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 Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 6:59 pm
This was visibly news to Devyn; he lifted his head and looked a bit confused, almost like he was certain he’d heard wrong and his mind was just racing to catch up. Racing, and racing, and–
No, he hadn’t misheard. Quinn wasn’t red because he’d had too much sun already. He looked more vulnerable than he had a moment ago, and maybe–well, maybe that explained why he was giving Michael such a look last night.
“Did you?” he asked, polite, but incredulous. “I never knew. That’s very flattering though, thank you. I missed you, though. I wish our worlds would have let us spend more time together. I never liked that they were so strict with you. I got bossy when I got older, my Council couldn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to.”
And yet, he respected them and listened to them more often than not.
He just didn’t like being told what to do.
“You should have had more people be nice to you. You were kind, and open minded. And fun, too. When I was young,” and for most of his life, if he was being honest, “I didn’t have people that saw me for me. I was just another Senshi, going to upend everything and tear it apart before someone took me out. I always appreciated you treating me the way you did. And, no, my sleeves don’t drag anymore. I’ve learned how to wrap them up nicely, I’ll show you. I’ve got pockets in them now, I keep snacks in there.”
Another fry, and then he asked, “Have there been any other crushes since we last talked about our love lives?”
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:18 pm
Quinn snorted lightly in amusement, although there was still a slight bitterness to it. “Not really,” he admitted. “Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter any more. Jack is nice. Cute. Not very bright, but that’s okay. He’s easy to trick into thinking I can’t pick up on things quickly. Has a nice laugh.”
He paused for a moment and shrugged. “It’s hard to think about relationships when you know you’re likely going to outlive them. And on Enceladus, well… those relationships were out of obligation. And… that’s honestly the first time I’ve admitted that out loud.”
For a moment, he seemed to have startled himself, as though something suddenly clicked and he didn’t like it.
He frowned, and then shook his head.
“Sorry, I guess it was easier to just do whatever I needed to to survive, even at the cost of my own dignity.”
Another pause, and then he glanced up at Devyn with a half grin. “Sometimes I dreamed about you coming to kidnap me. The horrible Senshi of Alastor, kidnapping poor Sailor Enceladus for ransom or some bullshit. As if Alastor didn’t have enough water.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 8:27 pm
Devyn wanted to laugh at how Quinn talked about Jack. It made him want to meet him. The mood shifted quickly enough that he knew better than to risk upset by making light of the situation. He didn’t blame Quinn for jumping topics; he had no right to criticize anyone when he liked to talk as much as he did.
And how long had it been since Quinn could talk? How long since he could open up?
He was looser with his tongue now than Devyn expected, so he paid attention to all of it. What he said, how he said it, what expression he wore.
He wished that the worst thing he could have had to discuss was how hard it was to outlive everyone around you. He’d known things had been different on Enceladus, he knew Quinn had lived a very different life than he had. There was still so much vagueness, so many secrets that hadn’t ‘been shared between the lines of their letters.
When he was young, Quinn had seemed so much older, so much more mature. Now that Devyn was grown, Quinn looked so young.
“I should have stolen you away. If I’d been clever, I could have smuggled you out without them knowing, probably. Wouldn’t have even had to make a spectacle of it if you’d wanted something quieter.” He paused briefly. He’d known things had been hard for Quinn, but he hadn’t known how many layers there were to it. He understood why he was so concerned that Devyn was acting out of obligation. “I didn’t know it was that bad for you. I don’t know if it means anything coming from me, I’ve never been in that position so I know my words have less value, but.”
He hadn’t looked away from Quinn; he wasn’t ashamed of him or what he’d done to survive. “I don’t think there’s anything undignified about self-preservation. Dignity can have no value when you’re dead, anyway. I mean, you can die with it, but it seems like a poor trade. There’s nothing to be done with it. And I still think you’re very dignified. And charming, when you want to be. You’ll have no obligation here. And if anyone gives you a hard time–”
Devyn had to cut himself off; he bit his cheek, like he was weighing his words, and then firmly stated, “I know you’re strong enough to handle things on your own. But I meddle, I can’t help it. Know that I don’t offer assistance because I think you unable to manage on your own. It’s that you’re my friend, and I wish I’d been there for you before. And we’ve got enough to deal with, anyway. So let me help you where I can. Even if it’s just to listen.”
Or chase away his boredom, or show him around, or sit around and reminisce.
