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 Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 10:41 am
Devyn looked down at Atticus with absolute fondness, and sometimes it was hard to look at him now and see the young man he’d met only a few months ago. Chad felt like a different person, far and away. Atticus was here, as sweet and creative as him, but coming out of his shell more. Growing into himself. Devyn liked when little bursts of confidence or curiosity shined through.
“I can do that,” he promised, and he meant it. There was a time before that he suspected Atticus would have tried his best to keep quiet and hide his concerns and fears because he was afraid of imposing, but Devyn was glad to hear him ask it now.
“But you have to promise to do the same. I know your magic can work wonders, but if you or Elliot get hurt, tell us. We’ll always worry, but we’ll feel better if we’re not worrying that you might need extra treatment. And if you tell us when you’ve been hurt, we’re not going to forbid you from going out and patrolling or anything. We just want to make sure that you’re really okay. And I think it’s fair if that worry goes both ways. I’m used to brushing off my injuries,” he admitted, “But only because I know my limits. Sometimes I get hurt and it looks bad, but I promise I’m very durable. I’ve got the scars to prove it. But I trust you. I’ll tell you when I’m hurt. Between you and Michael, I know I’m in good hands. Has someone told you you’re being needy? I don’t think I’ve ever thought that. I appreciate that you express yourself so openly. I’d rather you tell me if you needed something than go without. Praise, or love, or reassurance, or compliments. I’ve got plenty of them to spare, Atticus. And we’ve got a lot of years to make up for when you didn’t get all that you deserved.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 10:47 am
He shook his head when asked if anyone had told him he was being needy. “No, but I feel like I am,” he confessed. “I don’t want to do anything that will annoy you or dad. I know I did a lot before that was annoying to people. I mean… I still cry a lot, but you said it doesn’t bother you.”
And more importantly, no one had acted like his crying was annoying. Not his family or Elliot and his dads at least. No one recently. Which was already a big change in his life.
“I’ll tell you,” he promised. “I don’t want you to worry more than you might already. We’re getting stronger, though. Me and Elliot. We want to do our best. And he’s really wonderful, you know? So… that’s why I want to get him the flowers and chocolate and… and maybe a poem. I mean, he knows how I feel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do more, right?”
Oh oops, he started talking about Elliot.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:05 am
Devyn smiled again and once more rubbed at Atticus’ back.
“No, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to do a little extra. I used to bring Percy neat things I found while I was traveling. Usually rocks. But I’d carve him notes on the back so that they were a little extra special. I hope Michael won’t think I’m tacky if I start bringing him home rocks. He humors me so well already, though. I haven’t figured out how I’m going to romance him just yet. I have all my old tricks, but I want to do things special for him. I think I’m going to write a book. He likes to read. I’ll just have to practice my handwriting a bit more.”
He wanted to gush about Michael, but he also didn’t want to overwhelm Atticus with all of it, especially when he seemed so excited to talk about Elliot.
“I think you’ve got a lot of nice talents you’ll be able to put to use when you’re ready to woo someone. Your art alone can be a love letter. But there are little things you can do to make things special. I like to write notes. I like solid, tangible reminders. Because, you never know when you might need a pick me up when they aren’t around.”
He’d taken good care of everything Percy had given him, and while he wished he’d had more, it was enough to carry him from the past to the present.
“Have you ever pressed flowers before? They make pretty cards. And scented stationery is charming. Poetry doesn’t have to be lengthy or flowery to be meaningful. Sometimes, I like the ones that rhyme. But mostly, I like the ones that make you feel something. Michael’s full of good suggestions, I’m sure he’d let you borrow some books if you wanted to get ideas. I never really appreciated it until I met him. But I like it more when he reads it to me.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:13 am
“No, I’ve never done that,” Atticus said as he shook his head. “But that sounds really creative. Oh, but I’m not really good at reading or writing,” he frowned a little. He supposed he could try reading to Elliot, but he would likely stumble through his words and sound ridiculous.
“He says he likes me for who I am, and I don’t want to try so hard that it’s not me. Does that make sense? If he likes me as I am now, does that mean I should try not to change? I mean… no, that’s silly. I know Elliot isn’t like that. I just feel really nervous I guess,” he sighed.
“That’s really sweet that you would bring Percy things though. I bet he really treasured every one he had from you. He seems like the kind of person who would. I don’t think dad will think you’re tacky. I bet he’d think you were sweet, too. Maybe I can try pressing flowers and… I don’t know… painting on the cards?” Maybe that sounded too silly.
