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 Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 7:50 pm
If Evan was reasonable, he’d have gone to bed a while ago like the rest of the house, but when he was allowed to make his own schedule it often led to a lot of bad decisions. Not the worst in his life by far but he’d gotten distracted playing a video game.
He always went back to his little farming games when he was stressed but it wasn’t like that right now. He just wanted something nostalgic and easy and full of serotonin.
When Riker and Julian came out in pajamas and a blanket, he sat up and immediately looked worried. Maxim had been pacing around the house earlier, making his rounds, and he brightened immediately when the boys appeared in the living room.
Evan paused his game and set the 3DS down as he wiggled into a seated position in the recliner. “Hey, I thought you two went to bed hours ago. Is everything okay?”
Julian still hadn’t let go of Riker and he moved in step with him. “Can we sleep down here tonight?”
“Well–yeah, sure,” Evan answered, now pushing himself up so he could move some of the throw pillows off the sofa. “What’s going on?”
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 7:51 pm
Riker couldn’t say he would ever complain about Julian holding onto him. It was pretty cute the way he clung to his hand or arm or waist. It felt silly to think it, but it made him feel strong and reliable if Julian could take comfort in staying close to him.
“Zac’s checking for wild animals in Julian’s room,” he scoffed, although there was no real heat in his voice. He held out his arm since Evan was going to see it eventually, but he shrugged like it didn’t really hurt. It did. But he’d managed to ignore the pain and avoid any tears.
“Something grabbed me from under the bed. Crazy, right? What are you still doing up? Can’t sleep or is there something under your bed, too? Maybe you should stay out here with us, just in case.”
He said it like he was joking, but he didn’t want Evan to get hurt. Whatever it was that injured his wrist… it couldn’t have gone very far.
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:00 pm
There was a brief moment where Evan puzzled out if Riker was teasing him but he’d learned a long time ago that he’d rather be teased for being gullible than make someone feel like they couldn’t come to him.
“Okay,” he agreed. There was no extra thought put into the decision, just ‘yes’.
Riker might have been teasing about Evan staying out here but on the off chance that he wasn’t, Evan really didn’t mind. Ahri and Tobias might even enjoy the extra space. He’d fallen asleep in the recliner often enough, and it wasn’t like he’d been planning on going to bed any time soon.
With that out of the way, the questions began to mount. “What do you mean wild animals in Julian’s room? There’s not a hole in the garage, nobody left a door open, right? No, wait–something grabbed you?”
That didn’t sound like a wild animal. “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
At least Zac was taking care of it; if there was a wild animal under the bed, he was probably the best person to solve that problem.
Still pressed to Riker’s side, Julian held his breath while Evan shuffled over to inspect.
Evan wasn't really good at concealing his emotions. He could bite his tongue and look away and try to shove down tears sometimes but this was different. He saw Riker’s wrist and gasped. “Riker! Something under Julian’s bed did this? Hold on, let me get you some ice. Do you need antiseptic? I’ll get antiseptic.”
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:01 pm
It was probably silly to feel relieved that Evan agreed to be out there with them, but after whatever that was up in Julian’s room? Riker would be happy knowing that Evan was safe with them, and also that they’d have an adult around. And probably Maxim too, who would receive pets as soon as Evan was done fussing.
“I don’t think it broke skin,” he tried to reassure him, glancing down at his wrist again. “I don’t know what it was. There was this horrible scratching under the bed. I tried scaring it away by hitting the wall, but I guess Zac didn’t like that and came to yell at us.”
Okay, not yell at them, but hopefully Evan knew he was exaggerating, right?
“We can try the antiseptic, but it’s not, you know, causing an allergic reaction at least.” He would know what that was like, at least. He’d left his epipen upstairs, but he doubted anything would happen between now and going back up. Unless Zac deemed it unsafe.
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:01 pm
Evan’s sigh of relief was brief but there were still too many unknowns for him to relax. Even if Riker hadn’t been hurt too badly, he’d still gotten hurt by something under his bed. He wanted to think it was some strange fluke but he was going to wait for Zac to sign off on…well, whatever, before worrying too much.
“Okay, that’s–you know, silver lining, right? You two can wait–no, just come with me, just in case,” he said, and wrapped an arm around Riker and Julian to usher them towards the kitchen.
Julian didn’t protest, but he left the blanket on the couch and he shuffled into the kitchen at Evan’s insistence.
