stupidinspadesconstantine:
John is a few minutes late, which will annoy Rip, he’s sure. His friend prefers punctuality. However, he seems to be in a good mood when John gets there. He smiles back at Rip as he approaches the corner where they have agreed to meet after school and then laughs as Rip produces a present from behind his back.
It’s not really a secret that John hates his birthday, but Rip has done everything in his power to make it a day that John loves, pretty much ever since they met. He doesn’t make a big deal out of it usually, he just makes sure John knows that someone cares about him. There is also usually a small present, something that John can hide in his room.
“You shouldn’t have,” he says, as he accepts the parcel. It’s definitely a book, which doesn’t fill him with happiness. John and books have an uneasy relationship. But Rip went to the trouble of getting him this, so he isn’t going to show even slight disappointment, no matter what it is.
Maybe Rip thinks he needs a study guide or perhaps it’s one of the books they’re studying in class. John always has to borrow the book from the library.
He tears the paper off the present, and his grin broadens. It’s not at all what he expected. It’s so much better than what he expected. Rip is into Dungeons and Dragons, and John has kind of been getting interested in it too recently. It’s a bit more nerdy than he usually likes to appear to be, and appearances are important in secondary school. John has an image to maintain. But he also likes Rip, and he likes to make Rip happy. D&D actually does look like something he’d enjoy too.
He pulls Rip into a rapid and very uncoordinated hug. John has long limbs and he’s stick thin so his hugs are usually a bit awkward, but it’s the thought that counts.
“It’s perfect. Just what I need. Does this mean I’m invited to the next game? Hey, do you want to head back to yours and maybe go for a run in the woods before dinner?”
He releases Rip, and is still grinning. Rip got him something that he knew John was interested in, something that meant they could spend more time together. John occasionally wonders why Rip is his friend, but they just work and he can’t imagine life without his best mate. Usually John is the one pulling Rip along to things he thinks he might enjoy or trying to get him out of the house more. It’s a nice change when Rip is sharing his interests.
He is watching John so closely he is probably staring at him, but this is important and John’s reaction needs to be analyzed. Rip isn’t always that good at interpreting expressions correctly, but the smile he’s seeing now is very easy to read, John is happy.
“It’s your birthday and you always get a present on your birthday, that’s a rule,” he says with a grin and hopes that it being a rule makes it easier for John to accept the gift.
The hug is a surprise and he’s tense at first, but then hugs John back for a moment.
“You’re welcome. And I’m so glad that you like it, I found it while I was out shopping with Mom three months ago and five days ago. I would love for you to join us, I have so many ideas for what you could play. I’ll help you set up your character, I think you would be a great rogue. Or a fighter. Or a sorcerer if you prefer magic. And there’s also the warlock and--”
-- and he needs to stop talking and let John get a word in because if he doesn’t shut up now, he’ll probably tell him everything about every single class in the game.
He grins at John.
“You know that we can’t go for a run until you’ve eaten your birthday cake, right? Mom is waiting for us. She wouldn’t tell me what kind of cake it is this year, it’s a surprise.”
Well, it’s not really a surprise since they always invite John on his birthday and there is always cake waiting for them, but he is still looking forward to it. There is also another present for John waiting for him, but that is a surprise and he is going to keep it a secret.
“But after cake we can go for a run!”
