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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:21 pm
Quote: Prompt 13 (Winter Rainbow): Winter weather is usually fairly predictable–clouds, rain, snow, and a sunny day if you’re lucky. It’s unwise to predict anything in Destiny City, though. Lately, there’s been an uptick in unnatural rainbows. The sky almost regularly seems to be covered with some sort of pastel shimmer. The clouds have a rainbow sheen to them during all weather, and more than once you can even make out a rainbow from just the moon’s beams. Scientists claim there are just many water crystals in the air–and that checks out. During the frequent snows, it’s common to observe soft rainbow snowflakes that catch the light like tiny suncatchers. Even fallen snow seems to have an iridescent sheen to it. It’s not a common occurrence, but it’s happening often enough that you're likely to see it at least once this season. Michael fed Devyn two slices of pizza before they went to visit Atticus. It wasn’t that Devyn couldn’t have fed himself, it’s that he sighed and pouted and lamented that Michael’s hard work might be ruined with pizza grease. Michael had already done enough for him today, Devyn didn’t need help.
But, he didn’t want to spend the twenty minutes before meeting up with Atticus being serious. He hoped, if he was just a bit dramatic, and if he was pampered just a bit more, Atticus might not even know the weight he was carrying in his heart.
Michael had brushed his hair, too, and helped him put on gloves. And put on his boots.
For which Devyn thanked him several times, and held him in the hallway for just a moment so he could soak up the tenderness. Michael was perfect in so many ways.
Atticus was still awake, he and the Reids were decorating gingerbread cookies and watching Christmas movies and decorating the tree. When Michael had asked them if they could look after Atticus for a bit, they’d gone all out. They put in effort to construct a very festive event–that, of course they’d have wanted to invite him to anyway.
Devyn walked with his arm linked with Michael’s, and though he let himself appear a bit tired, he wore an unshakable smile.
The snow crunched beneath their feet and he bumped shoulders with Michael. The snow had a soft, iridescent sheen, and Devyn nodded up to the moon as he and Michael moved into the backyard and waited for Atticus.
The clouds were thin enough that he could see the moon–and the rainbow in the clouds. “Oh–see? I told you it was beautiful. Not as much as you, but it’s nice, isn’t it?”
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2023 5:43 pm
“Not as beautiful as me?” Michael snorted softly in amusement as he also tipped his head back to look up at the night sky and the shimmery rainbow in the clouds. “You’re cute,” he bumped his shoulder back against Devyn’s.
He hadn’t minded helping him. He wanted to help, and he was grateful that Devyn let him. Michael knew that there were some things that Devyn wouldn’t want him there for, whether it was because it was too dangerous, or because it was something Devyn had to figure out on his own, so Michael was happy to take whatever he could get in the meantime. Even if it was just helping Devyn get his injured hands into gloves.
Not that they were planning on staying outside for too long. Just enough to make sure Atticus knew they were okay. Atticus knew something was going on. He might not have known what, but there was something sad in his dad’s reassuring smiles that made him worry. He tried not to make it obvious that he was worried, but Elliot knew. It probably didn’t help that he was quieter than usual, and maybe not smiling as much as he wondered about what was going on.
He was happy to go over to the Reids, of course. He was always grateful for Oliver and Asher’s hospitality. And Elliot was always so accommodating and did everything he could to make sure he was having a good time.
The gingerbread cookies and decorating was indeed distracting enough to get him through the hours between leaving school and getting the message that Devyn was home and that they could say good night. Atticus was quick to put on his show boots and Elliot helped him into his jacket and hat and maybe they snuck a quick kiss at the backdoor before Atticus went out into the yard.
“Daddy! Dad!” he greeted with excitement as he trudged through the snow and threw his arms around both of them, knowing very well that they wouldn’t let him fall even if he didn’t have the best grip.
“We made some cookies, here,” he showed them the bag he’d brought with him. “There’s more in the oven, but we’re going to try to build a house with them. Are you okay? I have my magic,” he offered, trying to keep his spirits up but he was still worried. He wasn’t a fighter, so any excuse to use his magic, even if he hated having to use it because it meant someone was hurt, meant that he was at least a little useful.
