|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:11 pm
“Why don’t you tell him we were out getting dinner when the power went out? And you wanted to stop and check on him since the storm was so bad? I mean, he’s on the way home,” Evan justified, and perhaps felt a bit bad about encouraging a lie–but after everything Riker had already been through, why put that conversation tonight, too?
“Don’t worry about disappointing Cassidy. If it feels like it’s the right time, it’ll be the right time. If you’re feeling worried, you can always bring up Superman or something, and hiding his secret identity. See how he feels about it? That might make it easier to figure out how–and when–to tell him? I don’t know, I’m spitballing. But I don’t think you should worry about it tonight. When things calm down, when you’ve had some time to think it over. I don’t want you to rush into it because you feel like you have to, that’s all. But we can talk it out. And, when I need to talk about something,” he smiled again, “I’ll talk to you. Even if you don’t have a lot of ‘life experience’, you’re a really good listener.”
He’d just have to try not to bore him! Or weigh him down with more than he could handle. Riker was still young; Evan didn’t want him to worry about Evan so much.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:11 pm
“Cassidy thinks I should be a therapist or social worker or something,” he forced a scoff, but was clearly curious about the suggestion. Not that he knew the first thing about either of those, but since Evan seemed to think he was a good listener too, then maybe Cassidy hadn’t just been throwing out random ideas.
“I mean, I guess I have a long way to go before figuring out any of that. I was thinking I’d go into culinary so I can help you with your future restaurant,” he confessed, glancing over at Evan. He was grateful to him in so many ways. He remembered when they’d first met and he gave Evan such a hard time. But he appreciated the time and patience Evan gave him.
“I won’t tell him tonight. He’s already been through a lot, too. I mean, I left him with Cynthus,” he cringed. Rose was there too, of course, but still.
“Thanks, mom. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get a hug for as long as you want one. Any time you want one. I like your hugs too, in case you’re worried about that.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:11 pm
Evan made a face and though his emotions were not immediately clear, when his face was done contorting, it settled on something very happy, and very proud. “You’re really something, Riker. I think you’d be a good therapist or social worker. But I know you’d be good at working in the kitchen with me, too. You don’t have to rush through college. You can spend your first year just figuring out what you want to do. Or longer! Go at your own pace.”
In that, and everything.
He didn’t really know Cynthus, or what that meant for her and Cassidy, but tonight had been traumatic all around.
After what they’d all been through, he was glad to hear Riker thinking about the future.
“I will want a hug when we get home. A long one, probably. So I can sleep well tonight. I think I’ll be on the couch, so if you need anything, you’ll know where to find me.”
Expectedly, Cassidy’s neighborhood was completely dark. No one had ventured outside and it seemed like a lonely gloom hovered over the area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:11 pm
“On the couch? You sure?” Riker frowned, although he’d been curious about that weird expression Evan had trouble with. It was sweet how happy Evan looked. Enough that Riker felt his ears burn. He hadn’t meant to say anything that would get that kind of response! But it was nice to know that Evan was happy.
“I mean, I guess I’ll feel better knowing how close you are, and the couch is pretty comfortable,” he conceded, but only because he’d slept on the couch a number of times before Julian had moved in and that fancy room above the garage built for him.
Riker checked his phone again for service, but there was still nothing. He sighed.
“If that damn space monster messed up the internet and phone service… ah, well… I can imagine some people are going to be pretty upset.” Like Cassidy.
It was a good thing they’d indulged Riker in letting him go and ask Cassidy to come back with them. He wouldn’t want him staying in the dark by himself with no internet or phone service. What if something happened?
“I’ll give you the best hug you’ve had in recent memory when we get home, how about that?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:12 pm
“Only recent memory?” Evan challenged fondly, but he was obviously delighted with the offer as it was. “It sounds like a good deal to me. And if you need anything, you come down, okay? I’ll try not to be creepy and come up and check on you while you’re sleeping. Oh, it sounds even worse now that I said it out loud.”
Evan didn’t grimace or make a face that time, it was just a realization, and he wasn’t going to take back what he said, anyway.
“Well, in any case, if the phone and internet is messed up, I’m sure the Mauvians will be able to fix it soon. Maybe Soleiyu can set up some sort of hot spot for Cassidy back at the house?”
He slowed the car as they approached and seemed like he was debating on turning the headlights off, too. Ultimately, he decided he should leave them on so Riker could see where he was going. “You take as long as you need, okay? I’ll wait. And if I start getting anxious, I’ll come knock.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2025 6:12 pm
Riker couldn’t help the quiet laugh that escaped as Evan commented on being creepy and checking on them. Riker didn’t mind. He thought it was sweet. It wasn’t as though he was used to many people checking on him. At least not until recently.
“If I set the bar low, and it’s better than you expected, then that’s a good thing, right?” he flashed Evan an awkward smile. He didn’t think he could compete with others who have hugged Evan before. What if Zac was as good of a hugger as he was a kisser (ew)?
For good measure, Riker took off his seatbelt and leaned over to give Evan as good of a half-hug as he could manage.
“Thanks mom. I’ll be right back. Don’t get anxious. I can handle myself. But if you get impatient, or if something happens, you can honk the horn and I’ll come running. I don’t think I’ll be long, but I, uh… I mean, I was going to say hi before dragging him to the car. He might need to put on normal clothes if he’s in his pajamas!” he quickly rambled, grateful for the suggestion of Soleiyu setting up the internet for Cassidy, but also anxious about getting to see him.
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” he promised once more as he pulled away to push open the door and jump out before he lingered too long and Cassidy thought he was getting cold feet. If he even noticed the lights from the car.
Fin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
