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 Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:28 am
Takes place October 22, 2022 after the Into the Shadows event.
Michael carefully dabbed at the cut over his eyebrow with a piece of clean gauze soaked with saline solution. He wanted to make sure it was clean of any debris that might have gotten into it, and was grateful it managed to avoid his eye.
Part of the mirror had been wiped clear of fog from his shower, but he only bothered pulling on lounge pants. His hair was still wet, but he was glad to finally get all the blood and dirt out of it and off of his face.
Against his chest, the golden orb swirled and pulsed like normal, although there was something more to the peace that sparkled through it. Michael’s heart skipped in response, and he sighed heavily because now he was thinking about Devyn and how proud he was of him and how much he was going to be able to let Devyn know that he loved him --
As long as he didn’t do anything to --
Stop that, he thought to himself and pressed a couple butterfly bandages over his eyebrow to close the wound, and then another bandage over that to keep it clean.
It didn’t take long to clean up, and he wanted to check on the boys too, not just Devyn. The last he heard, they were in the living room, watching a movie. Or at least keeping the movie on in the background. They had already been pretty insistent that they wanted to stay with him and Devyn that night.
Quietly, Michael peeked out of his room into the hall, before making his way towards the living room to check on everyone. Other than various scrapes and bumps and bruises, the gash over his eyebrow was the worst injury he’d received. Well, maybe a bruised rib, but he just wouldn’t lean over too much until it healed. A trip to Sessrumnir seemed in order.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 7:35 am
Devyn was a little worse for wear, but he’d seen far worse days that this. He’d broken two fingers on his left hand, but he’d insisted they’d be healed by next week His shoulder had needed a few stitches, but he’d also insisted that would be healed by next week, and he’d promised–four times, since Michael patched him up–that he would ‘take it easy’.
Usually, Devyn loved showers. He could have spent hours soaking in a hot bath.
He’d had enough water for today; he was in and out and in minutes, and hardly even that.
He was dressed in his pajamas but he hadn’t done anything fancy; his hair was brushed, but he hadn’t tried to braid it, he hadn’t put any makeup on. Since Michael had been gone, he’d just relaxed on the couch.
He was almost as tired as the boys, but they’d just fallen asleep leaning against each other on the couch not but a moment before he saw the lights and shadows of Michael coming out of the bathroom. He’d been listening, maybe just to make sure he didn’t fall asleep in there, or didn’t need help patching himself up.
Devyn had pushed himself up quietly so he could try and meet him before he came out and woke up the boys; he nearly bumped into Michael but his heart never jumped. Instead, he smiled, and put his good hand on Michael’s forearm in quiet warning.
“They just fell asleep,” he whispered, but his eyes moved to the bandages on his forehead. “Oh, that’s handsome. Does it hurt much? I let the boys bully me into taking some medicine, do you want some too?”
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:02 am
Michael snorted softly in amusement at Devyn’s comment about his handsome face wound. He wasn’t sure it was handsome, but he also didn’t want to comment about how he was glad Devyn’s face didn’t end up with likely scars since that was the sure fire way for the universe to turn around and injure him to spite Michael.
“I’ll live,” he hummed, but made sure to keep his voice low as he peered over Devyn’s shoulder to see that the boys were, in fact, asleep on the couch.
“Oh good, that was next on my list of things to harass you about. I think some medicine would help, though,” he agreed. He didn’t have enough energy to put up a fight about it, and he knew it was a good idea since his sore muscles and other injuries would likely keep him awake.
“I think I’ve got some in the bathroom, still. Unless you think we should wake them up and put them in their bed,” he wondered, absently lifting his hand to brush Devyn’s hair out of his face. It was an unnecessary gesture, but he wanted an excuse to touch him. And if he let his hand rest a little longer against Devyn’s cheek, well… it was just comfortable like that.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:08 am
Devyn hummed quietly as he considered their options. He leaned into Michael’s hand even as he glanced over his shoulder a bit. The boys were tucked under a blanket, and while they looked cozy enough, he was sure that they’d wake up regretting sleeping in that position.
