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 Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:09 pm
He had to plan this carefully.
They were sitting on the couch in their house, and it was quiet. Michael was working on - well, Caspian wasn't actually sure, exactly, but something. Caspian was playing Zelda on his 3DS, but his mind was elsewhere, sitting sideways so that his legs were propped up on Michael's lap, across his knees. There were pillows stuffed everywhere, and it felt, frankly, like a very nice afternoon.
Caspian cleared his throat.
"So, Michael. How's, uh. The paperwork going?"
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Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 7:28 pm
Homework. He was working on homework because Michael was a full time student now and he had homework like the rest of the college students, despite being at least ten years older than most of them.
He had his laptop on the side table next to the couch to jot things down as he thumbed through pages in the book he was reading. Before he’d gone to school for engineering, which he also loved, but this was one of those things that interested him. And since he was lucky enough that he didn’t have to worry about working, he wanted to expand his knowledge on subjects that interested him.
“Hmm?” he asked, not realizing Caspian had asked him anything, but after finishing what he was typing he glanced over at his husband. “What?”
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Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:08 am
Michael being a full time student was a serious and impressive thing, considering how long and hard he had thought about the decision in the first place and how carefully and cautiously he had come to it. Caspian had never been prouder - other than them getting married, that was - so watching him work was sort of a treat.
And it was kind of really adorable to see how concentrated he was. Even if it meant he clearly hadn't heard Caspian speak.
Caspian wiggled his sock feet, grinning. "Just asking how your studying's going. You're staring so hard at that book that it looks like you're gonna burn a hole in the paper if you're not careful enough. What are you working on, anyway? Anything interesting?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:32 am
There was one point in his life, prior to becoming a knight, that he felt he was in a hole he’d never be able to pull himself out of. He’d been stuck there for so long that he couldn’t even consider a future. And then Caspian had stepped into his life, and offered him a hand to help pull him back up.
It wasn’t perfect. They both had their faults and flaws, but they were working on it.
“Ironically,” he snorted softly in amusement, turning the book so Caspian could see the cover, which read Fahrenheit 451. “Just working on thematic comparisons of dystopian literature throughout the past century,” Michael said, glancing over to Caspian, lowering his left hand from the arm of the couch so he could teasingly grab hold of his husband’s socked foot.
“Interesting to me, at least,” he admitted. “Haven’t you beaten your game yet?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:09 pm
Caspian caught the title of the book and laughed. "I'm prophetic," he said dramatically, then gave a squeak of surprise as one of Michael's hands grabbed his foot. He was ticklish - which, really, was totally unfair - and jerked instinctively, trying to pry himself away.
"Leggo, you jerk - and that sounds like a mouthful. I think my last research paper was something on the effects of - I don't remember, something about healing right, but that was like three weeks ago so I've already forgotten," Caspian mused, flopping back down onto the couch. He tilted his head back to stare at the ceiling.
He still had to ask. It still felt somehow the wrong time.
Michael was totally going to say no. But he could ask.
"Not yet," Caspian admitted. "I lost twice already in the final round so now I'm just taking a break. I think I'll give it another ten minutes before I try again and die a third time."
He rocked his foot back and forth absently in Michael's lap, then said, as casually as he could,
"Hey. Did you ever have any pets growing up?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:27 pm
Michael kept hold of Caspian’s foot a few moments longer before letting go, shaking his head in exasperation when Caspian admitted that he didn’t remember his last paper, not understanding how he could forget so easily when it was just a week ago, but he didn’t say anything else about it.
He lifted his book back up to try and figure out where he was on the page as Caspian spoke and asked him about pets he’d had.
“I had a dog. Did you have any pets?” he asked in quick succession. It wasn’t too uncommon for them to talk about things like this. They were still learning about each other, and there was no reason for details if Michael could help it.
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Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:30 pm
He managed to shoot Michael a childish look, sticking out his tongue at the tickling of his foot, but it was good natured. Caspian snuggled back down into the couch, snatching up one of the extra pillows lying around to prop over his stomach, arms wrapped around it. His 3DS went to the coffee table beside them.
