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 Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2022 7:28 pm
“I didn’t say anything before because I didn’t want to scare you off,” Michael started, looking up at Devyn and watching as he got his pen ready and promised he would be back. “But I’m actually very competitive. If you’re going to take care of yourself, I’ll just have to make sure I do it better.”
There was a small smile in his voice, but it was mostly resignation. Devyn had to leave, he knew that. The most he could do was just wait. And figure out how he wanted to tell him… everything.
“It should be safe to power up,” he said with a nod. He couldn’t feel any auras and he was grateful that Devyn waited until he told him it was okay. They were far enough from the house that it would be difficult to pinpoint that location, hopefully. “Make sure you keep that lantern on. The battery should last. And don’t forget to eat something when you can. And drink something.” Oh, but he probably shouldn’t be fussing like he was.
So he took a step back and nodded again. He knew he couldn’t keep Devyn there when he needed to leave, so he would try to make it easier for him.
“Don’t worry about the clothes. I have plenty. Just stay warm, or tear it up if you need to use the fabric for anything,” he suggested. He almost wished he’d been able to sneak in a bag of cookies into one of the pockets, but he knew as soon as Devyn powered up, it would be out of reach until he powered down again, and therefore wasted.
“Thank you,” he said after another moment. “For trusting us to help you over the last few days. I wish things could have been different.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 8:37 am
There were a lot of things Devyn could say, and if he’d had more time or focus he probably would have liked to say them all. Maybe he would have thanked Michael for worrying about him. He might have been endeared by his fussing, if only because he probably hadn’t survived this long without taking care of himself at least a little bit.
It was a good reminder, though.
His world wasn’t safe, this wasn’t some leisurely visit. He needed to find a way to compose himself, he needed to process this. He needed to make sure his world was okay.
It wasn’t going to be good, he knew that. It hadn’t been good for a long time. Probably wouldn’t be ‘good’ for a long time.
He sighed, with more breath than he had in his lungs, and forced himself to power up before he could convince himself to do anything else. He knew what he had to do, he had a plan. Sort of. Short term.
He couldn’t stay for long now that he’d powered up, and he didn’t look much better as Alastor as he had as Devyn.
He managed to look at Michael, though, and he nodded. “I wish things could have been different, too. But I’m glad I met you.”
That part didn’t have to change. He and Peter had given him a chance her on Earth. They’d guided him, educated him, helped him. He was grateful for that, even if everything else hadn’t worked out.
He wasn’t ready to accept it, there was a very strong part of him that was still resistant to accept what he knew.
Devyn wasn’t easily scared off, Michael probably knew that. “I’m pretty competitive too. So I’ll hold you to that and we’ll see where we’re at when I get back.”
His phone was in his hand, and again he wasn’t quite sure he remembered pulling it out. His body has made up what his mind couldn’t. He was going through the actions without having to think about them.
Not having to think was nice.
“Can you let your family know I appreciate everything? I can tell them myself when I get back.”
He just didn’t want to leave them with any hard feelings now. It was easier to focus on them than it was himself, but he knew he was out of time. He just had to press the button on his phone and focus, apparently. Not that he was good at that, but he could try. He was stalling, maybe. He didn’t know, he was thinking a thousand different thoughts and being pulled in just as many directions.
The numbness that had set in was comfortable, almost. The creeping ice felt like it held pieces of himself together, but not enough.
Just a little longer.
Just a minute more. Then, he could go.
He could figure this all out there.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 12:34 pm
"I'll let them know," Michael promised, having to push his hands into his pockets to keep them warm as the snow continued to fall. He was cold, but he didn't regret giving his jacket to Devyn just in case. "Don't worry. We'll all be here when you get back."
It wouldn't be too long, Michael told himself. Devyn seemed confident that he would be back, which was good. No one should have to live alone for so long.
Which was a little ironic coming from someone who tried to push everyone away.
"I'm glad I met you too. Be safe," he said, and while he couldn't offer Devyn a smile, he nodded to him, hoping he could understand that they were all rooting for him to succeed, even if they didn't know him well yet. Any fight against Chaos was good. Even if it was on another world. And even though Devyn had to go back for other reasons as well.
And while Devyn was gone, maybe he really would work on taking things easy. Maybe he would tell his new family who he was, too. It would probably be good practice if he was ever going to tell Devyn.
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Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 5:35 pm
Maybe Devyn saw Michael put his hands in his pocket and figured the cold was finally settling in, or maybe it was just time, but he nodded too.
The phone was supposed to take him home, and then it was supposed to bring him back.
He had to trust that it was going to work, had to trust that the Mauvian who gave it to him knew what he was talking about. Had to trust that if something went wrong, he could get back to Earth.
But, he’d made a promise. So he had to keep it.
No matter what, he’d be back. After he got settled.
After he fell apart and got to pick through whatever rubble was left behind.
“Thank you. I’ll come find you soon. So be safe until then.”
And longer, but he’d worry about that after he was back.
One more shuddery sigh, silent, but the white fog of his exhale gave him away.
Michael was the last thing he saw before he pressed the button and disappeared.
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