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 Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:38 pm
The tokens on the table were both beautiful in their own right, but Devyn looked fondly at the gold one before he gave Michael an amused look. It probably helped that he was wearing a few gold rings, and a golden hair clip–subtle, considering how much he’d have dressed up if Earth had any more taste for fashion.
“Clever of him too, I think. If they don’t match perfectly, I don’t have to worry about anyone suspecting what power they might have.”
The boys seemed distracted enough with each other, and Soleiyu was pawing at the tokens to make sure there were no loose ends to clear up before handing them over.
When Devyn took the grape this time, he nipped at Michael’s fingers.
“I don’t think you could ever be too rough,” Elliot noted; he felt safe with Atticus working on his hair, no matter how wild it might be. He relaxed completely and leaned back.
“I suppose we’ll just have to practice and see where they take us, Atticus,” Devyn answered, but he watched Michael as he chewed on the grape. “I’m not worried. I don’t think Alastor would take Michael anywhere dangerous. I know Sessrumnir well enough that I can probably find my way somewhere safe if his Wonder decides to be tricky. And if I’m having a hard time, I’m sure Princess will come find me.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:53 pm
His fingers might have been nipped, but that didn’t stop Michael from lifting his hand further to press his palm against Devyn’s cheek. Just for a moment as he looked at his face, his heart felt like it was skipping beats as usual.
Devyn didn’t have to pick which one he wanted at that moment, but it was something for him to think about. It was almost as if receiving one last gift from Percy, although he was certain they’d find plenty of other treasures as they cleaned up Sessrumnir.
“Princess will definitely find you, so don’t worry about that. I trust Sessrumnir to keep Devyn safe. It likes him, too,” he added, since he couldn’t see in his memories from Percy many others who made the stone glow like it did for himself and Devyn. He was grateful that Michael and Devyn seemed confident that nothing bad would happen, and he nodded to let them know he wasn’t worried, either. Besides, Soleiyu was doing such a great job. He was sure that he’d make it work really well.
Atticus worked quickly but carefully, and when Elliot’s hair was all nice and neat, he set the brush down so he could lean close and wrap his arms around Elliot’s shoulders from behind and kiss his cheek again.
“Let me help you make some sandwiches,” he requested, straightening back up so Elliot could get up as well. “We’ve got chips too.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:38 pm
There was such kindness in Michael’s touches that Devyn didn’t even think he should have to shield the boys from seeing such affection. It was so easy to get lost in his eyes, so easy to just want to melt into his touches.
“I hope it likes me. It’s stuck with me. But I’ll do my best to keep it happy.”
Starting with getting it all cleaned up, and doing everything he could to share everything he’d learned about the Wonder with Michael.
Devyn wasn’t the only one happy to receive affections, though; when Atticus hugged Elliot, he sat up straighter so he could lean into it, and smiled. His heart felt like it was in his stomach and his throat–not because he was nervous, but because he was just so loved.
“Michael always has good snacks. They’ve only gotten better now that you and Devyn are here, too. Thank you, Michael,” he said, standing up quickly so he could slide his hand into Atticus’.
He returned the kiss, planting a quick one to his cheek. He didn’t want to scandalize Michael or Devyn, after all. “And thank you for doing my hair. I like how it feels when you play with it, you’re so gentle. Do you want a sandwich, Soleiyu?”
“No, no. I’m fine. I’ll probably have a big dinner waiting at home for me. I told you that one of mine back home has a food truck, didn’t I? He’s always working on new things in the kitchen. One day I’ll have to take you all.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:57 pm
“I’ve never eaten from a food truck before,” Atticus admitted as he stayed close to Elliot, using both of his hands to hold Elliot’s because he could and he wanted to be near him. Oh, but he would let go once Elliot needed it of course.
“But it sounds like a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. Maybe we can invite Brooklyn along too? Oh, and Miles and Jeremy. And your dads of course,” he added, not because they were an afterthought but because he just considered them his family and included no matter what, but he knew his thoughts weren’t exactly heard by the others.
He was trying not to look too overly happy about Elliot telling him he liked him playing with his hair. It was a good thing, because he definitely enjoyed playing with it. “All of us flooding his food truck at once? Could be fun. At least he’d get good traffic from a group visiting. You should introduce everyone in your family to us sometime, Soleiyu. Unless you like being one of those cats with multiple families,” Michael teased.
He’d lowered his hand from Devyn’s face, but had placed it along his back instead, absently rubbing it as they stood out of the way as much as they could.
