Kid AU

[sliceitwithwind]

The trip was fun, especially for the seniors. Even the stupidly tiny seniors who weren't really paying attention to anything outside of school work. They were going to get back just after school let out, and the boys were ever so much looking forwards to telling Aya all about the camping trip and the science-y things they did while out.

Comments

[sliceitwithwind]

"Closer would be more convenient for me." Braig admitted, "There's a nice place about halfway between here and Uni that I can rent out, it's a kind of free-for-all gym space with lightly padded walls and floors."

Just because it's fun doesn't mean that he wants to be completely flattened twice a week.

Braig nodded, finished stretching, and picked up his glass to drink out of it slowly.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Sounds nearly ideal." And with a space he could send out a call to people he knew who might be interested in helping with a whelp. "I may rent it for other reasons as well, but certainly for your days." Yes, that would work.

"It will get rougher from here for some time, Braig. If you need to talk, or rant, or anything, simply tell me and we will take another evening like this until things settle out once more." He settled on the grass beside Braig, leaning back on his elbow to watch the stars once more.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Card's in my wallet next to the one for the labs." Braig didn't mind family getting into his wallet...and after all Nevada had done for Aya he was as close to family as anyone else.

"Thanks. I loved her too. Didja know that Aunt Lenna taught me to walk? Mom and dad were involved in some stuff that kept them out of the house a lot, and Aunt Lenna was able to take the time off."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I'll be sure to get it before I leave tonight." Nevada assured quietly. There were many things he needed to do, and remember, when he left today.

"Family means many things. She was part of your family, her loss will hurt for a good long while." He hadn't known her well, nor would he have been able to, but he knew that much. "Remember that. Tell it to others at the funeral so people can be proud."

[sliceitwithwind]

"I can do that." Braig didn't expect Nevada to know Lenna well...they all knew that the other man had problems with women, and even though they'd never asked they'd also never made a deal out of it. "She was funny, too, before she started drinking. I think you might've liked her if you'd met her a couple years earlier. You know." As much as Nevada could like a woman.

[mitochondriaaya]

He could like, in a very reserved manner and with distance between them. "I'm sorry she was lost to you all." Through drinking, and now death. It was never a good way to go. "And I will help as I can. The important thing to remember now is that you don't have to be okay and others are here to help you."

[sliceitwithwind]

"I'll try. I'm used to taking care of them." He waved back at the windows. It was, usually, a very distant taking care, he was mature enough to know that anything other than being in the background would keep them from growing up healthy.

And if he did that, he deserved to have Nevada kill him. "I don't know how good I'm gonna be at letting go."

[mitochondriaaya]

"Caretakers need care too." Even distant ones. Even those not trying to smother. "You'll learn, in time, how well you'll manage. Letting go of Lenna will be hard. Possibly letting go of the other children in twelve years will be harder. You have not cut yourself in for a comfortable life Braig."

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yeah, well." A shadow of his usual grin crossed his face...the way it'd look when he was his father's age, "When have I ever given myself the easy way out?"

He was lazy. He admitted that...but only because he could generally get the desired results without full effort. It didn't mean that he ever took short cuts, or that he resented it when he did need to use all of himself.

[mitochondriaaya]

It was a night for older smiles and heavy thoughts. It fit perfectly. "I like to confirm these things so no one can ever say, later, that they weren't warned." Not that he thought Braig would, it was just the way Nevada did things.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Yeah, that's fair." He agreed, looking down into the drink, "Elements... I don't think Dilan is ever gonna get over this. He still hoped she'd pull herself out of it, you know?"

[mitochondriaaya]

"Everyone hopes for the people they love." They simply did. It was naive, and heartbreaking, and unavoidable. "But he has other loves, and people who love him in return. This won't break him."

[sliceitwithwind]

"I hope you're right." A little morose, but it was that kind of day.
"Thanks. For being here and stuff."

[mitochondriaaya]

"I would not wish to be anywhere else." That was firm and unequivocal. He would rather be here, where he was needed, than anywhere else. "Should we start you up the stairs to bed?"

[sliceitwithwind]

He thought about it, then nodded, "Yeah. Can you come by in the morning and make sure that we get Aya and Dilan fed? I can't cook for shit." and he's pretty sure his parents are going to be in shock, still.

[mitochondriaaya]

"I am going to Lenna's house after this to start sealing rooms. It limits things for Dilan if each room must be unsealed." And it was another thing he could do. "I will stop back here after that to make breakfast before heading to my own bed."

He stood, brushed his pants off, then offered a hand to Braig.

[sliceitwithwind]

"Oh, that's a good idea." Braig nodded, "I can heat things up if you get here before we wake up again." Know your limits, it's a good thing. He handed Nevada his empty glass and stood up on his own, stretching out a little again and then heading towards bed.

Usually he slouched. Tonight he slumped, depression making itself known.

[mitochondriaaya]

"Then I won't worry too much about timing things." Nevada patted Braig's shoulder before taking the glass and heading for the kitchen. Things...were not alright. They would be, eventually, but that was not something anyone needed to hear.