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Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2023 5:53 pm
Devyn kept one arm wrapped around Atticus as he received the cookies. “These are practically still warm! Oh, they smell so good. And to think, I almost brushed my teeth already.”
To show off, because he did enjoy that, and maybe because he thought it might reassure Atticus, Devyn removed his arm from Michael’s and picked Atticus up so he could squeeze him.
“Save that magic for me tomorrow. I don’t feel it much now but I suspect tomorrow I’ll be achy. I went halfway up a mountain today! You could see all of Arista, all of the Hall. The forest looks healthy, as far as I can see. I had to make a list of all the places I could see so I remembered to go visit them, too. Ah, but that list is never ending. I’m always adding more, never marking anything off.”
He gave Atticus one good squeeze and then set him down so he could kiss atop his head. “I can’t wait to show you, it’s beautiful. Do the Reids have an oven big enough to bake walls for a cookie house?”
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:53 pm
Michael released Devyn’s arm when it was clear he was going to pull it away. He practically encouraged Devyn’s doting on Atticus, anyway. Seeing them together always brought a smile to his face, especially when Atticus was being Devyn’s shadow.
“If they don’t have a big enough oven, we’ll just need to get them a new one,” Michael mused, not even trying to hide the smile that tugged at his lips. Atticus giggled with delight when he was lifted, and was more than happy to hug Devyn back. He’d been worried, of course. But seeing both of his dads now was such a relief. Maybe he really had been worrying over nothing.
“Okay, I can do that,” he nodded in agreement, but perked up some more at the thought of being able to see all of Arista and the Hall, but wasn’t so keen to climb a mountain to do so. It was no wonder that Devyn was sore.
“I can’t wait to see. That sounds like it must be really beautiful,” he sighed with the thought of what it must look like, especially if the view was as pretty as the big oak tree.
“I think their oven is big enough. We will just make pieces to stick together if we need to make the house bigger!” he laughed, already imagining Oliver’s expression if he found out that Michael was planning on buying them more things to replace things that were still working.
“If it snows a lot, Elliot and I were going to build a fort in the backyard. If you’re not feeling too sore, would you like to do that with us?” he asked both of them, looking from one to the other. He knew they were both busy, but he liked spending time with them when they had a chance.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:05 am
“You’re going to build a fort after it snows?” Devyn asked, tilting his head thoughtfully to the side. “Oh, out of snow? I don’t think I’ve ever done that. You have experience,” he assumed, looking at Michael, and if Michael didn’t then he trusted Elliot must have some idea.
“You’ll have to teach me. Of course we’ll help. We have to make the best of every day you’re all on break. And then afterwards we’ll get to eat more cookies and hot chocolate, right?”
Not so many cookies to build a house, but it was slowly dawning on Devyn that they probably weren’t constructing a livable house. Decorative, probably. A little cookie house for the little cookie people. It was good that Atticus was going over there to play architect, Devyn might have been tempted to consume the structure. Not tonight, his appetite was weak and unimpressive. But tomorrow? He’d spent today burning through whatever he had stored up, he’d need to start over again tomorrow.
He almost laughed at Michael, who filled his heart with such warmth. He hoped his glance could convey that he knew Michael was teasing, but he should not entertain the thought of buying them more appliances.
Devyn took Michael’s hand again, even as he kept one arm wrapped around Atticus’ shoulders to hold him close.
“I wasn’t going to hope for snow, but now I will. Those clouds are coming in pretty thick.” He hadn’t watched the weather channel. If they were on Alastor, he might have guessed it would rain within the hour. Well, snow, in this weather. He dipped his head back to observe the sky again, and the moon was once more struggling to be seen through the clouds.
The light was still pretty. Soothing.
Being here with his family made him breathe a little easier, too.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 10:32 am
Michael happily took Devyn’s hand again, and tried to keep his grin in check as Devyn navigated the things he’d yet to learn about Earth. Maybe once they were settled into bed, Michael would go over some of the things that Devyn might not have thought about that were considered normal on Earth.
