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[savetheweak]

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it exists now. you're welcome

[placation]

[ Maruki laughs, giving his friend a good slap on the back after that cough. ]

Oh, my...! If it's strong even for you, then I'm doomed, aren't I?

[ Well. Bottoms up and the devil laughs, so they say.

Maruki takes a healthy swig–

And feels all the air in his lungs leave him as the mystery alcohol burns down his throat, doubling over the table to try to catch his breath through wheezes. ]

me making our next thread at the Stellari mcdonald's

[savetheweak]

[Oda could almost laugh, but he doesn't. It dies before he can even consider it, but he slaps Maruki on the back anyway, giving a little rub after.]

You don't think these things are magical, do you? Are we drinking potions?

[placation]

[ The rub is appreciated, but oh, he's still wheezing through his words. ]

I specifically asked before I brought you here, and they assured me that the drinks aren't magical in nature...

[ They don't want a repeat of The Holiday Party Incident, after all. ]

I'm sorry, I wanted to do something special for you, but this is–

[ Woof. ]

[savetheweak]

[Or do they?]

Hey. I don't mind it.

[He takes another sip. It goes down a little easier! A little...]

Can't complain about a strong drink. It looks nice too.

or DO THEY???

[placation]

[ I don't mind it is enough for Maruki to feel satisfied not having entirely blundered this outing. He leans back against the plush booth, still giving himself a breather before his next attempt at the drink, and smiles warmly at Oda. ]

Has it been a decent birthday so far?

[savetheweak]

[Oda hesitates on the question, which isn't quite like him - not that he isn't normally a thoughtful person, but the way he pauses is...uncertain. He has to remind himself to nod, but he ends up shrugging his shoulders instead.]

Sure. [He recalls, of course, his last birthday, with the three most important people he knew.

[... Well.]

I can't complain.

[placation]

[ Maruki remembers it too. Of course he does. Their little huddle outside so he could share a cigarette with Oda, and how very warm it was at the bar...

Nothing can compare to that, Maruki knows. There's a hole that can never be filled, only sidestepped around. It's a clumsy maneuver to be certain, but Maruki has a strong suspicion that Oda doesn't want to spend his birthday reminiscing about the last, and what he's lost... ]

You never complain. That isn't exactly a high bar to clear.

[ A gentle nudge of his foot against Oda's shin, entirely fond. ]

Let's try aiming a little higher. I got you something I think you might enjoy!

[savetheweak]

[Oda looks a little bewildered at the suggestion, as if he can't fully process it. Then Maruki mentions a gift - Oda had almost forgotten that was something one should expect on their birthday.]

This isn't enough?

[He holds up his very strong, very colorful drink.

[Aim higher, he said.]

Sorry. Thanks.

[Now he's just to awkwardly wait? He's bad at this.]

[placation]

[ That awkwardness somehow sits charming on Odasaku. It always has. He really never does want anything for himself, does he? Even Maruki manages to want for more than he does...

He braves a sip of his drink, then another. Liquid courage for something that doesn't really require it at all. ]

Hold out your hands and close your eyes!

[savetheweak]

[Well, what else can he do? He closes his eyes, he holds out his hands - and a little something even tugs at his mouth, long before Maruki has placed anything in his upturned palms.]

[placation]

[ It's not heavy, not large. In fact, it's only a small slip of paper, and when Odasaku opens his eyes he'll see it's handwritten by Maruki – a date, a time, and a doodle of a ship on waves. ]

Did you know one of the locals here does boat tours around the sea? I know you like the ocean, so I thought you might enjoy it. We'll be able to see the sunset out there and sail back beneath the stars!

[savetheweak]

[Maruki explains before Oda has time to be confused by the little piece of paper. He's glad his friend made it anyway. It's something he can keep to commemorate a moment they haven't had yet.]

Maruki...

You have to be the most thoughtful person I know.

[placation]

[ He's quick to wave his hands in front of his chest, shaking his head as he laughs. ]

No! Don't say that. I just thought it would be something fun and different for us to do. And hopefully a more successful sort of different than this bar...

