n.oodle offers a lopsided grin, pulling in the older man for a hug. ' happy birthday, daaaad ! you're getting so oooold now ! ' -- it wasn't really a birthday without teasing m.urdoc to the enth degree. it was ritualistic at this point. she pulls away, quickly reaching for the neatly wrapped package she had prepared. ' i know i promised cake later, but i figured i'd give you something now too ! '
MUR.DOC’S BIRTHDAY 2K18!
There she is! His absolute pride and joy. His reason for being. Murdoc is all too eager to return Noodle’s embrace, giving her a small squeeze and even laughing at her remark. She’s just about the only one who can get away with that - and while he still doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to wrap his head around the whole ‘dad’ thing, he’s grown accustomed to her calling him that by now. He’s long-since accepted that the child who came into his life all those years ago is his daughter - no ifs, ands or buts about that. But still, he gives her a mock-offended look at the mention of growing old, crossing his bony arms over his chest.
“Oh, shut it, Noods,” he scolds, voice completely void of bite. “You’ll know all about it by the time you’re my age. Give it twenty years time and then you’ll see.” He doesn’t dwell on the thought long, though - knows for a damn fact that he won’t be around to see that happen, and that lingering on it will likely spoil the rest of their evening. He watches with anticipation as Noodle passes the gift over to him, taking it delicately from her hands and admiring the careful wrapping job. “Ahh, the cake can wait. I’m more curious to see what you’re surprising your old man with this year.” He takes a seat on his bed, patting the spot beside him for Noodle to join if she wished. “D got me some ciggies. Three whole boxes! That’s one more box than last year. I was thinking we could divide ’em up. And Russ hid a bottle of champagne for me somewhere in the house, I reckon.” He grins at her, mischievous spark in his eyes. “I say we go hunting for it together.”
