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 Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 7:01 pm
Michael wasn’t trying to eavesdrop on the conversation the boys were having, but he also hadn’t wanted to alert them to their presence just in case they needed more time without them. Although he was also wanting to check if they did need him and Devyn.
It didn’t seem like that, but after quietly slipping through the front door and hearing the last bit of what Elliot was saying, Michael cast a sympathetic grimace in Devyn’s direction.
They tried taking their time, but knowing that Atticus had been hurt and there was a vaguely familiar looking young man accompanying them, Michael couldn’t help but get dessert to go.
“Sorry to disappoint,” he announced somewhat sheepishly as he peeked around the corner of the entryway. He lifted a hand in greeting.
“We brought back cheesecake for everyone,” he said, hoping it would make things less awkward about them showing up at home sooner than planned. Atticus had just finished putting the chocolate into his mouth, and then was working on unwrapping a second one for Elliot when his dads got home.
He perked up, because despite wanting time with Elliot, he was always happy to see Michael and Devyn as well.
“Thank you! You didn’t have to do that. Was dinner good? Sorry if we worried you,” Atticus frowned, trying to twist around to see them without knocking the -- oops. He knocked the ice pack off in the process of trying to move his plate.
“This is Myles. He saved me when I got stuck in a tree,” Atticus explained, reaching over to place a hand on Myles’ arm so he hopefully wouldn’t get too spooked into jumping up and leaving.
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:09 pm
Myles nearly squawked in alarm and it took nothing short of his absolute best effort to keep quiet.
Elliot laughed at their arrival, with such mirth that his eyes almost misted over. “Michael! I should have known. You’re going to feel real silly when you see that Atticus is just fine.” He reached for the ice pack again and balanced it on Atticus’ ankle once more.
“We’ll never feel silly for worrying about you two,” Devyn said, and he stepped past Michael after a brief touch to the small of his back. “Though I am glad to hear that you’re fine, Atticus. It’s nice to meet you, Myles.”
For a moment, Myles forgot how to talk, and he just nodded quickly. He didn’t seem to know if he should stand, or speak, but Devyn had come over to rest his hand on Atticus’ shoulder to reassure him. It was as much of a hug as he could offer without crowding anyone.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Myles said quickly. “The boys said such nice things about you. Thank you for letting me in. Oh, and–the leftovers, they’re really good, thank you.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:29 pm
Atticus quietly thanked Elliot for his help with the ice pack, and then smiled cheerfully up at Devyn when he came over. He placed his hand over Devyn’s to give it a squeeze and tilted his head back so he could grin up at him.
“I’m okay,” he promised. “Myles stopped the youma and Elliot carried me home -- oh,” he paused and glanced apologetically at Myles, and then back up at Devyn and Michael.
“We were being good, I promise. But there was a youma that showed up, so we had to make sure it didn’t cause problems, but then I got stuck in a tree and Myles was there to help and um, he and his brother are looking at moving to the area, so it’ll be good to have another Eternal Senshi to hang out with, right? Oh… I kind of told him you guys were, um, involved,” Atticus trailed off, suddenly looking nervous about what his dads would think about him telling people they’d just met. Michael thought he did a very good job at holding back the exasperated sigh that wanted to escape. He instead busied himself with pulling out small containers, each with a slide of cheesecake and a fork, and handed them out to the boys and Myles.
“Eternal, huh?” Michael glanced over at the young man again, trying to decide where he’d seen him before. No, he didn’t think he’d seen him, but he looked familiar. He glanced over to Elliot as well to make sure he looked okay, and when he did, he reached out to lightly ruffle his hair, as was tradition.
“Is your brother a Senshi or Knight, too?” he asked as he stood next to Devyn, because if they were planning on moving there, it would be good to know what to expect. He’d already opened his box of cheesecake, but the first forkful he held out for Devyn to take a bite.
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:37 pm
Devyn was far less concerned about people knowing his identity; the only reason he cared about it now was because he didn't want anything to happen to Michael or Atticus or the Reids. In situations like this, he couldn’t help but rely on Michael to set the tone, and–if he were being honest, Myles looked even more familiar in person than he had through the camera.
Because, of course he and Michael had talked about the stranger the kids had shown up with. He leaned over and accepted the offered bite of cheesecake.
Elliot let Michael fuss with his hair, and even if he immediately set about trying to fix it, he was still smiling.
