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Donovan finished moving in his things rather quickly. He’d finished the night before. There was plenty of room for him, of course, and traditionally he’d never really gathered a lot of belongings. For a lot of his young adult life he couch surfed while not on assignment. Light luggage was sort of the name of the game and even when he moved in with Marlin besides a bed, which he now didn’t need, he hadn’t really built up a significant bevy of possessions. The only real things he cared about were his cameras and the binders of his work categorized by year and by location, the closest to a diary he’d ever kept.
It took some getting used to now that he lived in a mansion instead of visited one on occasion. He was still not used to Xander’s wealth or the perks that came along with it. He grew up in a small home with his grandpa across town, one of the older homes in DC and had only really lived in an apartment since then. This sort of luxury? All of it was new.
He moved into the living room and set up his laptop, content to work on editing some of his photos. There was a map spread out beside him on the coffee table, places he’d been marked with red dots. Many places had more than one dot on them. His passport was very full of stamps and would need to be replaced soon. For now he was happy to be home and happy to be able to celebrate his boyfriend’s birthday coming up in just a few short days.
It took some getting used to now that he lived in a mansion instead of visited one on occasion. He was still not used to Xander’s wealth or the perks that came along with it. He grew up in a small home with his grandpa across town, one of the older homes in DC and had only really lived in an apartment since then. This sort of luxury? All of it was new.
He moved into the living room and set up his laptop, content to work on editing some of his photos. There was a map spread out beside him on the coffee table, places he’d been marked with red dots. Many places had more than one dot on them. His passport was very full of stamps and would need to be replaced soon. For now he was happy to be home and happy to be able to celebrate his boyfriend’s birthday coming up in just a few short days.
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Dessie didn’t like Donovan. Not for some imagined slight or because he was a bad guy but because he had hurt Xander before coming back into the picture. It didn’t matter that Xander had taken the other male back, or that they seemed to be really happy now, she still didn’t like him. However for her ‘father’ and his acknowledgement of his feelings she kept silent on the comings and goings of the other male. She didn’t chase him away or even acknowledge his presence any more then she had too but now everything had changed. He moved in. He was officially part of the household and unless Dessie wanted to be like Ian and hide away in her room there was no way she could avoid him forever. If she was lucky she could at least avoid him until college… or hell froze over.
Sadly lady luck was not the young woman’s friend because as she came in after a day of busking in the city, a past time that Xander didn’t particularly like or know she still did, she spotted the little interloper spread out in the living room like he owned the place. With probably more force then nessisary the young blonde shut the front door and meandered over to look over Donovan’s shoulder. Icy blue eyes took in the world map with all its colored dots, likely indicating the places he had been or was going to go. As much as she wanted him to go to one of those places and stay there she knew that Xander would once again be heartbroken so she did what any dutiful daughter would do, she pointed to a red dot in the states and gruffly stated, “Avoid the north part of that city. And if you hurt Xander again I will hunt you down and make you regret it.” With that said she turned on her heel and started to head towards the kitchen.
Sadly lady luck was not the young woman’s friend because as she came in after a day of busking in the city, a past time that Xander didn’t particularly like or know she still did, she spotted the little interloper spread out in the living room like he owned the place. With probably more force then nessisary the young blonde shut the front door and meandered over to look over Donovan’s shoulder. Icy blue eyes took in the world map with all its colored dots, likely indicating the places he had been or was going to go. As much as she wanted him to go to one of those places and stay there she knew that Xander would once again be heartbroken so she did what any dutiful daughter would do, she pointed to a red dot in the states and gruffly stated, “Avoid the north part of that city. And if you hurt Xander again I will hunt you down and make you regret it.” With that said she turned on her heel and started to head towards the kitchen.
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It hadn’t escaped his notice that Dessie lived there and seemed to go out of her way to avoid him like the plague. It was only mildly surprising, considering what an idiot he’d been before, but he was also pretty sure he wasn’t the first person to be completely terrified by the idea of falling in love with someone unexpected, let alone for the first time. Besides, it was months ago. It wasn’t the first reason that came to mind - he assumed it was a teenager thing. Sometimes he equated her with the sullen teen from Deadpool. He was never sure if he was going to get huffy silence or a snarky comment.
