Birthday Log!

[hot_handed]

WHO: Izuku Midoriya, his classmates, teachers, and any of his friends and Katsuki's roommates!
WHERE: Nonah 003
WHEN: July 15th
WHAT: DEKU'S BIRTHDAY PARTY
WARNINGS: Tears from the birthday boy


🎂🎉🥦🌟🥦🎉🎂

It's Deku's birthday! Despite turning 17, Katsuki will adamantly claim that it's his classmate's 16th birthday. Feel free to drop by before he and Ochako escort Izuku back to the apartment, bring presents, and whatever else.

The Party: Thanks to Ochako's quick thinking and creativity, the living room in Katsuki's apartment is virtually unrecognizable. Streamers and balloons flood the ceiling in greens, yellows and blues, the latter a nod at All Might and Deku's admiration for him. There's a tv and music is played off and on, always loud. Wish the broccoli haired hero a happy birthday! Feel free to put on a movie, change the music, or socialize in general.

The Surprise: Before dinner and cake, Ochako and Katsuki scramble to present the surprise that was all Ochako's idea that ended up in several sleepless nights and a lot of chaos:

Individual trading cards of each classmate in their hero costume who agreed to it, along with official stats and quirk facts, along with cards of Present Mic, Eraserhead and All Might. Completing the set is a bright poster, with all of the heroes in an official lineup, each doing their own heroic pose that fits their personality. The poster and cards are obviously high quality, having been taken by a professional photographer, and all of the memorabilia has been officially autographed by the heroes respective to their cards as well as having all of their autographs signed on the poster.

Prepare for the flood.

The Food: Momo has provided a very delicious, fancy cake she picked from a French bakery to be enjoyed after dinner. Katsuki has made katsudon - rice with deep fried pork cutlet, eggs, and vegetables. Locally crafted green tea as well as a plethora of different types of sodas have been provided by Five to go with the meal, or if your character just wants a drink in general. There's plenty of snacks too, whether your character prefers something sweet or savory, with a green jello courtesy of Tsuyu. Dig in, have a food fight, protect the cake, mingle and have fun!

Comments

Number Five Hargreeves | OTA!

[timehit]

Five knows very well that he could've denounced this whole get together pretty easily. Allison and Luther, after all, also live here in Nonah; he could travel over to their apartment in no time. Certainly, he didn't need to go so far as to volunteer for any errands either but—well, who cares about his reasoning? It's not like these strangers remind him of anyone (and besides, Reginald Hargreeves would never have allowed this kind of party to begin with.)

Even though Five chooses to stay at home for the duration of this party, it's not the easiest task to pin down someone who can teleport. While Katsuki and Ochako are the real hosts here, Five is more a stealth operative behind the scenes, cleaning up trash and disappearing with it in a flash. He can be found at any point, from room to room, taking a reserved stock of the guests and making sure nothing is irreparably damaged.

Among the pile of gifts to Katsuki's guest of honor, this kid named Deku, is a nicely-wrapped comic book about giant fighting mecha. It's something Five would've read at that age, and while he doesn't put his name as the gift-giver, he's pleased enough with his attempts at anonymous contribution.

All of this said, of course, Five's main interest is on dinner. Real home cooking. He takes as much interest in helping with the tea as he typically does with his coffee. Sleeves rolled up, that strange Umbrella tattoo on his arm visible, he brings fresh pots of tea back and forth when needed.

While he doesn't put on as much of a spectacle as his roommate, Five finds himself strangely invested in its results. Maybe it's all of the teens, all of these young heroes, sitting around together at the dinner table. Something he couldn't appreciate before, not until he left it all behind. These kids aren't his siblings, and he really can't go back and fix his all of his past mistakes, but sticking around for a while has him feeling...a certain way that he hasn't been able to feel in a very long time.

[hot_handed]

"Hey, brat."

