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The Lagoon office had been quiet lately, most jobs were few and far between the past month. When they were called, the jobs had gone on without a hitch, a pick up here, a drop off there, it was starting to annoy Revy that her cutlasses were getting hungry, even. However Rock had been appreciating the lack of life or death situations lately. He laid in the chair in the main area of the building, flipping absentmindedly through a magazine, reading the movie reviews when Dutch entered the room from his office.
“Well, looks like we don’t have any jobs for the day, I just gotta do some boat maintenance with Benny, and then sort ammo with Revy. Rock, you can head home for the day.” Dutch announced as he motioned for Rock to get up and out of his seat.
“C’mon kid, I’m not payin’ you to sit around. Go home, to the bar, anywhere.” Dutch demanded, Rock sighed and got up out of the chair and made his goodbye as he exited the building.
On the way home, he looked around and took in the city. The sights, sounds, and people of the place he called home. On his way he made a stop at a noodle stand and ordered a bowl to go for dinner. The rest of the walk home was largely uneventful, he didn’t even get pickpocketed or face an attempted mugging.
“Guess working with Lagoon is finally paying off” He thought to himself as he entered his apartment complex and opened up the door to his home.
He looked around before setting his bowl down on his coffee table. Going into his kitchen to grab a drink, he looked at his calendar and noticed something. Frowning slightly at the date, he realized it was his birthday. Birthday’s had never been great for Rock back in Japan, usually working late hours on them, or getting ignored with just getting a small cake when he was younger. He crossed the date off and decided he would do something a little special for himself. Taking his bowl of ramen he headed up to the roof of his building.
Rock sat on the floor of the rooftop, cross legged with the bowl in hand as he watched the city below him and the sky above him. Once he finished his bowl, he put it to the side and unfolded his legs, sticking them out and leaning back on his wrists, he laid back and just watched the sky for a little bit… Until his pager started to beep. Looking down he saw the page was coming from Dutch. Rock sighed, took his used bowl and made his way back downstairs to his apartment.
Rock picked up his phone and called Dutch to see what he needed.
“Hey Dutch, what’s going on?” Rock asked into the receiver
“Sorry to call you back so soon, last minute job just came in. Need ya to get down here asap” Dutch replied
“Oh… Yeah I’ll be right there Dutch, at least you called me before I got changed for bed” He replied with a slight laugh.
“...Right, I’ll see you when you get here” Dutch responded flatly before hanging up.
Rock put the phone down and began to head back to the office, the sun had begun setting casting an orange hue over the sky that he always thought looked beautiful. Store signs began to ignite their neon glow as they lit up the streets. As he stood outside the office entrance he noticed all the lights inside were off. He raised an eyebrow as he took out his keys and opened the door to the office. He began to ascend the stairs
“Hey guys! I’m here! What’s the jo-”
“SURPRISE!!!” The crew yelled out as they flipped the lights back on, causing Rock to jump back in shock… and subsequently fall down the stairs.
“Oh shit!” Revy yelled out as she rushed down the stairs to check on him. As she looked him over, she began to hear him softly giggle which then turned into full blown laughter
“Oh god… Never had good luck on my birthday. Looks like that’s not changing now…” Rock commented as he grabbed Revy’s hand and pulled himself up. He put an arm around her shoulder and they walked up the stairs together. Rock looked around and viewed the attendants of the party. Dutch, Revy, and Benny were a given to be here, but he was shocked to see Eda, Shenhua, Lotton, and Sawyer in the office as well.
“Thanks for coming, everyone. Sorry you all had to see that…” Rock apologized as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Happy birthday kid. Now come on, have a drink and relax a bit, you’ve earned it.” Dutch said as he handed him a cup and turned on the radio. The office was covered in streamers and balloons and a large Happy Birthday sign in the center.
“Wow… how did you guys all set this up? And how did you even know it was my birthday, even I almost forgot…” Rock asked as he took a sip from the cup of beer Dutch gave him.
“Well, I’m a damn good boss, and I’m a damn good boss.” Dutch replied matter of factly. Rock could only nod his head in acceptance as he made his way over to the freeloaders.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, thanks for coming, it’s good to see you guys.”
“Twinkie invite us. She promised good food platter, so far she has not disappointed.” Shenhua replied as she took a bite of a wonton. Rock then grabbed one off the table full of snacks and finger foods, and took a bite, his eyes widened and he nodded his head.
