Puffy has decorated the whole downstairs in banners and balloons. The table is laid out with snacks in bowls and plastic cups ready for the fizzy drinks and juices that sit in glass kegs. There are also a small pile of presents sat in the middle, and Punz's cheeks hurt from how hard he is smiling.
Waking up at eighteen should feel no different than waking up at seventeen, but for Punz, the difference is immense.
He's an adult!
"Do you want breakfast, or presents?" Puffy asks from behind him.
"Presents?" He asks stupidly, not taking his eyes off of the pile.
"You get presents on your birthday," Puffy smiles, "although we have a few people coming over later, so I suppose we can wait until then. Drag the day out a bit."
"I can wait." Punz agrees. He's still smiling silly.
A few people turn out to be Sam and Ponk, Niki, Tommy (who was dropped off by Phil), and all of Dream's friends, who all show up in the afternoon.
Punz must admit, he doesn't have any friends of his own, but seeing the amount of people that gather in the house, just for him, makes him wildly emotional.
Puffy brought out a speaker that Dream takes control of. Punz slow dances with Foolish the same way Dream does with George, and Purpled does with Tommy (although aggressively stomping side to side shouldn't count as slow dancing, but Punz let's them get on with it.)
They chip away at the snacks on the table, and Punz notices a new addition of baked goods from Niki. Sapnap also brought some muffins in a tin for everyone, saying his Dad made them and insisted on taking them to the party.
"I think it's time for presents!" Puffy announces. "If we can please make our way to the dining room!"
Punz sits down with Purpled on one side, Dream on the other and Foolish insisting on sitting on his lap, but eventually slides himself off, unable to keep still.
Punz doesn't know where to begin as he looks at the pile on the table. He's never had this many presents before, especially so many on one day, and he smiles like a child. He feels like a child.
He reaches for a red, sparkly bag first, and peers inside.
"This one is from us, big man," Tommy boasts, but even he looks delighted for Punz. "We all chose something to put in there."
Punz pulls out an art print first; an alternative version of him as some sort of game character, in shining black armour and glistering sword in hand. The style screams "Jack", and Punz can even see his signature at the bottom.
"Holy shit, this is awesome." He laughs before Puffy can scold him for his language in front of guests. "I'll have to frame this."
"You've still got three others in there." Tommy jokes, but he's bouncing on the balls of his feet, even Purpled has to put a hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down.
The second thing he pulls out is a small sketchbook with a tin packet of pens taped to the front.
"Phil said you used to draw, and didn't know if you still did or not. If you dont like it, he told me to take it back."
"No I love it," Punz reassures, "I just haven't thought about art in a while."
"You should get back into it," Dream says. "I miss your drawings."
Punz shrugs but everyone can see the tint of pink on his cheeks as he reaches into the bag again.
The third thing he gets is a few beaded bracelets. The first is white and yellow, the second is lime green, black and white and the last is fully purple.
YOU ARE READING
Reputation
Fanfiction"Dream legs it down the alleyway, bag gripped tightly in his hand. His cheeks are already red and angry from the bitter cold wind and his feet numb inside his shoes. He can hear rasped shouts from behind him, and forces his legs to move faster." Or:...