Having donned a frilly apron he sewed skull patches to because it was the only one he could find at the time, a grumpy looking Katsuki all but shoves a bowl of freshly cooked katsudon in Five.

"You've done enough, eat." He had to admit, he was impressed and grateful for his roommate's contribution. He had been caught off guard when he volunteered to help with the drinks, let alone helping throughout the party. It gave Katsuki the opportunity to devote all of his attention to cooking and helping Ochako set everything up. But he doesn't know how to express his thanks, so...take the food and a break, Five.

[timehit]

Like some of his other siblings, Five doesn't typically understand the meaning of the word "break". Call it a product of their unconventional upbringing, but it doesn't take much for Five to overwork himself on a task (like trying to stop the apocalypse, for example). That he should, at a party, relax a little doesn't dawn on him as it should.

So when Katsuki catches him in the act, Five can only take the bowl of hot food with a look of restrained surprise. It's been so long since someone handed him food like this—he can't help but look over the frilly apron and it's quirky skull flair and raise his eyebrows.

He thinks of his mother, Grace, in spite of himself. She'd have worn something like that...well, obviously with less skulls. "It's been a while since I've seen so many people together like this," he says, almost defensively. Always in the habit of being a brat, it's almost hard to tell.

The enticing aroma of the katsudon makes his stomach rumble. "I'm curious," he says, pulling himself onto a stool to sit. Whether or not he's acting truly obedient or simply succumbing to his hunger, well, who can say? "Who taught you how to cook?"

[hot_handed]

As hard of a worker Katsuki is, he knows there's a point where you're no longer helping and only doing more harm at risk of burnout. Not that he's concerned about that happening during the party, but Five has done more than enough. He narrows his eyes at the eyebrow raise, challenging him to say something about the apron.

When Five refrains and comments on something else, Katsuki scoffs and steps back. Luckily(?), he has a mocking comment prepared. "You going to have a meltdown because it's a little crowded?"

Everyone more or less has been served, so he doesn't feel guilty sitting down for a moment, shrugging. "Cooking shows and online recipes. I'm self-taught," He's pretty certain that neither of his parents could cook if a villain threatened them with their lives, especially his mom, with their careers.

[recommendations]

Momo's contribution to the meal was purchasing a fancy gourmet cake from her favorite French bakery in Nonah, but once that is delivered safely into the fridge for later, she lingers in the kitchen, lured in by the sight of someone preparing tea... her favorite beverage!

"What kind of tea are you making?"

[timehit]

To say that Five wasn't prepared for an entire party full strangers is, unfortunately, accurate. So it goes when you've spent most of your life trapped in isolation at the end of the world. He's so far found enough tasks to keep him busy around the house, zipping from one room to another. Just enough to be visible but not too much as to be caught up in many conversations.

Inevitably that's going to change; it's just simple math. So when the girl pops into the kitchen, Five tries to look unfazed as she asks him about the tea. He's pretty serious about this task; a tray is already set out and waiting. The steam is rising from the kettle but not enough to set off the whistle.

"My roommate insisted on green teas," he explains, "and nothing too cheap at that. So, luckily, I know a few places that sell their own blends."

He tries to moderate his usual level of sassiness, but Five isn't naturally a people person. Even so, he gestures to the fancy glass tea jars on the counter next to him. "You can appraise them yourself, if you like." It occurs to him too late that he should probably introduce himself to this unknown friend of Katsuki's...so he just shrugs and offers her a curious look instead.

[recommendations]

"Ah, so you're Bakugou-san's roommate, then." How nice, to have a roommate who would volunteer to help out at a party for a friend from home. Momo's a little jealous. Her own roommates are... not that type, and in fact are a little scary.

"Green tea is a good choice. It's what most of us are familiar with." Momo, having grown up in a life of luxury, also likes other kinds of teas, but she knows most of her friends prefer green. When given the invitation, Momo does pick up a jar and takes off the lid, giving the contents a good sniff, then nodding approvingly. "You'll have to tell me where you found this. There used to be a nice and well-stocked tea shop in Heropa, but I haven't had a chance to go there since I've been back."

