Namine finished rearranging the buffet for the fourth time, hurrying over to Aerith. "Oh, is everything ready? Do you think he'll like it? Where is he?"
Aerith laughed, putting her hands on Namine's shoulders, "Calm down. He's going to love it. And he's not even scheduled to be here for another half hour-we're just betting on him being early like usual, remember?" Glancing over Namine's shoulder, she snapped, "Gippal! Put the lamp down! Now!"
"Sorry Aerith!"
"You're right, it's just - there're so many people here!" Namine said, eyes wide as she yet again scanned the crowd of mostly unfamiliar faces.
Zack grabbed her from behind. "This is so awesome! I'm so excited to see his face!" He grinned, dashing off to hug someone else.
"Well, Reno moved out of the town where we grew up, and hasn't seen most of these people since he left." Aerith shrugged, "I mean... he sees Zack, of course, but beyond that. He hasn't seen Paine since high school, and he's never even met Baralai. Gippal came by to visit once, but that was it." She stopped herself before continuing on to list every single person in the room. "Basically, every person I thought of led to more people." she admitted.
Namine nodded. "Okay. That's fine. This'll be great. I've just gotta... walk around." She left Aerith and made her way to where Riku and Sora were huddled together slightly off to the side. "Hi. You guys okay? Everything look okay?"
"Relax, Nami, everything's fine. He's gonna love it." Riku grinned, pulling Sora closer.
"Right. Of course." Namine said, trying not to fidget.
Sora laughed, "I've never seen you more worried about something." he commented, leaning into Riku, "Seriously, you never freak out like this. You know everything's going to be fine."
"I'm just so worried he's going to hate it or something's going to go wrong..." Namine confessed.
"Breathe. He'll love it - it was a great idea. And nothing will go wrong; Aerith and Tifa have everything under control." Riku said.
"You're right. I just wish he'd get here." Namine said.
"He's probably on his way." Riku shrugged.
"Oh, I should find Aerith and make sure everyone knows this is a surprise!" Namine said, turning around and heading back to the brunette just as someone near the windows shouted, "I think he's here!"
"Oh god, okay, everyone hide! Remember to shout surprise!" Namine yelled.
"He's here, he's here, he's here!" Zack grinned, running around flailing.
"Zack!" Aerith hissed as everyone hid themselves.
Zack grinned, bouncing over to her, spinning her in a quick circle. "He's here! Oh man, this is gonna be great!"
"Zack, get under the goddamn table!" Tifa shouted from across the restaurant, just as the sound of the door opening could be heard. Thinking quickly, Aerith literally tackled her husband to the ground so that they were behind one of the booths, her hand over his mouth.
Namine held her breath, leaning forward on her knees from her position under a table and staring intently at the door.
It opened, and Reno walked in, yawning (he must have been napping before coming to work) before realizing that the lights were off. Blinking and glancing back out to confirm that, yes, the parking lot was half full, he turned back to the seemingly empty restaurant.
Springing up along with everyone else, Namine joined into the yell of "Surprise!".
Reno literally jumped, a surprise party having been the last thing he'd been expecting. He'd slept half the day away and was planning on working the rest of it, after all. Eyes falling on Namine, his mouth settled into a pleasant smirk, "I'm going to assume this was your doing?" he asked.
Namine laughed and walked to him, kissing his cheek. "Happy birthday, Reno!"
Reno chuckled, "Thank you," as he grabbed her hand, "I told you I don't make a big deal out of my birthdays, though, so... why?"
"Because you should! Your family and friends want to help celebrate another year of you! Right?" Namine asked the room, laughing at the resounding chorus of 'yes!'. "Come on, let's get you a drink and then you can see just who came to the party!"
Reno chuckled, "Alright."
"Happy Birthday, Reno!" Tifa and Aerith chorused from the back of the restaurant, Aerith having apparently let her husband up.
Namine took his hand and led him to the bar, slipping around the side. "Tonight, I'll serve you the drink. What'll it be, sir?" She smiled.
Reno chuckled, "How about just a beer for now, and I'll have something else later?" he asked.
