Chapter Text
The house was a mess, especially the kitchen.
"Jiě-jiě can I lick this?"
"Not yet Lucha, we have first to finish the cake, na no da!"
"Can I mix? Pleaseeeee?"
"Sure, but be careful- Heicha don't touch that!"
Bu-Ling hurried to take the knife out of Heichas hands, and per expected, Heicha started to fuss because something was taken out of her hands, even if she had no large interest in it, she frowned and stopped her foot, but fourtunetly did not trow a tantrum. Though she walked away with crossed arms, and sat on the couch, back facing them. Before Bu-Ling could comfort her, Hongcha tried to climb the counter while they were not looking, and in the process knocked the milk over, making a mess. Bu-Ling snapped their head to the direction of the noise, and picked Hongcha up to put him somewhere else, after she put the knife to a safe area. Hongcha stood in shame next to the spilled milk, as Bu-Ling checked if anything was broken. None of the other siblings dared to move or say anything.
"Jiě-jiě I'm sorry..."
Hongcha sniffed, and Bu-Ling turned their attention just so they can comfort him.
"It's not your fault, na no da!"
They explained, rubbing his face to wipe tears.
"Bu-Ling is just checking if there is anything broken, so you do not hurt yourself, but please be more careful, na no da!"
They continued, and not only Hongcha, but the rest of their siblings agreed in union, sharing the guilt their brother felt.
"Bu-Ling will have to clean this, and then we will continue to bake, na no da! Okay? Let's get you changed, na no da!"
"Hongcha puffed his cheeks and nodded.
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"Here, Lucha!"
Bu-Ling announced as she gave him a hand mixer beater covered in whipped cream, and after one tug on her sleeve, she gave the other to Quingcha, Huacha came running with wrapped candy in her hands, and trew them on the table, probably for the use.
Bu-Ling often baked with her siblings, it was such a fun activity! She liked anything and everything they did together, and that included cooking. While yes - it was always messy, and it was not a rare occurance for something to be spilled, but they were always willing to learn! And they always have so much fun, so there is no actual harm in it. They even cleaned after themselves most of the time, that is, if Bu-Ling allows it, but it was the thought that mattered! Children will be children, Bu-Ling just has to make sure that nothing breaks - she wouldn't want her siblings to get hurt, and buying whatever is broken is something she'd avoid.
Bu-Ling arranged some candy with fresh fruit on the tart cake, with help of Heicha. The little girl stared silently at the cake.
"Jiě-jiě, will your friend like it?"
Started Heicha, and to that, Lucha answered, face covered in cream.
"He better! We really worked hard, right jiě-jiě?"
He turned to Bu-Ling and expected a positive answer, Bu-Ling only grinnned.
"Of course, na no da! Bu-Ling is really proud of all of you! And Bu-Ling is sure Tar-Tar will love the cake, na no da!"
She chirped, and in all honesty, it wasn't a lie. Bu-Ling believed- no. Bu-Ling knew that Tart will like the cake. Even if it is not visually perfect, it was the thought that mattered.
And who didn't like cake?
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Bu-Ling has has a plan on what to do for Tarts birthday for about two weeks now - but even so it was hard to decide if she would like to make him a cake, or a tart. But thankfully she has found a recipe that was somewhat both, like a birthday tart, but with layers!
Bu-Ling hopes she got the date right. Tar-Tar was somewhat vague, but Bu-Ling did not know how dates worked on his home planet, and he kind of did not elaborate on his claim the first time.
During one of the minor attacks, two weeks ago, Tart and Bu-Ling got into a small bicker who's older, it really seemed to bother Tart, and he was fussing quite a lot about it. Bu-Ling thought it was funny, why did he care so much about being the youngest anyway? Somewhere in the bicker, he yelled that he is turning eleven in exactly two weeks - which would make him older than her for about a month. But it also gave Bu-Ling the information that it was his birthday in two weeks. And since then, she has made small plans, in between all her chores and responsabilities, to give him something nice for his birthday.
Still, one of the largest problem remaining is finding him on the said date. Maybe he would have celebrated with his teammates? Then it would be impossible to find him... But it's okay, she'd just give him the present other time then!
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Tart was bored.
