JGoB, Thursday Morning

[firstofitskind]

It was Liam's birthday today.

And while he knew Nina was planning... something... for tomorrow, marking it in his own small way had kind of become a tradition since arriving in Fandom, so here he was, ordering a cupcake and tea for breakfast.

"'Birthday cake' is its own flavor?" Liam murmured to himself as he sat down. "Huh."

[ooc: opennnnnn.]

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[alwaysonguard]

Dwight had been out for an early morning walk and thus found himself on the far side of the island.

Deciding to grab something for breakfast before heading back to the shop he walked in, giving a nod and smile to Liam as he walked over.

"Morning, Liam."

[firstofitskind]

"Dwight, hey," Liam looked up from where he'd been scrolling through news on his Global.

[alwaysonguard]

Dwight ordered a coffee and a couple pastries and made his way over to where Liam was sitting.

"Can I join you?"

[firstofitskind]

“Sure,” Liam nodded, sliding his Global closed and gesturing towards the empty seat across from him.

“How’s your morning going so far?”

[alwaysonguard]

"Thanks" Dwight said taking the seat. "Morning's been good... but it early yet so we will see how the day progresses."

Dwight paused to try the coffee before continuing.

"So, if the gossip I have been hearing around the island the last few days is right, somebody's celebrating a birthday.' Dwight smirked. "Happy birthday, Liam."

[firstofitskind]

“Is there gossip?” he supposed there would have to be, given, well… his daughter. “Thanks, man,” he said.

A whole nine years old today! A pretty big number considering his original life expectancy.

[alwaysonguard]

"Eh not much... just normal chit chat around town really."

New guy in town and old habits die hard, it's hard to not kind of pay attention to everything and anything going on around you, right?

"You hear things when you go walking around town early in the morning" Dwight said, taking another drink of the surprisingly tasty coffee.

[firstofitskind]

Liam still did that and he’d been here going on four years, so…

“That you do,” Liam acknowledged. “Still, you’d think they’d have more interesting things to discuss,” he added, shaking his head.

[alwaysonguard]

"Take it from someone who lived most of his life in a 'crazy town'... sometimes the most normal of topics get the most traction with gossip" he said with a slight chuckle. "Lord knows the talk there would have been in Haven if we had a few normal days or weeks!"

[firstofitskind]

“I’m from DC,” Liam shared. “So Fandom’s about the only ‘town’ I’ve got any experience with, crazy or not.”

[alwaysonguard]

"Ah yes, big city to small town is an adjustment to anyone" Dwight nodded. "So, how's the birthday treating you this year?"

[firstofitskind]

Liam shrugged. “Not too differently than any other day, so far,” he admitted. “I’ve never really celebrated it. Though I did get myself some cake,” he added, with a nod towards the cupcake.

[alwaysonguard]

"I think marking the big dates and achievements are important. Gives us something to look back on and remember." Dwight gestured towards the cupcake. "Even something as simple as a cupcake."

[firstofitskind]

“I suppose,” Liam acknowledged. Admitting to someone he’d only met recently that he’d never actually expected to live this long was probably a bit too morbid, though. “I know my daughter’s got something in the works for tomorrow, but she’s being very close-lipped about the details.”

[alwaysonguard]

Dwight flinched, doing his best to hid it as he forced a slight smile, suddenly wishing it was more than coffee that was in his hand at that moment. Course it wasn't Liam's fault. He had no idea what was looming far too large on the horizon for Dwight.

"Kids are the best at keeping secrets, especially daughters keeping secrets from their fathers" Dwight said.

[heroic_jawline]

Steve stopped in for sweets on his way back from his run, Patriot panting at his ankles. "Hey there, Liam!"

[firstofitskind]

“Hey, buddy,” Liam said, grinning down at Patriot.

“…And Steve too, I suppose,” he added, after a moment.

[firstofitskind]

Unfortunately for Dwight, Liam was perceptive enough not to have missed that flinch, attempt to hide it or not.

"Yeah," he said, voice going soft and concerned. "Is everything okay?"

[alwaysonguard]

"Yeah... all's good...." Dwight started before trailing off, knowing the look Liam was giving him.

"Actually no... it's not," he said with a heavy sigh. "The one year anniversary of my daughter's death is this weekend. it's just hitting a bit harder than I had thought it would."

[heroic_jawline]

"Oh, I know Patriot's the favorite," Steve said as the dog came over to investigate if maybe Liam had treats or perhaps cicadas to share.

Patriot was not picky. Gross, but not picky.

"But he doesn't have money, so if you want another bear claw, you need to be nice to me, too."