She winked at him, handing him the beer and leaning over the bar. "There you go!"
"Reno! Happy birthday, happy birthday!" Zack yelled, practically jumping Reno before he could respond, causing Namine to laugh.
Reno laughed as well, narrowly managing to not fall over, "Zack!"
Aerith grabbed her husband's hand, gently pulling him back, "Now now, no smothering the birthday boy."
"You're acting like I'm turning sixteen." Reno commented.
Aerith rolled her eyes, "I'm the older one, I can act however I want."
"So, were you surprised? I bet you were! You know it was all Namine's idea? I knew I liked her!" Zack exclaimed.
Namine grinned, blushing a little.
"Of course I was surprised." Reno rolled his eyes, "I was planning on working the rest of my birthday away."
"You should've thought something was up the minute I didn't change your schedule so you weren't working on your birthday." Tifa said as she walked over, "Despite your protests, I do that every year."
"Hey, Reno." Riku grinned, leading Sora over and slapping him on the back. "Happy birthday and all that."
Namine walked back around the bar, taking Reno's hand and smiling at Aerith and Tifa. "I couldn't have done it without your help!"
Tifa grinned, "You kidding me, I've been trying to get Reno to actually celebrate his birthday for years now."
Reno rolled his eyes, but didn't retort.
"Well, I didn't really do anything besides take his choice out of it." Namine grinned.
Riku laughed, squeezing Sora closer. "Okay, if you two are going to flirt, we'll be by the food..."
Sora laughed.
Reno rolled his eyes again, but took his arm from Namine's so he could put it over her shoulders and squeeze her.
Riku rolled his eyes, smiling before heading to grab some food with Sora.
Namine smiled up at Reno. "So, what do you want to do? It's your party after all! See who's here or get some food or just wander?"
"You should go see your old friends that I tracked down to invite." Aerith said, giving her brother a look, "And meet Paine's boyfriend."
"Wait... Paine's dating?" he blinked.
"Go." Aerith pointed.
Reno grinned sheepishly, "Right. Wanna meet my old friends?" he glanced down at Namine.
"Sure! Unless you'd rather some catching-up time with them first. Whatever you want, Reno." Namine smiled.
"Nah, I want you to meet them." Reno smiled back, "See you guys later." he waved to his family and led Namine back out to the main restaurant area.
"When Aerith said she had a few people in mind to invite, I didn't realize how many that would turn out to be! It seems you're quite the popular guy." Namine teased.
Reno laughed, "Not really. Just haven't seen most of these people since high school." he made his way through the crowd towards three people lounging near the side of the restaurant and waved as he approached.
"There's the birthday boy!" One of them, the girl, hopped up, throwing her arms around him, but not dislodging Namine, "How have you been?"
Reno laughed, "Hey, Paine. I've been good. Hey Gippal." he nodded to the blonde sitting next to the guy that Paine had leapt away from when Reno had approached. Gippal grinned back.
As Paine pulled back, Reno spoke up, "Paine, Gippal, this is my girlfriend, Namine. Nam, this is Paine and Gippal, two friends of mine from high school."
"Hi! It's nice to meet you!" Namine smiled, offering a small wave.
"Nice to meet you too." Paine smiled.
"You nabbed yourself a cutie." Gippal commented.
"Get your own girlfriend, Gippal." Reno rolled his eyes, pulling Namine closer.
Namine laughed, blushing a little and letting Reno hold her close.
Reno smiled. "So, gonna introduce me to quiet-boy over there, Paine?"
Paine jumped, turning back, "Oh, right! Sorry, Baralai, I got totally caught up in the fact that I haven't seen Reno in like six years."
Baralai chuckled, "That's alright."
"Reno, Baralai. Baralai, Reno." she gestured between the two of them. "Baralai and I have been dating for about seven months now."
"Wow." Reno said, "Have to admit I didn't think you'd ever settle down." he said, shrugging.
Paine gave him a look, "Look who's talking."
Gippal laughed.
"You know what, high school years aside, I am happy for you." Reno chuckled, "And I'm sure Gippal's already warned you, but if you mess with her, I'll personally hunt you down, even if I don't live in town anymore."
