( Josh takes it, gladly, before going against his earlier decision and handing his husband a modestly sized box.
"Wow, can I built this today?" Erroll asks, looking back and up at his dads. )
We'll see, buddy. We have company coming.
( Taking a seat, he works at the wrapping paper, tearing it methodically, liking the anticipation that comes with it. He looks at the candid of the two of them. That must be Cami's doing, from what they're wearing. He marvels at a young Aiden - and Jackson - gone, but not forgotten. He takes all the different pictures in and then his eyes settle on the middle one.
He runs a finger down it, before looking up. He doesn't cry, not easily, but there are tears in the corners of his eyes.
The gift he gives his husband is twofold. One for him, and one for the both of them. First, a eucalyptus sleep-mask. He knows how restless he's been since Muir Woods (and just how light a sleeper and how hard it can be to fall asleep) - and the next is a sound machine that doubles as a speaker. Anything to help him get the rest he needs.
There's been something different about him, a fretting Josh hasn't mentioned. But, he chalks it up to the adoption and its' challenges. He hopes this contributes to a more restful husband and one that feels cared for and loved. )
Scott seems like he might be a Lego guy, though, so maybe he'll help you.
[Aiden works on getting the wrapping paper off, before looking with a smile at it's contents. The more he's slept on the things that happened at Muir Woods, the more he's realized that this whole life may not be real.
It's real enough when he's in it. But the moment he gives himself too long to think, he finds him remembering things that don't match. But he refuses to make it anyone else's problem, to let Josh in on the fact that there may be a world where they're not together.
As far as he's concerned, even if this is a delusion, he's fine to remain in it. But that doesn't make him easy to live with.
He leans back towards his husband and kisses him softly.]
( Josh grins, because, there is something about Scott that feels world-weary but perpetually - young. Like, he's the smart kind of dumb wolf that he would swear is a were-retriever of the golden variety. And as long as he treats Davina right, he supports them. )
You, too. What do you say? Pancakes?
("Pancakes!" Suddenly, energy shoots out, and that's the Erroll they know as he flies into the kitchen and peers under the paper towel.
He sets the open box and paper aside, hurrying to his side. )
Hold up there, Err, we need plates. And forks and knives.
We'll have to remember to grab a picture for Cami later.
[Hopefully with Scott and Erroll putting the Legos together. But with that said it doesn't take long to get the table set for a delicious breakfast, before they can return to the presents and turn their living room into a wrapping paper tornado.
And with that, they will do what they need to to get the apartment back into tip top shape.
As they're finishing up, Davina climbs out of the car with Scott, reaching for the two bags of presents - one bag fully for Erroll, while the other with gifts for Aiden and Josh.]
Do you think I may have gotten Erroll too many gifts?
( He does the same, looking at whose presents are in his bag, making towers of presents for Erroll, Josh, and Aiden. Obviously Aiden and Josh's are puny in comparison. But again, first Christmas.
"Please, make yourselves at home," Josh says. He'll take the empty bag of Davina's, folding it, before he brings her in for a hug. "Thank you for being here.")
[She returns the hug warmly as the living room becomes a flurry of wrapping paper. Once the hug is done, she'll follow him out into the kitchen to help with the egg nog.]
He didn't fit in with the other bayou kids. He kept to himself. Held his own rough-housing. One of the times we came by, he had a small cut on his elbow. Kids can be...
( Cruel. )
Also, compared to that cabin, our house is quiet. Except for Aiden's music. Or my trashy TV.
[Also werewolf kids are known rough-housers, that's nothing new. But she can see Josh being protective, and it's good. Erroll deserves people who will protect him.]
How have you guys been doing with having him here?
Hopefully. We're not keeping him away from the kids. He did have real friends. But, there's going to be an adjustment period.
( He knows that. )
Honest? ( He looks back at his husband, something nagging in his cheek. ) Hey, can you - ( A beat, he looks over at the dying fireplace. ) Aid, Davina and I are going to grab some more firewood out back.
( He leaves their drinks in the kitchen for now and leads her out the back door. It swings shut behind him as he leads her down the back stairs. When he gets a few feet away, he speaks again. )
So, it's been great. For us. For him. Nothing's changed like that, but Aiden's... ever since I got taken. Up in Muir Woods. I don't know. He's going through something.
He won't talk about whatever was left behind after I was taken. Only that it was Dahlia and that she didn't make sense to him. But, he really hasn't been sleeping great. Or, napping during the day and Aiden doesn't nap. I know something's on his mind. He's keeping it together for me and for Erroll, but.
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"Wow, can I built this today?" Erroll asks, looking back and up at his dads. )
We'll see, buddy. We have company coming.
( Taking a seat, he works at the wrapping paper, tearing it methodically, liking the anticipation that comes with it. He looks at the candid of the two of them. That must be Cami's doing, from what they're wearing. He marvels at a young Aiden - and Jackson - gone, but not forgotten. He takes all the different pictures in and then his eyes settle on the middle one.
He runs a finger down it, before looking up. He doesn't cry, not easily, but there are tears in the corners of his eyes.
