"Man, that party was like amazing!" Even though it was well past midnight Blair Sandburg still bounced at the memory of the birthday bash thrown for him by none other than Captain Simon Banks. Blair flopped on the sofa.
"It was kind of fun," Jim agreed, sitting beside his enthusiastic, one year older guide. He paused a moment. "You really didn't mind the kiddy games?" For a joke the head of major crimes planned a party with a "children's" theme: party hats, pin the tail on the donkey, plates and cups with Buzz Lightyear on them, and to top it all off a cake proclaiming 'To Thirty... And Beyond!'
"Nah." Blair shook his head. Part of the enjoyment of the the evening had been watching various Cascade Police officers along with various university instructors and students being handed a paper tail, blindfolded, spun around and sent aimlessly in search of the companion backside. The game had abruptly ended when Henry pinned the appendage to Rhonda.
Jim reached out to ruffle Blair's curls. "I'm glad."
"And, hey," the young man continued. "I can tell everyone that I had a very traditional birthday party complete with all the customs and ritual."
"I know another birthday ritual," Jim stated seriously.
"What's that?"
The sentinel's look turned mischievous. "This!" In one fluid motion he had his best friend face down across his lap. "How many whacks this year, Junior?"
"None! None!" Blair yelled in mock protest. He struggled to extricate himself but Jim had a firm hold. "Come on, Jim, joke's over."
"Who's joking. Hey, you're the man who's big into ritual here. Now where were we? Oh, yeah." Jim playfully slapped Blair on the backside giving a verbal count. Nothing could stop him when he was in "teasing" mode. Sometimes he carried this big brother routine a bit too far.
Jim's swats were more token than anything and Blair found himself laughing at his current position. By the time Jim reached thirty they were both chortling from the horseplay. Jim flipped his roommate over and shifted him so that his head rested in his lap.
Blair looked up through his laughter but Jim's expression suddenly turned serious again causing the ear to ear grin on his face to deflate. "Jim?" When there was no response. "Jim, it's okay, I'm not mad."
Jim gazed down affectionately into the blue eyes. "I know. It's just... " Jim stopped to pressed a firm kiss to Blair's forehead. "Happy Birthday, Chief."
Monday morning Blair found himself at Michelle Futterman's office. "Can I catch a ride with you to the station at noon?"
"Sure. Oh, I'm sorry I missed your party. But I had to cover for one of the lay leaders in Seattle. By the way, what did Jim give you this year?"
Blair hesitated a moment before answering. "Something traditional," he finally said. "And let's just leave it at that."
The End