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 Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 4:22 pm
It had been a sunny day on Alastor. Devyn had gotten everything he intended to do, and more, off of his checklist. The first part of the day had been heavy lifting and cleaning. One of the roads south of the Hall was blocked by some fallen trees. Heavy rains–but thankfully no flooding–had loosened the already dead roots.
Judging by the distinct lack of tracks along the road, no one had been using it. But, just in case, he’d moved the tree. He’d been working on some better fencing to keep the garden safe. The existing fence was good enough to keep small mammals out but the goats had discovered that they liked unripe pumpkins. They’d gotten into them before Devyn even had a chance to try.
It hadn’t been easy to grow the seeds; they’d been stored in the Hall for ages, kept alive by perseverance or magic or science he didn’t understand. The ground hadn’t been healthy enough to grow anything more than mushrooms and potatoes for so long that he’d been nervous to try.
There was so much more life on his world now. It seemed a waste not to do what he could.
The pumpkins had flourished, as did half a dozen other crops. Devyn had some confidence but the nagging voice in the back of his head told him not to be wasteful. Any catastrophe could destroy all he had left.
He’d expected such horrors to come in the form of rains or rocks or chaos.
Not goats.
The pumpkin wasn’t ripe but Devyn had decided if the goats were going to get into one, so could he. He had a few bites of the pumpkin they were gnawing on before he’d chased them off but it was unfulfilling so he returned the rest of it to them. Then, he’d built a better fence.
Michael was busy for most of today but school was going to be out soon so they could make up for lost time as soon as summer break started. Devyn had kept in contact with him regularly, messaging updates on his projects. As always, he knew Michael could just rely on the necklace to make sure he was fine, but he knew how prone Michael was to his worrying.
After the tree, after the fence, he’d taken a dip in the river. There was no one there to fuss about him but he still heard Michael’s voice in the back of his head, with that soft sigh like he wanted to say something but was holding himself back. Devyn had only been in the water for a few minutes to cool down before he was back to work.
He only took his first break mid-afternoon. He’d been fairly nonstop all day, and though his mind had wandered it was easy to keep himself distracted with the neverending list of work.
When he finally himself slowed down, there wasn’t enough on his to-do list to keep the rest of his thoughts at bay.
Devyn laid under the Golden Oak tree. Some of the roots and trunk had grown into a cozy little spot and he found that his body fit perfectly. It was easy to sink into the curve of the tree, where he could rest his head back and watch the sunlight filter through the dancing leaves.
He’d never get tired of being here.
It was peaceful. Lonely, but not like before. He didn’t feel the constant anguish of being separated and isolated from everyone and everything.
He just felt old. His love for Michael was immeasurable, and between him and Atticus he thought he might feel young forever.
Maintaining a whole world was just exhausting, especially when you couldn’t find everyone else who was supposed to be there.
He was homesick, at home. It was a feeling he didn’t think he could explain to anyone who wasn’t as old as he was, or who hadn’t been born on Earth. He could remember the past clearly, and in that he could think of so many things that existed only in his memories. Meals, songs, games, stories. The things that made Alastor beautiful, that he could only carry in his heart and his mind.
It was meant to be a fleeting thought but Devyn had lost track of time. He’d powered down after getting out of the river, and though his hair was wet then, now it was almost entirely dry. One hand rested on his stomach and the other on a comfortable root. He watched the sky through half lidded eyes, forever admiring the way the sun kissed each golden leaf as they moved. He had one leg drawn up and was relaxed enough that he allowed his mind to wander–for far longer than he intended. Usually, he was more aware of his surroundings and more clever with his emotions.
There was a heavy loneliness in his heart, and an ache that wouldn’t fade. He was fine, it was just more persistent than usual. He was aware of it, but he was so lost in his thoughts that it didn’t occur to him that Michael might be, too.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 4:39 pm
In the time he’d known Devyn, Michael understood that there were things that would always be out of his reach. Whether it be because Devyn held those things close to his heart, unwilling to share them out of concern for Michael and not wanting him to worry, or because there was no reasonable way for Michael to understand the vastness of time that Devyn had already experienced.
He tried not to worry. It wasn’t as though he made Devyn check in with him every hour or so -- Devyn did that on his own. He didn’t make Devyn tell him everything he was planning on doing, and he didn’t harass him when he was doing things that could be dangerous. Maybe he would suggest a safer way, but he wouldn’t reprimand Devyn or tell him he should stop.