To put it simply, his teamates very busy and would not pay attention to him, and he was not really allowed for the time being to organise any attacks alone, as it was his only source of entertaintment here, and they deffenetly did not have any time to acompany him. And thus it was yet another day of Tart sulking because he had nothing to do. Sometimes, more often than he liked to admit, he hated how excluded he was from their plans, knowing it was because he were a child. He'd spend hours stressing over how it didn't make any sence to act as if he did not have the right to know things. He was specifically choosen for this mission just like them, and not only did he have to put up with secrecy, Pie and Quiche acting like he is clueless or stupid, but he also had to put up with, mainly Quiches, teasing and, as Tart would put it, disrespect. No one respected him here. And in protest, he sulked.
Another thing to note, it was their birthday, which did not make the situation better, nor worse. Quiche has wished them a happy birthday, and they knew Pie only aknowledged that it was their birthday. Tart did not expect anything for their birthday - celebrations, expecially of personal use, were a rare thing back at the hellhole they had to call home. Not enough resources or time, especially for people of lower class. The concept of a birthday existed so they could track down age, but Tart wouldn't have known the exact date regardless without Pie, as use of callendar was too complicated to them, not to mention mostly useless. At least on Earth it was somewhat more simplistic, using only one callender.
They were stories from their old society, where their ancestors would make joyful celebrations in honor of birth, it was such a foregien concept, that it did not leave Tart envious of it, but still curious. They wondered how a celebration, for the fact they exist would look like. For someone awesome as them, it only made sense for such event to exist. But hoping for it was foolish and idealistic, even for Tart.
Which is why Tart never really cared about date of their birth, in fact, were quite apathetic of it. And getting nothing for it did not make them feel anything.
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How Bu-Ling was going to find Tart, they had no idea. Or better say, they had no strong plan on how to do it - one that they were sertain it would work. Tart never gave them a way to contact him, not to mention that even if there was a way, like some super cool alien talking device, that he probably would have specifically insisted that she does not have it. He also, literally teleported, and lived in a pocket dimension for the measure.
So the best thing they had come up with was taking a stroll around the park they ocassionally saw him in, and hope to run into him.
The evening was rather pleasant, it was July, and yet the heat wasn't physically unbearable. The sun has still not actually set, but it was lowering down, making the sky a beautiful orange colour. It matched with their outfit too! The park around them lacked people, and while Bu-Ling wondered why, as many people were always a good thing, they couldn't help but to be happy at how perfect the scene is! They truly were great at planning. Bu-Ling stopped themselves to spin around and check their clothes, for probably the 7th time sinse they got dressed. A large grin, yet again, has graced their face, as they thought they looked so fun! What kind of friend would Bu-Ling be if they didn't put on a special outfit for their friends birthday? Let alone for their best friend! They were almost fully sertain that Tar-Tar will appreciate it too, even if he would probably deny it - which was okay! Bu-Ling knew that Tar-Tar wasn't actually a bad guy or mean, he was just shy sometimes, and, if Bu-Ling dares to admit, a bit of a dummy. Bu-Ling hummed an upbeat tune as they strolled trough the park, it was some western song they heard play in cafés on multiple occasionas, and Bu-Ling had a habit of songs being repeatedly stuck in their head, until they played it so much it got boring.
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Tart floated around the park - still sulking. He thought that getting away from Quiche and Pie would make his mood better, and now he wasn't sure if it has gotten worse or if it is still the same, sinse he literally still can't do anything. He was somewhat thankful that no dumb humans were around nearby, so he was free to roam around if anything.
And then he learned that he should never be grateful for lack of humans, because almost as if a curse happened, she was here. Tart didn't like Mew Pudding, the yellow girl, Bu-Ling. Her being human would be a reason enough, after all because of all humans their people were made to suffer on that ugly planet, while they had their beautiful paradise all of themselves, and so carelessly were destroying it. And as if being a human wasn't enough, she was extremly annoying too. There were probably many words to describe her actions, but in Tarts opinion, annoying can group most of them, as it is a first thing that comes to mind when it comes to this girl. She was also weird, for more than one reason. For one, she talked weird, seriously who would even talk in third person? For two, the reason she was annoying, she never seemed to get tired, which resulted to her being really loud. Three, she was always smiling. At most he saw her get pounty at him, in which she would scold him as if he didn't know what was he doing, or as if she knew what was he like, what he should and shouldn't do. Again, both weird and annoying. And probably the weirdest thing about her was that she hardly acted like a human should. Or what he knows humans should act like.