[floatsaway]

It's when the excitement is mostly dying down, people having either gone or taken to less energetic activities that Ochako goes to find and thank their most elusive party guest. She'll be perfectly honest, at first Ochako was about to hiss at Bakugo that his apartment may be haunted, considering that when she left to get a refill of soda, her plate was gone, or when someone hung up her jacket on the coat hook from where she accidentally left it on the couch, but no one was in the room or near the couch. She finally put two and two together when tea was served, and the Mystery Ghost made himself present.

So, naturally, she had to find and thank him for his generous contributions to their party. It was exceptionally kind, and a thoughtful thing to do, and deserves some gratitude and praise. She might also have a small slice of that wondrous cake Momo brought with her in one hand, to deliver to Five. It takes a bit of searching, but she eventually finds the young man and calls gently.

"Um...e-excuse me?"

[timehit]

Five's been using his powers a lot today, and sure enough, his energy has finally begun to wind down. Taking a quiet rest, he's sitting on the sofa, a cup of steaming coffee and an open book set out in front of him on the table. Since the party is beginning to wind down, and the cacophony of excited voices is softening to a satisfied hush, he finds himself silently grateful for the return to business as usual.

Maybe not peaceful, exactly, but certainly close enough.

He's so absorbed in his own thoughts that he almost fails to hear her walk over. Raising his head and giving her a tired look, his instinctual pinch of a frown smooths over. Honestly he's always been more at ease around his sisters, and so his attitude thankfully dials down a few measures. "Did you need something?"

He says it, expecting her to ask for bathroom directions or maybe the coat room. Five doesn't even comprehend that the object in her hand could be meant for him.

[floatsaway]

Observant as always, Ochako catches the tired shadows at the corners of his eyes, and she softens her own a little as well. Poor thing, he must have been working just as hard as Bakugo was, cooking dinner and making sure everything stayed neat and tidy. Their group certainly was a bit rowdy at times, all things considered, so it's no surprise he'd be worn out after a whole afternoon of dealing with them all.

"Eh? Oh, n-no, I just..." She approaches, setting down the plate before him with a smile before she straightens up only to bow again in both thanks and greeting. "I just wanted to say thank you for your help today, you really didn't have to burden yourself, but it was appreciated. I brought that for you, i-if you want - it's really good! I just thought, um--...you should get to enjoy something nice yourself, right?"

Ochako Uraraka | OTA

[floatsaway]

i. Meet and Greet

[After the initial surprise, and once Deku's finished most of his gross sobbing, Ochako will leave the side of the birthday boy to talk with the others, greeting and thanking them for their contributions to making the party Plus Ultra special for their resident nerd boy. She'll also take any wrapped or bagged gifts and put them aside on a table prepared exactly for that reason.

There's an ever-present bounce in her step, and if it seems she may be floating just an inch off the ground as she flits around like a butterfly, it's very possible that she is. This is what Ochako lives for - being surrounded by happy, smiling faces (and Bakugo) and basking in the sheer radiance of everyone's joy and contentment. She's grinning from ear to ear herself, offering snacks and drinks...taking any trash away as needed, and just talking as she's hailed.]
---

ii. Rhythm of the Night

[What's a party without music? With a slamming playlist loaded up, Ochako's skipping to and fro slowly devolves into some swaying and shaking as her head begins to nod, feet feet begin to tap, and she can't help but begin to dance to the music playing. She's not a great dancer by any means, and the only moves she's learned are for the School Festival performance their class pulled off, but at least now she has more flow than she once had.

Friends - girls mostly, sorry, gents...though she might be coerced if she's in a good enough mood - will get a sly grin before they're pulled over to dance with her. No, you have very little say in this, but Ochako will laugh and let her two gal pals slip away if they're really too embarrassed or nervous to dance.

