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 Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 3:48 pm
Takes place late October 2024 Follows Playing Hard to Get
“Hi, we’re here!” Julian called before he stepped in, which earned him another look from Cassidy.
“Hello, welcome! Come in! Did you tell him about Maxim?” Evan asked, shuffling around the living room as he moved a now emptied box of decorations to the corner so he could take it out to the garage. The front yard and the inside were decorated for halloween–not too spooky, but enough that they clearly had festive spirit.
Maxim was waiting by Evan but clearly eager to meet someone new. Before Julian could answer, Cassidy did: “He did, he said he was a good boy and very friendly. Hi, I’m Cassidy.”
As Julian removed his shoes, Cassidy followed suit. Maxim took this as an invitation to say hello and shoved his face in Cassidy’s hands. When it came to rubbing his face and scratching behind his ears, Cassidy was quick to oblige. Maxim still moved between him and Julian, earning him two hands of enthusiastic pets.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you. Riker’s come downstairs, he’s in the kitchen getting snacks,” Evan said, nodding towards the other room. Evan had snacks mostly ready for Julian but having an extra kid coming in, and Riker coming down, meant that he’d needed a bit extra so Riker was just finishing up. Julian offered a quick word of thanks as he set his bag down, to which Cassidy also dropped his bag down by.
Cassidy could have found the kitchen on his own but Julian led him there anyway. He was eager to help Riker since he shouldn’t be carrying anything too heavy anyway.
“Riker! Can I hug you? I can just wave.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:20 pm
Riker had already spent time reassuring Evan that he was well enough to be up and moving around. At least for short periods of time. He didn’t want to be completely immoble for days. Besides, he didn’t like just sitting around, anyway.
He was putting together a small plate of cheese and crackers, but already had other options for Julian, just in case he wasn’t feeling cheese, even if he took his medicine for it.
He’d also taken some time to make sure his hair was brushed and didn’t look like he’d been in bed for days. While he’d been sitting in bed, he’d had his bangs pushed back out of his face with a headband Evan let him borrow, and while he still wore the headband, it was a little easier to see that he’d dyed his bangs red at some point between staying with Julian and now.
Well, red-er than the dark brown his hair already was. And with Evan’s help, of course.
“I told you I’m fine,” he insisted, holding his arm out to greet Cassidy with the hug he requested. He caught Julian’s gaze as well, making sure he knew to expect a hug as well.
“Fine enough to be going to Maisie’s party this weekend.” As close to a Halloween party as he could probably manage, but they’d all been invited, even Cassidy.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:21 pm
“You’re going?” Cassidy asked. Riker’s open arm was like a magnet and he attached himself to his side immediately. While he didn’t know the extent of Riker’s injuries, Cassidy had a unique way of snaking his arm around Riker so he could completely encompass him and yet still somehow manage not to apply any pressure.
Julian’s brows were knit with worry when he saw the speed and enthusiasm with which Cassidy approached Riker but he breathed a silent sigh of relief when he realized he was being gentle.
“I got the ‘friend of a friend’ invite but I don’t know her. But if you’re going, I’ll go. I’ll just get her a Sephora gift card or something.” He could have left Riker’s arms at any point but he chose instead to eke out every last second he could get out of the embrace.
Julian kept Riker’s eyes, just to make sure he was okay. Cassidy drew back only enough to see Riker’s face but he kept his arm around him. “I like your hair, I thought that was just a glare on my phone. Did you and Evan do that?”
While those two were hugging, Julian slipped behind Riker, gently placing a hand at his back in a quiet greeting as he went to the fridge to help with drinks. He’d have a moment to say hello too, he just wanted to give Cassidy whatever time he needed since it had been a while.
Julian could let those two have as long as they needed–as long as Cassidy wasn't getting Riker all worked up.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:25 pm
There was a moment that Riker braced himself for pain, even though he knew it would have been unintentional. Other than general soreness, it didn’t come. Cassidy was gentle, even as he clung, and Riker let out the breath he’d been holding. He wrapped his arms around Cassidy in return and rubbed his back in reassurance.