“Does he have a website? Maybe we can show up sometime.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 8:52 am
Devyn had been to his fair share of food trucks; they didn’t seem so unlike the little stalls they used to have on Alastor that would pop up during festivals. Except, everything was so much bigger and more convenient on Earth. How could he not be tempted to stop for food when he was out and about?
He was a bit surprised that Atticus hadn’t tried one yet, but then, there were still many things that were new to him, too.
It was easy to smile, both because of Michael next to him, and because of how thoughtful and sweet Atticus always was.
Soleiyu seemed amused. “I suppose I could introduce you, I’ll have to see when they’re available. But I’m sure you’ve met them before. In one form or another.”
He seemed to have his fair share of things tucked away, and he withdrew a business card with a colorful logo that read ‘Snack’n Cheese’. Below that, a few links to social media pages and their website, and an email and phone number.
“There’s a schedule for where they’ll show up online, but you can call, too. Or let me know. I stay on top of these things. You can bring everyone, as long as they like cheese. I think Brooklyn will like them, I don’t know if she’s tried their food yet. Myles and Jeremy have, I know they like it. I’m sure you all will, too.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:08 am
“We’ll just have to make sure you get to experience as many as possible,” Michael promised Atticus. He was a little surprised that he hadn’t been to one as well, but then again, his home life before them probably had something to do with his experience of things.
“I bet Devyn knows all the best ones. Have you tried this one and didn’t even know it was one of Soleiyu’s people?” he gently teased, rubbing Devyn’s back a little because he knew he was often wandering around the city. And with a credit card -- one that even had his name on it, because of course Michael would have ordered one for him -- he didn’t have to worry about whether he could afford to buy whatever he wanted or not.
“Did they help us with Alastor? Then I’m sure we’ve met in passing, at least as Senshi and Knights, but… with how many people are becoming involved, it might be a good thing to recognize the faces of allies in crowds.”
Michael didn’t want their identities compromised, but he’d also been fighting alone for most of his time as a Knight. Now he was starting to wonder if that was part of the problem. Or if everyone would just end up like Beau. Atticus chewed a bit anxiously on his lip, but still held onto Elliot’s hand. Food trucks didn’t often have trash bins where he could have scavenged leftovers like actual stand alone restaurants did. Besides, that was embarrassing enough to think about how he used to have to survive.
He might have had a roof over his head, but he never felt safe there. He was given barely enough to survive, and sometimes not even that was enough, so he had to make due.
No one had asked him to go into details about what happened to him there, so he figured it was best to just leave it in the past. Elliot knew he didn’t like sirens at least, and would always stop whatever they were doing to hug him tight if they could hear one, and that was enough for him.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:59 am
“I might have,” Devyn admitted. He looked at the card for a moment before shrugging. “I wasn’t really paying attention to where I wound up. Words and logos and all.” He shook his head. “In the beginning, I wasn’t reading. I just followed my nose. It’s possible, I’ll let you know after I’ve tasted something. I never forget a good meal.”
Soleiyu seemed amused, but answered with a noncommittal hum–if only because he was careful with everyone’s identity. He trusted Michael–trusted everyone in this room–but old habits were slow to die. “I’ll have to tell them you’re interested, I’m sure they’d be glad to have more allies, too. Never a bad idea to know where your friends are.”
Elliot nodded thoughtfully; he was careful with his identity because Michael said it was important–and they’d already had their fair share of foul run-ins. But, he was also always looking to make more friends. He squeezed Atticus’ hand tightly. “Well, that sounds fun. You should tell them to come to some of my games, we always have a big turnout of people. I don’t usually go for the food trucks, but that’s only because I always want hot dogs after a game. Or chili cheese. Or–no, Atticus, I need that sandwich, I’m starving.”
He tugged his hand playfully, but he knew if he didn’t get something to snack on soon, his stomach was going to start roaring.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 1:19 pm
He was anxious about the idea of putting himself at risk, of putting his family at risk even more. But after over ten years of fighting and surviving, Michael was starting to wonder if his fear of the Negaverse finding his or his family’s identities was just holding everyone back. They still killed his father. They still kidnapped Ganymede. They could do so much more, and so much worse.
Michael hadn’t sold himself on the idea, but finding people they knew they could trust was important. If not for him, for Elliot and Atticus, because they needed people to go to if they got in trouble.
He could tell that Soleiyu wasn’t sold on the idea, either. But little steps at a time.
Michael tugged at the back of Devyn’s shirt, and managed to get his hand up under it. Nothing scandalous or anything like that, just some closer physical contact.
“Sounds good, Soleiyu. You’re a good judge of character. I know you’ll keep the boys and the rest of us safe.” Atticus smiled and giggled when Elliot tugged his hand. He nodded in agreement and finished the journey over to the counter and the refrigerator so they could start pulling out what they needed for sandwiches.