Another both weird and annoying thing that the yellow Mew has done - for the past weeks, no, months, she has tried to get closer to Tart, to be his friend, and even gave him the jewerly humans wore as a symbol of friendship. It was bizarre, and for the worst, Tart seemed that he couldn't get rid of her.
As much as the sight of her upset him, he was curious what was she doing, sinse she was not with the others, she wore civilian attire, and she was holding some large box. She strolled around the empty park and hummed. What a weirdo. Unfourtunetly, before Tart could guess what was she doing, or even leave, she noticed him, and her face morphed into a large smile, Tart really couldn't guess why was she so happy all of a sudden? Was it because she saw him? He knew that he was awesome and that she annoyingly clinged to him, but it still didn't make sense that she was this happy to see him.
"Tar-Tar!"
She called out, before she placed the box on the grass next to her. He pounted at the sound of the nickname.
"Come here na no da!"
Could Tart just ignore her and teleport away? Technically yes, but it was more comolicated than that! Or at least he believed so.
Crossing his arms and with a slight eyeroll, he lazily floated down, but was still not standing on the ground, and before he could ask her what did she want, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him down, then shifted her arms wrap them around his torso and pull him close to her. Tart frowned and tried to break free, but before he protested or kicked her, she started talking.
"Happy birthday Tar-Tar na no da!!"
He flinched, because the intensity of the sentance was so strong, did she really have to yell in his ear?
She pulled away but she held his hands, which he tried to release but she wouldn't let him, and now he was seriously thinking that this was a tactic for a fight.
Then she started singing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you~! Happy birthday dear Tar-Tar! Happy birthda-"
"Why are you singing?!"
He attempted to glare at her, but only looked confused, which, for the good measure, he was. Bu-Ling looked a little sad to this.
"Does Tar-Tar dislike Bu-Ling's singing?"
She sulked, and Tarts expression was unidentifyable.
"No- well, yes! But why are you singing?"
He stammered on his words, and Bu-Ling looked at him as if he told her something so stupid it was cute, which made him frown.
"Well it is a birthday song silly!"
She started, which was not exactly an answer. Defeated, he remained silent, but she continued.
"Here, whenever it is someones birthday, we sing them a birthday song na no da!"
She beamed, and then her face fell, as she realised that the Aliens probably did not have birthday songs.
"That's stupid."
Tart blurted out, and Bu-Ling only looked at him with sympathy.
"You don't have birthday songs on your planet...?"
And then she looked at him with such sad expression that it made Tart feel ashamed.
"No- because they are stupid!"
He blurted out, without much genuene thought on the tradition.
"Well I am sure you have presents na no da!"
She beamed, per usual quickly changing her mood, as she let go of his hands, which he forgot were even held in the first place, and picked up the box from the grass. She handed the box to him, and he took it without a thought.
"Bu-Ling is sorry if she got the date wrong! Is it really Tar-Tar birthday today-?"
"Yes."
He answered without thinking. As for the nickname, at this point he has grown tired of correcting her on not using it, so he will just try to ignore it from now on. He heard her giggle and applaud.
"Hey Tar-Tar,"
He was about to open the box before she called him, he looked up, curiously. She twirled and then spread her arms.
"What do you think of Bu-Lings outfit?"
She smiled, and said nothing then, waiting for his answer. He was silent for some seconds, as she actually looked nice, in general, Bu-Ling was not exactly ugly- for a human of course! But he couldn"t tell her that, but it als did not feel right to say that she looked ugly. Bu-Lings face shifted in response to such long silence.
"You- well- uh- t-the colour is nice...!"
Tart blurted out, and mentally praised himself for coming up with this. Bu-Ling saw it all the same, and grinned widely, her cheeks growing a little red, as she was slightly jumping.
"Thank you Tar-Tar na no da!"
Ignoring his own face growing red, he then finally opened the box.
The box was filled with candy, all sorts of it. One thing that Bu-Ling started doing was giving him candy. He never asked for it because he did not want to make it seem as if he liked them, but he was somewhat glad she liked to give them herself without a reminder. In the center of the box was, what Tart assumed to be a cake, sealed under a clear plastic lid. The cake was in circular shape, layered, and it had a hole in the middle, like a donut. The topping was basically just a bunch of fruit and more candy. Next to the cake was a paper envelope, also a paper form and knife.