There was a first aid kit there, just in case there were any kitchen accidents. Evan kept it well stocked as a precaution, even if he hadn’t needed to use it in a while. He grabbed an ice pack first–a fancy one, with fabric on one side to make it more comfortable, and immediately presented it to Riker. As soon as he passed it over, he recovered the first aid box and pulled out some antiseptic spray. If there wasn’t any broken skin, good, but it didn’t hurt to make sure.
“You know, Maxim was acting a little weird. He’s been looking for something for the last few minutes. I thought maybe it was a raccoon or something outside.” Maxim had followed them into the kitchen but judging by his expression, he was here because he expected pets and a treat.
Julian could help with some pets at least, and he crouched just a bit to scratch behind his ears.
“I heard a scratching, but–that was in your room?”
Julian nodded, even though he didn’t have to.
Evan’s brows furrowed. “I thought the banging was Zac, to be honest. But he was just taking out the trash, so I really did just think it was the raccoon that’s been hanging around…”
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:03 pm
Riker joined Julian, of course. Well, after taking the ice pack from Evan with a quiet thanks. He gave Maxim a rub on his head and scratch behind his ears, but it was more important that he was staying close to Julian.
Maybe he was being a little too overprotective, but Julian had clearly been spooked and hadn’t left his side. He wanted to make sure Julian didn’t think he would get up and leave him alone after everything.
“You don’t think it could have been the Negaverse’s doing, do you? It would be pretty weird,” he suggested and made a face like even he didn’t believe that. It was too… random. Not that he gave the Negaverse any credit for creativity, but what a waste of resources to scare a couple of teenagers.
His wrist really hurt, though. Even with the ice, he could still feel it throb. Nothing seemed broken at least. It was just red. Maybe even bruised.
When Evan got the antiseptic spray, Riker stood back up and removed the ice pack long enough for Evan to treat him. Before he could escape to flitting around the kitchen again, Riker reached out to wrap his other arm around him in a quick hug.
“I’m okay,” he promised, glad that Evan hadn’t seen the tears in his eyes that he was pretty certain Julian had. “Whatever it was, I’m sure Zac is making sure it’ll never get back in the house. Maybe it was a ghost.”
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:03 pm
Evan paused when Riker hugged him, and it seemed like only just then he realized how much he needed it. He slowed down and wrapped his arm around Riker.
“Don’t say that, the last thing I need is a ghost in the house,” he muttered. He rubbed Riker’s back as he squeezed him, a little tighter than he needed to but it was the fastest way to communicate how glad he was that he was okay.
“If there is, it won’t stay for long. Zac’s good at driving away all sorts of pests. I don’t think it was the Negaverse,” he said, though he only humored the idea for a moment longer before shaking his head. “No, not here.”
If they were attacking here then they probably knew that there was more than one Senshi or Knight so they wouldn’t have shown up to mess around under someone’s bed. Probably. The Negaverse didn’t exactly make a lot of sense on a good day.
Even as he held Riker close, he fussed with the ice pack to make sure Riker kept it pressed to his skin. “I’m sorry you two had to deal with that. I’m sure there’s some sort of explanation. Julian, you don’t keep much under your bed, do you? We can ask Zac to put up some–I don’t know what they’re called, baseboards? We’ll make a plan. Maybe tomorrow since it’s so late, but I want to make sure you’re both safe.”
…Hopefully Zac had an easy answer because Evan might die if something under his bed grabbed him. He didn’t have the heart for that kind of horror.
Maxim was soaking up all of the attention, and Julian looked uncertain. He didn’t know if he wanted his bed sealed up, or if it was okay to ask Zac for more work.
Evan could see the indecisiveness on his face so just flashed a quick smile. “You two are safe. Whatever happened up there was a fluke and it won’t happen again. But nothing bad ever happens in the living room so you can spend tonight out here with me just in case. I’ll put on a good movie and you two can go to sleep. I’ll be up for a while so I’ll keep an eye out. Me and Maxim. And maybe Zac.”
If the ghost didn’t get him first.
“...But he might just try to sleep up there to make sure it’s safe.”
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:03 pm
“Maybe get a bedframe with some drawers underneath,” Riker suggested as he rubbed Evan’s back in return before releasing him to let him go about his business. And also so he could make sure Julian was still doing okay.
He paused as he thought about his own suggestion and grimaced a bit since… it had been kind of selfish.
“Uh… I mean, I don’t want Julian staying in a room that might be haunted by himself. And there’s only so much I can fit in one drawer. I don’t want to clutter up his room with all my things.”
He had a drawer, which was good for a few changes of clothes and pajamas. But he also had an extra pair of shoes he could store there. Thankfully the bathroom had enough space for some extra toiletries. He didn’t need a lot, but there were also a ton of blankets they could put into drawers if they needed.
