Happy Birthday Ric! (OTA but especially Ric)

[angelica_jinx]

Ordinarily, baking was Angel's stress reliever but this time the pressure was on. It was Ric's birthday and she had no idea what she was going to make him. She wanted something funny, manly, and maybe a little dirty but nothing was coming to mind. Angel wasn't very good at being funny on purpose and sadly, Ric would have been the go to guy for

Comments

[movetheearth]

The last day or so has passed in a haze, Ric has barely left his room, choosing to skip eating at the designated meal time because he's just not hungry. Instead he locks himself away in his room. Come morning Ric has barely slept at all, catching only short bursts of sleep that are plagued by violent and vivid nightmares that jolt him wide awake. Eventually he gives up and heads down to the gym, going through the motions of his training regime and barely even thinking about the actions or movements he makes

[angelica_jinx]

"There's the birthday boy!" Angel exclaimed excitedly as she hurried over to him. "Do you know I've been looking for you all over camp? What are you doing--"

She stopped the perky chatter when she was close enough to see the wear on his face from not sleeping and depressed expression that marred every one of his lovely features. "Ric? Are you okay? What's wrong?"

[movetheearth]

Startled from where he's been lost in his thoughts Ric drops his cigarette, swearing under his breath as he reaches down to grab it. Giving it up as a lost cause he stubs out the remains and rummages in his pockets for a new one. The words haven't sunk in yet and as Ric lights a new cigarette and snaps his lighter shut he raises an eyebrow at Angel.

"Birthday? What on earth are you going on about Angel? Whose birthday?" He takes a drag, blowing the smoke up into the air. "I look as rough as I'm feeling? Thought as much."

Lighter back in his pocket Ric pulls out a flask and tips the contents into his mouth, but there is barely anything in the flask, so he gives that up as a lost cause.

[angelica_jinx]

"It's May 31st." She replied gently. "It's your birthday."

Apparently, whatever he was going through had been going on long enough that he lost track of the date. If Angel were a better friend she would probably have some sort of clue what it was all about but she's been a little preoccupied with her own angst.

"You could never look real bad." She tried to reassure him. It was true. He was a good looking guy who looked even better when he was a little scruffy and haggard. Not this haggard but still. Cutie.

"Is it something you can talk about?"