"...it did get kinda messy, but Bu-Lings brothers and sisters really put their efforts to help na no da!..."
Tart faintly heard Bu-Lings voice in the back of his head as he stared in the inside of the box. He didn't know what to feel, but there was a stabbing guilt in his gut, guilt for feeling warm at heart at reciving a gift from an enemy. It felt overwelming to feel such guilt, when he could not even identify the other emotions. His face felt warm, so he reached to touch it with his free hand, and cursed at himself. He fought back an expression of frustration, as being red in face wasn't already bad enough.
Tart then turned his attention to the envelope, which more confused him than anything, was it a human tradition to write letters for birthdays...? He was holding the box with one hand so he couldn't open the envelope. In response to his obvious confusion, Bu-Ling stopped her ramble and opened it for him, taking out a card, and what seemed like jewerly, only it was really light and pastel.
"Aaand Bu-Ling wrote and drew this herself na no da! Ta-da! A birthday card na no da!"
She proudly announces as she held the card in her hands, before placing it back in the box.
"..What is this though...?"
Tart shook the candy bracelet in his hand. And Bu-Ling simply giggled.
"It is a bracelet, but made out of candy na no da!"
"...Candy? So-"
"You eat it!"
"Why make it a bracelet if you can eat it?"
"Dunno but Bu-Ling really likes them and they taste great na no da!"
"That's stupid."
"Yeah it is kinda silly!"
Bu-Ling laughed at Tarts confusion about their customs, but she knew he didn't actually mean it, Tart just didn't want to admit it. After placing them back in the box, Bu-Ling paused for a moment. She rubbed her hands together and made a small circle with her foot.
"Bu-Ling really put effort in the present, and Bu-Ling wishes she could make maybe something more, after all Tar-Tar is Bu-Lings best friend! He deserves the best for his birthday na no da..! Bu-Ling doesn't know how you guys celebrate birthdays back at your home, but, Bu-Ling hopes it is good enough...?"
She rambled, it was still rather upbeat and bright, but there was an obvious sign of insecurity if what she did was good enough. A part of Bu-Ling wanted to ask about Tarts culture on multiple occasions, it would defenetly help when they are playing and what kind of friend is she if she doesn't know! Though Bu-Ling rarely had the time to ask. Tart paused.
The feeling came back again, the suffocating fluffiness that filled his chest and made it painful to breathe. Her words ringed in his ears and made them red. This was the main reason why Bu-Ling was so weird, she was still annoying, but being around her made him feel weird the more he spent time with her. It wasn't a bad nor a good feeling, but he thought that it was as if her weirdness were contagious. No one has every really spoke like that to him before, ever, or in general. To consider his feelings or put effort just in the attempt to make him feel special. And who is he fooling, Tart has never got a birthday present before. He still did not understand why or how did the tradition work, and actually experiencing it left him speechless, but made his mind a mess impossible to detangle. He didn't want this soft feeling in his chest, and defenetly did not want her to be the reason for it, or for the fact, to show it in front of her. She was his enemy! Why could she never stop doing this?!
"Tar-Tar...? Do you not like the presents...? Are you okay?"
Bu-Ling called out of him, the silence concerned her, and Tarts face was extremly red. Realising his mistake he swallowed thickly.
"N-no, they're.... Good. Okay! For a human, of course...!"
They were more than great, Tart has not felt this cherished in such a long time.
"For a human, yeah, back home we have much more interesting presents...! A human can't compare, but, for a human, it is good, great even..!"
A lie, of course, he believed that it was because a human shouldn't know that he never experienced something like this. Which was half true, but there was also a small need to impress her. Bu-Ling blinked and then grinned brightly.
"A-and I'll prove it to you..!
He started, a little louder this time, Bu-Ling looked at him with interest.
"When is your birthday...! I will show you how better we are at presents...!"
Tart proudly announced, as it made perfect sense to him. There is no way a human could do something better than him. A-and also...! Tart was a good guy, so he should return a present! Maybe if she feels how he felt earlier she will know how it is like! Seeing her reaction would most defenetly be a blast!
Bu-Ling smiled, of course, Tart at this point believes it is her default expression.