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:02 pm
“Stolen me away, and started a war or something. Exactly what you wouldn’t have wanted,” Quinn snorted quietly, a small, sad smile pulling on his lips. “That’s sweet though. You’re sweet. You had other things to worry about anyway. I knew you were crazy for Percy when you first started writing about him. Of course, I kept asking about him. I think I balled up that first letter you sent where you told me you were getting married,” he laughed, but it was a quiet thing and ended quickly.
“Okay, I don’t think. I definitely did. But I unballed it later. I wanted to hate him, you know. I’m not an idiot. I could see what good he did for you. And…”
He paused again, and then looked up at Devyn a bit helplessly.
“They weren’t bad people. Those from Enceladus, I mean. They were stuck in their ways. And, I mean. They never hurt me, even if I didn’t want--” Another pause and he shook his head again. “I realize now that I was isolated on purpose, that they didn’t want me… I don’t know. It doesn’t matter any more when they’re all dead.”
He appreciated Devyn’s offer, his encouragement, even if he didn’t know how to respond to it with more than a nod.
“I guess being around people who don’t want anything from me made me realize that maybe it’s not normal to always want something in return. I don’t know. Wow, I talk about as much as you and Jack. But, um. Thanks. I hope Michael doesn’t get jealous because I’ll probably still look at you when I get the chance.”
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Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 9:18 pm
At this, Devyn finally let himself laugh. He shook his head. “You’re missing out if you’re not looking at him, too.”
There were things he hadn’t known about Quinn–unsurprising, except the gravity of them made him worry how much he’d convinced himself was all right just to get by.
“I like listening to you talk. It’s been a long time since either of us got to be so honest.” There wasn’t anyone around waiting to intercept letters or steal information. “Things are very different on Earth. From both of our worlds.” Earth was far from perfect, it was just different. “It takes a lot to get used to. But I think there’s plenty here to like. You don’t owe anyone anything, either. You can just do what you want, because you want to do it. Good, bad,” he waved his hand and shook his head. “Being stuck in their ways doesn’t mean anything they were doing was right.”
The people of Alastor had been stuck in their ways, too. He’d spent his whole life trying to break away from the worst of them.
“It is strange, though. To be here and have so many people just trying to do the ‘right’ thing. Just because it is the right thing. It’s taken me a while to get used to.” And he still wasn’t really used to it, unless it was Michael, or Atticus, or the Reids or Gallos. That’s just how they were. “You won’t have to be isolated here, either. I can introduce you to some good people. Who won’t expect anything of you. And you should take some time to relax and get stronger. And then we can figure out what we can do about Enceladus. I know a Mauvian, maybe he and Lucasta can get together and try to build some heaters or something to help you out back home. Or we can figure out what’s going on and take care of it and go from there. Whatever you want to do, you just tell me. You’ll have my full support.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 6:51 am
Quinn was quiet for a few moments. There was a lot he wanted to do, but wasn’t sure how possible any of it was. Even if he could find a way to get the Chaos off Enceladus, what good would that do? Maybe it just meant he had a chance to find something else to work towards. Of course, it was nice to be able to talk to someone who had experienced the same time period he was born into.
“It’ll be weird being around other Senshi all the time. Oh, and I guess Knights too,” he added, remembering that Jack was one. And he supposed Michael and Chris were too, even if they weren’t the ones he might have crossed paths with in the past. Not that he crossed paths with many.
“I guess just getting used to things and meeting people would be a good start. Well, I think the best start is to actually eat some of this,” he gestured to the food on the table. He didn’t want it to go to waste.
“I’m assuming you eat just as much now as you did when you were little. Probably more.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:08 am
Devyn’s smile finally returned to his face in full and he laughed again. “Oh, you should have seen me a year ago, Quinn. I’d have inhaled all of this already and been on my way for seconds.”
He looked at the table, considered it for a moment, and then nodded. “I could polish this off myself. I’ve always got a lot to do, so I’ve gotta keep my energy up. Still get jittery sometimes.”
Devyn busied himself with rolling up his sleeves a bit but he shook out his hands to try and burn off a little of the building energy. “I do a lot of running around here. Sometimes I go to one of their combat clubs. ‘Fighting Rings’. I try not to do that so much now. Michael worries, but Atticus is worse. If I come home with any bruises, he fusses and worries. Such a big heart, I have to be extra careful for him.”
Now that he’d looked at the food, he could feel his appetite growing. He ate a few more fries.