[savetheweak]

Knowing this place, we may have to fight off a sea monster...

[It's a joke, but his voice is idle as he says it, observing the little drawing Maruki made for him. He takes out his wallet and carefully slips it inside, taking time to position it where it wont be crushed or folded.]

Thanks, Maruki. I'd never gotten so many gifts in my life than I have since coming here. This is special.

[They all are.]

[placation]

[ He can tell just from the way Odasaku tucks the slip of cardstock away, careful and tender. Maruki beams at him, reaches over to ruffle a hand fondly through his hair. ]

You deserve them all! I'm only sorry I couldn't get a reservation for tonight, but that just means we'll get to spread your birthday celebration out.

[savetheweak]

[Oda's hair is ruffled - not very often that that happens. It makes him look a bit shocked, and then he awkwardly reaches over to do the same to Maruki.]

Well. I can't complain about that. [He could. Some would, but he won't.]

When do we go?

[placation]

[ Oh, he's pleased as punch to have his hair ruffled back. Do it again! ]

A few days from now was the soonest I could book a spot. Assuming you're free, of course. I'd say we could bring drinks there too, but we don't want to get seasick!

HE'S TOO OUPPY

[savetheweak]

[Catch Oda smoking on the boat.]

No drink necessary. I'll quit being free that day and do this instead.

[placation]

[ Catch both of them smoking on the boat. ]

Excellent. I can't wait!

[ Another sip of the drink– is it starting to make his tongue numb? It kind of feels tingly... ]

I want to do more things like that. With you, and in general. There's more to this reality than what we take advantage of, you know?

[savetheweak]

[Oda nods, sipping his own drink.]

I've thought the same thing before. If you're going to get out more anyway, take me with you.

[It seems kind of like something someone with a new lease on life would say. Oda has to wonder just how much Maruki's trip home changed him.]

Hey, Maruki...

How have you been feeling since you got back?

[His tone doesn't really betray concern. It's more a curious question.]

[placation]

[ It's the fact that there's no concern in that question that catches Maruki off guard. Oda asks simply because he wants to know, not because Maruki's been acting in a way that would worry him; he has to tell himself that before he answers, soothe an anxiety before it begins to form. ]

How have I been feeling? Ah...

[ He takes a few seconds to genuinely consider it. Odasaku deserves more than being told he's fine.

He deserves the honest answer, complicated as it is. ]

I'm so happy to be back, but it only highlights how... lonesome my circumstances were back home. So in the end, even though I'm glad to be here... I still feel rather melancholy about it all. Isn't that strange?

[savetheweak]

[Oda could say "no" or he could say "I don't think so" or any number of similar things, and they'd all be true, but instead he says:]

I understand completely.

[Completely.]

What I have here...despite everything... It's more than I'd ever ask for back home. When I look back on my life...

[He shakes his head.]

I get it.

[placation]

[ Odasaku understands, completely. Relief washes over him in a warm wave. Being understood by a dear friend is a gift in and of itself, and one he doesn't take lightly. ]

Then I'm glad that we both have this chance. I'm glad we have each other.

[ And then he laughs, thin and strained, and waves one of his hands awkwardly through the air. ]

I'm sorry. I'm also feeling more sentimental now that I'm back.

[savetheweak]

[Oda shakes his head.]

You don't need to apologize.

[He's sentimental too, really, just not in the most obvious of ways.]

I'm glad too. I missed you.

[And isn't it a wonderful thing to be missed? To two lonely men, certainly.]

CRIES WE CAN WRAP.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ODAS..........

[placation]

[ It warms Maruki all the way through, head to toe, right down to the depths of his soul. To be remembered, to be missed–

How did his distorted heart ever manage to convince itself that he didn't care about such things?

He leans his shoulder against Oda's. ]

You don't have to miss me anymore. I'm right here. [ A beat, and then he laughs, bright and genuine, and raises that drink to cheers. ] And soon you'll be stuck on a boat with me! Ah, maybe we'll get stranded like Robinson Crusoe...