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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:52 pm
Quote: Destiny City is hosting an annual scavenger hunt during the Star Festival to encourage people to get out and explore their city. The prize for turning in a completed scavenger hunt is a coupon booklet and a few free tickets to upcoming city events. Even if you aren’t interested in the prize, the scavenger hunt is specifically designed to take you through the city to showcase a few historic buildings, some art installations, and some of the city’s greatest accomplishments. While many of the places are familiar, during your explorations you come across a building you’ve never seen before--something that feels out of time. You’ve been in the area countless times before, so how did you miss this place? When you lay eyes on the building, you feel a strange timelessness and have the distinct sensation of being a part of something bigger. Briefly, you may see flashes of some distant past--a flickering memory that you can’t quite place or fully form. It’s hard to make out, but at some point in time you have the distinct impression of a faded figure taking your hand and telling you to do something. They sound hopeful and encouraging, like they really believe in you. By the time you blink, the visions are gone, the building is gone. The only thing that remains is a beautiful little garden and a plaque so faded that you can’t make out the inscription. Nights like tonight were some of the reasons why Lukas loved Destiny City. For all its flaws and odd things happening, There could still be happiness found where one least expected it. Or in this case, did expect it. The entirety of the community decided to make a field trip of the City’s Star Festival and head down as a group to complete the advertised scavenger hunt. With money being tight, a coupon book and a few free event tickets were well worth the trip down. Fun sometimes cost money, and any bit of a sale could be the difference between a good, hearty meal, and gorging on ramen for the week. Lukas, though, didn’t think about the prize, or the possibility of doing more this time. No, his focus was was solely on the city itself. What other place would have a celebration specifically for kindness and good will, without the greed that surrounded Christmas? No other city he stayed in had this same sorta event that kept him outside, learning more and more about this place and enjoying the company of his people around him. And that included Wyatt, who seemed to be slowing down. Not that Lukas could blame him, they had been out here for hours so far. ... Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to be kind every now and then, especially during a festival all about that kinda stuff. “Hey there, you doing okay? You need something to drink, or a break?”
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2020 9:13 pm
The first hour had been okay. Going in to the second hour, his ankle was starting to ache, despite the support sleeve that he usual wore while doing his, albeit now much lighter, work at the park. Still, he'd come along on this little scavenger hunt, even if only to protect his little park family. For the most part, he found himself actually enjoying the sight-seeing. Not that he would admit anything or show anything other than calm indifference. A half hour later, his knee joined in with his ankle, also in spite of the brace he also wore there as well. Both supports were hidden under his pants leg, as despite everything Wyatt was still a very prideful creature. This pain wasn't all too unfamiliar, as Wyatt had been regularly pushing himself to a point where he could practically feel the physical therapist and doctors back in Colorado wincing at the abuse he was putting his, still fairly freshly injured, leg through. Still, he persisted in the hunt. Then more time dragged on, and despite his best efforts, what had become a light swagger became a slight limp, or favoring of one leg over the other. The more time that went by, and the greater his pain grew, the more...snippy he became, despite his efforts to both hide his pain, and maintain his civility. Now it was many hours in, and the daylight they had started out with was gone. Practically the only thought in his mind was the agony he was still determined to hide. "I'm alright," he replied with a shrug.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 11:47 am
Of course he was going to say he was alright. They hadn't known eachother very long, but so far there were a few things Lukas noticed about the other man. For one, he was certainly a prickly, prideful man. Not mean persay, but certainly... Irritating. Someone who wanted to do so much, but all on his own. That wasn't too surprising... But that didn't mean Lukas was going to simply let that little limp he noticed go by, or how he went a little snappish to some people. Those who had been around longer simply brushed it off. 'Oh, he just gets like that sometimes, he's probably hangry'. But... No. Especially not now, with how much time had passed since they started. "Well, you may be alright, but I'm feeling a little tired. I think everyone is starting to spread off for dinner at different places. I think we got a few more places to hit though if we want to win that prize. Want to maybe finish up together, then grab a bite?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 1:14 pm
"That sounds fi-" Welp, that was it. Everything finally culminated in his hip finally gave a silent pop, which meant fire for the rest of his leg and Wyatt's words were cut of by a sharp intake a breath. It was a sharp hissing sound that accompanied the pained look on his face, and he instantaneously went down on to his good knee. As the initial shock and wave of nauseating agony passed, he awkwardly scooted to sit on the steps of a building they had just been walking by. "Damnit," he muttered under his breath, as he took a minute to breathe, looking a bit feral as his hair fell into his face which had paled considerably and wore a mix of pain and anger. Breathe. Breathe. Don't throw up. Breathe. And of course, of all the people for this to happen around, it was Lukas. He wasn't sure why that really mattered, but for whatever reason, it did. Maybe it was a whole alpha male thing, even though they had come to their little weird agreement that split the role between them. Still, he'd have rather his weakness catch up to him around any one of the others. Kapoodles Edited to play with wording and detail
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:10 pm
"W-woah! Dude, are you--" Lukas stopped that question in its tracks. It was plenty clear that he wasn't alright. When he dropped to his knees, well, the red-haired man could only freeze in a moment of panic. He was torn between the need to help, and the fear that he would only make things worse. Especially with that glare Wyatt had. Instead, he waited a moment, before sighing and kneeling before those steps Wyatt decided to sit on. "Is there anything you need? Water? Pain meds? Do you need to go home? I can take you there, just say the word, alright? I'm here for you." There was no way to really get around those questions. Wyatt was clearly suffering, and here he was, looking and feeling helpless in this situation. It was all far too familiar, and he hated it. "I'm here."
