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 Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:09 am
Chad kicked his feet anxiously against the dirt as he waited. Elliot had a dentist appointment that day, so there was a chunk of time that he wouldn’t be able to hang out with him. Chad was still invited for dinner, of course, but until then he promised he would be fine until Elliot returned.
After sleeping in much too late on Sunday, Elliot and Chad went through the beads again and worked on making some pieces of jewelry. Nothing too fancy, since Chad was well aware that he did not have the skill or experience to make anything really nice, but he was pleased with the outcome all the same.
At least until it drew closer to the time where he planned on giving them as gifts.
He was in the park, waiting to meet Devyn. That way, if Devyn didn’t want to meet with him, then he could just say he didn’t get his message, rather than Chad showing up at their house. He didn’t think Devyn would just ignore him, but he also didn’t want to interrupt him if he was busy.
Chad sighed as he pushed himself back and forth on the swing, although not high enough that his feet ever really left the ground. Maybe this was a bad idea. He really just wanted to thank Devyn for everything he did to help him.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:20 am
As if Devyn could have resisted an invitation to check up on Chad. He’d been worried about him since he dropped him off at the Reid household, but he hadn’t received any messages that indicated he was in trouble.
Michael had some work to do–boring, papery work, and he’d just been about to go take a walk around the park when he got the invitation from Chad, so he updated Michael on these new plans to go take a quick jog and meet up with him to make sure he was okay.
Which meant that Devyn arrived with twice as many snacks as he’d have needed, and two bottles of sports drinks, because Michael had picked them out special and was looking after him to make sure he stayed healthy and energized.
“I hope you weren’t waiting long,” he said; he’d approached from behind and didn’t want to spook him, but he was quick to take a seat in the swing nearest to him. He offered one of the drinks to Chad as he did so. “How’s today going?”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:25 am
Despite Devyn’s best efforts, Chad was so wound up from his thoughts that he still jumped a little when Devyn spoke, but he quickly tried to hide it by turning to smile up at him.
“Hi, oh, no, I wasn’t waiting that long,” he insisted, and then held his hands out for the offered drink with a quiet thanks. “Today has been okay. Elliot has a dentist appointment,” he explained, although maybe that was rude of him to basically admit that he would rather be with Elliot.
It wasn’t entirely true! He liked Devyn a lot! And he didn’t want to just use him or call him when he needed help.
“Are you doing okay? Thank you for the other day. That guy was so mean. I hope you don’t have to deal with him or… people like him a lot,” he sighed as he worked on trying to get the cap of his drink open. He tried twisting it with one hand, and then the other, and tried using his shirt to get a better grip. Maybe digging into the safety seal with his nails would help.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:43 am
Devyn seemed to take absolutely no offense; he supposed it must be easier for Chad to be around Elliot for many reasons. They were friends, after all. Devyn mostly was only ever there when Chad was in trouble. So, it wasn’t surprising that he’d jumped, he might have been expecting another youma or Corrupted Senshi or something.
He watched as Chad worked at the cap, and seemed ready to offer help, but he wanted to give him the chance to try. He leaned against the chain of the swing.
“I’m doing well, thank you.” He shrugged, because he didn’t want to deal with people like that often, but he’d rather be the one to do it if it meant people like Chad didn’t have to deal with any of it. “You look better today, did you have a good time with the Reids? I brought you some snacks, just in case you didn’t get to spend enough time with them.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:50 am
Chad shook his hand out after a few more moments of failed trying, and just held onto the bottle for the time being. Instead, he smiled and nodded to Devyn in agreement about looking better.
“I feel better. I got to sleep a lot while I was with Elliot. I feel really bad, though. I could have been spending time with him and his dads, but instead they let me sleep,” he said with a quiet sigh, even though he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. It had been such a sweet gesture, to let him rest. He did feel bad because Elliot spent all that time with him, but he said he was fine and just played on his phone until Chad woke up.
He went back to trying to get the cap off the bottle then, cringing as he twisted with all his might to get the cap off and--
Oh, good. It finally came loose. He paused to flex his hand again because now it was red and sore from the ridges on the cap, but at least he managed to get it open.
