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 Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:34 pm
“Oh, like you’re not always working,” Michael teased back, this time reaching over to carefully move Devyn’s half eaten sandwich out of the way so that when he gently pushed him over and onto the ground (making sure no roots would be in the way), he wouldn’t have to worry about needing to feed it to the goats instead.
Not that he expected a little bit of dirt would deter Devyn, but he didn’t want to encourage it.
With Devyn on the ground, and Michael’s hand behind his head for at least some extra comfort, he pressed kisses all over his husband’s face. He rested partially over top of him, but in a way that he could easily get up if Devyn showed any sign of not wanting to be smothered. Just his hand under Devyn’s head, and that forearm keeping him propped up over him.
There was a part of him that wondered if Devyn knew he was stalling. He was still somewhat anxious about the idea, especially since he knew the egos of those involved. Some may think he was asserting himself where he shouldn’t, when that wasn’t the intention at all.
“I think people could benefit a lot from your support group -- team? People all working together towards a common goal. Even if it’s just building a barn over the weekend. We’d do well to learn each other’s strengths so we can coordinate better when necessary. I’ll help you with that, no problem. As for this… school. I just want people to have a chance to learn. I guess you’d be working with people who already have the skills that are needed, and I would be setting up something for people to learn skills. It could work together, too.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:46 pm
It was unlikely that Michael could ever smother Devyn, because as soon as he was gifted such gentle affections he turned his face just enough to give Michael more space to work with.
“I’d like that,” he hummed. If the necklace had felt heavy earlier, the burden had lifted greatly since Michael arrived. Devyn had many things dancing around in his mind. Michael was a constant source of reassurance, and motivation to work harder. And to take it easy, too.
On his own, Devyn didn’t know how to slow down. He was less confident on Earth than he was on Alastor only because he knew he was playing by someone else’s rules. There was more to consider and more to navigate. Too many moving pieces, too many different minds. So many people had their own goals, and not all of them aligned.
He would do what was best for his world, as he had always done. He would try to do his best for Earth, even if the parameters were less clear.
“Those things go hand in hand. Just like you and I.” From where he lay, he craned his neck so he could return a few of Michael’s kisses. He looked like he needed them.
Even if he was being somewhat open about his ideas for some sort of school, Devyn suspected he was still being very careful to toe the line. He suspected Michael had actually put much more thought into this already but was just being cagey about what he was ready to share. He was probably overanalyzing the project and his presence, but Michael was always so hard on himself.
“Maybe when we go home tonight we can make a more solid plan.” He raised a hand to cup Michael’s face gently. He wouldn't get much work done when all he could think about now was how handsome and thoughtful Michael was, coming out here to check on him and being so tender and supportive.
He could devote focus when he had pen and paper and a suitable workplace to actually commit to it.
“If you need help with anything, you have me and my support as well. Maybe I’ll teach a class or two, hm? Though I don’t know what anyone could want to learn from me.” He knew many things, but how many of them did he know well enough to teach–and beyond that, how many were even useful? Fighting, maybe. He doubted anyone would want to learn how to make candles and catch frogs. “Although, perhaps I might be better off recruiting others to send in your direction,” he mused humorously. “I suspect I’d be better off attending classes more than teaching.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:49 pm
“I bet there are plenty of things people would want to learn from you,” Michael chuckled softly in amusement, leaning into Devyn’s tender touch. “Atticus talks to Elliot all the time about the things you teach him. Embroidery. Sewing. First aid. Cooking. About life in general. You taught the boys to fight.” With his help, but Devyn definitely gave them pointers that Michael hadn’t.
He was proud of his family. They’d grown so much in the past couple years. It was during a dark time in Michael’s life that he found them both and he was so grateful to have them. Elliot and the Reids had been a constant reminder that he was important, and maybe they were a big reason why he was still in the city.
“I think you give yourself too little credit. I see how people gravitate towards you, Dev. You’re a natural leader. And you’re always considerate of others. Besides, I don’t know if Knights or Senshi would want to learn from someone like me. School is different. Those kids are forced to be there. Something voluntary? Ah… that would be better suited for others.”
Maybe that was why he hesitated so much on the idea, too. In his experience, there were very few who took to heart the things he had to offer with his experience. He didn’t blame them, but it was difficult to get people to agree to anything if they were always so defiantly divided.
“Once they’re taught, they could join you and your projects. But… you’re right. We can talk about it more when we get home,” he agreed, pressing a kiss to Devyn’s lips while he had the opportunity.
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 6:53 pm
Devyn listened to Michael, as he always did. It was easy to trust in his words. He didn’t question them; he knew it wasn’t just senseless ego stroking. He was right; he saw the things in Devyn that he’d gotten used to overlooking.
There were many lessons that Devyn could teach but perhaps the only useful one was fighting, if anyone wanted to tolerate learning from him. He didn’t want to mess that up for someone else. Daphne had been a good student–she still was–but he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done more damage than good.
He let out a little sigh, because of all the things worrying at his heart, of course that was there too.