“Wow, that is really good.” He agreed with her as he reached for another before Shenhua slapped his hand
“Just cause you birthday boy don’t mean you eat entire tray.” She scolded as Rock rubbed his hand.
“Alright, fine… I’m sorry” Rock apologized as Revy stormed over
“YOU CAUSIN PROBLEMS CHINGLISH? I’ll throw your ass to the curb before you even knew what hit ya!” Revy began to yell and get in Shenhua’s face
“Oh I like to see you try, I’ll carve your ass even if I have to use plastic knife” Shenhua replied as she got even closer, trying her. Suddenly Rock and Lotton were behind the two ladies pulling them off as Sawyer snuck three wontons from the tray while they were all distracted.
“Ladies please! It’s not right to do this at a party, especially after the last time you two fought at the office…” Lotton exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around Shenhua’s waist
“Please guys, can we not do this tonight?” Rock backed him up as he grabbed Revy.
“...Fine. But I’ll kick your ass next time!” Revy growled at her
“Looking forward to it!” Shenhua replied with a smile on her face.
Having finally settled all that down, Rock took a plate and began to put various snacks onto it, chips, pretzels, and popcorn were all scattered about on it and he picked at his food while hanging around and making small talk with everyone.
“How’s your Doom II game been going, Benny?” Rock asked
“It’s not bad, been getting my runs down faster and faster. I can get the game done in about an hour now” Benny bragged as he stood proudly
“Not bad man, and how’s things with Jane going?”
“Oh she’s been alright, I asked her if she would come, but she said she was busy and also didn’t want to.” Benny responded as Rock tried and failed to not be offended that the woman whose side he nearly died beside didn’t wanna come to his party… granted their attempted murderer was also at this party so that kinda evened things out. He then looked over and waved to Sawyer.
“Hi Sawyer!” He smiled at her as she waved back with a smile on her face. They got along very well when she wasn’t being paid to kill him.
“Heyyyy Romeo~” Eda approached him as she slapped his ass “Y’know if you want, we could get out of here and I could give you a real birthday present” She teased as Rock got mildly flustered for a moment.
“I think I’ll have to take a rain check on that one… thanks for the offer anyway” Rock responded awkwardly as he tried to shuffle away
“Aww you’re no fun!” Eda exclaimed as she walked away over to the keg Dutch had brought in.
“Alright everybody! I think it’s time for the cake!” Dutch yelled out as he pulled an ice cream cake from the kitchen refrigerator. “Happy Birthday Rock!” written in green frosting on top of it as they gathered around the table as Dutch lit the candles. Rock had a grin on his face that slowly turned into laughter as everyone began to sing (and Sawyer began to hum).
“Happy birthday to you!”
“Happy birthday to you!”
“Happy birthday dear Rock!”
“Happy birthday to you!”
After the song ended Rock blew out the candles and started to slice pieces of cake to hand out to everyone. The party then continued on for a few more hours, soon enough the freeloaders left back to Shenhua’s apartment, and Eda headed back to the church. Leaving only the four members of the Lagoon company at the office.
“Alright Rock, I think before we all head out, we should give you your gifts” Dutch told him as he motioned for Rock to take a seat on the nearby chair, before grabbing some boxes from his office.
“Mine’s the small one on top, why don’t you open that up first…” Dutch asked him and Rock did as instructed, taking the box and pulling open the wrapping paper to reveal a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label scotch.
“Heyyy, thanks Dutch, I’ll be sure to save a glass for you and I to have together. This is awesome!” Rock smiled as he put the booze on the table and then grabbed the next box.
“This one’s from me, you’re gonna love it” Benny chimed in, smiling as he waited for Rock to open the box, and when he did…
“No way… No fuckin’ way,” He looked up at Benny, his mouth agape, “Where the hell did you get this?” Opening the box fully revealed ac Sega Saturn. “Haha! I haven’t had one of these since I lived back in Japan! I’ve missed mine so bad!”
“Not only that, I’ve included a few games, and an action replay disc, that way you can play games from any region on it, US, Japan, anywhere, and you’ll be good.” Benny smirked as Rock put the box down and walked over to Benny and hugged him
“Benny, You have no idea how much I love you right now. This is… this is fuckin awesome.” Rock told him, unable to stop smiling.
