transient-tutor

[transient-tutor]

-- tenaciousGodliness [TG] began pestering transientTutor [TT] --

TG: Yo derek i got some news i need you to keep under wraps but i figured id at least tell you so youd stop stressing about at least one thing in your stressful fucking life plus i need you to send my sylladex to skaia just trust me on this alright im talking the unbreakable bonded trust that only fucked up twins can have the shit only seen in movies motherfucking stand by me levels of trust and support

TG: Anyway

TG: I lived bitch

TT: Alright first off... 

TT: What the fuck? 

TT: Fuck you. 

TT: Youre an asshole. 

TT: You know the drill. Whatever. Etc etc. 

TT: I cant even actually be surprised.

TG: At this point you shouldnt be lets be honest

TG: Me and lif are headed to skaia 

TG: I get the feelin you aint comin 

TG: But as it stands i need my shit 

TG: I know its all cryptic bullshit but im for real when i say its imperative that you tell no one 

TG: Honestly theres consequences that are beyond comprehension if you do 

TG: Dramatic i know i should be all about this shit right now

TT: Par for the fucking course. 

TT: Im used to keepin secrets its fine. Ill hook you up. 

TT: Youre still an asshole. 

TT: Aint even here to see all your nieces bein born. Fuck.

TG: Ryan is cute 

TG: I like her 

TG: She likes yall too 

TG: Missin my own baby 

TG: Heard shes been givin yall trouble

TT: The fuck?

TT: ... Yeah Jinjins restless. A whole bundle of energy. 

TT: Nothin I cant handle.

TG: Thats my girl

TG: Well 

TG: One of them

TT: Well your girls are waiting for you. 

 TT: So me sending your shit better mean youre workin towards seeing them soon.

TG: No derek im plannin on not seein them for two decades

TG: Of course im workin my way back

TT: Hey man. Gotta be sure. 

TT: And just sayin it better be sooner than later. 

TT: I wouldnt be a good brother if I didnt lecture your ass a little.

TG: Yeah yeah yeah

TG: Still

TG: Look at me

TG: Im the big brother now 

TG: You had your time now its mine

TT: No. I refuse to accept this.

TG: Too bad too late 

TG: Sit down 

TG: Be humble

TT: Fuck you. 

TT: But I mean.

TT: I wouldnt mind tagging out for a while. 

TT: You gotta learn to be responsible sometime right?

TG: Yeah youre right 

TG: Good thing time is what we got a lot of

TG: Mostly me but still

TT: What the hell does that mean?

TG: Cryptic metaphor

TT: Of fucking course.

TG: Its not like i made a fuck all simultaneously obvious and yet obscure joke that one could decipher if you used even an iota of that beautiful brain mass you got up there 

TG: Think about how people have been comin back and how theyve been different after comin back 

TG: Congratulations youre the smartest boy on the block and i value you

TT: I get that much jackass. 

TT: That doesnt mean I understand all the ways this magic bullshit manifests itself. 

TT: Or all the ways its relevant. 

TT: Guess Daves got time powers now. 

TT: Guess hes just gonna reference it for no good reason. 

TT: Guess I should just accept it cuz what else am I expectin from this dude?

TG: :thumbsup:

TG: See look you got it

TG: You should know to expect the unexpected by this point

TT: Dont make it any less obnoxious.

TG: Stop bein such an old man about it

TT: No.

TG: Thought youd be happier to hear im alive

TT: 

TT: Fuck man of course Im happy.

TG: There it is 

TG: Love you too man

TT: Youre still an asshole though. 

TT: I know Im not supposed to do the big bro thing now. 

TT: But keep safe wherever youre at. 

TT: And I swear to god you better come back soon.

TG: You shittin me right now dude

TT: You cant stop me.

TG: Just wait until i see your ugly mug again

TT: Yeah well see what happens. 

TT: 

 TT: I gotta go. 

