Happy Birthday Fail Fujishima!

[redstray]

[ Eric watched silently from his position on the couch as everyone seemed to hustle or bustle about in some way or another. It was mostly Totsuka doing a lot of whatever it was that was causing this uproar, bringing out a cake, some strange accessories and everything of the like.

He ignored it all as it filled the bar, along with everyone there. He wasn't used to their strange behaviour yet, they didn't seem to have any consistency.

They said they were waiting for someone, he didn't catch his name, only half paying attention to what was going on. They weren't needing him or talking about him so he really just had to stay put where he was. There were a few people still not in the bar, Fujishima included, so perhaps they were waiting for one of them. ]

Comments

[canwekeepit]

[ Slowly the missing members arrived, each bringing some other festive looking thing with them. But when the last one showed up, the true reason for the bustling about became obvious. Fujishima barely entered the bar before a loud 'Surprise!' was shouted in unison. ]

Oh... You really didn't have to do this.

[ But what did he expect? Despite being a gang of rebels, none of them ever turned down a reason to gather and have a good time together. Fujishima smiled lightly, taking the offered drink and thanking each of them that came up and wished him a happy birthday.

It wasn't until everyone had moved on to food and drinks that he realized Eric hadn't come up. He automatically turned to the spot on the couch that Eric practically owned, by this point. And sure enough, he was there. ]

You didn't come say happy birthday.

[ He wasn't insulted at all, merely pointing it out. Maybe Eric hadn't known. ]

[redstray]

[ Eric heard it get louder as more people showed up

He jumps as he heard Fujishima come towards him and say something. He had been in such a daze that he didn't even notice. ]

Ah...what?

[ He went through his head again, slowly understanding what he said to him. He didn't say Happy Birthday...to Fujishima...it was his birthday? ]

Ha-happy...b-birthday...I...I didn't know...sorry...

[ Or had they told him? He doesn't remember. It had just been a birthday before right? Kusanagi...Did they really celebrate everyone's birthday in this place? This group was as strange as strange can be. ]

[canwekeepit]

It's fine. But now you know, so next time you can say it.

[ He holds his untouched drink out to him. It's just a soda for now, so Eric's free to have it he'd like. ]

It's the polite thing to do.

[ He takes a seat next to Eric, watching the others enjoying themselves. ]

[redstray]

R-right...

[ He curses himself for not knowing, since that seems to be something that they do here...But then again...what was normal?

He stares at the can for a moment before slowly taking it, staring at it some more before sipping it a little. ]

Are...do you all, normally celebrate birthdays? Like this?

[canwekeepit]

Usually, yeah. They all get really excited about it. Especially around Anna's birthday.

[ Just give it some time, by the end of the night they'll all be passed out drunk. Something occurs to Fujishima. Given Eric's reaction to this whole thing, has he ever had a real birthday celebration? ]

Ah... I don't think we ever asked your birthday, though.

[redstray]

That so?

[ He glances at the girl who was enjoying a loud conversation done by Yata and Chitose. Judging by hoe much alcoholic everyone seemed t be having, it wouldn't take too long to gt them drunk.

He jumps a bit at the question and looks at Fujishima ]

...My birthday? Why?

[canwekeepit]

So we can do something for you, too.

[ Fujishima stands slowly, leaving that answer with Eric while he goes to fetch a beer from the counter where Kusanagi-san was attempting to keep the boys inline as best he could. ]

[redstray]

Huh?

[ To do something for him...on his birthday. When was the last time his birthday was celebrated? Before Hikawa for sure. He never mentioned it to his own...old owner for fear of what would happen. His birthday, when was it again?

When Fujishima returns, Eric stays silent for a while longer, trying his best to speak up and remember. ]

It's uhm...March, in March....The seven...[ He shakes his head, frowning ] Nineteenth. March nineteenth. My birthday...

[canwekeepit]

[ Fujishima reclaims his spot on the couch and uncaps his beer. He knows Eric will speak up and answer eventually, when he's comfortable, so he waits patiently for him to get it all out. ]

...We missed it, then.

[ Hmm, that's disappointing. It would have been nice to treat the kid to something he probably hasn't had in his life, at least not in a long time. ]

Want to make up for it now? I don't mind sharing the spotlight if you want.

[redstray]

[ He shakes his head again, fidgeting with his sleeves. ]

N-no...I mean...it's fine. It's your birthday, not mine.

[canwekeepit]

[ He nods lightly. Maybe he can talk it over with some of the other guys and at least do something special for him soon. ]

Are you liking it here so far?

[ Sometimes he's not sure. Eric is still rather quiet and jumpy, even around him. ]

[redstray]

It's weird...not...what I'm used to.

