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 Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 3:10 pm
It only took the contact of Devyn’s finger on his leg for Michael to reach down and take his hand. The good thing about being left handed was that neither of them were terribly inconvenienced while holding hands.
He felt guilty for even thinking about being upset that Lucien was taking Devyn’s attention, because it really wasn’t about Lucien at all.
Ever since finding Lucien, Devyn started seeming more distant. Quieter. At first Michael just assumed it was Devyn mourning the lives lost over the centuries, but it was becoming more and more clear that there was something off.
And not being able to have time with Devyn to figure things out was frustrating.
Lucien deserved someone to keep an eye on him and make sure he was okay, but Devyn was clearly distracted by him. To the point where he wasn’t even eating. Lucien made an attempt to swish his tail again, despite it being stuck under Devyn’s arm. But after giving up it was easier to listen to the young Knight talk about anything he could think of. Asking him if he was excited to be on Earth, then talking about the Moon. About him meeting people, about other questions they had.
“I am not sure how to feel about Earth. I am unfamiliar with everything and much has changed from any time I might be able to remember.”
Such as Knights that seem to be able to go to Earth’s moon. That was strange. He couldn’t remember much, but that seemed like it was wrong.
“The Moon Kingdom has accepted Knights to guard its Wonders?” he asked, surprised that he could even put that question together with how little he remembered. While he waited for a response, he carefully took another bite of the pizza in front of him. Atticus was more than happy to curl up next to Elliot and eat his pizza off of their shared plate. He also couldn’t help himself as he peered up at him with bright eyes, completely enamored by everything Elliot said, even if it was just about vacuums or the candles they’d been given.
Oh, but Atticus could also help explain things to Lucien! He at least knew some things about being a Moon Knight.
“Um, I think we’re new,” he answered, but it was quieter than he’d intended. “The Code needed help, and since there isn’t a Moon Kingdom any more, it asked us to keep an eye on things. It’s really pretty, though. We’ve got lots of flowers and trees. You’ll like Elliot’s dads, though. They’re really nice. And they know about the Knight and Senshi stuff.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 3:28 pm
Devyn managed a half smile when Michael took his hand, and he squeezed it appreciatively. He’d leaned back against the couch like he might have thought to just sink into it but he was putting forth a fair effort to at least be present. Even if he still hadn’t touched his food. Or, maybe he realized that his lack of an appetite was suspicious, so he took a bite. It was a mechanical process; he ate, but did not taste. Small bites, but he hardly even chewed before he swallowed.
For as much as there might have been some hope as he listened to Lucien’s words, there was no telling what was familiar to him or what he might recall. Tomorrow, Devyn might hope, or try to find ways to help recover his memory. For tonight, he was just doing his best to be here. He wasn’t sure jogging would burn off whatever he was feeling right now.
Elliot squeezed Atticus’ hand encouragingly and seemed completely content tangled up with him on the couch while they shared the plate. He had good manners enough not to speak when his mouth was full so he alternated between eating and talking.
“When we talked to the Code, it had to make our Wonders. I don’t really know what happened up there,” he admitted, “But we’re just doing our best, anyway. The Code was worried about people–Chaos–trying to take advantage of the Moon while it was unprotected, so it recruited us. We haven’t really had any trouble up there. You will like my dads, by the way. They’ll like you, too. And now that they have a new vacuum cleaner, you can come over all the time, if you want. Do you like sweet things? My dad bakes. Oh! Michael, we should have asked you to bring home some Alastor fruit or something, my dad wanted to try new recipes. I bet he could have tried to make something with them. Well, next time, maybe.”
Devyn nodded and smiled again when he noticed Elliot’s eyes on him. “Oh, that might be nice. One of the trees in the garden has some growing, I’ll have to see if there’s anything worth bringing him to work with. We have a pink melon, it makes a good drink. I’ll have to find a good one of those, too.”
“Yes, thank you. Please. I love my father’s cooking but we went to the farmer’s market and got way too many blueberries, he’s been putting them in everything. My mouth’s been stained for most of the week, I’ll take fruit of any other color.”