TT: Ill get your shit delivered to you asap. 

TT: I uh 

TT: Yeah. 

TT: Later Dave. 

 -- transientTutor [TT] ceased pestering tenaciousGodliness [TG] --

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: -is jake hanging out in the infirmary right now? because the dad-in-law is stopping by. it's not unusual, he's been coming and going the past few days to see dirk but tonight he's here for jake. he knocks on the door to get his attention before just letting himself in.- Yo Jake.

JAKE: -MOST DEFINITELY HANGING OUT IN THE INFIRMARY. Jake is taking an uneasy doze in one of the visitor cots a small distance aways from the comatose patient room. Jake didn't want to be a cumbersome presence to any medical staff that might come in and check on Dirk's vitals from time to time. Plus, just sitting in there was making him incredibly sad.- 

JAKE: -At the sound of Derek's voice, Jake lifts his head up to squint. Feeling for his glasses and starting to roll to sit. Abeit with difficulty. The weariness wouldn't shake off his bones.- Derek? 

JAKE: Youre here? -blinks and sets gaze on his father-in-law, worried all over again.- Something the matter? Is it dirk?

DEREK: -ambles over, shaking his head and waving a bandaged hand in dismissal.- Dont worry. Nothins up. 

DEREK: -plops to take a seat beside him on the cot.- I stopped by to see you.

JAKE: -shoulders sag in relief and he sighs. The biggest dog sigh of them all. Eyeballs the bandaged hand.- Get into a scrum?

DEREK: -holds up his hand and sighs at it.- Yeah with a wall. 

DEREK: It was a lil one sided.

JAKE: Oh well... 

JAKE: Happens to the best of us. -And it does! Though Jake typically fought anything but a wall.- 

JAKE: Youre here at least... having it checked and what not. 

JAKE: Sos the responsibility. -rubs at his neck, making a bit of a face.- Bluh... 

JAKE: Sorry derek. Im... 

JAKE: A few gumptions short of a decent conversation. :(

DEREK: -claps a hand onto jake's shoulder and gives him a sympathetic pat.- No worries. Didnt really come here to conversate anyhow. 

DEREK: Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep but I wanted to get you outta here for a lil while.

JAKE: Oh uh... -It dawns on him that he's hardly spent any "family" time with Derek. As most affairs they cross paths in were in the company of other people. Also before that, Jake got entirely distracted by dating his son.- At this time of night? 

JAKE: Where would we go? -He asks this question but he lives the married family life, Derek. Understand him.-

DEREK: -he gets it. he's been there. but he also adamantly refuses to grow up in many regards, so the world remains his oyster.- Anywhere. 

DEREK: Life aint come to a screeching halt outside. If anything its bustling more than it has in who knows how long. 

DEREK: Figured we could hop in that jeep of yours and see whats goin down out there. You up to it?

JAKE: Well its not but... -looks onward, probably in the direction Dirk's room is. Whines internally. Whines eternally.-

DEREK: -sighs through his nose. yeah, he gets that too.- Just to take our minds off things for a lil while. 

DEREK: Itll be fun. Come on. -he's not above peer pressuring you, jake.-

JAKE: -It's easier to fold when Jake imagines that Derek is telling him to go, rather than suggesting they do.- Oh... 

JAKE: Alright.. 

JAKE: But lets not be long. -pries himself off the bed, again. Reluctantly.-

DEREK: -claps him on the back before hopping to his feet again.- Thats the spirit. 

DEREK: -takes the liberty of leading the way out the door. he doesn't really seem to be waiting around for him to catch up.-

JAKE: -Well that's fine... Jake knows where the Jeep is parked and is also the only one present with a key for it. He takes his time texting his friends in the infirmary about where he's heading off to. He meets up with Derek in the cargo bay.- Ill be frank... 

JAKE: I havent thought to set foot outside since... 

JAKE: My imprisonment i suppose.

DEREK: Thats reasonable. 

