✨ Oneshots ✨

Party - Joe Mazzello (platonic)

Happy birthday to Joe Mazzello!

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Joe was sitting in his room, reading a book. Well, trying to read a book. It'd be easier if he wasn't so distracted.

"Stop giving me that look." He told the cardboard cutout of his fellow actor.

Silence.

"...It's really distracting, y'know?"

"I have other things to do anyway."

Joe got up and went into the kitchen instead, making a cup of coffee.

-

Later, there was knocking on his door. He was confused a bit. Though he hadn't expected anyone.... Better than talking to a cardboard friend, he figured, so he opened it.

"Happy birthday, mate!" Was the polite, eager voice of a real friend.

Joe lit up in pleasant surprise. "Gwilym!! What are you doing here? You came all this way?" He immediately hugged him.

"Yeah, I did! I thought you'd like to hang out." Gwilym beamed at him.

"I would love to! Come in." Joe smiled widely in return.

The taller man stepped inside, looking around for a second before he sat down. "So, have any plans?"

"Well, no, not really. I was thinking of going out to dinner."

Gwilym didn't have to say another word; he was invited to join.

"What's Ben doing in that corner?"

"Oh, he was staring at me too much, again, so I moved him." Joe said this as if it could be taken seriously. "Sorry, Cardy B."

Gwilym couldn't help but grin at that. "That makes sense."

Joe nodded. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No thank you, I'm all right."

They sat on the couch and talked, enthusiastically, until the door was knocked on again and Joe got up to answer it.

"Rami! How are you?" Joe was happy to see his friend.

"I'm good, how are you?" Rami said in return.

"Well, great! Gwil is here, too! Come in, you can join us."

Rami nodded and sat down next to Gwilym, greeting him.

"You guys... Didn't, like, plan this, did you?" Joe had to ask. "Don't get me wrong, it's awesome, just.. a coincidence."

"No, we didn't, actually. We just happened to not be busy. Guess we had the same idea." Rami laughed.

"That reminds me, I got you something. Here you are." Gwilym handed the birthday gift to Joe, a small, neatly wrapped box.

"Thanks! Let's see what... It.. is." Joe opened the box eagerly, then stopped as he saw what it was.

He held up the gift — an at-home perm kit.

"Gwilym! Are you serious?!" He cracked up, nearly throwing the box in exaggerated drama. "I already got a perm once, I do not need it again!"

Gwilym chuckled, knowing that'd be his reaction. "Right, here's your real gift."

He handed him another small thing -  around the same size, and when Joe opened it, he thanked him and smiled.

In his hands was a baseball cap. He put it on, proudly showing it off.

"This is a cool hat."

"Glad you like it."

"As long as you don't take it off to show everyone my bad hairstyle." Joe teased, referencing what Gwilym had done when he had a perm.

Gwilym shook his head happily, finding the thought amusing.

--

Two hours later, the three of them were at a nice restaurant.

Enjoying their drinks, they were telling stories and talking about different movies and shows.

They'd also ordered their food, so they were having that as well in between conversations.

"That's what I'm saying, yeah, I think that performance of that character is well-done." Joe took a sip of his beverage.

"I liked that movie, yeah." Rami agreed.

"So, Gwil, how long are you staying in LA for?"

"Just a few days, not long. I'm so jet-lagged now." Gwilym yawned.

"That's a familiar feeling, for sure." Joe added. He then got up to wash his hands, and while he went, Rami ordered a cupcake for him, telling the waiter about his birthday.

"Do you think he'll like the attention?" Gwilym wondered gently.

"Are you kidding me? This is Joe we're talking about. He loves attention."

When Joe returned, he sat back down and his friends acted like everything was normal.

"I'm glad you guys came over to celebrate. I appreciate it." Joe told them.

"Oh, it's no problem. It's great to see you." Rami replied.

-

Then, their waiter and three other staff members came over to their table, and Joe looked at them curiously, before it dawned on him.

"You guys..." He got interrupted by a cupcake with a candle in it being placed in front of him, and the people began singing.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.."

Joe looked very pleased, laughing a little too, as he gave his best friends a funny look. Rami and Gwilym sang too.

"Happy birthday dear Joe.. happy birthday to you."

Joe blew out the candle, and the employees clapped.

"This is so nice of you two. You didn't have to do this.." Joe said, trying the cupcake.

"We wanted to! You're such a great friend to us." Rami insisted.

"Fantastic sense of humor, too." Gwilym added.

"Awww, thanks, guys!" Joe reached over and hugged Gwilym, then Rami.

"Anything for you, buddy." Rami smiled at him.

Gwilym put his hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, you're really wonderful."

Joe was feeling so happy to be around two of his dear friends, so he felt grateful that they'd chosen to hang out with him.

How fabulous.
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Word count: 900