Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

       Pain. Pain was all Kel could feel after Mari passed. Everything happened so fast... Suddenly the friends he knew were gone, but he wasn't going to hold anything against them... He woke up. Glancing over at the other side of the room. Hero was still at college... He felt tired.

 Too tired. As of lately things have been getting worse, at this point all he did was get up. Get ready and go check to see Sunny. Wander a bit. Check on Basil and Aubrey, talk to his brother then just go home.

       "Time to get up.."

    After a moment he sat up feeling the cool floor under his feet. Yawning lightly, stretching... Fully standing up. Going over to his messy wardrobe pulling out a familiar outfit. Placing the clothing messily on the bed before going to the calendar... Sure enough...

          November 11th.

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   Sunny, Hero, Aubrey, and Basil stood in the Fix-It pondering what to get for the surprise party they wanted to host for Kel.

  "What decorations should we get for him?" Aubrey asked. Looking at the different colors of streamers. Basil found a pack of orange balloons. Hero stared off in thought... Sunny had wandered further up the aisle to check out different decorations that would be good.

       "Earth to Hero!" Aubrey exclaimed, slightly startling him out of daze.

      "Uhm... Well..." Hero mumbled thinking for a moment. 

    "Kel's favorite color is orange...? So I mean... Choose anything orange I suppose..." 

    His response was.. Dry for lack of better terms. It was unlike how he typically was, on point, prompt, and calm. He just seemed agitated. Basil looked over, worried...

     "Hero are you alright?" Basil questioned.

    Hero quickly shook out of his miniature trance before speaking. 

      "Yeah just... Kel hasn't celebrated his birthday in years... His last one was a year before Mari passed." Hero stated quietly. Understanding glances shifting from one another. 

       "It's been awhile.. Hasn't it... Feels like just yesterday we all celebrated his birthday. It just feels like a fever dream." Basil said in response feeling slightly guilty.

      "I.. I kinda feel bad." Aubrey admitted before continuing. "None of us even cared to even visit him on his birthday... Even though he'd at least try to tell us happy birthday on our birthdays..." She mumbled.

   Basil tried brightening the mood even thinking... 'What would Kel do?' 

   "Better late than never as Kel says!" He said with a smile just to get a glare at Aubrey as she spoke.

    "The only time he said that phrase was right before he ate an entire bag of moldy chips.." She said grossed out remembering that moment.

    "Basil is right... We shouldn't. There's no use beating ourselves up for the birthdays we weren't there for but instead think about the ones we can be a part of." Hero said smiling softly exchanging Basil an appreciative look.

    Sunny approached the three holding some decorations he was sure Kel would find pleasing.

     "Kel would love those!" Hero said with a smile. The four went to the register placing the items down while being rang up.

    "$26.34." Hero rummaged through his pockets before finding his wallet and shuffling through pulling out the amount of cash needed before exchanging it. 

     The Party was Soon!

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    Kel didn't celebrate much anymore. Nor did his parents. They seemed too busy. Yes they did acknowledge it but neither did anything... 

   "12... 13... 14... 15!" Only 15... He felt kind of guilty but he at least wanted to purchase a cupcake and candle for his birthday. So he gathered the cash heading for the store. 

    Once there at the bakery more specifically he looked through the wide variety, he chose a vanilla cupcake with orange frosting (His favorite color!) then chose the candle he wanted to place on top of it. Paying promptly before leaving. He didn't want to eat it by himself... It also felt wrong too. So Kel decided to visit Mari.

     Approaching her gravestone he sat beside it and began talking:

    "Hey Mari. It's my birthday today! I just wanted to visit you. I know you're gone, but I at least wanted to come visit. I knew you always wanted to make everyone's birthday special..." He paused for a moment. The amount of grief he felt hit him like a ton of bricks. He missed Mari. He missed her so much.

      And in that same moment he realized, he still hasn't cried about her leaving. He knew why and felt even more guilty. Maybe he just didn't care about her enough to cry? He could swear he did and still does. He decided to keep speaking.

       "I still don't celebrate much... After you died, I just felt so guilty to celebrate and still do. I shouldn't celebrate my birthday only a month after you died. I don't know if I will ever. It's not really like anyone even notices it is." Kel said honestly just looking at the cupcake before replacing it on her gravestone as an offering.

       "Here Mari. You deserve something sweet." He mumbled before standing up just going home.

     Kel made it home. He didn't know why he was sad especially on his birthday. But for the first time in a while he just wanted to curl in his bed and cry. It seemed like all the grief was now just hitting and he just couldn't understand why. It happened so long ago it felt. Maybe it was just him being dramatic, it must be. It made no sense that it would be affecting him now.

