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 Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 4:20 pm
Quote: The Fireflies (6) : In the warm summer nights, little glowing lights begin to bob and dart through the city. Fireflies are mating, so this isn't uncommon in itself; in the past few days you've probably seen hundreds of fireflies. What makes these lights so unique is that they seem to change color; you might see a blue one, a green one, a red one. They flicker randomly, and something just seems off with them. If you come into contact with one, you will find yourself with a strange electric jolt. They cannot be caught, and will flicker away if you pursue too aggressively. This isn’t the first time they’ve appeared in Destiny City, but no one’s been able to tell where they came from or where they’re going. No matter how quickly you chase them, they always seem to disappear before you can find any answers.
This wasn’t the first time Destiny City had thousands of fireflies performing a light show to usher out the setting sun but it was the first time Evan had such a good view of it. He was at the amphitheater at one of the parks downtown because there was a performance at one of the stages, though he wasn’t facing it. He could hear music playing from not too far away but the customers had dwindled significantly in the last twenty minutes. Some of the tables behind him were still filled, but anyone in the area was probably enjoying the show.
And, so was he.
The fireflies were bobbing in a rainbow of different colors, so vibrantly that at first he thought they must be drones in the distance. It wasn’t until a few got very close to the food truck that he realized what he was looking at. He angled the box fan behind him so it would keep the air current blowing out of the food truck.
He didn’t want any of the fireflies to get lost in his cheese.
There wasn’t much to clean. It was too early to close. Nothing needed immediate attention on the stove.
Evan propped his elbows on the ordering table in front of him and leaned out a bit so he could take in the softening warm on the horizon. The silhouette of the dark trees made for a perfect background to watch the fireflies. They blinked, sometimes in sync and sometimes erratically, but with so many it was hardly even dark.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 5:52 pm
“Could I please get a cup of ice? Maybe a plastic bag, too?” Riker asked as he stealthily approached the window of the truck from the side. He didn’t want to just stroll up when others were in line, especially not with the way his jaw was bruising.
He wasn’t crying, but his eyes were red, and his face a bit pale. He had his eyes lowered and he mumbled something about ‘TikTok’ as he held out a handful of coins, hoping it was enough for some ice.
“Hi, Evan. I’m okay,” he promised before his friend could ask. He felt like every time he talked to him, there was something new for him to worry about. Maybe one day he would just hang out with him when nothing was wrong.
“Sorry, we can talk when you close up. I don’t want to bother you.” At least the fireflies were nice to look at, and it was loud enough that he didn’t have to worry about being overheard. Not that there were too many around at the moment.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 6:10 pm
“Eh? Riker,” Evan gave him a quick look. He was glad for the reassurance but naturally he was going to worry about why Riker needed ice and a bag. “You’re never a bother, hold on. Do you want to come in and sit down?” he asked. “The door’s unlocked, you’re welcome to come sit back here.” He disappeared for a second but returned with a cup of ice, a plastic bag, and an ice pack and hand towel.
He only had one customer that had come up since he started gazing at the fireflies and he was eager to get rid of them. He didn’t accept Riker’s coins–for ice? No, that was so unnecessary. He was a friend, too. He could have anything he wanted.
“Do you want a drink?” he asked Riker; the two people in line were still looking over the menu so he didn’t feel guilty about giving Riker a little extra attention–though, he did gesture again for him to come join him in the truck. He knew Riker could be a little indecisive or dismissive, and if he was making TikToks, Evan thought he had an idea of what to expect. He’d feel better if he knew Riker was somewhere safe.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 6:16 pm
Did he want to go into the back? Yeah, kinda. But he also felt guilty for bothering Evan while he was working. Still, he took the cup of ice and ice pack and towel and bag and awkwardly held them in his arms as he disappeared again. Just for a moment! He wasn’t trying to ignore Evan, but he didn’t want to make him waste time with him when he could be helping a customer.
He had to juggle everything in his arms a bit as he opened the back and climbed in. He stayed in the corner, not wanting to get in the way, and used his foot to pull a stool Evan had back there closer so he could sit down.
“I’m okay,” he shook his head in a delayed response to Evan’s drink offer. He supposed he didn’t need the ice with an ice pack, but he shook a couple pieces into his mouth to chew on while he wrapped the ice pack and placed it against his face.
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 6:34 pm
While Riker was moving around and getting settled, Evan quickly dealt with the customers. He didn’t chase them away but he did his best to do so politely. He waited until they were just barely out in his line of vision as they moved around the food truck to go find a seat and then he turned to Riker.
Oh–well, he knew what to expect but it was still worse than he thought.
“Riker! Who is bullying you like this? Oh, I want to hit them with my truck,” he muttered. “Have you taken any medicine for that, did you get hurt anywhere else? I really want to fuss over you but I don’t want you to think I’m being obnoxious about it. Ugh,” he wiped his hands off on his apron and then fanned himself off. “That looks like it hurts so much, are you okay? I mean, I know you said you’re okay, but are you okay?”
