femme fatale;

Making a wish on your birthday was sacred. Okay, not really, but it was believed to be by many. So? Of course, to follow tradition, Kenny wasn’t going to mention it. At least, not before it happened. It was a pretty good one, that involved Jessica and a thing he had mentioned to her in his second language, Japanese. One day soon, hopefully.

Now that the cake was cut and handed out to everyone, Kenny noted how his piece, despite being the birthday boy and all, was rather thinner than most. Of course, this way because his mother and Jessica both knew of his diet, and how he really hated to cheat on it. The occasional visit to TGI and Cracker Barrel with his friends was also such a struggle to try and keep up his routine. So he was definitely not complaining about his piece. Plus, he knew there would be more anyways for him and Jessica to share later. “It’s really good!” He confirmed with her, right before taking his second and third piece onto the fork and shoving it right into his mouth. There was a soft grin on his face at Jessica’s reaction to it. It was a little adorable. Or.. a lot adorable.

As everyone tried and loved the cake, conversations started once again. She figured Tyson’s friends had a lot of things to talk about with him, so slowly, she kind of removed herself from his space, just so they could talk to him and whatnot. Meanwhile, she engaged herself in conversations with her own relatives, sometimes shifting to his parents, or his sister, that were very much into conversing. It was kind of a rotational situation and Jessie was very glad everyone was getting along just fine, it made her happy to think their families and their friends also had a good chemistry, it sure put a smile on her face.

Kenny felt a tiny bit overwhelmed. Public affection was okay, if it was just with his parents, or Jessica. But being surrounded by both of their families, Cassie, and his friends? It caught him a little. He wasn’t entirely sure how to react to everything properly, so was kind of just.. winging it. Having her there was a nice and beautiful distraction. As well as her nieces and nephews presenting him with the colorful gifts. However, the entire time they sat there and at? With loads of people talking over each other and holding their own conversations? Well, it was overwhelming because it was hard to keep up. Direct conversation with him seemed simple enough, but he also wanted to be in the know on what was going on in everyone elses life. So, it was a bit of a struggle. No matter, though. Because all of that was over now and everyone had seemed to quiet down. He wasn’t so sure why.

He should have clued into this sooner. Jessica had turned off the lights and asking everyone about singing. Oh boy, here it goes. Kenny sat back in the chair and waited to see his mothers figure step back out from the kitchen, holding a lit up birthday cake. The biggest smile formed on his features, and he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. This was another overwhelming feeling for him. But all would be well. The moment it was set down in front of him, he knew what he had to do. His girlfriend had even said so, in case he was to forget and get caught up in this moment. So? Kenny made his wish and then with one huff, blew out all the candles that were on the cake.

Jessica was completely elated. Watching and hearing everyone sing happy birthday to the man that meant the most to her was everything and so much more. She was happy and she could only hope he was too. As soon as he made his wish, or so she hoped, and blew the candles; everyone started to clap and cheer excitedly. Jess actually wondered what kind of wish he made, but you know what they say, if you talk about it? It might not come true, so she didn’t think about asking him about it. 

When sitting down, Kenny had grabbed his own plate and filled it up enough to what he knew he would eat. If he wanted seconds later? They would sure follow. But this was fine for now. The dinning room was loud, with two sets of parents, a few more of Jess’ family, and then friends of Kenny talking amongst each other, as well as the children that were there. Speaking of, it wasn’t long because he was practically bombarded with pictures they had hand drawn for this day. This wasn’t new, of course. Happening the first time he had met them as well. “I’ll be honest. You’re going to make me buy a new fridge just so these will all fit!” His hands were going through them, making sure he got a good look at every single one as Jessica teased them. “Thank you so much, you guys. They’re going to find a good home in my place, I promise.” And he was serious. He already had a few things of theirs, so there was no harm in adding these much more.

