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 Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2024 6:15 pm
Unlike the rest of the house, which was in varying stages of looking unpacked, Cassidy’s room was well-organized and closer to being finished than not. His bed wasn’t made but it would have taken him no time to straighten it up. He had a large four poster bed with deep cherry wood and faded gold inlay, and most of his furniture had the same look–including the two half finished shelves on opposite sides of the room. It was clear that he’d done what he could, and he’d stopped exactly where it would have become difficult to reach.
The shelves were obviously of decent quality wood and someone had hand-crafted them with great care and a unique application. The shelves were somewhat adjustable, not because of pre-drilled holes in the sides of each shelf, but because each layer of shelf had been built to stack. Right now it looked like Cassidy had four half-shelves instead of two full sized shelves, but they’d been put next to each other with the intention of making this as easy as possible.
Cassidy just couldn’t lift the last three sets of shelves himself. It was probably poor planning on his part because the top half of the two shelves were stacked next to where they were supposed to go, but because of where he’d put them he could neither navigate almost one half of his room or access the bottom half of the shelves to put things away.
So, he had a few boxes lining the wall, and the corners of the rest of his room.
He had a large dresser and mirror and two bedside tables, though one was blocked by the shelves so that was out of use, too. He had two floor lamps and a smaller lamp on the unreachable bedside table. The bedspread utilized a flew shades of plum; it matched a rug, the window curtains, and the valence over the bed. He could have pulled the curtains closed around his bed but they seemed to have been diligently tied to each post to keep the whole room open and visible.
Cassidy’s closet was open and there was far more color in there, but even that was stuffed full and in need of some attention. Some of his old trophies were sticking out of a box hidden away in the corner. He hadn’t bothered to put away a few weights or exercise tools, but that looked more like part of his physical therapy than a workout routine. There was an eclectic assortment of things set up around his room–some odd trinkets, some old antiques, a scrapbook. He had a television atop a table stand, and judging by the extension cord he had some consoles hidden underneath the table cloth.
His room decor looked like it was decorated by someone with a much older taste but his eyes lit up as he pulled Riker in. He hadn’t hung up any posters or pictures but there were a few nails waiting for him to hang something up.
“Ta-da. You can come over if you ever want a photoshoot, isn’t it nice? I’ve got a matching trunk in the closet and my lounge chair is–actually, I have no idea where it is. I think it’s in my dad’s room right now but that’s because I left it in the hallway and he was getting annoyed. But I’ll have it back in here, right by the window. It’s good for napping, and sunbathing. Oh, but the shelves. Yeah, they’re these,” he said, stopping in front of them.
“They’ve got dowels built in so you just have to line them up. I just need to move this stack onto that one,” he said, prodding the stack nearer to the middle of the floor with his toe before nodding to the one against the wall.
“Lining up the dowels is the hardest part. The shelves aren’t that heavy and they only need to be moved one at a time. I did stack them kind of stupid but I needed to make some room in here. Um. Yeah, I mean, it won’t be so cramped when I’m finished, so don’t let this scare you off. And I can help with the shelves,” he insisted, “I just can’t do it all on my own.”
He didn’t want to drop Riker’s hand but he must have been thinking about something because he started rolling his shoulders and almost pulled away to rub at his arm. He caught himself, only at the last second, and immediately slotted his fingers back into Riker’s to swing their hands.
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2024 4:38 pm
Curiously, and maybe a bit cautiously, Riker allowed Cassidy to lead him to his bedroom. He didn’t pull his hand away. Not if it was something that brought Cassidy comfort. It didn’t help that guilt still ate at him from time to time, thinking about how Cassidy probably would have appreciated someone to hold his hand when he was in the hospital.
The four poster bed with the curtains came as a surprise, although he supposed it was pretty fitting for someone as, uh… vibrant as Cassidy. The longer Riker looked around, the easier it was for a small smile to tug at his lips.
“A photoshoot?” he shorted in amusement. “What would I need a photoshoot for? It wouldn’t be for those dirty websites you’re on, would it? I’m kidding,” he said to parrot Cassidy’s oft used get-out-of-jail comment.
