Baby you're a firework [4th of July Gathering]

[jeongbro]

From Candlewood, Henry could hear the party going on northeast of town, the thud of distance bass and the pop of fireworks and the shrill of cars put to the test. And how shit was that?

He texted Blue, first. A soft, subtle inquiry, a joke of an invitation, but a broad one. One for all of them. He remembered Ronan's arm in that cast, and him saying it was from Kavinsky, and Henry had no duty to them, but it would be good to keep all of them away from the mess that was going on at that party outside of town. None of them had to come, of course. They were all their own people, adults--and a ghost who was as good as one, in Henry's eyes--and they were each allowed their own decisions.

So Henry texted Any plans for the 4th Wendybird? And then he followed it up, even before she could answer, I think my place could use some Virginian charms.

He had no decorations. Fourth of July over the past two years had become a thing tainted by Joseph Kavinsky. But he could, easily, go down a couple blocks and buy more two-liter bottles of Pipsy and lemon-lime soda than he could possibly need, and some liquor and mixers, and chips and dip. If he didn't use it all up, he'd bring it to Panoptes. And that seemed like a good enough way to ignore that Joseph Kavinsky was trying to blow himself up, to him.


[Running as a gathering]

Comments

[thedreamthief]

Ronan can think of about a dozen reasons right off the top of his head, starting and ending with whatever fucking business Cheng's family had with his own, but he only frowns, eyes narrowed. It doesn't surprise him in the last that Noah likes Cheng. Noah likes everyone.

"Helped him how?" he asks, though he's not sure he wants to know the answer. "Did he have everyone at Aglionby sign a petition to ban bees on campus or some shit?"

[iwasmore]

Noah nearly chokes on the second chip he'd started to eat, he laughs so hard. His face turns red and tears leak at the corners of his eyes, and he nearly shoves Ronan off the couch trying to get away from him.

"Oh my god, oh my god, what?" The idea of presenting a petition to ban bees is just ludicrously funny and he doesn't even know why. When he calms down he flops back onto the couch and reaches for his drink. "That's my favorite joke you've ever told, maybe."

"He helped him look for Glendower," Noah adds.

[thedreamthief]

He isn't quite expecting that much laughter, but Noah's clear delight has a smile tugging at his lips all the same. He barely moves when Noah shoves him, only squares his shoulder and arches an eyebrow.

"And you remember that?" he asks, curious now. "In your weird... circular time thing. What's he do to help?"

Because there have been all kinds of people to help Gansey over the years. Malory, Helen, all the women at Fox Way. Ronan still doesn't really like the idea of being best friends with any of them.

[iwasmore]

"Sort of," Noah says, looking down at Ronan's plate. He carefully starts stacking the chips into a tower. "That was when it was getting harder for me to stay. I was mostly at Fox Way, but I still knew. From thoughts, and other things."

It was best to stay in house where the energy was strongest toward the end there, but now that he's thinking about it he remembers Ronan in the car, motherless Ronan, orphaned Ronan, sitting in the car alone.

"I don't want to talk about that," Noah say abruptly, scattering the chips. "Do you think we'll be able to see the fireworks from here?"

[thedreamthief]

Something happens.

Ronan doesn't know what, but Noah gets a look in his eye, a faraway expression like he's somewhere else for a moment. Remember, maybe. Fuck, reliving for all Ronan knows. He still doesn't get how the ghost shit works, how the time works.

His frown deepends as Noah jerks, spilling the chips. "The fuck, man?" he asks, scowling, though his voice is softer. "What are you hiding?"

[iwasmore]

Noah scowls right back, mirroring Ronan's expression. "I'm not hiding anything, there's just nothing to tell."

He crosses his arms and sits back against the couch, looking out at the room at large. Lightly, he kicks Ronan's ankle. "It's a party and we're supposed to have fun."

[thedreamthief]

Ronan isn't swayed any by that scowl, his own still locked in place even after Noah nudges his ankle. Noah's hiding fucking something alright.

"I'm having fun," Ronan says, his voice petulant, an obvious lie. "And this is the fucking lamest party I've ever been to. We're not even fucking doing anything." He pauses a second, considering, before arching an eyebrow at Noah, a dangerous grin curving his lips. "I could dream up some fireworks."

[iwasmore]

Noah is glad Ronan moves past his mood sleuthing, but at the suggestion of dreaming fireworks he just stares at Ronan. "What, you're going to take a quick nap in Henry's guest room or something?" he asks, surprised Ronan would even trust Henry enough to dream anywhere near him.

[thedreamthief]

Ronan makes a face at that, lips stretched in a snarl as he shakes his head. "I'm not going near any one of Cheng's rooms. Fuck that."

Instead, he nods at Noah, a quick jerk of his head. "I'd sleep right here. You'll look after me, right? Make sure nothing happens." It's a lot to drop onto Noah maybe. After Adam, there's probably no one who's watched over Ronan sleeping than anyone else; but it's one thing for Noah to quietly assume that position and another for Ronan to ask it of him.