From: cabotine	Date: April 27th, 2011 11:46 pm (UTC)		(Link)

"Only since I turned sixteen."

It was said lightly, humorously, and mostly like a bad joke should be told. There was a small smile on her face as she turned to take the offered joint from him. After taking a slow hit with a thoughtful expression on her face, Rowan handed it back to Keegan.

"I think," she said after a long moment of pondering and a slow exhale, "that seventeen is going to be a good year. At least I hope. Sixteen left some big shoes to fill. But looking forward to being seventeen? Getting a provisional drivers license and learning to apparate? And finally being the same age as you again? You bet your hot ass I'm looking forward to all of that."

It was always easier to just be herself with Keegan. She wasn't stuttering and stammering all the time, it was so relaxing to just... be with him. Especially like this. Looking up into the night sky, she smiled again. The stars were clear against the velvety darkness behind them, when the clouds weren't passing by in front of them. She felt like she could do this all night. And it was comfortable enough that she almost wanted to make that the actual plan.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:00 am (UTC)		(Link)

He glanced over at her as he took the joint from her, letting the corner of his mouth quirk up into a lopsided smile. "Oh, I think if this past year is anything to go by, seventeen will be just as good. Probably better, at least just for the ability to drive and apparate. Makes everything easier."

A fact which he came to know well shortly after he turned seventeen and gained his apparition license. It made the half hour drive from Ipswich to Danvers a thing of the past, unless he actually needed his car to lug stuff with him. "And you'll only be the same age as me until November. Then I'll probably be taking my turn buying the under agers cigarettes."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:16 am (UTC)		(Link)

"I dunno," she replied with a singsong-y kind of tone, "Sixteen started off awfully great..." She smiled up at the sky, remembering. "I know, I know. I only have until November for that. But still."

Looking up at the sky still, she took a deep and slow breath, stretching out against the hood of his car a little further. Lifting her arms above her to rest her head on as she looked, she sighed a little. "Not really looking forward to the birthday itself, but I definitely think the year will be amazing. What are we doing again this weekend?" There was the barest hint of something like sadness in her voice, but one that was neither overt nor worrisome.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:21 am (UTC)		(Link)

While she talked, he took another long hit, holding that for a moment before extending his arm to hand it back over to her.

"Well, you should look forward to the birthday itself, and the day before it," Keegan said as he released that breath. "Because I fully suspect that it will be awesome. And just as memorable as last year, I think." He did note the tone in her voice. Although the plans for her birthday were already set, he made a note to make damned sure it was unforgettable. "We have Marnie's thing in the morning, then you're mine for the afternoon, evening, and your actual birthday if you so wish."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:34 am (UTC)		(Link)

"I'll be yours for..." She bit off what she was intending to say, instead floundering in her brain for a moment before coming out with, "...that whole time, sure." Taking the joint from him again, she paused before actually taking the hit. "I am looking forward to the time with you. I always do, you know."

After a longer pull than before, she got a sudden, small but definitely wicked smile on her face. "Think my birthday will be anything like yours was?" She knew that there was something up his sleeve. She just had no idea what it could possibly be.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:44 am (UTC)		(Link)

He let his hands rest on his chest while she had the joint and there was nothing that he had to hold. Keegan took the time to just stare up at the sky. Although he wasn't even sure she could see it, there was a small nod in acknowledgement and a small noise that matched. He did know, in a way, and it was mutual.

At the mention of his birthday, a knowing grin spread across his face. "Oh, I don't think there's very much at all that could be anything like my birthday. But I can at least hope it'll be close."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 12:55 am (UTC)		(Link)

His words caused her smile to grow wider. And caused her to blush, though it was difficult to see in the darkness. Thank goodness for small favors. She passed it back to him and shifted so that she could lean over and kiss his cheek gently before settling back on the windshield again.

"I'm sure it will be wonderful. Whatever we do." It was a fair assumption, since there wasn't much that she ever did with him that wasn't wonderful. Like this, for example. Stretched out, relaxing and enjoying eachother's company while looking at the stars. Not to mention the fact that what they were smoking was guaranteed to actually get her to relax for real.

"Did I really kick myself in the ass with that as your, ah, gift? Like, if I get you a shirt this year will it just fail miserably? Not that I'm planning on getting you a shirt, mind you..."

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:00 am (UTC)		(Link)

When he saw movement from the corner of his eye, he turned enough to see the joint and take it from her. He remained still until she kissed his cheek, and he turned that wide grin to her for a moment.

"I will enjoy anything you happen to get me, whatever it is. Because it's something from you. But yea, you did kick yourself in the ass a bit. Not that I expect you to try to top it." He rolled his head back to look at the sky and paused to take another hit.

