ℂ 002 ] [ out for cake

[ican_takeyou]

Today is Caroline's eighteenth birthday. If anyone had ever told her that she'd be turning a year older in an alternate Chicago, she would've thought they were crazy. This time last year things had been so different, but they just seem to continue changing. Which is why, for tonight, Caroline is seeking out a tiny bit of normal

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[isaywe_party]

Buffy is bringing Sam with her for several reasons. One, they need to get out more. They did go on a rather awesome date at Christmas without any interruptions -- Rift or otherwise -- but just because they had one, doesn't mean they can't have more. She encourages having more. She thinks having more is a very good thing.

Two -- she likes spending time with Sam. That is a given.

Three -- she's still feeling awkward about the whole 'naked Damon in her room' thing, plus newly added tension with Angel falling through the Rift, and she needs to remind herself that before that happened, she was happy. Is happy. And none of that has to change.

Granted, walking in the door to the party and seeing Damon across the room? Not what she is expecting. Which may cause her to stop dead in her tracks a little awkwardly. With Sam right behind her.

Maybe this isn't such a good idea.

[enoughtocarry]

Sam's feeling awkward about all of those things combined.

He still hasn't sorted out how he feels about the Angel thing. He doesn't shove his feelings down like Dean has a tendency of doing, but that doesn't mean he's all that great at them, either. He's been a moody thing, but he's agreed to come along because he also likes spending time with Buffy.

That's also very much a given.

"...What's Damon doing here?" he asks, glancing over at Buffy. Small world is very small.

[isaywe_party]

Small world is very, very small and Buffy isn't entirely sure how she feels about this. But then again, friends come in all shapes and sizes. There is probably a story behind this that Buffy doesn't already know, and it's not her party. She can't dictate the guest list.

Besides, Damon is clothed. Buffy can make it through this without her imagination getting in the way.

Probably.

Hopefully.

"I ... don't know," she says, before turning and glancing back to Sam. "I didn't know Caroline knew him."

[enoughtocarry]

"Fair enough." Sam tries not to make a face. He doesn't even know the birthday girl. He's not about to ruin it by showing just how little he's liked this Damon jerk. Sam will also try not to let his annoyance get in the way--even if Damon was naked in Buffy's room.

The guy was naked.

And had to be oh so charming about it.

"How did you meet Caroline?" he asks instead.

[isaywe_party]

Buffy is not pleased with this either, Sam, but they can avoid him and not have to worry about it. It's a party. They can mingle with whoever they like.

"She came to Thanksgiving," she says with a nod. "And she's friends with Elena."

[enoughtocarry]

Well, he supposes he can stay out of Damon's way if Damon stays out of his and he seems occupied himself. Sam takes a deep breath and nods at Buffy, smiling at her reassuringly. He'll be good.

"You want something to drink?" he asks her, a hand drifting to the lower area of her back, something that's now instinctual. To reach for her.

[isaywe_party]

She doesn't mind the reaching. In fact, the reaching just makes her move a little bit closer as she nods. "A drink would be perfect. Thank you."

[enoughtocarry]

"You're welcome." Sam draws her in further when she moves closer, pressing a kiss on her temple before he goes to get her a drink. When he returns, it's with two, as he got one for himself.

Handing it to her, he motions to one of the booths, should she want to sit down. "...I didn't have to get a gift or anything, did I?" he asks. He is woeful at this.

So woeful.

[isaywe_party]

She shakes her head. "No, you're okay. She didn't say anything about gifts, just the pleasure of our company."

[enoughtocarry]

"She seems nice," Sam comments to her, since he's talked to Caroline for a bit by this point. She's young, and it's always sobering to remember the Rift takes everyone impartially. Younger, older, it doesn't matter. Talking to her also reminded him he is seriously rusty at this.

"The last time I really went to a party completely free of the weird crap, I was still in Stanford."

[isaywe_party]

"Which clearly means you are long overdue," she says with a smile, leaning into him a bit. "You should have a little fun every once in a while -- and not just with me. Though I do enjoy our fun."

[enoughtocarry]

"Something like that." Sam laughs a little, almost self-deprecatingly, swinging an arm around her shoulders to bring her closer when she leans in. "But I like it when you're involved in my fun. I'm okay with it being just you most of the time."

It's not as if there's some crazy party animal lurking inside in his soul.

[isaywe_party]

"I'm okay with that too. But coming to a party every once in a while doesn't hurt either." She pushes up on her toes to kiss him briefly, before tipping her head to the rest of the room. "We should mingle."

[ican_takeyou]

Caroline has a drink in her hand and a smile on her face as she waves to Buffy before making her way over to her. It's been a good night so far and she's enjoying herself. Now, she's trying to make her rounds and meet people. Since, clearly she doesn't know everyone here.

"I'm really glad you made it! Who's the guy you were talking to? The tall one?" Even if he had been at Thanksgiving, Caroline had kept to her own smaller group at the event, not exactly straying too far.

[isaywe_party]

Buffy waves as well and makes her way closer, giving her a smile. "Everything looks great." When Caroline gestures back to Sam, she turns and glances to make sure she knows who Caroline is talking about before responding.

"That's Sam. It's okay that I brought him, right?"

[ican_takeyou]

"Oh, totally," Caroline says, trying to be reassuring.

"I don't know many people, so I guess this is going to be a case of the more the merrier."