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 6:36 pm
Riker snorted softly in amusement, if only because he’d gotten used to Evan fussing over him, and it was honestly kind of nice to have someone actually worry about him. Yeah, his friends worried, but he felt bad about worrying them. He was supposed to be strong and be able to protect them. At least with Evan he knew that he was an Eternal Senshi and could easily kick a**. If he wanted to.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re pretty cute when you’re fussing. Maybe I just like to see you riled up,” he teased, adjusting the ice pack against his face, although he removed it briefly so that Evan could see.
“I can handle it. I deserved it. I pick fights, what can I say?” he scoffed, glancing around the truck as he did so. He didn’t seem to want to make eye contact, and he made sure the sleeve of his lightweight zippered hoodie was hiding the bandages well enough. His arm was healing, but it was a slow process.
“You should have seen the other guy.”
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Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2024 6:37 pm
Evan winced as soon as Riker moved the ice pack. “...Well, at least you only ever make me worry about you, you don’t make me mad. When I get mad, I just get so frustrated that I start crying, and I am an ugly crier. Just saying.”
He leaned in to really peer at the injury, not because he actually wanted to see it that badly but because he could tell that Riker was avoiding him. “My offer to run the other guy over with the truck is still on the table,” he said, but finally drew back.
“Even if you did give him what he deserved. Anyway, I know you can handle it, you’re really tough. But being tough isn’t just about being able to take a beating. Or to give one.” Evan had no customers to tend to and there was no one else in sight. He went to get more ice and returned with another bag and two sodas, even if Riker hadn’t needed one.
He set the bag of ice and the soda next to Riker and then took a seat on the other stool before cracking open his Dr. Pepper. “But you know I’m not going to believe that you deserved it. I like you too much to think that. What really happened?”
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Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2024 5:26 pm
Riker knew he was lucky that Evan was focused on making sure there weren’t any customers, and taking care of him, even if he tried tricking him into looking at him. He knew that was what Evan was trying to do, and it occurred to him a little late that his story probably wouldn’t hold up if Evan commented on how his hands didn’t look bruised. They never did. But he could use the excuse of… kicking, probably.
He mumbled a quiet thanks and used his free hand to pick up the can. He took a few moments to attempt to open it with one hand, but in the end had to put the ice pack down so he could use both.
“It’s not really worth talking about,” he sighed, still avoiding eye contact, but grateful for the excuse of focusing on the can of Dr. Pepper that Evan gave him.
“I’m sorry… I really don’t mean to show up every time I get hurt and have you worry.” It was just that he was hurt a lot. Most people were able to ignore it, or he was able to hide it, but not always.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 12:50 pm
“Oh, sorry. I should have opened that for you,” Evan commented somewhat absentmindedly. Riker’s attention was on the soda he held, so Evan stared at it too.
“You don’t have to apologize for things like that. I’m not glad you’re hurt, but I’m glad you know that you can drop by here if you just need a safe space.”
It’s not really worth talking about could have meant a lot of things. If Evan had said it when he’d been Riker’s age, it would have been because he’d learned that his problems weren’t worth talking about not because he didn’t care but because no one else did.
Riker didn’t have to say it for Evan to know he didn’t have the support system he should have.
“If you’re ever hurt, or in danger, or lonely, or, you know, whatever. Bored, even. You can come by. Even if you just need somewhere to do homework, you can sit in the front of the van with some AC or something. The dining room table’s probably more comfortable, though. And Maxim misses you.” He shrugged. “Just know you’re welcome to drop by whenever, for whatever reason.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:34 pm
Riker just shrugged when Evan apologized for not opening the can. He didn’t mind. It wasn’t anything that would make him think that Evan didn’t care about him, so it wasn’t worth even mentioning.
Having a safe space, though…
He found himself struggling with that. Not because he couldn’t find places to be safe, but because he didn’t want to make it seem like he was trying to get attention. He could go to his Wonder. The Moon too, if he couldn’t get to Ganymede. If he wanted to suffer through the Code nagging at him.
Riker also knew that he could go to Evan, although maybe he wouldn’t give him a heart attack by telling him everything. Elliot and Atticus had a safe place to stay, and Riker could feel his ears burn at the memory of him passing out for a solid twelve hours while he was there.
“I know,” he said quietly, adjusting the ice pack against his face once more before taking a small sip of his drink. “Thanks.”
It was why he was there now. It gave him a chance to hide and take a breath, although he felt bad for putting Evan though that.
“Is everything okay with you?” he asked after a moment, glancing up as his brows furrowed in anticipated concern. “I mean… Zac’s being nice to you, yeah?” The guy seemed like a jerk, but Evan obviously thought of him as a friend.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:35 pm
Evan leaned back and laughed once. “Yeah, everything’s pretty okay for me. Zac’s being ‘nice’. Are you making a face? You don’t believe me. You’ll see,” he said, laughing once more. “I’m not crazy. He’s just complicated.”
Riker didn’t want to focus on himself, that was easy to see. Evan didn’t dig. They could talk about Zac for a little while. He dug his heels into the floor and stretched his legs out.