     The moment the door to the shared bedroom shut, he shut down just sitting on his bed staring at the floor trying to get his emotions in check. He's supposed to be 'good old happy Kel' not gloomy.

      He felt a light sting in his nose and tears whelmed up in his eyes. Warm tears running down his cheeks. He was sure today just wasn't a good day...

Chapter Text

    After they all decided to set up the secret party at their old hideout among the trees at the park they got to work... 

    Hero and Aubrey set up the decorations... Sunny and Basil picked up the food that'd be handed out during the party, pizza, Basil's garden salad, a cooler of assorted drinks including Kel's favorite, orange joe. And a delicious orange frosted vanilla cake. As well as a nice gift they'd be sure he'd love. 

     Aubrey focused on wrapping the streamers around a tree and looked over at Hero.

    "Why hasn't Kel celebrated this long like with your mom and dad? Have they just not wanted to celebrate Kel?" Aubrey asked curiously. He looked down a little upset.

     "No... Kel just hasn't wanted to, whenever any of us would ask he'd brush it off and talk about something else..." Hero admitted a little upset "Hasn't celebrated since Mari's death."

    "Well, should I invite the other kids at the park? Maybe it'd make things more fun.." Aubrey suggested hopefully.

     "I don't know how comfortable he'd be with that. Especially since this is his first party in years..." He paused for a moment continuing with a smile, "It was a good idea regardless Aubs." 

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     "Alright we've picked up almost everything now... Should we bring what we've got so far so that when we get the pizza it's nice and hot?" Basil asked holding the cake in his hands whereas Sunny was rolling around the cooler and carrying the gift in his hands, he just nodded. This party was sure to be a hit.

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     Things for Kel just seemed to be getting worse. At the moment it felt like he was digging himself in a far deeper hole than what he felt like he was already trapped in. For a few minutes he genuinely thought of confiding in someone... Anyone. Just so he knew he wasn't selfish. 

     If anything he just wanted his mom... He wanted to be told by his mother everything was okay and it wasn't bad to feel upset. He wanted his brother Hero. Hero always knew what to do and say. He's odds are to say something like, "Pain is only temporary." However at this moment hearing that would be more than helpful... 

    "You don't need help, you are being selfish and self centered." Kel told himself, he had no definitive reason on why he felt this way, others had it worse. Others had it so much worse and he was over here upset over something that shouldn't hurt him.

     It was in the middle of the day and he was here laying in bed lazily just sulking and despite everything inside of him demanding him to get up, to get up and do something productive he just laid there. Refusing to follow through with what he was telling himself.

    Horrible thoughts were swimming in his mind. 'Would anyone care if something bad happened to me?' It terrified him, he'd never in his life thought like this. So he just sat up. He just had to do something to ignore these thoughts.

     His door opened, he saw his mom in the hallway. He gave a half-hearted smile. 

     "Hey Mamá." Kel said warmly, his mother smiled back, however it faltered slightly, a reminder what today was, also her motherly instinct kicking in... She could tell something was wrong, very wrong. However she knew intruding and demanding an answer would be unproductive.

      "Hey my love. No birthday this year again?" She asked calmly.

       "No... I don't really want to celebrate this year either." He said calmly "Sorry mom."

       "Aw. Don't apologize. I understand, hopefully next year?" She suggested hopeful.

      "Maybe... Can I... Can I talk to you?" Kel asked slightly unable to hold up the smile any longer. She agreed and they decided to sit in the living room.

      "..I—I don't know why but.. It just feels like now that I'm older and I understand what happened to Mari.. It just hurts so much more than it did before, like it was just yesterday it was her recital." Kel explained sadness clinging to his features. His mother listened to him nodding.

      "That's normal hun. Mari was very important to you and the rest of your friends. You felt your grief and there's too. But, I noticed that. During it all happening... You remained calm... Supportive."

      She paused for a moment before continuing; "You might've not understood but, your heart was in the right place. You were so young when she passed... She was so young. It's understandable to feel it all again now, especially with the fact you can comprehend it."

     "I know that but... It feels like I'm.. I'm just being selfish being upset over it, especially when Hero had it so much worse.." Kel explained.

     She took a moment and remembered how reclusive and despondent Hero became, and still how supportive Kel tried to be... Then she remembered the night Hero lashed out at Kel. Saying some... Terrible things. She remembered only comforting Hero. Completely forgetting her other child. In that moment she felt like a terrible mother. 

   "You've always been able to survive awful conditions... With little care. I know it was your father's responsibility as well but, I'm so sorry about that night.." She apologized. 

    Kel was a little confused, he felt even worse now, his mother felt terrible, because of him.