[ He shot up straight as he finished, staring over at Fujishima, a bit of panic on his face. ]

But I'll adapt! And I'll be useful...

[ This place was so different from Hikawa he really needed the time to adjust to Homra's rules and system. They weren't like any other gang he's known so it will take some work but he'll be useful to these people that helped him. He will. ]

[canwekeepit]

[ Useful... ]

You don't need to talk like that. You're not an object to be used.

[redstray]

Ah...r-right.

[ He looked away, so that was bad to say now, huh? This was going to be a lot more difficult then he thought. ]

[canwekeepit]

Just be there for the group. And we'll do the same for you.

[ Not that Eric even had to do that, if he didn't want to. He was free to make his own choices now. ]

[redstray]

I'll help anyway I can.

[ All he could do was kill people and be a dog right now, but he'll learn how Homra wants him to be. And he owed them his life, to disobey them would leave a bad taste in his mouth. ]

...Present...birthdays are suppose to have presents, right?

[canwekeepit]

It doesn't have to. Kids get more presents than adults do.

[ And he wasn't expecting anyone to get him anything, including Eric. ]

But, it is a nice gesture.

[redstray]

They're different...

[ This was an adult birthday, not a lot of decorations, some cake, but not very kid like he supposed. Still, it did seem like fun at least everyone looked happy. That was all that he remembered about his birthday, decorations and happy faces. ]

It's a gesture to give one, but don't have to give one...which is it?

YAY HAVING ONE MUSE REFERENCE THE OTHER......

[canwekeepit]

If you find something you know they'd really like, then give it to them. It's better than getting something last minute that has no meaning to it. Most won't mind just getting a 'happy birthday' and seeing you.

[ Though, watching some of the other guys while he explains gets him to update his answer. ]

But I guess it depends on the person.

[ He's not naming names, but there's one in particular you'd probably be best off getting ANYTHING, lest you get an earful. ]

LOL PERFECT

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head as he listens to the explanation. That just made his confusion grow, but he sort of figured it out.

His stomach makes a small growl and he tries to cover it up by shifting a bit in his seat. ]

Lot of rules, for one day. Different people, different ways...

[canwekeepit]

You'll figure them all out eventually.

[ But don't think he didn't hear that grumbling. ]

Did you eat anything yet today?

[redstray]

[ He nods, a bit stubborn ]

I had some crackers.

[ See? Healthy! ]

[canwekeepit]

You should probably have more than that.

[redstray]

Not hungry.

[canwekeepit]

Your stomach was growling.

[redstray]

It's fine...

[canwekeepit]

I'm getting you some cake.

[ And he's up and fetching it now. ]

[redstray]

AH...Uhm...

[ Annnd he's gone....

He looks down, feeling bad for letting Fujishima get him some cake. Was food okay to eat? He was fine not eating, he shouldn't worry. He fidgeted with his fingers, guilt keeping him quiet. ]

[canwekeepit]

[ Plopping back down next to Eric with cake for them both. At least he didn't get you a massive slice. ]

Eat this.

[redstray]

[ He stares at Fujishima before staring at the cake. ]

It's...really okay I can have this?

[canwekeepit]

Hmm.

[ He humms and nods, as he's mid bite when Eric asks. It's some good cake! ]

[redstray]

[ It's a bit slow, but he takes the utensil and puts some of the cake on it. Looking back at Fujishima one last time he takes a bite out of the cake. ]

It's sweet...

[canwekeepit]

It's good though, right?

[ Fujishima smiles, encouraging Eric to eat more if he likes it. ]

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head, trying to think if it was or not. Finally after a second bite he shrugged ]

I guess...

[canwekeepit]

[ Fujishima shakes his head ever so slightly. Eric was still so reserved and unsure. It'd be hard to get him to loosen up, but Fuji wasn't planing on giving up anytime soon. ]

You don't have to eat it if you don't like it. Kusanagi-san's probably got something else in the back you could eat.

[redstray]

[ He shakes his head, that would be wasting food. And he didn't hate it, so...that meant he liked it right? ]

I don't mind it...it's fine...

[canwekeepit]

[ Well, he thinks the cake is pretty good, so he'll take his time eating. After setting his empty plate on the table in front of them, he humms softly. ]

My mother should be cooking something special for me tonight. They usually have something set up for my birthday. [ He pauses, judging Eric's reaction before continuing. ] It'd be nice to have you there.

[redstray]

[ Eric visibly stiffened at the mention, his hand clenching the fork, not bothering to put more cake on it.

To be at someones house, to see someone elses family...

Half of him wanted to obey, the other wanted to stay away as far as possible. He gives a shaky nod of his head, he would have to go anyways, right? ]

Okay...