“Are you going to get flowers, too? You should. For dad, I mean,” he said, just to make sure Devyn knew who he was talking about.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:29 am
“I am absolutely going to get him flowers,” he answered, quite pleased with himself. “I haven’t decided what kind yet, I’ll see what they have when we get there. But, I’m proud of you, Atticus. Don’t change in any way you don’t want to, and never change for someone else. Elliot’s a good kid, and so are you. And what works for someone doesn’t work for everyone. I’ve had a long time to find out what I like and I’m still finding new things. It’s always good to try new things, but you don’t have to compromise who you are, ever. I think pressing flowers and painting cards might be more fun for you. But you’ve always liked to make him things.”
And, he knew Elliot kept the turtle Atticus had made for him; he remembered how excited Elliot had been to find it when they were cleaning up their old house and moving into the new one.
“I think he’d be happy just to spend time with you, though. It doesn’t have to be performative, it doesn’t have to be saturated with tokens of affection. Sometimes Perce and I were gone and didn’t get to see each other much, so having those things made us feel like we were still close even when we were worlds apart. We’d pour a little bit of ourselves into everything. All of my letters had a little piece of my heart I was sending to him. Things are easier now. I mean, you can call each other, or do a video chat, or just run across the backyard if you needed to see Elliot. I like that so much more for you, I’m happy things have improved so much. Whatever happens, just focus on having fun, okay? Make good memories.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 1:14 pm
It certainly hadn’t been the first time Devyn said it to him. He’d said it a few times already that day, but Devyn saying that he was proud of him and that he should never change for someone else--
Atticus stopped in the middle of the sidewalk so he could turn to wrap his arms around Devyn to hug him tightly. He felt tears fill his eyes but he stubbornly held them back. He just didn’t ever hear someone being proud of him until he met Elliot, and then he and Devyn said it often enough that Atticus felt like he really was someone they could be proud of.
But he couldn’t imagine how difficult it would have been for Percy and Devyn to be apart. Atticus knew he was spoiled, and he didn’t want to give any of it up. He wanted to hold onto these good things for as long as he could, and forget the images that the Chaos on Alastor had shown him.
Because he knew things wouldn’t always be like this. There was a magical war everyone was fighting. There was no guarantee that they would be safe.
“I’m proud of you, too,” he sniffled. “Thank you for spending some time with me, even if it’s just to pick up sandwiches and look at flowers.”
This was definitely going to be one of those good memories Devyn was talking about.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:30 pm
The pause was not unexpected, nor the hug, nor the sniffles. He wrapped his arms around Atticus and pulled him close so he could return the hug. “I like spending time with you, Atticus. You’re wonderful. I have a lot of fun with you, but I’ll spare you the list of why because I don’t want to get your eyes all runny. Even if they’re good tears! I want you to be excited and happy for your lunch with Elliot.”
He rubbed his back, never ashamed to be seen in public with Atticus, and not the least bit worried about what anyone else might think. Atticus was the important part of this equation, and the only one that mattered right now.
Well, he supposed he mattered too, but he was happy with this–on a world bursting with life, safe, looking forward to the future. With his son.
“We’ll have to spend more time together, just the two of us. But I know how important Elliot is to you, so I never mind if you want him around, too. He’s good for you, and I think you’re good for him. Thank you for being proud of me, Atticus. I’ve had a lot of doubts in the past, but not now. Not here. I think I’m right where I’m meant to be.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:53 pm
Trying not to let his eyes get all runny was difficult. Especially when Devyn was talking about being where he was meant to belong. A thousand years of being alone brought Devyn to them, and Atticus didn’t know what his life would have been like if he hadn’t met Devyn when he did.
Atticus nodded, but frowned a little because while he definitely wanted Elliot to be around, it didn’t seem entirely fair…
“If Elliot comes with us anywhere… can dad come too?” he asked, because if he got to hang out with both Devyn and Elliot, that left Michael alone, and Atticus didn’t want Michael to think that they didn’t want him around.
He also knew that Devyn would probably like to spend time with Michael just as much as Atticus wanted to spend time with Elliot. And get them flowers and chocolate and poetry and whatever else they could think of.
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2022 5:00 pm
“I think that’s fair,” he smiled. “He’d probably like that.” Devyn would like that, too, but he also understood the importance of taking some time to spend with just Atticus. “Come on, let’s go get those sandwiches. I want you to have time to pick out nice flowers for Elliot and not feel rushed. I hope you two have a lot of fun. I’m glad you’re getting out and doing something nice.”
After yesterday, of course he’d worried that Atticus might be distracted by all the ways that things could go wrong. He didn’t want him haunted by nightmares.
But, they had a good group, he thought. Between the Reids and Michael and himself, Devyn hoped Atticus would always have someone who could help him through anything .
“I hope you’ll tell us how it went. When you’re ready.”
He didn’t mind them keeping their date secret, he thought it was sweet.
And, they deserved to be teenagers. That was a better secret than them trying to hide being hurt, or in trouble.
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