Today it seemed to be a door slam and he jumped, having been absorbed in his work when she made her presence quite known. She lingered over his map, pointing to a city he was familiar with, and gave her advice. He moved to respond when she threatened him and that left him a bit dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open for a moment. He shut it quickly, shaking his head, frowning. There were a few emotions that sparked through him at the words but he reigned them in knowing it came from a place of love. For that, they were very much in agreement.
“I have no intention of hurting him, lass.” Which was true, and why their relationship had progressed this far. “I can’t help but wonder if that’s the reason I’ve spoken so few words to you since he and I started dating.”
He gestured to the couch and scooted to make room, inviting her to have a come to Jesus talk if she wanted one. He was fine hashing out their issues if that’s what it took to make her understand that he knew the mistake he’d made and the wonderful thing he had in spite of that. They both loved him, that much was obvious. If nothing else, that was a hell of a lot of common ground.
“I could mention you drive him half out of his mind with worry with some of the activities you enjoy.” He didn’t have a monopoly on making bad decisions. “Dessie, I’m not your enemy. I’m living here now and I’d like to be your friend if you’ll let me. I love Xander with all of my heart and, someday, if things go well I’d like to spend the rest of my life with him.”
Which made him sound so much like a step parent even he cringed. That wasn’t the impression he wanted to give and quickly back tracked, trying to find better phrasing for his thoughts.
“I’d like to be your friend. I want you to know you can trust me and I won’t ever intentionally hurt Xander again.”
Today it seemed to be a door slam and he jumped, having been absorbed in his work when she made her presence quite known. She lingered over his map, pointing to a city he was familiar with, and gave her advice. He moved to respond when she threatened him and that left him a bit dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open for a moment. He shut it quickly, shaking his head, frowning. There were a few emotions that sparked through him at the words but he reigned them in knowing it came from a place of love. For that, they were very much in agreement.
“I have no intention of hurting him, lass.” Which was true, and why their relationship had progressed this far. “I can’t help but wonder if that’s the reason I’ve spoken so few words to you since he and I started dating.”
He gestured to the couch and scooted to make room, inviting her to have a come to Jesus talk if she wanted one. He was fine hashing out their issues if that’s what it took to make her understand that he knew the mistake he’d made and the wonderful thing he had in spite of that. They both loved him, that much was obvious. If nothing else, that was a hell of a lot of common ground.
“I could mention you drive him half out of his mind with worry with some of the activities you enjoy.” He didn’t have a monopoly on making bad decisions. “Dessie, I’m not your enemy. I’m living here now and I’d like to be your friend if you’ll let me. I love Xander with all of my heart and, someday, if things go well I’d like to spend the rest of my life with him.”
Which made him sound so much like a step parent even he cringed. That wasn’t the impression he wanted to give and quickly back tracked, trying to find better phrasing for his thoughts.
“I’d like to be your friend. I want you to know you can trust me and I won’t ever intentionally hurt Xander again.”
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Dessie hadn’t even gotten out of the room before Donovan spoke up. “You didn’t intentionally hurt him last time either,” She snarkly replied. “Besides it would hurt Xander if he knew I would rather deck you then talk to you so I’ve left you two alone.” She stalked closer, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. “You ******** ghosted him. In this city that likely means you died.” She at least left a note when she ran away so they wouldn’t worry. Dessie eyed the couch and the space that Donovan made before deliberately sitting down on of the side seats, he might have been around for a while but that didn’t mean s**t to her. She didn’t trust easily and he still had a hell of a long way to go with her on that front.