Chad took a moment to sip at the drink, and then glanced gratefully back up at Devyn when he mentioned snacks. After being with the Reids, he didn’t feel as hungry as he usually did, and he wasn’t as worried about wondering where he would get food from, but he wouldn’t say no to snacks.
“Thank you. That’s really kind of you. Are… are they different from what you would eat on your world?” Because Devyn wasn’t from Earth, so he had to have other food, right?
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:58 am
Devyn watched him attempt to open the bottle and his face lit up immensely when Chad managed to unscrew the top. He was glad he’d waited to offer any help because it meant that he could be proud of Chad for managing to do that himself.
“Well, you must have needed the sleep. You had a rough day,” he justified. He hoped it would give him the strength to last until whenever he could next spend more time with Elliot and his parents. He produced a few snacks–the same as he’d have the night they first met–and presented them immediately to share with Chad.
“They’re very different from what I’d eat on my world. We didn’t have things packaged like this. Some things might last a few weeks, not but months. Some of the flavors are similar, but it’s not really like home. I used to eat anything, everywhere. My world, other worlds. But,” he hesitated for a moment and then continued, “My world’s having a bit of a hard time right now. It’s been just me for a while, and I don’t have the best green thumb. I’ve been eating mushrooms and potatoes, mostly.” He left out the bark, but. He’d gotten desperate at times and he had to make it work.
“My hope is to find some way to save it and bring it back to what it was. And save whoever’s still out there. I haven’t had contact in a long time, so I hope they don’t think that I’ve forgotten about them.”
He didn’t know how to explain it clearly to Chad, didn’t want to push the idea of a hopeless, sick world, so he kept it at that.
“But, I’ve found a lot of things on Earth that I like. You’ve got a variety that can keep in nearly any situation, and then you’ve got a variety that’s hot, and fresh. There’s so many flavors. But, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still homesick. There are a lot of things that I haven’t had in…”
No, he didn’t want to do the math.
“A long time.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 12:05 pm
After carefully setting the drink between his knees, Chad reached out to take one of the snacks Devyn offered, again with a quiet thanks. He listened attentively as Devyn spoke of what he had to eat, and what his hopes were, and his experience on Earth, all the while working on getting the packaging open for his snack.
He’d picked the granola bar to be on the safe side, even though he often struggled with these wrappers, like everything else. This time he paused in his efforts a little earlier than he did with the bottle, but his hands were still sore from twisting off the cap, so he just needed a little time to rest between tries.
“Could I visit your world one day?” Chad asked, glancing curiously up at Devyn. Oh, but maybe that was rude of him. Maybe it was a special place only people like Devyn -- uh.. Sen… Senshi? And Knights could go. “I’ve never tried growing things before, but I could help, maybe? I can dig holes if that will help,” he offered, not sure why when he knew he would have to take a break every couple minutes.
“It feels like another world when I go to Elliot’s house, sometimes. It’s so different from what I’m used to. It makes me feel safe. Kind of like when I’m with you,” he said with a smile as he glanced back up at Devyn after once again trying to find a good place to tear the wrapper.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 12:39 pm
Devyn watched him as he worked on the wrapper, not enough to seem judgmental or critical, it just seemed like it was something to keep an eye on while he filtered through his thoughts. When he felt Chad’s attention on him, he raised his gaze to meet Chad’s eyes.
“I’d like to take you. Right now, it’s dangerous. I’m afraid to take anyone. But if you ever needed to get away somewhere, I’d make it work. I’d protect you.”
The Hall was safe, after all. Nothing had ever breached it. He’d been back last week to check on the candles and it was still holding firm. Still storming outside, too much for him to get out and do much, but the perimeter was secured. His absence wasn’t weakening the world, at least.
“Right now, my world’s got bad storms. There’s a…I don’t know how to describe it simply. A Chaotic force that’s trying to wreak havoc on my world. It’s a smothering pressure. It storms constantly. It feels like the Chaos wants to swallow you up. But I’m working on it. I’m going to save my world.”
