Overland Park, KS, October 1st

[vanillajello]

October 1st, 2011. Kate's 18th birthday.

Again.

Also, November 1st, 2011. Bod's 18th birthday.

Interdimensional time differences were a pain in the ass, but occasionally they produced fun coincidences like a once-in-a-lifetime joint birthday, and that was why Bod had been invited over to Kansas today.

There'd been much cheer earlier from the Gregsons and their assorted posse, and there'd more family partying later, probably (in her honor, not his). But for now, the outsiders had cleared off to do other stuff, mostly to give Kate and Bod some time alone, and so alone they were, in the kitchen of Charmaine's house, with a birthday cake that was missing whatever pieces her family had already eaten. And Kate was currently adding '+ Bod' at the end of the original 'Happy Birthday Kate' in icing. "Look, I'm making you a birthday cake!"

[ooc: NFB, and for the boooy and some truly epic SP.]

Comments

[therewaslife]

"We can have many moonlight picnics," he said, holding the container up close to his eyes and marveling at it lighting up like it did. "We need to have more of those."

[vanillajello]

"We do," she agreed, watching him with a gently amused expression on her face. "We totally do. Do you want the rest of your presents or are you just hypnotized by the pretty?"

[therewaslife]

"You're still prettier," Bod assured her, grinning and putting the container down so he could smile up at her. "I'm not hypnotized."

[vanillajello]

"Good reply," Kate snickered. She couldn't help smirking a bit as she pulled out a smaller present. Sort of soft, but with harder parts just underneath. "This one next," she said, handing it to him.

This was a gift she remembered threatening him with already last year. It was high time. Plus, she thought his face would be priceless.

[therewaslife]

Bod opened the newest gift and his fingers touched the soft part first so he thought perhaps it was a piece of clothing. When he actually saw what it was, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open but no words came out.

She'd gotten her reaction.

[vanillajello]

And Kate laughed. "Oh, come on, like you didn't know you'd eventually be unwrapping those during some gift-giving situation!"

[therewaslife]

"I'd forgotten about them!" Bod exclaimed and he felt his cheeks flaming up. "I'm holding a pair of...furry handcuffs up in the middle of your family's living room. I didn't think it'd be this situation."

His cheeks were bright red but at least he hadn't stuttered.

[vanillajello]

"Dude, what did you expect?" Kate asked, still snickering. "I'm evil. This is what I do. And it's my aunt's house, so tcehnically you're in my living room."

Like that made any difference with the way her family tended to come and go through both houses.

[therewaslife]

"I would still get quite the look from any of your family," he said, shaking his head and laughing. "Your memory is far too good sometimes. It's an evil thing."

[vanillajello]

"It's not," she snorted. "This wasn't even really a memory thing so much as it was an... 'I want to give my boyfriend handcuffs' thing. I promise my last gift is nothing blushworthy, though."

[therewaslife]

"We'll have to find a situation to use these in," Bod said, deciding he could give her that one because he wanted to do the same. He put them away and laughed again. "You're still evil."

[vanillajello]

"Maybe a little." Maybe a lot. But not right now. She reached into the bag one last time, and produced a hard, book-shaped item. "Last one. Happy birthday, Bod."

[therewaslife]

Bod carefully opened the package and his eyes widened again but not with embarrassment.

"Kate..." He trailed off and put a hand over the cover. "I don't even know if I'm going to travel."

He wanted to though and she knew that.

[vanillajello]

"But you want to, right?" Kate replied, shrugging a shoulder. "And for what it's worth, I think you're going to."

She wanted him to, because she knew he wanted to. And hell, she was wanting to move to Japan. She could not be the more travelled one out of them.

[therewaslife]

"I want to," he said, nodding and looking down at the top of the book, "but I want you to be a part of my life too. You don't doubt that, right? Even if I do travel?"

[vanillajello]

"I want to go to Japan," she retorted. "Do you doubt whether I still want you in my life?"

[therewaslife]

"I know that," he said, nodding and looking up at her. "I just wanted it to be completely clear. That's all."

[vanillajello]

"Crystal," she replied with a light smile. "Everyone wants to see the world, no one wants to ditch anyone."

[therewaslife]

"And I love you," he said, pushing himself to his feet to come closer to her. "I love you so much."

[vanillajello]

"And I love you too," Kate replied, holding out her hands for him. "I love you, my blushing English Muffin."

[therewaslife]

Bod laughed at the nickname and took her hands, stepping closer to her. "My evil Cuddle Bunny. I love you."

[vanillajello]

"Enough to deal with handcuffs and keychains?" She gave his hands a little squeze. "Enough to deal with the evil?"

[therewaslife]

"Enough to deal with everything," Bod said, leaning forward to kiss her nose. "Everything."

[vanillajello]

"Everything's a lot of stuff," she murmured, scrunching up her nose under that kiss. "Are you sure?"

[therewaslife]

"I'm more than sure," he murmured quietly. "More than sure."