a... birthday party? Not much of a surprise though if I guessed it. Unless you got something else planned, Jersey Boy to really surprise me. Even though... you have."

He paused. "Wasn't expecting you to remember my birthday."

"Something else planned. You don't seem the sort to be ready for a full on party," Tommy admits. "But I remember how important it was to me, the first time I had a birthday here. When I was allowed to celebrate with my brother and it was allowed to mean something and only something good.'

He grins widely and grabs the guy's arm lightly to pull him along.

"Of course I remembered. We're friends, right? Come on, you're going to love what I have planned."

Something else planned. Billy is absolutely intrigued. His last birthday had been in Hawkins, and now it was on an alien planet. Funny how time flew. Damn, he's almost been here a whole year and managed not to kill any other resident yet.

"Excuse you, we're best friends I think we agreed on back in that cabin of yours. And you think I'm going to love it? Tommy, you do not realize that I have high standards, do you?" More teasing that came so easy with this guy.

Tommy grins. He likes hearing that proclamation from Billy. That claim.

"I haven't had one of those in a long time. But I've got to be the best you've ever had."

Tommy winks and then he's pulling Billy along again. For the length of the trip he keeps up a light flow of chatter, explaining some of his plans for the day involving food, which he's sampled at a lot of places on the station so he can give the guy options, he's got the replicated ice cream cake waiting back on the ship for the night, and of course, he's got a gift too. Bought him something and that's for later.

For now, though, he gets them to where they need to go. It takes the time he says to get to the shuttle, and from there, he carries Billy. He's fast. Stupidly fast. Between one moment and the next they've arrived at a door.

"Alright. Time to go in. Don't worry, I have it all covered."

Then he's pushing open a door to a sealed area and the smell of ocean wafts over them. He checks in at a desk, promises he'll get their gear in a moment after he shows his friend, and they get guided back to... An indoor beach. The sand is golden, there are some lounge chairs and umbrellas and cabanas, and, of course...

Waves. Waves hitting the shore. Waves further out. Surfable waves.

"Apparently," he says as he stands there at the edge of the beach, "surfing is sorta a more universally created sport. Tons of worlds have it, of all different types. And this place, I've paid for a full half day. There's a cabana down there, the one with the sea green top, that's ours. I'm going to run back and get your surfboard, and I can buy you shorts and everything."

Definitely a proclamation. Billy doesn't have a lot of friends, so it means something to say that Tommy was his best friend. And it's saying that out loud with his whole chest.

During the trip that Tommy has pulled him into, he keeps up the banter, finding it so easy to keep up the conversation with him. It doesn't feel stilted or awkward. It feels natural and better than anything he's ever actually had since coming here. It feels easier to be open with Tommy. Even if he doesn't tell the guy everything.

He can't, anyways. Billy's mind won't let him.

He gives the guy a confused look when they get to the mysterious door. It feels like a trap. "What are you talking about?" Billy's almost still reeling from the super speed it took Tommy to get them from the shuttle to this door. It's only when they get in does the blond realize what's going on. And then he understands.

It's the smell that sets his nerves alight at first. The scent of ocean, of warmth, of everything he's missed out on for over a year.

He practically - no, Billy runs. Boots and jeans and all, onto the beach he runs. It's not California, nothing could ever replace her golden coast, but it was something familiar. He's standing there, taking it in as Tommy comes up next to him. There's a look of disbelief on his face that's shown to Tommy when Billy looks at him.

"...You rented this place out for me?"

"Well, there are other surfers," pointing to distant figures. He couldn't rent the WHOLE place for Billy. But he's got permission for them to use it. And he's happy about it. Because Billy had run toward it.

"Tell you what, hold that thought and maybe go check out the booth over that way for gear," he says, gesturing toward where there is a stall. "It's all covered. I'm going to go fetch your board."

"Well, you get what I mean." Billy means for it to be in that usual teasing tone, but it's lost here. He's really impressed. He does brighten when Tommy gives instructions to go to their cabana to get the gear needed.

Even more when Tommy says he's going to go get the board.

And he runs off, already wishing he had left his shorts on instead of changing them out for boots and jeans. Boots and jeans! On a beach! What a loser he was. He gets inside and immediately toes them off before going back out just to feel real sand, golden like home, between his toes again.

If only Tommy could fetch him his shorts. But nope, he's got other things to do. Which includes disappearing. And, not a few minutes later, returning to put Billy's board up in front of the cabana. He's already changed into less clothes himself, because he could use the sun, even an artificial one. Just him in a pair of bootie shorts that read 'juicy' on the back in rhinestones. Don't judge him. They were a joke gift and he refuses to be ashamed.

"Sunshine? We need to buy you whatever you wanna wear while you're out in the water."

Billy's rummaging through the gear with excitement clear on his face. It's when Tommy returns does he take in the—

"Are those booty shorts? With rhinestones on them? Pretty gaudy, even for you, Shepherd." He straightens up and looks around. "I couldn't find any spare clothes in here. Shorts and a tank top should be enough, but I didn't bring anything like it. And I don't have any money to pay for it, but jeans are not ideal for surfing or swimming in."

"It was a gift from my brother as a joke, and the joke's on him because I love them. My ass is really just so good that it deserves shown off."

At least it covers the important bits, right? The lack of shirt probably is just fine though. For now, well, he's happy with what he has.

"Come on, I've got the funds. I set them aside for this. Over here."

"I'll leave it up to you if it's actually juicy or not." Because Billy isn't going to look. This is his friend. If anything, he'll only glance and leave it at that. No one has to know.

And it takes a lot of willpower to not look at Tommy's bare skin.

"Lead the cabana boy," he says, gesturing with a hand before following. Looking towards the water, he spots his board waiting for him on the outside. "And you brought my board? Good to know I don't have to wait until spring on Temba to get it in the water."

"I'm a runner. My legs and ass are almighty. My brother may be the divine twink, but I've got a godly ass."

He grins and once they're out on the sand he walks over it, bare foot with no issue, toward a nearby little structure.

"They say the sand is a gypsum related thing, so it doesn't absorb heat, so you can walk over it all day with no problem," he explains with a smile. "And of course I brought your board. Billy, you deserve a good day."

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Buffets and Birthdays

III. This Ain't a Date, It's a goddamn Boy's Date

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