“I’ll order some shallow bins. We can fill them with water and let them freeze overnight, and then use them as bricks,” he hummed. He was clearly already plotting out how to make the best snow fort there was. “It’s so pretty,” Atticus smiled as he looked up into the sky at the moon behind the clouds and the rainbow-like sheen to everything. “I’m glad you were able to make it back before it got bad. We’re going to see if Myles wants to come over too, if that’s okay?”
Because why have friends in the neighborhood if they weren’t invited over?
“We can make plans to eat so many cookies and have hot chocolate and maybe warm up by the fire after. I don’t think I’d be very good at it, but if we had a snowball fight, would you be on my team, please? I bet you’d be good at it.”
He paused for a moment to smile and give Devyn another squeeze. “You ball up some snow and throw it at people. I’m not very good at throwing things. I bet we could convince Myles and Jeremy to team up. And with Elliot throwing too, I’ll just have to make them.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:11 pm
Michael was so prepared. Devyn thought it was endearing, the way he took every suggestion or idea and immediately applied a way to make it happen. He wondered if Michael had experience building ice forts, or if maybe he was looking forward to doing something like that.
“Oh, thank you. Yes, I wasn’t quite sure what that was, but as long as it’s a game and not a real fight, of course I’ll play.” He had a very unfair advantage, and even if the idea did sound fun, he was certain that Michael would worry given what he already knew.
“I can’t imagine being on anyone’s team but yours. We’ll take Elliot for our team, of course.” The two were inseparable, and probably wouldn’t have been able to target each other, anyway. “Michael, I’d love for you to be on our team, but I don’t think anyone will stand a chance if we’re fighting together.”
Jeremy and Asher, maybe. Myles? No, he was likely to take out someone on his own team. And Oliver would give it his best, but he was very open that he was hardly athletically inclined.
“Maybe we’ll take turns who gets to be on Atticus’ team. It’ll be the winning one, for sure.”
He rubbed Atticus’ back fondly, lovingly.
He’d wanted to see Atticus to make sure he wasn’t worrying too much, but in the process, Devyn found that his own anguish had eased a bit. Maybe he’d started the conversation with a bit of false happiness, but he really was glad to see his son. And, he really did feel better for it.
“Whichever of your friends you want to invite over, by all means.” They lived in the neighborhood, they were nearby. He liked Myles, and Jeremy. They’d looked after Atticus and seemed good for him. He deserved a healthy, full social life, and if Atticus was comfortable around someone–of course. Devyn couldn’t imagine denying him much of anything, anyway. Least of all, friendship and company.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:18 pm
“I can be the referee,” Michael snorted in amusement. He wouldn’t mind playing, of course, but if it was an issue with who would be on what side, then he figured it was best if he stayed on the sidelines. He liked watching Devyn and Atticus and the others have fun, anyway. Maybe he could film them so they could watch again in a few years.
“Next time it’s expected to snow, we can see if your other friends would like to come over for the night. Then you can all have a snowday together without worrying about travel,” he suggested with a small shrug, in agreement with everything Devyn had already said. “Or even if it’s not going to snow, they’re welcome over any time.”
He’d heard about Atticus and Elliot’s friends. The ones they knew from when they were Knights. It was a good thing that they had friends, especially if they were going to be stuck in a war. Maybe things would have been better for him... for others as well, if they had someone they could rely on.
He certainly was better off with Devyn to watch his back. “Really?” Atticus gasped with excitement, because having all of their friends over sounded like a wonderful idea. He didn’t know if they’d have the opportunity, but it was definitely something they could try!
“Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to Elliot and we can let the others know.” And he wanted them all to meet Myles, too! More than just stopping by his booth at the fair.
“I’m glad you’re okay. Just remember I have my magic if you’re feeling sore,” he said, looking up at Devyn once more with a smile. He gave him another hug, and then pushed himself up onto his tiptoes so he could give Devyn a kiss on his cheek. And then he turned to Michael to hug and kiss on his cheek too.
