|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu May 02, 2024 6:29 pm
Riker sighed and leaned his head back against the brick of the alley wall. He could have powered up and gone to his Wonder, but he was still feeling a little weird about the last time he’d been there with Yvoire. He didn’t know what they found, but he didn’t like it.
So instead he tried taking shelter from the rain. Their ballgame that afternoon got rained out, but that didn’t stop his mother’s need to ‘show her support.’ Several empty bottles later meant she had nothing to distract her except him. At least until she passed out.
It was too late at night to try and get in touch with anyone. Yvoire -- Énna -- would have been at home and probably asleep. Julian… well, he’d sent a message to, just to check in. But didn’t want to bother him. Dawn was probably at some cheerleading thing, or with her other friends. Maisie would probably just make fun of him.
He stared down at his phone as he mindlessly scrolled through the contacts he had. Most were just classmates for school projects. Or teammates, just in case they needed to get in contact with him. He paused for a moment on Elliot Reid’s name, before scrolling down to the next one.
Evan would have had his food truck packed up by now. He would have been home, probably. He had more to deal with than some dumb kid out in the middle of the night, in the rain.
Riker moved his thumb to scroll past, but a rat scurrying down the alley made him jump and it took him a couple seconds to realize he’d accidentally pressed his finger on Evan’s name, and his phone was now calling him.
He stared at the phone for a second longer, and then, in his panic, hung up. Maybe he would be lucky and the call wouldn’t have gone through.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 6:16 pm
For a moment, there was no response. The seconds ticked into one minute, and then nearly two. Almost as soon as the minute hand switched, the phone rang.
Because Evan had suspected, at first, that it was an accident. But then there was no ‘oops buttdial’ text message. There was no call back. There was no late message.
Just a single ring on his phone, with no explanation.
Late.
It was raining too much for him to want to be out, but a teenager? Who seemed like he was out to prove himself against the world? Why wouldn’t he have powered up tonight? It was the perfect night to get into trouble.
And, naturally assumed that’s what this was–trouble.
He’d waited for an explanation, but in the two minutes that passed, his stomach had only worked itself into a knot. What if it was a code? A secret message? What if Riker was in danger and if he called he’d get him in more trouble? –Should he ask Soleiyu to track his cellphone?
Evan had said he’d call back on the minute if he hadn’t heard anything, but in all that time he’d just found ways to worry about how that was a bad idea. Except, when the minute changed, he’d still instinctively pressed the button. In a panic, he shoved the phone to his cheek and listened to it ring, and ring, and ring, and–
It clicked. At first he thought it was going to voicemail but he could hear the sound of rain in the background.
Evan was not cool. He hadn’t planned on what he was going to say when Riker picked up.
He blurted, “Are you okay?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 6:22 pm
Riker winced when he saw the phone ringing again. He knew he should have texted and said it was an accident. He was hoping that Evan would have been asleep. But what now? Should he let it go to voicemail? Should he just ignore it? Or maybe text him now?
Awkwardly, Riker lifted the phone to his ear. He didn’t even get a chance to awkwardly say hello when Evan spoke.
Oh… he didn’t mean to worry him.
“Hey, yeah, sorry. I know it’s late. It was just. My finger slipped. I’m okay,” he promised. And he was, for the most part. He didn’t have any new bruises on his face at least. And he doubted Evan would make him take off his shirt just to check for injuries.
“Sorry, did I wake you? My bad.”
At least he was mostly out of the rain. He thought about moving somewhere else, but it was still coming down hard.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 03, 2024 7:50 pm
Evan was not subtle about the sigh of relief on the other side of the phone but it wasn’t deliberately loud. “No, I was up. I just made some candied bacon.”
Riker hadn’t said he was trying to call someone else or made an excuse to get off the phone, so Evan had slightly fewer doubts that it was entirely accidental but he didn’t want to scare Riker away by being too bold about it.
“What time do you think I go to sleep? I’m not that old. I’m not even in my pajamas yet.”
He was, but Riker wasn’t going to know that.
“What are you doing, are you out this late?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 11:55 am
Oh… okay, Evan was up still. Riker felt the tension in his shoulders ease a little. He stared down at his shoes and shifted a little in the puddle of water. He wasn’t trying to stand in a puddle. There was just water everywhere. He didn’t like his socks starting to feel a little wet though. And he made a face when a drip fell onto his face, despite being under cover of an awning.
“I don’t know,” he shrugged, even though Evan wouldn’t see it. “I didn’t take you for much of a night owl. You seem more like early bird getting worms and cheese kind of person.”
It was just what he assumed since Evan had a business to run. He supposed it was possible that he didn’t have a lot of morning prep, or maybe everything was made up the night before, unless it had to be prepared that day.
As for what he was doing out that late.
“Just taking a walk,” he mumbled, but he already felt a little weird about it. He didn’t think Evan was stupid but he also didn’t want to worry him, needlessly.
“When you were in--” he started asking, but realized that he probably shouldn’t be saying some of these things over the phone. “When you were… not you. I mean, it wasn’t that bad, was it? And your friend was there too, and you were able to do what you wanted to, right?”