She did have the grace though to look away at the commentary about her own actions, she knew that her lonely patrols drove Xander nuts but they knew she could take care of herself. The collection of scars proved that but they also revealed the danger she knowingly walked into on a regular basis. Donovan didn’t even know the worst of it. The secrets she hid and the pain she had caused, most tied up with her running away nearly a year and a half ago. She had done it to protect them but it had only caused them more pain in the end. Maybe that's why she was so pissed with him. Donovan had done basically the same thing she had done but so much worse, she at least left a type of note behind, and she got to see first hand the kind of damage such a move did. “He knows I can take care of myself,” Dessie mostly grumbled before getting back on topic, blue eyes once more pinned on the male.
“I don’t need friends and I’ve got all the family I want, family I chose,” She went back on the attack, once more shoving any softer emotions away and doing her best to project a cold and unfeeling person. “That is the only reason I haven’t said anything. You make him happy… just don't screw up again or you will really regret it.”
She did have the grace though to look away at the commentary about her own actions, she knew that her lonely patrols drove Xander nuts but they knew she could take care of herself. The collection of scars proved that but they also revealed the danger she knowingly walked into on a regular basis. Donovan didn’t even know the worst of it. The secrets she hid and the pain she had caused, most tied up with her running away nearly a year and a half ago. She had done it to protect them but it had only caused them more pain in the end. Maybe that's why she was so pissed with him. Donovan had done basically the same thing she had done but so much worse, she at least left a type of note behind, and she got to see first hand the kind of damage such a move did. “He knows I can take care of myself,” Dessie mostly grumbled before getting back on topic, blue eyes once more pinned on the male.
“I don’t need friends and I’ve got all the family I want, family I chose,” She went back on the attack, once more shoving any softer emotions away and doing her best to project a cold and unfeeling person. “That is the only reason I haven’t said anything. You make him happy… just don't screw up again or you will really regret it.”
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“I’m not the only one to make a mistake, lass. I’ve more than paid for it. The thought of losing him was enough to put the fear of God into me.”
Somehow, he doubted tussling with his adopted daughter would make Xander very happy, even if Donovan thought taking a punch or two for the team might help. If she wanted to get it out he could brawl with the best of them, no stranger to bar fights. Instead he stayed perfectly calm, unwilling to be intimidated by her in any way. Getting angry wasn’t going to help the situation. He’d come across worse as a Squire and wasn’t about to give in to the intimidation tactics. He nodded with her assessment.
“I know I should have left word with him, he knows as well. We’ve talked about it at length more than once. I know how important you are to him and I would like you to forgive me, just as he has.”
At least she conceded the point about her own dangerous activities. Neither of them were perfect and both of them caused the person they cared about some sort of stress. Like Dessie, he patrolled mostly on his own and usually got himself into plenty of trouble. He didn’t have all that many scars, but that was only by the grace of God. It certainly wasn’t his doing - he threw himself headlong into just about everything. It was just that, so far, he’d managed not to get mangled too badly by anyone.
“Does he?” He lifted an eyebrow at her, tilting his head. “I’m not sure he’d worry as much if he knew you were out of harm’s way.”
Not that this was a battle of who did worse. He was simply trying to make the point that they both distressed Xander in their own ways so it was hardly fair to judge each other for it. Besides, he had no intention of going anywhere again, he lived there now and that suited him rather well. It was strange, but having his boyfriend climb into bed with him every night made it worth it.
“I live here now, Dessie. You can’t hope to avoid me forever. You don’t frighten me and you’re attacking someone that only wants to make Xander happy. I understand where you’re coming from, but I think a better use of that energy is trying to find a way to accept what’s happening.”
Somehow, he doubted tussling with his adopted daughter would make Xander very happy, even if Donovan thought taking a punch or two for the team might help. If she wanted to get it out he could brawl with the best of them, no stranger to bar fights. Instead he stayed perfectly calm, unwilling to be intimidated by her in any way. Getting angry wasn’t going to help the situation. He’d come across worse as a Squire and wasn’t about to give in to the intimidation tactics. He nodded with her assessment.
“I know I should have left word with him, he knows as well. We’ve talked about it at length more than once. I know how important you are to him and I would like you to forgive me, just as he has.”
