Friend. It is my birthday and to celebrate, I must know your thoughts on Chad celebrating Robertâs birthday because we know that feral raccoon wasnât celebrating on his own.
Robert is definitely someone who doesn't talk about their birthday. It was probably never celebrated growing up (save for Chase getting him a sweet treat), and rather than Robert not wanting to celebrate, it was more like he simply forgot he even had a birthday. His birthday comes and goes quietly, and it isn't until they start talking about Invisigal's birthday the upcoming month, does Chad suddenly question when Robert's birthday is.
The whole room goes silent. They all turn to stare at Robert, making the man squirm uncomfortably. "What?"
"It passed?" Alice screeches, taking her visors off. "Bitch, when?"
"Why didn't you say anything?" Chad demands, suddenly heated.
Robert takes a cautious step back, feeling cornered. "Um, two weeks ago. Why? Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters." Chad nearly facepalms. "Okay, new plan. We book that new karaoke bar for tomorrow and we're throwing you a party."
"What? No." Robert frowns. "You don't have to. It's fine, really."
"Nu-uh." Mal tuts as she wraps her tail gently around Robert's shoulders. "Come on, babe. It's your special day, we should celebrate."
"Cake, cake, cake!" Victor and Colm start chanting. Robert blinks, suddenly overwhelmed by what's happening. Alice is already on the phone booking everything, and things are happening much too fast.
Chad squeezes his nape gently. "You want to celebrate, don't you?"
"Iâ" Robert swallows, lips twisting downward. "I've never really...celebrated it before."
Chad's brows furrow. "Does this bother you?" He gestures towards the rowdy bunch, overly hyped for the upcoming party.
Robert hesitates, taking a moment to consider this. Finally, he says, "No...no, it's fine. They seem happy, so..." He shrugs.
Chad wants to say it matters that he's happy about it, since it's his birthday, but sometimes Robert is like that. He won't know until he's experienced it, whether he likes it or not.
The following evening comes and the party is already in full swing when Robert arrives. They booked a private room, and when he walks in, he's greeted by Mal and Mandy first, Mal handing him a beer with her tail, then Chase who shouts a half-hearted "happy birthday, kid!" since his true motive was to steal Beef away. Robert slides onto the couch next to Courtney and Golem, taking a swig of his beer.
The bass of the music pulses through his veins and it's...nice. Surprisingly easy.
Alice and Chad arrive a little lateâfashionably, as they sayâand Alice pulls Robert up for a tight hug before passing him to Chad.
Robert is very clearly underdressed in front of the duoâwell, that's no surprise, but Chad really dressed up. He's clad in a maroon, blinged out open-back vest, showing off most of his chest and muscular arms, black leather pants that are laced on either side of his hips. His hair is down, falling over his shoulders effortlessly, and Robert doesn't doubt he spent hours making sure each strand curled the right way.
Chad smiles in his usual teasing, boyish way, tilting his head slightly to the side. He takes in Robert's appearance, amber eyes sweeping down his body, clad in just a dark graphic tee and jeans, and gives a little huff of amusement.
Robert shuffles, suddenly very aware of how he looks compared to him. "Soâ" He yelps, cut off when Chad tugs him closer by the waist, nearly tantalizing in the way his hand burns over his thin shirt.
"Happy birthday." Chad breathes into his ear, his scarred one, of course, because he knows it's more sensitive. Robert feels his flush go all the way to his ears and down his neck, his breath caught in his throat. He can only give a very faint "mm" in acknowledgement, and Chad holds him there for a beat longer, his thumb rubbing against his ribs, and then lets go.
Robert relearns how to breathe once Chad moves past him to join Alice for karaoke. He plops back down into his seat and Courtney shoots him a very knowing grin, bumping her shoulder with his. He rolls his eyes and hopes the dim party lights doesn't highlight how red he must be.
The rest of the night is fun, actually. Alice finally manages to get Robert to take the mic and sing a song, and from how loud his team is cheering, he must be doing a good job. The more he drinks and sings, the more he eases up and starts to really enjoy it.
They put a silly party hat on him, but he's just tipsy enough not to care. Mandy brings in a lit vanilla birthday cake, and the room is quiet for all of 5 seconds for Robert to make a wish. He's never done this before, he doesn't know how to act, but they're all looking at him very expectantly.
He closes his eyes and wishes for this fuzzy warmth in his chest to never go away.
They cheer when he blows out his candles, and Victor, in his drunken state, nearly goes to smash his face into the cake if not for Colm holding him back.
Janelle cuts the cake, Herm and Katon-Ur helping to pass the slices around.
"Birthday boy gets first bite!" Courtney yells, looking at him expectantly. "Go on."
Robert chuckles and goes to take a bite, perfectly sweet and fluffy. The rest follow and start to enjoy their own slice. Bruno tosses the whole thing into his mouth, plate and all. "Yum."
"Figures you like vanilla cake." Chad sidles up beside him, his slice barely touched on the table. "Basic white bitch."
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with vanilla." Robert defends, taking another bite and savoring the cake. "Vanilla is versatile."
"Psh, I could've made anything. Chocolate, strawberry, fucking tiramisu, even. But no, you want vanilla."
"Wait." Robert blinks down at his cake. "You made this?"
"Of course I did." Chad scoffs and puffs out his chest proudly. "I'm amazing."
"Yeah, and he failed like, 5 times." Alice snorts from across the table. "Bruno and Victor had to take one for the team and eat the failed ones."
"They were still good." Bruno rumbles. "Just more...burnt."
"Wow." Robert's chest squeezes tight, eyes stinging. "Thank you, Chad."
His amber eyes soften, and he very casually stretches to wrap an arm around Robert's shoulders. "It's nothing, I'm just that good."
No one points it out when Robert snuggles up to Chad, resting his head on the taller man's shoulder. It's comfortable, and warm, and happy here, surrounded by people who love him.
Robert thinks celebrating his birthday might not be so bad, after all.
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