“I can definitely help with lining up dowels, though. But… your room looks nice. Very lived in. Even if you just moved in. I like it. Let me guess, your bed is like sitting on a marshmallow.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2024 5:09 pm
Cassidy was nearly consumed by laughter when Riker suggested a photoshoot for dirty websites but his quick save prevented Cassidy from thinking too much about it.
“Oh, Riker. You’re funny. But it is! Try it out,” Cassidy said, tugging Riker to the side of it and releasing his hand only now so he could pat the blanket. He pushed his hand into it and that alone was enough to sample how soft it was.
“It wasn’t always this comfortable, but you know, I got a nice upgrade since I was resting so much. Like I didn’t already cost my parents enough to lay in bed already.” He laughed once more, but this time he just toppled back onto the bed.
He had far more pillows than he could have reasonably used, and while some of them were probably just for the aesthetic, too many of them looked like they could use a good fluffing.
“Don’t lay down for too long or you might fall asleep,” he hummed, very careful not to close his eyes. “Not that I’d blame you. If you ever spend the night, you can sleep in bed with me. It makes you feel like royalty, doesn’t it? You can call me spoiled, I know I am. I’ve had this furniture since I was small and I used to hate it, it felt so boring. Now I feel all fancy and sophisticated. Also I looked up how much this sells for and I kind of regret putting stickers all over everything and carving my name into it. But my parents got it in an auction like twenty years ago for pennies because nobody wanted to deal with transporting it all. Of course, I bet they burned all they saved on it by moving it in and out of Destiny City.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2024 5:41 pm
Riker let out a quiet laugh as Cassidy toppled onto the bed. He couldn’t help but follow suit, especially since he was curious. And Cassidy had offered. He didn’t know why, but sharing a bed with someone else always seemed more relaxing than trying to sleep in one by himself. Not that he was going to tell Cassidy that. He was just grateful that Julian didn’t seem to mind him taking up over half the bed whenever he stayed over. Which was more often than not it seemed.
“Oh… it is like a marshmallow,” he laughed again and flopped onto his stomach on the bed, folding his arms under his head as he watched Cassidy as he talked about anything that came to mind.
“I hope that keeps them from wanting to move you out of the city again,” he huffed. “Too much hassle to keep moving you around like they have.”
Even though Cassidy warned him not to, he couldn’t exactly stop his eyes from closing. At least for a moment. He was just resting! He felt like he hadn’t had a chance to rest for a long time. There was just so much stress always.
“I think it’s nice to personalize it. Who cares if people might consider it expensive, as long as you’ve made it yours, right?”
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2024 6:04 pm
“That’s true. It’s not like I could imagine selling this, anyway.”
Cassidy was laying on his back, looking up at the designs carved into the wooden canopy over their heads. “I mean, I guess for the right price. But I’ve spent a third of my life here already, why ruin a good thing?”
He wouldn’t say that he often found himself tired after school, or that it wasn’t uncommon for him to take a nap before getting around to actually doing things. And when the weather was cold and wet outside? It would have been the perfect weather to just curl up and take it easy.
Oh, he told Riker not to get too comfortable and now he was the one stifling a yawn.
“It’s such a big bed, too. I can stretch out and almost never reach both sides. So you can take up as much space as you want. You know, you’re the first person to come over to my new place. I haven’t even invited Atticus yet.”
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 5:41 am
Riker frowned, more curious than upset about anything. Cassidy hadn’t even invited Atticus over? Well… maybe that was because Cassidy just wanted everything to be perfect before he got there, or something like that.
“We’ll make sure your shelves are up and any decorations you want are up so he can come over soon. If you want that, I mean,” Riker promised. He could only imagine how frustrating it would have been for Cassidy to struggle with things because of his accident. And sure, Atticus would probably try to help him, but Riker knew Atticus had his own demons he had to face. Not because of anything Atticus had told him, but he had that look to him.
And because he knew, now, who he was before he’d become Atticus.
He should have known then that he would have been better off cutting ties with his family.
“You really wouldn’t mind me staying in your bed? I don’t mind sleeping on the floor. I stay with Julian sometimes, and I know he doesn’t mind, but I feel guilty crowding him.” He knew Julian would say that he wanted Riker there, and that he was always welcome, but Riker knew Julian would say that no matter what, even if he didn’t want him there. Maybe this way he could give Julian a little space to breathe.
