birthday gloom (perri)

[hprules]

December nineteenth. It was Toby's birthday and he truly couldn't have been more miserable. The guys from the team had offered the usual things, rounds of drinks, even hiring a stripper, but he had turned them down, saying he would rather spend time with family. Yes, it had been a bit of a lie to get them to back off, Toby wasn't planning on leaving his house, actually. His birthdays had turned into nag-fests for his mother to tell him he wasn't getting any younger. Toby felt he had time, he would get married and have kids when he was ready. Besides, he was only twenty-seven today.

Toby lit the cigarette perched in his lips and took a long drag off of it. In light of recent events, he had taken up heavier smoking. When a pack used to last him close to a month, he now went through three or four packs a week. The nicotine soothed him, it made the dark days easier to get through. Toby reclined on his couch, wearing nothing but his boxers and bathrobe, quite enjoying his cigarette. He sighed when the doorbell rang, he had planned on being alone today. Toby tied up his robe before answering the door, cigarette at the corner of his mouth, hair a mess, only to look at...

[pridgeon]

Perri smiled grimly at Toby, trying her best to look enthusiastic. In truth, she was terrified of everything nowadays. But nobody but her needed to know that. Perri ignored the cigarette in his mouth as she leaned forward and placed a delicate kiss on his cheek. "Happy birthday," she replied, smiling softly. Perri was hoping that Toby was alright with her taking him to dinner later that night, or perhaps a late lunch. They could spend time together until that time.

[hprules]

"Thanks," said Toby, smiling. He was pleasantly surprised by his girlfriend at the door, and thankful that the guys from the team hadn't sent a stripper or something after he had told them not to. "Come on in," Toby responded, opening the door widely enough for Perri to get inside, then promptly closing it behind her. Feeling a bit uncomfortable around his girlfriend in just his bathrobe, he quietly excused himself. Once in his bedroom he put out the cigarette in his ashtray, then quickly pulled on jeans and a t-shirt, using a simple spell to clean himself up before heading back out to where he had left Perri.

[pridgeon]

Perri was happy to find that Toby looked pleased to see her. The boys, she knew, had splurged on a stripper at some party the night before. She wondered why they had told her, but Bradly had said it was to mess with her head. Perri knew that strippers and prostitutes weren't Toby's thing. That's one of the many reasons she was dating him in the first place. Perri smiled as Toby reentered the room. "How was the time with the boys?" she asked, waggling her eyebrows teasingly.

[hprules]

"Not a whole lot different than usual, though I might have to punch a couple of guys if a stripper shows up on my doorstep," said Toby. "I know it's usually just some sort of trick because they know I'm not into that thing, but there's no telling what they'll do when intoxicated." Knowing that his girlfriend didn't care much for smoking, he flicked his wand and the smell of his cigarette smoke vanished from the room. He had been trying to quit, but because of what had been going on recently he had lapsed into dependence for the time being.

[pridgeon]

Perri laughed. Trying to lighten the air, she pursed her lips, placing her hands on her hips. She tossed her hair and wiggled her hips at Toby. "How do you know I'm not what the boys... requested?" she got halfway through her joke before she doubled over laughing. The whole thing was rather absurd, but she couldn't help herself. Flirting was what she did, and she hadn't been able to do it much. Perri looked up, laughter pinching her features.

[hprules]

Toby laughed along with Perri, that was one of the best things about her, she had the ability to laugh at herself. Not only that, but she was such a tease, she certainly made him work for his affections. But Toby wouldn't deny that the idea of Perri doing something like that for him, or perhaps more, was quite appealing, but he certainly wasn't going to ask for it- that would be a bit rude of him. "Well, if you are what they requested I'll thank them later," said Toby, a bit teasingly.

[pridgeon]

Perri sauntered forward, still laughing. She placed a teasing hand on Toby's chest, smiling. This was the first time in months that she had really laughed, really enjoyed herself. "Well then, thank away," she smiled, her voice low and her eyes sparkling with mischief. Perri met Toby's gaze. "Still upset about your birthday?" she asked curiously, smiling knowingly. She wondered what went on in the fascinating head of her boyfriend, wondered what was running through his mind. The whole male mind thing was fascinating to Perri.

[hprules]

Toby chuckled, lightly taking the hand that Perri had placed on his chest and kissed it. He thought a moment about her question before responding. "I'm not really upset about it," said Toby, "I'm just trying to avoid my mother for the most part. My birthday is the day she usually nags me the most about how I'm not 'getting any younger.'" He rolled his eyes a bit at the mere thought. He loved his mother, he truly did, but she got to be a bit overbearing at times.

[pridgeon]

Perri grinned. She wrapped her arms around Toby's neck and listened to his spiel about his mother. She chuckled lightly. "She's right, at least," she reminded him teasingly. "You aren't getting any younger, and neither am I," she replied with a wicked grin. "And neither is she, and neither is anyone else on this planet. Humanity is weird," she said, giggling a bit. Perri pulled herself close to Toby, but her grip was loose in case he would want to pull away. Perri looked into his eyes, smiling brightly. "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," she sang in a soft voice, smile softening a bit.

[hprules]

Toby smiled a bit, though he was certain that his mother was only getting after him because she was overly excited about the idea of being a grandmother. None of his siblings had kids yet, and as he was the oldest she expected him to have the first ones. As Perri wrapped her arms around his neck, Toby's hands found comfortable resting points at her waist. He smiled a bit as she started singing, but after a moment he cut her off with a gentle kiss on her lips.

[pridgeon]

Perri smiled through the kiss, eyes fluttering closed. It was soft and gentle, but there was a small sense of urgency there. Urgency was everywhere nowadays, so it didn't surprise her. Perri's hands remained around his neck as they kissed. Once it broke, she smiled softly. She only pulled away a tiny bit, looking up at Toby. "Happy birthday," she whispered, smiling delicately. Looking back on her life, Perri would have never guessed that she was falling for Tobias Weasley, famous Quidditch player, never dreamed she'd know the players on Puddlemere not just by their names, but themselves. She couldn't have asked for anything better.

[hprules]

Toby smiled, his birthday already shaping up into something other than a day to completely avoid his mother. Just being around Perri made his days better, no matter how dark times got. With this war people needed one another more than ever- united they would stand, but divided they would surely fail."Thanks, love," Toby said softly, his hands shifting from Perri's waist to the small of her back.

[pridgeon]

Perri placed one hand on his neck, the other on his cheek. Gently, she leaned forward, kissing him. It was full of unspoken passion and promise. Perri pulled back and smiled at him. "So, now we talk about birthday presents," she whispered, half teasing. She laughed softly, leaning against him. She was happy in his arms, the war almost forgotten. Still, it wouldn't completely leave her mind, but she had Toby's company. That in itself was an accomplishment, a prize, and a gift.

[hprules]

Toby opened his eyes after Perri pulled out of the kiss, a small smile on his lips. He had had his fair share of girlfriends, mostly due to his mother setting him up on them ever since he was a boy of nineteen, but none of them were anything like Perri was. His girlfriend was breathtaking, not only was she physically attractive, her personality was as well. "You being here is the only present I want," said Toby, smiling a bit wider, truth be told he didn't really have a need for material things. He was a professional Quidditch player, that brought in plenty of money, if he wanted or needed something, he would get it, making him a difficult person to buy gifts for.