He was nervous about meeting new people, because what if they didn’t like him, or worse -- what if they were a danger to those he cared about? But he also liked the idea of making new friends, and maybe helping those who needed help.
“Maybe we’ll end up knowing enough people to all play a baseball game with each other,” he suggested, although he didn’t know how easy or difficult that would be. He was sure that Michael would pay for whatever they needed, though.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 5:52 pm
Devyn didn’t seem to falter in the slightest when Michael’s hand slid up his shirt. He almost didn’t even seem to react, except he quietly noted, “Your hands are cold, Michael,” and held his hands out expectantly so he could take Michael’s other hand and warm it between his own. He leaned into the one at his back and seemed content and comfortable, if not just a bit amused, too.
Soleiyu had to huff at the two of them but he hardly seemed annoyed; he was too busy being proud of his accomplishment.
“Do you think that’s something you’d want to do?” He was used to Atticus cheering in the stands, but he seemed enthusiastically interested in him joining him on the field, too. “We could always play a modified game, I mean we could get Devyn and Michael and my parents. Just for fun.” He was almost reminding himself; he knew he could get competitive, and with Michael and Devyn, too–
He almost laughed at the idea, but it did seem fun. He pulled a few of the ingredients closer and kissed Atticus’ cheek. “Thank you for helping me. And doing my hair. And everything. I’m glad I met you. And that I can just walk over to your Wonder if I ever want to visit. I like that the universe put us together. I had things pretty good before, but I don’t know. Everything just seems better now.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 6:13 pm
Michael didn’t care if Soleiyu was huffing at them. He lifted his free hand to place into Devyn’s, but he knew it was more than just Devyn’s natural temperature that made Michael feel warm. He felt giddy like a teenager, but comfortable as if he’d known Devyn his whole life.
“We’ll make sure you get some practice in, if that’s what you’d like to do, Atticus,” Michael said over his shoulder, although his attention was still mostly with Devyn and what Soleiyu was working on. Partially to give the boys some privacy, despite them all being in the same room.
“Maybe we can look at getting you a glove to start with.” Atticus wasn’t really one to play baseball, but Elliot seemed so excited about it that of course Atticus wasn’t going to give up an opportunity to do something that Elliot really enjoyed.
But he drew the line at running. Maybe. No, he would try running with Elliot if he really wanted him to.
“I would like to, yes,” he smiled, happy that Michael seemed enthusiastic about helping, too. His cheeks felt warm and his heart was doing weird fluttery things, but nothing unusual for being around Elliot. Especially when he got a kiss!
“Thank you for helping me,” Atticus said, but a little quieter so it was more between the two of them. “I feel like I can be myself with you. And safe with everyone here. Thank you.”
Not having to worry about food was a plus as well. But he definitely agreed with Elliot that everything seemed so much better now that they found each other.
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 6:28 pm
“Will you teach me, too?” Devyn asked, rubbing his hands gently across Michael’s as he tried to warm it up. He’d been to enough games to know the basics, Michael had explained it to him. Devyn was too competitive to play on his own, but if Atticus was interested, of course he’d support him. And, Devyn very much liked being involved, anyway.
He was very interested in a game that involved running and throwing. He’d just have to be careful not to hurt anyone. He’d done a good job of being gentle with Atticus so far; it didn’t seem too difficult. He wanted to encourage any of his interests–even if he was pretty sure it had little to do with baseball and everything to do with Elliot.
He couldn’t see what the boys were saying, but it didn’t really matter. They looked happy.
Elliot smiled at Atticus as he began layering the sandwich meat on top of the bread he’d laid out. He spoke just as quietly and said, “I like you being yourself. You always surprise me with new things. I’m really happy I get to know the real you. And I know I say it a lot, but I mean it. I think you’re great. And I’m never going to stop telling you, I like the way you still get a little pink when I say it. It’s really cute.”
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Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 6:46 pm
“We’ll get a glove for you too, yes,” Michael laughed, letting Devyn warm up his hand. He knew how competitive both Devyn and Elliot were, but doing something together sounded like it would be a lot of fun. Atticus giggled softly and lifted his hands to his cheeks, as if trying to hide the way they turned pink when he was flattered. Which seemed to be by everything Elliot said. Elliot was just so nice all the time, he couldn’t help it!
“I’ll never get tired of hearing it, and I hope you’ll never get tired of me saying how great you are, too.”
He could say more, but with Devyn and Michael and Soleiyu there, he thought maybe they should wait to be a little more alone.
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