Cowards.]
---

iii. Grub and Gifts

[Once dinner is on, Ochako is practically bouncing in her seat. Bakugo is an impeccable cook, without a shadow of a doubt, and the spread is phenomenal, as expected. He doesn't half-ass anything, ever, and Ochako is indulging in some good home cooking. Though her table manners may have temporarily left her, because she's clutching her heart after taking a bite, looking up to the ceiling like a shining radiance were sparkling down from it. Goodbye friends, goodbye world, Ochako is ascending.]

S-Sho goofd....

[And the cake. While not made by the spicy blond, it's delectable nonetheless. Momo really knows how to pick them! Plus, the tea that was prepped with it? Exquisite. ♥ She'll be in a food coma for the rest of the night, but it's worth it. It just means she'll sleep extra well tonight.

But!! The night is not yet over! Her gift to Izuku is something quite special - or she'd like to think anyway. An avid note taker is he, and while some nice stationary or notebooks are grand and good, a scribe, truly...needs but one real tool. The mechanism with which they create.

It's a small box, but it's elegant nonetheless. Inside, a beautiful pen lays with two ink cartridge refills on a velvet bed. This pen probably cost...a fair sum of money. Especially since it has Izuku's name inscribed on the side in the same gold coloring as the bands. Ochako will dodge every question of how much the pen cost, because, w-w-well...

It was still very expensive, but she most certainly used her privilege as an ImPort to get a hell of a discount. All she had to do was dress up in her hero costume for an afternoon, and sign autographs for people with the shop's products. Her wrist ached, but it was an afternoon (and money) well spent at the time.

Happy birthday, bestie. ♥♥♥]

Rhythm of the Night

[hot_handed]

[Stepping out from the kitchen for the time being and still wearing a frilly apron he sewed skull patches to, Katsuki cups his hands over his mouth and shouts, despite it not being a huge space.]

ROUND FACE, CHANGE THE SONG!!! THIS ONE SUCKS!

[floatsaway]

[Ochako stops mid dance, a hilarious pose with her arms up, one leg raised, and simply stares at her friend for a good, long...long while while the music slowly peters out. Yes, it's loud, but no decibel range can counter Bakugo Katsuki's volume. However, that's not what's on Ochako's mind right now. Her jaw hangs open as she locks eyes with that apron and feels her soul leave her body for a half second.

Before she throws her head back and bursts into snorts and giggles, pointing a shaky finger at him.]

H-H-HOUSE HUSBAND!!!

rhythm

[recommendations]

[ Momo was minding her own business, talking to one of the boys over in the corner of the living room, when Ochako caught her eye and started making beckoning motions. Little did she know what she was in for when she calmly excused herself from the conversation, thinking Ochako wanted to talk to her or something.

Except then she's being taken by the hand and led to what's now being used as a dance floor. ]

O-oh!

[ She only has time enough to put down her cup of soda before she accidentally spills it on the carpet. Ochako may have learned some moves from Mina for the school festival performance, but Momo was in the band, and had no such training. As such, she doesn't really know what to do with herself when it comes to dancing. She moves awkwardly, but with the beat, at least.

And she's having fun anyway, smiling and laughing, holding Ochako's hand. ]

[floatsaway]

[She may apologize to Momo for stealing her away from a conversation, but for now Ochako just wants to have fun. It's the first time since she's arrived that everyone's been united under one roof and it's liberating. To say that she has been walking on air most of the evening is not at all an exaggeration. The smiling faces (even Deku's weepy one) of all her friends, together, has been healing in some way. She loves seeing people happy, smiling, and having fun, especially when those people are closest to her.

Her laughter is loud, chiming, and while she does know a few moves from Mina, she's mostly just casually bopping and swaying. This isn't about "form" or "presentation" - it's just for fun! They're not trying to impress anyone.]