"We had a cat," Caspian said, resting his head back against the couch armrest and gazing up at the ceiling. "She was like, the oldest cat in the world, I think she must have already been a hundred when we got her, and we had her another like ten years before she eventually decided to pass on. I always liked animals, though."
Caspian twiddled his thumbs as he thought, mulling over his childhood. "We had fish for a while, because my mom said those were low maintenance, but they weren't really, they take a lot of work. And then we had mice, but they accidentally got loose and we never found them again. A rat, until we moved into a no pets allowed place. Then more fish. Then a chinchilla, but those things stink to high heaven."
Caspian's gaze flickered over to Michael.
"What kinda dog?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 4:04 pm
So as not to be rude, Michael once again lowered the book down to listen as Caspian told him about his pets he’d had growing up. For Michael, it was just the one dog.
“A golden retriever,” he said with a small shrug. “Mom has a new one now. You’ve met Poe,” he reminded Caspian and making a face at the memory of the whole family showing up at the cabin in the mountains before they’d been ready to make introductions.
He wasn’t stupid. Knew how Caspian’s brain worked (most of the time). The only reason he was talking about pets now was because he was interested in getting one. Probably. But they were both full time students and didn’t really have the time to take care of an animal.
“Why do you ask?” he prompted instead, turning to give Caspian a look that clearly said he was probably reading his mind.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 7:23 am
Caspian couldn't help but make a little face. "So, like Air Bud?" he asked, grinning over at Michael. "Or like, Homeward Bound? Golden Retrievers are really great dogs, I hear, but they're also like - super popular, everyone has one of those."
He had indeed met Poe, during a memory that he probably wished had gone differently, especially under the circumstances. He and Michael had spent an extremely delightful and fruitful time romping around that cabin by themselves; he had not expected to be unceremoniously thrown into the Gallo world by the arrival of the entire family.
Well, almost the entirely family. Caspian's mind had drifted briefly away from the conversation at hand to reminisce about said delightful and fruitful romp, and whether or not some of that could be repeated soon. He was brought back to the present by Michael staring at him.
Suspiciously. Probably because he knew what Caspian was going to ask before he even ask it, because he was Michael and they both knew each other well enough not to even talk aloud most of the time.
Caspian cleared his throat and gave Michael the most innocent look he could manage. It wasn't very convincing.
"Weeellllll," he said slowly. "I was thinkingggg....we could, you know. Expand our family a little bit. Add a bit...more to it."
He beamed at Michael.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 2:59 pm
Michael tried not to frown. He was already frowning, but now it was more difficult not to. He kept his mouth shut, deciding not to respond to Caspian’s observation on the popularity of Golden Retrievers and that perhaps their popularity did come from the fact that they were really great dogs.
Sure enough, Caspian started to suggest exactly what Michael was expecting, and he let out the breath he’d been holding. It was exasperation and not relief.
“I’m not sure now is a good time, Cas,” he said as he placed his book on the table beside him. “We’re both in class most of the day, and then with the whole… magical war thing. I just…” he stopped and shook his head, knowing this was probably one of those things that Marissa would smugly point out how neither of them were ready for this kind of committed relationship.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 7:09 am
Michael's frown really was an impressive thing that Caspian had seen multiple times just today, but was rapidly used to, because it was rare that Michael did anything but frown, scowl, and give exasperated looks whenever it became clear that Caspian was doing something ridiculous again.
Plus, he really wasn't subtle about things, and they both knew it.
Michael's answer was also expected, but that didn't mean that Caspian had to accept it. Or at least, it didn't mean he had to take that as the end all be all to everything. It wasn't like it was some unreasonable thing to ask, after all; they were married, they were living together, and so it was only natural to progress forward from here.
In whatever way. Caspian wriggled his feet again, tugging at a stray thread on the couch. "Lots of people work and still have dogs," he pointed out, brows arching. "I don't see why that's a reason not to, we aren't in class for like, forever, I think it could work out. And I mean yes, we're in the middle of a war and fighting and all that, but..."
He offered Michael what was hopefully a very winning smile.
"I'm sure there are powered people that still have pets."
