hugtopia_logs | happy birthday to u

Entry tags:

happy birthday to u

♥ Who: sad rawna kids, maybe less sad other people
♥ Where: rawna’s house
♥ When: 7/4-7/8
♥ What: canon update party
♥ Rating: prolly pg for intense worry

This was not how the afternoon was supposed to go.

It was really just supposed to be a little lounge in the afternoon. Kai had taken Bug out for a little romp in the sunshine, let the little guy stretch its… uh… rind? Get its roll on. Enjoy that one patch of grass for a while, a fruitbug needed some quality time outside sometimes, probably. Kai did at least. Playing with the orange eventually devolved into just sitting around for a bit as it rolled around, and that eventually led to laying back to watch the clouds roll by. Had there been any plans for dinner? Was the kind of idle thought that passed by. Maybe when all three of them were home, they could try making oyakodon or something together. That seemed like a good time.

When idle thoughts and lazy clouds became a nap, he didn’t know.

He didn’t wake up when Rawna’s priests came and picked him up. He didn’t wake up when Bug squeaked at them either, so he missed all the erratic circles it rolled around them as they went off to the temple.

It rolled all the way there, and all the way back, rolling around in obvious circles in the yard until someone it knew came home. Was it you? Yes? Well, better follow that fruit cuz there it went down the road to Rawna’s house.

The priests were kind of expecting them. Even with the mishaps that had happened, Rawna’s priests were familiar enough with this group to know that there was one pertinent reason Shinji or Kyoko would have shown up right now…. Even if they didn’t yet. Yes, their friend was this way. Yes, they could visit with him.

He didn’t wake up then, either.

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Oh.

Huh.

Kai sucked in a sharp breath, eyes going wide. There was a lot there to sift through. The actual impact of it still being anywhere near his birthday far outweighed the birthday issue at first. It'd only been a few days for them. That was. That was good. It was good, right?

It was. It had to be. Now that he was getting a chance to better look at them, it was become alarmingly clear how haggard they looked after a few days. Kai tried to ignore that guilty jolt, swallowing hard.

"It's..." Oh, his throat suddenly felt real tight again. Hold on. "No, you're not the ones that missed anything. You.. have you been here the whole time?"

They had definitely missed something though! Something very important! She'd thought they were too long, but where had all those sleepy days vanished away to so quickly?

"We couldn't both stay the whole time," Kyoko moped, still preoccupied with the birthday tragedy. "Getting all of our meals delivered would have been too much." Not that they'd eaten much in the last few days that Kyoko would be comfortable defining as a meal, but the point stood.

"Aah... I really would have wanted to celebrate on the proper day..."

They only really had meals as far as they had restful sleeps, really. At least something is better than nothing, but it was hard to muster up much of an appetite when their spirits were already so low. It's fine, they're fine.

"We didn't want you to wake up alone." Taking turns running brief, essential errands was doable, considering the top priority here had been to make sure that there was always someone in the room. Both of them being there was definitely preferable, in the end.

Still, the birthday stuff, even while being small potatoes compared to the possibility of Kai simply vanishing, is kind of a huge bummer. He offers a few gentle circles rubbed into Kyoko's back - there, there - while he carefully pockets his communicator once more.

"At least we can push everything back to another day."

The birthday boy himself is now back with them, which means celebrations can, in fact, still happen.

It would have just been one more day waking up to no one. That would have been fine, he was sure. Even as he was thinking that, he couldn't deny how much of a relief it had been to wake up with their hands warm in his. Finally, he was home.

"It's close enough," he whispered, tugging them both back towards him the best he could. Please, come back, he didn't know how to express all the things that were firing off at once. There was far too much love and appreciation and worry, he felt just about to burst. "Felt like weeks to me."

He was grateful it hadn't been. He didn't want to think about them both toiling away in here for weeks just for him, a few days was bad enough. Giving them each another careful squeeze, he went, "Let's get you both home before we worry about birthdays."

Appreciative of that little rub to her back, Kyoko had given Shinji a little nod; missing the day was a letdown for sure, but nothing was called off. They'd just celebrate extra hard now! She was about to say as much, too, when Kaito pulled her in close again, and she forgot how to form words.

Ah, Kyoko thought as she bowed her head over Kaito's shoulder, nothing had changed in the last few days. If anything, she was even more hopeless now. All she wanted was to stay right there and listen to the sweet low rumble of his voice.

