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 Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 7:17 am
For the first time in a long time, Devyn slept. He’d changed into the clothes Michael had laid out for him and made himself comfortable on the pullout bed. He’d turned out the lights. For a while, he’d stared at the ceiling and just thought, but it wasn’t long before the fatigue crept in.
He fought it off for a while.
He tried to sort things, even though he’d told himself he’d wait until tomorrow. He thought he’d have been able to, but how was he supposed to just wait when it came to Percy?
He spent a lot of time thinking about Sessrumnir, the Knight and Wonder alike. He’d spent a lot of time thinking about Princess. A lot of time thinking about Percy.
A lot of time thinking about Michael.
He replayed everything he could remember. He thought back to when they’d first met. To every conversation they’d had. If he was being honest, he had no idea. He’d felt a friendliness from Michael but he hadn’t known. A part of him still didn’t believe it, but he knew that was irrational. Michael had no reason to lie about that. And he knew things about Sessrumnir.
It didn’t make sense. But then, a lot of things didn’t, and he was just trying to learn to accept that.
He’d fallen asleep still trying to sort it out, and when he awoke he was no closer to an answer.
But, he was closer to feeling refreshed. He didn’t know how long he’d been asleep for but he knew he’d slept. It took a few minutes to shake off the grogginess, and a few minutes more to drag himself to the bathroom to wash up.
He was cleaned up and dressed for the day. He’d only spent a little time on his makeup, and even less time on his hair. Enough to look presentable. Enough to feel presentable.
And then, he decided he wanted to make Michael breakfast. He could smell the coffee brewing so he knew he’d be up soon.
Devyn didn’t quite understand how the machine worked. Or the oven. He knew he wasn’t supposed to start a fire in the house, so cooking was out of the picture, and he’d already made him a sandwich in the last twelve hours, so he couldn't do that again.
So, Devyn pulled out the cereal and milk, and two bowls, and he poured himself one while he waited for Michael to show up.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 8:37 am
It seemed a little ridiculous that a simple necklace would be the difference between being able to sleep or tossing and turning all night. Except that it wasn’t a simple necklace, Michael had learned.
He knew it once belonged to his past life. An engagement gift. A promise. A piece of Devyn’s Core, and essentially a piece of himself, to stay with him at all times.
There was a part of Michael that felt guilty for keeping the necklace, and even more so for feeling so attached to it. But he hadn’t been lying when he said it helped to ground him, to channel his thoughts into reality instead of a whirlwind of his own life’s memories.
He fell asleep with the orb against his chest, and when he woke he fully expected it to be gone. But it was still there, shimmering with gold light.
Michael didn’t bother getting ready for the day. Not yet. He could hear noise out in the kitchen, and while he was trying to convince himself that it was just Peter, he had to see if he’d been dreaming.
He stared at Devyn once he reached the doorway of the kitchen, much like he’d stared at him when he opened the door late that night before. After nearly three months, and so many horrible things that had happened between the time Devyn left for Alastor, he was back. And with breakfast in front of him.
Now that Michael let wakefulness catch up to him, he realized how silly he must seem. He was imagining worst case scenarios because somehow it was easier to be prepared for those. But when they weren’t worst case, he was suddenly unsure of what to do. Clearly brushing his hair or shaving before wandering out into the kitchen hadn’t crossed his mind. He was still in his pajamas with the necklace no longer hidden beneath his shirt.
“Morning,” he greeted, still feeling a bit silly, because Devyn looked much more put together already. Maybe when Michael kept his hair shorter he could have gotten away with rolling out of bed, but now? Not so much. “Sleep okay?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 1:13 pm
At first Devyn only made a brief grunt; his mouth was full but now that Michael was up he swallowed it all. “Like a rock. I was out for a few hours, I think. Probably the best sleep I’ve had in years.”
A lot of years. If he had to put a number on it, maybe a few hundred, but that didn’t even seem real.
So many days seemed the same, it didn’t feel like they should count.
It wasn’t easy to miss the necklace, and Devyn looked at it briefly before returning his attention to Michael’s face. He didn’t seem like he regretted the decision, and just seeing the necklace might have put him in a better mood. Or it was the cereal. Or everything else about this place.
“I wanted to make you breakfast but Peter isn’t here to show me how your stove works and I didn’t want to wake you up to find out. Your coffee was going off, so I thought you’d be up soon. Do you want cereal? That’s safe.”
And crunchy, and fresh. Not warm, but Devyn didn’t care. He’d have been more than happy to just pick at whatever leftovers were in the fridge. He didn’t seem to feel odd about offering Michael his own food, but now that he was intending to be here for a while he’d have to come up with a plan to make sure he wasn’t just taking advantage of Michael or his generosity.
