gonna drink bacardi like it's yo birthday [nancy's 20]

[stauncherhearted]

Twenty. Gods, Nancy could hardly believe it. She didn't expect to still be here for this day, truth be told. She knew the sort of life she lived, and the sorts of people she associated with. But against all odds, here she was. Twenty-years-old by Fagin's count, and as wonderful as that was...

It was odd. She'd been a teenager for so long, and now she was officially a twenty-something. An adult, for real this time, not like when she'd turned eighteen.

It didn't exactly help that Charley Bates had decided it was a great idea to call her 'old'. She'd hit the back of his head for that, refusing to consider herself old. She was still so young, at least in comparison to those she spent most of her time around, people that were centuries older than her.

This, of course, caused her some angst. She hadn't particularly wanted to celebrate her birthday. It wasn't anything to be glad about. She was, as she realized, three years physically older than Cooper. And that just felt... weird. She knew, mentally, he was far older than she was. And as he always said she was stuck with him until she was old and grey, but...

Would he still love her, then, she wanted to know? How weird would it be, an haggard old woman next to this cute seventeen-year-old kid. A chill ran up her spine when she thought about it, comparing the wretch that Fagin was to her hypothetical-old-woman-self.

If she lived that long.

Still, people want to celebrate with her. Eames, wonderful Eames, had surprised her with tickets to go see a show on the West End, and taken her out to an amazing restaurant. She'd even brought cake over to the boys', knowing a few of them had saved up to get her something. Or, likely, stole it. But she didn't reach out, not really. If you were lucky enough to know it was her birthday, however, she'd happily entertain any and all plans. There was no need to be rude, after all.

---

Nancy's 20 aww yiss.
Uhm, this is an open post. A few starters in the comments. Want something specific? Please let me know!

Comments

[knowntohisfriends]

"Honest, Nance!"

[stauncherhearted]

She just rolls her eyes.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Come on, Nance," he appeals, "ain't always plottin'"

[stauncherhearted]

"Somehow i don't doubt that." Nancy pauses, and looks at him. "Preferred sort of tea?"

[knowntohisfriends]

He frowns at her. "What d'ya mean preferred sort? There's only tea kind of tea."

[stauncherhearted]

"There's other sorts," Nancy explains. "lemon, ginger, green, blueberry, chocolate, chamomile. I've got a few magic ones, as well." Nothing crazy, but mostly magic in their healing and restorative properties.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Oh," there's a look of genuine surprise on his face. It's not really... He knew there was different teas out there, 'course he did, but he's never really paid attention to anything other than the plain black tea Fagin always keeps in. They make it strong in the den, and sugar is often added, and they do their best to keep fresh milk around, but otherwise it's always that tea.

"Best stick with plain, Nance. Don't think the lads'll take well to a new sort."

[stauncherhearted]

She heaves a sigh. "Alright, just thought maybe you'd want to switch it up today. Regular tea it is." A large box of tea was procured from the same cabinet, and Nancy wasted no time in getting the bags ready.

[knowntohisfriends]

"What's wrong with normal tea?" He feels like he's missing something here, because why would Nance sigh at him wanting normal tea?

[stauncherhearted]

"Nothing's wrong with normal tea," she says. "I just thought maybe you'd want a change up, that's all." And here she is, casually pouring the tea into the thermos.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Maybe. When it's warmer."

[stauncherhearted]

"Maybe." They both knew it wasn't happening.

[knowntohisfriends]

"Thanks, Nance." He gave a genuine smile. They were rare, and Nancy had probably seen the majority of them. She didn't have to still help them out, especially since she'd left the ol' crook's protection, but she still came round, still looked out for them all. It was ... it was nice.

[stauncherhearted]

She knows that smile, and every time she sees it, she treasures it. Though, how few and far between the real smiles were always had her worried.

"O'course," she tells him, shrugging the whole thing off. "It isn't anything." Just common decency.

[knowntohisfriends]

It was always easier to put on a face in their world, the Dodger didn't have to explain that to Nancy. It was getting to a point though were he wasn't sure what his real faces were anymore. He was too good at playing his part.

"Still, you don't have to do it."

[stauncherhearted]

"I know." But she'd do it anyway. as long as she was alive.

[knowntohisfriends]

He knows. She'd never stop. He's not sure if that's good or not.