open | party like you're 35;

[secondthoughts]

Who ☀ Hector & "everyone"
What ☀ It's Hector's birthday!
When ☀ August 5
Where ☀ Lumina Cloth. Surprise!
Content Warnings ☀ drunk people, will add as needed

[ Arrive at Mac Anu, where the welcome party was held, to find it...empty? A quick look on the forums shows a little edit to Hector's post:

We're popping Lumina Cloth's cherry! See you there :-)

So that's where he is.

In the center of the brightly illuminated nighttime city, Hector's set himself up for his little get together. But since he doesn't have any tables or plates or anything fancy like that, all the alcohol and food he bought from various vendors are just...strewn around the floor. The food is probably still good to eat, though. It's fine. Take what strikes your fancy!

Hector's wearing his outfit again. He lounges on the steps of that funky spinny thing in the center of town, and anyone who gets close enough to hear him will hear music coming from his mic. Give him a break. He's doing his best.

When enough people have gathered, he might actually get up and drag everyone into a drinking game.

So enjoy—eat, drink, mingle, and smack your friends! PvP is enabled here, after all :) ]

Comments

[secondthoughts]

[ He studies Yael for a moment. A sincere light gleams in his eyes in a moment of understanding. ]

I guess if she meant a lot to you, then those people are never really replaced.

[ There's an...odd tone of sincerity in his voice that accompanies the glint in his eyes, but it's quickly gone, masked by another smile. ]

But seriously? Not even dated around a little bit?

[weaseled]

[He appreciates you letting it go without a fight, Hector. Yael exhales a sigh he hadn't realized he was holding in.]

No. Not interested. Pass.

[So he says...]

[secondthoughts]

[ He shrugs. ] Fair enough.

[ There's a beat of silence before he slides in closer to Yael. Not face-to-face, no, but standing right beside him. He tilts his head, lowering his voice just to speak to him, but keeping his eyes out over the rest of the party. ]

But if you ever get an itch for a one night stand, just hit me up.

[weaseled]

[Oh goodness, oh my, oh dear. Yael hears that little proposition and snorts, giving Hector a nice, slow once-over. He's got to consider his offer seriously, doesn't he?]

You're not even remotely my type.

[But there's nothing like disgust in his voice, only barely muted amusement.]

[secondthoughts]

I'm not?

[ He glances over at Yael, raising a brow. There's a playful glint in his eye; he's not taking it personally. (?) ]

What is your type, then?

[weaseled]

Smaller. Curvier. Way less bulky.

[Yael draws the impression of an hourglass with his hands. Hector may be thicc, but not quite in all the ways Yael looks for.]

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector hums. ]

Femme, then. [ He gives a little chuckle, which comes out more like a scoff. Especially since he mentioned a "she." Easy enough to pin it down like that without prying further. ] Well, can't win 'em all, I guess.

[weaseled]

Take your small victories where you can. You can't always get your way.

[The corner of Yael's mouth tips into a vaguely mischievous smile.]

Is this your way of saying you want a proper birthday present? I don't mind, but don't count on it happening again.

[???????]

[secondthoughts]

[ Oh? Hector's brow quirks in obvious surprise. This was not the response he was expecting, but he's not going to let this chance slip by him. ]

You know, I wouldn't say no. [ He folds his arms over his chest and leans forward into him, blue eyes piercing as he stares up at him. There's similar mischief in his own faint grin. ] It'll give me the chance to give you a real birthday gift, too. And don't worry. [ He chuckles. ] I won't ask for more.

[weaseled]

[Learn to expect the unexpected, buddy. Yael grins, straightening up and into Hector's space. All but pressed chest to chest, he leans in nice and close...]

Don't get your hopes up too high.

[...And presses the gentlest, most chaste of kisses to Hector's lips before learning back. Teehee.]

Happy birthday. Don't say I never did anything for you.

[secondthoughts]

[ For how coy Hector looks when Yael steps in close, he, once again, isn't really expecting a kiss that chaste. He blinks rapidly, not quite sure if he should keep them open or closed, but it's over before he can make up his mind. His hand drops, never finding a perch, and he stares up at Yael, wide-eyed.