Maybe this was a bad time to blurt out stuff like that, but it had been weighing on his mind. Dering didn’t want him to even consider it. There were other ways. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to Yvoire about it. Not with the creepy stuff they’d found at their Wonders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 11:56 am
Evan had almost laughed when Riker first answered, but the more he listened, the more inappropriate it sounded. His smile faded somewhat, and though Riker didn’t sound like he was in imminent danger it didn’t sound like he was completely clear of it.
“Hm. I don’t know if I would describe it like that,” he answered after a long moment. He crossed his arms over his chest and held his phone tightly to his cheek, like he might hear something Riker was trying to say but couldn’t get out the words for. It wasn't enough. Riker was so secretive, he hid so much. Evan could hardly get anything from him over the phone.
“I was kind of like a dog with dementia,” he admitted. “If my friend had to go out to work or anything, I was stuck, hm. ‘At home,’ I guess. If home was a cave full of monsters where everyone was trying to eat you. It’s kind of complicated. Hey–I know you said you were out for a walk, but the weather’s supposed to get worse. There are flood warnings and everything. Do you maybe want me to come pick you up? I can bring you some of my bacon if you want to try. I can stay on the phone with you while I head over and we can talk more. It sounds like maybe you’ve got something on your mind? I won’t even bring the food truck. Unless you want.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 11:57 am
Riker hesitated. There were a long few moments in which he didn’t say anything in response. He didn’t want Evan to have to go out of his way, especially since it was so late. But Evan already said he was still up.
He chewed on his cheek, not sure what to do.
“I don’t want to get your car wet or put you in danger if it’s going to get worse,” he said quietly, barely audible over the rush of wind and rain. “I just… can’t go back home.”
Riker grimaced as soon as he said it. He hadn’t meant to be so honest, but it was the truth. He would rather just go to Reims and stay there, but he’d already used too much energy traveling there that week. He would have to wait until he could go again.
He was clearly indecisive and stuck on what was inconvenient and what might be reasonable. Which was rare for him! He was usually very decisive about what he wanted. And maybe he did know what he wanted, but he didn’t want to drag Evan into his problems.
He knew it wasn’t helpful, and he was also tempted to tell Evan to have a good night and hang up but… he also couldn’t deny that it was nice to talk to someone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 12:04 pm
Evan was moving before the words had completely even sunk in. He was a panicky creature; he moved on instinct, not always before thinking. He was hopping out of his pajamas and hurrying to pull on the clothes he’d just changed out of. “Well you can’t stay outside. My car’s in the driveway, it’s already wet.”
Actually, if flooding was an issue, maybe he should take the food truck.
Evan hated driving in the dark, and in the rain. He pet his curious dog atop the head and had to hurry before Maxim could follow him. “Can you text me where you are? Or somewhere close? I’ll map it, I’m heading out in a minute.”
Zac’s keys were right there so he grabbed them. His car was safer. He’d understand.
The weather was awful enough already that wherever Riker was, it sounded wet and windy. Evan grabbed a towel and a blanket. And another blanket. Zac would whine if his car got too wet. It was only sprinkling outside right now, but it was between gusts so Evan knew if he hurried now he could probably make it outside with everything mostly dry anyway.
He was willing to take the risk either way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:00 pm
Riker almost protested. He didn’t want to have Evan worrying about running out in the middle of the night. But after a moment he moved his phone from his ear so he could text the location.
“Sorry,” he mumbled into the phone once he’d set it, and crossed his arms stubbornly over his chest. Everything he was wearing was wet now, but maybe the shirt under his hoodie had been spared. Maybe. Or it was just as soaked as the rest of him.
“If it’s too far-- I mean… I could meet you somewhere closer,” he offered. He could probably run to cut down some of the distance.
“Did you think you’d be stuck coming out in the middle of the night in the rain when you gave me your number?” Riker forced a laugh. “Do you regret that now?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:01 pm
“It’s seven minutes away,” Evan said. “That’s like, nothing. What is there to regret?”
He’d covered the passenger seat with a towel and a blanket and he held the other one in his lap to hand over.
“You just stay put. If it’s safe. If it’s not safe then go somewhere safer.”
Zac’s car grumbled when he turned it on, like it knew Evan was borrowing it without asking. He could hear Zac’s sigh in it. But it was okay. Zac’s car was big, and safe, and Evan only had to change a few–(every)–setting to be able to drive comfortably. He turned the heater on and pulled out of the driveway, but he swapped the phone to speaker so he could keep talking along the way.
“The rain’s not too bad where I am right now,” he reported, squinting at the road as he drove. “It was bad a little while ago but it eased up. I hope the break is moving in your direction.” From the sound of the rain on the other side it didn’t really sound like it but he was trying to stay positive.
It was only seven minutes away. Maybe longer if he drove like two inches of water on the road was going to drown him. “Are you hungry, did you eat dinner? I forgot the bacon. But we can get something to eat, or I can make you something back at my place if you want. Doesn’t even have to be cheese.”