“Perhaps you can help me figure out what skills I have that I could share with others. I do like all of those things you mentioned,” he hummed. “...And I suppose I could always trick them into listening to history lessons about Alastor, too.”
While he was teasing, Devyn did have a habit of also slipping into storytelling. He couldn’t help that he loved his world and wanted to share it with everyone.
“You’re very silly to stroke my ego though, love. It’ll all go to my head. You can’t really want me signing up to teach all of those classes,” he laughed, but there was nothing but love in his words. “You should have more faith in yourself, Michael. I’ve learned so much from you. Even after all these years, you’ve taught me plenty about important things. Like first aid. I don’t think I’ve gotten a single scar since I arrived on Earth. You take very good care of me. You have so much to share. But if you want to sit back and do administration,” he shrugged. “I’d know that everyone was in good hands. But you shouldn’t be so cruel to yourself. You think people only want to be around you when they’re forced?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:09 pm
“I wouldn’t be their first choice,” Michael offered Devyn a small smile. It was easy to ignore any heartache or disappointment when he looked at Devyn, because his husband always made him feel warm and wanted.
“It’s okay. I’ll help where I can. I want to see others grow and thrive. If that means someone else has to step in to make that happen, then I would happily help keep things running from the sidelines,” he explained, although he knew part of that was due to his own insecurities. Of all the things he was confident about, there were a lot he was also uncertain of.
“Anyway, I’m definitely not stroking your ego. It’s all truth,” he laughed, peppering Devyn’s face with a few more kisses. “I do really want you to teach all those classes. People gravitate towards you. Getting people to take you seriously is easy for you. And you’re very easy on the eyes. I bet people would be signing up for your classes just to get a look at you. I know I would.”
He knew his flirting was obvious, but he couldn’t help it. He loved Devyn and thought so highly of him.
“I think, between the two of us, we could get something good started. We’ll just have to figure out the details, as you said.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:14 pm
Devyn laughed once more, obviously delighted. “Well, maybe you should sign up for a private class with me. Something one on one.” When he kissed Michael now, he went along his jaw and down his neck but he stopped before he had to worry about scandalizing some poor, innocent goat.
“We’ll figure out details tonight,” he decided. After dinner, when they had a table they could work at. “You’re here now, though. It’s a beautiful day. Before you came, I was thinking I might take a little nap. Now that you’re here, I feel rejuvenated. Do you want to finish our lunch and take a walk around? Arista’s looking pretty lively right now, we could head over there. I could use your opinion. I want to send out some messages and see if I can’t find anyone to connect with. There’s still a whole ocean I’ve never crossed,” he mused. “And I haven’t traveled so far down river that I could tell if there’s anything happening down there. Haven’t been very far west, either. And I need to get back up on that island where we found Lucien. I haven’t been back up since we found him!”
He huffed and, in this sudden newfound energy he leaned up to kiss him a few more times. “I’ll be better prepared for our next trip up. I still want to figure out what was going on up there. So much to do, ah.” He wasn’t deterred, nor did he intend to let Michal be swallowed up by his own insecurities.
“Have I told you lately how much I need you? If I didn’t have you to help me, I might have burned myself out right now. I’m so lucky to have you looking after me. You keep me sane. And healthy, and in one piece. Even if you’re not at the front of a classroom, I think everyone would be better with you looking after them and making sure they have what they need to succeed, too. You don’t have to be in the spotlight to work miracles and support others. But you deserve to be there as much as anyone else, Michael. You bring so much to the table. You’re one of a kind. Irreplaceable. I think you convince yourself that you’re not that important. But you are, to me. And so many other people. If you want to teach a class, you should. Even if you’re doing all that work behind the scenes, too. Don’t ever forget how valuable you are. And if you can’t see it in yourself, come to me. I see it clearly. I see you clearly.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2024 7:15 pm
Michael smiled softly at Devyn as he spoke -- as he showered him with praise and raised him up with motivation and encouragement. It didn’t seem like it was so long ago that Michael was prepared to stay as far away from Devyn as possible, and yet kept finding how easy it was to talk to him.
How easy it was to open up to him. To be vulnerable. To be himself instead of the illusion everyone expected him to be. Or maybe just the illusion he’d made for himself.
“You have told me, yes. I love you,” he hummed quietly in response, and leaned close to press a long, soft kiss against Devyn’s lips. Once it was broken, he reluctantly pushed himself up to sit once more, and held out his hand to help Devyn up as well.
“Thank you, Dev. I hope you never forget how valuable you are, either. You’ve done a lot for so many people. I honestly believe you could do anything you want. You just need enough support behind you, and I’m more than happy to give it. And I know many others are, too. But yeah, let’s finish lunch then take a walk. I want to see what’s going on in Arista.”
They had a lot of work that they both needed to do, but Michael was at least confident that they would support each other no matter what. And at least with that he could relax and feel a sense of relief. They would just have to take things one step at a time, but they would figure it out along the way.
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