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 Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:25 pm
“You don’t look like you’ve been crying,” Riker promised, pausing to steal a quick kiss before opening the front door to lead them out into the darkness. “Evan is quick to tears, so he has no room to judge. And yeah, Zac is the one who looks like he hates everyone and everything, but I guess he tolerates me enough to saddle me with chores,” he scoffed with a roll of his eyes.
He wasn’t really annoyed by it. He wanted to learn and be helpful around the house. If Zac was willing to teach him, then Riker would make sure he paid attention.
“I promise he already likes you, don’t worry,” he insisted, waiting for Cassidy to lock up but not rushing him. Evan had waited this long, and Riker couldn’t imagine him being annoyed with him after a few minutes longer. He wasn’t trying to take advantage of Evan’s kindness! But Cassidy was clearly upset. He didn’t want to rush him.
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:25 pm
The car was idling, just where it had been before. Evan had turned off the headlights but left on the hazards, just to make sure everyone knew he was there without him having to blind the neighbors. Evan’s silhouette was visible from the interior glow of the console; he was fidgeting in his seat and tapping on the steering wheel, like he was trying to calm himself without being too obvious about it.
Cassidy looked at the car after locking up, and sighed with what was again a sort of resigned dread. He brushed himself off and carried himself high though, walking with a little bounce in his step as he tugged Riker along.
“Well, if you say so. Thanks for carrying my bag, Riker. And, you know. For everything else. Let me get the door for you,” he said, and made sure to wave to Evan–who jumped slightly–before he opened the door.
“Hi,” Cassidy said in a pleasant sing-song voice. “Thank you for coming to pick me up. You guys were really sweet to do that. I’m going to make you some pardulas when the power comes back on. But they’re best eaten fresh so I’ll have to come over as soon as I finish. I hope you won’t get sick of me!”
He squeezed Riker’s hand just slightly more when he crawled into the seat, either because he was using him to balance himself or because he was just sucking it up. When Cassidy started to buckle up, he had to roll up his sleeve to keep it from getting in the way. He often wore the red spinel bracelet Riker had gifted him a few months ago, and sometimes even went out of his way to style an outfit around it.
Tonight, he’d just wanted to wear it to keep a part of Riker close to him.
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:25 pm
“Thanks, Evan,” he said with quiet sympathy. He knew Evan must have been worrying, but they would be going home now, and Riker would give him the biggest hug he could imagine.
Since Cassidy got the door, Riker climbed into the backseat first, making sure to push Cassidy’s bag to the opposite side while he kept hold of his hand to make sure he knew to follow him into the car. He let his hand go briefly to get his own seatbelt on, and to reach up over the middle of the front seats to give Evan’s shoulder a grateful squeeze.
As he settled back down in his seat -- the middle of the back so he could be close to Cassidy while also making sure Evan could see him -- it was impossible to miss the bracelet Cassidy wore.
A strange twist in his stomach accompanied the sight of it, but he reached for Cassidy’s hand once more, settling his upward on Cassidy’s thigh. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to feel, but he didn’t regret going to get Cassidy from that lonely house.
“You can close your eyes and rest against my shoulder if you want,” he whispered to Cassidy, knowing he wanted to look his best around Evan, or anyone else. But it was late. It would make sense if he was tired.
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:26 pm
Evan smiled when Riker took the time to squeeze his shoulder, and it was like some of the stress and worry just melted out of him.
“Oh, sure thing. Any time,” Evan said. He kept his eyes on the rear-view mirror so he could make sure the two were settled in before he started driving. He knew Cassidy was a bit squeamish in cars so he didn’t want any sudden movements.
“If I rest my head on your shoulder can I still keep my eyes open?” Cassidy whispered back playfully. He was buckled in, the door was closed. He squeezed Riker’s hand and held it close.
Not too tight.
He didn’t wait for Riker to answer before he rested his temple on Riker’s shoulder.
Evan pulled his gaze away then; he kept his eyes on the road and cautiously began the short trek home. The headlights were already on and he locked in immediately. He drove like he was taking his driver’s test and he wanted to get a perfect score.
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