Maybe, deep down, Michael was still worried about pushing Devyn away. It felt ingrained, no matter how many times he told himself that he was being ridiculous. And he was being unfair to Devyn’s feelings.
Michael trusted Devyn. It was himself that was the problem.
He’d been busy most of the day. The school year was ending and summer was getting ready to start. There were preparations he was making for some of the summer classes being offered. He wasn’t going to be teaching them, wanting instead to spend that time with his family, but he could at least get everything prepped to make it easier on those who would be offering the classes.
Every so often, Michael would pause and lift a hand to his necklace, as if trying to understand the fluctuations.
Often, he felt guilt for being privy to Devyn’s emotions in this way, and wondered if wearing the necklace encouraged Devyn to be more secretive. There was also guilt that it had once belonged to Percy, and wondered if the Knight he shared his starseed with had similar difficulties with Devyn being elusive.
He loved Devyn. It was a love that was both youthful and exciting, but also felt as though it was comfortable and mature, and even transcended time itself. He knew maybe he was being more romantic than practical when it came to Devyn, but he would easily walk through fire for him. Would go to the ends of the universe. Would face any battle by Devyn’s side.
He would also take a step back and not smother him, if that was what Devyn needed. He could be there when he was wanted, and, despite the pain in his own heart, could keep his distance while Devyn delved into the things only he could work towards resolution.
Michael knew how important Alastor was to Devyn. He wanted to do everything he could to support and encourage him. Even if doing so meant feeling as though one day Devyn would find the people he was searching for there, and decide to stay, because they would need help, and Devyn was responsible and dedicated. It was something Michael loved about him, but also knew would be what would pull Devyn away from him, sooner or later. Devyn had so much to offer to everyone. It wasn’t fair for Michael to expect Devyn not to do everything in his power to help others, to train them, to meet up with them for lunches and dinners, to help encourage and work through their problems.
Michael kept busy with work because it was the easiest way to give Devyn the time he needed to do his own thing.
Sometimes, though… Michael couldn’t ignore the pull from the necklace. He couldn’t ignore how heavy it felt.
It had been most of the day that Devyn had been gone already. And that was fine. It wasn’t unusual, especially when he had so many projects he wanted to get done. Michael wanted to be there with him, but once again knew he could come up with something else to work on instead of crowding.
He wasn’t particularly worried about Devyn’s wellbeing, but the heaviness felt like his own, and, after debating with himself on bothering his husband or not, he gathered up some peace offerings and made his way to Alastor.
Not being able to feel Devyn’s aura wasn’t too concerning. He could feel the pulse from the necklace and guessed that he was trying to rest. Michael powered down as well, and quietly made his way through the lush grasses and wildflowers that hadn’t been eaten by the goats.
He’d emptied out a bag of cut up fruits and vegetables near the front of the hall to buy them a little bit of time, and was relieved that his guess to where he could find Devyn was correct.
The tree was beautiful. It had flourished since the Chaos had been cleared from Alastor, and tiny flecks of light still bubbled and sparkled around it, even in the light of the sun.
Michael felt guilty for bothering Devyn when he was looking so peaceful, despite the turbulence in his heart, and was as quiet as possible in his approach and finally settling down to rest against the trunk beside him. He knew it was probably a beautiful sight to look at the light coming through the leaves, but Michael was distracted by the flecks of light that dappled across Devyn, and on his face, and in his hair. A gentle hand reached over to rest against the top of Devyn’s head, fingers smoothing the dark locks back, hoping it wouldn’t be enough to startle him, but make him aware he wasn’t a goat trying to chew on him.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 4:39 pm
Devyn’s eyes opened and focused on Michael immediately. There was a brief flash of confusion and alarm, like he could have been mentally scolding himself for letting his guard down, but it softened immediately and a smile replaced all other emotions on his expression. “Michael,” he greeted warmly.
The heaviness in his chest immediately lessened, though it was out of genuine delight and not a hasty attempt to cover up his feelings.
He tipped his head backwards just a bit, immediately accepting Michael’s fingers in his hair.
He’d lost track of time and seemed only now to realize that he had neglected checking for any new messages from Michael. Though his husband hardly seemed flustered or alarmed–and he wasn’t even powered up right now–Devyn still asked, “Is everything all right?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:07 pm
“Just missed you,” he hummed softly, and then reached beside him to hold up a small cloth bag. “Thought you might be hungry. And I wanted to make sure you hadn’t fallen asleep in the sun without protection.”
