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 Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:15 am
Riker frowned quietly to himself. He knew there was so much going on with everyone that no one could possibly keep up with everything, but Zac always seemed like he had it together. He was steadfast and reliable, even if he was annoying and teased and criticized. The fact that he was restless was a bit worrying.
He hoped that the comment didn’t bother Julian. He didn’t want Julian thinking it was his presence being a problem. What if it was Riker being there, on top of everything?
“Okay, we’ll be right back,” he nodded to Evan as Julian took the plate and soda for Zac. He took a step to the side to let Julian go in front of him, and even kept his good arm suspiciously poised to probably catch Julian if he happened to trip or fall.
He didn’t want Evan to have more to worry about, either. Maybe if it was something he could help Zac with…? Maybe picking up some chores around the house. Or… well, he hoped he wouldn’t be told he couldn’t spend the night there. Surely they could come up with another solution.
“Did any ghosts get you?” Riker called up the stairs once they’d made their way to the garage. He was teasing and reached up to ruffle Julian’s hair a bit to make sure he knew.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:16 am
There was a low rumble from Julian’s room but there was nothing unnatural about it; Zac was just moving the bed back into place. He’d pulled it out while investigating and seemed like he was putting things back together just as the boys came up.
Julian, as expected, wore an anxious smile. He had carefully maneuvered upstairs, mindful not to drop anything or trip and fall into Riker. He made no effort to fix his hair, he was just glad to see Zac in one piece and not in the company of any ghosts.
“Why, were you hoping they would?” he grumbled. Zac seemed unfazed, like he’d been asked to perform any basic, annoying task. His brows were slightly narrowed, undoubtedly because he was trying to imagine whatever it was the boys had gone through. He didn’t seem annoyed.
Julian swallowed but quickly piped up, “Evan made you snacks.”
“Anything good?” Zac finally looked from the bed to the two of them and something in his expression changed, just ever so slightly. He’d relaxed his features and tried to lessen the furrow in his brow.
He was trying to dislodge his resting b***h face, even if just slightly. For Julian’s sake more than Riker, of course. He liked butting heads with Riker, not that he’d admit as much. Julian, not so much. He was too timid, like a scared little animal ready to bolt at the slightest fright.
“Oh, yeah. That looks good. And one of Evan’s sodas?” Zac hummed. “He must be trying to butter me up, he doesn’t like to share those.” No, it wasn’t that Evan didn’t like to share them, he was just addicted to them. He was always quick to offer them to the boys, so maybe it was just something he and Zac had between them. “Thanks. You can come in. I don’t think there’s anything here anymore.”
He took a few steps back from the bed, still contemplating. “I shined a light under it, I moved it, I crawled under it. If it was something getting inside, it’s in the mattress, but I’ve been shaking it and haven’t heard anything. I was thinking about sleeping up here just to see if something comes out, but if not, I’m sure the cat’ll be excited to show off some new tech.”
Zac clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and shrugged before eyeing Riker’s ice pack. “How’s your wrist?”
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:20 am
Riker glanced down at his wrist with the ice pack around it and shrugged. “I’ll live, probably. It’s no big deal,” he insisted as nonchalantly as possible. It still hurt, but he wasn’t going to tell Zac that, of all people. He didn’t need Zac thinking he was some weakling who couldn’t handle some mysterious entity dragging him off the bed and leaving a mark that was still a bit red.
“The cat should definitely work on setting something up to keep this room safe. It’s bad enough that it’s separated from the rest of the house. If there was an emergency… what? Should Jules just bang on the wall and you’ll come running up?” he huffed. He’d used cat only in the parroting sense. He knew Zac wasn’t talking about an actual cat, but if Zac said it like that, then… when in Rome.
“We were gonna grab some blankets and things and then sleep on the couch. We’re putting a movie on if you wanted to join,” he shrugged again, but clicked his tongue because it was one of those habits he was trying to break. Shrugging so much was annoying. At least to himself.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:23 am
Zac whistled and raised his brows. “Better not let the cat hear you talking about him like that or you’ll never hear the end of it. This place isn’t so separate from the house. I thought you’d like a little space without everyone breathing down your neck?”
With Zac’s eyes on him, Julian had to work very hard not to squirm. He was quick to insist, “I like it up here, it’s perfect. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me! If there’s an emergency, um, I can–I’d be okay!”
Once more, Zac clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Julian was close enough that he picked one of the crackers off the plate and ate it. He spoke around it like his mouth wasn’t half full. “I got up here pretty fast tonight, didn’t I? What, should I ask the cat to make a buzzer, too?” he asked dryly.
“I’m okay,” Julian insisted again. He didn’t want anyone to put in more work on his account–or to worry about him.
“Hm.” Zac wasn’t convinced. He might have already been thinking about some sort of buzzer or intercom or communication system. Soleiyu could do everything, after all. Why not take advantage of it?
But Julian seemed to be eager to convince them that he was fine, so Zac didn’t dig into the topic further. “Well, Evan’s got the remote. You know if you go watch a movie with him he’s just going to put on some shitty romance. Guarantee it. Or Titanic.” He’d have teased Evan about it if he was here but the boys would have to substitute for now. Zac’s heart wasn’t entirely in it, but probably only because he didn’t like a mystery he couldn’t solve–or a threat he couldn’t be sure he’d handled.
It was late. The danger seemed to have passed. He should have been able to relax, especially if the boys were going to sleep in the living room.