And yet, he had been enthusiastic and grateful every time his father had showed up with another blue-berry filled dessert. “Oh, by the way, he’s bringing over blueberry cannolis, so save some room. Otherwise I have to eat them all when we get home.”
He was enjoying himself, though; he seemed in good spirits, and Michael and Devyn both looked so tired, and Lucien looked like he was still on high alert. If he could talk to give them some time to decompress, he could run his mouth all night.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 4:36 pm
“There have been so many blueberries,” Atticus nodded in commiseration a bit sheepishly because he loved Elliot’s dads, but he would probably be happy to not see another blueberry for a while. Oh, but the blueberry cannolis were good, so he would absolutely have some later. He just wouldn’t be upset if they stopped having blueberries for a little while!
He could probably listen to Elliot talk for hours and hours, though. So it was easy for him to take a bite or two of his pizza while he listened and watched him with adoring eyes.
“But they’re really good, Lucien. You should try some. Oh, but be careful about getting any on your fur. I’m not sure how to wash out blueberry juice,” he said with a small grimace at the thought of poor Lucien turning blue. There were a lot of things that didn’t make sense to him. Sure, he could piece things together in context, but he was really just trying to keep up with everything that was being said. Luckily it gave him a chance to take a few more bites of the cheesy food they called pizza.
While trying to yank his tail out from being crushed by Devyn’s arm. Rude.
“I am certain I will find their company enjoyable, especially with a son like you,” Lucien nodded politely to Elliot, his tail flicking again from curiosity. It seemed as though Devyn had collected a pleasant little family here on Earth, and while Lucien couldn’t remember much of anything, he was grateful that his bonded was being cared for. Cared for, but not to the point where Michael was comfortable with Devyn’s reactions to things. He was eating now at least, but he still had a far off look. He was talking, but it was mostly in response to comments being made.
“Can I steal Devyn for a bit? I need to talk to him,” Michael said maybe a bit suddenly. He’d eaten most of his pizza at least, but they’d both gone through so much, and now with Lucien there, Michael wasn’t sure when he’d have a chance to talk to his husband.
He was certain the boys would be okay, and he didn’t think Lucien would cause them any distress, so he set the plate down and stood from the couch, still holding Devyn’s hand.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 5:07 pm
Devyn’s attention snapped to Michael, and there was a few brief seconds where there was absolute clarity in his eyes as he searched Michael’s face.
He couldn’t read minds. Michael didn’t seem distressed, so he wasn’t worried that there was anything alarming happening. He moved his plate to the other side of the couch and carefully moved Lucien off of his lap. He’d placed one hand under the Mauvian and lifted him like he was used to doing. Maybe he was more comfortable maneuvering Lucien than he was Soleiyu, and just as he’d begun to stand, he half turned to him and said, “Oh, Sorry.”
Just because he was comfortable with doing it in his memories didn’t mean that Lucien was comfortable. He ran a hand down his back in extra apology.
Briefly, Elliot’s eyes lingered on the two, but he didn’t want to let any concern or suspicion fall in the room. “Oh, you’re really sweet, Lucien. I like your manners. Extra blueberries for you.”
He smiled and waved to Michael and Devyn, though it wasn’t like they needed permission to head out. He could handle things here without any trouble.
“We can keep Lucien company, you go do whatever you need to. You guys were gone for a while. We’ll be okay. Lucien, if you want, you can come over here, I’ll pet you while Devyn is gone. We can give you a brief history of all Earth things.”
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2023 5:36 pm
Lucien swished his tail, but didn’t seem like he was agitated or upset. It felt normal to be handled in such a way by Devyn, so when Devyn apologized -- although he paused to arch his back into the pet he was given -- he simply stretched out his front paws and nodded his head.
“No apology necessary. I think I like being held,” he admitted, because why not? He wouldn’t say no to more attention. Although he watched as Devyn’s Jupiter Knight insisted on taking him somewhere to talk. As if he couldn’t say whatever he needed to say in front of them.
No matter, he would just take the attention he could get from the young Knights of Earth’s Moon. And perhaps ask more about these blueberries.
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