It was true, although the last part was a little more teasing. Michael tried not to be obvious in his worrying. He knew it could get annoying and repetitive, so he did his best to keep things to himself. Especially when there were other things already weighing on Devyn’s mind.
“You seemed like you could use the company,” he admitted, and set the bag between himself and Devyn so he could briefly reach up and touch the necklace he wore.
“Is everything alright here? I saw the fence around the garden. It looks nice. You should have let me know you were doing that today. I could have helped,” he said before he could stop himself. He pressed his lips together soon after, and showed Devyn a warm smile instead.
No matter how desperately he wanted to help, he knew Devyn needed to do some things on his own. He was trying to respect that, but it was hard when he sometimes felt little more than a puppy trying to keep up with its owner.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:13 pm
Devyn only laughed. “I’m sorry, Michael. I hadn’t meant to do that today. The goats got into the garden and I had a spare tree lying around. I ran out of things to do here,” he admitted after a moment. “I thought there would be more. But I took a walk around and I couldn’t find anything that needed my attention.”
He didn’t sound sad about it but there was something solemn, hidden in the delight.
This was his home. He’d always found comfort coming here. He could celebrate its completion, but visiting other parts of his world to give them the attention they needed meant that he’d get to spend less time here. It wasn’t like he could afford to spend most of his day traveling from one place to the other; if he went somewhere, he was going to work there for the day.
“You can help me with the next fence. I just haven’t figured out where to put it, yet.”
He sat up a little, and stretched like a cat who had been lounging in the sun for a little too long. The tree had kept him safe from any harsh light and he had a healthy glow about him.
More upright, he leaned over and kissed Michael. “I missed you, too.” Now that there was food here, he realized he was hungry. And, he did want the company. His eyes lingered on the necklace briefly. “My mind got away from me a bit. Was it too distracting or did you finish your work for the day?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:13 pm
“I got everything done, don’t worry. It was a good reminder that I needed to stay focused so I could get to you faster,” he said, not satisfied with just one kiss, so he leaned close to kiss his husband again.
“Alright, we can figure out where the next fence will go. Here, I brought some apples and celery for your pets, but saved some for you as well. And there’s a few sandwiches I made, too. Just turkey and cheese. Lettuce, tomato, avocado, bacon…” he listed off quietly and a little sheepishly since he’d said sandwiches in such a nonchalant way that they could have been basic peanut butter and jelly, and not on the fancy bread, toasted and carefully cut in half that they were.
“There’s a bag of trailmix too. The fancy nut mix, not just peanuts. And chocolate,” he hummed as he nudged the bag open to peek in at what was packed. “Atticus cut up some cheese and fruit for us, too. He’s going over to Elliot’s and then probably the Moon, he said.”
He pulled out one of the wrapped sandwiches and passed it to Devyn, and then pulled out a couple bottles of water, although it looked like he’d packed soda as well if that was preferred for Devyn.
“So what’s going on that had your mind get away from you?” he asked, pulling out a sandwich for himself to unwrap.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:19 pm
“Oh, you made these with love,” Devyn observed. He got into the sandwiches almost as soon as Michael began describing them. They smelled as good as they looked and they tasted even better. “You spoil me, always,” he said after the first bite. He had a second, and not because he was avoiding the more important question.
“Thank you, for always looking after me.” He’d said it many times before and meant it then as much as he did now. “We should eat these quickly. You know those pets adore you,” he cautioned. “And they’ve been giving me a bit of space but it’s only a matter of time before they decide to come harass me for cutting them off from the crops.”
They were social creatures. Devyn didn’t hunt them and nothing around here seemed to have any real predators. It helped that Devyn liked, and encouraged, the attention.
The downside was that it did sometimes make it difficult to manage some time for himself alone.
He didn’t ask if the boys were planning on spending much time up on the Moon but the thought was in his head. Michael had asked what was going on in his mind, and truthfully, he couldn’t settle on any one answer.
He surveyed the vastness of the land before them; the hill gave him a good view even with the high walls guarding the area and contemplated his answer.
