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"Sharing a birthday is not special," Andrew said as he served himself another slice of ice cream cake.
"Yeah," Aaron added. "We share a birthday with like... a lot of people."
"A lot of people?" Katelyn snickered. She was tucked against Aaron's side on the couch, her cheeks flushed from the shots Kevin was pouring. "That's really specific, babe."
"Point stands," Aaron replied. He toasted the room at large and downed another shot.
"Well, you two shared a womb," Allison said. "Just y'all. That makes it a special shared birthday. Which is the point we've been trying to make." She clicked her glass against Dan's and they both drank.
Neil sipped at his whiskey and leaned back against Andrew's chest. He was enjoying the banter and togetherness, the way everyone was relaxed and having a good time. It wasn't a wild night at Eden's -- that would be like every other weekend. No, this was a night for getting cozy and letting loose.
Nicky broke out the birthday cake vodka and he and Kevin went to work mixing some cocktails. Sprinkles and whipped cream were involved. It looked messy.
Matt kept the music going, an upbeat playlist of recent top hits and dance tracks, with occasional songs from 1986. Andrew groaned when a particular song came on and shouted for Matt to change it. Matt nodded and skipped to the next track which led to an impromptu dance party. Apparently most of the team was not immune to "Hey Ya!"
Renee pulled Neil to his feet and into the cluster of dancers. He couldn't stop grinning. It was the buzz from the alcohol, the comfort of having his friends all in one place, and the look Andrew fixed on him as he danced. Renee laughed in his ear as she and Allison pulled him into sandwich. Allison yelled the lyrics in his other ear and Neil tipped his head back on her shoulder, smiling up at her. He joined in on the chorus, losing himself in the infectious lyrics.
The song switched to something electronic and a cheer went up.
"Yes!!!" Nicky yelled, holding up his half finished milky white cocktail rimmed with sprinkles. Kevin saved the drink before it ended up splashed over all of them.
Neil was laughing so hard that he didn't notice Andrew had moved until Andrew's arm was around his waist. Renee and Allison moved away to dance with Nicky, Kevin, and Dan. Andrew pulled Neil in close, his hands on Neil's waist. Neil wrapped his arms around Andrew's neck and leaned into him, their bodies pressed together.
It wasn't really dancing, just a nice sway from side to side. The song pulsed on and on, repetitive yet addictive. "One More Time" kept going for a lot of times, it seemed.
Across the room Katelyn was dancing with Aaron. Her movements were fluid and her smile was pure, unfettered joy. Aaron gazed at her with such open love that Neil had to look away.
He glanced up at Andrew and found him watching him. Neil flushed and tightened his hold on Andrew's shoulders. Being the focus of Andrew's attention was overwhelming and wonderful. Neil was sure that he looked just as gone as Aaron.
They danced through the rest of the song and the next one and the one after that. At some point Andrew ended up with one of the birthday cocktails. He offered Neil a sip and Neil obligingly tried it and winced. It was ungodly sweet. He handed it back and Andrew downed it in one gulp. Neil stared.
Andrew shrugged. "It's my birthday."
Across the room Aaron yelled, "IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!"
Dan hijacked Matt's playlist and put on "In Da Club" and soon the overheated room was filled with shouts of "it's your birthday!"
Neil smiled and cupped the side of Andrew's face. "Yes or no?"
"Yes."
Neil kissed him. Andrew tasted like pure sugar and his kiss scorched Neil to the soles of his feet. He may have swooned a little.
"Happy birthday, Andrew," he said. "I'm happy we're here together."
"Sentimental junkie," Andrew murmured before kissing Neil again.
It was indeed a very good day.