“Elliot’s probably waiting for me, so I should get back. Good night, I love you.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:29 pm
Oh, Devyn would have to be on his best behavior if Atticus was going to have friends over. Maybe not so much if they were Knights, too, but it was one thing to pretend to be ‘From Earth’ when out in public. In private, it wasn’t so easy. Especially with Lucien around.
“Atticus, you’re getting so big!” Devyn said, and even if he was only teasing, he sounded very proud of him as well. “Thank you for looking after me, I appreciate that offer. Michael’s going to run me a bath and pamper me, so if I’m not feeling better tomorrow, I will definitely ask for your help. But don’t you worry about me in the meantime, if I heal too quickly I can’t eke out all this attention.” He whispered it to Atticus, but not at all quietly enough that Michael couldn’t hear.
“Thank you for the cookies, I’m looking forward to them. You have a good night, take pictures of your cookie house and tell the Reids I’ve said hello, please.”
He had no doubt that Elliot was ‘probably waiting for Atticus’; he imagined it was with great restraint that Elliot had managed to even stay inside for this long.
“I love you, Atticus. We’ll see you tomorrow.” He patted his back fondly. “Go get bundled up before you catch cold.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:38 pm
Atticus giggled cheerfully, because it was no doubt with the help of his boots and then Devyn and Michael leaning down a bit for him to reach them that he managed to give them kisses at all. But he also didn’t mind that he wasn’t actually getting bigger. He liked the idea of being wrapped up in hugs too much.
He was glad that Devyn was going to be looked after, and he didn’t blame him for enjoying the attention. Atticus had a feeling that Elliot was going to be pampering him some more once he got back inside. And that was perfect because he wanted to pamper Elliot, too.
With a little reluctance, Atticus pulled away from his dads and gave them a little wave before carefully making his way back to the Reids’ house. “Love you,” Michael chimed in with a wave as well as Atticus retreated to the warmth.
And under the pale light of the shimmery rainbow moon, Micheael turned so he could press a kiss to Devyn’s lips.
“Come on. I’ve got a lot of pampering I need to do for you,” he gently teased, but made sure he had Devyn supported in case he needed it as they also turned back towards the house.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 8:46 pm
Fondly, Devyn watched as Atticus made his way back to the Reids’. His eyes lingered until he saw the door open, until he saw Elliot’s silhouette in the doorway, already eager to welcome Atticus inside.
The door closed and he turned his smile to Michael.
He’d enjoyed the kiss he’d gotten when Atticus left them, and he helped himself to another now that their son was safe and warm inside.
“Oh, quite a lot, I’m afraid,” he mused. He leaned into the support Michael offered, just a bit dramatically. He could have made it to the house without aid, but instead he was rather keen to take Michael up on his offer.
Not too much as to truly burden him, but enough that he had a good excuse to walk very close to him.
“I love you very much, Michael. You and Atticus are so good to me. And I feel better.” Not well, but after this he already had more optimism that tomorrow would be a better day.
“Well enough that I’ll probably make it back to the house just fine. But I wouldn’t protest if you thought you might like to carry me.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:00 pm
Michael laughed. It was warm and good spirited, both amused and charmed by Devyn. He didn’t need Devyn to suggest it twice, and turned so he could carefully place Devyn’s arm over his shoulder so he could scoop him up and hold him close.
“I think all this stress is making you lose weight. You’re definitely lighter than I remember,” he teased, but gave Devyn another kiss to make sure he knew he was only saying it out of love.
“I love you too.”
Michael knew things weren’t going to get better overnight. The kind of guilt that Devyn was facing wasn’t something that just magically healed. He might never heal from it. But with the right support and ways to achieve some kind of closure, maybe he would be able to accept what happened, regardless of whether he was the cause of the tragedy that happened or not.
But for now, he fully intended on making sure Devyn was wrapped in love and patience and understanding, and that he would never have to question if he would be alone.
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