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[broken_brushes]

It made perfect sense, of course, that something wacky would happen today. Apparently I still had it in me to be totally naive, because I'd actually believed that a few cherubs with a bad attitude was all the island was going to endow us with for the holiday. Good one, island, you really pulled the wool over my eyes, har har

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[broken_brushes]

I can't lie: I was a little put out. Back home, having my birthday the day after Valentine's Day had never been that big of a deal. Sure, there was a point when I was in my preteens when I'd gotten really sick of so much hearts and flowers, but mostly it was cool. It just meant I got more Valentines than anyone, which was actually kind of awesome when I was a kid. This year, there had been a booth set up to send them for free, and I'd only gotten one.

I was trying really hard to be gracious about it. It wasn't as if I was dating anyone, or I should even expect something like that regardless, right? Being alive and having so many good friends still around was valentine enough. But I couldn't help being disappointed and maybe a little annoyed, especially since I'd sent several, and, well. It was my birthday! I was allowed.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, or something. Except I wasn't crying, I was just sort of being moody and maybe a little sad as I skulked around the refreshment table eating my second piece of cake

[gildylocks]

A few disappointing moments later, Gilderoy was ready to rid himself of the foul mood that had plagued him all morning with food. Cake seemed like just the thing.

The fact that there was an attractive young woman, who might just recognize him, only made the idea that much better.

"Why so glum?" he asked. "It's not like they've forgotten your birthday. Or that you've published nearly a dozen books and no one has even heard of you. I nearly bested the best within the Chamber of Secrets and not so much as a 'Gilderoy Lockhart! I'm you're biggest fan.'" He sighed and looked in her direction.

[broken_brushes]

The irony here was that I actually did know who Gilderoy Lockhart was. I'd read all of the Harry Potter books my first year on the island, and you didn't forget a character like that. It was just his bad luck, really, that I had his number.

But hey, blank slate or whatever, right? Maybe he'd redeem himself eventually.

"Yeah, well. They didn't forget my birthday because I'm the one who threw the party," I replied with a smirk. "You're new, aren't you?" The way I figured it, acting like I didn't know who the hell he was was a compromise between reacting the way he wanted me to and telling him I knew he was a fraud.

[gildylocks]

"Oh your birthday party! Of course. That makes you Shari or Dean. Happy Birthday." He made sure to add a particularly sparkly smile at the end of his birthday wish.

"And yes, I am new. It is my first time here at the... the Revolver."

[broken_brushes]

"Thanks. I'm Shari. Dean is the love-struck guy over there writing poetry in french fries," I replied, pointing across the room. "Did you say your name is Geoffrey?" I asked, all innocence.

[gildylocks]

"Geoffrey?" Gilderoy gave an exaggerated shudder at the sound of the name. "I had a pet once named Geoffrey. A lizard. I think it died or I killed it or something."

"No, no. My name is Gilderoy. Much more musical sounding, don't you think?"

[broken_brushes]

"Totally," I agreed with a somber nod. "And good, too, because there's already a Geoffrey here and he's really, really well-known. You're the only Gilderoy Poptart, so that will eliminate a lot of confusion, I'm sure."

[gildylocks]

Gilderoy began to nod in agreement. Of course he was the only Gilderoy... "Hold on. It's not Poptart. What is a poptart? No! Lockhart. Lockhart," he repeated, hoping it would help her to remember.

[thewordofweb]

By the time I find Shari, the night is probably half over, but I haven't touched any liquor so far. Tonight is about a birthday, not about me getting so soused up I can't walk home. "Aren't you the birthday girl?" I wonder curiously as I approach her. "I mean, shouldn't you be out on whatever floor you choose, dancing up a storm?"

[broken_brushes]

"Maybe this is the floor I choose," I shot back, waving my fork his way. "The floor where I stand here eating too much cake." The next day was Mardi Gras, and I'd regret overeating two days in a row, but just then, I wanted to eat cake and not think about anything else.

[thewordofweb]

"Is there such a thing as too much cake? Because I think that after Joe left, I could have mainlined a good three in one sitting," I warn in the intonation that says how very terrifying yet true it is. "Happy birthday, by the way," I add, softer and more genuine. "You deserve a good, sane day. I'm just sorry it's maybe only 50-50 on that score."

[badblood_rising]

Sam didn't know what to do with his brother, except tease him endlessly about this whenever the magic mojo wore off. Distance was best unless Dean attacked him with any wedding plans or something stupid. But Sam didn't know what to do with Shari either and that was more problematic. It was her birthday party too, and he felt weird avoiding her even though that had seemed like the perfect plan when he'd been on his way over. Plus, she looked kind of miserable and that wasn't right, especially not on her birthday.

He just wasn't sure his presence would help as opposed to hurt. He headed over to the table anyway, giving her a lopsided but well-meant grin. "Hey, so... Happy birthday," he said. "Having a good time?"

[broken_brushes]

It wasn't like I hadn't seen Sam since he'd shown back up; it was a pretty small island, and you have to make a serious effort to avoid seeing someone completely. But we'd fallen into a mutual and probably totally unhealthy routine of staying well away from each other. I hadn't actually spoken to him since that first time, in this very same place.

Just looking at him hurt, like my heart was knocking against my ribcage. Fortunately, I was good at playing it cool.

"Hey," I said, that first word a little breathless before I caught myself and offered a smile in return. "Yeah, of course. It's a good party. I'm glad you could make it," I added, and then faltered, motioning idly with one hand. "Not that you wouldn't."

[badblood_rising]

Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Past the obligatory well-wishes, Sam wasn't sure what to say. That was part of the reason he had mostly avoided her in the first place in addition to save her from any pain. And Sam's own issues.

"Yeah, well." He gave a slight shrug. "Sorry you have to share a birthday with my brother," he said lightly. "At least he's behaving himself. .. Mostly." French fry declarations not withstanding.

[broken_brushes]

"It was my idea," I replied, never mind that I regarded Dean as my brother, too, and would have done just about anything for him. I peered around Sam's considerable height at where Dean was still creating art from french fries and laughed.

"I really hope this is a one day thing, or we're going to have a serious situation on our hands."

[badblood_rising]

"It has to be," Sam answered, sounding pretty confident even though only a little while ago he'd been kind of worried. "There's no way Dean just turns gay overnight. And starts making... fry sculptures." Though to be honest, that would be the least surprising thing about this.