At least she conceded the point about her own dangerous activities. Neither of them were perfect and both of them caused the person they cared about some sort of stress. Like Dessie, he patrolled mostly on his own and usually got himself into plenty of trouble. He didn’t have all that many scars, but that was only by the grace of God. It certainly wasn’t his doing - he threw himself headlong into just about everything. It was just that, so far, he’d managed not to get mangled too badly by anyone.
“Does he?” He lifted an eyebrow at her, tilting his head. “I’m not sure he’d worry as much if he knew you were out of harm’s way.”
Not that this was a battle of who did worse. He was simply trying to make the point that they both distressed Xander in their own ways so it was hardly fair to judge each other for it. Besides, he had no intention of going anywhere again, he lived there now and that suited him rather well. It was strange, but having his boyfriend climb into bed with him every night made it worth it.
“I live here now, Dessie. You can’t hope to avoid me forever. You don’t frighten me and you’re attacking someone that only wants to make Xander happy. I understand where you’re coming from, but I think a better use of that energy is trying to find a way to accept what’s happening.”
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As much as Dessie wanted to stalk off, or smack him, she didn’t. She sat there with her arms crossed and a cold look on her face. It didn’t matter that he made valid points or that she knew that he was sort of right, she didn’t trust him. But Xander did. He loved the little asswipe sitting on the couch. He loved him enough to let Donovan move in. Unlike Dessie, Donovan hadn’t brought any serious emotional baggage with him, nor was he originally taken in as a stray. So what if some of her distrust grew from her dislike of the other male, from the apparent casual replacement of her. Logically she knew that little doubt was so full of crap that a whole field could be fertilized with some left over but it was hard to shake so rather then face it she just ignored it. She held onto the ‘righteous’ anger of Donovan hurting Xander when he left.
She didn’t want to talk to him, she couldn’t hit him, so that only left ignoring him or avoiding him. However, avoiding the male would be exceedingly hard now that he had moved in and ignoring him would only make Xander sad. Damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt Xander. Not again. Not like that. So against her better judgement Dessie tried to smile, it looked more like a grimace but it was better than the scowl, “For Xander. But I still don't like you.” She would do her best to at least not be too hostile towards Donovan and as such she once again pointed to the city she indicated before. “I wasn’t kidding before. Avoid the north side if you can, Gang war.” She kept it short and sweet, not bothering to elaborate. If he didn’t understand what she had just said then he deserved walking into such a hairy situation… except she knew that if he asked she would explain because no one really deserved having to deal with that kind of insanity.
Even with that in mind she still stood up and grabbed her guitar case, which she had left leaning against her chair, and headed towards the living room doorway. She was hungry, even if they were under a type of cease-fire that didn’t mean she had to be bubbly or friendly with Donovan, she just shouldn’t be so openly hostile. Little did he realize that not talking to him really was a step up from being openly hostile, she just needed to remember to mutter out pleasantries and other civilized sayings every so often.
Sometimes being alone was much easier.
She didn’t want to talk to him, she couldn’t hit him, so that only left ignoring him or avoiding him. However, avoiding the male would be exceedingly hard now that he had moved in and ignoring him would only make Xander sad. Damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. The last thing she wanted to do was to hurt Xander. Not again. Not like that. So against her better judgement Dessie tried to smile, it looked more like a grimace but it was better than the scowl, “For Xander. But I still don't like you.” She would do her best to at least not be too hostile towards Donovan and as such she once again pointed to the city she indicated before. “I wasn’t kidding before. Avoid the north side if you can, Gang war.” She kept it short and sweet, not bothering to elaborate. If he didn’t understand what she had just said then he deserved walking into such a hairy situation… except she knew that if he asked she would explain because no one really deserved having to deal with that kind of insanity.
Even with that in mind she still stood up and grabbed her guitar case, which she had left leaning against her chair, and headed towards the living room doorway. She was hungry, even if they were under a type of cease-fire that didn’t mean she had to be bubbly or friendly with Donovan, she just shouldn’t be so openly hostile. Little did he realize that not talking to him really was a step up from being openly hostile, she just needed to remember to mutter out pleasantries and other civilized sayings every so often.
Sometimes being alone was much easier.