DEREK: Cant say Ive had much need to. -leans on the jeep nonchalantly. he wants to drive it... but he will have to ask for the keys. use your words, derek.- But I hear its safer out there. People just rebuildin their lives. 

DEREK: And thats cool. -holds out his hand.- Anyway gimme your keys to this thing. -he did it.-

JAKE: -There's a whole second Jake is reluctant to... before he passes them to Derek.- 

JAKE: ... 

JAKE: This was our wedding gift. -blurts. He can't help it. The associations are still there.- :(

DEREK: -snatches them up, then turns towards the vehicle.- ... Yeah. -HE BETTER NOT CRASH IT THEN. he's been known to do this with cars that don't belong to him.- 

DEREK: -gets into the driver's side.- Its a good one. John got it for you right?

JAKE: -climbs in and sits in the passenger side. The sad faces intensify.- Yes. :C

DEREK: -damn, this is gonna be harder than he thought. probably not gonna be the wild night he was hoping for, but he can improvise.- 

DEREK: -produces a six pack of booze from his sylladex and holds them out to him.- Have one. -yes, he's telling him to do this again.-

JAKE: Wh... 

JAKE: -suddenly taking booze in his lap.- Were not driving under any influences are we?

DEREK: -jesus CHRIST.- Im not gonna. -for now-

JAKE: I think id have to stop you if we were sir! Family statuses aside. -HUFFS.-

DEREK: -smirks a little at him as he starts up the jeep.- Good to know. 

DEREK: But I insist. You have at it. 

DEREK: -and with that he TAKES OFF. the ship is landed somewhere out in the wilderness, but not too far from the minneapolis area still. plenty of municipalities to check out, but instead derek is taking a scenic route.-

JAKE: -dont mind if he rolls down the window. He likes the feel of the wind in his hair and especially his mustache.- Well... 

JAKE: I watch plenty of television and im sure theres a law some place that reads there cant be open beverages in a moving vehicle! 

JAKE: So im sure wherever were going it can wait. -sets the boozes down at his feet. That's that.-

DEREK: Oh come on its basically lawless out here. 

 DEREK: Man youre a real goodie two shoes. -says so with a good natured snicker. he's just trying to loosen him up... what a shame it's failing. maybe it's not in the cards. he pauses, hesitant to say what he's thinking but he's derek so he'll say it anyhow.- 

DEREK: You must keep Dirk in line then huh?

JAKE: Shucks i wouldnt go that far. -feeling his face flushing in color. Absently, Jake fiddles with the ring on his finger.- Its just... 

JAKE: Second nature i suppose? Thinking and... 

JAKE: Doing my darndest to plan ahead. -he trails off. Feeling sad all over again.- But you dont want to hear this. We um. 

JAKE: Ought to focus ahead and all. Coming all this way.

DEREK: -glances at him- Well the plan was to take it easy. Sure. 

DEREK: But now I feel like talking about him too. 

DEREK: Its nice hearin this stuff. -sobers up rather suddenly.- 

DEREK: You know were not as close as Id like to be. Me and him. 

DEREK: Guess I can kinda live vicariously through all yall that are when you talk about that sorta thing. What all is goin on in your day to day. Shit like that.

JAKE: Why not? 

JAKE: The lack of closeness i mean.

DEREK: Well... -drums fingers on the steering wheel.- He dont like me too much. 

DEREK: Guess weve been working on that but its slow going. 

DEREK: I cant blame him anyways.

JAKE: Right... -If it helped Derek any, Jake had no reason to have hard feelings about him.- I cant imagine why. My impressions always been that youre as swell a fella as it gets! 

JAKE: Whats there more to say about it? -But no really, he's curious.-

DEREK: -goes quiet for a moment but it's fine, he just scoffs.- People tell me there aint nothin left to say anymore. 

DEREK: But I wasnt always a swell fella.