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:52 pm
"I just need a moment," Wyatt said, breathing deep still, but...recovering. He then took off the small messenger bag he had slung across him and started digging through it. Meds and water he had covered - he sat those aside and pulled out the folding cane that he begrudgingly kept on him in cases such as these. He was actually supposed to be using it fairly regularly but..well.... Wyatt was stubborn and prideful. Now, more collected, he supposed Lukas was owed an explanation. Wyatt wasn't going to give the full details unsolicited, so he'd keep it short and simple. If Lukas really wanted to know, well, it wouldn't be too hard to look up his social media. Shortly before he had left Destiny City, he had set up an account and chronicled his journey in videos, images, writing... In there was a view of a much more open and light side of Wyatt - singing to the radio, humorous rants in both video and text about how truck stop gas station food had no right being as good as it was, funny and sarcastic reviews of places he had stopped at... Pictures of him at the ranch... Then nothing. The last thing posted wasn't even his post. It was the son of the ranch owner who had posted to Wyatt's page an article of the accident. "I was in an accident shortly before returning to DC. Turns out big rigs and horses don't mix. Go figure." The dry humor was.....something. Wyatt unfolded the cane and sat it aside as he then took the water bottle and medication. Ugh. He didn't gag easy (heh,) but pills were always kind of difficult, and he shuddered and shook his head, making a weird face that would have been funny if not for the given situation as he felt it go down. Wyatt then put the medication and water bottle back in his bag. Running a hand over his hair he pushed the straying strands back in to place, and gave a heavy sigh. "Thanks for the concern. We can keep going just...need to sit a while." He was too stubborn to let this ruin the 'fun.' Too stubborn to quit.
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 1:17 pm
"Alright, if you're sure..." A moment or longer didn't matter. If Wyatt needed to rest, they very much would. Instead of continuing to kneel before him, Lukas took up the space beside Wyatt, sitting close, arms ready to hold him the moment he started to sway again. But... Perhaps he really wasn't needed. With the way the other man went about seemed to point to having been used to this happening. And that made Lukas' heart drop to his stomach. A fear settled there, only expanded by the vague information. It was natural to worry, wasn't it? Even if he didn't particularly like Wyatt, he could still feel that same need to care for him that plagued him years ago. And now he wanted to know more... Maybe he would have to look up whatever happened to this man. For now, he stayed by his side, just within reach. "... You're not a foot through death's doorway, are you?" It was blunt, but how else was he going to ask? He needed to know, for the sake of the park, and for his own. Contingency upon contingency needed to be prepared. He needed to know what should happen if this... If the end was closer than not for Wyatt. "We don't need to keep going. Coupons are a dime a dozen, and your health and wellbeing matters more. No one is going to be upset if we decide to go back home and relax."
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:37 pm
Wasn't everyone in Destiny City just a stones throw from death? Those involved in the War, especially.. He couldn't tell Lukas that. Nor was that what he meant, Wyatt was sure. Wyatt leaned a bit and idly rubbed at his ankle as he replied. "Nah. Medically - perfect health. Mentally, eh," Wyatt made a so-so motion with his hand, "That's questionable, but we've all got our demons - some ghosts," He shrugged. He had dealt with most of them as well as he could. He felt like he was dealing well enough, but he wasn't really going to test that. "It's just physical damage. You could try to return me for a non-damaged unit though," Wyatt said,looking over at Lukas with a soft smirk to his lips and a mix of playfulness and 'it is what it is' resignation in his eyes. Wyatt was...at least trying to be humorous about it. Mostly because..he could tell Lukas was bothered. He wouldn't inquire about his health in that way if there wasn't some sort of something going on there. We've all got our demons, indeed. Wyatt wasn't going to go asking though, not when it was simply just a feeling he got from Lukas, that his concern was triggered by something deeper than just friendly concern, and not even directly because of him and his... whatever.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 2:35 pm
“Some demons... Ghosts... A few gremlins and goblins thrown in there too. But still... Some of those you can get help with. So if you do need it...” He trailed off just a bit, watching him rub his ankle. .... He didn’t like that resignation. He didn’t like that sorta just.... Settling for a situation. “No, I think I got you as you are, and will keep you as you are. Though... You know, I’m pretty good with my hands. Being the whole repair man is my job, and I’ve been told that I give really good massages. If it helps, I could give your legs a rubdown once we get home. And I got that tub that’s set up in my new place, so you could soak in that. Maybe some epson salt will help too.” Maybe he should have, maybe this was a good place to simply stop and keep that wall up between the, but what was the point in that? It felt like it went against his very nature to ignore Wyatt, especially when he seemed to hurt like this. “Besides, I’m sure many people back home would miss you if I suddenly decided to ship you back for a refund or replacement. Too many memories are tied up with you already, a new one just wouldn’t be the same.”