He exhaled, because there was most certainly a part of him that just wanted to go to bed and talk with Michael. It felt like, despite all the time they’d spent together today, they hadn’t actually had the chance to talk about much of it.
There wasn’t going to be an opportunity to do so with the boys in bed, but…
He sighed again, dramatically, but resigned to the fact that he didn’t think either of them could actually leave them there like that.
“If we put them in their bed, do you think they’d stay there? Atticus was exhausted, I might be able to move him without waking him up.”
…And if they decided that they wanted to spend the night with them instead, he could just rain check talking to Michael. It’s not like he wasn’t going to stick around for a while, anyway.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:20 am
If he was being honest, Michael wanted to have time to talk to Devyn. There was a lot to process. But in the end, they were both alive. Alastor was alive and Chaos free for the first time in a millennia.
And he would feel guilty if Elliot and Atticus had a restless and uncomfortable sleep because they hadn’t moved them.
“Hopefully they’ll stay there,” he sighed as well, although maybe not as dramatically as Devyn. This time. He knew the boys were exhausted. They were exhausted. But if the boys ended up wanting to stay with them, Michael doubted neither he nor Devyn could refuse them. Not after what they’d experienced.
Michael brushed his thumb over Devyn’s cheek, before lowering his hand and quietly making his way to where the boys were resting on the couch. It seemed like a shame to move them, but it seemed like they should be relatively easy to move.
He waited until Devyn was ready to pick up Atticus before Michael did the same with Elliot. He hoped their separation would be less jarring if they were moved at the same time.
Atticus, for the moment at least, did not stir, even as Devyn lifted him to his arms.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:33 am
Though Elliot sighed a bit in his sleep, and mumbled, “I’m awake,” he was very much not awake. Ordinarily he might have woken up, but he was so tired from everything that he just sighed heavily and resigned himself to being carried. He never woke up enough to protest or understand that he was being moved, but Atticus’ hand was still laced with his own.
Devyn made a bit of a face as he carefully lifted Atticus and tried to figure out how to best maneuver the boys without waking them up.
In the end, he looked over his shoulder and started to back up carefully so they wouldn’t have to separate the two.
He looked at Michael apologetically, but there was a part of him that was very obviously amused.
But, he was being careful! He’d lifted Atticus gently, mindful not to hurt his shoulder or his hand. And, so far, there was a bit of a dull ache but it wasn’t anything he thought hurt too much. And Atticus weighed so little still, he didn’t think he could get hurt carrying him to his bedroom.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:39 am
Devyn might have been amused, but Michael let out a slightly exasperated sigh as Devyn backed up in order to not pull the boys’ hands apart. Okay, it was a little amusing, but he was worried about Devyn tripping or hurting his shoulder or hand even more.
He made sure to keep in pace with Devyn, keeping Elliot lifted at the same height as Atticus in an attempt to keep from pulling them apart.
It took probably more coordination between the two of them than was reasonable for taking two tired boys to their bedrooms, but Michael indulged Devyn, and did his best to be as careful and quiet as possible so that when they finally got them to Atticus’ room, all they had to do was carefully set them down on the bed together, as they stood on either side.
Well, and grab a blanket to pull over top of them since pulling down the covers would have been more trouble than was worth
But that was okay, because as soon as Atticus was settled onto the bed, he rolled closer to Elliot, their hands still laced together.
Michael just sighed again, and gave Devyn a look, as if that was enough to tell him he thought it was ridiculous… and to ignore the fact that he absolutely went along with it.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 9:59 am
Devyn was careful, and made sure that Michael could see him being careful.
It was worth the trouble they’d gone through just to see the two look so relaxed. And to see Michael make that face. He was visibly amused and gave him a playful look, but he nodded to the door so they could start to make their exit.
Not before he turned on their night light, though, because if they did wake up in the middle of the night, he wanted them to know that they were home and safe.