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:29 am
Of course Caspian wasn’t going to give up the conversation. When Caspian wanted something, he was stubborn about it and did whatever he could to get it, even if he probably shouldn't. It’s what got him into trouble. It’s what landed him in the hospital. It’s what almost got him killed.
“I don’t think I can handle having a dog right now,” Michael said, deciding that the best way to handle this was to be straight forward since Caspian was going to come up with reasons to counter any excuse he gave. “They make too much noise. They cause messes. It’ll make me more stressed than I already am, Cas,” he tried to explain without having to admit to any of his own faults.
As cute as Caspian’s smile was, Michael only frowned deeper. Although it was more of a sad frown than anything else.
“I’m sorry Cas. Maybe in another year or so. I just don’t think I can handle having a dog or other pet right now.”
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Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 7:53 am
He felt a wave of disappointment wash over him at I don't think I can handle a dog right now. It wasn't helped by the rest of what Michael was saying, even if Caspian knew that it was important for them to discuss things or reasons, or whatever the case may have been. He knew very well that taking care of an animal was an extreme responsibility that would take a great deal of time and energy to figure out. They had their married life, their jobs, their classes. And then, on top of that, they had their powered lives, patrolling and youma and the Negaverse all piled into one chaotic mess of things.It was rational and reasonable not to get a dog.
But still. It didn't mean that Caspian couldn't be disappointed.
He was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, then let out a small breath. Caspian drew his legs up out of Michael's lap and shifted on the couch, moving around so that he could maneuver himself into Michael's lap instead, curling up on his side there, a favorite position.
"You're right," he mumbled, looping arms around Michael's waist, a sigh escaping as he tilted his head back to look up at his husband. "I know you are. I just thought a dog might, you know. Make us smile. Make you smile."
And himself, but that wasn't the point. If it made Michael uncomfortable, he didn't want to do it. Caspian's gaze flickered across his husband's face, lapsing into another silence, simply tracing his features, the features he knew so well by now; every strong line and dip and curve of the face he'd grown to adore.
"What about..." He almost didn't want to say it, in case it made things worse. Not that they were bad, but if Michael didn't want a dog, Caspian didn't see how this would be any better. But it wasn't like they couldn't not talk about it; it was too important, after all.
"...kids?" Caspian finished quietly. "Have you ever...thought about, you know...kids..? For us..?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 5:09 pm
Michael moved his arm so that Caspian could climb up into his lap, and he tilted his head back to look up at the ceiling for a few moments to try and center himself, before looking back down. He could see the disappointment on Caspian’s face.
It wasn’t like he wanted to disappoint him, but he also knew what he could and couldn’t handle at the moment. He still wore headphones at night on holidays to block out the rowdy noises of partiers and fireworks; a yippy dog would be even worse.
“I didn’t think you were ready for kids,” he frowned back at Caspian. “Of course I’ve thought about it, but you’re not even twenty-two.” There was a small feeling of deja vu that they’d talked about this topic before, and how Caspian wanted to wait, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint when and where.
“So, I really hope something didn’t happen and you suddenly want kids now, because I can definitely call up Paris and let her know she’s got a babysitter whenever she needs help,” he said, a hint of teasing in his voice, if only to try and settle Caspian’s nerves.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2018 8:10 pm
He knew it wasn't necessarily a subject that was an easy one; in fact, if it was easy, it probably wouldn't have been such an important topic, but still. Things like pets and children and everything were important to discuss when you were married, and couldn't be just something brushed under the rug.
Which was why he was grateful for at least the opening of the conversation at hand. Caspian toyed with the hem of his shirt, fingernails painted a dark, inky blue, the band on his finger a constant and ever present reminder of their wedding vows. He liked the weight of it, liked the feel of it; a consistent thing to wake up to and see, just like Michael.
"I'm not," Caspian admitted. "But I wanted to just...y'know. Talk about it with you. See where you were in all of this. We're partners, and you're my husband, so I can't just come to decisions like this on my own and all anymore. Hence the asking," he added, with a little smile.
A snort of laughter escaped, in spite of himself.
"She's got twins. That's totally different."
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