[firstofitskind]

"Oh," Liam said. "I'm sorry, man. I didn't mean to- remind you."

Well, obviously. Since he hadn't known. But he still felt bad!

[firstofitskind]

Liam did, in fact, have treats! In the form of cheese he'd picked up from T&C for the mice. Surely they wouldn't miss one little individually-wrapped portion?

(Sorry about the cheese-aftermath you'd have to deal with, Steve)

"Oh, in that case," he turned that grin on Steve. "How are you? Have a good run?"

[alwaysonguard]

"Hey not your fault" Dwight said with a weak smile. "Just life, ya know?"

Dwight fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"Thought being away from Haven would make it easier... less painful... but..." Dwight lifted his hand in a 'obviously not' kind of way.

[firstofitskind]

"No, I know," Liam nodded in agreement. "I've lost- people. Family. I think the first year is the hardest. Not that it ever really gets easy, but," he shrugged. "It changes."

[alwaysonguard]

"Well, at least there's some hope" Dwight said with a thoughtful nod. "I know I won't really ever get over Lizzie's death. Just want to be able to remember... without it hurting as bad. Takes time I know, I am an impatient man at times" Dwight added with a slight smirk.

[heroic_jawline]

"Yes," Steve said, grinning back. "Lapped McGarrett three times. How are you?"

[firstofitskind]

“Happens to the best of us,” Liam said, with an answering sardonic smile of his own.

[firstofitskind]

Careful, Steve, or one of these days the other Steve was going to temporarily end up with super speed or something.

“Not bad,” Liam shrugged. “Did you know ‘birthday cake’ was an actual flavor?” he nodded down at his cupcake, which personally he felt just tasted like vanilla with sprinkles, but what did he know?

[heroic_jawline]

Steve made a face. "Does it just taste like sugar and maybe the color blue?" he asked.

Blue raspberry: something Steve was not over.

[alwaysonguard]

"So," Dwight said clearing his throat. "Any idea what that girl of yours is planning for your big day tomorrow?"

Was Dwight changing the subject? Yes, yes he was but he wasn't going to let himself be the mood killer that night.

[firstofitskind]

“Not in the least,” Liam admitted. “I know it’s off-island, but other than that…”

[firstofitskind]

“Mostly it just tastes like vanilla,” Liam said, and then made a face that more or less mirrored Steve’s. “Is that a thing?”

[alwaysonguard]

"Oh the anticipation," Dwight chuckled. "I am sure it will be a great first for you," he said lifting the coffee cup slightly. "Here's to a great birthday celebration for you, Liam!"

[firstofitskind]

"Thanks," Liam acknowledged, mirroring the gesturing with his own mug of tea. "I appreciate it." Followed by a bit of an awkward silence because he couldn't exactly say he hoped Dwight had a good weekend as well considering what this one marked for him.

[alwaysonguard]

Dwight picked up on the awkward silence right away spoke up, trying to keep the conversation focused on Liam and heading in a positive direction.

"I would be prepared for glitter... lots and lots of glitter... Nina seems to be the glitter type" Dwight said with a teasing grin.

[firstofitskind]

Liam gave a little snort of laughter. "Oh, you're not wrong. But you also have no idea. It's not just Nina. I'm fairly certain the island itself is 'the glitter type'."

Glitter was present at nearly every school or island-wide function, it seemed, regardless of whether the people organizing wanted it there or not. That was just how Fandom rolled.

[alwaysonguard]

"True that... true that" Dwight said, his attention suddenly drawn to his shirt which, surprise, surprise had somehow ended up with glitter on it yet again. "Speaking of the glittery island curse" he muttered as he tried in vain to brush it off.

[firstofitskind]

"No one among us is immune," Liam said, his tone dry.

[alwaysonguard]

"Yay!" Dwight said sarcastically. "Honestly, I blame the damned squirrels for all the glitter everywhere."

[firstofitskind]

“They do like their flags,” Liam acknowledged, amused.

[alwaysonguard]

"Glad to see you are enjoying my suffering," Dwight said teasingly as he gave up trying to brush the pink and silver glitter off.

[heroic_jawline]

"Things that taste like colors?" Steve guessed. "Mostly in the summer, yeah."

[firstofitskind]

“Hey, just think, sooner or later you’ll get to be the one telling someone all about glitter-loving squirrel reporters,” Liam winked at Dwight.

[alwaysonguard]

"Oh imagine the day..." Dwight chuckled. "I am still trying to wrap my head around everything. I've seen a lot in Haven but yeah Fandom is special in its own way!"

[firstofitskind]

“That’s just weird,” Liam decided, shaking his head.