Spiiiiin!! [She grins, holding up her hand as best she can over Momo's head - the girl is quite a smidge taller than Ochako is - and invites her to do just as she said, twirl. The laughter is infectious, and Ochako mirrors it.]

Izuku "Deku" Midoriya | OTA with the birthday boy!

[heroondecku]

Fun & Surprises

[Whatever Izuku was told to get him to show up, it wasn't enough to prepare him for an actual, honest to goodness birthday party. It's been...a very, very long time since he's bothered to have one. So this?

Yeah, uh. He's crying before anyone has even finished saying "happy birthday." It's fine, he's just extremely full of emotions right now, all tears are happy tears this day.

It's not hard to drag him into party festivities, though he's awkward about starting anything himself, or joining in without permission. He basically has to be made to dance - he might not be as bad as he used to be, but he's still incredibly nervous about anything that isn't choreographed - but for just about anything it doesn't take much to get him to join in. He'll draw the line at certain party games if anyone tries to start them up, but that's pretty much the only thing he'll say no to.

Movies might be a little complicated, if only because trying to let the birthday boy pick anything will just send him into awkward shyness at best and anxious indecision paralysis at worst. He'll happily join in for whatever someone else picks though, and even if it's just a documentary or something he'll more than likely end up enjoying himself. Heck, even bad movies might end up surprising him - who could have imagined laughing at or booing something terrible together with friends could be fun?]


Open the Floodgates:

[So those tears when he arrived? They're nothing compared to the waterworks that start up when he's presented with his big surprise. He has to try several times just to get a "thank you" out through all the not-quite-sobbing, and he's honestly, legitimately scared to hold all of it for fear of his own tears causing water damage. He can't let something like that happen, this is extremely special merch!

A sentiment he's not going to be able to shut up about as the crying slowly (very, VERY slowly) eases. He can't help it; this is custom hero merch. Not just that, most of it is probably the very first merch of his classmates to ever exist! Don't you understand how precious and important that is?

Don't worry if you don't. He'll tell you.]


A Grand Meal (ft Yet More Crying)

[If anyone finds themselves thinking that dinner means the waterworks are over, their hopes are going to be handily dashed. Finding out Kacchan made his favorite food? Instant weeping. Then that lovely, fancy, delicious cake Momo bought causes yet another round of teary gratitude. Even the tea inspires an onslaught of touched sniffles, partly because he can't believe anyone remembered he prefers it to coffee but mostly because he missed drinking green tea that wasn't either loaded with sweetening or infused with jasmine by default. (He is going to find out where this tea came from if it kills him, fair warning to Five)

He eats slowly, not just savoring each bite but gushing about how wonderful everything is every few mouthfuls. He can't help it. Even the snacks feel like something grand and touching to him.

What did he ever do to deserve all these wonderful people?]


Closed: Hugs for Kacchan

[At some point during the festivities, when he sees an opening, Izuku pulls away with the excuse that he needs to talk to Kacchan for a moment and goes to...well. Talk to Kacchan in private. Because there is so much he wants to say right now, so much he needs the other boy to know, but none of it is really anything he wants anyone to overhear.

So he works his way over to Kacchan carefully, not making a big deal out of things but more than happy to tell everyone who asks what he's doing. Hopefully that'll keep people from coming to look for them.]

Kacchan? Can I talk to you for a second?

[He might have waited until it looked like he wasn't busy, and he might be the guest of honor, but that doesn't mean he's not going to be polite about it.]

open the floodgates because tears for a reunion

[freezeflame]

[at first, Shouto had been hesitant to take pictures, and pose. but once he found out those pictures were going to be for a present for Izuku, he relented instantly. Izuku was his friend... a very good friend, if Shouto thought about it. it was important that he do a good job. so, even if he was awkward about it, he did his pose, signed his name...

now he's seeing just how emotional that gift made Izuku. and, honestly, he's a little moved, himself. Izuku is a person so much different than him. he wears his heart on his sleeve, most of the time. there is no doubt that he will be a fantastic hero someday. Shouto has to work hard to reach him.

in any case, he leaves for a moment, but returns with a box of tissues, handing them over to Izuku. it's... good to see him, even if he is crying]

...