What the fuck? ]

That doesn't really count as a one-night stand. [ He shoves Yael playfully. At least that's the intent. His mouth twists into a lopsided smile. ] But I'll take it.

[ Faint flush on his cheeks? Nah. ]

[weaseled]

[Flushed cheeks? How cute. An earnest compliment if Yael's ever seen one. Maybe Hector is his type after all... but it's as Yael said: he isn't one for one-night stands. He'd thought a kiss might make a suitable present for Hector, however...]

...Heh. You're a greedy one. Be honest, gramps: you're not satisfied with your present.

[Will fessing up make a difference? It very well might.]

[secondthoughts]

[ The lopsided smile grows into a lopsided grin. He thought he was better at hiding that stuff than this, but that—that kiss really caught him off guard, for reasons he can't explain. ]

Not really. [ There's a tease in his eye, but tension in his shoulders. ] I know you can give a little more than a peck.

[ A beat. ]

Unless you'd prefer I give you your present instead?

[weaseled]

[They're both the birthday boy today, aren't they? He owes Hector an opportunity to repay the favor... but before he so generously allows him to, Yael has to ensure the status quo is maintained.]

Sure thing, birthday boy. Try to keep it in your pants.

[Teasing Hector is far too much fun. He really should work on that.]

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector gives a tiny ghost of a chuckle at the approval, and for no more than a second, he only stares up at Yael.

Why is he so nervous?

They're so close anyway, it doesn't require Hector to do much to close the distance. Except unlike Yael, Hector reaches to cup his hand on Yael's jaw; his eyes drop to his lips, then fall shut; unconsciously, he stands on his toes. The kiss is considerably deeper than what Hector got, and lingers quite a bit longer.

Yael might be a taken man (it's been a week?), but Hector doesn't know this.

He falls back on his heels (embarrassing) and grins up at the other. Still no flush on his cheeks, though, you're imagining things. ]

That's how you do a birthday kiss.

[weaseled]

[...He can all but taste the heart beating in Hector's throat. Yael is a hard room, able to compartmentalize and stow away all of the emotion and anxiety that's assailing Hector right now. He may not be femme, no, but that earnest nature of Hector's is one that speaks to Yael no matter how effortlessly he tucks away every other feeling that comes spilling to the surface with their kiss.

That's what makes this kiss worth indulging, Yael thinks, even if he pointedly does little more than go along with the motions of it simply to dig himself a little further under Hector's skin. Irritating, isn't it? He's hoping to see that frustration in Hector's eyes when their lips part, making it a point to lick his own before setting a palm to the other man's chest and pushing him back.]

Heheh... This game really is realistic. You're red right up to your ears.

[Hector isn't that flushed, but Yael's lie is mostly harmless.]

[secondthoughts]

[ Hector knows Yael's holding back, and when Yael shoves him back, a spark lights in his eyes. Is it frustration? Competitiveness? It's hard to tell, when it's quickly masked by a laugh.

He throws his head back a bit, partially to protect himself. But also, it is funny. ]

No I'm not, and you know it.

[ When he settles into a more neutral position again and looks up at Yael, he decides he doesn't want to look at him anymore. Because— ]

Take your present and get out of here. [ Another playful shove, another flash of a grin. ] Go celebrate for yourself, too.

[weaseled]

[What a sore loser. He'll spare Hector any biting commentary on his birthday... but more importantly, he'll spare him because no part of him is truly that aggrieved. He finds Hector's earnest reaction cute, if anything, but he knows better than to spoil the sullen man with a proper kiss. In another place, another time, perhaps he would have... but not here, not now, and not when Yael can only be so kind. It may be Hector's birthday, but Yael's given him enough special treatment as it is.]

I'm about to go celebrate with a cold bottle and a football game. Staring at a screen too long's gonna make you go blind, old man.

[Straightening up with a laugh, as jovial as it is self-satisfied, Yael will repeat the age-old mistake of leaving first and letting Hector watch him as he goes. At this point, it's tradition. Before he turns to leave, he shoots Hector a grin— a genuine, shiteating grin.]

See ya.

[🚶‍♂️🍑]