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[pinkplumblossom]

[As nice as Taiwan can be, there are some times when she continues to be an absolutely incorrigible, spoiled, self-centered brat.  Her birthday happens to be one of those days.  It also happens to be today.  Mayfield is a mess, her family is in shambles with Netherlands gone for good, and the house is a wreck following Saki's run-in with the

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[peonymarket]

[he isn't suicidal so much as deeply disdainful of the hazmats, but he's here now, and approaching Taiwan slowly.]

[pinkplumblossom]

[Taiwan looks up slowly, forcing a small smile onto her face.]

[peonymarket]

[gently, as he sits beside her]

Nihao, Taiwan.

[pinkplumblossom]

[Frowns again, resting her head on his shoulder silently.]

[peonymarket]

[He has no words to comfort her- nothing adequate, anyway -so he only wraps his arms around her smaller frame and holds her carefully.]

[pinkplumblossom]

[Just this is fine by her. She leans into the hug, setting the cupcake down next to her and wrapping her own arms around his midsection.]

[peonymarket]

[He strokes her hair gently, and doesn't bother to think of this as strange.]

[pinkplumblossom]

[As far as she's concerned, it's not all that strange. She's just happy to have someone there to comfort her.]

"...I'm so tired of this town."

[peonymarket]

[he thinks for a moment.....considers praising her for enduring for so long, but he holds back. what would that be worth? it would just be a reminder that she has so much more to endure.]

I understand.

[pinkplumblossom]

"...Thanks for coming."

[Lifts her head from his shoulder and smiles a little.]

[peonymarket]

I am sorry I did not come sooner.

[he smiles back with a muted warmth; even now his ears are pricked for the sound of hazmats]

[pinkplumblossom]

It's all right. I'm not in much of a mood for a birthday party today anyway.

[peonymarket]

[he doesn't believe that, but it doesn't matter; he just gives her another gentle squeeze]

[pinkplumblossom]

[Yeah, she actually wouldn't complain at all if everyone jumped out and yelled 'SURPRISE' at her, but right now she's still pretty upset.]

"I'm happy to see you. Even with everything the way it's been."

[peonymarket]

I am happy to see you too.

[a pause]

Always. So please be careful....

[pinkplumblossom]

I will. I don't intend to leave the house until this is all over and done with.