It was a worry of hers, that her son was seen as baggage to the people closest to her, but so far, no one had really said as much. Rae had always believed that people without father figures could be amazing fathers, and if she'd known Topher was insecure about EJ seeing him as a father, she'd have told him just that. A part of her was aware, somewhat, but she wouldn't bring it up right now. It was Topher's birthday. He deserved to be happy all the time, but especially today. "Definitely not the fun kind of trouble. And I don't want EJ in that kind of trouble, ever." If she had her way, they'd never find out if her son was immune. "Whatever trouble you guys get into, I'm sure it'll be the fun kind of trouble." Mischief. Playing games and silly things that a young boy always did with a father figure. Because whether he liked it or not, he was a father figure.
She chuckled a little bit. "I'd be disappointed if I wasn't the target at least once," she teased. "But if it's picking on the best friends? I totally want in. EJ can be the initiator and we can just have fun on the sidelines, watching the two of them, incapable of retaliation." Her smile was a little smug.
Tucking the mask into the diaper bag, Rae looked up at Topher again, ignoring the fact that her head swam a little bit. Was it wise to continuously ignore this? Probably not, but she didn't want to ruin his birthday by going home early. "Wait, so you're willing to make me lose some clothes and not lose any yourself? Unfair!" she teased. Really, though, she'd do just about anything he wanted her to. "Maybe later we can strip each other. See what bat-cat fun is like," she poked her tongue through her teeth and smiled.
Turning her eyes to the ground, she shrugged. "I kind of always figured that we're always less forgiving of our own flaws. But it's okay, because if neither of us forgave you, then it would put a serious damper on our relationship, right?" And dependency forbade her from staying angry at him for too long. A quiet laugh followed his assessment of her ownership of him. "Well... I'm kind of yours, so..." she pointed out with a bashful smile. "As long as you don't mind sharing me with this guy, anyway," she added, pointing at EJ with a loving smile as she turned her eyes to her son, who was smiling toothlessly at each of them. "See, I was going to coerce you into making out instead anyway, so... making out sounds like a totally perfect plan to me. Of course we totally don't need the movie for an excuse. For the record."
The motorcycle looked like a completely different bike now that it was blue, and she was glad for that. Because between that and the look on her boyfriend's face as he smoothed his fingertips along the metal, the little bit of guilt that she felt completely dissipated. This was a good idea. The best idea.
His earnest response made her smile grow even more. "I made them promise," she chuckled a little bit. "I wanted to see your face. See that look on your face," she told him. "Was it worth the wait?" she asked, stepping closer when he beckoned for her and looking up at him with love—and, okay, quite a bit of exhaustion—in her eyes. "I'm so glad you like it. I thought you'd think it was too much," she chuckled softly. "Happy birthday, Topher. I love you." She slid her arms around his waist and watched as EJ easily leaned against the two of them.
Family. This was... this was family. Nothing else to it.