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[darkov]

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latest status update 3/6/2018

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[darkov]

[puzzled, Martin quietly accepts the package, giving both it and Poe a quizzical look.]

Asked both...? [who? print what?

he picks at the tape on the box before giving Poe a second glance to be sure he's allowed to go ahead, and ahead he goes, pulling the box flaps apart and beholding packaging.]

What is it? [he's asking preemptively, pulling packaging paper out of the way.]

[flightforfreedom]

It's a picture. [ Poe replied, hands settling on his hips as he watched Martin unwrap it.

He doesn't explain any further than that, though. Instead, he lets the photo explain for itself: Andy and Rex, dressed up as an elf and Santa Claus, respectively, not paying attention to the camera at all, and looking a little hard-done by.

But Poe is grinning wide. ]

[darkov]

[this is...]

Huh...?

[Andy? Rex? Rex with a fake beard. both of them in the brightest colored clothes he'd have ever seen on them before -- that's more striking than the straight-up silliness of the design.

the corner of Martin's mouth begins to twitch as he puzzles over this.]

What...what was this? What are they doing?

[flightforfreedom]

Apparently they had to do a Christmas thing for work. [ He says, still grinning as he watches Martin's expression carefully. Yeah. This was a good call. What a cute kid. ]

I don't think either of them were that enthused, but - it's a great photo, right? How often do you ever get to see either of the like this?

[darkov]

No...

[there's a breathy note in that -- the barest notion of a laugh. he looks up at Poe, mouth in a crooked smile, like he's not sure if he should smile at all, and yet.]

Not ever, I mean.

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe's own smile is still wide and warm, and more than a little triumphant. ]

Yeah. Exactly. But now, you've got it forever. [ He even said it like he meant it, like he wasn't half convinced everyone was going to disappear all the time. Though that might be explained with his follow up: ]

Whatever happens, you've got that piece of them now, being ridiculous, together. Like a frozen moment in time.

[darkov]

[he goes a little pink in the cheeks, smiling back down at the silly picture. it gives him a very soft, filling feeling in his chest that feels akin to being given the keyboard or the knit hat. things that are meant for him, entirely his own to keep, not a handmedown or tool for work... and it's of people he loves.]

...Are you sure they won't mind? [he looks back up, still not ready to entirely dive into this.] I mean. Me having them looking like this.

[flightforfreedom]

Andy gave me the picture. And Rex agreed to it. [ Warmly. ]

Though I wouldn't go showing it to all their friends, maybe.

It's just meant for you. They're your family, so - you get to keep bits of them that no one else gets to. That's how it works.

[darkov]

Is it-? [he hesitates, but then goes with his gut:] Is family...the right word? Even if they're not my blood? I always thought that...it had to be blood. That's what I was raised to know. But you, you and others...you say things like that, and I don't know if it...means something else, or...

[flightforfreedom]

Yeah, it's not the blood. [ The smile faded a little, his expression softening. ]

I mean - sure. Blood it what gives you your first family, but. Love's what makes the rest of it. Love's a lot stronger than blood when it comes to family, believe me. Sometimes we luck out an get both, but--

Yeah. Of course they're your family, Martin. You love them, right?

[darkov]

[he opens and closes his mouth without a word, looking past him with a concerned, thoughtful expression. he needs to think about this for a moment.

Poe didn't even hesitate: of course they're his family. his. stronger than...blood? than a dead father and a neglectful mother. than Regina...?

he swallows, his gaze flickering down.]

I...I do. [...] I think so. If...that's something I can do...I don't know.

[flightforfreedom]

[ He felt a surge of sympathy and protectiveness for the kid, suddenly, and took a step over to reach out and place his hand on Martin's shoulder, his touch feather light. ]

Look, I uh - I don't know what your family was like back home, but. Andy and Rex are crazy about you. Pretty sure they'd burn a whole city down if someone tried to hurt you. So, even if you aren't sure about how you feel, you know they love you right?

[ A gentle squeeze. ]

It's alright. You're allowed to make whatever family you can here, Martin. We all are.

[darkov]

[it's comforting to hear outside of his head, in a voice that isn't full of doubt.

his eyes settle back on the ridiculous picture of the two most important people in this world, the warm feeling spreading. he lets himself smile, albeit small.]

I don't...really deserve it, but...but I wouldn't be anything without it. Them, I mean. Here. Anywhere.

[flightforfreedom]

What? Of course you deserve it.

I really can't see either Rex or Andy caring so much about someone who wasn't worth it. Whether you see it or not.

[ He let go of Martin's shoulder and ruffled his hair fondly instead. ]

I don't know what hell scape of a planet you came from, to think like that, but you deserve people who love you. You're a cute kid. Archie isn't even half as cute as you are and he tried to end the world once and he still deserves people who love him. So don't worry so much about it.

[darkov]

[the hair-fluffing comes as a surprise, but at least Andy's got him conditioned enough to no longer recoil on impulse anymore. he blinks, shaking his head a little to get mussed-up hair out of his eyes, looking back up at Poe with a curious frown.

and a squint -- cute...?]

You think Archie is cute? [the point wooshes far overhead as Martin recalls people calling cats and dogs and rabbits cute.]

[flightforfreedom]

Yeah, he's really cute. Especially when he thinks I haven't been eating properly and just huffs around my kitchen making food and pretending to look annoyed.

[ He grinned, clearly fond. ]

What, you don't think so?

[darkov]

[blunt out of honesty, not unkindness:] No.

[beat.]

I thought cute was for animals. And...babies...

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe gives an amused look and a shrug. ]

Sure, those too. But I think that's a pretty narrow definition.

I guess it's like - the same feeling you get when you see a dog, right? Just a sort of joy at the fact that they exist in the first place. That's what I mean. Sometimes I'm just glad that you or Archie exist.

[darkov]

[but...dogs are terrifying. what joy? with the exception of mightyena, anyway.

maybe he shouldn't get too hung up on the dog thing. it's...probably not the point here. it's the...glad someone or something exists part. and--

wait.

Martin looks a little surprised:] You're...? [wait.] Oh--for, for Archie. Right. Sorry. I...I guess that makes more sense.

[flightforfreedom]

[ Poe looks a little bemused, tilting his head a little to the left as he translates Martin's words... Ah.

He sees the issue. He let out a breath of a laugh. ]

And you too, kiddo. Which makes just as much sense, trust me.

[darkov]

[fbhthg.]

Uh-- Er, al-alright, I guess. [that makes him feel kinda fuzzy and weird!! what is being praised for...existing?? that makes no sense.]

Thank you. [he hesitates.] ...Is it right to say thank you to that?

[flightforfreedom]

[ This kid is fucking adorable? He can't stand it. He just grins at him, beaming widely. ]

Sure, but no need. Anyway - I just came to deliver that, so I'll get out of your hair. Let me know if you want a different sized copy, okay? I kept the file, just in case.

[darkov]

Oh. [he looks back down at the picture in his hands. the size seems enough to him? but what does he know? anyway, any bigger and he'd get scared by the petulant look on Andy's face being targeted at him...]

No, I...I think this is good. [he nods, looking back up.] It's good. Thank you.

[flightforfreedom]

Good. [ He smiles broadly. Mission complete!! ]

Alright, then I'm off. See you around, kid.

[ And he heads back to the door, grabbing his carpet, offers Martin a wave, and then takes off into the sky. ]