“Ah, thanks. Evan was doing his, so I thought it might be a nice change,” he admitted, doing his best to hold back a shrug about it. It wasn’t something to shrug about. He liked his hair. But he didn’t want to be disappointed if someone else didn’t like it.
He didn’t let Cassidy go, at least not as long as he seemed to need the hug, but he glanced over at Julian once more to acknowledge the touch to his back. He would hug him as soon as he had the chance. Julian liked to stay out of the way, and he probably was thinking that Cassidy hadn’t had as many (or any) opportunities to see him.
“But yeah, Maisie already said she’d have a chair or something for me. She’s got a bunch of other people going, so if you and Julian are there, I’ll at least have some people to talk to. I think Elliot and Atticus are going, too. And my friend Dawn.”
He wanted to mention Énna as well, but if Énna knew Riker would be there, would he avoid it? Should he stay home so Énna could enjoy himself at Maisie’s party?
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:33 pm
“I’ll be there,” Cassidy assured, because he would find every excuse possible to keep Riker company. Besides, it was an excuse to get out of the house. Cassidy wouldn’t have taken issue with showing up on a stranger’s doorstep but there was definitely incentive to go if he had friends there.
It was with great reluctance–and the fact that Julian was handing him a soda, that Cassidy finally took a step back. He reached out to brush his fingers over the dyed strip of hair and released a contemplative ‘Hm.’ before nodding. “It’s so much softer than I thought it would be. It looks good on you.”
“I think so too,” Julian said, a little quieter than Cassidy but no less honest. He was always eager to agree with someone when they had something nice to say.
Maxim had made his way into the kitchen and now that Cassidy was done with a hug and out of the way he made sure to lock eyes with Riker. He looked at the cheese plate, nearly invisible on the counter from his angle. He looked back at Riker expectantly. His tail wagged slowly.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:35 pm
Riker released the hug when Cassidy took a step back, but froze for a moment while he touched his dyed hair. His ears burned a bit at the compliments, and he tried not to look stupid by grinning about it. He happened to like his hair, too. So he was glad that his friends felt the same way.
But before he could figure out how to not be so awkward when he mumbled out his thanks, he caught sight of Maxim and clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth. He glanced up from the dog and around the kitchen as though expecting someone to appear out of nowhere, before casually tossing a piece of cheese on the floor.
“Don’t let mom find out,” he quietly snickered, as if he could get in trouble, anyway. He just didn’t want Maxim to be overfed! There were plenty of people in the house feeding him, already!
Instead of taking his drink from Julian, he took a moment to wrap an arm around him and give him a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks. About the hair, too.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:43 pm
Maxim looked over his shoulder, as if to make sure that Evan wasn’t anywhere nearby. When the coast was clear he laid down to collect the cheese and took an impressive amount of time to actually eat it.
Julian returned the hug gently. He didn’t need words to communicate with Riker, the hug said enough for him.
He missed Riker. He was glad to see him up. He wanted to make sure he was okay. He could step in if Cassidy was too much.
He could have held the hug for longer but he didn’t want Riker to be embarrassed by him so he pulled back with a smile after a few seconds.
By then, Cassidy was already looking around the kitchen. “This house is cute. Julian, I can’t wait to see your room.”
“Oh, it’s nothing special,” Julian was quick to insist, a little shy but also unwilling to say anything disparaging about it. He liked his room, and a lot of hard work had gone into it. It was partly Riker’s room, too! He just didn’t get the chance to say more because Cassidy was already humming in thought.
