fandomtownies | The Beach: Wednesday Evening

The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the beach as the first notes of music from Arden’s playlist filled the air. The waves gently lapped at the shore, creating a soothing backdrop to the area. Tiki torches and string lights were set up around the party area, their flickering and colorful light adding to the atmosphere.

The aroma of North Carolina barbecue filled the air, with a long table set up with all the fixings—pulled pork, coleslaw, hush puppies, and more. For those with different tastes, vegetarian and vegan dishes were also thoughtfully provided. Sweet tea was the main beverage, but for those craving something colder, Squishies were lined up next to the drinks cooler. The centerpiece of it all was a giant cupcake that Graham had brought all the way from Daventry for the occasion.

Games were scattered around the beach: volleyball nets, cornhole, frisbees, and even a few board games for those who preferred to sit back and relax. A bonfire crackled nearby, with cozy spots to sit and chat, perfect for those who wanted to enjoy the evening at a slower pace.

It was set up for a perfect evening, filled with good food, great company, and the kind of fun that comes from being surrounded by people. Yes, it was another surprise party, the kind that shouldn’t be a surprise anymore, really. But that’s the point of parties—to celebrate the people you care about. And tonight, it was all about Arden.

[Open to all and any part goers]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Everything is really great," Arden assured him. "I mean, I don't need presents, but all the ones folks have given me have been really thoughtful, and Dean's cooking up barbeque and there's vegetarian and vegan stuff so everyone can have something and also no chicken and it's just really sweet for everyone to come together for all this."

For her.

"Wonderful," Steven said. He hadn't been sure if presents would trigger Arden's concerns about being given things with no obligation. But she seemed happy about them so Steven assumed that meant things were fine. "And you've so many friends here to celebrate. Present company included, I hope."

Gifts were explicitly string-free!

...And also, it helped that everyone giving her a gift was a trusted friend.

"Very much included," she assured him. "You and Detective Watts were among the first to welcome me to the island and Marc was..." she smiled slightly. "The first to help me feel really safe."

"He'd be here to wish you a happy birthday but - " Steven wasn't going to get into the specifics of why Marc didn't care for birthdays, but luckily it was also true that " - you know how he is with parties."

"And people in general," Arden said with a smile. "But if you'd pass along the sentiment, I'd appreciate it."

Which, you know, seemed to be as good time as any to add, "Oh! I know my first year lease is almost up. We should probably talk about terms of rent for the next, since I don't think Duke will be paying it, and I should take over."

"Happy to hear you're staying with us," Steven said. "And of course. We can come to some sort of arrangement to make sure everything's fine. Are you fine? If he's not paying for things?"

"Oh, I mean I have a whole account I've been putting money into."

It was her savings account.

"It'll be tight, but I already have a few ideas of how to make it a little easier."

By getting more jobs!

"Don't worry, we'll have you all squared away," Steven said. He wondered if the residents ever compared what they paid with one another. It'd be handy if they didn't but he supposed no way to stop them. "I meant more in general. Are you all right if he's not watching over you? Sort of?"

"Oh." Arden thought about that. "It's a little complicated," she admitted. "He was the one who found me. And he and Grimm..." She sighed. "Complicated. But I don't need his money. I'm okay with no more so-called gifts that do come with strings."

"All right," Steven said. "Still. However we can help, we'd like. No obligations or any of it. Midnight's your home as long as you'd like it to be."

It wasn't that Arden meant to look dubious, just...she'd had to run away from her home of a decade because she hadn't been able to pay. It was still hard for her to wrap her mind around other people just letting her stay after only a year.

So instead she just nodded. "Don't worry," she promised in return. "I'll figure it out."

"We'll figure it out," Steven said. "You're not alone, I promise."

The Beach: Wednesday Evening

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