Baralai chuckled, "No worries there, I promise."
"Good." Reno said, not wanting to spoil his birthday by threatening the boyfriends of people that he hadn't seen in six years.
"How long have you and Reno been dating?" Gippal asked the blonde, trying to make conversation since Paine, Reno, and Baralai had gone off on a tangent.
"One month." Namine smiled.
"Really?" Gippal seemed vaguely surprised, but he pushed it off quickly, "Congrats, then." he smiled.
"Thank you!" Namine returned his smile.
Before she could say anything else, she was yanked from Reno's side and into Zack's arms. "Aerith won't dance with me so I'm stealing Namine!" Zack grinned, tugging Namine to the makeshift dance area just as Tifa started up some music.
Reno blinked as his best friend stole his girlfriend, before sending an apologetic smile at Paine and Gippal and chasing after him, shouting, "Hey, no stealing my girlfriend on my birthday! What kind of best friend ARE you?"
"The best kind, you just said that!" Zack grinned, spinning Namine around and dipping her before putting one hand on her hips and the other holding her hand. "Let's show him what you've got!"
"Oh, but..." Namine glanced at Reno.
Zack winked at her. "We'll knock his socks off!" He whirled her again before starting to dance her around the floor.
Reno huffed before spotting Aerith putting some more food out and chatting with Tifa. Walking over, he grabbed his sister's arm, "Sorry Tifa, I need to borrow my sister." he said with a smile, before snatching his sister and pulling her out onto the dance floor.
"Wait, Reno, what are you doing?" Aerith protested, blinking, "I already told Zack I couldn't dance right now."
"Aww, come on, Ri." Reno said, "He stole Namine, and now I'm by myself."
Aerith glanced over at Zack and Namine and then sighed, "One dance, and only because it's your birthday."
Zack laughed when Reno dragged Aerith out. "Come on, Namine, we've gotta show them up!"
Namine couldn't help but laugh as Zack picked up the pace and dipped her again.
As the song finally slowed to a stop, Reno laughed, "Thanks, Ri."
Aerith rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Tell Zack I said to give Namine back, will you?" she asked, before laughing and heading back to where Tifa was waiting as Reno walked towards his best friend and girlfriend.
Zack grinned. "You're a brilliant dancer! Thanks, Namine. Looks like prince charming is here for you, though." He laughed, kissing her cheek as Reno approached.
"That was fun." Namine smiled.
"Your wife has told me to tell you to give my girlfriend back." Reno said, crossing his arms (but not really mad).
"She's all yours, then." Zack said, letting go of Namine. "She's a great dancer, though. Definitely something special." He winked. "I'd better go find Aerith."
Namine laughed, taking Reno's hand. "Good luck."
"Thanks!" Zack bounced away.
Reno squeezed Namine's hand and glanced down at her, "Mind if I steal you for a bit?"
"You already have." Namine smiled.
"I mean somewhere more private." he chuckled, starting to walk towards the entrance to the back office.
"But aren't you having fun at your party?" Namine asked, worried maybe he hadn't liked it after all.
"Of course." Reno laughed, "But I didn't get to see you yesterday, so I wanted to make up for not seeing you on our one-month." he chuckled, "Besides, I don't get some alone time with my girlfriend on my birthday?" he joked.
Namine smiled. "You don't have to make up for anything - the flowers were beautiful! But of course you can have whatever you want on your birthday!" she laughed as he closed the door behind them.
Reno laughed, pushing her back so she was against the wall and leaning in, kissing her.
Namine sighed, reaching up to grab onto his shoulders, letting her eyes slip shut.
Reno pulled back, smiling at her, "Thanks for planning all this, Namine."
The blonde blinked up at him. "Mhmm." She hummed, tugging his shoulders to get him to kiss her again.
Reno smirked, leaning back down and kissing her again.
XXXX
"So, where'd Reno vanish to?" Aerith asked, glancing around, "We eventually need to light these candles, because judging by the looks on Riku and Sora's faces, this cake is going to be delicious."
Zack snickered. "I'm pretty sure Reno is thanking Namine for throwing this party, if you get what I mean."