Elliot had curled into Atticus’ warmth when Michael’s was taken from him, and under the blanket he seemed content to just be stretched out and laying somewhere warm.
When Devyn crept to the door, he held it open for Michael. It was only after he’d made it into the hall that he carefully, painstakingly, closed the door. He left it open a crack, just in case, but he was certain that the boys were safe. He was also certain that Michael had already set the alarms, so he trusted that he could just go collapse in bed.
He took Michael’s hand, just to hold it, and for as eager as he was to just collapse into bed, he didn’t mind just standing there and enjoying the moment.
“That wasn’t so hard,” he whispered, but the corner of his lip twitched into a smile again. “Can I tuck you in too, now?”
Oh, and get that medicine, but. That was practically on the way.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:30 am
“I feel like I should be the one pampering you,” Michael admitted with another mildly exasperated look as he held Devyn’s hand in the hall.
“Or does your world being rid of Chaos mean you’re going to have five times as much energy? Dev… I don’t think I can keep up with that. I’m old,” he whispered, but his tone was obviously teasing.
He was glad they’d managed to get rid of the source of the Chaos on Alastor. He was relieved that Devyn didn’t die from the effort, although he would be lying if he said he hadn’t been worried for a short while. There was a lot that they would need to do to get everything on Alastor back in order. After all, it was a world. But they would take care of things, a little at a time.
Michael was also grateful that the boys were okay. He would have to thank Paris, Chris, and Lucasta better later. And make sure Peter was okay. And Marissa and everyone else.
But at the moment, he was so tired, and really just wanted to spend some time with Devyn before finally sleeping.
“How are you feeling? Medicine working for you? I can get something to brace your hand while you sleep so you don’t move your fingers,” he offered as he rubbed his thumb over the back of Devyn’s hand that he was holding.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:41 am
Devyn laughed softly, but was still mindful to keep his voice down–just in case.
“You don’t look old enough to be complaining about it. I’ll try not to wear you out too much. Right now, I don’t think you have anything to worry about, I’m exhausted. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I need anything. I’ll be good, I’ll–”
He was quiet for a second and then seemed to shift gears.
“No, I suppose I have no idea what I’ll do in my sleep. The responsible thing to do is say ‘Yes, Michael. Will you please help me.’”
He gave him a look, like maybe he deserved a word of praise for not just brushing off the assistance. But, the mischievous look in his eye probably meant he had something else in mind.
Mostly, an excuse to have Michael hold his hand.
Not that he needed one, but still.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:53 am
Michael had expected the resistance. He was going to just let it go, because he didn’t want to stress Devyn out by trying to convince him otherwise. So when Devyn seemed to agree to needing help, Michael stared at him for a few moments.
And then narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Probably only because of the mischievous look that was impossible to miss.
He didn’t know what Devyn was thinking, but he was trying to figure out if he was being teased for his worrying or if there was some other motivation.
After a moment, Michael gently tugged Devyn’s hand so he could lead him away from the boys’ room and back to theirs. That way they wouldn’t need to keep their voices down as much.
“That would be responsible,” he agreed, but still was a little skeptical about the ease in which Devyn admitted to needing help. “Let me check my supplies. I’m pretty sure I have something I can at least use to protect your hand.”
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 11:07 am
Michael’s narrowed eyes seemed to amuse Devyn, who had to press his lips together so he didn’t smile a bit more. He squeezed his hand reassuringly, just in case Michael thought he was up to no good.
He followed compliantly, if not outright eagerly.
“I can’t imagine you don’t have everything you need, every time I go for a bandaid I can’t help but notice that you restock regularly.” Overstock, maybe, but he thought it was sweet. He knew Michael just liked to be prepared.
He swung their hands a bit as he walked, and there was something more confident, something more easy-going about him now. There was a weight lifted off his shoulders–two, technically.
His world was saved and whatever he’d been denying he’d felt for Michael wasn’t resting over him. Truthfully, he didn’t know if he’d just been oblivious or in denial, but either way he was glad it wasn’t something he had to worry about.