He had people that could help. He knew he wasn’t alone.
And, he couldn’t help but think Chad was sweet for saying that he felt safe around Devyn.
“And I’d appreciate any help I could get. I don’t have much of a green thumb, myself, but I haven’t had much to work with in a while. I used to help on the fields, sometimes.”
Back when things were a little better.
“It’s a beautiful world. It’s just had a bit of a rough time recently. Still has the prettiest architecture I’ve ever seen. And the Hall–where I live–we have art everywhere. I want to show that off, too. I feel like you know how to appreciate art, I need someone with a good eye to enjoy it with.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 12:48 pm
Chad frowned with obvious distress when Devyn explained how there was some Chaotic force that wanted to swallow someone up. He knew that Devyn must know what he was doing. He was obviously good at fighting strange creatures and people, and had saved him twice already, but what if something did happen? What if Devyn got hurt and he was all alone on his world?
“Will you be okay?” he asked worriedly, his unopened snack momentarily set down in his lap. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
He might not know him very well yet, but Devyn was important to him. And not just because he’d saved him. He was kind and patient. He was generous and thoughtful. Devyn didn’t have to bring anything for him, but he did!
Oh, but speaking of art…
Chad glanced down so he could balance the snack and drink as he reached into his pocket, but paused to fumble with what he’d wrapped his fingers around for a moment longer before pulling it out.
It was a beaded necklace with blues and greens and black and gold. Obviously inspired by Devyn’s clothes when he was magical.
“It’s not really good. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but… Elliot got a bunch of beads and we made some things together and, well, I wanted to thank you for helping me,” he explained as he held the strand of beads up. It was long enough and the beads were small enough to wear comfortably around the neck, or looped a couple times as a bracelet.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 12:55 pm
Devyn was already considering that Chad had a very large heart when he was fussing over him. Would he be okay? Probably. He’d made it this far, after all–and he had Michael to look after him now. He couldn’t imagine not being okay.
He’d had enough of that already.
He wasn’t ever going to get Percy back, so there was a hurt that would never heal, but he had a chance to make amends and try to fix things.
Even if he wasn’t okay, even if something happened to him, it wasn’t going to stop him.
He had too much left to do to give up anytime soon.
He had too many people he didn’t want to let down–Chad, included.
“You don’t think this is good?” Devyn asked, with obvious surprise as he reached out to accept the beads. He placed his bottle in his lap and reached to accept the jewelry in both hands, laying it out and examining it fondly. “These are my favorite colors to wear. I think I look best in them. And it’s very well made. You’ve got good color placement, and these beads are pretty. It’s got some good weight to it, I like a piece I can feel. If they’re not all crystal, I’d bet at least a good few are. I like this a lot, Chad. Thank you.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:04 pm
Chad smiled shyly, flustered that Devyn thought the necklace was good when he didn’t think that it was, but grateful that Devyn was so kind to him.
“Once I get better, I’ll make you a new one,” he promised, because he knew that there could be a lot of improvements made, but he was glad that Devyn seemed to like it as it was.
“Um…” he started, and then paused, not sure how he should ask the question. He didn’t know if he was going to offend Devyn somehow or if it wasn’t his place to ask but. “Did Percy have any colors he liked? I know it’s not really… I mean, it’s not the same as giving it to him but… I wanted to make one for him, too.”
Devyn seemed as though he really missed Percy. He’d only talked about him briefly, with the promise of talking about him more, but he knew that Percy was an artist, and maybe he liked things like necklaces too.
“I was just thinking… just because he’s gone doesn’t mean he has to be forgotten,” he said quietly, not sure if what he was saying even made sense to anyone but himself.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:12 pm
There was a little pang in his heart, something substantial enough to catch his breath but not painful. He looked from the necklace he was holding back to Chad, like he couldn’t believe how thoughtful he could be. It didn’t feel forced, and Devyn didn’t suspect he was saying such things just to get on his good side.