The gift he gives his husband is twofold. One for him, and one for the both of them. First, a eucalyptus sleep-mask. He knows how restless he's been since Muir Woods (and just how light a sleeper and how hard it can be to fall asleep) - and the next is a sound machine that doubles as a speaker. Anything to help him get the rest he needs.
There's been something different about him, a fretting Josh hasn't mentioned. But, he chalks it up to the adoption and its' challenges. He hopes this contributes to a more restful husband and one that feels cared for and loved. )
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[Aiden works on getting the wrapping paper off, before looking with a smile at it's contents. The more he's slept on the things that happened at Muir Woods, the more he's realized that this whole life may not be real.
It's real enough when he's in it. But the moment he gives himself too long to think, he finds him remembering things that don't match. But he refuses to make it anyone else's problem, to let Josh in on the fact that there may be a world where they're not together.
As far as he's concerned, even if this is a delusion, he's fine to remain in it. But that doesn't make him easy to live with.
He leans back towards his husband and kisses him softly.]
Thank you.
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You, too. What do you say? Pancakes?
( "Pancakes!" Suddenly, energy shoots out, and that's the Erroll they know as he flies into the kitchen and peers under the paper towel.
He sets the open box and paper aside, hurrying to his side. )
Hold up there, Err, we need plates. And forks and knives.
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[Hopefully with Scott and Erroll putting the Legos together. But with that said it doesn't take long to get the table set for a delicious breakfast, before they can return to the presents and turn their living room into a wrapping paper tornado.
Aiden glances down at his watch and frowns.]
What time is Davina supposed to be here?
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( There are now dishes in the sink and a pile of discarded wrapping paper, plus all the open presents. )
I'll work on the dishes?
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And with that, they will do what they need to to get the apartment back into tip top shape.
As they're finishing up, Davina climbs out of the car with Scott, reaching for the two bags of presents - one bag fully for Erroll, while the other with gifts for Aiden and Josh.]
Do you think I may have gotten Erroll too many gifts?
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( Why should they punish Erroll for rightfully and already being spoiled?
Pushover werewolf logic comes from the driver side, Scott having offered to drive, as he looks up at their modest home. )
Do you need help?
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[She will pass him one of the bags before giving a small shrug.]
I just don't want to overwhelm him. Sometimes when you're not used to having a lot, suddenly having so much can be ... disorienting.
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Maybe if we see him... orienting, we can focus on one thing. I don't want to overwhelm him.
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[And if it's too much, she'll save some for his birthday.]
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( He wasn't as a kid, but he also didn't have the access. He also didn't need it. This feels nice to be able to give him something. )
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[So up to the front door they go, and she shifts her bags to knock on the door before gently pushing it open.]
Merry Christmas!
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Josh sets one last dish aside in the rack.
"Merry Christmas...!" he says, drying his hands and coming around from the kitchen. "Buddy, look who it is!" )
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[She gives a small wave as she makes her way inside.]
Do you remember my friend, Scott?
[She's at least something of a local celebrity and has spent enough time around the wolf packs. Scott probably hasn't just yet.]
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"It's okay, Erroll. I remember you, too. And, I helped Davina pick out a few things..." he says, holding up the bag in his hand and shaking it.
Erroll jumps up and down, turning to his dads. "Can I open them now?" )
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I got some stuff for you two as well.
[Aiden shrugs. "Sure, why not? Can I get you guys anything? Drink? Egg nog?"
Davina nods as she starts unloading some of the presents from her bags.]
I'll take some.
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( He does the same, looking at whose presents are in his bag, making towers of presents for Erroll, Josh, and Aiden. Obviously Aiden and Josh's are puny in comparison. But again, first Christmas.
"Please, make yourselves at home," Josh says. He'll take the empty bag of Davina's, folding it, before he brings her in for a hug. "Thank you for being here." )
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[She returns the hug warmly as the living room becomes a flurry of wrapping paper. Once the hug is done, she'll follow him out into the kitchen to help with the egg nog.]
How's Erroll been settling?
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( It's felt very good finally having him home. )
Does he looks settled?
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[Davina shifts to lean against the counter.]
I think he also might be the kind of kid that might need some time to warm up.
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( Cruel. )
Also, compared to that cabin, our house is quiet. Except for Aiden's music. Or my trashy TV.
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[Also werewolf kids are known rough-housers, that's nothing new. But she can see Josh being protective, and it's good. Erroll deserves people who will protect him.]
How have you guys been doing with having him here?
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( He knows that. )
Honest? ( He looks back at his husband, something nagging in his cheek. ) Hey, can you - ( A beat, he looks over at the dying fireplace. ) Aid, Davina and I are going to grab some more firewood out back.
( He leaves their drinks in the kitchen for now and leads her out the back door. It swings shut behind him as he leads her down the back stairs. When he gets a few feet away, he speaks again. )
So, it's been great. For us. For him. Nothing's changed like that, but Aiden's... ever since I got taken. Up in Muir Woods. I don't know. He's going through something.
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Going through something now? Do you think he got hit by some kind of spell?
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( Something nags. )
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