Laurel was definitely pleased, "That reminds me..." she mused, "When's your birthday, Raven?"

--

So Snow helped Long up.

Raven told Laurel. It was still a ways off.

--

Long looked like he felt a little guilty, but he had a much easier time sleeping when he was by himself.

Laurel nodded a little.

--

Snow didn't mention how he looked as she helped him get settled in the next room.

-----

Soon it was time for Tulip's party. Though no one really felt like partying except Tulip. But everyone except Wolfe seemed up for a piece of cake. Surprisingly the decorator of the cake was absent.

Raven didn't push Wolfe too hard to try a piece of cake; it wasn't vanilla after all. Nic arrived fashionably late and got bored very quickly. Fin was also late, but he had gotten lost and was too shy to ask for directions. Yue caught up with whoever was in the mood to talk to her.

Tulip was talking enough for everyone else combined and Zala quickly started to look irritated at her constant chatter. Laurel finally arrived but hung back by Nic, staying close to him. She deemed seem to want to try the cake Raven and she had made.

Wolfe eventually did try the cake he didn't seem to hate it, but he didn't seem to love it either. He seemed pretty neutral.

Frei handed Fin a giant piece of cake and looked at him like he needed to put on some more weight.

Raven shrugged and whispered to him that they could find some vanilla candies later.

Fin blinked, actually looking intimidated by the large piece of cake.

Frei stared at him and seemed content to stare at him until he ate it.

Wolfe managed a smile at that.

Fin also seemed intimidated by Frei. He started to eat the cake, seeming to enjoy it. But it didn't look like he was going to finish it all.

Raven thought it was kinda cute, but also still felt bad for Fin.

Frei was in the act of cutting him a second piece.

"He'll have to toughed up a little," Wolfe told Raven, "If he wants her to really fall for him."

Fin looked a little pale as he saw the second slice.

"... I guess it depends on how much like his brother he actually is," Raven mused. Then blinked. Wolfe was actually discussing this?

"We'll find out," Wolfe stated ominously with a glint in his eye.

--

"Can we go?" Laurel whispered to Nic.

Raven raised an eyebrow, but after a moment he chuckled a little.

Meanwhile Fin was trying to negotiate with Frei about eating something other than cake.

Nic nodded briefly before starting to walk out.

Wolfe didn't seem to like that Raven was laughing at him.

Frei wanted him to eat the cake.

Laurel was right behind Nic, "Are you busy tonight?" she asked once they were outside.

Raven didn't laugh long. "I guess we will," he explained.

Fin tried to explain that if he ate all that cake he was going to get sick.

Nic paused before shaking his head.

Wolfe turned his attention back to Tulip who was complaining that she wasn't the center of attention.

Frei didn't seem to agree.

Laurel took his hand, "Then come with me," she whispered before leading him off.

Fin sighed, at a loss as to whether he should comply with Frei or stand his ground to prove his point.

So Nic followed after Laurel.

Frei didn't bat an eye.

Laurel took Nic to the very spot where they had watched the stars. Then she let go of his hand.

"... Fine," Fin decided. "I'll eat the cake, and I'll get sick just like I said I would."

Frei shrugged slightly.

Laurel paused and then turned around, reaching up and running her hands through his hair, "I know... I haven't been the easiest to deal with lately," she confessed in a whisper.

When there was a change, James grabbed Yue's hand and snuck out of the party.

So Fin sucked it up and ate the two slices of cake. And then he was very hyper.

Nic didn't say anything, expression neutral.

"Huh?" Yue asked James.

Frei seemed a bit amused by this side-effect.

"And if you... truly believe staying here is best for now, then I trust you. I won't bother you with it again, okay?" she whispered, getting closer to Nic.

James grinned, "Let's go on an adventure!" he exclaimed, sounding rather like old James.

And then after an hour or two Fin started to look like he was feeling sick.

Nic paused before nodding.

Yue chuckled a little. "To where?" she asked.

Frei was mysteriously absent when he started feeling sick.

Laurel nodded back as her arms wrapped around his neck. She paused before leaning in a rubbing his nose with her own.

"I'm not sure," James admitted, "Maybe outside?"

Raven sighed, feeling bad for Fin again.

Nic rubbed his nose back a little, trying to get her to smile.

Yue raised an eyebrow.

Wolfe was smirking at Fin, seeming oddly pleased by this turn of events.

It worked, a small smile lifting the counters of Laurel's mouth. After a moment she leaned all the way in for a kiss.

James shrugged, "If we want to be alone it'll have to be outside," he explained.

Raven seemed a little concerned that Wolfe was finding so much pleasure in this.

So Nic kissed Laurel back.

Yue nodded, agreeing with James' assessment.

Wolfe glanced at Raven before frowning, "It's too much sugar consumption, not poison," he spat before turning to leave.

Laurel seemed to really enjoy his touch, she'd missed him.

James led Yue to her room, "You want to grab a jacket?"

"I know," Raven replied, following after him.

So Yue went through the clothes int he closet, pulling out an acceptable jacket.

Wolfe grumbled something under his breath.

"Good?" James asked with a smile.

"What?" Raven asked him. "Can't I feel bad for the kid?"

Yue nodded.

Wolfe shrugged a little, he would have felt bad if that kid hadn't fallen for Frei.

So James took her hand and led her out.

Raven sighed, tired of trying to repair emotions today.

Wolfe paused, glancing over his shoulder at the sigh with a smirk, "Your time with Laurel went that well?" he asked.

Raven sighed again. "Women are tiring," he replied.

Wolfe started chuckling, he knew that better than anyone. As if on cue, Tulip popped up, "Where are you going?" she demanded, irritated.

Raven rolled his eyes before putting a smile on his face and turning back to Tulip. And since no one else was around he told her, "We're sneaking off to make-out."

"On my birthday?!" she exclaimed, incredibly insulted.

--

"Oh ho ho~" James whispered to Yue, "It looks like two other lovebirds snuck out here. I wonder who they are," he chuckled, "Let's get a little closer."

Raven was surprised. "Isn't that the sign of a good party?" he asked, as if he thought he had paid Tulip a compliment.

--

Yue also seemed curious, sneaking closer with James.

"But it's my party," Tulip explained. Wolfe sighed a little.

--

James blinked as they got closer, "Isn't that... Nic and..." he voice trailed off.

Raven also sighed a little.

--

Yue raised her eyebrows. It was them. A little shiver ran down her back. "... Let's go back," she suggested quietly.