JAKE: Oh... -Truth be told, he had a hard time picturing anyone as totally a bad person. Jake glances at him, a glimmer of optimism for his father-in-law.- Its a dog eat dog world im told... 

JAKE: Some folks do whats best they think is needed for survival. -looks away then, watching the passing scenery. So dark out...- I know its true for me.

DEREK: That dont always make it right. 

DEREK: But that aint somethin you gotta worry about. Youre an indisputably good guy. 

DEREK: -decides to make a turn down some dirt road.- And a great dad.

JAKE: Good... golly. Gulp.  -if it's Derek's intention to make Jake blush again, it's working. Too much positivity in one sitting, his eyes are starting to water. Jake scrubs his face with the back of one hand. There they go, down some dirt road.-

DEREK: -IT ISNT EXACTLY, but he is making extra effort to be sincere with jake.- ... -glances at him.- 

DEREK: Its true. 

DEREK: Times like these really make or break a man. 

DEREK: ... And Ill be real with you it is shit like this which made me a bad guy. I let that happen. 

DEREK: Cuz I thought I had to do it alone. 

DEREK: -drums fingers on the steering wheel.- Just remember youre not alone alright?

JAKE: I know it. Its not... 

JAKE: Me im torn all over for. -swallows hard as it turns out his attempt to curb the water works failed. Jake sits there with tears dripping.-

DEREK: -frowns at the road ahead of him. he's not the best at expressing his sympathy, not always, but it's a little easier when some of that pain is shared. he reaches over to grip at jake's shoulder for a moment.- Yeah. I get it.

JAKE: -the simple gesture of squeezing his shoulder has Jake's heart wrenching even more. The most he can do is wring out a handkerchief to blow his nose into. Jake English doesn't go anywhere without it.-

DEREK: -this poor kid... he can't believe he carries around a handkerchief though. he clears his throat to suppress a chuckle about it and retracts his hand to place both back on the wheel.- 

DEREK: I dont wanna make promises that itll be alright but... Youve got me and Riley and Dave and the whole goddamn clan to make shit easier where we can.

JAKE: -sniffles again and focuses on folding the hankerchief away. He'll have to wash this later.- Oh i know i... 

JAKE: ... 

JAKE: I feel just awful... thinking to ask when i cant even be fucking bothered to hold my own. -seems to be telling himself this more than Derek.- Ive held worse. Ive... endured worse. 

JAKE: And so has everyone else. Its... -rests his elbow just outside the window, looking out again.- Magnanimously stupid of me. I shouldnt ask more of everyone.

DEREK: -brows knit as a familiar kind of pain wrenches at his insides. how does he even begin to explain how well he understands?- 

DEREK: I know. 

DEREK: When you wanna keep it together so nobody else has gotta add you to their long list of troubles. 

DEREK: Even when you feel like youre fallin apart. 

DEREK: Its frustratin. 

DEREK: Like fuck. You should be able to handle this. 

DEREK: You got to. -grips the steering wheel tight, but when he notices they've arrived at their impromptu destination, he loosens his hold and slows the vehicle to a stop next to one of the many lakes around here.- 

DEREK: -turns to look at jake.- Youre a strong person Jake. 

DEREK: I know you got this. 

DEREK: But I aint offerin my help cuz I think you need it. 

DEREK: Im doin it cuz youre family.

[transient-tutor]

RILEY: -sleep has been harder and harder with her due date approaching, and ryan's weight on her bladder making this the fifth time she's got up to pee tonight. she's yet to found a position in which she can really fall asleep, and when she returns, she just tosses and turns and kicks her legs out one way or the other and the entire bed is shaking. and now she cries about it-

DEREK: -it's pretty much pointless to try and sleep before riley does, so derek has been keeping himself busy most of the evening by working on stitching together some puppet pals. it's been a while, but it's therapeutic and it's quiet and it's something he can zone in on so neither of them have to focus on how damn sad it is that she can't sleep.- 

DEREK: -but when she starts crying, it's something he simply can't ignore... he puts the needle and thread and felt down and crawls into bed with her. gives her hair a pet.- Hey.