Chapter Text

Kel was a little confused, he felt even worse now, his mother felt terrible, because of him.

         Kel knew it was okay for him to vent and talk to his mom about his feelings yet he couldn't help but feel creeping guilt... He'd worried her, he was supposed to be invisible.

        He was meant to endure.

   Kel hated to admit it but he was quite durable, dispensable even, deep down he truly knew he could simply be replaced by a better individual.

       "Kelsey, baby, are you okay? Is there something else you want to talk about?" The loving and concerned words which his mother spoke pulled him out of his "edgy" moment as what Aubrey would call it. 

        "Yeah mama thank you..." Kel smiled widely; continuing his sentence, "I'm gonna go for a quick walk to get some fresh air..."

   His mother smiled, and kissed his forehead, before speaking once more.

    "Alright my love, be safe and don't forget your sweater! It's getting chilly outside, we don't need you catching a cold."

     Kel stood up and walked to the door where his shoes resided, he threw them on along with his signature orange jacket before leaving the house.

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      Things had been going so well for the group setting up his secret party for Kel, until... The hooligans crashed the party, or er... The setup.

    It was an obvious mistake, however the hosts couldn't help still being angry about it. They spent good money and time setting it all up

      Aubrey (understandably so...) began to tell her friends/hooligans off, scolding them absolutely annoyed and pissed off.

       "You guys know how to be careful! What the hell were you all thinking?!" Aubrey's voice boomed absolutely infuriated...

      The "Maverick" (everyone called him Mikheal as well as the author) attempted to defend their actions.

        "Well how were we supposed to know you all were gonna hang here?!" He was fuming at her yelling, that infuriated Aubrey further.

        "I dunno maybe seeing us and the BIG TABLE WITH FOOD ON IT!"

         The two kept bickering non-stop... Surprisingly the one who cut them off was Basil. He spoke up his voice unwaveringly and unusually calm compared to his typical timid voice. 

     "G—Guys we still have time. It's only six." 

  Basil's voice sounded hopeful. Everyone turned to look at him, Hero seemed to be deep in thought... Sunny had the same look just more inquisitive... Hero rubbed his chin and was struck by an idea!

     "Basil's right. We have time left... The pizza is still in... Okay shape, same with the orange joe.. We can just remake the cake!" Hero said somewhat excited to have an excuse to bake... Even with going to college he never lost his talent. It was still a guilty pleasure of his. It made others happy to have a meal with love in it. 

      "Only problem is... We need ingredients and somewhere to make it..." Hero looked over at his friends hoping they'd offer to spare a spot at their place for him to work his magic..

       "We can make it at my place..." Basil offered with a grin, suddenly the attention shifted to the Hooligans...

      By this time the Hooligans were exchanging glances at one another...

     A small grumble was heard from Mikheal... He sighed annoyed before speaking...

       "I guess... We could get the ingredients you guys need... Y'know since I guess its our fault for knocking the stuff over... Just don't think we're happy doing so!"

   Mikheal out emphasis on a few words... Sounding absolutely exasperated and annoyed... Deep down they all knew him as well as the rest of the hooligans felt guilty, and even deeper they knew they all did care.

    Hero smiled softly, not confronting them about it.

"That'd be more than helpful... Thank you!.. Well, we gotta get all of this stuff to Basil's!"

     Sunny grabbed the wagon cooler that had all the drinks, Hero busied himself with giving orders to the hooligans for the ingredients, while taking the table the food was held on... Aubrey grabbed the food and began taking down the party decorations with tentative care, and Basil was busy trying to get the cake off the ground.

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     Kel had finally returned from his walk... He saw none of his friends and he couldn't even bother to check on Sunny... Why was he always checking on everyone else??? Why not the other way around? It wasn't fair... 

     With nothing else to do he decided to just flick through TV stations, hoping a good one was on. 

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           They were all gathered in Basil's kitchen, Hero had an apron wrapped around his waist. Using the ingredients the hooligans brought he got to work... Mixing ingredients... Measuring ingredients... The works for baking. He popped the batter in the oven at 350°

           "Can someone set a timer for thirty minutes?" Hero asked politely.

        Sunny being the closest did so. All they had to do was wait...

      After the satisfying timer went off Hero put the oven mits back on, opening the oven and using a fork to check whether or not it was finished baking... Practically perfect! He pulled it out of the oven taking it out of it's mold... Sunny passed over the orange frosting of which he had eaten some of..

      Noticing this, Hero couldn't help but smile fondly of him.

       "Really Sunny? You're going to spoil your dinner!" Hero said, sounding like a nagging mother.

      Once the cake was done everyone couldn't help but marvel at it, Hero had some serious talent!