"Though," he said as he exhaled and passed it back to her. "I'm probably doing the same thing with your birthday. So we'll be even in epic birthdays, I think."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:16 am (UTC)		(Link)

She laughed aloud, short and low, but true laughter. "Honestly, I don't think there's many ways that I can top that. And if that's the case, love, then I'll get you a card and some pez and be done with it." Now she was teasing, especially since she already had an idea or two for what to do for his oh-so-important 18th birthday.

This time when she turned to look for the joint he passed, she noted that her head felt a bit on the heavy side. Taking the hit, she extended her arm toward him to hand it back without looking, instead continuing to look up at the sky.

"Aha. I knew you had something up your sleeve. Though you usually do, so I'm not really that surprised. You don't really have to do anything grandiose, you know. I'd be happy with a kiss and a cupcake." Which was true. But she also felt the thrill of knowing that he was planning something for her birthday. She had suspected but not truly known yet.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:21 am (UTC)		(Link)

"Oh come on," Keegan drew out after taking the joint back, still stuck with a smile on his face. It was like it was fixed there for the night. "It's your birthday. Why wouldn't I have something up my sleeve?"

Keegan took a strong but quick it and as he held it for that second and exhaled, he lifted it up to inspect how much was left. A few more hits before it was a roach. That determined, he passed it back. "You know me well enough to know that a kiss and a cupcake, or anything along those lines, it far too simple a thing for your birthday."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:35 am (UTC)		(Link)

Even though it was almost done, Rowan had the feeling that one or two more hits was her limit for the evening. She took one hit, let it out slowly and turned her head to look at him. "I was elated with a kiss and a flower last year, you know."

Taking her last hit off the joint, she passed it back, holding the smoke in her lungs for longer than previously, before exhaling slowly again. She also blinked slowly up at the sky. "And I know, I know. Nothing is simple with you. Yule was the perfect example of that one."

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:51 am (UTC)		(Link)

Judging by how she had taken two, Keegan assuming that she was finished for the night when he took it back. One last hit was his, and the rest was going to be saved for later. "Well last year you weren't my girlfriend yet."

Keegan gave her a smile before he went to carefully put the roach out without wasting any of the green inside. "So it was a little big, the guitar. You have to admit you needed it. Besides, you spoil me with these monthly gifts. I do hope you're aware of that."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 01:58 am (UTC)		(Link)

"Doesn't change the fact I'd still be just as happy." She closed her eyes for a little, still smiling. The night air was cool and it felt good, the light breeze that came up now and again was gentle and calm, though it pushed the clouds across the sky at a rapid pace sometimes.

"I definitely did need that guitar, and I still don't think I've thanked you enough for it. I love it, and I have been practicing every day with it." His last words had her opening her eyes again and turning to look at him with a puzzled expression. "Noooo, I don't spoil you at all with them. I wish I could do more.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 02:18 am (UTC)		(Link)

He was already feeling the effects of the drug before it was finished, and as the last of it sunk in Keegan just closed his eyes and enjoyed that feeling. It was a wonderful, wonderful feeling.

That moment of enjoyment didn't stop him from scoffing at her. He turned his head to look at her again, opening his eyes so that he could find hers. "Love, you don't have to get me anything. The fact that you do for every single month is spoiling me. And you don't need to give me more. Well," he paused, lifting his eyes up as he thought, "In the material sense. I don't think I'll ever get tired of getting more of the immaterial."

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 02:26 am (UTC)		(Link)

Making what she hoped was a wry smile, Rowan looked at his blue eyes - dark now without the light to see them by - and spoke.

"I know I don't have to get you anything. Just like you don't ever have to get me anything. But I want to. It's... I feel like it's necessary? Only not because it is. But because... I dunno, it's hard to describe." Not that that would stop her from trying to, effects of the pot or not.

"You give me so much just by being with me. You make me happy, happier than I ever was before. You take me on little adventures with you, and... and get me to do things I didn't know I wanted to, let alone was capable of. It's like I'm... more who I am because of you. So every month that passes that I have the gift of you being with me, I want to mark somehow tangibly. It's important to me to mark the passage of time. Fucked if I know why."

It was all said with a kind of tone that meant she was thinking as she spoke, though her eyes didn't leave his while she did.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 28th, 2011 02:40 am (UTC)		(Link)

By the time she was finished speaking, he was no longer grinning broadly. A smile still remained but it had lessened from the silly grin of before to a softer and smaller smile throughout the course of her explanation. He couldn't deny her reasonings, and although it was still a lot to him, he at least understood why now.