“I don’t know about that. I heard there’s a cool chair to get up there?” Cassidy asked, looking at Riker. Maxim had already gotten a snack, so now it was Cassidy’s turn to look at him with pleading puppy-dog eyes.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:45 pm
Riker snorted softly in amusement, and then paused for a moment to let the achiness of letting out too much air too quickly pass. Julian didn’t have to step away from him, but he returned the smile regardless, before turning his attention back to Cassidy.
“Wanna try it? There’s a game built into it. Once I have better mobility, I know I’ll get over a thousand points,” he said as he puffed up a bit with confidence. Not that it was a hard game, but it was difficult to hit everything with only being able to turn so much.
He pushed the tray of snacks towards Cassidy, clearly a suggestion for him to carry it. He wasn’t supposed to be carrying anything remotely heavy, and he didn’t want Evan to fuss if he saw him trying. He could be good when he wanted!
Besides, it was very obvious that he was moving slower than usual when he did finally start to step out from around the counter. He couldn’t help but grin at Maxim, and maybe he accidentally knocked another piece of cheese onto the ground for him.
“You good if we go up?” he asked Julian, not wanting to invite Cassidy up if he would rather him stay downstairs.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:47 pm
Riker was one of Maxim’s favorite people; his tail doubled in speed and this time he stretched to quickly gobble up the piece of cheese.
“Of course,” Julian said quickly. He didn’t even seem like he was rushing to give the ‘right’ answer just because he thought it was what Riker wanted to hear. What could Cassidy do in his room, anyway? It’s not like he was a thief, or got rough with things, or was the type of person to be mean. He was blunt, sure, but it was never malicious. And if he didn’t like Julian’s decor…
Well, that was okay. He wasn’t ashamed of it. It was his room, a culmination of things that made him happy. Of things he’d chosen for himself, of gifts he’d been given by people he cared about.
It was safe and comfortable and his and that was all that mattered.
He smiled warmly, enough that the corners of his eyes crinkled. There was a promise of truth in his words.
“What type of chair is it that it has a game built in? Is it, like, Tetris? I mean, I don’t care what it is, that’s so cool! I didn’t get to take a cool chair up stairs when I was hurt,” Cassidy said, lips pressed together and practically sulking. In direct contrast to his tone and expression, he took the tray of snacks with unshakable enthusiasm. "I had to take an elevator or I couldn’t go anywhere. You’ll have to hook me up with all this neat stuff the next time I get hurt!”
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:47 pm
“Please don’t.” The smile Riker had in return for Julian quickly faded into a wary grimace. “You don’t need to be hurt to get neat stuff,” he let out a breath of exasperation, shaking his head and muttering about how Cassidy was being ridiculous.
He was grateful that Cassidy took the tray though, and although he didn’t immediately need to, he appreciated that Julian was close enough to offer assistance if he needed it.
“We’re heading up to the room for a bit. Want anything from the tray?” he asked, looking around for Evan since he expected him to be close by with Maxim still around.
And when he found him, he made sure to give Evan a hug as well. Because of course he deserved one.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:49 pm
Cassidy laughed richly, enjoying himself despite Riker’s discomfort but he had no smart quips or sarcastic comments when Riker detoured during their trek up to Julian’s room.
For a hug, of all things. With Evan. Who was not exactly what Cassidy imagined when he’d heard about the owner of the food truck that Riker worked at. He was short and finicky and seemed like he might not have updated his wardrobe since he was in high school.
Not that Cassidy was judging, this was his house after all. He could wear whatever he wanted.
The important thing was that Riker looked happy–and he seemed more honest here, within these walls. Three hugs, two of them that he initiated? Uncalled for.
He must have felt safe here.
Evan peered around Riker to look at the tray and, since Riker had worked so hard on it, Evan stretched an arm to lift a single cracker sandwich. “I’ll have this, thank you. You three have fun, call if you need anything. Cassidy, are you staying for dinner?”
