maximumcake: (cheeky grin)
Max Maximum ([personal profile] maximumcake) wrote in [community profile] ph_logs2024-12-09 01:32 pm

Max's Birthday Month! OTA

Who: Max Maximum & Open
What: It's Max's birthday month
When: Through December, His birthday is the 20th
Where: The bakery, Max and Valdis's Home
Warnings: NSFW content must be marked appropriately



Nose to the grindstone
Early in the month, Max realizes that his store of powdered beet sugar is finally starting to run dangerously low. It's all the macarons and sugar cookies with royal icing he's been making, he's sure. They've been flying out the door of the bakery just as fast as he can pipe them. Not that he blames anyone, but even raising the prices couldn't slow sales down. He's finally forced to admit that he needs help. Like, a lot of it.

That's when a new post goes up on the bulletin board:

WANTED:
Strong arms for grinding. Must be willing to do repetitive motions for extended periods of time. One free pastry of choice for every pound created. Inquire with Max Maximum at the Bakers' Bakery!


What he means is that he's asking people to come help grind powdered sugar in a mortar and pestle for a few hours, but one could be forgiven for not quite getting the same message.

Those who haven't checked the notices might still be invited to help out if they happen to pass by the bakery during daylight hours. Max will be out in the street with the automatic mixer and grinder tool Bart invented for him, grinding away for hours and hours making as much powdered sugar as he can stand.

As people pass by, he gives them the big brown eyes, "Would you like to help?" If they say yes, he will set them up in front of that same grinder and show them how to crank the arm. Then, Max will take up a spare mortar and pestle and start manually grinding more. No time to lose.

"I appreciate the help," he'll say, pounding away with his sleeves rolled up, forearms glistening in the winter sun, "I can't believe I let it get away from me like this..."


Happy Birthday!
On December 20th, it will become clear why Max was so desperate to get more powdered sugar. The centerpiece of his entire party is this macaron tower But, let's back up a little.

Over the month, Max will be going around delivering cards to all of his friends and acquaintances. They're invitations to a 'small' birthday party he's throwing himself out at the home he shares with Valdis. It will be an open house affair taking place all day on December 20th. He plans to have food and drinks but nothing 'too fancy,' he simply wants everyone to come by for as long as they feel like to hang out and spend time with him. No gifts necessary, he just wants time with his friends.

In addition to the cards and personal invites, he also hangs a post on the bulletin board inviting anyone in town to come and visit. Truly, all are welcome. That includes pets!


***

[For Valdis]
The day of December 20th arrives at last! Max has been giddy with excitement waiting for it all month. He asked for the day off of work for this (and so has Valdis) but he still wakes up early so he can put the finishing touches on all of his cooking and baking plans. Some decorating, too. He told Valdis to sleep in as long as she could because she was out late, so he's alone in the kitchen for now...except for the various cat and Pokémon companions that are all sniffing the air and salivating over what they smell. But that's what they do every morning.

He hears a creak from upstairs and smiles. Valdis must be awake. He'd better hurry and put these heart-shaped pancakes on the table before she comes down. It's a surprise. He's already smiling to himself, picturing her face when she sees them.

[For Ylva]
Max kept his own plate of pancakes light this morning because he has early brunch plans with Ylva. She may not have as much of a sweet tooth, but she knows good meat. (Not that kind, shh.) Max asked her over to help him build up the pit for the fire. She's better at this than he is.

"Morning!" he says as he rushes to give her a big bear hug and a headbutt for good measure. "I really appreciate you offering to run the meat station for me today. I've been hankering for more of your perfectly cooked steaks, you know?"

[OTA]
With Valdis and Ylva's help, Max manages to get everything just perfectly where he wants it. There's a buffet of different cake and pastry options on the kitchen table, with the tower of macarons as the centerpiece. No matter how many people come and how much cake they eat, the table never seems to run out. It's almost miraculous. There's also, of course, tea, coffee, and wine to go along with it as beverages.

Max will spend much of the day loitering around the sweets table, so it will be very easy to catch up with him. The first thing he wants to know, of course, is, "How do you like the macarons?" He's very proud of them, even if he will have blisters for weeks.

When he's not in the kitchen or near the cake table, he's outside hanging alongside Ylva in the meat-cooking area. Cake is nice, but it's hard to just have sweets alone. He wants to make sure there are some savory options as well. Ylva has become a pro at this, so he's taking the opportunity to actually sit and relax a little on his own birthday. Imagine that?

"Try the deer," he says to anyone that comes up to the fire, "It's delicious."

In addition to the cake and meat selection, there's one more food table of note: Pokémon specific treats! Max is considering this a soft launch for the new item he plans to introduce in the bakery. Poke-puffs, based on the recipes he got from the Poke Center, so he can guarantee they are completely safe for Pokémon consumption.

"Try one of the poke-puffs!" he encourages to anyone that seems hesitant. "Well, not you. I mean feed one to your pet. They'll love it, I promise."

