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 Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:06 pm
Takes place after the Stormbreaker events, the night of April 12, 2025. He should have kissed him.
Riker scowled at himself all the way home. It wasn’t a long walk, especially since he covered most of the distance as a Knight, but now that he had more time to think about it, the more he wished he’d done things differently.
His heart was still racing, but he didn’t know if it was because he’d been running, or if it was because he’d seen Cassidy (and Rose and Cynthus), or because they hadn’t died a horrible death along with the rest of the world.
Idiot... He thought they might have all died -- that was why he brought Cassidy to his Wonder in the first place. And the most he did was say that they were okay and they could go home. He gave Rose a hug, Cynthus a thumbs up, and Cassidy got a hug as well. Maybe one that lingered a bit longer, but not so long that Cynthus would start making fun of him. Ugh.
He should have said forget Cynthus and kissed him anyway. Or maybe when he got him back home, and safely in his house. Now that he was thinking back on it, Cassidy looked like he was waiting for something.
Riker hissed some curses under his breath, and fumbled with the keys to get the front door open so he could focus on Evan and Julian. And Maxim, of course, who got a good rubdown before looking for his family.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:10 pm
The house was dark when Riker arrived, but that wasn’t surprising considering the state of most of the city. They had a few Mauvian constructed generators to power the house, but they were still running on limited power.
Besides, it was better not to attract too much attention; they didn’t want to be the only house on the block with full lights going.
Maxim was no less energetic in the dim lights of the living room than he would have been if things had been normal. He met Riker at the door and only after he’d had a satisfactory level of affection did he lead Riker upstairs, where Julian and Evan were.
The television was hooked up to a portable battery and was playing some nature documentary. Julian had a string of star lights in soft pastels; those were also plugged in, but aside from that, the room was dark.
Evan was sitting in Julian’s desk chair, pulled close to the bed. Julian was leaning forward just slightly, cross legged on the bed and offering both hands to Evan. He wore a worried expression and seemed to be nodding to something Evan had said when Maxim bounded upstairs.
Julian almost snatched his hands away from Evan when he saw Riker but he hesitated at the last second and limply let them rest where Evan held them. Julian’s head bowed like he had something to be guilty about, but Evan continued to press the ice pack he held against Julian’s fingertips.
“Riker,” Evan greeted, obviously relieved. “I’m glad you’re back. My cell phone has no service, and Julian’s doesn’t either. Soleiyu’s looking into it now. Sit down,” he nodded to the empty spot on the bed. A first aid kit was on the other side of Julian already. “You’re next. Did you get hurt at all?”
Julian didn’t quite look up but he tilted his head to better see Riker as he approached. He wanted to know if Riker was okay or if he needed to draw back so Evan could treat him, but he also wanted to know that their friends were okay. Quietly–quickly–he asked, “Was everyone okay on Reims?”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:12 pm
“Mine didn’t either,” he scowled as he followed Maxim into the room. He’d wanted to text Cassidy about half way home. Just a casual ‘oh our power is out’ or something stupid like that, but couldn’t get the phone to work. At least now he could tell Cassidy that it wasn’t just his phone not working, in case he got harassed about not texting him later.
Sulking a little, Riker made his way over to Evan and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug. He didn’t block his arms, not wanting to prevent him from working on Julian’s hands, but he held him for a while longer before finally climbing up onto the bed.
He’d heard Julian, but he didn’t answer right away. Not until he was sitting cross legged behind him and wrapped his arms around Julian’s torso. Just tight enough so he wasn’t hurting him, but enough so he could squish him a little. He leaned forward to rest his head against the back of Julian’s shoulder and sighed.
“I’m okay,” he promised Evan. And Julian, because there was no doubt he’d worry too. “You were amazing up there, Jules. We’ve gotta look into gloves or something for you to wear. You can’t ruin your hands like that.”
Or exhaust himself.
“Everyone was fine,” he said, but sounded a little irritated. He quickly explained before they could think it was anything either of them did. “I’m sure Maisie took the opportunity to gossip with Cassidy. I hope Dawn at least didn’t let her say horrible things about me.” Even if it was probably deserved.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:14 pm
Evan wished he could have returned the hug–and squeezed Riker tightly–but both of them had a clear understanding that Julian’s hands took priority. Evan would get his hug in soon.
Julian waited for Riker to get comfortable before he relaxed, and even when he did it seemed like he was only doing it to make sure Riker was as comfortable as possible. He stayed perfectly still, both to make treating his hands easy and to make sure Riker didn’t have to move to get comfortable again.
