|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 8:29 pm
Atticus couldn’t stop himself from smiling, although he tried to hide behind a sip of Elliot’s drink so he didn’t look too ridiculous. They hadn’t really even discussed it, but Elliot seemed perfectly content with the idea of them getting married.
Sure, they were young and it wouldn’t happen for a while, but it made Atticus so happy to know that Elliot didn’t think he was crazy for imagining it.
“Okay, we can tell them,” he nodded in agreement. “But I would love to see them sneezing snowflakes,” he laughed, and then leaned close to press a kiss to Elliot’s cheek. He didn’t want to do too much in public, but there was hopefully nothing offensive about him kissing his boyfriend’s cheek.
“I’d feel a little bad getting papa flustered, but… I think you’re right. He’s just more nervous about showing emotions, even though he has a lot. But if he doesn’t like it, hopefully he’ll tell me.”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 8:58 pm
“If he doesn’t, he’ll tell Devyn, and then they’ll figure it out. If Michael doesn’t like it, then I’m sure they’ll spend all night coming up with alternatives. And probably call my parents to make sure they’ve got everything. And then he’ll go down the whole list and find some that he likes. And then Devyn will pitch them to you. I bet.”
Elliot took another bite of the croissant, but it didn’t have much left so he passed it back to Atticus and shrugged. “I might be wrong.”
He didn’t sound like he thought he was.
“Michael’s lucky that you understand him so well,” he mused, sipping at his drink thoughtfully. “You’re really attentive, and good at reading people. And you have a big heart. I think Michael was really lonely before, but it’s not like he’d ever say as much. My parents have known him since I was little, so he’s been in my life for a really long time. Did I tell you he’s my godfather? I think they even got that legal or something. I’ll have to ask. He’s always been so cool. But I think he carries so much of his problems close to his chest. Kind of because he doesn’t want anyone to worry, and kind of because I think he’s just not so good at even knowing what to say. I still can’t believe he hid being a Knight from me for so long.”
It was understandable, of course; who could trust a kid with a secret that big? And Elliot had a big mouth, even if he thought he was rather clever about when to keep it closed.
“Anyway, what I mean is that I feel like you and Devyn have been really good for him. And I’m really glad you wound up there. My parents were ready to take you in in a heartbeat, but I think this works out better because you get both your parents and mine. And Devyn has people who care about him. And I have even more reason to come over and check on him since I can just come over to visit you. Not that he needs me worrying or anything, he’s in good hands. But sometimes he just looked, I don’t know. Sad? But I don’t really see that anymore. I like to bother him when you aren’t around and ask about you, you know. ‘What’s Atticus up to’ and ‘How’s he doing’ and all that. Even though I know. I just like to see how warm he gets when he talks about you. Sometimes he gives me a look, though. Devyn though, he’ll just go on and on. I don’t even know”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:10 pm
“I’m really lucky to have them. And I’m lucky to have you and your dads,” Atticus said softly as his cheeks flushed. He really did love both Michael and Devyn and everything they’d done for him. They didn’t have to go out of their way to save him, but they did. Michael was always so cautious around him, but he hoped he would come around one of these days. Maybe Atticus needed to try harder, himself.
“I bet you’re right too. That’s really sweet to know papa’s your godfather,” he hummed quietly as he took the last of the croissant from Elliot to nibble.
Elliot was right, of course. Michael did seem like he was carrying a lot of things by himself. Even with Devyn there, sometimes it was obvious that there was something buried under the surface. Sometimes he had a far off gaze, or would fiddle with his necklace, and Devyn would go over to him to sometimes just touch his arm or find another way to draw his attention.
“I bet he wasn’t trying to hide that he was a Knight because he didn’t trust you. You know how he is. He thinks he has to do everything himself,” Atticus sighed, but didn’t want to imagine Michael trying to fight the Negaverse on his own, although he was sure he would try if he had no other choice.
