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"You know, we don't have to do movie night with Tao for your birthday," said Charlie. "We do that every month already."
"I know, but I like movie night at Tao's. His mum always makes such good food, and it's nice to just spend time with everyone. The only downside is Tao's movie choices," said Nick, cuddling Charlie under his chin on the couch in his living room.
"You could ask him to let you pick, because it is your birthday, after all?" suggested Charlie.
"You suggest it to him," said Nick.
"Aww, are you still scared of Tao?" asked Charlie, turning to face Nick.
"I mean, when it comes to movie night…" Nick shrugged
"I will ask him for you, scaredy cat," laughed Charlie.
"He might send me a strongly DM! You know I can't take that," said Nick.
Charlie pulled his phone out of his pocket and swiped to the group chat.
[Charlie] so you know how next movie night is Nick's birthday?
[Tao] ugh, are we going to have to cancel /again/?
[Charlie] no, he actually wants to have movie night
[Elle] really???
[Charlie] could you maybe be nice and let him pick the movie?
[Tao] ugh, Fiiiine
[Tao] but there will be RULES
[Isaac] shocked
[Tara] so surprised
[Tao] 1) NO MARVEL MOVIES
2) No other superhero movies
3) Fuck JK R*wling - no transphobia allowed
4) Nothing Disney (including Pixar)
5) it must have won at least one major award
6) No Mamma Mia
Nick audibly groaned at the last rule. "But I really like Mamma Mia."
"Yes, we're very aware," said Charlie.
"I'm not even sure I can think of a movie that meets all those rules that isn't one he made me watch," said Nick.
"Oh, I'm sure we can figure out something," said Charlie with a wicked grin.
[Charlie] Rules have been accepted
[Nick] is it ok if I bring a cake?
[Elle] Nick! You are not supposed to bring your own birthday cake!
[Nick] but I like baking?
[Darcy] Sorry Nelson, it's against the birthday rules
[Darcy] I have plans…
[Tara] she does, and she won't even tell me!
[Nick] that is not reassuring…
[Darcy] you find a movie, I'll handle cake
[Elle] do you want me to bring some kahk?
[Charlie] are those the little powdered sugar cookies????
[Elle] yep, those ones
[Nick] yes please!
[Tao] I will let my mother know movie night is on
[Charlie] and that it's Nick's birthday?
[Tao] we'll see…
[Nick] love you too, Tao <3
"So do you have any ideas?" asked Nick.
"Not yet. Let's look through your DVDs," said Charlie
"But snuggles!" protested Nick, pulling Charlie into a tight hug. Charlie laughed, squirming until he escaped, crossing the room to the very 2000s DVD tower next to the telly.
"Pirates?" asked Nick hopefully.
"That's Disney, dear," said Charlie
"The Mummy?"
"Tell me again how you didn't know you were bisexual?" teased Charlie.
"Hey!"
"Let's see… Pixar, Pixar, Disney, Marvel, Marvel, DC, Marvel… Austin Powers, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Wayne's World…" Charlie turned to Nick with a quizzical expression.
"Mum had a really weird thing for Mike Meyers for a while. Please don't remind me." Nick looked at the sparse remaining options. "What about Shrek?"
"Isn't it Pixar?" asked Charlie.
"No, DreamWorks."
"Did it win any awards?"
"I don't know, let's ask Google," said Nick, typing on his phone. "Looks like it has an Academy Award and a BAFTA!" He grinned as he showed the phone to Charlie.
Charlie started cackling. "You're going to make Tao watch Shrek?"
"It meets all the rules," said Nick, smirking.
"Tao is going to kill you," said Charlie.
"It's worth it," shrugged Nick.
—-
Nick and Charlie were dropped off at Tao's house by Sarah, DVD and bags of crisps in hand. Nick looked nervous.
"I should have figured out a back up movie, Tao is going to destroy me…" Nick ran his hand nervously through his hair.
"It's funny, I promise. The rest of us will back you up, birthday boy," said Charlie, kissing Nick's cheek.
They knocked on the doorbell and were greeted by Yan. "Nick! Happy birthday, my love! Charlie! Come in! Come in! I made pork and ginger dumplings, and you have to see the cake Darcy brought!"