“Cassidy wouldn’t let anyone say anything horrible about you,” Julian reassured quietly. His face was warm from praise he didn’t quite think he deserved but he continued, “I’m glad they’re okay. My hands are okay too,” he promised. They were red and chafed but the worst of the damage was hidden against the ice pack.
“Gloves might be a good idea. That shield was really helpful, Julian. You should give yourself more credit. A lot of people got hurt up there, but all of us made it back in one piece. I’m not lucky, I don’t think most of us are. So that’s not how we got out of this so easy. I think it was because you were all just such a good team.”
Julian tense a bit, and might have squirmed, but he didn’t want to dislodge Riker. He hummed, neither in protest nor agreement, but Evan didn’t plan to let either of them downplay their accomplishments.
“Really, the way you two–and all of your friends–were able to move around each other, that’s so impressive. You guys work so well together. Think about it–none of you ran into each other, nobody got hit with friendly fire, you were all looking after each other. Riker, you got some really good hits in, where did you learn to swing a sword like that?”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:14 pm
“Please,” Riker scoffed, but it was mumbled against Julian’s back. He lifted his head enough to rest his chin on Julian’s shoulder as he held him from behind, giving Evan an incredulous look.
“Where did I learn how to swing a sword like that? I just treat it like a baseball bat,” he huffed, but ignored the way his ears burned from the compliment. “I didn’t even get to do anything cool with it. I uh… I mean, sometimes I can get it to move on its own.”
Okay, he was a little bit gleeful about being able to move his sword without touch, but it wasn’t very often and he could only control it in straight movement. Anything more complicated and it didn’t work.
He did his best not to grin, and hid his mouth against Julian’s shoulder as he watched Evan tend to Julian’s hands.
“Yeah, I mean, I know Cassidy wouldn’t. And Dawn wouldn’t. And…” he paused to sigh. “Maisie is loud but I don’t think she would try to say anything too mean. I asked them not to power down. Uh… Cassidy doesn’t know I’m um… that I’m Reims,” he cringed, because it was the same problem he’d had with Énna knowing him as one but not the other.
To alleviate some of his anxiety, he playfully chewed on Julian’s boney shoulder. Just lightly! And nothing slobbery. Just to try to get him to ease up a little.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:15 pm
Julian was almost positive that he could feel Riker’s smile pressed against his back, and if he couldn’t feel it, he was sure he could hear it. Vividly enough that it brought a little smile to his own face, too.
When Riker nibbled his shoulder, he let out a startled gasp and half turned to look at him.
Maxim thought this was exciting enough that he jumped on the bed and tilted his head to scrutiny Julian’s shoulder. His tail wagged slowly, confused, and he looked at Riker expectantly.
Evan had to hold Julian’s hands to the ice pack still, but he laughed, too.
“I should have recognized those moves, then. You’ll have to show me how you can get it to move on its own. I don’t think I’ve seen that one yet. Are you going to tell Cassidy?”
“He can’t be in the Negaverse,” Julian pointed out, with just a bit more energy. “You’d have definitely heard about it.”
“Oh, is he bad with secrets?” Evan asked. He didn’t know many people that weren’t involved in this whole war so he didn’t have much to worry about accidentally letting his secret identity slip.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:16 pm
The startled look he got made Riker grin and snort in amusement. And then he laughed, giving Julian a little squeeze in apology, and kiss on his cheek.
“I’m sure Cassidy would have tried recruiting me to the Negaverse if he was in it, himself,” he made a face, but it was difficult to wipe the smile away completely. He grinned at Maxim as well, and unwrapped one arm from Julian so he could reach over and give him a little pat on the head.
“I’m not hurting him!” he promised, laughing once more at the look Maxim was giving him. “I mean… that didn’t hurt, did it?” Oh, he would feel bad if it did hurt.
“Yeah I can show you. You mean Zac can’t do it with his weapon? Wow, maybe I’ll have something to teach him,” he snickered with amusement, but his stomach twisted anxiously as he thought about Cassidy.
“I don’t know if I should tell Cassidy. I mean… Énna is only just starting to trust me again. I know it’s not the same with Cassidy but uh… I think I like him.”
He blurted it out before he could think better of it. He cringed at himself, and ducked his head down on Julian’s shoulder again.
“And I kissed him. More than once,” he added, but it was muffled now. Oh, his ears were burning, along with the rest of his face.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:17 pm
Julian’s face was just slightly pink, and even that was difficult to see in the dim lights. He shook his head when asked if it hurt, because it really hadn’t, and Maxim was content with the exchange. He stood by, wagging, as if expecting–and hoping for–more tomfoolery.