“Or, uh… plastic bins would be cheaper.” Not as solid and secure to keep things from getting under the bed, but it would keep things organized.
“Thanks Evan, that works. I hope you don’t mind being squished,” he said to Julian. “I bet we could both fit on the couch if we take the back cushions off. I’ll put them on the floor so if I roll off it’ll be fine.” Naturally, Julian would be offered the space with the most protection.
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Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:22 pm
Julian nodded along with everything Riker said, from the bedframe with drawers, to the plastic bins, to fitting on the couch together.
Talia was really the one who was most invested in Julian and his well-being, so Evan was sure she’d hear about this from him or Zac first. Julian knew he was lucky to be here, to have someone caring about him, to be in a safe home. Of course he’d have wanted to share that with everyone he cared about.
Evan was getting used to seeing Julian’s friends, but he was a little biased for Riker since he already knew him so well. There were things about Riker that Evan knew, even if Riker didn’t really talk about them.
He liked that Riker was thinking about bringing more over, and he liked that Julian was encouraging him.
He liked that RIker felt safe enough to leave his things with Julian.
“I won’t be squished,” Julian promised. He wouldn’t have minded if he was; Julian hardly complained about anything. “I don’t want you to roll onto the floor, though. You already got hurt.”
“You’ll fit,” Evan promised. He had enough experience squishing onto the couch with others. “I’ll help get everything set up. We’ll figure out what to do for the bed tomorrow. I like the bedframe with drawers idea, personally. But I’ve been afraid of someone climbing out from under my bed to kill me since elementary school.”
Though Julian looked like this was a newly unlocked worry of his own, he was in agreement for the extra drawers for other reasons. He wanted Riker to be comfortable. He didn’t have much of his own, and he wasn’t jumping to expand his possessions much. And if Evan suggested the idea then he wouldn’t have to ask!
“It’s fine, those things don’t really happen!” Evan insisted, suddenly worried that Julian would start having nightmares and Talia would find out and have to tell him not to scare Julian. He scared himself! Not that it was any consolation. “Zac will make sure you’re safe. And Soleiyu–I’m sure he can make sure there’s extra security in place, too. You two are already up–are you going to try to go to bed any time soon or should I make you a midnight snack?”
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:17 am
Riker also looked like the idea of someone climbing out from under the bed was a newly unlocked worry. He was going to have to make sure all of Julian’s blankets were shoved under the bed if he ended up not getting the bed frame with the drawers. Just in case.
Even if Evan said those things didn’t really happen, he gave him a skeptical look and casually (protectively) placed an arm over Julian’s shoulder.
“We’ll figure it out. We’ll get comfortable,” he promised, giving Julian a little squeeze of reassurance.
He had his other hand still holding onto the ice pack by just folding his fingers over his palm to keep the wrapped pack in place. It was feeling better already, or was at least numbed enough that he didn’t need to whine about it more.
“I don’t know if my heart will let me sleep for a bit. I’d be up for a midnight snack if you really don’t mind. What do you feel like?” he asked Julian. “Should we bring some up for Zac since he’s being so brave?” Maybe a little teasing, but Riker did appreciate him checking things out.
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2024 2:36 pm
A sigh of relief escaped Julian's lips and he leaned into the half-hug Riker was giving him. He didn’t know what type of midnight snack he wanted, but he’d been so hungry lately that he couldn’t say no when food was offered.
“Oh, if you’re feeling brave enough to go up there,” Evan said, glancing over the boys’ heads as if he could see into the attic and figure out what Zac was doing up there. It had been quiet, no banging or swearing, but the room was–for the most part–good at concealing noise.
In hindsight, he should have been more worried when he’d heard strange sounds considering when Julian played his violin–scarcely as it was–he hardly heard anything, and certainly not over the sound of the television.
“My go-to snack, then? It’s Ritz, and cream cheese, and pepperoni.” None of which had coconut oil, and all of which were easy to snack on.
Julian, of course, wouldn’t say no to anything, so he nodded and looked at Riker for some indication if he should change his mind. He was still impressionable and quick to agree with the crowd, but really he had no preference for a snack. If it was anything Evan or Riker wanted, he was sure it would be fine. And Riker liked Evan enough to be honest with him if he did want something else.
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Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:42 pm
Although Riker knew Evan wouldn’t offer him anything with coconut, he still had to pause and let the food items process before nodding in agreement. He also flashed Julian a warm grin when he looked up at him.