Nick smiled. Yan was one of those mothers who couldn't resist feeding you, and she had remembered his favorite type of dumplings. Following her into the kitchen, Darcy was standing in front of something on the counter. She leaped out of the way, shouting "Surprise!"
It was a pink, purple and blue unicorn cake with rainbow sprinkles and long eyelashes. "You got me a bisexual unicorn cake?" asked Nick, grinning. "I love it!"
Charlie laughed. "This is not what I expected when you said you had plans, Darcy."
"I'm not always a chaos goblin! Sometimes my schemes are nice!" Darcy said.
Tao scowled. "That's what you said when you shrank my favorite beanie."
"And then I got you a new one," said Darcy.
Isaac looked at Nick and Charlie as Nick clutched the movie to his chest. "So, what did you pick to watch, birthday boy?" asked Isaac.
"Um. Well. Tao's rules eliminated most of my movies, but technically… Shrek?" said Nick hesitantly.
"There's no way that meets all the rules," declared Tao. "Isn't it Pixar?"
"Nope, it's DreamWorks," said Charlie smugly.
"And your going to tell me it won a real award?" Tao lifted a skeptical eyebrow.
Nick mutely held out his phone with the Wikipedia page up. Tao squinted and glared, before throwing his hands up in defeat. "Fine! Next time, no DreamWorks!" said Tao.
Darcy and Tara high fived Nick. "Great job, Nelson! Finally, a movie we like!" said Darcy.
"Food first, then cinematic abominations," said Tao.
Everyone crammed around the table, chattering as they demolished dumplings. They sang happy birthday as Nick blew out the unicorn's horn. It was one of the nicest birthday parties since Nick had gotten too old for the soft play party place. The cake was a vanilla sponge with rainbow sprinkles inside. After dishes were cleared away and Yan profusely thanked, they all settled into their established spots in Tao's living room.
Tao and Elle claimed the love seat, while Darcy sat in front of Tara in the large wingback chair. Isaac had staked his claim on the Poang next to the reading lamp, while Nick and Charlie made a nest of cushions on the floor. Yan had taken charge of the DVD player, Tao making disgusted phases at the box.
"Ok, loves, let me know if you need anything. I'll be upstairs," said Yan.
"Thanks, mum," said Tao. "Let's get this movie night over with," he sighed, pressing start.
Tao mostly silently seethed during the exposition, until Darcy pipes up. "You know, Shrek reminds me a lot of you, Tao."
"What?! Take that back!" said Tao.
"Pretends to be a great big grouch but secretly has a heart of gold underneath, but just wants to be left alone in his swamp," said Darcy.
"Wait, does that make Elle Fiona?" asked Tara.
"Totally! Princess who transformed from what society expected to her true form and found love? That's so me!" said Elle, making heart eyes at Tao.
"Ugh. You people are ridiculous." said Tao.
"You know you love us," said Charlie.
"No I don't…" said Tao.
"So Charlie is clearly Donkey," said Isaac.
"Hey! I am not nearly that irritating!" said Charlie.
"You are, but I love you anyway," said Tao.
"Fine, but Nick is the gingerbread man!" declared Charlie.
"Oh no, not my gum drop buttons!" quoted Nick.
"Who is Lord Farquad?" asked Elle.
"Harry," they all chorused.
"You know, Tao, you seem to know all of the characters," said Elle.
"ImayhavewatcheditwhenIwaslittle" mumbled Tao.
"What was that?" asked Elle.
"I might have watched it when I was too young to have proper taste in cinema," said Tao pompously and loudly.
"It was his favorite movie," yelled Yan.
"Mum!"
The group burst out laughing. "It's ok to like things, Tao," said Tara. "Even if it's being nostalgic."
"Can we all just shut up and get this over with?" asked Tao, beanie pulled down over his eyes.
"I think we're going to need to hear more about tiny Tao's Shrek love," teased Charlie.
"I really didn't mean for this to happen," said Nick. "It was literally the only movie I own that met your rules, and wasn't part of mum's obsession with Mike Myers."
"Uh, Nick?" said Tao. "You realize Shrek is voiced by Mike Myers, right?"
"No," said Nick, turning bright red as everyone laughed. Charlie kissed his cheek.
"I love you, birthday boy," said Charlie.
"Shush! I love this part!" said Tao, as Donkey launched into the parfait speech.
"Even rugby boys and film snobs have layers," murmured Charlie into Nick's ear.