|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 8:59 pm
“I care about you two a lot too,” Brooklyn squeezed Atticus’ hand and nodded, swallowing and feeling somewhat lighter that again…they hadn’t laughed or told her they wanted nothing to do with her. That they were still here, saying that they wanted her to be okay.
“I know how to fight…I know how to win some fights, you can’t…I mean you can’t really survive in the places I’ve been without knowing. It’s fight or be eaten sometimes…and other times it’s fight and be eaten so…but um. If you’re doing any self defense classes or anything and you could sneak me in? I’d love to join you two…it could be fun and good exercise, yeah?” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave the hand in hers one last squeeze before drawing it away. “I’m pretty scrappy…or at least I think I am. But…if you’re telling me not to pick fights with people who might be in the Negaverse, I’ll make that promise to you. Yeah. Especially if it helps Atticus to stop crying…will it help, Atty? I mean…I really…I never wanted to cause you to cry…”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2022 9:13 pm
“I don’t really like fighting,” Atticus admitted, offering Brooklyn a small, somewhat sheepish smile. He just didn’t like how it felt getting hurt. And punching things hurt. He wanted to protect people, of course! He wanted to be able to defend Elliot and their families, but he really thought it was a waste of time to try and teach him self defense when he was already pretty scrawny. He was still trying to gain some of the weight that he never had from before…
“Yes, thank you,” he smiled again and nodded, grateful that she was going to not pick fights with the Negaverse, although…
“Oh,” he said quietly, feeling his cheeks flush red as he debated on saying something or not. It wasn’t hurting anyone, so maybe he was making a big deal out of nothing, but… “Um… I actually, um. I picked the name Atticus for myself so, I mean. I think I like it as it is. If that’s okay? I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized because he knew she was just being friendly, but his name was important to him.
He glanced up at Elliot to see if maybe he was overreacting, or if he should just let it go, but he wasn’t sure if he would even know if someone was talking to him if they weren’t calling him Atticus. He knew Elliot had nicknames! So maybe he should have just kept his mouth shut and lived with it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2022 9:02 am
Elliot just smiled at him and rubbed his back reassuringly, like he was proud of him for voicing his discomfort. Atticus had come a long way already, and Elliot wanted him to be comfortable and confident in himself.
“Oh yeah, I’m sorry, Brooklyn. I didn’t even ask if it was okay if I gave you a nickname. Sorry! If you have anything you’d rather me call you, just let you know. I mean, we’re friends, so I don’t ever want to do or say anything to hurt your feelings. I don’t want you to feel like you have to worry about talking to me about anything important.”
Especially because she had just trusted them with this information about the Negaverse.
He offered her a hopeful smile, “The Negaverse aren’t like normal people. I mean, you’ve seen their magic. They don’t fight fair, so no matter how scrappy you might be, they’re still cheaters. I’m sorry, I know this conversation has been kind of all over the place. But I’m glad you trusted us enough to talk about it, Brooklyn. You’ve been through a lot. I know it’s not much, do you two want to go get lunch or something? My treat.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 1:42 pm
Brooklyn didn’t flinch at Atticus’ words, and that was only by sheer determination and years of practice with keeping her face as blank as she could, but she did grow quite pale regardless and swallowed hard, giving a nod, and then thinking better of it and shaking her head. “No, I’m so sorry, Atticus I didn't mean anything bad by it, I’ve. I mean. Going to what Elliot just said too, I’ve never had anyone that…I felt comfortable enough to give a…well. A real nickname too…or had anyone that liked me enough to give me one…I won’t do it again, and I truly am sorry…”
She should have asked, but…Elliot had done it so easily with her, and it had felt right.
Still.
“I…Um. Yeah, lunch sounds good, or…mm…can we rain check? I uh. I have a paper that I need to get done, but maybe tomorrow if you guys are free…just. Just text me when’s good…and where I should meet you…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2022 7:16 pm
Atticus felt his face turn red and he lowered his eyes in shame when Brooklyn gave him that blank look. Told him how she hadn’t felt comfortable before to give someone a nickname.
Was he wrong? Should he just let her call him whatever she wanted? He liked his name. It was his. The first thing he ever had for himself.
Elliot seemed like he was reassuring him, but he was also apologizing to Brooklyn about the nickname he gave her. Atticus hadn’t meant to cause any trouble. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut and just accepted it.
He chewed anxiously on his lip as his shoulders drooped a bit. She was even refusing food. That didn’t seem like Brooklyn at all. Atticus lifted his hands to scrub at his eyes, willing himself to keep any new tears from falling.
“We can text you,” Atticus agreed, because now he felt even worse than before, and leaned heavily against Elliot as a result. “Please stay safe, Brooklyn. We care about you a lot.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:21 am
Brooklyn might have been trying to hide her emotions, but Elliot was already looking for them. Maybe it was just in his nature to try and keep an extra eye out for those things, but he couldn’t help that he cared about his friends and wanted to make sure that they were okay.
He didn’t have to look at Atticus to know that he was worried, too. He rubbed Atticus’ back reassuringly and pulled him closer.
“We can rain check,” he promised, but reached over to take Brooklyn’s hand so he could give it a squeeze. He smiled again, this time as reassuring and gentle as he could make it. “It’s okay. You know we care about you. You’re our friend. And if anything’s ever bugging you, promise you’ll tell us. We care about your feelings, and we care about you, so we’ll help however we can. So we’re looking forward to seeing you again soon, okay? But be safe. My parents are gonna be really excited to meet you. My dad’ll bake you something really nice. Do you want anything special?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2022 7:20 am
Brooklyn nodded and gave a little smile, feeling just a bit better. “Anything food related is good to me, but…maybe something strawberry?” She reached out and poked Atticus on the cheek, before doing the same to Elliot.
“I’ll see you both soon, okay? Wish me luck with this dumb essay.” Making a tragic face, Brooklyn waved once again and took off, sprinting away from the two. There was a lot she wanted to think about, and her head felt a bit like a three day old stew, but…
It was okay. She’d finish her essay and text them and tomorrow they could have a good lunch tomorrow.
Perfect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