“Hm?” He looked over at Jessica before smiling, and laughing. “It’s alright. I love them, really. It’s not.. too much. Maybe just the right amount.” He made sure, once Jessica was done, to file them all back to the way they had handed them to him. Arranging them so he could set them aside on the table without disturbing anyways eating placement. “And don’t worry.. I’ll draw you a perfect picture.” And he winked at her. Hoping she got what he meant.

Just in case, Jessica’s eyes gave the room a quick scan, just to make sure no one else heard what he told her. Luckily, everyone was pretty busy with their own conversations to care about their own. “You’re crazy.” she responded, making her eyes roll in the process. Of course, she was playing, because she certainly was all in for that idea, and hey, if they weren’t surrounded by people? She’d definitely jump him right there. This was the second time he made her feel like that, this was all on him. Soon, everyone had finished their food, but the chatting kept happening, eventually his mom caught Jessica’s attention and made a gesture with her head, as if asking Jess if it was okay to /move on/.

Kenny was clearly just as big of a fan as their physical interactions as she was. Yeah, she was like the trigger on these things, but he never hesitated. He adored her, and their closeness whenever possible. Right now was one of those moments as they had a small amount of time to be alone. People were in the next room, but? Oh well. “Family and friends is truly.. the only gift I could have asked for. Or.. well, you know? You. But I have you!” And he did. All the time, even when they were countries apart. They were very in tune with each others lives and daily rituals, even from afar.

“Well. You know we.. technically kind of gave one another the permission to.. call each one of our homes, our homes. So, this would be.. our first real home. That we can perhaps purchase together? Somewhere here, I presume. In Florida so that you’re still close by.” Maybe some time in the future, they could buy a Japan home as well. That the two of them can officially share legally. “I love you more.” He said it in a whisper. Loud enough for her to hear, because he was moving in close and pressing a kiss against her lips. Once it was broken, however. He took her advice and headed for the next room to greet everyone properly and sit down for the food.

Was there anything higher than cloud 9? Because Jessica was sure whatever that was, she was riding it and moving even further up. It was insane just how strongly this man made her feel things, it was as if somehow all her feelings multiplied and it didn’t even look like he was trying hard at all. He was just... being himself and Jess fell harder as every second passed by. The idea of purchasing a house together was one that released all the butterflies in her stomach and made her heart pound hard and fast against her chest. The fact he even came up with it... ah, it made her so happy that if she could? She would’ve jumped him right there but alas, they had a party to attend.

He didn’t mind at all. Of course, Kenny was never too too big on surprises, but. When it was just close friends, and family of the both of them? He loved it, because it would have been as if nothing even changed. Turning to Jessica, and snaking an arm around her waist just so he could bring her in closer to him. Holding her right against him. “Hm. I don’t mind. It’s pretty amazing, actually.” He could have teased her, and started bantering. However, being honest felt more right for the moment. No jokes today. Or at least, not right now.

“I am happy! You.. Jessica, you have no idea. You know I don’t get to see my parents a lot, and.. yours are always a delight. Having everyone together.. even Matt, Nick, Ibutan.. thank you. It means a lot to me.” He brought his free hand to both of hers, hooking them together, just so he could raise them up and place a kiss to the back of them. Showing his appreciation in a different way. “And.. as for the bigger place? I believe that is your call. It is.. our American home. But if you’re really planning more.. festivities? You know, for lots of people. I can suggest a more spacious place.”

Jessica was a big fan of all their physical interactions, and usually, she felt like she was the one initiating most of it, mostly because she was certainly much more clingy than he was. But every time he did it, it felt so nice that sometimes she felt like air was getting knocked out of her chest. “I’m glad you are. I’ll be honest and say that for so many days I... kept thinking about what could I gift you, you know? But I couldn’t think of anything because there’s really nothing you want that... you don’t have, so I thought and thought until it came to my head that maybe you wanted to spend your day with your family, your loved ones.” and so, she made this whole plan just for him, to make him happy.