Birthday Party for Laura/X-23

[noteful]

It's a pretty low-key party, all things considered, and not significantly different than the one Parker or Meg would have thrown in a dorm room for a friend at home, not-exactly-traditional menu not withstanding.

There's music, low enough to talk over (and maybe with a little more folk in the mix than one expects to find a party). Balloons and streamers in purple and blue and red. A place to leave presents. People to meet or catch up with.

And, most importantly, a chance to wish X-23 (or Laura) a very happy birthday.

Comments

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Yeah."

Cheerfully. Everything's okay in that boring way. "..oh, I'm going out with Tommy now."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"Billy's brother."

X does not seem surprised. Maybe scent comes in handy sometimes?

"I have met him. Here. Not at home."

Beat.

"He likes poetry."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Does he?"

Dinah's not going to even think about smell.

"What kind of poetry?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"Frost. But not Emma."

Beat.

"It was about woods. And traveling. And sleep."

X has a very good memory, but metaphor leaves her in the dust. She's trying, though.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Robert?" Dinah brightens. "I know him! I had no idea Tommy liked him."

She's slightly worried this means she fails at girlfriend.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"I do not know what else he likes," X says, "About poetry. That is the only one he talked about."

She is trying to help!

But--that's really all she's got.

"Dating him is good? For you?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

Dinah nods.

"He's really sweet," she says. "And it's nice to do something that's normal. With someone who understands the non-normal things."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is good," X offers eventually, "that you like normal."

Beat.

"He does, too?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Yeah," Dinah agrees. "For a given value of normal.

"He likes me, so that's enough."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

There's a momentary silence.

Then--

"You do not fight?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Of course we..."

Oh wait.

"...not with each other."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

X doesn't laugh. If she were someone else, maybe she would.

"That is good."

Beat.

"Not fighting."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Yes."

It is. Dinah can't stop grinning.

"How are you at home?"

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am okay."

Beat.

"I have been helping clean up. The city."

She hesitates, just for a second.

"My neighborhood. It is not hard."

Hard work, yes. But not--not complicated. X can go with it.

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"Good," Dinah says. "If you need any more help, let me know."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"I will remember," X says.

"And you can tell me, too. If you need help."

Beat.

"You are my friend."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[raptorcanaria]

"I know."

After a beat Dinah's smug face gives way to a bright, flattered smile.

"Thanks, Laura."

Re: Hang out with X-23

[cutting_edgex23]

"You are welcome," X says.

And maybe the relaxed set of her face is close enough to a smile to count.

Who knows?