All of this felt new to him, partly because he was rusty and partly because he’d only ever known how things had gone with Percy–and, even then, they’d done everything out of order. There wasn’t really any pressure with Michael–or, maybe he was just too tired to feel it right now–but he felt good. Happy.
Alive.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:51 pm
Michael absolutely thought that Devyn was up to no good, which was why he continued to eye him as they went down the hall to the bedroom. The swinging hands didn’t help ease his suspicions, but in the end he relaxed because it was Devyn, and Michael knew that no matter what he was up to, he’d promised to take things easy, and Michael trusted that he would.
Maybe he was still just a little anxious that Devyn would tell him he’d only said the things he said before, back on Alastor, because he’d been injured and dying and it was in the moment.
But Michael couldn’t help but think about how cheerful Devyn looked. Especially with his attempts at not smiling in amusement.
“Better safe than sorry,” he gave a noncommittal answer about his desire to keep his supplies stocked, and when they reached the bedroom, Michael quietly shut it behind them. Well. Most of the way. In case the boys did get up in the middle of the night and need them.
“I don’t want Elliot or Atticus to think they can’t use whatever they need, whether for themselves or the friends they might meet,” he explained, because despite originally sounding like he didn’t want to say anything about it, it had always been easy to talk to Devyn, and he thought Devyn deserved open honesty from him. Especially after everything.
“I hope they’ll come to us to ask for help, but if they’re as stubborn as you are -- and I know Elliot is -- they should at least know they can get what they need, when they need it. Same goes for you,” he added with a wary glance at Devyn.
He took the moment then to reach for Devyn’s injured hand, carefully lifting it up so he could see his fingers and make sure the smaller braces he’d already set them with looked like they were in good shape.
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 6:09 pm
Devyn had been remarkably careful with his hand, more so because Micahel had been the one to bandage him up and he hadn’t wanted all of that work to go to waste. Of course, there was a brief, distant thought that if he did mess it up, Michael would spend more time so close to him and Devyn could study his face, but that wouldn’t be fair to him. Devyn knew he was tired, and he’d done a good job.
“I’m being careful with it,” Devyn promised, a little gentler than before because he wanted Michael to know that he was taking it seriously.
“Elliot might be stubborn, but Atticus will ask. Unless Elliot tells him not to.” He could imagine that Elliot wouldn’t want them to know if he got too hurt–not because he’d have been ashamed, but because he supposed Elliot would assume he and Michael would be more restrictive about letting them go out alone.
“I’ll tell you if it’s more than a papercut,” he promised, already anticipating Michael’s worry. He couldn’t help himself and smiled again. Tired, but honest, it seemed perfectly in place on his face. “Sometimes I don’t think I need help if I know how to take care of it. But if it’s something I would want the boys to come to us about, I’ll come to you. At the very least to let you know. But bumps and bruises and scrapes hardly slow me down. Well.”
He shifted his weight. “My knees are a little busted right now. They ache every time I get up. Oh, but you’re the old one.”
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Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 6:36 pm
Michael gingerly held Devyn’s injured hand as he checked it over, but took a moment to raise his eyebrows somewhat incredulously at him.
“I am the old one,” he insisted. Never mind that Devyn had been alive for the past thousand years. Devyn looked younger than him, but Michael wasn’t going to take Devyn’s experience for granted. However, he also thought Devyn deserved a life without having to worry about all the things he worried about before.
He didn’t want to say it, but for all they knew, Devyn was immortal. He could live another thousand years without aging. Or maybe clearing the Chaos from his world meant his world was going to let him continue his life. Or it would keep him hostage to make sure it was repaired.
“So what you’re saying is that I should be carrying you to bed,” he said, trying not to grin about it, amused even if he was worried.
“If Atticus uses his magic, we might never know about some of their injuries,” he pointed out and led the rest of the way to the bed without following through on picking Devyn up. This time.
“But I would like them to tell us. We should make sure they know how to fix up any injuries they might get. So I’ll ask you for help for anything more than a paper cut too.”
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