Chad just seemed to be genuinely compassionate.
He couldn’t help but smile. There was something of sadness on his face, but there wasn’t unhappiness in it. He wouldn’t ever stop missing Percy, so of course he was sad that he didn’t get to be here, to meet Chad.
“You and him would have gotten along very well, I think. Sometimes I forget he’s gone.” He could feel his heart in his throat but kept himself calm, because the last thing he wanted to do was worry Michael after he’d just promised he was only going to go visit Chad at the park, not get into trouble. “But it’s just because he’s been a part of my life for so long. I don’t think I could ever forget him. I just wish everyone else got a chance to know how wonderful he was. He used to wear greens a lot. Browns, coppers. Very Jupiter colors. But his eyes–they were the prettiest color I ever saw, you know. Like storm clouds. I see oak trees and I think of him. Mostly it’s because of the place he protected when he was a Knight. But they’ve got a lot of symbolism, too. Strength, endurance, longevity. And justice. He was always doing the right thing. And, even now, he’s helping me do the right thing.”
Ah, but had asked about Percy’s favorite colors, not for Devyn to fawn over him. He just couldn’t help it. And also probably wouldn’t ever stop.
“If I have anything to do about it, I won’t let everyone else forget about him. It’s part of why I want to get some of his paintings up. I want everyone to know how wonderful he was. Even if I can’t tell them the true story. I think, a part of him must live on in his paintings. And if people can’t meet him in person, maybe they can meet him through his art. They’ve lasted this long, I want them to last forever. I think, even now, he’s able to make the world a more beautiful place.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:20 pm
Chad pushed his toes against the ground so he could slowly swing back and forth, although not so much that it was a distraction from talking to Devyn. He didn’t know what to do to help Devyn not look so sad. He didn’t look sad in a bad way, but Chad wished there was more he could do. He knew he’d do anything to make Elliot happy, too.
“A part of him definitely lives on in his paintings,” Chad said with a sage nod. He knew this, because he was an artist.
Actually, no… he didn’t know much of anything, but it made the most sense to him. If an artist, or anyone, puts their heart and soul into something they really love, then they live on through that. But it didn’t just have to be art, it could be anything. At least that was how his young mind processed it, and he knew very well that he did not have a lot of life experience.
“I think he lives on in you, too. I haven’t seen any of his paintings yet, but I feel like I’ve gotten to know him a little as you talk about him. I like those colors. I think I can do something with those,” he hummed thoughtfully, and went back to tugging at the wrapper until it finally split. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, and dug in to break off a piece to eat.
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:26 pm
Devyn’s smile only softened, because Chad was right. Of course Percy lived on in him. In his memory, in his heart. Sometimes, Devyn thought he could still feel him next to him. Sometimes he could hear Percy’s voice as clear as day, even if only in his mind. Even now he followed the same thought process when he had to make any important decision–What would Percy do?
It hadn’t done him wrong, yet. At least, not so far as he could tell.
“You’re very wise for being so young. Very kind, too. I like that in a person more than anything else, I think. It says a lot about them when they’re willing to offer so much and ask for nothing in return. But don’t let people take advantage of you, Chad. They’ll try. You’ve got a big heart, don’t give it to the wrong people. And don’t let them take that from you. If anyone ever gives you trouble, tell me. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:32 pm
Chad felt his cheeks burn a little. He didn’t think he was very wise, but he was flattered that Devyn thought so. Maybe he just needed to keep trying and he would feel like he actually was one day.
But Devyn’s suggestion, or warning, made him pause. He looked up at Devyn with sad curiosity.
“How do I know if it’s the wrong people?”
He didn’t know what people to look out for. Even if they were mean to him, it might just mean they were having a bad day. Wouldn’t that just mean he should give them his heart even more, because they needed it more? Or was he supposed to not give people another chance? Trying to tell the difference was stressful. Maybe Devyn would be able to give him advice.
As for Devyn’s offer to help him, he nodded. “Thank you. You’re a lot stronger than I am, so I’ll let you know if I do need help.”
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