‘Tomorrow’s projects’ had become ‘today’s projects’, and his list had lengthened significantly since last night, so he knew he needed to start working on something today.
He just felt like he wanted to clear it with Michael, first.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 5:20 pm
Michael had taken a step closer to where Devyn was, but paused and glanced down to the cereal in question.
“I can’t say anyone has ever insisted that cereal was safe before,” he commented, a hint of amusement in his eyes even as he looked around as though to make sure he was actually awake. “Please,” Michael said after a moment, not thinking that he had to put his trust in Devyn to handle cereal, but did so anyway.
“Do you want coffee?” he offered, because if Devyn was going to prepare cereal for him, he thought it was only fair to offer him coffee. And Michael planned on offering him some, anyway. “Although, it might not be the best idea for you to get addicted to caffeine,” he frowned, even as he poured himself a cup. “I’ve got other things to drink. Peter made a list of things you might be interested in trying when you got back. I didn’t buy any of it yet, but we’ve got time.”
As long as Devyn didn’t mention any of it to Peter, there was no reason to think that Peter didn’t come up with an idea for a list of things, or collect new clothes for Devyn, or get anything else for him. It wasn’t hurting anyone to not be completely honest when the benefit was for Devyn regardless.
“I can teach you how to use the stove at some point if you want,” he offered, because that was important to know. Especially if it was something Devyn was interested in learning.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 7:01 pm
“In my experience, coffee is generally bad for me unless I really need it. I generate a lot of energy,” he assured. “And, today I’m feeling refreshed, so I think it might be dangerous. I’m feeling lively, today. Thank you, though.”
He could make cereal, that was easy. Cereal, bowl, milk, bowl. Not a drop spilled. He was practically a professional.
“I’d appreciate learning how to use it. The next time I’m up early I can make you something warm. I’ve never been picky,” less so now than before, “but I always had a better day when I woke up to something warm.”
For now, the cereal was good enough, and he took another bite and then pointed to the milk in the bowl with his spoon while he chewed. He was far from full, but he still had a bit of a way to go in his bowl, and he had a good bit of milk waiting for him at the end.
“That was kind of Peter. And you. I feel very fortunate that I ran into you two when I did. I can’t imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t.” Probably by the river, or sleeping in strange crevices under the bridge. He probably wouldn’t have powered down, might have gotten himself in trouble. Certainly wouldn’t have been as fed as he was now. Might not have any sort of plan. Wouldn’t have known what was going on.
Things could have been a lot worse.
Of all the things he had to think about, how things could be worse wasn’t on the list.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:14 am
Michael didn’t say anything in response to Devyn’s observations, but instead took a long sip of his coffee as he reflected on how they met, and the circumstances surrounding it. He hadn’t wanted to meet any Senshi that wandered around the city unpowered, but there had been some strange feeling when he finally looked at Devyn’s face. Maybe it was recognition from his memories. Maybe it was something else, but Michael didn’t want to dwell on it.
He did, however, find it convenient that Devyn arrived in Destiny City near where he and Peter were. He didn’t like to believe in things like fate and destiny and bullshit like that, but it seemed too coincidental --
No, he didn’t want to think about it. Chris and Paris finding each other was coincident enough. That didn’t mean all starseeds once bound to each other would be drawn together like that.
After a few moments, Michael joined Devyn at the table and his professionally poured bowl of cereal. He set the mug down and pulled the bowl closer, but didn’t take a bite just yet. Instead, he looked up at Devyn, eyes narrowed on him as though searching for something.
“Your powers aren’t what they used to be, are they? You used to be stronger. An Eternal, like Oberon?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 10:15 am
Devyn nodded; he had another spoonful in his mouth but it was quick to go down and he expanded on that. “Yeah. I’m still not used to being a basic Senshi again. It’s been that way for a while. I was a Super Senshi again too for a bit. But I’ve been like this for a long time. It’s been strange all around. My magic isn’t what it used to be. Doesn’t do what it used to do, either. It got really unpredictable a while back. I thought it was just the shadows, you know. I never really used it much before. Not unless I had to, but.”
He shrugged again.
“I’m more of a hands-on type of person. The first time I was a Senshi like this, I was just a bit shy of eight. The Mauvian said I wasn’t ready for full magic, so I only got the rank of Chibi Senshi for a while. Which got pretty embarrassing, fast. I didn’t want to be treated like a kid. Actually, come to think of it, magic didn’t work quite right then, either. I stopped using it because it kept hitting me instead. And I’m the Senshi of Despair, so at eight years old, I really didn’t want to spend the day making myself miserable. Had enough going on, I didn’t need to be magically upset, too. Comparatively, I’m still much stronger now than I was back then. But I’m also not four feet tall anymore, either.”