“I was thinking about a lot of things, though. I think it started when I was thinking about what I could do to try and grow some different crops. But I don’t have the time or skill for that and I don’t want to waste what resources I do have. I don’t know where to find wild crops and I doubt I could harvest their seeds efficiently enough to plant anything here. Maybe. But I’d rather have an expert. I don’t really know anyone I could call on for help with things like that. And then I got to thinking, there’s a lot here that I’d like to do but I don't know how. I wondered how long it would take me to learn. But then I started thinking, it would be nice if I could find someone who already knew and could just help and save me some time. Maybe I could barter a few fences in exchange,” he teased, so Michael would know he wasn’t upset. Just deep in thought and buried under the weight of his mind. “But there’s still the issue of finding someone, first. So then, I got to thinking about that, too. And how I wish we were more connected on Earth so that it was easier to ask for help, and offer it.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:20 pm
Michael listened as Devyn spoke, and he took a few bites of his own sandwich as he did so. He could understand what Devyn was saying. There was so much to do. Too much to know on their own. They had resources, but that only went so far, especially when there wasn’t a lot of time.
“I get that,” he nodded in agreement with Devyn, and he was quiet again as he took another bite and thought about an answer. Or not so much an answer, but something to just converse with Devyn about. Maybe they could talk through their thoughts and come up with something to work with.
“I know there’s that Connections app that people use, but… I’ve never been good with social media, and I would feel weird about being asked to just hang out. There are people, like myself, who would like to help, but don’t necessarily want to make it a social thing. Ah, that sounds bad,” he grimaced before laughing softly at himself, a little embarrassed because Devyn was so much more of a social butterfly than he was. But even Devyn was reserved in his own ways.
“I would much rather answer someone asking for help with… plumbing or setting up a fence than I would to talk,” he sighed. He didn’t mind talking, but he did it all day for work. He enjoyed teaching, but the teenagers there usually wanted to be there, since he taught electives.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:23 pm
“I suppose it’s easier for the younger ones,” Devyn mused. “The social media and all. There’s something impersonal about it, I think. Even a letter has more personality. And nothing replaces a face to face conversation. Not that I’m criticizing anyone. Elliot has shown me how to use quite a bit of technology. He and Atticus show me lots of internet things.”
But videos of animals doing silly things, or pretty places on Earth would not help him learn to cultivate seeds and grow them. Not that he was thinking of anything on too grand of a scale–especially because there was no one to tend to these things but him. For now. He’d make contact with someone sooner or later.
“The app is…convenient. But not as precise as what I was looking for. I am sure if I looked enough I could find people, but…”
He sucked in a breath through his teeth and shrugged. “I like to socialize. Keeps me young. There’s a lot of things I’ve missed out on and a lot of time I have to make up for. But I was thinking, especially for other Senshi like me–I have talents, I have skills. I’ve used them to stay alive and rebuild my world. But it’s a massive project. One I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by at present. I imagine it must be easy for others to feel the same. So many Senshi have had help purging the Chaos from their world, but after that? It’s still so much work. It might be free of Chaos, but it has been a bit lonely. Though, I am very fortunate to have you and the boys. And Peter, he’s irreplaceable. And Soleiyu, and Lucien. You’ve all helped me so much. But I think of the boys, too–all the work they’ve done on the Moon. I know they’ve asked for your help with some electrical things, and getting some of the pipes done. Mauvians can do an incredible number of things but it can be difficult to find one. I am lucky to have more than one so keen to entertain me, but there are others far less fortunate.”
He lowered his sandwich, and though he was invested in it, this was clearly a subject he’d been spending a lot of time thinking on.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to show up on a Wonder and have no idea what it’s supposed to look like. Or to be a young Senshi and be expected to pick up the pieces of a broken world with no guidance? And certainly not the resources. I was thinking how there must be some of us who are old, who might remember things others have yet to learn. I know things about many worlds. I have books on some of them. With information that might have been lost to those who could benefit. And Sessrumnir, well. It’s full of information. I think about what rituals and stories and histories might be lost, too. Ah, I think about a lot of things, Michael. Mostly, right now, I am thinking about how I would like to see people have the resources they need to succeed. To connect with people who are eager and able to help where they can. I would like to make it easier to ask for help, and to offer it. But maybe it is just a pleasant dream. It sounds like a lot of work to organize.”
And yet, there was a question in his voice.