“I’ll have to bring him by so you can meet him, too. He’s easy to be around. Honestly, I don’t know what to do about most of these other Knights and Senshi. I’ve been lucky enough that I can blend in. Some of them here, hm.” He shrugged. “Well, they’re interesting. I have to say, it’s a bit nice to meet people who have no idea who I am. I don’t have to work as hard to convince them to give me a chance. You could be anyone you want here. But. I like you how you are. Just in case you needed to hear it.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:20 am
Quinn glanced up at Devyn, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
He knew Devyn was only being nice, and being friendly… but he was right. It was nice to hear something like that from someone he looked up to. Literally, now that Devyn was taller than him.
“I would like to meet your son,” he agreed, still a little quiet from being surprised by Devyn’s comment, but a grin soon found its way on his lips as he thought about Devyn participating in combat clubs.
“Oh, I’m sure those fights are fun to watch. You’ll have to tell me the next time you go. Do you get to take your shirt off, too?” he hummed as he leaned his chin on his hand, elbow on the table as he watched Devyn across from him. He was picking at some of the food, but was more interested in his friend.
Maybe he was flirting a little, but it didn’t matter because Devyn was already happily married with a family. Besides, it was just all in fun.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:37 am
Though Devyn scoffed, he was still visibly amused. “Only when I’m worried about getting it dirty. Most of these Earth people don’t make me work for it so you might be disappointed. It’s not really like my matches on Alastor.”
He sighed, a bit wistfully, and closed his eyes so he could imagine it a bit more clearly. Bits and pieces were easy enough, he’d been in a thousand fights, or more. There were many rituals and traditions Devyn didn’t approve of, but a good match? He couldn’t say no.
He wasn’t sure he knew how to say no to one, anyway.
“And the places are a bit rough.” He didn’t mind; he wasn’t there to make friends. “But I’ve always got a good appetite afterwards. Oh, no. We should go to the aquarium, have you been yet? That’s the first place I want you to see if you haven’t, yet. It’s a lot of water, you’ll love it.”
If he sounded a little dry, it was certainly only because he wasn’t exactly a fan of being surrounded by so much, but he thought it interesting enough that he never minded going. There was something peaceful about it, something removed from the busy, modern city life. “All sorts of fish and marine life. But there’s the reservoir, too. It’s almost like a beach. We’ll get you some sun, yet. Hope you like art, I wind up at a lot of galleries, too. There’s a lot I want to show you. But if I get too overwhelming, you can tell me. There’s quiet places, busy places. Places I haven’t found yet. We’ll have a good time. Maybe find you a few other people to stare at, too.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 8:44 am
It was sweet that Devyn was thinking of ways to make him feel more comfortable being there. Quinn knew Devyn didn’t really like being around a lot of water, but for Quinn it had been his life.
And very nearly his death.
“I hope the reservoir is being properly managed,” he frowned, because he couldn’t trust that these people of Earth knew what they were doing with water. They didn’t in the past and they probably didn’t, now.
“Anything you think I could benefit from seeing, I would like to. If you have any suggestions on learning Earth’s written language, that could be helpful as well. I can get by, but it’s harder to blend in when I just point at pictures and try to describe things that are apparently common. I’m still going to hold onto hope that you’ll take off your shirt when we visit this almost beach you mentioned. Thank you, Devyn. Things seem a little less horrible now.”
It still sucked that his world was destroyed by Chaos, but maybe they could do something to at least clear it and let it start to heal.
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Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 8:52 am
Devyn supposed the reservoir must have been properly managed, because he doubted that Michael would have let him or the boys go anywhere that he didn’t think was safe.
“It’ll feel even less horrible in time,” he reassured. “It’s just, it takes time to get there. But you will, I know you. And I’ll make sure you’ve got every support I can think of. Soleiyu–the Mauvian I know best–made some modifications to my phone, it helped with learning the language. But I had books and programs, too. Michael’s a teacher, so I think I had quite an advantage there. It was one of the first things I wanted to do, too.”
He nodded to the food, and moved a box closer so Quinn could try that next. Briefly, he glanced at Roxy in the distance, but she still seemed like she was doing fine.
There was probably still a long way to go before things were okay but he didn’t want Quinn to have to face anything without whatever support he could give.
It was hard not to enjoy such a nice day. He was glad he had a chance to spend it with Quinn and figure things out.
It was nice to be with an old friend.
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