      "It turned out amazing!" Basil smiled, feeling proud of his friend. 

   Hero turned almost bashful, "Thank you!" He always loved being complimented for his skills...

    "We need to hurry back. It's almost seven." Aubrey reminded them. 

    Everyone grabbed their respectable items to bring, Sunny grabbing the wagon cooler, Basil grabbing the food, Aubrey grabbing the decorations, and Hero grabbing the table and chairs. Heading back with a newfound swiftness. 

    Everything was now set up... Now someone just had to get Kel...

  The candidate chosen was Sunny... He didn't speak all that much, but he'd make an exception for Kel... Kel only. 

    He walked alone to Kel's house, the crisp autumn air making him shiver slightly. Once making it there he couldn't help himself but to pet Hector... He was just too cute!

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           KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

    The sound jolted Kel, he looked over at the door and stood up approaching it. Listening for a voice...

       "Kel. It's me." Sunny stood awkwardly waiting for a response. The door opened. Kel stared at Sunny then smiled, he always loved to see Sunny... Wait. Why was Sunny here?

      "Can we hangout?" Sunny asked calmly.

    Kel was taken aback that Sunny would ask him... Nevertheless...

      "Of course!" Kel said sounding more excited than he wanted to.. "Lead the way!"

  Sunny began to lead him in the direction of the park... Where his surprise party awaited... 

     When they went farther into the park and began to push past into their old hang out territory Kel spoke...

    "Oh... You wanna hangout here? Kel seemed uncertain.. 

    Sunny nodded. 

    They stood there... The sound of all Kel's friends shouting "Happy birthday" all at once was almost deafening... They were all here too.. To celebrate him. It was all too overwhelming... He felt the prickling of tears as a warning... Did he really deserve to be celebrated? Did he? He swore he couldn't celebrate because it would take away everyone's availability to grieve...

      Nevertheless he couldn't stop himself from the smile forming on his face despite the tears... 

     Hero rushed to comfort him. 

     "Hey hey! Are you okay...? Do you not want to do this?" Hero inquired...

    "N—No.... Thank you all..."

      The party festivities started they all ate good food... Listened to music... Drank... And now it was time for gifts and cake..

     Everyone was crowded around Kel... He had six whole gifts to choose from! One from Hero, one from Aubrey, one from Sunny, one from Basil, one from his parents, one from the hooligans... (surprisingly)... And... One from Mari...

     Even though Kel knew it wasn't actually Mari it felt good to at least have some closure that she'd want him to be happy and celebrate... So instinctively he reached for her gift, tearing the delicate wrapped paper revealing what was on the inside... A new basketball! He popped his after it rolled into the street and got hit by a car... 

        Everyone smiled urging him to go further exchanging glances at one another wondering which he'd open next. Surprisingly he opened Aubrey's gift, it was a box of his favorite sweets!... He gasped lightly

    "Thanks Aubs!" That earned an feigned annoyed grunt from Aubrey before she cracked a smirk 

     "No problem." The pink haired girl said with a smile. Sweeter than usual. Possibly sweeter than the candy.

    The next gift he reached was apparently gifted from Basil. It was small but he found it endearing. He tore away the packaging revealing a new orange shaped charm! He could hang it on his backpack! He smiled.

      "Thanks Basil! I love it!" Kel exclaimed happily.

    Basil grinned softly... Slightly relieved Kel liked the gift. "Y—You're welcome." 

    He reached for the next gift, Hero's! Unwrapping the paper, he stared at the new basketball jersey with pure awe... It was black and yellow. The same colors of his favorite team! 

        "Woah! A new Jersey thanks Hero!" Kel smiled holding it up for everyone to see.

       Hero smiled and ruffled his hair, "No worries little bro." 

     The next gift he opened was the one from his parents... Peeling back the wrapper he saw a few new comic books... He wasn't really into comics anymore but he smiled widely, he knew it'd be enjoyable to read.

       The final gift was from Sunny, he made sure to save the best for last! He opened it and was met face to face with a sleek Pluto figurine and a paper? 

       "Oh! Thank you Sunny!" Kel said opening the small folded piece of paper.... There he was met with a drawing of him and Pluto flexing together.... He knew Sunny was good at drawing he didn't know Sunny was this good at it. 

      "Woah!! This is awesome!" Kel grinned ear to ear.

       Sunny nodded cracking a small smirk. Enjoying Kel's reaction.

      Now that all of the gifts had been opened everyone stood around Kel as Kel stood in front of the cake Hero made... He stared at the candles. 

      Everyone got together and Basil snapped a pic of Kel at the moment... He'd show him later...

                "Happy Birthday to You."

   And Happy it was. (Just for now at least)