RILEY: -she sniffles into the pillow and lets him pet her hair, whimpering a little along with it. she talks into the pillow, muffled- i hate being pregnant. i'm so done.

DEREK: I know. -kisses her head.- 

DEREK: It wont be much longer now huh?

RILEY: i hope not. you ever heard of babies born two weeks late? i can't do that shit. that's too long.

DEREK: -snorts softly and plays a little with her hair- Pretty sure this one wants this over with as much as you do. 

DEREK: Shes rowdy.

DEREK: If anything Id suspect her comin early.

RILEY: tell me about it. -sighs, the feeling of his fingers in her hair having a little bit of a calming effect- i don't ever remember dirk and dave being like this but maybe my memory's shot. maybe it's cuz i'm fucking old.

DEREK: You aint old. -tucks hair behind her ear and kisses at her cheek.- 

DEREK: Old women cant get pregnant. -snickers- 

DEREK: I think we just got a firecracker on our hands.

RILEY: -turns her head to look up at him- one huge ass firecracker. 

RILEY: in my stomach. making me pee all the time.

DEREK: That invokes some gruesome imagery. 

DEREK: But also pretty damn accurate to the miracle of birth. -despite being gross, he captures her lips up in a kiss when she looks at him.-

RILEY: -she snorts and kisses him in return sweetly- you mean the disaster of birth.

DEREK: It can be both. -brushes a hand over her belly. she's so cute like this... it's really so sad she's suffering like she is.-

RILEY: debatable. you don't gotta have a human being inside you for 9 months. three goddamn times.

DEREK: Sure. You would be more of an expert on the topic. What the fuck do I know? -lopsided smile, rubbing up her stomach.-

RILEY: you know jack shit, that's what you know. -even she can't help smiling a little- you know nothing, derek strider.

DEREK: Nerd. -gives her another kiss just for that-

RILEY: -she's more than okay with these smooches and intertwines the fingers of one of her hands with his- sorry you're already in the nerd hall of fame.

DEREK: Which makes me qualified to call you a nerd all I want. -squeezes her hand.-

RILEY: nah. -sniffles a little bit more and then widens her eyes- we have to get a crib. RILEY: and clothes? and baby stuff? SHIT.

DEREK: ... 

DEREK: Baby were good. Dont worry about any of that. -RILEY PLEASE- 

DEREK: Anything we dont have in time we can just mooch off the boys. -says, kind of forgetting dirk isn't really around...-

RILEY: she should have her own stuff though, right? isn't that a thing?

DEREK: Yeah well... Well work on it. 

DEREK: Dont stress so much alright? You got enough to worry about just doin what youre doin.

RILEY: -she sighs- lying around feeling like a whale? not sleeping? that kind of stuff?

DEREK: Sure. Its a full time job.

RILEY: uh huh. i'll give you a full time job. and it's not a fun one.

DEREK: -grins- Whats that?

RILEY: -frowns at him- getting your ass kicked.

DEREK: Eh? By who? You? -GRINNING STILL-

RILEY: yeah by me. -furrows her eyebrows- it ain't gonna be so funny!

DEREK: Oh yeah... Im so scared. -snickers-

RILEY: oh shut up it's not even-- 

 RILEY: -groans loudly- i could refuse to fuck you for three years. 

 RILEY: how bow dah? smartass.

DEREK: -SNORTS- How bow dah. 

DEREK: I think thatd be as much of a punishment for yourself as it would be for me. -brushes his knuckles over her cheek.-

RILEY: i mean... -smiles a little- okay fine. 

RILEY: i hate you.