“Oh, I hope they don’t say anything embarrassing about me!” he added with a small gasp and hid his face behind his hand as he blushed again. “But… thank you for looking after him. I’m sure daddy could use the help sometimes.” And with Michael being so anxious around Atticus, having Elliot there was definitely a good thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:16 pm
Elliot’s smile never left his face. He nudged Atticus’ foot with his toe, and when he was done with that just hooked ankles with him. “They never say anything embarrassing about you. Only ever good things, promise. Every word is spoken with love and care. But that’s just how they are, they love you. I can’t imagine them ever trying to say something hurtful. Not to your face and not behind your back. They both care too much.”
Elliot was a bit of an embellisher when it came to certain things, but he didn’t even have to lay it on thick because he did honestly believe that.
“So it’s really not even a surprise to think that Michael would have kept being a Knight. I know he’d have done it to keep us safe, or to keep us from worrying, or any of the other things. I get it, I’m not mad at him or anything. My parents get it, too. They feel bad that they don’t have any magic to help us with, but I told them that their support gives us the strength to do what we need to. And a bunch of other sappy stuff, but it made them happy. Honestly, I’m glad they don’t have magic. I don’t know what I’d do without them. Not that anything would happen to them if they did have magic! But I understand Michael’s worries. He just cares a lot. And my parents are ready to support us from the sidelines. Like my games or races or debates. They’re cheering us on. And Michael, too. And Devyn, but I don’t think they worry so much about him. Or they don’t know how to.”
They were all friends, and his parents approved of Devyn for Michael. They supported whatever made him happy. It helped that Devyn seemed genuinely interested in whatever they had to say and liked to do chores or help burn out a bit of Elliot’s energy.
“I’m glad we don’t have to hide anything from them. I don’t think you or I could sneak out to do Knight things. My dad worries too much and has to come check to make sure I haven’t been kidnapped while I was sleeping, and Michael’s got all those cameras, and he and Devyn both have some sixth sense for danger. So really, I think this worked out well for us.”
Even if they did have to fight sometimes, he was glad he had the power to make a difference and protect the people he cared about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:24 pm
Atticus giggled when his foot was nudged and then ankle hooked by Elliot’s ankle. It was nice hearing all of the sweet things Elliot had to say about their parents, and he couldn’t help but agree that it was probably for the best that Elliot’s parents didn’t have magic. It was nice to have someone in the family not caught up in everything, even if they were pretty involved, what with the youma ruining their house. Oh, and their kid being a Knight.
“I’m glad we don’t have to hide things from them, either,” Atticus agreed and tipped his head enough to be able to rest it against Elliot’s shoulder for a few moments. He just wanted to be able to be close to him.
He knew the adults were likely hiding things from them, but Atticus trusted them. If they were going to be hurt, he had to trust that they would trust them to help. And Atticus had healing magic! It would be a waste if they didn’t at least let him help!
“We got really lucky. I got really lucky to have you and them in my life. I’m really, really happy,” he promised, and then lifted his head to kiss Elliot’s cheek again. “Should we finish off my drink?” he grinned teasingly and reached for the cup to drink half of what was left before passing it over to Elliot as his nose began to tickle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 9:31 pm
Elliot knew that the responsible thing to do was probably not drink the snowflake-sneezing inducing beverage.
…But, it was good. And it was fun. It was like blowing bubbles, but in a really weird, magical way. And they both felt fine!
“With pleasure,” he said, and pressed his cheek to Atticus’ as he sipped at the drink.
It didn’t take long to feel the tickle of a sneeze, and without fail there were more snowflakes. He made sure not to sneeze on Atticus, just in case, but he wanted to make sure they got to enjoy these snowflakes for as long as they had them.
Something this fun couldn’t be bad.
Everything was so busy and they were always working so hard.
It was nice to have something to laugh about. He was enjoying this too much to even worry about how it was happening, anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