“Yeah yeah yeah, open mine already!” Revy demanded as Rock sat back down in his chair and grabbed the bottom box from Revy, it was definitely the biggest of the bunch, and she was couldn’t wait to see his reaction.
As Rock opened the box, his eyes widened, and his eyebrow raised. It was full of packing peanuts… and on top of that, another Hawaiian shirt. He lifted it up and held it out for the crew to see. The shirt was definitely more his style this time, being white with black palm trees scattered across it.
“So… what do you think? Partner…” Revy asked, her eyes staring dead at him
“It’s uh… it’s definitely more my style than that other shirt…” Rock stuttered over his words not wanting to upset her but slightly disappointed in the gift. This fear turned into confusion as Revy began laughing loudly.
“HAHAHA! I knew you’d try to let me down gently! C’mon that ain’t all, check under the rest of those packing peanuts…” Rock put the shirt down and began shifting through the box when he felt something, another box, he wrapped his hands around the sides and began to pull it out… It was a brand new VCR! He hadn’t had one since his apartment back in Japan, and Roanapur’s TV access was mediocre at best.
“Thanks Revy! This is awesome! I love it, I really do! Now I just gotta pick up some tapes…”
“Actually, check in the box again~” Revy smirked at him as he started going through once more and he found tape after tape. Terminator 1 and 2, Scarface, Goodfellas, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Predator, etc.
“Remember that time I asked what your 10 favorite movies were? Well, I did a little shopping around after that… Happy Birthday, Partner…” Revy smiled at him as she gave him a hug
“Guys… I know for a fact, that this is definitely the best birthday I’ve ever had, I love you guys…” Rock admitted to the crew as they went in for a group hug.
“Well, I think it’s about time we all head home… Take the day off tomorrow guys, it’s been a late one tonight…” Dutch told the crew as he grabbed his keys and began to make his way down the stairs
“See you guys later! Happy birthday Rock!” Benny told him once again as he followed Dutch out of the building to his own apartment. Leaving Rock and Revy alone in the office.
“Hey… how about I walk you home, you’re carrying a lot of expensive shit… you’ll be prime meat for muggers without me around to watch your ass…” Revy told him as she helped him grab his gifts.
“You’re probably right, thanks once again Revy, I loved the gifts, even the shirt…” he smiled as he picked up the boxes and made his way down the stairs. Revy helping him down, making sure he didn’t fall this time, and they made their way back to his apartment.
After they reached the entrance, the two stood outside his apartment door, neither one willing to say goodbye just yet.
“Y’know… I’m not tired yet… how about I help you set up that VCR and we watch a movie together?” Revy asked as Rock smirked at her
“Yeah, I’d really like that…” He replied opening the door to let her in.
Soon enough, Revy was in the kitchen heating up a bag of popcorn and grabbing a bowl from his cabinets while Rock plugged in the VCR wires to his tv, and power supply to the power strip on the floor.
“What do you feel like watching?” Rock yelled out to Revy
“You’re the birthday boy, it’s your pick.” Revy replied as Rock shrugged and grabbed Star Wars: A New Hope from the stack of tapes and slid it into the VCR, before taking a seat on his couch
“Here we go…” Revy said as she sat down holding the bowl of popcorn sitting closer to Rock than usual with her legs propped up on the couch, and her head almost nuzzling into his neck as they watched the movie and ate their snacks.
“I could totally outdraw Han Solo…” Revy commented as they reached the scene in the Cantina.
“No way, Han’s the best there is! He’s always the quickest on the draw…” Rock retorted as Revy huffed and rolled her eyes. They kept on watching the movie, cheering as they watched Luke and Han save Leia, Vader and Obi-Wan duel and eventually watching the Rebels blow up the Death Star.
“Oh shit… I almost forgot…” She said outloud before reaching into her back pocket and pulling out a cassette tape.
“This is a mix for you… just another small gift, some songs you like, some songs I like… it’s nothing much…” Revy rambled for a bit, feeling almost nervous? She usually didn’t feel this weird talking to Rock but something about it just felt different.
“Revy… I love it. Thank you… why don’t we check it out together?” He asked as she pulled out her walkman, putting one ear bud in her ear, while Rock put the other in his as she hit play, the two smiling at each other, as they began to cuddle on the couch, before slowly falling asleep in each other’s arms.
Yeah... definitely the best birthday ever.