"Of course na no da!! Bu-Lings birthday is on August 7th, soo a little less than a month from Tar-Tar's na no da!"
"Ha! See? I told you that I am older!"
He sticked out his tongue, and Bu-Ling laughed in response, it really didn't matter for her. She looked up to the sky, the sun has set by now.
"Bu-Ling has to go home, can Bu-Ling sing you one more birthday song-?"
"No need!"
Tart cut her off, and Bu-Ling slightly pounted that Tart was not appreciating her singing, but Bu-Ling basically didn't know how to hold a grudge, so her face changed to her default grin as quick as she first frowned.
"Okay! Bu-Ling can't wait for Tar-Tars present na no da! Bye Tar-Tar!!"
She yelled excited, a monkey tail and ears popped even as she jumped, then she ran from the park, and Tart closed the box before he teleported away, with a small grin of his own.
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"Where have you been shorty?"
Tart did not expect for Quiche's smirk to be the first thing they see immedietly after teleporting, and it made them jump. Tart glared at Quiche for scaring them before, then shifted their gaze.
"Outside."
Quiche whistled, his smirk not leaving him
"Wooow, and now we're keeping secrets, you're a big boy now aren't you?"
He snickered, which earned a small frustrated sound from Tart.
"Yes, I am mature and grown, just like you and Pie!"
They stated trough nose, with puffed cheeks.
"Where'd you get that though?"
"Stole it."
Quiche raisen an eyebrow, and his smirk grew wider. He didn't believe them one bit.
"Oh? What is in there?"
"Cake."
"Can I have some then?"
Quiches hand aproached the box, before it was slapped away by Tart.
"No. It is mine!"
Tart glared, and Quiche laughed. Tart was so easy to rile up and mess with, though to cut them some slack, they were still a kid, though one with a definite attitute.
"You sure that you stole it though?"
Quiche teased them again, getting off the previous subject.
"Yes, how else would I got it?"
Tart snapped, and Quiche hummed.
"I dunno but it looks like a present... Aren't you friends with that monkey girl?"
Quiche stated, placing his hands behind his back. His face was no longer a smirk as he tried to make it sound serious. Tart scoffed.
"I am not like you, I would never be friends with a human, or... anything else.."
Tart got themselves into Quiches face, clearly mocking him for his choice in parthners, though the sudden thought of them being to Bu-Ling like Quiche was to Ichigo got their face red. No, no, never!
Quiche whistled again.
"Oooo, you are a heartbreaker damn! You have a girl trowing herself happily at you and you don't care. How heartless Tart...!"
Quiche attempted to sound dramatic, and Tart physically gagged on purpose.
"Gross, I'll be going to eat my cake then."
Tart commented before leaving Quiche, who was not covering his mouth to sustain laughter.
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Tart was satisifed with their choice for a secret spot, no one has found it so far, and no one will, it was simply too good. Tart has taken some time to realise that they never looked at the card Bu-Ling added to the whole present. So, safe in their own comfort, with a cake next to them ready to eat, they held the card and attempted to "read" it. Tart looked at their left hand, the candy bracelet was there, and the other, non edible one, which was another reason why Tart had to make a better present for Bu-Lings birthday than they could ever imagine. Tart muffled a happy sound that left them with a smile.
Tart couldn't read the card.
But they could observe the rest. Outside the card there was something written, they guessed "Happy Birthday" or something, inside was a drawing on one side, and a text on the other. The text was longer than one on the front of the card, and while Tart had no clue what was written, they were sure it was stupid and annoying... They had to know. Maybe next time they see Mew Pudding.
The drawing was also silly, the monkey girl really had weird art skills, but again, Tart never has seen them draw. It was the two od them, smiling, in a sunny field, Bu-Ling has drawn both of them to be in some weird colourful costumes, but theirs was mostly yellow while Tart's was mostly orange to red. It looked similair to those performers yellow Mew mentioned.
It was really stupid, Tart told themselves, yet, they couldn't stop smiling like dumb kid too. Bu-Lings weirdness truly was contagious.
Tart has found themsleves fishing of more experiences like this, they enjoyed it too much than they would like to admit. But maybe, with a little effort, their next birthday would be like this. Tart has finally took a try of the cake.
They will look forward to more of this...!