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"This is getting ridiculous"
"It could be worse"
It's not unusual to see such an obnoxious gift getting wrapped messily. Hayato shows his appreciation and love using gift giving, now that they have money laying uselessly there it was just a matter of time
That doesn't mean Hayato can go out to buy this giant giraffe just because of a silly childhood story
At least violet isn't going to put up with the behaviour, Gillian doesn't mean to mind
"It's kinda cute, admit it" Gillian only continues to watch the wrapping progress completely amused
"It's useless, she's not five anymore"
"Oh Emma will like it, you know that"
Hayato huffs, pearls of sweat forming on his forehead. "I need help"
-
Birthdays are a pain to endure, birthday seasoned with trauma are atrocious
Thinking of a gift for Emma isn't difficult, knowing her since she was able to talk makes things easy. Emma is easy with gifts, her eyes widening even with a picture drawn with crayons
But it's been Years since Norman prepared a birthday gift for her, everyone's birthdays have been easy to celebrate so far
Ray's birthday was..quite a ride, now Emma's will be the same
At Grace field it was easy, being in the orphanage gave everyone the possibility to get crafty with their gifts. Usually Emma welcomed a 'happy birthday' with open arms
But now in the human world? With these endless possibilities? How could he just back off?
He got Gilda a dress and she loved it
Tomorrow is her birthday and it's already five in the afternoon, surely he can't just go up to her and ask for what she wishes for
Emma lays on the bed lazily, nothing on her mind. It's a peaceful afternoon and she's not totally frozen at the idea of getting older with no goal on her mind
She's laying on the bed with an arm covering her face and the other dangling down
"Norman?"
The former is sat up straight, book in hand and seemingly stuck on the same page. Norman isn't hard to read
He looks at her with his full attention, a rare relaxed expression adorning his face as he doesn't wear the suit that seemed to be glued on him
She sits up, hands on her knees, "What's wrong?"
With a doubtful expression he still holds the book, returning to his position slowly,swallowing his pride
"what would you like-" he looks at her again, this time curious, "-for your birthday?"
An attentive expression is enough to prove that he's not joking so Emma frowns, blinking as the words settle in
"I thought you were serious!" Her animated actions aren't anything to be amused about, she put her hands on her face with a grin hiding underneath
"You scared me for a second!"
"I-" maybe he took all this way too seriously, so he stutters, "I am serious!"
The book closes shut, hitting the ground with a thud as Norman moves forgetting about his arms
He moves to chair to look directly at her, Emma stiffling a laugh behind her hands forming a curtain
As he waits for a word, any words, from her Emma starts laughing
"I seriously thought you were- oh I was so worried!"
And she bends down with her head falling on her lap, laughter dying put
The door swings open and who's the one with zero decency left in him?
"What's wrong with you two?" He scans the room slowly, taking a through look at Norman avoiding eye contact and Emma looking at him, sitting up again
"Just trying to figure...things out" Norman picks up the book from the floor, avoiding the conversation
"Things? Well good luck with that, emperor" the nickname doesn't disturb anyone anymore so Ray leans on the desk beside Norman, hands in his pockets
"What do you want for your birthday?"
"I want uh-" Emma leans backwards, hands down on the bed, "I'd like a-" and she frowns, having no idea
"I want to go on an adventure!" and she grins, standing up with an excited expression laying on her face
Silence is her response, both look unamused at such request
"An adventure?" Ray repeats, almost mockingly, hands moving from his pockets to his chest, crossed
"Yes! Let's go find something cool!"
Due to Norman's silence annoyance settles down in the air, "there is no way you're going to agree to this!"
And Norman looks at Ray with a not so sorry expression, shame doesn't even cross his eyes once
So Norman slowly nods and Ray groans, ready to kick the both of them
Emma fistbumps the air in victory, grinning
"I never agreed to this"
Emma looks at Ray, knowing that either way she will win. Emma and Norman always win
"Oh but you will"
-
And he did.
Yes annoyance is in chest but looking at those dumb grinning faces ease off the groan stuck on his throat
"You're smitten" Barbara sits beside him, looking at Emma and Norman waiting in line to go on a ride
As her arm relaxes on the backrest behind Ray the latter frowns, refusing to look towards her direction
"Who knew boss had it in him. he's not the adrenaline junkie, right?"
"He's on the verge on pissing himself"
a smile cracks on her lips, the almost smirk is paired with her legs crossing
"What's with the panda?" And Ray points, making sure that his hands stay somewhat crossed
"Hayato and jin"
The unimpressed look on both of their faces is somewhat amusing, the attentions the panda is bringing isn't surprising either
Children with numbers on their body that show up out of thin air isn't news that pass by fast
"They really are gawking, huh?"
Ray shrugs, eyes set on the two getting their turn on the thing
"Scared?"
An huff is the only response, Emma and Norman both wave at him. The former grinning and the latter slightly unsure
"Boss's going to vomit, just watch"
And Norman did, fortunately he was able to hold it until he was off that thing
Emma is only patting his back, regret on her face
"He's not the one for those things. Norman? Alright?"
Ray looks intently as Norman nods, standing straight
Barbara chims in, patting Norman's shoulder apologetically, "ill take his spot if you don't mind"
As Norman sits down next to Ray, Emma looks unsure on whether to go or not
Norman waves at her to go, his head still hanging down
As Barbara and Emma go on the next ride Norman sighs
"If you throw up on me I swear I'll-"
"What are you doing just sitting here?"
The scolding words take Ray by surprise, his mouth closed shut
"Go have fun! I told you I'd show you something cool" his words turn soft at high speed, expression full of fondness
"I'm having fun" and Ray words are unsure, doubting how he should approach the conversation
"Come on, get up"
-
Hayato smiles at the trio, excited to see the panda being used as a shape-shift couch
Emma is leaning just on its stomach, eyes closed with a pleasant smile on her face
Norman at her left and Ray at her right, just like always
"You had fun, right?"
"Maybe we should go on a road trip, once we learn how to drive. We could go see something even cooler"
Emma is clueless at both of the boys listing that request down, already knowing what to do with all the free time
"Road trip it is, then"
Hayato and Jin are pleased to see Boss so happy and they pray that nobody starts to play rough near the panda