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Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 2:57 pm
“Well good luck crowding me,” Cassidy said, and stretched out like a starfish as if to emphasize how much space he had. There was still plenty to spare. “What, do you kick in your sleep or something? Snore? Of course you can stay in my bed. Anyway, the floor is so far away. I wouldn’t be able to hear you all the way down there.”
He rolled his head just slightly so he could look at Riker.
“And even if you didn’t want to share the bed, once I get my chair in here? It’s almost just as comfortable. I’ll get this placed fixed up soon so you can see. If you’re helping me, I’m sure it’ll take no time. It’s not that I don’t want people over, because I do, it’s just that–you know, I don’t want Atticus to see something and make himself sad. He worries too much about me. I’ve got a lot of stuff on the floor, if he tripped and hurt himself then I’d never hear the end of it. Mr. Gallo might fail me. Actually, and Mr. Reids. I was going to invite everyone over to my mom’s place but she’s been burning so much incense. Gotta ‘cleanse her living space’ so she can enhance good vibes or something. I’m sure she’d be happy to see everyone, she’s just also trying to pretend like she’s twenty again or something so it’s weird. I don’t really have a room there, it’s just a guest room? But they kinda decided I’d live here most of the time and I can just go over there whenever I want. This place is cool though, it’s close to school so I can just walk. And the bus stop is great, like every route stops here at some point so I can get anywhere I wanna go. How far away do you live from here?”
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Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 6:03 pm
He frowned a bit more, trying to think if Julian ever said anything about him kicking or snoring. He couldn’t remember any indication from him of doing so.
“Your mom uh… definitely sounds interesting,” he made a face. Not because there was anything wrong with whatever it was she was doing, but because she seemed like she would want to ask too many questions about everything. The less Riker had to talk to a stranger about his life, the better.
“I’m not too far from here. I mean, about five minutes back and ten minutes in the other direction, but it’s not like it’s too hard to get anywhere, especially with the bike Evan let me borrow. Uh… he’s my, uh… boss, I guess. The food truck I work at. But he’s been a good, you know, adult to have around, I guess.”
Was that weird? Probably. He didn’t really trust adults, but Evan had always been great.
“I’m glad you live close. It makes it easier to get here if, I mean… if you need anything.”
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 11:17 am
Cassidy was looking at Riker. Of course he saw him make that face. Of course he cracked a grin when Riker referred to his mother as interesting.
“Oh, well be careful to make that offer. I might invite you over all the time. I need help with lots of things. If you’re only fifteen minutes away, you can come visit me if you get bored, too. We always have food. And my bed’s always soft.” He patted it to emphasize, but by the second one he just let his hand sink into the bed.
“Can I come visit you at work sometime or is that weird?” Cassidy was a picky eater but Riker always spoke so highly of the food truck and whatever they made there. “Do you take the orders or cook things or what? Do you get to drive the food truck around?”
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:16 pm
“You can visit. I don’t mind,” he said easily, watching how Cassidy patted the mattress, but glanced up at him soon after. Cassidy was grinning, and Riker could feel his ears burn. He didn’t know why Cassidy always flustered him so much, but here he was. In Cassidy’s room. On his bed. Talking about coming over whenever he was bored.
“I don’t drive it, but I help with taking orders and putting together everything. And cleaning up and keeping things organized. A lot of it Evan already has prepped, so it’s not rocket science to toss onto a griddle to heat up, or ladle out soup. And he’s always there to help if I get overwhelmed.”
It sounded pretty dumb to say he was overwhelmed about helping with a food truck, but he was always expecting to see someone he recognized. Particularly his brother or brother’s friends.
Carefully, Riker rolled himself over so he could sit up. He crossed his legs at his ankles and frowned curiously at Cassidy.
“You know… I know you don’t want Atticus getting hurt or upset, but Elliot could have probably helped you. Or anyone else on the team. And… I know I offered, but you could have asked any of them.”