But then Riker had made a confession.
All thoughts of teasing Zac flew out of Evan’s head, and he almost gasped in surprise.
“Riker! No wonder you wanted to keep him safe,” Evan said, and seemed like he almost wanted to coo in endearment. Was it Riker’s first crush? Was it his first kiss? Oh–oh, no, was Evan supposed to give him the talk?
Julian just laughed softly, but craned his head over his shoulder so he could better see Riker. His eyes were bright and somewhat mirthful, and he was smiling again.
“Did you know about this?” Evan asked, but when he realized Julian looked surprised, he just gasped. “Riker! Keeping secrets from me, okay! But Julian! I thought you two told each other everything!”
“It’s okay,” Julian defended quickly. “I don’t mind secrets. I’ll alway trust Riker.”
“Oh, hm,” Evan gave him a look, but asked Riker, “Are you dating? Or is it just the ‘we like to kiss’ stage? I’m sorry, I’m nosey. Is this the Cassidy I met?”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:18 pm
“Sorry!” Riker quickly apologized with a gasp. He didn’t want Julian to think he didn’t trust him with secrets! Oh, but his face was definitely burning.
“What? No! I mean. I wouldn’t know what to do with stuff like that. Yeah it’s the Cassidy you met. He’s always at our games, too. He used to be on the team but was in a really bad car crash. I--”
Riker paused, cringing at himself as he rested his chin on Julian’s shoulder. He wanted to hide, but he was the one who brought up the topic.
“I’ve always been kind of an a*****e to him. I know! I know it’s bad. I just-- He was always saying things that sounded like he was making fun of me. I got really defensive really easily. I didn’t think it was because he, I mean… did you know he liked me?” he gasped at Julian, pulling back just a bit so he could look at him more clearly.
Was that why Julian always said things like how Cassidy wouldn’t let anyone speak poorly of him, or how he’d definitely find out if he was in the Negaverse? Did Julian know before him? He wouldn’t have been surprised. Julian was very clever and observant. And kind and gentle.
He didn’t mean to keep secrets from him. He just didn’t know how to bring it up.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:18 pm
Julian shook his head quickly, as if to discourage Riker from feeling bad. He was still half-turned to face Riker, but he’d been very careful to ensure he could still comfortably rest against Julian’s shoulder.
“I didn’t know,” Julian answered, not in a way that sounded like he was fibbing, but which suggested he might have at least assumed something. “I’m not really good at figuring out that sort of thing. But I know Cassidy always says nice things about you when he’s with me. He asks how you’re doing all the time, and what you’re up to. He likes to talk about you.”
Evan wore a small, knowing smile, and even as he held the ice pack to Julian’s fingers, he leaned forward to kiss Riker’s forehead.
He didn’t call Riker silly but he thought it, even if he was happy for him and how things were working out. Talking about crushes and love lives were better than trying to jump right into processing the battle they’d just gotten out of, and both boys seemed invested in the conversation so he was glad to see them carry on.
“Oh!” Julian seemed to have a sudden realization. “He always says he’s jealous of how much time we get to spend together. I thought he was just teasing. But maybe he means it?”
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:20 pm
Riker grimaced, but closed his eyes as Evan kissed his forehead. He felt his ears and cheeks burning, but at least they were both supportive. Not that he thought they wouldn’t be, but he hadn’t exactly come out about liking other boys except to Elliot. Well, and he supposed Cassidy knew, too. Obviously.
“Sucks for him, because I don’t want to give up spending time with you,” he huffed. It was true, though. He liked hanging out with both of them, and he didn’t know what he was going to do about splitting his time. He wanted to hang out with Cassidy, especially alone. Mostly so he could kiss him again. But Julian was his best friend, and had been there for him when he had no one else he thought would really understand him.
He felt horrible guilt knowing how much of a jerk he’d once been to so many good people. He was trying to make up for it, but he didn’t know how much forgiveness he actually deserved.
“Ugh, does he really talk about me though? Wait, I don’t want to know what he says. I know it’s not bad things, but I don’t know what else he could say. Wait, no. I really don’t want to know,” he groaned and hid his face again.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:21 pm
Julian appreciated the reassurance that Riker didn’t want to give up spending time with them, but of course he was going to support anything that made Riker happy–and he knew he and Cassidy were close. He just hadn’t realized how close!
