I know, I'm not a little kid anymore

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WHO: Sakura Kinomoto, OPEN
WHERE: Fai's house! Since she lives with him now.
WHEN: April 1st, early afternoon
WHAT: Sakura's friends are invited to a party for her birthday.
WARNINGS: None?



[Maybe some arrived earlier, to help get the food ready or set up any decorations. Most of it is ready, though some preparation might be more last minute in that morning once she has opened presents from her family - after dealing with an initial prank from her brother, given the date and all.

She hadn't anticipated anything too huge or fancy. Though that might end up debatable given how Fai tends to spoil her at the best of times. Still, the house should hopefully be big enough. She hopes. Sakura fusses a little with her dress, her hair, before coming to try offer to help with any last minute decorations or anything. Once people do start arriving, everyone is free to mingle and enjoy the food and drinks (non-alcoholic).

Sakura tries to get around to say hi to everyone, sometimes but not always managing to be the one to answer the door. She seems to be enjoying herself, glad of the chance to catch up with everyone in person, even if some might not stay all day. And given the weekend, given the holidays, she isn't so worried on staying up late either. She joins in with mingling, and might be easier to corner and get some one on one time later in the afternoon/evening, once others might have already gone home.

She doesn't have a traditional cake, but a number of cupcakes for everyone instead, with those and the rest of the snacks provided being made by Fai. With Xiaolang's help, and maybe Sakura managing to somewhere in the process of making it all.]

Comments

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[The surprise compliment is enough to bring a bright crimson flush blooming across his face, causing his shoulders to hunch up a bit as Xiaolang's eyes seek the ground. His hand fidgets with a button on his shirt sleeve, resisting the urge to reach up and fix his hair for the umpteenth time (seriously, he had to stop, it was going to become a bad habit--). Aside from his obnoxiously affectionate sisters, not many people bothered to comment upon his looks, and he wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to respond.]

I-I, ah-- I'm not-- I didn't know the dress code you guys had in mind, so I didn't want to look too out of place...

[He trails off, embarrassed, thinking back to the amount of time it took him to find something appropriate for the party. Would Sakura think the same, too? That he looked good?

... no, he wasn't about to get even more flustered thinking about that right now. Quickly, he grabs an apron hanging nearby (a much more sedate looking blue one) and shrugs it on, hastening to tie up the strings.]

Um, what should I start helping with first?

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[Fai has to bite his lip to keep from cooing over the adorable blushing boy in his kitchen. Now that they've had a few more chances to spend time together... well. Xiaolang doesn't exactly seem as confident and mature as the one Fai's seen in his memories, but there's also an age-gap between his own memories and the Sakura and Xiaolang in this life. He can cut the kid a little slack on that.

And the blushing is really cute. If Sakura ever manages to pick up on Xiaolang's feelings for her, the two of them are going to be precious.]

You look fine, Li-kun, don't worry! Besides, I usually think I'd rather be a little over-dressed than under-dressed, don't you agree?

[He rests the hooked end of the ladle over the side of the punchbowl and turns to see what else needs to be done.]

Oh, can you put the pepperoni bread in the oven for me? It's in the fridge, middle shelf, there's a flat tray sitting on top of some other things.

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[It was probably a good thing Fai held off on any further teasing, as they'd get absolutely no work done with Xiaolang being a flustered, embarrassed mess. And that wasn't good if they wanted to get the party treats done in time! Although Fai's not going to have to wait all that long for Sakura to pick up on Xiaolang's feelings, if things went according to plan tonight...

The flush doesn't entirely leave his cheeks at Fai's assurances, though, and he mumbles:]

I suppose. But I don't really want to stand out that much...

[But, of course, that was his shy nature talking. He was more content to stand by and observe than be the center of people's attention. His eyes travel to the refrigerator, at Fai's indication, and he nods, striding over to open it. It takes him a second or so to find the tray, nestled on top of the other items, and he carefully removes it as to not upset the other things. Though he can't help but to comment, a bit incredulously:]

You've made an awful lot of stuff for this. Are you guys expecting that many people?

[Was accidentally inviting half of Retrospec a bad idea after all?? It's always a bad idea, Xiaolang Shutting the fridge door with his hip, he makes his way over to the oven, setting the tray on the counter momentarily so he could grab the mitts.]

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[Fai giggles a little upon hearing that mumble.]

Don't worry so much! You can always ditch the vest and tie and roll up your sleeves if you need to, right? And then you'd have that whole Bad Boy thing going on--although we might have to spike your hair up a bit for that. We could always ask Mune-chan! He does the Bad Boy look really well~

[He realizes, perhaps a little belatedly, that he's rambling. About his boyfriend. Because he does that.

Unashamed of his own rambling, Fai turns to a big tupperware container that's been sitting on the counter and pops it open, and starts plating little mini pies shaped like stars.]

Mm, I'm not really sure? But I don't mind, I always make a lot of food! We do have two teenage boys in the house, you know! Have you ever seen Noah eat? He'll take care of any leftovers, no problem!