(Untitled)

[justdidntseeit]

Kate's at the counter with a handful of chocolate squares wrapped in shiny foil, and the most decadent cupcake she's ever seen.

"Thanks, Bar," she says, the words more bemused than wry.

She glances at the napkin accompanying the cupcake.

"It's not really my birthday, though. I'm still 29 in L.A

Comments

[averyhasagun]

"Happy birthday, o blessed one," says Paul, as he sits uninvited next to her.

"Looks like Bar really knows how to celebrate."

[justdidntseeit]

"Thankgodhelp," she manages around a mouthful of yellow cake and be-sprinkled frosting.

She slides over the cupcake, the untouched side facing Paul.

This thing could easily feed four.

[averyhasagun]

Paul's eyebrows very rapidly knit.

"Oh.

"Oh, no.

"Surely you jest."

[justdidntseeit]

Kate requests an extra fork from Bar, dangling it just out of Paul's reach.

"Are you diabetic?"

[fanofthegenre]

"Those are... pink."

For lack of a better word.

"Special occasion?"

[justdidntseeit]

Kate offers Beckett a milk-chocolate-and-caramel square and an extra fork.

"Only kind of -- I don't think this counts as a real birthday."

A beat.

"Right? Right."

Another beat.

"Hi."

[fanofthegenre]

"Hi."

She slides onto the seat besides Kate, eyes widening.

"Wait - it's not your birthday, is it? Technically?"

[justdidntseeit]

Cheerfully, "Not in any way that counts. I'm still months away from 30 at home."

[27_53]

The man at the bar, a few stools down, hunches over a plate full of Valentines' candy -- the pastel colored, tiny chalk-tasting hearts -- slowly separating them into piles assorted by color.

His fingers occasionally shake with the effort of grasping such small pieces of candy, but he does not mind. He's dressed warmly, a heavy woolen coat draped over his frame.

The pink pile of hearts is the largest. It's only fitting, given the occasion.

He's studying the cupcake, curious as to how they got the frosting that shade of pink.

[justdidntseeit]

The color, as violently pink as it is, doesn't make Kate marvel as much as the sheer amount of frosting piled on the cupcake.

She gives its peak an experimental tap with her fork, punching four neat holes in the velvety buttercream's surface.

"This is ridiculous," she says to no one in particular, but the sentiment isn't lost on Bar, who offers another napkin in response.

"No, it's not that I -- "

After a round of apologizing, Kate shakes her head and glances around the bar proper; that's when she spots the stranger with a trove of candy nearby.

"Looks like she likes you, too," she says with a smile, nodding toward the hearts on his plate.

[27_53]

"She's nice."

Even if the mountain of candy will give him a sugar high that rivals a kindergarten class after the 'end of the year' party, she's still nice. He'll go flying. It will work off some of the energy.

"Valentine's Day."

Even without the uptick in his tone, it's obvious it's a question, directed at the cupcake. He quirks his head quizzically, an odd gesture that's not quite human.

It is also fitting.

[justdidntseeit]

"Valentine's Day," she echoes with a nod, lifting a foil-wrapped square of chocolate with her free hand.

"And this," she says, pointing to the cupcake in question with her fork, "is a birthday surprise."

[trigger_man]

Jack slows down as he passes her table, one eyebrow raised. "Special day?"

[justdidntseeit]

She chuffs a laugh and shakes her head.

"Not if I have anything to say about it."

[trigger_man]

"So Bar's just passing out giant cupcakes?" he asks, taking a seat.

[justdidntseeit]

"Not exactly," Kate says, offering a Ghirardelli square. "It's Bar's way of saying happy birthday, even if it doesn't really count in here."

[wheelsy_sheriff]

A pink carnation appears on her right elbow, then Bill takes the stool on her left.

"Hey."

[justdidntseeit]

Distracted by the sudden appearance of the flower, she starts slightly when Bill speaks.

"Hey, yourself," she says, her expression melting into a warm smile.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

He gives her a smile that's almost apologetic if it weren't so amused.

"That's a pretty big cupcake you got there."

His dancing eyes ask, 'can I help you with it?'.

[justdidntseeit]

With a helpless head-shake, she hands over an extra fork and nudges the cupcake closer to him.

"Help yourself, sheriff."