"Well, though they are perfectly good reasons and I will not deny you the marking of time, I still think you spoil me." Keegan's eyes moved from hers just long enough to find where her hand was, and if it was close enough for him to take a hold of. "Because I'm lucky enough to have you already and I am more than happy with just that."

When his eyes went back to hers, he snickered a little. "Though you can stop with the monthly after a year. Otherwise you'll run out of ideas and it'll get expensive." If it wasn't expensive already.

	From: cabotine	Date: April 28th, 2011 03:13 am (UTC)		(Link)

Since her hand by him was at her side, the other resting on her abdomen for the moment, it would be easy for him to take her hand. When he did, she held onto his gently but firmly. The move coaxed another smile from her as she looked at him.

"Oh I could never run out of ideas for things to give you. But since not all of them are tangible, I think a year of monthly gifting is enough."

She raised one eyebrow as she continued. "Though the immaterial will keep on coming. Never you fear." She smiled broader, the eyebrow going back down as she blinked slowly. "And that surprises me about myself. Like, a lot."

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: April 29th, 2011 01:55 am (UTC)		(Link)

"Ah," Keegan smiled, "Good." Which worked in response to both the fact the monthly gift giving wouldn't go beyond a year, and that the immaterial things would continue. Those he liked far too much to give up.

His attention went to their hands, and he blinked for a moment. After that initial movement he saw two pairs instead of one and had to wait for his vision to steady before he bent his arm to bring her hand up so that he could lightly kiss the back of it. "How so?"

	From: cabotine	Date: April 29th, 2011 02:19 am (UTC)		(Link)

As she turned her head toward him, and he kissed her hand, she became very aware that what they had just smoked was catching up with her quickly. She made a happy sound at the kiss, perhaps a little longer than she intended, and when she spoke it was thoughtful and introspective.

"Well, like, ok. I thought I knew the sorts of things that I was capable of. Even a year ago. And then you came around and I'm... drinking at parties, and tackling you on the bed, and... well, laying on your car, smoking pot and watching the stars. Nothing like those things would have appealed to me then."

When Rowan smoked, she tended to not think her words through as much before she said them, if at all. It showed in the way she spoke now.

"I never knew I could be so... myself with you. I feel like I can let my guard down more and just be myself, and maybe do the things that come to my mind. Now that... well, your birthday happened... I... there's..." It wasn't stuttering so much that was making her keep pausing, it was trying to find the right words. "I like being with you. And when I am... it's like I don't have to pretend I don't want something." She paused a moment. "Did any of that even make sense?" she asked with a quizzical expression.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: May 12th, 2011 10:26 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Keegan turned his head slowly to look at her. He didn't let go of her hand yet, either. He just remained there and listened to her explanation and found himself smiling. It was nice to hear that it was all in all a positive from her and that she was comfortable enough to be herself. It was certainly mutual.

"That made sense," he replied with a small nod. "Well, it made sense to me. Whether or not it made sense to anyone who isn't stoned is beyond me." Keegan chuckled a little and let her hand down between them, but he didn't release her. "It's amazing the things you find out about yourself with the right things happen, I guess."

	From: cabotine	Date: May 12th, 2011 11:24 pm (UTC)		(Link)

It was nice, laying there and holding his hand and just talking about things that she normally would have stuttered and stammered over. She couldn't remember for the life of her, however, why she had ever been nervous to talk to him.

Thinking about that, she almost missed what he said. "Oh, I'm glad it made sense to you, here, now. Not that it was meant for anyone not you, there, some other time that isn't now. But... you know what I mean." She gently ran her thumb over the back of his hand as she spoke again, looking up at the stars once more.

"I know what you mean. So, like, has there been anything that amazed you about yourself recently?" The curiosity in her voice was almost a tangible thing, but that star over there on the right was really blue and pretty so her head stayed facing right where it was.

	From: howemuchtrouble	Date: May 12th, 2011 11:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)

Okay, that time she had lost him. He didn't even bother to think about it too long before he shook his head a little and turned his face back towards the sky above them.

Keegan remained silent for a moment after she asked. Just taking a moment to think back and find something to answer. "There are things. One that surprised myself was actually giving you a recording of me singing stuff."

	From: cabotine	Date: May 13th, 2011 12:37 am (UTC)		(Link)

She listened to him say what he did, still looking at that star she found so intriguing, and smiled. It was a bit of a lopsided smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"I know you don't really like to sing in front of other people, and... I have to say, I was really surprised at that myself. But I loved it. I still do..." She also might have the songs burned onto her computer so she didn't wear out the CD she was given... and she may have copied that CD and kept the original in its case in her bag so that nothing happened to it. These things might have happened.