Devyn seemed relaxed, like it was easier now to dig through the past. He was a little less worried about what he’d find if he dug too deep now that he knew what he’d been hiding from himself. It didn’t feel like trying to navigate a minefield anymore.
“I was a bit worried I wasn’t going to be able to power up at all. I thought either I wasn’t worthy, or my world couldn’t sustain me. It might still just be a matter of time. I’ll have to try and get stronger here on Earth. If such a thing’s possible. I don’t know if I could convince a Mauvian to give me a chance, or if it’s just my starseed’s that broken. I suppose I should have asked the last time I was here. I wasn’t thinking much about it back then, though.”
Put that on the list, too. He leaned back a bit in the chair so he was sitting up a bit straighter. “Did you remember I used to be stronger or was it just an educated guess?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:05 am
Michael took a few bites of his cereal as he listened to Devyn, appreciative of the gesture to make him breakfast, even if it was as simple as cereal.
Knowing that Devyn used to be stronger than he was now was a little concerning. Michael had heard of others who regressed in power, especially after being rescued from the Negaverse. Could it be an effect of whatever Chaos was on his world? Or because his starseed had been active and alive for so long?
“We can talk to a Mauvian. I can get in touch with Soleiyu… the one who gave you your phone.” And Michael wanted to check in to see if he’d found any more information, and to maybe show him that Alastor was back. Maybe to apologize for making it sound like he was questioning his abilities as a Mauvian to create a suitable phone.
“It’s not a Mauvian’s decision to keep you from being able to defend yourself better. I don’t know what the Negaverse is planning, but It’s never good,” he frowned, and then furrowed his brows a little at Devyn’s question.
“Educated guess. I think,” he admitted. “I don’t know. The memories I had of you were so brief. I think I was too startled by them to pay attention. But you present yourself in a way that makes it obvious you know what you’re doing. Or at least on your world. You said yesterday that you could go out and ask around, but I don’t feel comfortable letting you go by yourself.”
Ah, he supposed that was pretty rude of him. Michael grit his teeth and then let out a resigned sigh.
“Obviously I can’t stop you. And I would appreciate the help, but…”
He’d just lost his father. He didn’t want Devyn to put himself into danger he wasn’t prepared to handle. Then again, Michael could just be underestimating him. But he knew better than to underestimate the Negaverse.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 12:30 pm
Devyn nodded again and swallowed his newest mouthful without really chewing. He seemed to alternate between pacing himself responsibly and getting the food out of his mouth so he could answer quickly.
“Will you come with me? You seem like the best defense for keeping me out of trouble. You’re good company, I like having you around.”
He’d thought as much even before Michael said he was Sessrumnir, which still seemed like something Devyn couldn't quite wrap his head around. Maybe if he saw it–
What? He’d believe it? But what would it change?
Maybe it would just cement this reality.
He was still compartmentalizing everything, heavily, and he had to wonder when he’d gotten so good at sorting individual thoughts and memories to be so selectively accessed. He didn’t know how much damage he might have done to himself in the past with it, with forgetting so much, but…
He didn’t know where he’d have been if he had remembered.
Mostly. Sort of.
He remembered the years after Percy died. He remembered shutting down. He remembered emptiness and anger and despair. He remembered losing everyone else afterwards. In all the years he’d been alive, that era had been his life. Everything after felt like something else.
Faces faded into nothingness. The people in his memory existed in some form, but they were gone. Their faces, their names, their lives, their stories. He’d been in a haze, going through the motions but not living.
He didn’t know when he’d started the lie, when he’d tricked himself. He’d been alone at the time. There was nothing to ground him to that reality and there hadn’t been for a while. He’d lived a nice lie, for as long as he needed to.
And now he was here, having cereal with Michael, and he felt alive again.
He felt like he was moving forward again.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 4:35 pm
Okay, the swallowing food whole was a bit concerning, but it was cereal, Michael reminded himself. It was at least a little soggy, hopefully. He just stared at Devyn in slight distress as he worked on another bite for himself.
Being told he was good company was a little disarming. There were few people that he actually believed when they said he was good company. A couple of his coworkers and their kid came to mind. Pasiphae, although he hadn’t seen her in years and hoped she was advancing her career and staying out of trouble. Belmont, except that he’d pushed him away when everything was happening on that hilltop. He hadn’t even said he enjoyed his company, but he hadn’t tried to get away from him. Until he was told to. Pendour, although if she knew what he tried doing, trying and failing to kill Jet when he had the chance, maybe she would regret knowing him.
Even Devyn was different, or so Michael told himself. He felt obligated to keep Devyn out of trouble, or something like that. It wasn’t that he actually looked forward to babysitting him, he just didn’t want to be responsible for his death if he ran into the wrong people.
He could feel something in his chest twist uncomfortably at the lie he was telling himself. But that was how he managed to function and survive all these years. Pushing as many people away as he could. It was easier being alone.