“I’d like that, if it’s not an imposition,” Cassidy answered very politely, but it was soured somewhat with blunt, “and if Riker doesn’t get sick of me. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
Ordinarily, Julian would have been quick to insist that he was welcome, but he caught Riker’s eye to make sure it’s what he was okay with. Julian had promised to make sure he’d help Riker with overwhelming guests after all.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:50 pm
Riker straightened up from the hug with Evan with somewhat of a forced grimace. It made sense that he would be in pain, but the hurt he felt came from what had been said.
He knew he hadn’t been the best person to be around. He knew he was defiant and caused trouble and got riled up easily. Easily defensive. Hostile when he felt threatened. He understood where Cassidy was coming from. Riker had actively avoided him, too much of a coward to understand him. Confusing playful teasing with something more malicious.
He avoided catching Julian’s gaze. Julian would see right through him if he did. But he was fairly confident that Evan would be more concerned about his health, so he faked another wince, but forced a grin to reassure him.
“I’m okay, just standing for too long,” he promised, feeling a little guilty for sort of lying to Evan. He had been standing for too long, but the ache in his chest had nothing to do with his injured ribs.
“Of course you should stay. Come on, Cass. Let’s see if you can beat my score,” he gestured to the garage door without looking at him or Julian, giving Evan one more squeeze before stepping back.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 4:59 pm
Whether it was acted or authentic, Evan looked at Riker with a brief look of concern.
Julian noticed something was off, mostly because he’d been looking for those hidden clues that Riker wouldn’t speak out loud.
“Okay,” Evan said slowly. “Well, go rest up. Don’t push yourself too hard.” He rubbed Riker’s arm as he stepped away, and waved to the boys.
Julian stayed close to Riker as they walked to the garage, and Cassidy was carefully balancing the snack tray and his drink. “Well, I’ll do my best. I was hoping you’d say I should stay. I know I kind of barged in already.” He didn’t seem like he felt bad about it, though. “But I really did miss you. I look for you at school every morning.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 5:00 pm
“You can’t exactly barge in if I gave you the address,” Riker said quietly, but it was clearer than he would have liked that the simple movement from the kitchen to the garage was a quick drain on his energy. He was still capable of holding the door open, making sure Cassidy didn’t have any trouble with the tray of snacks and his drink.
“I’m sorry I worried you,” he added, and while I missed you too was likely at the tip of his tongue, Riker managed to hold himself back. He didn’t want Cassidy to think he was disingenuous in repeating what he’d said.
“You mean loud mouth Elliot didn’t say anything? I’m impressed,” he forced a huff. Not that he actually thought Elliot was a loud mouth. He was just overly friendly too often. But the same could be said for Cassidy.
“Want me to show you how to use it?” he gestured to the chair that was set up against the wall on a track to go up the stairs. “Unless you want to show off how much you’ve improved, Jules,” he flashed him a grin, having seen the way his eyebrows looked like they wanted to scrunch up.
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Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2024 5:03 pm
Cassidy still seemed to be pondering the semantics of barging in after being given the address but he wasn’t thinking on it too hard.
“Oh–no, thank you,” Julian said quickly. “But I can hold the tray while you two play!”
“Are you sure? I do want to play,” Cassidy admitted, and though he might have actually felt bad about foisting the tray of snacks off on Julian, he did pass it over.
Julian accepted with a smile.
Cassidy returned it but his attention was back on Riker quickly. “Elliot said a lot, it just wasn’t what I wanted to hear. You know how he gets, how he uses a lot of words but finds a way to side step your question? He did a lot of that. I mean, he said you were okay, it’s just he wouldn’t give me any details, so maybe my imagination got the best of me. You don’t have to be sorry for worrying me, we should blame him instead. He should have just told me you fought off someone trying to abduct Énna. Maybe he wanted to let you have all the glory for yourself, though.”
He was clearly admiring the hallway, and the chair. They’d really pulled out the stop here, hadn’t they? Or had Julian’s room once been someone’s grandparent’s room? “Show me how to play? It looks neat.”
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