He didn’t understand Cassidy, and it flustered him more than he wanted it to.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:49 pm
For a few seconds longer, Cassidy laid on his back. Then, he rolled to his stomach and dug his elbows into the bedding so he could cup his chin in his palms. He kicked his feet slowly, playfully, as he looked up at Riker.
It seemed only fair, since Riker moved first. Cassidy could tell he was thinking very seriously about something. He supposed Riker might have been moving away because he was getting worked up; his face was a little pinker and Cassidy doubted it was just because of the light .
Coyly, he answered, “Yeah. I could have.”
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:07 pm
Oh… oh wait. Why was Cassidy rolling over now?
Riker’s face darkened, but he didn’t move. He definitely wasn’t looking at the way Cassidy’s hair fell over his shoulder or down his back as he laid on his stomach, or the way he slowly kicked his feet.
“Why me?” he heard himself asking, although his voice squeaked a little, so he quickly cleared his throat. “You weren’t trying to, like… trick me getting into your bed, were you? Just kidding,” he quickly added, once again parroting Cassidy.
Cassidy was right about it being easier to move the conversation to something else less awkward, though.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:08 pm
Cassidy’s face was unchanging, content and coy and smug, all bundled up in one lazy smile. He continued to kick at a slow, predictable pace.
“I didn’t have to trick you, though. You asked.”
He was the one who noticed the bed looked like a marshmallow. What was Cassidy supposed to do, not show off how great it was?
“Relax, I’m not up to no good, if that’s what you’re worried about. I picked you because you’re obviously the strongest on the whole team. I’ve been badgering you for years to hang out, I always wanted to get to know you better. I can tell you’re more than just a pretty face and a lot of talent. Oh, and I know you’re trustworthy. You’re not going to run around and gossip. I don’t have to worry about you spreading rumors about me.”
He was already fairly open about ‘the accident’ but if he hadn’t been it would have just given him more trouble. And with divorcing parents? He didn’t need the drama that came with that. Divorce on its own wasn’t such a big deal, it was just fuel to the fire. He’d already had to correct the rumor that his father had been so distraught with the divorce that he’d tried to kill himself and Cassidy, and he’d heard a few other colorful ideas since he’d been back.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:09 pm
“I said I was just kidding!” Riker sputtered, his ears burning as he tensed, easily recalling how he had indeed been the one to ask about Cassidy’s bed.
Everything else Cassidy said about him made him even more flustered. He doubted he was the strongest on the whole team, but it sure made him feel good about himself.
He wasn’t sure how to feel about being called ‘more than just a pretty face’ since he had such low esteem about his appearance, all thanks to his family history, but he could tell that Cassidy wasn’t saying it to make fun of him. Not this time at least.
Him being trustworthy… maybe that was more due to the fact of not having anyone to really talk to, other than his small group of friends.
“I wasn’t thinking that,” he pouted as he picked at the hem of his pant leg. “I wasn’t thinking that you’re up to no good, I’m just not used to the whole… being wanted to be around. That sounds really stupid, and I know I’ve kept my distance intentionally before.” Mostly because he was afraid of what his mother or brother would do.
“I guess… uh… thanks for, you know, all that,” he mumbled awkwardly, not really sure what to say, but he was feeling both flustered and flattered and he was trying not to make it obvious.
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Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 7:22 pm
Cassidy watched Riker from under his half-lidded eyes, and despite the easy-going expression he wore there was still something acutely observant in his gaze. He smiled at Riker, not too much, he didn’t want him to find some way to think he hadn’t been serious about saying all of that.
He once again resisted the urge to tell Riker he was cute. Cassidy liked seeing him a little less serious, a little more shy. Oh, his ears were so red, and the way he mumbled? The way he picked at his pants?
If he was trying to act cool and inconspicuous, he was failing miserably. Cassidy thought that made it all the more endearing.
“Well, sometimes I am up to no good, so you’d better stay on your toes around me. Sometimes I do need someone to keep me in check,” he laughed. “But don’t think I haven’t noticed you keeping your distance, it’s been impossible to get you to notice me and take me seriously! I had to work really hard. But you’re worth it. And if you stick around, you’ll get lots of ‘all that’ out of me. I know I’ve got a big mouth, I’ll be happy to talk over whatever your family’s said until you only hear my voice in your head when you think about it.”
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