[transient-tutor]

RILEY: -it's annoying, but at least she remembers the difference between fake contractions and the real ones. even if it has been a ridiculously long time: she's felt the fake ones here and there, and those she can manage to sleep through. like tonight, for instance. that is until she's awakened with pain. she's learned not to get her hopes up, so she makes countless efforts to fall back asleep. but she can't, because each sharp pain returns closer than the one before, and she inhales sharply through her teeth- fuck. fuck fuck fuck!

DEREK: -snorts awake from her sudden hollering- Huh-- 

DEREK: Mrrgg. -squints at her blearily and grouchily until he remembers they're close enough to the due date that riley cursing loudly in the middle of the night might actually mean something.- 

DEREK: Whats the problem?

RILEY: you, smartass. -winces a little bit- we gotta go. like, now. or else we're probably going to have an even BIGGER problem.

DEREK: Oh fuck. 

DEREK: Alright yeah. Hold up. -slides out of bed, hastily putting on a tank and sliding on shoes. no need to get too dressed up when the infirm is so nearby. all he really needs is the overnight bag in his sylladex, but even that's not much of a necessity... and he's already got that. in a matter of seconds he's holding out his hands to help her out of bed.- 

DEREK: Up and at em.

RILEY: i'm doing all the holding i can right now. shit. -takes his hands to pull herself up and stand, her back aching at a more ridiculous level than before- of course she wants to come when i'm finally getting some goddamn sleep for once. jesus.

DEREK: Well hey. Were one step closer to you gettin a full nights rest. -with one hand on her back, he starts guiding her out of their room and into the hall, hurriedly making his way to the infirm. with his free hand, he's sending out a message to alert medical staff that they're coming in.-

RILEY: if she lets us sleep. -she's actually feeling pretty nervous, even throughout the distraction of these not so fun contractions. they make it to the infirmary pretty damn quickly- oh my god. fuck. shit. this is actually happening.

DEREK: Damn it sure is. -he's keeping a cool head about him but it's easy for him to separate himself from the stress of the situation. all he has to do is make sure this process goes as smoothly as possible, and he does. the nurses were waiting for them thanks to his message and ready to receive her, they have themselves a room set up in no time.-

RILEY: -they can try to make it as comfortable as possible, but she knows how this goes, she knows that there are more things to worry about at her age.  she's made to wear a hospital gown and speak with one of the doctors before they're given a few moments alone...and this whole process is about to get a great deal more difficult than it's been this entire journey.-

RILEY: -she's staring at the ceiling, trying to take deep breaths--not that her pain has reached that point of intensity but in an attempt to calm herself down. because while a part of her wants nothing more than to meet her daughter, she's also terrified. and slightly trembling-

DEREK: -he's right here beside her, as he absolutely should be, and keeping calm enough for the both of them. maybe even irritatingly so, but that's a good thing too if she needs something else to be frustrated with. as she looks towards the ceiling, he brushes hair from her face and grasps a hold of one of her hands.- 

DEREK: You good? Wanna yell at me or somethin? That always makes you feel better. -smiles down at her. he knows it's scary. and he'd be scared too if he was allowing himself to be.-

RILEY: -she huffs out a sigh, not being able to decide if she wants to push him away or accept the affection.- good point. 

RILEY: i can guarantee you that part'll come later. 

RILEY: right now i just... 

RILEY: i hope she likes me.

DEREK: Shes gonna love you. 

DEREK: No doubt about it. 

DEREK: And even if shes wary Ill put in a good word for you. 

DEREK: Me bein the cool dad and all.

RILEY: -rolls her eyes- you might have a chance if you keep those dumbass puppets away from her.

DEREK: Youre forgettin our oldest loves the puppets. This is no coincidence.

RILEY: okay but does he think of you as a-- oh jesus fucking christ. -winces-

DEREK: -ah yes, a good place for that sentence to cut off. he just pets her hair and forehead some more.- Shh. 

DEREK: Im the cool dad...