[ooc: Totally fine to do mingles on this post; it's a party! Assume there's standard party setup with tables chairs and blankets to sit on spread around where appropriate. Max didn't make a present table because he didn't ask for any but someone can make their own if they feel like it.]

[NSFW]
As it is his birthday, he's feeling pretty randy. He won't hold back flirting, and if anyone starts to really mean it back, he might just be up for showing them his birthday suit. But he has to feel he can trust them enough, and he'd really rather find somewhere that's not the house--to spare not only Valdis but any visitors who may show up with awkward timing. Either way, he just wants to have a good time today with his friends and family.

[ooc: Putting it out there that I'm open to doing some light NSFW smut on-screen but I'm also just as good with FTB and aftermath threads. Trying to dip my toe in slowly. My game inbox for Max is HERE if anyone wants to take it there instead.]
theydrewfirstblood: (smile{ gentle)

John Rambo | OTA | CW: possible NSFW content in threads

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-09 09:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Birthday Party

John's done at least one round, if not more, of sugar grinding for Max--and when he gets the invitation and realizes why the poor bastard was running so low, he's tempted to buy one of his pastries and smash it in his face. With a lot of love and affection, but still.

So when he arrives, it's not empty handed: along with a whole basket of fry bread, dandelion syrup, and some really great preserves he's been buying in town and kind of gotten hooked on, he has a present for Max he's going to put right in his hands. Idiot thinks he has to bribe friends to help bake for his birthday...

John's painfully fond of him, and it's enough that he does pretty well at the gathering. He socializes a little, he's not too much of a wallflower--and best of all, he's able to eat one and a half macarons before nerves get the better of him.

And he finishes a whole cup of coffee. All in all...he's damn proud of himself.

[[NSFW]]

It's later in the party that John finds Max, a small deerskin pouch in hand. The present is inside, but he made the bag, too--a small, second gift.

"Next time you try to give me a damn thing for helpin' you with birthday prep? I'll get you something store bought, spend a ton of brass, 'n then you'll be sorry." he teases, handing Max the pouch. "Hell, just in general--you wanna see me flex, just ask."

He blames the sugar for letting that come out of his mouth--but there it is. And yes, he's blushing.

And inside the pouch, Max will find a simple, but well made pendant made of bone with a couple of metal beads on either side, strung onto a leather cord.

"Happy birthday, nerd."
theydrewfirstblood: (down{ soft)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-09 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
John's relieved, thrilled Max seems to like the gift...but then he's exploiting his voice and being charming and fuck this would feel more awkward if it didn't feel so good. He's seeing Edgar, for crying out loud...

His blush deepens as his gaze drops with a smile.

"S' nice of you to say." he laughs shyly. Sure, there was a little skin shown when they got fitted for their suits, but John at least attempted to keep his scars from being too...out there. Success or fail, he tried. He always tries...he knows what he looks like.

"I mean, uh...thanks?"

Yes, it sounds like a question. Compliments are hard.
theydrewfirstblood: (smile{ just a little one)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-09 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
John’s head shoots up to look Max in the eye, wide eyed—yeah, leave it to him to come out and say it, but also holy hell, that’s a lot and John is still getting used to having partners…

But? He’s grown since Hawkeye first broke his brain with a similar comment nearly a year before, so he’s less broken and more…flustered as he grins, tries to stifle his grin, and ducks his head again under the effusive praise. He’s nearing beet red at this point…but he’s not running.

“You, uh—you’re way too nice.” He laughs, finally looking up again after a long moment. “Stealing all my lines, too. I mean, if I had lines. I, uh…I don’t uhm—I don’t exactly…y’know. This. Uh…flirting? Not my strong suit.”
theydrewfirstblood: (grin{ happy)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-10 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
John bursts out laughing at that, soft and warm and surprised—and still beet red. Especially with Max…saying it out loud again. The part about squeezing him…

For a second he remembers the day he came out to the ranch, the stupid hot dog box, and admiring that gorgeous ass.

“Did you actually just say ‘hee hee’ out loud?” He snickers, scuffing his feet against the ground as he shifts a little closer. “You’re a friggin’ cornball—and you’re making it real hard not to want to kiss you right now.”

John is blaming the sugar again. And he’s looking around, still blushing, oh God what’s he fucking doing this could get so weird with Edgar…
theydrewfirstblood: (smile{ fond)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-10 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
John…cannot with this guy. He’s goofy, and he’s charming, and he’s…fucking gorgeous, but he’s also sleeping with Edgar. But Edgar’s an adult, if a very young one…

…and Max wouldn’t hurt anyone. It’s not in him. Not like this.

And he really wants to kiss him. Maybe more, if he can get away with it b

The force of that want clogs in his throat, so instead of answering, John can only look into those sparkling eyes, continue to blush…

…and, with a small smile, nod.
lovinglefthand: (Default)

Nose to the grindstone

[personal profile] lovinglefthand 2024-12-10 03:33 am (UTC)(link)
One of First Aid's friends might yell at him for it at some point, but he really can't think of a better use for his time off than helping out at the bakery. Max's pastries are so good, helping him is basically a public service! So you can count on First Aid being there bright and early to help out.