But that was silly, so she took his cue and pulled away as soon as he let her, though she couldn't will herself to release his hand just yet. "Let's get you home. I can't--" oh hang on, gotta stifle a big yawn, "bake a cake here."

It'll be an extra special surprise(?), whenever they get around to doing it. Hopefully soon. But not right now.

Now they have to get everyone home. Shinji's sure he doesn't have to push too hard on the idea that Kyoko doesn't have to, like, get started on that cake right away. Would she even last the trip home, after a yawn that mighty? (With that in mind, would he?)

"Right," he agrees, taking the opportunity to rest his forehead against Kai's other shoulder as he's pulled back in. Ahh, he didn't even realize how much he missed this, this kind of comfort that scratches a deep, days neglected itch. He sighs deeply, greedily savoring the contact for that much longer. "Bug's been rolling around here, too."

So many people to be herding home.

It was really hard to be responsible when they were lingering with their affections. The temptation to simply scoot back on the bed and try to cram them both on to the cot with him was immense, because he really wasn't ready to let either of them go just yet either. Kai gently rest his head against Shinji's, soaking that contact up and breathing out a soft laugh.

"Are they? Geez, you really were all having a party already."

It sure made his herding dog job a lot easier though. With another ruffle of Shinji's hair and a squeeze of Kyoko's hand, he moved to finally get out of that bed. Speaking of, there went Bug rolling between his feet, followed by one of those pink mice of Ainea's. Huh. Odd place for that friend to be, but Kai didn't pay it that much more attention than that, Luckily home was real close, so even with all their fatigue and unused limbs, he felt they'd probably make it alright.

Let's just get a supportive arm around each of them for the journey. Yes, even you, Kyoko. Your handhold has been upgraded.

Would Kyoko try to bake a cake immediately upon reaching the house? Would she fall asleep in the middle of the street? Gosh, who could say? Better hurry on home and solve this mystery.

To that end, she helped ease Kaito up onto his feet--gosh, it hadn't occurred to her until just now, but getting up and walking around after being bedridden for days was probably going to be kinda hard on him, huh? So she really couldn't protest too much when he suddenly looped an arm around her, even if her heart wanted to burst right through her chest.

"Ah--will you be all right? It's not a long walk, but..." Here, she was just gonna put a cautious hand to his back, as she sent a look Shinji's way. "We could probably carry him, right? Between the two of us."

Okay, okay, let's all put a pause on this cuddle pile until everyone gets home safe and sound.

Kyoko's concern is a smart one, but Shinji's not entirely sure how up to the task his own body would actually be if they needed to carry Kai's full weight back to the house. He'd certainly try, but maybe just sharing the work between all three of them is the best option.

He cozies in nice and close to Kai, which gives him plenty of room to slide his arm around the other boy's back to meet Kyoko's hand, his other now free to wipe away any tears still clinging to his face. "We can help, at least." They can combine their powers and maybe make one competent set of legs, perhaps.

"There's no rush, we can take it easy if we need to."

"Yeah. Let's just take it slow. This should work fine." And if it didn't, at least it was very nice for right now. What a nice way to stroll with each of them. If they both leaned on him they'd be keeping him upright, which meant he should be able to keep them upright in turn. "Just lean on me as much as you need."

Let the shuffling out into the halls commence, with one spritely orange rolling behind them.

Shinji's hand finding hers again was a surprise, but Kyoko didn't do anything more than blink round eyes over at the boy. It was fine, it was probably just convenient for him if they were both going to have their arms around Kaito.

... And besides, it would have felt kind of strange, just stopping after she'd held his hand for almost four days straight. Granted, she was going to have to stop for real soon, anyway, but... a little longer was nice.

"You're supposed to lean on us at a time like this," Kyoko countered, because what fatigue. That didn't exist. Nonsense. Kaito was fresh out of a coma, he was surely the most fragile of them.

It was a motion done largely out of convenience, true - if they have a more solid chain at Kai's back, that's just that much more support! But it also felt like... the right thing to be doing. They can keep supporting each other like this. Kyoko deserved that extra bit of comfort after sticking through this whole debacle.

Most of all, though, it simply felt nice. And Shinji didn't want to stop yet. Easy as that.

"You let us lean on you all the time, you know." Never mind that they might actually need it in a more literal sense. This fatigue is nothing! They'll be fine!!