“I guess I shouldn’t say anything, but if I was going to describe it, he’s kind of like–have you ever seen those science videos, like the strings and toothpicks and stuff all held together by tension and gravity or–you know, I didn’t really do well in science class. But Zac makes me think of that. All these loose pieces held together in this really weird way, and it works! But if there’s not perfect pressure on every piece it all falls apart. This is a really roundabout way to say he’s just high strung all the time I guess. But it works for him. Sometimes he’s hard to be around, but I don’t even cry anymore. Ugh, that’s not helping his case. Hold on, let me start over.”
He chugged his Dr. Pepper and half the can slid down his throat before he even swallowed.
Evan tried again, “I couldn’t sleep last night. Sometimes I have nightmares. Zac was up, I don’t know why. I didn’t ask. Sometimes he just gets up, too. I don’t think I was making that much noise. Maxim wanted to go outside but I don’t know, I was so sure I saw something outside. So Zac took him out for me. And I didn’t ask him to, but he went around the house, twice, just to make sure nothing was out there. And then he stayed in the living room with me until I fell asleep on the couch. I mean, I think I did. I woke up in bed. But I don’t remember walking there. If I asked him, I know he’d say he just left me on the couch after I fell asleep and went to bed, but. I don’t know. I don’t think that’s what happened. He’s only nice when you can’t see him being nice, maybe that’s a better way of saying it.”
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:55 pm
Riker frowned when Evan shared that he had nightmares the night before. While Riker didn’t know Evan as well as he wanted to yet, he knew there were plenty of things for him to worry about. The Negaverse and being a youma were just the start of the list.
He wasn’t sure how he felt about Zac, but Evan obviously liked him and trusted him. Riker wasn’t sure why he felt a little annoyed by that, or if it was something else. He wanted to accept that as long as Evan was happy, that was what mattered.
Instead, Riker carefully pushed himself up to stand, thankful that he wasn’t so tall yet that he would have to worry about hitting his head in the truck, but maybe in a couple years he would. He set the can of soda and ice pack to the side for the moment, and reached out to wrap his arms around Evan to pull him into a loose hug.
It was stupid. He knew Evan was a whole adult, but Riker still felt protective. Evan was kind and sensitive and worried and had gone through a lot. The least he could do was make sure he knew he was appreciated and cared for. He knew he should have probably asked if he could hug him but he at least made sure he could escape if it was too much.
“Those things held up by strings and toothpicks shatter easily if they’re handled the wrong way. Is that really the analogy you want to go with for him?” he half teased, trying not to be pleased that he was nearly a head taller than Evan.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:29 pm
Evan hadn’t been expecting the hug. He thought Riker might be stretching, or going to get a snack, or–
His mind had filled in the blanks when it hadn’t needed to.
Evan leaned into the hug without really thinking about it. He wasn’t sure if it was for him or for Riker and maybe it didn’t even matter. It was nice. And Riker trusted him. And he was hurting and still took the time to hug Evan when he should have kept that ice pack to his face.
He reached for the ice pack and held it up to Riker’s cheek even as he wrapped his other arm around him to reciprocate the hug. He was careful; he could see some of his injuries but he never knew if there were more hiding.
“Don’t tell him I said that, he wouldn’t get it,” Evan huffed. “I don’t even know what’s holding him together. Pressure! And tension! So as long as he stays as stressed out as he always is, I’m sure we don’t have to worry about anyone handling him the wrong way. He’d break their hands if they tried.”
He didn’t mind Riker being so tall, but–wow, what were kids eating these days. Had he been this tall the last time he saw him? Evan tried to stand up a little straighter but he didn’t want Riker to think he was withdrawing from the hug. He could stay that way for as long as Riker could.
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:54 pm
“Jeez… is he really that violent?” Riker made a face, although he knew he was being difficult on purpose. He knew what it was like to try and keep himself protected, as well as wanting to protect those around him. He didn’t think he was very capable when it came to protection, but he still wanted to do his best.
“I’m glad he’s there to keep an eye on things, though,” he admitted with a sigh, and tilted his head a little so it would be easier for Evan to put the ice pack to his face.
“Thanks, but it’s fine. I’m just being dramatic about it,” he insisted, letting go of him with one hand to take over so Evan wouldn’t freeze his hand. “I’ve been hit worse. It’s not as bad as my arm at least,” he mumbled and gave Evan a little squeeze just to make sure he knew he was okay.
“Are you closing up soon? I can help you get ready by cleaning up, if that’s okay?”
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Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 7:24 pm
Evan gave him one last worried look before his expression relaxed. “Yeah, I’m closing up soon. I’d appreciate the help. But I don’t want you to try anything until you’ve taken a few more minutes to rest. You really have to learn how to game the system. Be dramatic for as long as you can get away with it. And I’m a sucker, Riker. You could get a lot out of me.”
Of course, Riker had opened the door for more questions and Evan really couldn’t help himself. He tried not to sound too interested or fixed on it–they were just talking, a normal conversation! No need to get worked up about anything!
He just had to be cool about it all.
Riker looked like he’d taken a bad blow to the face, so even if it wasn’t the worst he’d ever been hit, it made Evan worry about what he admitted was worse.
“What happened to your arm?”
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