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 Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:36 am
The warmth of their foreheads pressed against each other was reassuring, and the gentle pressure brought Julian a measure of comfort the pillow failed to provide.
“I’d like a song,” he said, holding the water bottle to his lip but not drinking just yet. “You’re getting really good with the guitar.”
He knew Riker had been practicing; he knew he’d been getting lessons from Mr. Reid, and he’d continued building his skill here. Sometimes Riker was even taking his guitar out to practice elsewhere, and Julian knew what that was like.
The water was room temperature, and half-empty already, but Julian was making an effort to keep himself hydrated and relaxed. He thanked Riker before he sipped at it, careful and measured in the way he might have if his stomach hurt. He rested against Riker, relaxed.
“...But we could just lay here for a little while, too.” Riker had worked today, and then came home and immediately started working on adoption things. He was no doubt on an adrenaline rush, and Julian understood the excitement, but he didn’t want Riker to push himself too hard.
Julian would have liked a song, but he’d have liked to know that Riker was taking care of himself, more.
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:37 am
Riker contemplated his options for a few moments, pulling back a little to thoughtfully purse his lips together as he let Julian have some room to drink his water. He could play him a song. He said he’d like one. But he was also okay to just lay down for a little while.
And Riker would be lying if he said he wasn’t tired. Amped up from the excitement of everything, but there was only so much his body and mind could handle.
He moved the guitar first, letting his fingers smooth over the smooth wood of the handle and taunt strings, before placing it gently back into its case on the floor. Next, he offered to take the water bottle from Julian. The cap was screwed back on, and he set it on the table beside the bed.
After that, they were both hands free for Riker to wrap his arms around Julian once more, and flop back onto the pillows. He was careful about it! He didn’t want him hitting his head or getting hurt, and he didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable. But it was very easy for him to settle beside Julian with an arm draped over him.
He was trying not to smile too much at the compliment about his guitar playing, but he couldn’t exactly hide many things from Julian.
“I’ll play for you after dinner,” he decided, because right now he could really use a moment to rest. Something that Julian knew, since he was always looking out for him, so Riker wouldn’t argue. They’d looked after each other before, but sharing a name now seemed even more important to do so.
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:37 am
Laying down was the ‘right’ choice, if ever there was one. Riker had a habit of trying to cram too many tasks into too little time, and he pushed himself harder than anyone needed to. Julian waited patiently for him to safely pack up his guitar, and when Riker took the water bottle, Julian again thanked him.
He almost thanked him once more when Riker wrapped his arms around him and laid down, not for the tangled embrace but because it would always be a relief to know that Riker allowed himself to rest.
It wasn't that he looked tired necessarily, just that fatigue clung to him in the same way that excitement did.
There might have been enough time to sneak in a little nap before dinner, and Julian thought that would probably be good for Riker. Give his mind a little break. Undoubtedly, he’d been thinking–maybe overthinking–everything. Adoption was an important thing! A name was an important thing!
Julian moved when Riker did, so they could get comfortable together. He was slow, gentle. Deliberate. He didn’t want to hurt Riker or himself so he was careful. Riker’s little smile was contagious; even if he tried to hide it, Julian thought it was endearing.
It was far preferable to his scowls. It was something raw and honest and real--and Riker deserved it. He’d earned that smile. He’d earned all of this, a hundred times over. He’d worked harder for this than most people had to for anything.
Julian let one arm hang over Riker to keep them connected. His touch was light, forever uncertain, like he didn’t know where to hold but wanted to return the comfort anyway.
“Okay,” he agreed, and maybe Riker would and maybe he wouldn’t, but it didn’t matter because Julian was just glad to have him here–safe, and loved, and with a family who wanted to look after him. He knew Evan was doing his best.
Gently, Julian smoothed his hand over Riker’s back. He briefly stretched to grab the blanket and then pulled it up to tuck Riker in. Adjusting the pillow again was next, because Julian was diligent when it came to making sure Riker had a comfortable place to lay his head. Through all of it, he remained horizontal, unwilling to agitate his receding headache and tempt it to return. Riker was still his priority so Julian simply worked around his discomfort.
“Can I play with your hair?” he asked, “Or will that keep you awake?”
The lights were already dimmed. It wouldn’t have been hard to sneak in a quick nap before dinner. Julian supposed Riker could use a pick me up, especially because he’d been running around all day–if not physically, than mentally.
Julian didn’t want him to crash.
He wanted today to be a good day–a perfect day.
A ‘start of the rest of your life’ day.
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Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:38 am
Riker’s eyes were already mostly closed as Julian fussed over the blankets and pillows. He was tempted to sit up and help Julian some more with getting everything settled, but he didn’t want to get in his way. Or if there was anything that had become routine for him, he didn’t want to mess that up. And… there was a little part of him that kind of really liked being taken care of. Although he wouldn’t dare let himself take it for granted.
“I like when you play with my hair,” he mumbled into the pillow, rubbing his hand over Julian’s back, although making sure he didn’t dislodge the blanket from over top of them. “I think it does the opposite and helps me sleep better.
He wasn’t planning on going to sleep! At least not more than dozing. He still had a lot of work to do, and he knew that Evan had been on his feet all day as well. He would just have to help him after dinner, too. There were already so many plans to make.
But that was okay, because his life was better now than he could have ever imagined. He wasn’t willing to give that up. Just a little rest, and then he would be ready to keep going.
Fin!
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