RILEY: shut the fuck up. -smacks his hand out of the way-

DEREK: -grins a little at her and though he retracts his hand, he steals a kiss to her forehead instead. even though it's probably sweaty.-

RILEY: -she huffs- get off me, i'm gross. -the pain is making her so fucking IRRITATED- this is all your goddamn fault.

DEREK: I know. Im sorry. 

DEREK: Ill keep it in my pants next time. -and now she has the additional pain in her ass that is derek. but he doesn't look as smug as he normally would. his smile is soft.-

RILEY: you're not even a little sorry. you get off on seeing me mad so this is just a great old time for you so i'm GLAD YOU'RE HAVING FUN WHILE I AM-- shit! WHILE I'M TRYING TO GET YOUR BABY OUT OF MY BODY!

DEREK: -he ain't even mad??? he really needs to be smacked.- Baby please. 

DEREK: Im just tryin to keep it light.

RILEY: you're going to be keeping it WAY lighter when i cut your fucking dick off.

RILEY: hey everybody this is no dick derek!

DEREK: I seem to recall you threatening me with castration when Dirk was born too. -pats her hand. look how that turned out.-

RILEY: apparently i made some mistakes and let you go WAY too easily you fucking bastard. -wacks his hand away- i need one of those shot things those--THE SHOT THINGS.

DEREK: Alright alright. -they likely planned for this anyhow, so with them both hollering for nurses to assist them it's no time before they're sticking her with that needle. POKE.-

RILEY: -the pain subsides enough thankfully and what comes next is hours and hours of checking dilation and debating c-sections until finally, finally, ryan's ready to come out. What comes next is a whole bunch of effort and yelling, and she's in a haze as she watches as the doctors take her daughter and clean her. She's so tiny and theirs and hers and she has no idea when she herself started crying either--somewhere along the way. it seems like a blur when everything is happening and this tiny, pink, wiggling baby she created is put right into her arms-

DEREK: -at some point he may have lost his cool a bit, too. maybe around the same time he could hear her, see her, and it all comes into perspective suddenly and beautifully. ryan is nestled safely into riley's arms and he hovers in close with tears obscuring his view of her. a sweet baby girl born in such awful times. she made it here despite everything. and despite everything, too, he will make her life the best he possibly can. far better than he could in the past.- 

RYAN: - SHE SCREAM -

RILEY: -she feels like she's still in shock, holding this little tightly bundled miracle. she can tell derek's crying as much or even more than she is. she's overwhelmed, but she can't quite understand if it's all good or all bad, but she knows she loves this little girl- shhhhh. 

RILEY: hi ryan. -she sniffs- it's nice to finally meet you, baby.

RYAN: -she's whining, she's crying. she's got a whole lot to say about this strange new world.- 

DEREK: -wipes away the tears so he can see her better.- Shes got some lungs on her huh? -leans in to smooch riley on the head. you did good...-

RILEY: -she's still catching her breath, and this time, she doesn't push derek away at all.- yeah... 

RILEY: she's so beautiful, derek.

[transient-tutor]

ROXANNE: -She has been wanting to get a hold of Derek for a while now, but Dirk falling into a comatose state put a new sense of urgency in the need to speak with him. She just wanted to be sure he was alright, or at the very least some semblance of okay. Roxanne had a hunch she might not find him in his room though, and truthfully she didnt want to risk catching Riley instead.- ROXANNE: -Her theory is, if she continues wandering the halls of the ship they are going to eventually run into each other.- 

ROXANNE: -Or she hopes anyways...-

DEREK: -it's a GOOD THEORY. he's often lurking around the ship when he isn't in his room or visiting dirk and/or jake. she'll see him at the end of the hall, back turned as he skulks around. he stops suddenly, though... he seems to be looking for something, or to see if anybody is around before he turns towards the nearest vent and reaches to open it-- AND THEN HE SEES ROXANNE.- ... 

DEREK: Sup.

