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Travis was hanging upside down on the monkey bars. Why several adults were at a playground? That was simple. Aphmau had decided they needed to throw a party to celebrate... something. Travis really couldn't remember, nor did he really care to remember. It was probably something stupid.
He shut his eyes, just enjoying himself as he hung upside down. It may be odd to some people, but Travis felt very comfortable when he wasn't right side up. He didn't know why. But it was something that he lived with and something he wasn't able to change any time soon.
It was a lot better than what his father wanted him to do. His father kept trying to chase him down and make him a full demon. Travis didn't want to do that, it was giving up the one thing he still had in common with his mother. Yes, he aged a lot slower and could make himself look younger if he so desired, but he didn't want to be full.
If he had to pick, he would rather be fully human. It felt more right, it would get rid of the urges and thoughts he hated. Travis had been able to suppress the things that made him like his awful father. He knew that it was only because of his human side. That was another reason why he didn't want to get rid of it like his father wanted.
Why did his father even want him to be fully demon? That would mean that he would have to deal with Travis for the rest of time. Why would he want that when he hated Travis like his son was the scum of the Earth?
The half demon was so rudely snapped out of what he was thinking about. Aphmau was poking his face with a grin on her face. Travis sighed and opened his eyes. He met hers. Hers were so full of life while his were more dull. Not that anyone really noticed since he still had life in them.
"Hey, Aph," he greeted softly. "Did you need something?"
"Yeah! It's time for cake and presents!"
Travis blinked slowly as he got off the monkey bars. "Is it a special occasion?"
Aphmau giggled like something was funny. She pulled him to the gazebo. Everyone else were gathered up, drinking cans of soda and chatting amongst each other. A stack of presents were on the table, a cake in front of them. The frosting was green and covered the whole cake, so Travis couldn't see what flavor it was. Candles were pushed into the dollops that were spaced out on the top's edge.
Shoot, if he knew it was someone's birthday, he would've brought a present. Travis had been the first to arrive, Dante telling that he had something to do before he went to the party. He didn't think too much into it. Dante usually took forever to do his hair and would tell Travis to go ahead and leave before him.
The short girl had Travis sit down, and by that, she grabbed his shoulders and forced him into the seat. Everyone looked at the two. Travis' cheeks burned, confused on why they were looking at him. Dante grinned at him then lit the candles. Travis got even more confused on what was happening. Did he miss something?
He didn't get a chance to ask, barely able to open his mouth, when everyone started to sing happy birthday. To him. He stared at them before he realized. It was his birthday.
Travis wasn't one to celebrate his birthday. He never saw a reason to. Usually Dante would just give him a cupcake and that was that. Occasionally, Gene would get him a card. There was nothing special about his birthday. It just was like any other day, it just was the day he came into the world.
The half demon rarely celebrated anyone else's birthday. Sure, he'd get them a present if they invited him to their party. It feels weird to be the only person who didn't bring a gift for the person. But he didn't go out of his way to celebrate. He just never seen why the day that someone was born was special.
How did they even find out? Travis had only told the two brothers, and they didn't really tell anyone either. It wasn't like the three were actively hiding, it just never came up.
Oh, wait. Aphmau probably bugged Dante until he told her. Probably told him that Travis was the only one in the group who's never had a trademark Aphmau party in their honor.
Yeah, that tracks. Aphmau always threw a big party for everyone.
Once they finished singing, they all stared at Travis awkwardly as they waited for him to blow out his candles. Katelyn leaned into Kawaii~Chan's ear and whispered something. The pink haired woman shrugged.
Suddenly, Dante burst into laughter. Aaron jumped and stared at him like he was crazy. Dante just laughed harder and gripped his stomach. Once he calmed down, he wiped his eyes and looked around. The blue haired man flushed and sat on a random chair.
"Aren't you going to blow your candles out, Travis~Kun?"
Travis shrugged and blew them out, fanning them with his hand. That got a chuckle from everyone else. He didn't really get it, but he decided to just ignore it. Aphmau cut the cake and gave the biggest piece to Travis. It was his favorite flavor, so that was good. He set it to the side and grabbed a hot dog. He never liked eating sweets on an empty stomach.
Everyone chatted while Travis silently listened. It was a little embarrassing that he didn't know he needed to blow out the candles. When other people did that, he just didn't pay much attention. Human traditions could be so weird sometimes. He finished the hot dog and started eating the cake. Like every other cake Kawaii~Chan made, it was absolutely heavenly.
Once the cake was all gone and cleaned up, the group once again gathered around Travis. Aphmau had put a stupid paper hat on his head that declared him as the birthday boy. The first present was dropped into his lap. He checked it and saw that it was from Aaron.
"I hope you enjoy it," the man said. "I noticed that you had shown interest in it a little bit ago and got it for you."
Travis carefully opened the gift and saw that it was a board game that he had been eyeing for a little while. It wasn't a cheap one, which is why he didn't buy it himself. He thanked Aaron for it then grabbed the next one. It was from Katelyn. Once again, he carefully opened it. It was some video game that was pretty popular right now.
It took him a little while, but he was finished opening everything. Dante gotten scolded by Aphmau for only getting Travis a card and key chain. Travis paid no attention to her as he put the key chain onto his keys. He was pleasantly happy with all of the gifts that he had been given. Each one was something that his friends knew he would like.
Maybe birthdays weren't as bad as he used to think.