He was already so busy. He didn’t want to entertain the thought of more work if it meant disappointing Michael.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:26 pm
“Or to find your summon, only to end up calling her the wrong name for years,” Michael offered to add to the list of things Devyn had for what could have been easier if someone had better guidance from the start.
He knew Devyn liked to socialize. He had a lot to make up for, as he’d already said. And he had a lot to give.
There was an uncomfortable squeeze in Michael’s chest as he thought about all of the things he knew Devyn needed. All of the things that his ex had needed, and why they ended up parting ways.
He knew it had been for the best, especially now after having time to reflect. They were so different and had different lives they wanted to live. Michael was always going to be more reserved, especially in his social life. For a while he’d tried to force being social and the life of the party, but it was all an act. It was just another way to disguise his pain.
But wasn’t that the same for him and Devyn? They were so different. For all of the confidence Michael had, when it came to himself, it was all gone. This wasn’t about him, though. This was about Devyn trying to achieve his goals, about reaching out to others who needed help, and Michael would always support that.
“It does sound like a lot of work to organize,” Michael agreed, taking a moment to have a sip of water before offering the bottle to Devyn.
“I bet there would be a lot who are willing to help out with that dream of yours. Although I don’t think it’s so much of a dream as just needing to figure out where to start. I bet Soleiyu has plenty of suggestions. And there’s always my family.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:30 pm
Devyn laughed softly at the mention of Princess. He didn’t think she really cared what anyone called her but she’d always be a princess to him, anyway. He accepted the bottle of water and took a sip but instead of offering it back he just tilted his head to look at Michael contemplatively.
“Soleiyu probably does. And your family,” he agreed; they had connections and resources that far surpassed his own. But that wasn’t really the question on his mind. It could be done, sure. He could probably sit down for a few hours and make a plan and then start reaching out to make things happen.
…But then after that, when things got set up, when people were recruited, when people were asking for help…
The water and sandwich were lowered and Michael had his full attention. “I don’t know. It’s a loose idea in my mind. I miss the Council I used to have. People who were experts, or who knew how to find experts. Everything feels so much more difficult when you have to solve all the problems on your own. Well,” he shrugged. He wasn’t alone anymore. He knew Michael understood what he meant. Devyn had made no secret of how grateful he was for the impact Michael had made on his life. He wouldn’t have gotten this far without him.
So, his approval was very important to Devyn.
“What do you think about it? Honestly. If I did try to set something up, I’m not looking for it to be weekly meetings or anything. I just want to know who is out there that needs help, and who can offer it. A little, for me. A lot, for the people who don’t have the support I do. Or who don’t even know where to start.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 5:34 pm
Oh. Michael definitely didn’t miss how Devyn had given him his full attention. He stopped mid-bite so he could lower his sandwich as well, and quickly set it to the side. He chewed as he listened, and couldn’t help but smile.
Devyn was cute. Even though he didn’t need Michael to tell him he could do anything, he still involved him when he could. Michael never felt as though Devyn was trying to do things without him, but he knew how active Devyn was, and how quickly he moved through things. If there was something he needed to do, then he wouldn’t hesitate.
So after making sure he’d swallowed and didn’t have any crumbs on his lips or hands, Michael reached over to place his hand lightly against Devyn’s cheek and neck, fingers brushing any loose strands of hair behind his ear. He leaned close to him, too.
“I think it’s a really good idea, Dev,” he clarified. “I was too subtle with my approval and volunteering to help. Sorry.”
He would have to remember to be more straightforward with things when Devyn was being serious and maybe even uncertain. No more vague hints that he believed in him. He knew that Devyn trusted him and knew Devyn knew he supported him. But his idea of what was obvious may not have been so obvious if Devyn was stressed or worried.
“I would like to help. If there’s anything I can’t do, myself, then I’ll help you find someone who can. I’ve been thinking of something kind of similar but…”
But Devyn was trying to get his idea off the ground, and Michael didn’t want to distract him from that.
“So… what? Like a support group? Senshi and Knights helping others when they need it? I like that idea and think it could benefit a lot of people.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:03 pm
Devyn brightened immediately, obviously pleased with both Michael’s gentle fingers and with his approval. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Michael was agreeing–and he knew that Michael was almost certain to support him, anyway, but it made it easier for him to decide to move forward when he knew. There were too many times in the past that he’d gotten too fixed on a project and hadn’t been open minded enough about how it would affect the people around him and he was trying very hard to learn from the mistakes he’d made in the past.