He was sure Riker didn’t care about the menu, he just didn’t want there to be any silence where Riker could suspect he was inconveniencing Evan. But really, what was the point in giving a phone number if you didn’t expect to follow through? Evan wasn’t the bravest or most helpful but he could drive a car seven minutes away in the rain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:01 pm
“I’m safe,” Riker promised, but there was the heaviness of guilt in his voice. He leaned up against the brick as he waited, trying not to feel relieved that Evan was so quick to at least let him sit somewhere not pouring rain for a little while.
He knew he would likely be sent home at some point, but at least for now he didn’t have to worry too much.
“Oh… I don’t want you to go even more out of your way,” he admitted, once again feeling guilty. He was hungry. He hadn’t eaten dinner yet. He was too distracted with other things, like not ending up with more bruises he didn’t want to come up with an excuse for.
“I mean, I guess if you have anything you’re not going to eat. Like, if you’re going to get rid of it, then I wouldn’t mind,” he ended up saying, although it was followed up with a grimace. He sounded like he couldn’t take care of himself. He could! He just… he was in a bad place and didn’t know what to do.
He hated feeling helpless, but at least Evan didn’t make him sound like he was bothering him. If he had, Riker probably would just never call him again. He didn’t need someone to pity him and then turn around and prove that it was all made up. He dealt with that enough already.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:03 pm
“Oh, well you’re in luck. I’ve got a lot of really good leftovers at home. More than I can eat. I was trying some new recipes and went a little bit overboard so that will be a big help actually. The faster I clear out space, the more I can make. I was trying to come up with another special for the food truck but then I found this old recipe book from the fifties and I got curious. But no coconut anything in any of the recipes.”
Since meeting Riker he’d been more aware of what he was cooking with, even if it didn’t affect him directly. The wind brought a new wave of rain but Zac had great headlights so Evan was almost not even stressed about the drive.
There wasn’t anyone on the road right now, and he was having good luck with some green lights already.
“Do you like dogs? I have a dog. He’s a good boy, a little energetic but he’s very friendly. Did I tell you about him? His name’s Maxim. I didn’t mean to get him, I’m not even a dog person. But he looked at me with these big eyes and I don’t know, suddenly I had a dog. But he’s really good for my stress levels. Although I could do without him wanting to do nighttime walks. I can’t stand rustling bushes. Or weird noises. Or anyone on the sidewalk. He loves all of it, though. I like when Zac takes him out for me, instead.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:04 pm
Everything Evan was saying sounded good. It helped him relax a little more. He didn’t have any doubt that Evan would have been conscious about the use of coconut when offering him food. A dog was a bit of a surprise, but it seemed fitting. It was only when the name of another person was mentioned that Riker narrowed his eyes.
“Who’s Zac?” he frowned, feeling unnecessarily defensive, the thought of food completely out of his mind for the moment. Zac was someone who took Evan’s dog out for him, clearly. He searched his memory for when Evan mentioned a Zac before, but if he had, he definitely would have asked.
“Is he a roommate?”
Okay, he knew he needed to take a breath. Evan was an adult and allowed to have plenty of friends and not tell Riker about them. He didn’t even know about his dog until just now!
But knowing how tough a time Evan had in the past, maybe Riker felt a little more protective than he needed to be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:06 pm
“Kind of. More like a landlord, except he doesn’t charge rent and tells me to cook when he’s hungry. He’s my friend, but I don’t think you’ll ever hear him say that. We’ve talked about him some before, he’s the one that’s overprotective? The one who let me stay with him while I was couch hopping and then just stopped kicking me out. He’s kind of grouchy but even if he’s grumbling the whole time, Maxim still likes him. But he likes everyone, which is a testament to what a good dog he is.”
Evan had not missed that Riker did not say if he minded dogs or not, he’d fixated on Zac.
“I can put Maxim up though, if you’d rather not deal with dog fur or slobber or anything. And Zac’s sleeping right now, he was doing extra shifts and pushed himself too hard.”
He wasn’t exactly sure where everyone else was but that wasn’t uncommon when you lived with Senshi and Knights. Everyone had their own schedules to keep to, and with all of the weird things that had been going on, he wasn’t really surprised if they were taking extra time at their Homeworlds or Wonders.
“I’m only two minutes away now. Almost there. I have the heat on, and a towel for you.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 06, 2024 1:08 pm
Riker continued to frown. At least for a moment until he realized Evan was offering to keep Maxim away.
“Oh. No you don’t have to do that. I don’t mind dogs,” he quickly confirmed, although he still wasn’t sure what to think about this landlord friend who grumbled and used to kick Evan off the couch for a while until he stopped.
“He kinda sounds like an a*****e,” he huffed, not sure that Evan deserved to have anyone be an a*****e to him. Overprotective? Sure. Or maybe he was just using Evan to… pet his dog or something. He wasn’t sure what, yet! But anyone with the name Zac was probably trouble.
But maybe he shouldn’t complain when Evan was on his way to help him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