"Hi Max!" First Aid calls out to him as he pulls up next to the bakery, transforming out of carriage mode with the usual whirr. "What are we grinding? Your notice didn't say!"
redlightgreenlight: (Kinda Happy)

Birthday Breakfast

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2024-12-10 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
Her late nights often don't correspond with Max's early mornings and as much as she doesn't need sleep, she values that Max wants her to, so she stays in bed until her normal time to rise. It doesn't take much for her to get ready, and there won't be any guests for several hours, so she grabs a robe and heads downstairs to find Max and their menagerie busy in the kitchen. Shasta and Ava come over to greet her, Anani winds around Max's feet and Crumpet is dutifully helping as always.

At least one of the four house pets was useful.

Her eyes light up when he sets the pancakes down on the table.

"Good morning, my love," she says. "I thought I was supposed to be spoiling you, today, but I should know better."
redlightgreenlight: (Default)

[personal profile] redlightgreenlight 2024-12-10 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
She does know, every day with him is a gift, especially when she knows someday there will not be a tomorrow. Unless she can convince the goddesses to grant her her wish, but even then...she can't give everyone she loves immortality.

Valdis smiles and kisses him back, wrapping her arms around him.

"It's the best morning because it's the day that started us on the path to meeting each other, and why we can be here, now, in this moment."
rexthebuilder: (confident barging in)

Combat Drill to the grindstone

[personal profile] rexthebuilder 2024-12-10 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
Rex sees the ad and realizes that pastries are things he can actually work towards receiving. Because buying them is out of the question since César won't let him spend his last 100 Brass, saying he needs to 'save' and that they've got desserts at home, ugh. But he wants multiple pastries, and they mostly ever got cakes and those already made danishes in the Providence cafeteria.

He runs over because sometimes it's fun to just. Take a run instead of flying, and it isn't too far away to trigger the "ugh, walking" reaction.

The door to the shop opens maybe a bit more forcibly than is polite, and an excited teenager comes in. "I can grind! Better than anyone here!"
Edited (.... I forgot how hungry this boy is for 1 second omg) 2024-12-10 05:21 (UTC)
actuallyawolf: (little grin)

[personal profile] actuallyawolf 2024-12-10 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
She clings to him tightly, even as she snorts with laughter.

"Don't say perfect, I can't do perfect." There will be at least a few over or undercooked steaks, though she's definitely getting better. It's a process. "I don't mind. Gives me something to do, and it's practice."

Ylva takes a moment to kiss him, lingeringly.
theydrewfirstblood: (kiss{ my heartbeat is a symphony)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-12-10 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
John isn't sure what to do with the absolutely triumphant look in Max's eyes, but it doesn't remotely stop any of the blushing. If anything, it...makes the blushing feel good, more out of pleasure than being flustered. That someone as good as Max is acting like kissing him is a cause for celebration...

His eyes are riveted to Max putting the pendant on, and that tugs at his heart in the best way possible. Touch still burns, but the way those strong hands slide over his shoulders and up to cradle his face feel like firelight on chilled skin. That kind of good, soothing burn.

Then he just--hovers, and his chest squeezes with fondness for the fact that he's giving John so much room. This is still relatively new, his partners have let him go slow and take his time, learn and just feel what's good...

He tips his head, bridges the gap--and yeah, he loves the kissing. Kissing Max is great, warm and eager and tasting sugar on his tongue as he deepens it--not as strong as it is on Siebren, subtler. Reaching up to rest his own hands on Max's shoulders, sliding them down powerful baker's arms that knead dough and grind sugar and fuck that's really, really good.

John moves closer with a low, breathy sound of pleasure, relaxing into him...and it's so fucking good...
tehilim127_1: (Default)

grind, children, grind

[personal profile] tehilim127_1 2024-12-10 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Max gets a call by Sending Stone the day after the bulletin board post goes up.

"Mr. Maximum? Hi, this is Zivia Birnbaum. I don't think we've properly met?"
rexthebuilder: (teenage boy encouragement)

Indeed he is

[personal profile] rexthebuilder 2024-12-11 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Yup. Just an ordinary teenager here.

"Name's Rex." He builds a smaller scale of his right Smack Hand, engages the gears, and sets it to spinning. "I know the drill when it comes to grinding."

And you complain about your brother's puns?
hate_gettin_older: (laughing)

Edgar | OTA birthday mingle

[personal profile] hate_gettin_older 2024-12-11 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
Edgar's here, and dressed up by his standards -- spotlessly clean blue jeans, his one pair of really nice shoes, a snowy white shirt, the amber-yellow vest from the suit he and Max picked out at the Black Stag lodge, and several strings of multicolored beads.

(If this were back at Ainmhian, he might have glitter in his hair too. But then, if this were back there, this might be a different sort of party.)

He's brought a gift for Max, a bulky package wrapped in layers of glossy soft paper and tied with ribbon, and is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to present it. But it's a party, and that means he's also here to have fun with other people! Come say hi.

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