“Oh–no, he’s not. But he knows about it. He knows I’m a Senshi. And he knows the Negaverse is bad.” Myles opened the box he’d been given but he was far more interested in answering Michael’s questions correctly; he offered a quick word of thanks, but now he had to worry about spilling any on this nice couch, or accidentally getting some all over his face and looking ridiculous, or mixing up his words, or–
No, Atticus said that his parents were nice. He trusted him. He offered a quick, albeit nervous smile, and added, “And–oh, he knows Soleiyu, too. Um. If that helps.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:43 pm
Ah, that was the missing puzzle piece Michael needed to make a pretty good guess about their guest. He glanced over at Devyn for a moment, and then back over at Myles.
“You’re Jeremy’s brother.” He didn’t need to ask. Michael thought he looked familiar, and with them knowing Soleiyu--“You know Jeremy?” Atticus gasped and twisted around on the couch as best he could without knocking off the ice or tipping over his cheesecake.
Did he know that?? Atticus couldn’t remember if Michael ever mentioned knowing Jeremy. Did Soleiyu mention it? Suddenly, Atticus felt really bad for missing that if either of them had mentioned it before. Maybe that meant he was too focused on himself?
He deflated a little as he searched his memory. Michael offered Atticus a small smile, not wanting him to worry. There were a lot of things he didn’t talk about, and that wasn’t anyone’s fault. Most things he didn’t think other people would want to be bothered with, but he was getting used to being more open about things with Devyn and now Atticus around.
“Jeremy and I go out for drinks every so often,” he explained. “We asked for his help when we were trying to figure out what to do about getting you away from your--” “He wasn’t my dad,” Atticus said quietly, but looked pleadingly up at Devyn and Michael. “He never cared about me. He doesn’t get to be called my dad. I’m happy with you being my dads. But… thank you for thinking about me and trying to help me. I really appreciate it.”
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:50 pm
Myles almost dropped the cheesecake, and he wasn’t sure how he’d managed that. Maybe he’d just stood up so straight while trying to turn and look at Michael? He had both hands on it to ensure he didn’t drop it.
“No, he wasn’t your dad,” Devyn assured, and smiled so Atticus understood that he was very proud of him. “We were worried about you staying with him, so we were going to try and take the legal approach to figuring it out. I’m not very good with legal things, though. So Michael stepped in and asked Jeremy for his advice. We all filled out reports. The Reids did, too. But,” He shook his head and shrugged, “Things worked out better like this. When the Negaverse attacked that night, Jeremy came by and told us he wasn’t going to file anything, so there wasn’t any record of us being involved. You and I were up on Sessrumnir when that happened, though. It’s probably why no one’s tried to snoop around here looking for anyone.”
The pieces clicked into place on Myles’ face, too; he didn’t know the whole story, but he knew enough of it that memories suddenly fit together. He remembered his brother’s anger at some coworkers, frustration at the Negaverse, stressed about a kid going missing.
This was a much better outcome.
Devyn stayed close to Atticus, and though he stretched over to give his shoulder a little squeeze, he was back by Michael’s side a second later. He liked being close to Michael. And, he liked the cheesecake. “You haven’t been out drinking with him in a while, have you? I hope I’m not keeping you from your friends. Maybe we should have them over for dinner or something. I mean, it’s the neighborly thing to do, right? And if our boys are running around with Myles, well. Probably best to get acquainted.”
Especially if they were thinking about moving here.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:28 am
Atticus knew that a lot of people had worked on helping him. The Reids, his dads, Soleiyu, Jeremy… But he hadn’t realized how much they’d done to try and make sure he was safe. To guarantee that he would never have to go back to his previous life.
He tried to keep his emotions in check. He didn’t want to make anyone worried about him. But everyone was just so nice and good to him.
Devyn’s squeeze to his shoulder was appreciated and welcome, but as soon as he moved away, Atticus carefully pushed everything from his lap onto the coffee table so he could lean over and drape himself over Elliot and cry a little into his shoulder. He was okay! He was just overwhelmed by how wonderful they were. He was expecting the reaction from Atticus, and Michael just let out a quiet sigh as he took another forkful of the cheesecake for Devyn.
