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 Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:25 pm
Evan waited for a moment, as if to give Julian time to change his mind. Unsurprisingly, Julian just nodded. “I can get things set up. Um.” He looked around the room, at his hands, and then around the room again. “It won’t take long. I could be done before you get back.”
So, Evan nodded, and handed the ice pack over to Julian completely.
“Yeah, I can be ready in just a minute. Riker, are you sure you aren’t hurt? You don’t even need ibuprofen or anything? I can get you a snack or anything for the ride over while you rest for just a minute and then we can head over.”
Cassidy had a to-go bag, and if his father wasn't even there, why would he even want to be in an empty home? At least they had air conditioning here.
Julian hadn’t yet moved, but really it was because Riker was still resting against his back. He was ready to jump into action and get things put together for Riker.
He still had a lot of things to process, but he could probably cram them into the few minutes it would take Evan and Riker to get Cassidy, and whatever else he couldn’t manage, he could just bottle up for later.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:26 pm
Somehow, even though Riker knew they wouldn’t deny him, he was still astonished that they agreed so easily. And Julian was such a sweetheart for being so accommodating, and Evan so generous for offering to help get Cassidy.
Riker pushed himself back so he could twist away from where he’d made himself comfortable behind Julian. But he didn’t climb off the bed before wrapping his arms around him.
“I’m glad you’re not too hurt,” he whispered in Julian’s ear as he rubbed his back. He didn’t like saying that he was glad anyone was ‘okay,’ especially not someone like Julian whom he knew liked to keep things hidden, especially if he felt like he was being a burden.
Riker knew… because Riker did the same. Of course he was going to be ‘okay’ no matter what.
Except… with people like Evan and Julian and Cassidy and all their other friends, it was becoming easier to be honest.
“You were so badass out there. You should be so proud of yourself for what you managed to do. You protected all of us, Jules.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:27 pm
Julian had intended to stay still while Riker moved, so the arms around him again after Riker had already started clearly confused him. He wanted to tilt his head so he could read Riker’s expression, but with his lips to Julian’s ears already, he didn’t want to miss anything he whispered.
“Oh,” he said, as if eager to dismiss the praise. He flashed a quick smile but he wasn’t sure Riker saw it. He still hadn’t been able to turn completely and face him.
He’d spoken with a soft voice before, and it didn’t raise in volume when he continued. “I think the um, that bigger shield, probably did more to protect everyone. But I’m glad I could help a little. I’m really glad we all made it home. I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you all. I’m glad things worked out the way they did. You were really cool, Riker. I felt really safe with you there.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:27 pm
“Everyone else was getting injured way worse. None of us got really hurt, and that was all thanks to you,” Riker insisted, giving Julian’s back another little rub. He knew Julian had a hard time accepting praise, but Riker wasn’t trying to praise him -- just point out the facts. It wasn’t a compliment, it was just stating how things happened.
“I’m going to get stronger,” he decided, but this time he pulled back a little so he could look at Julian a bit easier. “So I’m going to be relying on you a lot to watch my back. You okay if we team up like that?”
If he ran in to attack, Dering just needed to do his best with his shield, and they would be unstoppable.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:28 pm
Riker had put only the slightest distance between them, but it was enough for Julian to see him a bit easier, too.
He nodded, perhaps not to agree with Riker’s faith in him but most certainly to support Riker in his quest to become stronger. Julian wanted to be stronger, too. “I’ll always watch your back, Riker.”
He knew Riker would always watch his, too.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:28 pm
He knew it was hard. He wasn’t going to push Julian into anything he didn’t think he was ready for. Beating him with compliments might just make him shrink further away from them, so Riker would just do what he could, little by little, to prove how much Julian meant to him.
He started by leaning close to press a kiss against his forehead, and then ruffled his hair a little.
“Dibs on the middle,” he insisted, nodding to the bed as he finally pushed himself up to stand. “You keep an eye on him, understand?” he then looked at Maxim, reaching out to rub his head as well. Oh… was he petting Julian’s head like a dog? Hmm… maybe he needed to rethink things. He’ll have to check later if that bothered him or not.
“I’m not hurt, I promise. Just a little tired,” he said to Evan now that he was ready to temporarily part ways with Julian. He turned to flash Julian one last smile before standing ready to follow Evan.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:30 pm
Julian smiled again, and as he fixed his hair, he nodded. Of course Riker would be in the middle! He was better friends with Cassidy than Julian was, and Julian was a little shy about his personal space, anyway. If Riker was happy in the middle, so was Julian.
Maxim watched Evan and Riker curiously, and his tail wagged in slow confusion. He sat down on the bed a bit aggressively, like he was throwing a tiny temper tantrum. He just didn’t like that they were leaving.
Evan had been doing his best to avoid paying attention to the two boys; he wanted to give them whatever privacy they could to exchange words now since they wouldn’t have much time when–if–Cassidy decided to come stay with them.
“Since you promised, I believe you. I know you wouldn’t lie to me,” Evan said, because he was very ready to start guilting Riker if he was lying.
But, he was young. Just because Evan was achy didn’t mean that Riker was going to be.
“Be safe,” Julian requested.
“We will. We’ll be home soon,” he promised, to Riker and Julian.
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