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 3:01 pm
"I had a therapist once. They suggested I take up plants. I told them to screw off with that. Stopped going. Then I got my first succulent," Wyatt recalled with casual amusement. The theory was that since every living being who he invested time and emotions in ends up leaving, dying, whatever, he try gardening. Start with something hard to kill. Yeah. He was incredulous at first, too. But it helped to learn that too much attentiveness could harm just as much as too little. But in the end, there was only so much he could tell to a therapist anyway... "I.." He paused and thought for a moment on Lukas' offer. He was trying to avoid too much physical interaction - especially from admittedly attractive men. Granted he was assuming Lukas, despite their husband and wife banter, didn't swing that way. Perhaps because of the whole manly woodsman thing, but then again he tended to always assume straight until proven otherwise. BUT, this did just seem like a friendly offer, and not everyone was as manipulative, touchy, and grossly seductive as he had once been. As he was trying not to be anymore. He has spent plenty of time thinking and realizing how disgusting and wrong he had been.... It wasn't right to paint everyone's motives with the same brush as he painted himself. "I'll take you up on that massage, but I don't think I'm going to be going up those tower steps," A small laugh followed. Nope. No steps. Screw steps.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:18 pm
"That was probably some good advice. I've seen your RV, it's covered and if it didn't help in some way, you would have gotten rid of them all at some point, I'm sure." Maybe a therapist would have helped him back then... Both of them. There was too much going on to keep thinking about his own health, so he ignored it. And in the end, he arrived here. That was fine. He was happy here. Even with the troubles that came every now and then. "Hmmm?" That pause was encouragement enough, and he gave Wyatt the most gentle of nudges to his shoulder with his own and smiled as sweetly as he could. "You know... I could definitely carry you up there. I actually like that idea, carrying my wifey up to the house and over the threshold. Makes it feel more official." He could tease too. It seemed like Teasing and going back and forth was how Wyatt dealt with the pain. If it helped, he'd go alone with it, especially since they were still alone for now. "But I understand. I can give you the rub down back in your place. That way when you're nice and loose, you can head to sleep instead of worrying getting back."
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 4:34 pm
There was a humorous look of half-mortified concern at the idea of being carried up those steps. "You'll have to pardon my questioning of the structural integrity of those steps." Not to mention the likelihood of clocking his head on a support. Unless Lukas was just slinging him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes (then slamming him down on a bed all Viking Plunderer style, which was a thought he tucked away deeeeep deep away for now), but his mind first went to a more uh...emasculating princess carry. "I think we can continue now," Wyatt said, slinging his back back across himself and grabbing his cane. If they waited much longer, he was sure his ankle would swell up too much for even his aided hobbling.
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:00 pm
"I honestly don't blame you for that. They are questionable, at best, even with the repairs. But I promise you, I'll be sure that if we fall through, you can land on me for cushion. No harm will come to you on my watch." It wasn't a joke, even if his tone was light and he gave Wyatt a few pats on his shoulder. Yes, he was in fact thinking of carrying him like a bride up those stairs, but piggy back rides or fireman carries would work too. Best to leave that up to the other man's imagination. "Hmm... You sure? I'm pretty sure no one is going to yell at us for hanging out here." A quick glance was thrown behind his shoulder, to that old, nostalgic feeling building before, only to find it gone. "Wait... Wait wait wait... Weren't we on the steps of a building? What the hell... Was this park always here?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 27, 2020 9:12 pm
He'd really rather not do any falling, thank you. "Yeah. I'd rather not become a mosquito buffet-" Wyatt began to snark when Lukas started freaking out. Honestly, Wyatt hadn't paid much mind to where he plopped his a** to collect himself. Though he could have sworn it was steps to a building, he hadn't exactly been in a state to care about the details. "Hell if I know. Care to help me up?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2020 8:17 am
"See, this is why I like our nice little home in the mountains. You don't have any of this crazy, Destiny City bullshit happening.." It was muttered, but still loud enough for Wyatt to hear, especially given how close they were. "Yeah, yeah, sure." He was right, this wasn't something he could really care about, not when his focus was supposed to solely be on Wyatt and his own aches and pains. He held out his hand, and gently pulled the man to his feet. "You can hold onto me if you want. And I can still carry you, maybe give you a piggyback ride if you'd like. That's not too embarrassing, right?
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