“Are you sure you don’t want to know?” Julian asked, glancing away from Riker only briefly because he instead wanted to watch what Evan was doing with the ice pack. Evan examined Julian’s fingers, like he was trying to find the exact second from when he’d go from doing good to doing harm by keeping the ice pack pressed against his skin.
“It’s only nice things,” Julian promised. “Sometimes he tells me stories about your baseball games. But I won’t say anything if it makes you uncomfortable. Um, you can invite him over any time you want.” He glanced around the room and then looked back at Riker. “I can sleep downstairs if you ever want to have time alone?”
Evan’s eyes flashed in slight alarm, and he looked at Riker like he was trying to determine what that meant. “Cassidy can come over,” he agreed, but he was still trying to figure out if he was going to let Julian sleep in the living room. He trusted Riker! And it wasn’t like he was going to get pregnant if they were teenagers doing teenager things, but still.
Julian was probably only offering because he didn’t want to crowd them, not because he was considering that sort of thing.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:22 pm
“What?” Riker sputtered, pulling back from Julian’s shoulder so he could give him a perplexed look. “I’m not going to kick you out of your room, are you kidding?”
Even if Cassidy came over, Riker wouldn’t make Julian leave. Why would he?
“I’ll sleep on the floor or… I think there’s an air mattress, so it’s not even like it’s really the floor. Maybe I can save up so we can get one of those, uh… what are they. The beds where you can roll one out from underneath. I don’t really like going under the bed for anything, anyway,” he grimaced, wishing he hadn’t reminded himself about that creepy noise that Zac had to come up and check out for them.
Maybe he could give Zac a challenge to see if he could just build one.
“I don’t know. I feel like I’ll be embarrassed if he’s said nice things about me. I mean -- okay, I am a little curious, but--”
His ears flushed again. He didn’t want to sound like he was fishing for compliments or anything like that. Of course he was curious about what Cassidy said! Especially if it was to someone else. Not just someone else, but to Julian.
“I feel bad. I left him alone in his house. I think he expected his dad to be home, but I guess he stayed at work or went somewhere else,” he sighed, reaching for his phone to check if he had any signal, but things still seemed to be down.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:22 pm
Evan was trying to imagine a pull out bed but he couldn’t make it past how a pull-out couch functioned and doubted Riker was imagining the same thing he was. “We should get you two some walkie talkies for emergencies. Soleiyu’s made a few. Cassidy lives close enough, I’m sure they’d reach.” Soleiyu would probably enjoy a challenge but Evan doubted he’d think of it as much of one.”
Julian nodded, but he was always agreeable, except when Riker made suggestions that would have put him on the floor!
“It’s our room,” he reminded. “And it’s okay if sometimes you want alone time in our room. I think, um, we all fit on my bed before, so nobody has to lay on the floor unless they want to. But I was just thinking–you know, um.”
He was deliberately avoiding Evan’s gaze and shrugged like he wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.
“Well, I don’t want you to feel like I have to be around any time you’re hanging out.” He didn’t want Riker or Cassidy to resent him if they had plans that didn’t include him. And it was okay if they did! Julian understood! This was Riker’s room too, and he was allowed to have his own time here!
“But, um.” Julian’s brows were just slightly furrowed again, and it was clear that he was trying to relax them. He pressed his fingers back into the ice pack. “...Do you want to invite him over? I mean, um, could we go pick him up…?”
“I could drive over if you wanted,” Evan said. They’d all had a rough night already and he wanted to give them the time to process and decompress, but he wasn’t very good at saying no, and if Riker cared about Cassidy so much, he didn’t want him to feel bad about whatever choice he made.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2025 6:24 pm
Riker blinked curiously at Julian. He could tell that he was avoiding Evan, but it was weird how he just ended his thought. Well, maybe not that weird. Julian tended to stop talking when he lost confidence. Had Riker said something to make Julian lose confidence?
He groaned a little when Julian asked about inviting Cassidy over, and then again when Evan offered to drive over. Of course he wanted to. He wanted to rescue Cassidy from being alone after the end of the world was supposed to happen. He knew Cassidy was uncomfortable in cars, but it wasn’t like walking was safe that late at night with no real lights.
“Could we?” he finally blurted out, because his guilt was eating at him. “I mean. Maybe if we just show up and he doesn’t want to then that’s fine. But… I don’t think he’d want to be alone.”
Walkie talkies was certainly something he would ask about later, because having anything like that would be useful. And he was certain they could all fit in the bed again, just like when Cassidy had come over to make sure he was okay after he’d been stabbed.
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