It was only a little surprising that Riker would have invited Zac to come down with them but he didn’t have to consider his answer for long. “I guess that’s fine, though. All right, yeah. Leave the snacks up here and get your blankets. I still want to check a few more things but I’ll be down in a bit.”
Julian, once again eager to make sure everyone was happy, set everything down on his desk. He tiptoed around the bed, and anywhere with shadows, but he was quick to gather an armful of blankets for them, and a pillow each before returning to Riker’s side. He too wanted Riker to keep the ice pack on his arm so he didn’t try to pass over any of the bedding. It wasn’t that heavy anyway, and he had it picked up enough that he couldn’t trip over it on the way downstairs.
“When you get down there, make sure Evan isn’t worrying. He’s going to give himself an ulcer and bellyache twice as much.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:23 am
Riker snorted and rolled his eyes about the cat giving him a hard time, and he reached out to give Julian’s back a little rub as he tried to defend being okay on his own. Riker would feel better if Julian could contact someone quickly, but knew he probably wouldn’t use it unless it was a real emergency….
And even then, he suspected it would only be used if someone else was the one pressing the button. He understood Julian’s desire to not cause problems, but that didn’t mean Riker was happy with him possibly being in danger just because he was stubborn.
“If it’s something that brings him comfort to watch, why does it matter?” Riker scoffed at Zac. “What would you put on, anyway? You seem like you’d be into Scifi.”
Not that Riker was saying there was anything wrong with Scifi, but he was also quick to defend Evan in any way he could, even if that meant poking fun at Zac. Or at least calling him out on things.
He was also surprised that Zac agreed to come watch the shitty romance with them. Or at least hang out until they all fell asleep.
Although he wanted to take some of the blankets from Julian, he didn’t. He could see he was trying to keep him from using his injured hand, so he just turned so he could be the first to walk down, just in case he needed to catch Julian if he tripped.
“Oh yeah, I’m definitely going to tell Evan that a monster ate you, just for making fun of his movies,” he huffed. He wouldn’t. “We’ll make sure there’s a spot for you to sit,” he added after a moment, turning only enough to make sure Julian really didn’t need any help.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:24 am
Julian smiled at Riker’s reassurances, but he always wore a worried expression when he and Zac teased each other. Over his time here, he’d come to learn that there was an appropriate level of back and forth harassment that each could handle, and if he’d had to be honest about it, he was pretty sure they even enjoyed it.
Julian couldn’t imagine partaking in such bold teasing. He didn’t have it in him but if they were having fun, he wasn’t going to step in. He followed Riker to the stairs, just as pleased to have him lead the way as he had been to have Riker watching his back on the way up.
Zac scoffed as he waved the boys off. “Yeah, whatever. Work on your insults, I thought all you kids were into that nerd culture these days. There’s some sci-fi you’re supposed to like. What, you got something against the Terminator? Or, what. Maybe E.T.s more your demographic?” He huffed again. “If you’re going to be over so much, we might as well expand your media literacy. You too, Julian. Can’t believe how many movie references you don’t get.”
He clicked his tongue once more like it was something they were actually going to have to work on, but it took a keen eye and wishful thinking for Julian to realize that he wasn’t picking on him.
“My parents used to do that,” Zac grumbled, eyes back on the bed as if he dared something to come crawling out now. “Pizza or some take out for dinner, I’d have a few friends over, we’d watch some weird movie.” There was almost a softness to his voice, something nostalgic. “You should do that. Kids these days get into all sorts of weird s**t. Even without the Negaverse and,” he gestured to the bed and said facetiously, “ghosts. Anyway, Evan’d like it. And he needs some media literacy, too. Can’t just watch all those Hallmark movies all the time.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:24 am
Riker paused as Zac spoke, although he didn’t turn around as he waited at the top of the stairs for Julian to follow. He didn’t mention that he hadn’t actually seen the movies Zac mentioned. Maybe later when things had settled down. He didn’t snark at him to leave Julian alone about not understanding movie references, since he could only assume Julian’s situation was much like his own in at least some regard.
The suggestion to get pizza or takeout and watch a movie with friends was… surprising. Saying that Evan would like a movie night, too.
He frowned, not at anyone, just at the stairs he was facing. Zac liked to tease and nag, but then why offer anything about his past if he didn’t at least care a little. At least about Evan, if not about them. And honestly? That was enough for Riker.
“Okay, dad,” he scoffed finally, taking his first step down the stairs. “I’ll let mom know you said we could have some friends over for pizza and a movie this weekend.”
He was pretty sure he wasn’t successful in hiding the smile from his voice.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:25 am
From behind them, Zac made a sudden, exasperated and almost flustered noise. Julian had seen his face, and maybe, just maybe–there was actually a hint of red on Zac’s cheeks. Whether he was flustered or angry, Julian wasn’t going to wait to find out. He laughed, a quiet, hasty little thing, and hurried to follow Riker before Zac could snap back anything that might otherwise ruin the giddy mood.
A part of him, much smaller now than it had been ten minutes ago, was still afraid of whatever might have been in the room. But Zac was up here making sure they were safe. Evan was downstairs making sure they were safe. Riker was walking in front of him, no doubt to make sure he was safe.
If the others were awake, he suspected they’d be working hard to make everyone feel safe, too.
Julian couldn’t wipe the smile off his face and shuffled quickly down the stairs, but he couldn’t hide the soft laughter.
Zac liked hearing that more than the freakish scratching from earlier, but he still didn’t know what to do with those boys.
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