It was sweet moments like these that brought calm to the turbulence in Kai's heart. With this much care between the three of them, was it really that hard to believe they'd turn out just fine if he said some wild truths out loud? Nothing about this felt like something that would need to change.

Kai tucked that thought away for later, just focusing on how warm his heart felt now.

"It's what I'm here for," he pointed out. "Wouldn't do it so well if I didn't have both of you proppin' me up."

Ignorant to whatever tender thoughts were happening in anybody's head right now, Kyoko was free to pout and quibble as much as her tired heart desired.

"Shinji's right, though. Just because we rely on you a lot," she grumbled as they carefully made their way out into the street, "That doesn't mean that's what you're here for. You're supposed to rely on us too, sometimes, you know."

"We want you to be able to rely on us just as much as we rely on you." Even if it's for something as menial as getting home without collapsing. Well, menial, but currently fairly challenging, given their current statuses. Slow and careful, but at least they're getting somewhere on these unsteady legs. Goodbye for now, Rawna's temple. They're all gonna need a little break before they see any of you again for sure.

"We're here for you whenever you need us."

hey no that's his username

Gosh, so many grumbles. Cute. "Mmm, that's what I was sayin' though," he said, pausing a moment before they really got going again. Much as he didn't want to admit it, he needed a moment to recollect his bearings on which way they ought to be shuffling to reach home. Yes, good, this was correct. Carry on.

"Might not seem like it, but I'm leanin' on you guys all the time." He'd just had a real cool glimpse at what happened all on his own, he was very sure that he was correct on this. "Even when I don't know it."

Kai gave them the best semblance of a hug he could muster while they hobbled along. "... Know I don't need to, but... Thank you for looking after each other."

All these sweet words and warm squeezes, jeez, gosh. What could she even say to all that? Kaito certainly had woken up in an extra sentimental mood, hadn't he?

Even thanking them for taking care of each other during his nap! After sending a quick, flustered look Shinji's way, as if to silently ask him what's that about??, Kyoko shook her head. "We are friends already, you know."

Is it really so strange that he'd want two people he cares about to be taken care of? Even in his absence? Kyoko's bafflement is met with a pretty neutral look from Shinji. This isn't odd to him at all, sorry Kyoko.

In fact, "I don't know what I would have done if Kyoko hadn't stayed with me." There will be more gratitude, whether she wants it or not. "I owe her a lot, just for that."

See, Shinji got it. Now Kyoko had two extremely sentimental boys on her hands, but was that really any different from usual?

"Mmm... sure we both do," he murmured warmly. "Though I'm sure we owe you too."

Shinji!! Why are you murdering her in cold blood like this? After everything they've been through!

"I--I'm saying, we're friends, so all of that is natural!" There was no need for Kaito to thank her for it. "I was also really grateful to have you with me, so--we're already even! Nothing is owed!" There!!

He is a criminal, it's just in his nature to murder.

But that flustered protest does manage to crack a smile out of him, and even a small puff of a laugh! For the first time in days, even if it is weary and thin from several sleepless days. "Okay, okay, we're even." That goes for you too, Kai. "I'm just saying, it meant a lot to have you there."

Oh! A rare puff! Kai smiled a bit. This was why he'd thanked them in the first place. It was easy to say that that's what friends did, but not all friends were the same. It'd been such a relief to see they'd had each other.

"Mhmm."

Ah... it really was good to see that smile again. It was enough to calm her fluster a bit, as she softened down into a smile of her own.

"It was where I wanted to be," she insisted softly, looking at Kaito as well. "I... we both wanted to stay until you woke up no matter what."

"Exactly." No matter how long it had taken, neither of them were going to give up. Nearly four days was... pretty rough, but not nearly as bad as it could have been. With that thought in mind...

"You said... it had felt like weeks to you, right? Even though it was just a few days for us."

He doesn't have to elaborate on what happened if he doesn't want to, but the option is there, if he wants to take it.

Right where they wanted to be, huh. Kai could only give those tender sentiments another warm squeeze as he dipped his head slightly. It wasn't quite to hide that soft flush on his cheeks, but if that was a bonus than sure.

It was more to soften the tight line his mouth became for a moment, thinking about those weeks. "Yeah," he said quietly. "We can... we can talk about it later."

There were more important things that needed to happen first, like getting them well rested and fed.

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