“Not at all. It’s been a little busy for everyone,” he promised Devyn, but nodded in agreement that it would be a good idea. “Would that be okay, Myles? You and Jeremy are welcome here any time. He’ll have to show me which houses you’re looking at in the area,” he hummed thoughtfully, then took a bite of cheesecake for himself.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:23 am
Elliot knew the tears were coming; the air seemed to change, like it did just before a storm rolled in. He was already pushing away his plate of cheesecake, and when Atticus pressed against him he stretched so he could wrap his arm around his shoulders and pull him close.
Devyn wasn’t alarmed by this; he hovered for a moment to make sure he was okay, and then accepted the second bite of cheesecake.
The only one who seemed reasonably alarmed by the tears was Myles, who leaned forward like he might have wanted to do something about them until he realized how calm everyone else was.
“Oh, um–yes, that would be okay. That’s very kind of you, I don’t–actually, I don’t know if I’ve ever been over to someone’s house for dinner. I mean, not in my adult life. Well–maybe not in my whole–I’m sorry, yeah, what I mean is, yeah, that sounds really nice. I’d like that a lot. Jeremy would, too. And I’m sure he’d be really happy to hear that Atticus is okay–Atticus, are you okay?” He was probably okay, Myles just couldn’t help but panic a little. He reached for his pocket, like he might have had something to offer to make things better, but all he had was some gum, a few coins, and a pen he liked to click.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:32 am
“I’m okay,” Atticus promised Myles, and he scrubbed a little at his face as he turned to look at their new friend and future neighbor. “I’m sorry, I just get emotional sometimes. Everyone is so nice to me now. I guess I’m still getting used to it,” he admitted.
He’d already curled up against Elliot, wedging his arm behind Elliot’s back so he could hold onto him. But he wanted to make sure Myles wasn’t upset about him getting a little teary. Michael had taken a couple steps away from the couch so he could grab a box of tissues. But instead of setting them in front of Atticus, he placed them next to Elliot.
He tried not to be angry over the fact that Atticus wasn’t used to people being nice to him. He was with them now, and Michael knew that he and Devyn would do everything they could to make up for it and to give him a good life.
“We’ll make it a monthly thing. Or more or less frequent than that if you’d like,” Michael offered, because he needed to make sure to check in with his friends. Jeremy deserved to see that Atticus was okay, too. And not just be told that he was.
“I think I mentioned to Jeremy about taking his brother out camping sometime, so… we’ll have to plan that, too.”
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:43 am
When Atticus assured Myles that he was okay, he relaxed somewhat and nodded understandingly. He watched as Michael passed over the tissues, as Elliot pulled one out and waited to pass it to Atticus when he’d had a moment.
“Camping? Jeremy wanted me to go camping? That’s the number one place to be eaten by a bear. Or get lost in the woods. Is he trying to get rid of me?”
There was some sense of doubt in his voice, and a hefty dose of suspicion; his brows furrowed and his nose wrinkled as he tried to understand what Jeremy could want for him in the woods.
“I mean, if you wanted to, I’d try. But you will have zero faith in me if you see me out there. I have very little practical knowledge of nature or camping or fending for yourself out in the wilderness. Oh, but I bet Jeremy would love it.”
He shook his head and had to get back on track, and he smiled at Atticus with all the words he wanted to say but didn’t know how to word them. It was okay to be emotional! He understood. And Atticus had good people who cared about him, and who wanted to help. Elliot was looking at him with nothing but soft affection, and even though Devyn was finishing off the bite of cheesecake Michael had given him, he alternated between looking at Myles while he spoke and glancing towards Atticus to make sure he didn’t need to step in.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:54 am
Oh, Elliot was so kind and thoughtful. Atticus sniffled a little and said a quiet thanks when Elliot handed him a tissue. He quickly used it to wipe his face, because he didn’t want to get tears all over Elliot when he kissed his cheek and then snuggled against him. Michael chuckled softly in amusement, setting the fork down so he could place his hand against the small of Devyn’s back in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. He could see the way he was glancing at Atticus and knew he wanted to make sure Atticus was okay. But Elliot seemed to be handling the tears for now.
“The idea was to make sure you could survive camping. I’d teach you what to do. Jeremy is welcome to come as well if he can get time off work. And don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” Michael promised. “Would you come too, Dad?” Atticus asked, looking up at Devyn to make sure he would go with them because it would be fun with everyone, but he also knew that Devyn might not want to deal with survival after having to deal with that for so long.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:04 am
Devyn leaned back a bit, pressing against Michael’s hand instinctively. The contact was more than welcome, and it was a good reminder that he could relax.
