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 Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 5:37 pm
After his meeting and chat with Jasper in the hobby store and his new haul of puzzles, Nick made his way to Caius’s room and knocked softly, rocking back on his heels as he waited for the boy to answer.
They hadn’t just spent time together as just the two of them for far too long, and honestly, Nick wanted it. He wanted a weekend up on Whisler with himself and his son and wanted to do some puzzles while they were there. It wasn’t too much to ask, and there was nothing about it that Arias could take any offense to…and Leah and Carlee could hold down the fort in the bakery so there was nothing stopping him.
“Hey, Caius? It’s me, Figured you might think it’s Leah but, nope, surprise!”
The door was slightly open, so Nick helped it along slightly, poking his face into the crack and widening it. “I wanted to know if you were free this weekend? I got some new puzzles and wanted to know if you might…want to take a trip with me? Uh…”
He paused and tried to figure out the best way to say what he wanted…the apartment was as safe as houses but.
“...North?”
Caius was smart. He would understand.
Nick hoped.
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:46 pm
Caius had been quick to invite Nick to come in; he’d been on his computer doing a bit of work. He had always been a bit reclusive by nature, but being here had given him the tools he needed to open up and be less reserved. He had been busy–stressing about college. He knew further education was optional–he had a good job at the bakery and it obviously wasn’t going anywhere any time soon.
He was happy there, and honestly for right now he liked the idea of creating art and mascots. He got paid for it, and he enjoyed the environment, and being around his family.
But, he was pretty sure he still wanted to go to college. He liked the structure of school, liked the structure of his life. He had tentatively broached the subject of maybe taking a few business classes and art classes, and Arias and Nick were all too eager to support him. They probably would have paid for it all too, but he’d put in enough work to earn him a few scholarships. He had at least four semesters covered under Destiny City University, and he’d applied for a few grants to cover extra expenses, and–
It was still intimidating. He was glad that Nick had knocked on his door to interrupt him from perusing all of the programs DCU had to offer, even if he’d gotten his first semester taken care of. There was always so much going on, and–
Getting away from it all sounded really nice.
He was excited for everything going on here!
…But a break from it all was probably a really good idea. He could feel the edges of his mind fizzling and was worried he’d burn himself out, anyway.
His hair was tied up in a massive, sloppy bun, and he’d obviously not been drawing; his tablet was on the other side of the room. He was sitting cross-legged on the bed, and Nick’s arrival reminded him that his ankles were starting to ache.
“I’d like that, yeah. Do you have to speak in code here?” he asked; he didn’t think they had company. And Leah was sort of visibly an alien, so he thought this whole place was fairly safe. But then, maybe Nick just liked the idea of speaking in riddles like this was some big adventure.
“I was just looking over college things. It’s so much. My back has never ached like this while drawing so I know I’m probably overdoing it. Is everything okay though?”
Just in case. He was just as eager to go on a minivacation as he was to help Nick if he needed anything.
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 1:47 pm
“Well, no but it’s always fun to speak in code, at least I think so. And I didn’t know if you were like…talking to anyone or on the phone or anything like that. Also, with the back aching.” NIck gave a dramatic sigh and walked over to Caius’s bed and took a moment to position himself so that he wouldn’t be crushing anything that his son had been looking at before he let himself fall backwards, making sure to be as extra as possible with his overly done “Oof!”
He grinned and shook his head at the boy. “It also just means you’re getting old! Alas, my son is going off to University, the days of his sweet youth have fled! All that’s left is the pain of old age, alas!”
Reaching out, he poked the boy’s knee. “Of course everything’s okay. I just wanted some time with you. I miss you and I feel like we don’t get enough us time. Father son time. If you’re interested, and you sound like you are, so…let’s do it.”
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 2:11 pm
Caius gave Nick a half heartedly exasperated look, as if he’d ever been one to talk much on the phone. He always seemed a bit anxious to get off of it; he didn’t like long conversations and always worried that he’d miss a social cue if he wasn’t in front of someone while having a conversation. It wasn’t like he had that many friends to chat with, anyway. He preferred text far more, it was just casual and convenient. But, he understood that Nick was being safe. There was a lot at stake here, a lot to protect.
A smile had ticked onto his face at Nick’s dramatics, and he scooted back just a bit to make room.
“Leah is way older than all of us put together and she doesn’t have back problems,” he protested, but he took the opportunity to lean back and relieve some of the stress on his muscles. He was trying to be better–take breaks from the computer screen to rest his eyes, drink water, eat healthy, don’t slouch so much…
A break from all of this hard work sounded like a good contribution to those efforts.
“I’m not going to be going really far for university, it’s just like high school. Except, actually, I’ll be in school for a lot less time. So you’ll probably even see more of me.” He didn’t know why he felt like he should reassure Nick–maybe because he was just so grateful to be here. Especially because Nick and Arias had already emphasized that this was his room for as long as he wanted it, and they’d already talked about how it was practical for him to stay and save up for as long as he wanted. They liked having him around, it was an easy decision.
“I’ll pull out my winter clothes, it sounds fun. Would it be okay if I brought a sketchbook? My hands have been kind of twitchy, I feel like I’m going to get inspired soon but I’m just waiting for the right moment. I don’t want to miss it.”
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 3:13 pm
“You know that I’m just teasing you, Cai.” Nick chuckled and nodded eagerly at the idea of the boy bringing his sketchbook. “I think that sounds amazing. You know I love your artwork and I love when I get to watch you work too.” He tried not to, tried not to look as though he were watching when he was…the very last thing that Nick wanted was for Caius to be self conscious with him around…or to know that he was being watched.
“You have amazing talent and getting to watch it is honestly like watching a…movie or like…something artsy. An ice skating competition or something like that. It’s magical.”
Hopefully that wouldn’t be too much to say, but still.
“I don’t want you to miss it either. And I tell you, having your feet in a hot spring is a great way to find inspiration, at least I think so. How about we plan to go right after the shop closes on Friday? Unless you think I can sweet talk Arias into letting us have Friday off too…”
He looked thoughtful and grinned. “Yeah. Be ready for Thursday, I’ll work my magic on your father. I’m sure he’ll agree.”
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 4:31 pm
Though Caius was still a bit nervous about people watching him work, in the time he’d been with Nick and Arias he’d built up enough self esteem to be comfortable around them. But then, they’d always been supportive. He didn’t worry about things with them. They’d been respectful and courteous, and–
Well, he was still not the best at accepting praise. He pretended to distract himself by tucking his hair behind his ear. He mumbled a brief thanks, quiet and sheepish, but he didn’t want to seem ungrateful for Nick’s kind words. He was better now than he used to be! He’d almost even grown out of his imposter syndrome! Sort of. Some days were better than others, but today felt like a pretty good day.
“A hot spring does sound really good, though.” If his back was a little sore from all of this college research and application things. “I’m sure he’ll agree, if you want to do a long weekend.” Arias was usually very understandable, and it probably helped that he seemed to genuinely love his job. He could get extra coverage if he needed it.
And, Caius was a little excited to get to head back up to Polaris. He hadn’t been out of Destiny City in a while, and he hadn’t gotten to spend much time with Nick, either.
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Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2023 5:06 pm
“Perfect.” NIck leaned over and kissed the top of Caius’ head, grinning at him for a moment before getting up and walking to the door. “I’ll start packing then and talk with Arias. I’m really excited, and glad that you want to go with me. We should do more stuff together.”
He honestly wanted it, if it could actually happen? Eh. Caius was growing older. Going to University…but…they were still, and would always be a family, and that was what really mattered.
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