“That sounds good to me. Thanks mom,” he teased gently, but there was clear fondness in his voice. It wasn’t as though he ever got to have a real understanding of what a mom should be like. Or a dad for that matter. But Evan was motherly enough that it counted. Probably.
“Can we help you make them?” he asked, not wanting Evan to do all the work for them. “I can take a plate up to Zac. Unless he has something against pepperoni.”
He didn’t joke about Zac getting eaten or anything like that. He was still shaken up by whatever happened. It had been all black and he’d been falling and falling and then stopped. Surely he’d passed out or something. He didn’t want anyone else having to experience it.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:09 am
“Oh, you’re braver than I am,” Evan hummed, ever amused at Riker’s teasing. He couldn’t be insulted, not when it made him giddy. He didn’t want anyone to think he was silly so he kept it to himself.
Honestly, Evan would have gone rushing up to Zac if he thought there was danger, or–well, no. Riker and Julian seemed to think that there was danger up there and he was still down here with them, but…
He trusted Zac. He knew he was capable of taking care of himself. And if he needed help–
Well, it was Zac. He probably wouldn’t ask for it.
Evan didn’t really want to let Riker go up there alone, but Julian piped up, “If you go up, I’ll go with you.”
Julian seemed determined, even if he really didn’t want to be in his room right now. He was gnawing on the inside of his cheek and his brows were furrowed but he wasn’t going to let Riker rush into danger–not if Zac was in trouble.
Evan could respect the two of them, but he wanted them to be okay.
“You two are such good kids. Come on, this is so easy to make. Riker, you go get the crackers. Julian, I just need a plate and a butter knife.”
It wouldn’t take either of them much time so he pulled out the cream cheese and pepperoni, and even if he knew there wasn’t any coconut residue, he still checked over the ingredients. “If you’re worried about him, I can go check. You two have had enough excitement for one night, the last thing you need is Zac being sassy, too.”
Or maybe by the time the three of them finished making some snacks, Zac would already be done and give the all-clear. Evan still wanted to know whatever it was that was up there and had spooked the boys so much, though. He didn’t like the unknown. How could you protect yourself from it if you didn’t even know what it was?
With the combined efforts of the boys, he washed his hands and then started prepping the snacks. He’d clearly done this many times before, though it wasn’t really a difficult task, anyway.
Julian watched Riker, ready to agree with whatever he wanted to do, but he split his attention to make sure he learned Evan’s technique, too.
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:10 am
“If he’s sassy then I’ll just be sassy back,” Riker huffed as he worked on getting the crackers and then joined Evan and Julian at the counter. He nudged Julian gently with his elbow as he set the crackers out to make it easier for them to reach.
“Thanks, I know you’ll always have my back,” he said to Julian with a smile, letting him and Evan work on making the actual snacks since he was still only able to use one hand. The ice was making it better, but he could still see his wrist was red.
“We can handle him, don’t worry,” he promised Evan. “Anyway, we could probably grab a bunch of blankets from Julian’s room when we go up. Maybe we can convince Zac to come down and -- does he like watching movies? I don’t know. I’m a little tired, but. Physically, I think. I don’t know if my brain will sleep for a while longer.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2024 10:15 am
“Doesn’t everyone like watching movies? He humors me sometimes. Most of the time he criticizes my taste in movies,” Evan mused but he didn’t sound particularly distressed by it. He’d gotten used to Zac’s harassment, and he’d known him for too long to be embarrassed anymore. Zac could make fun of him all he wanted for his taste in movies, sometimes he got suckered into watching them, too.
“He’s been restless recently.” Zac was trying to be in bed when Talia went to bed but if he couldn’t sleep he’d been sneaking out. Soleiyu always seemed more than happy to take his place.
“But all right, if you’re going to get blankets…get a few extra pillows, too. They’ll be more comfortable than the couch pillows.”
With Julian’s help, they had a good amount set up, so Evan made up a few extra on a smaller plate. “Here, if you want to take this up to Zac. Oh, and this.” Dr. Pepper was sort of his thing, but if Zac was fighting monsters under the bed, maybe he could use the sugar.
“But come down soon, I’ll get the living room made up. And keep that ice on your wrist, Riker.” He passed the plate and drink to Julian, who had both hands free and diligently took the plate and soda. Evan continued, “I’ll get it set up cozy so you’ll be able to sleep soon. A little snack, a good movie, and the right lighting always helps. And Maxim will be there.”
Maxim, who had been patiently waiting for a pepperoni and was finally rewarded with one. He seemed like he was ready to follow Julian and Riker up to help too, but Evan hadn’t made up his mind on if that was a good thing or not.
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