[heroondecku]

[He can't lie, seeing Todoroki in the custom merch lineup was a surprise, one that made him incredibly happy. Happy, and more than a little guilty. He shouldn't be glad to see his friends here, given what that means, but at the same time...he misses them. Misses everyone.

So when the other boy approaches with tissues, Izuku. Kiiiiind of starts to cry harder.]

Todoroki, I-- [He hiccups on a not-quite-sob, which is enough to make him just outright cover his face with a handful of tissues.] S-sorry, I just...

[Give him a second, he is Many Emotions right now. It's fine, he's smiling, he just needs to calm down a bit.]

Hugs!

[hot_handed]

[If all of the tears were anything to go by, Katsuki would call this party a success. It wasn't just thanks to him- had Ochako, Momo, Five, Tsuyu, his teachers and all of his classmates not been around to help, it would have been a lot more bland or something Deku wouldn't have liked so much. But knowing that he didn't fuck this up after everything helps erode some of the lead weight in his chest. If only a little.

He throws the apron over a chair; there's still cleaning the kitchen to do but he figures he can take a little break. He hasn't even had the chance to give Deku his present yet, wrapped in simple black wrapping paper. If he's avoided interacting with Deku...it's just because he's busy.]

What is it? [He turns around, glad that godawful apron is off and looks at Deku.]

[heroondecku]

[(But the apron is cute Kacchan)]

I...um. Actually, could we talk in private? I-it's nothing bad, I promise, just...

[Izuku can't help fidgiting a bit, fingers twining awkardly. He's nervous, and it shows even in the way he holds himself; shoulders pulled in, head ducked, trying to be small. It's probably an uncomfortably familiar sight.

Except that this time he's actually smiling. His gaze is forward, and his eyes are bright. He might be nervous, sure, but it's not about what he has to say and it's definitely not because of Kacchan. He's just worried he'll be told no.]

yet more crying

[recommendations]

[ Momo, in lieu of a present of her own, had contributed to the festivities by purchasing a top of the line gourmet cake from her favorite French bakery in Nonah. So when Izuku takes a bite of it and immediately starts crying, Momo's a little concerned. ]

Oh, no, did I... Did I get the wrong flavor?

[heroondecku]

[Izuku's eyes practically pop with shock at Momo's question, and he shakes his head to reassure her while he hurries to chew and swallow.]

No no no, it's good, it's really good! I-I'm sorry, I just...I wasn't expecting it.

[The cake, the party, the presents, any of it. It's years since he's even had a birthday party, and it all keeps hitting him fresh each time he's reminded how much effort everyone put into it all. It's hard to keep his emotions in check when he constantly finds himself awed by the thought of someone did this for me.]

Toshinori Yagi | OTA

[onederfulhero]

Toshinori arrives at the party as himself; he knows Deku admires and loves him just the same no matter what form he's in, and he wants to continue getting the others used to seeing him as an ordinary person, too.

Speaking of getting used to things, he's looking relatively healthy, considering the state he was in back home. He's still too skinny, but his face is fuller, he doesn't cough blood, and he has quite an appetite, sampling everything.

He beams with pride at the results of the trading card/poster gift, and his own gift of a series of notebooks, colorful pens, and other note-taking supplies is quietly given to Deku later.

Otherwise, Toshinori tends to quietly hang around the edges and observe, wanting to absorb how Deku's life is going in this strange new world.

[hot_handed]

"All Might,"

Katsuki walks up, holding a plate of something in hand. Upon a closer look, it's a plate of nachos.

"Avoiding the shitty dancing too?"

[onederfulhero]

Toshinori laughs heartily.

"Believe me, I don't think you all want to see me try," he grins. "All Might can dance, but Toshinori's pretty uncoordinated."