And if he set this up right then it wouldn’t all be on his shoulders anyway.
He didn’t have to carry the weight of every problem, he knew that. Even if sometimes he tried to put himself in the center of it all, anyway.
He just knew that he could handle it. Not everyone else could.
“Something like that, yes. For example, there’s an old run down barn at the village down the road. There are some cows living around there and they seem fine out on their own, but I’m worried that they’ll try to take shelter there when the storms pick up during the rainy season and I just don’t think it’s going to make it through a good hit. I could tear it down in a day but rebuilding it would take me longer and I won’t want to take away the space they’re using. But if I had someone who could help with construction, between you and me and a few extra sets of hands? I’d be done before lunch. Problem solved.”
He might have been dwelling on something heavy earlier, but his attention had shifted and his mood had lifted. “There are plenty of other applications, I think. And I imagine a lot of people have skills they can’t use on their world but might be able to use on another.”
Devyn’s position had changed; he was practically curled around the root he’d been resting on so he could be as close to Michael as possible while still looking at him. “What were you thinking about? I want to hear what’s on your mind, too.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:13 pm
“Asking a group of people to help out, especially those with experience in construction or are okay with manual labor… for that example, I think your idea would be a great success. You’re right. There might be skills people aren’t able to utilize, but that others will be able to benefit from, if they knew where to look and who to ask.”
It was sweet, and expected that Devyn would want to find new ways to help others. Devyn was alway thinking of ways to benefit those around him, and of course Michael would do his best to support him and help him however he could.
“Even if where were people who wanted to help, but not do manual labor, there’s other tasks, like making sure everyone has water, or keeping things on track and organized. Making sure lunch is ready once we’re finished,” Michael hummed thoughtfully, his fingers still casually combing through Devyn’s hair. He could have kissed him again, but smiled somewhat shyly when asked about what was on his mind.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but there hasn’t been any real way I could figure out how to make it happen. When I awakened, there was no one to tell me what was going on. I suddenly had this power and a feeling and a name that I’d never heard before. I was lucky that I had resources to find out more about myself. About Sessrumnir -- at least in terms of Earthen mythology. I even taught my class what a stormglass was, when I was researching it. There are others who are lucky and have someone by their side to help guide them, but I can only imagine how many were like me when they came into their power. I wanted to figure out a way to help everyone learn from each other. Not necessarily making everyone meet up, but… a place where they could feel safe and ask the questions they want to know answers to. Kind of like how Sessrumnir invited everyone to talk and share ideas and collaborate. Maybe someone wants to know how to… cook. Or change the brakes on a car. If there was a way to help everyone become more unified, both in terms of helping each other out, like what you’re thinking, and also being able to answer each other’s questions. It could only be a benefit, right?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:28 pm
That shy little smile made Devyn’s heart flutter in his chest.
He was already going to give Michael his full attention, and despite the fact that the sandwich was delicious, he hadn’t so much as looked at it since Michael started talking.
He’d have guessed that Michael was nervous about whatever was on his mind, and that meant that Devyn needed to listen closely so he could make sure Michael didn’t find some way to talk himself out of something.
It wasn’t ever difficult to listen to Michael speak about something he was passionate about, and it was even easier when their ideas aligned so closely.
“It almost sounded like you were describing some sort of school,” he mused, only when Michael was done speaking. The corners of his lips curled into a soft smile as he watched his husband, who didn’t need to work but still chose to teach. “No wonder you make Sessrumnir proud.”
He couldn’t help himself and leaned forward to kiss Michael’s cheek before he continued.
“You’re right, though. Since I’ve been on Earth, I’ve noticed how much harder you’ve all had to struggle. Senshi at least have a Mauvian to awaken them and guide them through the introductory lessons on being a Senshi. But Knights,” he shook his head. “I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to try and learn everything through empty halls and distant memories.”
If you were even lucky enough to get a memory after getting to your Wonder–if you even figured out how to get there to find out in the first place. And Knights awakened so spontaneously. It was perfectly reasonable to assume someone might become a Knight and not have any idea what to do with it–much less any idea who to ask.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, Michael. I think being more unified could help a lot of people. There is camaraderie in teaching, and learning. Having a good foundation, or a good support system,” he shrugged. “I think a lot of people could benefit from that. Of course, it sounds like a lot of work,” he teased. “Could be a fun summer project.”
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