Aerith gave him a look, "You know how we've talked about the mental images you give me? That one was a bad one."
Zack laughed. "Sorry, baby." He pulled her close for a quick kiss, letting his hand rest on her stomach for a second.
Aerith smiled up at him, but the cute moment was interrupted by Tifa running past chasing Gippal, who was holding something that Aerith couldn't quite make out, but assumed meant something to Tifa for her to chase him to get it back. She laughed, leaning into her husband, "Well, at least people are having fun, even if the guest of honor escaped to make out with his girlfriend."
"Oh, yeah. Tons of fun. Looks like your other brother's close to finding his own making-out room." Zack pointed out, directing Aerith's attention to Riku and Sora, who were in their own little world off to the side.
Aerith laughed, "Well, good for him." she smiled, "He deserves it."
"Definitely. You know," Zack grinned at Aerith, "I think they're a cute couple, too."
Aerith grinned back at him, "I know, right?" she giggled.
"Who's a cute couple?" Reno asked, walking up behind them, holding Namine's hand.
"Riku and Sora, of course!" Zack chirped, grinning at Namine. "You okay?"
She nodded, a little flushed. "I'm fine."
Reno laughed.
Aerith smiled, "Alright, time for cake, then, 'cause I swear when those two detach themselves from each other, they keep eyeing this thing like it's going to stand up and walk out."
"Yes, let's light the candles!" Namine said, smiling.
"Everybody! We're doing cake now! So get over here and get ready to sing!" Zack yelled, laughing and shoving an amused Reno in front of the cake.
Riku dragged Sora over and led the singing, causing Namine to laugh. Reno blew out the candles with a grin and after everyone yelled their congratulations, they scattered once more with pieces of cake.
"This is so good!" Zack exclaimed.
"Roxas is an excellent baker." Namine nodded, loving the cake as well. "You like it, Reno?"
"Of course I do." Reno laughed, "Thanks for setting this up... whoever convinced Roxas to bake me a cake."
Namine smiled. "It was no problem, he was happy to do it."
"Yeah. Even though he kept kicking Sora and me out of the kitchen while he cooked it. I've been staring at this cake for too damn long!" Riku said, taking a huge bite.
"He was possibly kicking us out because we were about to steal the half-finished cake and eat it ourselves." Sora commented, even as he continued to eat his piece of cake, "I believe it was you that said 'Screw Reno, he can find his own cake'?"
Riku grinned and stuffed more cake into his mouth. "Yup. Roxas's cooking is too damn good to wait for. But I did it. Happy birthday!"
Zack laughed. "Ah, such brotherly love! C'mon, Aerith, let's dance off this cake!"
Aerith laughed, "Fine, fine, but only because I danced with Reno earlier and now I owe you a dance."
"That's right! Let's go!" Zack said, dragging her away.
"Reno... when you're done, I want to give you something." Namine smiled at him.
"And that's our cue to leave." Riku laughed, shaking his head, walking away with Sora.
Reno glanced over at Namine and finished his slice of cake before smiling at her.
Namine took his hand, leading him to the side where several gifts were piled onto a table, pulling one from the stack. "Happy birthday."
"You didn't have to get me something, Nam." Reno chuckled, "Especially since you planned all this."
Namine shook her head, smiling. "It's your birthday! Open it, please?"
Reno chuckled, but nodded, opening the present.
"There's not many pictures on it right now - just what I had from Disneyplace - but I thought you could add more as we take them." Namine said, explaining the digital picture frame in his hands.
"Wow." Reno said, looking up from the picture frame to the blonde, "This is great. Thank you." he said, leaning in to give her a kiss.
Namine smiled, eagerly kissing him back, managing to say once he pulled back, "Happy birthday."
"Thank you." Reno smiled, leaning in and kissing her again.
XXXX
Well, who can guess how many of these people were me? :D
(The answer is too many. Also, I don't even know.)
I'm gonna go back to being braindead now. Thanks for reading!
Posting note: This is Jasmine. That, up there, is Cami. And the real answer to her question? She wrote 7 of the 10 characters in this chapter.