“I will not survive camping, I will die,” Myles warned, but he didn’t say no. Even if it seemed like a horrifying idea, he would still try. Michael seemed confident, and if it was what Jeremy wanted...
He’d try, at least.
Devyn smiled again at Atticus and nodded. “Of course I’ll be there. In case there are any bears,” he teased. “I’ve never been camping on Earth, I’ve got so much to learn. Mostly about what I can eat and what I shouldn’t,” he admitted. “But I like the idea of getting out and getting some fresh air. I’m sure building a fire, or setting up a tent, or catching some fish are the same.”
He looked at Michael. “Will we be able to see the stars?”
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:16 am
“It’ll be like practice for going to Caia,” Atticus suggested, hoping it would give Myles a little more encouragement. Atticus wasn’t too sure about camping himself. But if his dads were going, and if Elliot and Myles were going, then it would definitely be fun.
And he was certain that if any of them didn’t like it, all he had to do was start crying and Devyn would absolutely insist that they go home immediately. Michael didn’t correct Myles or promise that he wouldn’t die. He wouldn’t, but he doubted any reassurance would convince him of that at the moment.
“We’ll be able to see the stars, yeah,” Michael said, a bit quieter than was probably necessary, but it was easy to get lost in Devyn’s eyes when he was asking such an innocent question.
He cleared his throat a moment later and glanced back over to the boys on the couch. “It’s a little cold right now, but maybe in the Spring. I wouldn’t want anyone to freeze,” he hummed. Although he wouldn’t be upset over the idea of needing to share body heat.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:24 am
Practice for going to Caia was a little reassuring, but Myles had hoped that his greatest concern for any of it would be pixel monster yeti in real life. He hoped Michael knew some secret about scaring away bears, just in case. Maybe he could learn something to help them just in case there were man-eating monsters on his world.
“I think it sounds fun,” Elliot said, but he’d always liked going camping with Michael, so of course he’d be excited for it.
The corner of Devyn’s lip twitched into a smile as he watched Michael. “I’m sure it will be.”
It was his turn to rest his hand at Michael’s back, and he rubbed it absentmindedly. He knew the stars were different here than they were on Alastor, and even if the clouds on his world had cleared up it was still easy for him to get lost looking up at the sky.
“Well, if it’s going to be too cold to go camping, we’ll have to find something else to do until it warms up a bit. Are you going to move in soon, Myles?” Elliot asked, picking at his cheesecake before offering a bite to Atticus.
“Oh, I don’t know. I mean, the lease is up soon. I don’t know how long it takes for those things to go through, but I know we’re looking as soon as possible. Jeremy’s the one who is doing all of that stuff, but, he says he’d like to be in before it gets too cold. I don’t blame him, the apartment we’re in has a bad–well, everything. It stays cold in winter, and the water never really seems to heat up. We’ve had to put rocks in the oven and put them in the tub to make it warm before. But, you know–I mean, it depends on the market and what not, and–I mean, all those things. But soon, I hope. As long as that’s okay,” he said, and looked up at Michael, because if he needed permission from anyone, he was pretty sure it was him.
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Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:45 am
Atticus was happy to take a bite of the cheesecake offered to him. He was still sniffling a little every now and then, but was feeling a lot better. Especially with how warm and comfortable Elliot was.
“We could go ice skating,” he suggested, tilting his head back so he could look up at Elliot. “I’ve never gone. It might be fun. Have you ever gone ice skating, dad?” He looked up at Devyn then with another smile. He knew there were a lot of things Devyn hadn’t experienced on Earth yet, so being able to experience it with him… well, he kind of liked the idea of not being the only one experiencing things for the first time.
But knowing Myles and Jeremy had to go through such a rough time with their apartment was horrible. Atticus frowned with concern, but he didn’t want to start fussing prematurely. And if Myles and Jeremy needed a place to stay, Atticus was sure the Reids wouldn’t mind him staying with Elliot so he could let Myles and his brother use his room. Michael relaxed a little with the touch against his back, but nodded to Myles to let him know it was okay, although getting permission from him really wasn’t necessary.
“I’ll get in touch with Jeremy and see what place you are looking at. I bet he’s going to try and keep his price range reasonable but…”
He purposefully avoided eye contact with Elliot for a few moments since, well, he seemed to be taking after his grandmother when it came to collecting real estate. But at least it wasn’t for himself!
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