And yet, with Devyn looking at him, telling him he liked having him around…
“Yeah I guess I can go with you,” he mumbled as he poked at his cereal with his spoon, because it needed much more concentration than the last several bites before.
How long would it take for Devyn to realize he was wrong, like everyone else did?
“Did you have any plans for today? I can see how early Soleiyu can meet us. We might be able to meet at the edge of the city. Stay out of sight of everyone else that way,” he explained, deciding to push past the awkward part of the conversation.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:30 pm
“Not exactly,” he admitted. “Sort of just planned to wake up and eat something and then go from there, so my schedule’s pretty open. I don’t think the things I want to do are time sensitive enough for it to make a difference.”
Well, except for breakfast, that had to come first.
“Did you have plans for today? If you’re busy I don’t mind waiting. But I could be ready to go whenever you are.”
He didn’t want to pressure Michael into going with him or shifting things around, so he watched carefully just to make sure he wasn’t asking too much of him. Especially if he was wary about powering up or anything.
…He was still dealing with the loss of his father. Devyn couldn't have blamed him if he wanted everyone to be a little extra careful. If they needed to push it back for that reason alone, he could have been fine with that, too.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:54 pm
“Luckily, it’s the weekend. I don’t need to go to work again for another day,” Michael explained, figuring he could go into the details about how things worked on Earth at some other point.
If Devyn was going to be living there, then he should probably be able to sound like he wasn’t an alien visiting Earth. Because why would he go back to live by himself on a world that, yes, he should definitely rid of Chaos, but had very limited resources and no conveniences? Then again, maybe that was what he wanted to do, and Michael would support him and have a place for him when he wanted to visit.
“I didn’t have any plans for the day. Probably do what I usually do and look around the city for any whispers of the Negaverse or Ganymede,” he said before taking another bite.
“I’ll feel better leaving you alone if you have your powers back. And that’s nothing against your abilities. They fight dirty. They have abilities that we don’t. Teleporting and summoning weapons and youma. They wouldn’t care if you were an eight-year-old Senshi just getting used to his magic. It would probably make you an easier target.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:09 pm
He nodded once more and didn’t argue. Michael knew this enemy, and Devyn was wise enough to trust him about it. He didn’t know what he was facing off against. He’d heard stories, and had a few run-ins with youma while he was here, but he hadn’t met the Negaverse.
“I can work with that. I’m not helpless,” he promised. “I lasted by myself for a long time on Alastor. But I know the enemy up there. I don’t know it down here. I’ll stick with you. And, I’ll be careful.”
He could be careful. If he tried hard enough. Probably.
“And I’m a fast learner, so I’ll stick with you to make sure I know what I need to. But,” he shifted positions just slightly and sat up a bit more so he could see Michael better. He’d finished the cereal and only had his bowl of milk left. “You have to go to work? What are you going to do?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:25 pm
Michael had braced himself for more of an argument. He knew Devyn knew how to take care of himself. He did so for so long, all on his own. But that was also on Alastor where he and the threat he had to deal with developed together. Here, with the Negaverse? It was different, and he desperately wanted Devyn to understand that.
For the moment, it seemed as though Devyn did understand, and for that Michael felt the building tension ease from his shoulders. He didn’t want Devyn to think he thought he was helpless, because he obviously wasn’t. Just unprepared. Five days on Earth wasn’t going to be enough to be ready for many of Earth’s challenges, even.
When Devyn paused and sat up more before continuing his questions, Michael tensed again, once more prepared for an argument --
But it ended up just being a question about work.
“Oh,” he sat up a little more as well, stirring his spoon in the bowl to collect what was left of his cereal. If he hadn’t already been so tense, he might have laughed at himself for it. He was clearly used to people fighting him on his suggestions because trying to look out for their best interest often was seen as an insult, apparently.
“I teach. Just a couple elective courses for a high school. Uh… younger than Peter’s age. Fourteen to eighteen usually. I teach mechanics and engineering. Building things. Science fair stuff. Lots of math and tinkering with gadgets. I also teach a literature class. Reading and discussing opinions and themes,” he explained.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:20 pm
Oh. Well, that was fitting. Devyn seemed like he needed a second to process it completely but when he did he just smiled.
“That makes sense. You have that air about you. Explains why you’ve been able to be so patient with me. And how you always seem to know everything. Will you be gone for long?”
Well. He didn’t want to sound desperate or clingy, maybe that has come out wrong. Obviously Michael had obligations, Devyn didn’t expect to take him from them.
“Does Peter work too? I can find something to pass the time. Explore the city.” If he explored enough then eventually he’d stop getting lost. “Unless you’d rather I didn’t? I don’t know how dangerous it is while the sun’s still up.”
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