Beach Birthday Party

[curiously_cora]

Coraline had hung paper chains all the way from the Compound to the Beach; they decorated every available tree along the main path and brightened up area. She’d have to take them down later of course but for now they looked beautiful hanging in the sky. She’d spent weeks planning this party, worrying that no one would turn up and trying to get as

Comments

[heartliketin]

Cain was there with gifts and Glitch in tow, but he wasn't in the middle of any it, just sticking to the outside edges of the party. He didn't have his hat that day, but still wore his long duster over his vest and pants, arms crossed over his torso as he hovered at the edge of the party, just keeping a watchful eye on both Coraline and Jonas, but along with that, all the other people he'd come to feel protective over as time went on.

[notinutopia]

Jonas waved to Cain. He was busy occupied with various party duties, but wanted to let Cain know he saw him. After finishing adding a few last minute directions and saying hello to the people around, he made his way over to Cain.

"Didn't Coraline do a great job?" He asked with a proud smile, glad the party was going so well

[heartliketin]

Cain assessed the party with a slow onceover, giving a nod. "It looks great, kid. Happy birthday," he offered warmly, glad that they were able to pursue some kind of normalcy around this place. "You and Coraline getting along alright?"

[notinutopia]

Jonas looked out at his party. "Thanks, Cain."

He was glad that people were having a good time. He was also thankful that the ones he knew and liked were there to celebrate with him. "She's great. I really like her a lot," Jonas admitted honestly. Then he stopped and looked up at Cain. In a lowered voice, he offered a playful smile. "What did you get her?"

[heartliketin]

"You'll just have to wait and see when she opens it, and you open yours," Cain answered with complete evenness in his voice, not giving away a single hint about either of the gifts. "I just hope you each like your gifts."

[notinutopia]

A smile crept slowly across his face once more. He'd almost forgot that HE got gifts too. Not having a party for thirteen years made this all so new to him, but it was definitely something he could get used to. Jonas liked gifts.

"I didn't expect you to get me anything, Cain!" Jonas told him honestly, wondering when he could open it. "If there like, a special time when we open presents?"

[heartliketin]

"That's up to you and Coraline. This isn't my party," Cain assured with a nod of his head. He'd never known how to throw a party anyway, seeing as Adora took care of that while he'd been busy working. "Usually, it comes after cake."

[notinutopia]

"Coraline made my cake and I made hers. I'm excited to try them they both look delicious," Jonas told him honestly, knowing that Coraline's looked so much better than his own. He gave it his best try. "I'm putting my gifts over on that table, we can go over there and set it down and get some snacks or something?" He looked up at Cain hopefully.

[heartliketin]

"You go on ahead," Cain encouraged quietly with a nod, feeling like he wouldn't be comfortable unless he on the edges of everything, watching over. "I'm gonna wait here, wait until Glitch makes a round or two and comes back around."

[notinutopia]

Nodding, Jonas smiled up at Cain. He expected that answer. Before he went, he took the gift from Cain.

"Thank you for coming Cain. I'm glad you're here." He started away but stopped himself. Turning back to Cain, he flashed a playful grin. "I can't wait to see what it is."

[heartliketin]

It was nothing more than a carved baseball bat, after hearing stories from George about the sport. It was simple, but he hoped it was enough and he nodded. "Go enjoy yourself," he instructed. "Leave an old man to watching over the kids."

[curiously_cora]

"Cain!" Coraline said, practically throwing herself at the man as she hugged him. "You came!"

[heartliketin]

Cain braced himself and caught Coraline easily in his arms, wrapping her up in a hug as he gave a quiet laugh. "Of course I came," he said, affecting a bit of offense. "What, you'd think I'd miss one of the most important days of the whole annual?"

[curiously_cora]

"I was worried no one would come, Lucy said I was being very silly." Coraline said, grinning as she squeezed him tightly. She was eleven years old, that was practically ancient. "Well I don't know, what if you had to wash your hair?"

[heartliketin]

"Of course people would have come," Cain scoffed at the notion, lifting her up even higher and wrapping his arms around her tightly, tipping his hair to her. "I don't know. Looks and feels pretty clean to me. What do you think?"

[curiously_cora]

"I've never had a birthday party with other children before, just mum and dad and my neighbours." Coraline admitted, squealing lightly as he picked her all the way up so she could look at his hair. "You have a really big bald spot right there."

Coraline pointed to his head and tapped it lightly. "That means you're wise but it is very clean." Coraline said, she was of course mostly teasing.