Can't really call him a kid anymore.

[m_pinocchio]

Mike's never really been one for birthday parties, but that's pretty much just a rule that applies to his own, because he's thrown himself into the planning for this with a fervor that's surprised him a little. And he's had help; there's Tom with the general logistics, Delirium and Veronica with an impressive spread of food, and while he's not sure

Comments

[little_moons]

Every year, Wendy and Preston and I used to get passed out drunk, watch a splatter flick or go and smoke a joint in his shitty little Gremlin in the parking lot of the drive-in across town. Maybe not much of a party, but it was always good enough.

This... this is kind of amazing. All these people. Those sneaky fuckin' bastards who've wormed their way into my life, and it's now startlingly apparent just how long I've been here. Frighteningly obvious just how invested I am in this place.

Leaning against the bar with a drink in hand, I smirk at Mike across the room and then scan the group of familiar faces. Twenty-one years old, today, and a world away from who I was.

[weary_head]

"God," said Dean, propping his hip against the bar next to him, shot glasses in one hand and bottle of tequila in the other, "You are so sober right now, I can't even stand it. Put down whatever that bitch beer is you're drinking and get ready to man up."

[little_moons]

"Fuck you, man," I laugh, putting my beer aside and holding a hand out for the shot glass. "Come on, let's have it, then. It is tradition, after all."

Like I haven't had practice every birthday for the last seven years or so.

[weary_head]

Dean slapped both glasses on the counter, taking a quick chug from the bottle before pouring out two shots. "Normally there'd be salt, and girls to lick it off of, but I think it's best for everybody here if we skip that part."

[little_moons]

"So, I guess that means you're not offerin' to let me lick it off you, then," I say with a wry sort of smirk, picking up the glass and knocking back the shot with a wince as it burns the whole way down.

[weary_head]

"Which is a shame," said Dean, knocking back his own shot. "'Cause I taste delicious."

He leaned over and pounded the younger man on the back. "So how's it feel, huh? Now we're both old."

[little_moons]

Grunting in pain when he knocks me on the back a little harder than he really needs to, I slide my glass over for another and give him a look, "I gotta while before I'm as old as you, man."

[weary_head]

"Trust me, it flies," said Dean, filling another shot and sliding it on over. He poured one for himself and hefted the glass. "Make a toast, kid."

[little_moons]

"To, what? Ten more years before it's all adult diapers and sponge baths and Price is Right marathons?" I say with a wide, shit eating grin, lifting my glass up to clink against his.

[weary_head]

"I hate you." Dean grinned and knocked his shot back, chin jerking around the burn. "I may be old, but I got some pounds on you." He poured yet another shot.

"One of us is crawling out of here, junior, and it ain't gonna be me."

[little_moons]

"Bullshit. If anything, I'll be gettin' carried out," I say with a smirk, knocking back the next shot and choking out a cough.

[weary_head]

"You ever had someone puke down your back? It don't feel good, and I'm betting those men of yours know it. But hey." Dean punched Neil in the shoulder. "I think I saw a little red wagon we can cart you out in. Awww."

[little_moons]

"Fuck, man. Don't hit so fuckin' hard," I say, rubbing at my shoulder and realizing too late that was probably really close to a whine. "If I get that bad, leave me here to sleep it off, okay?"

[endlessdel]

"i'M suPPosed to huG you buT i thiNK i'M TOO fat." Delirium said waddling over to Neil who was smirking and leaning against the bar. She made a sadface at the drink in his hand but didn't throw it away. It was his birthday after all and he wasn't the one who had stuck his penis inside her. If it had have been Asher that had been drinking then the drink would have been all over the wall. If she wasn't allowed to drink then neither was Asher. "HapPY huMAN birthing DAY."

[little_moons]

"Aw, come on, now. You're not too fat," I say, curling my arm around her shoulders in a sort of sideways half-hug. "Thanks for doin' all this," I nod to all the food spread out on tables around the room, "It's great."

[endlessdel]

"i cAN'T See my fEET, i kNOW THey'rE THere bUt i can'T SEE THem. mAYBE i'M FLOating aROund rEALLY aND NOt wALKing, i miGHT Need to be tieD DOwn Like a BaLLoon oR i'LL FLoat away." Delirium said gesturing wildly with her hands. She missed being able to float away or turn into a thousand different butterflies. It was much harder being one singular human person than lots of little butterflies. "i LiKED it. iT WAS PeachY keEN aND Neat. bEsidES NEiLy nEEDED fooDTHings so i MADe thEM. thERe's icECREAM bUT it goT A bit MELTY."