ROXANNE: -Boy she sure sees... all that. What the actual fuck.- 

ROXANNE: Hey. -Folds her arms and walks closer.- You uh. chekin' the air flow or somthin'?

DEREK: Yup. 

DEREK: Exactly that.

DEREK: You followin me or somethin?

ROXANNE: No. 

ROXANNE: Well. Yeah kind of, but not like that.

ROXANNE: I uh. Wanted to check in on you.

DEREK: I knew it. 

DEREK: -glances away, then back at her.- Im fine. 

DEREK: Like as fine as a guy in my position can be. Ill be honest with you there.

ROXANNE: -Well, at least hes being honest. Roxanne shifts on her feet and tries not to stare at him with too much pity.- Right. Nah, thats. 

ROXANNE: Thats a pretty fair claim. Still though, if you feel like ya' need to talk or something you know I'm here right? I know we dont have the best history with dealin' with our own heavy shit but this is a lot you're going through right now so I just want ya' to know I'm here if you want me.

DEREK: -crosses his arms, leaning against the wall. the body language is definitely standoffish, but his expression seems to be mulling this over with more serious and maybe even CONSTRUCTIVE consideration.- 

DEREK: ... Yeah. I know. 

DEREK: I appreciate it. -then he quiets, his shoulders sagging with might very well be simple sadness.-

ROXANNE: -Constructive consideration is good!- 

ROXANNE: Cool. 

ROXANNE: ......So. Do you feel like you want to talk right now? About anything. Or do you need to keep checking the vent?

DEREK: -glances at the vent. yes... checking it... that's definitely what he wants to do...- 

DEREK: I mean nothings keeping me. 

DEREK: Just... Hard to know what to say. 

DEREK: Seems like whatever might be on my mind is already out there. Hangin in the air. All uncomfortably palpable and shit. 

DEREK: A pretty plain statement that. Gee. This sure reminds a motherfucker of somethin.

ROXANNE: Right, I know but we dont only have to talk about that. We could talk about other things too? Like literally anything, shoot the shit whatever. -Crosses over to him so there is less distance between them now. There is no escape from her fussing Derek.- Has your sleeping got any better?

ROXANNE: Not that we're apparently supposed to sleep anymore. But. 

ROXANNE: Ya'know. Whenever you do. Has it been better?

ROXANNE: More restful?

DEREK: -rolls eyes a little behind shades about the SLEEP questions again.- I mean... I guess.

DEREK: Hard to get good rest when you gotta wake up regularly. 

DEREK: Its killin Riley cuz shes got a way worse time fallin asleep as is.

ROXANNE: -She cant see him roll his eyes behind those shades so shes going to keep going.- Oh dang right. 

ROXANNE: ...Is she okay too? I mean I saw her the other day but that was before Dirk got put out of commission.

DEREK: Were about in the same boat. 

DEREK: Cept shes worse off cuz shes already miserable bein at the ass end of this pregnancy. -glances away with a sigh.- 

DEREK: Its gonna be rough. But were managing.

ROXANNE: -She nods in understanding.- well glad to hear, let her know I'm sending my sympathies ta her too.

DEREK: Sure thing. 

DEREK: -pauses, shuffling his feet a little. he can't... think of anything to say that doesn't feel awkward. feelings are hard.- Have I told you what were naming her? 

DEREK: The baby?

ROXANNE: Naming who?- Oh! -Right, of course, the baby. Babies have to have  names, right.- 

ROXANNE: So you've decided on one? Thats good, what are ya'thinking of?

DEREK: -he actually smiles a little, something soft and sincere.- Ryan.

[transient-tutor]

RILEY: -it's been a long night of mixed emotions and very little sleep, a long night of staring at her oldest in comatose, a long night of thinking and overthinking and not so much talking. it's afternoon now, and both she and Derek have to go back to the room for something, anything that's a taste of a routine life outside of all this tragedy and loss. Riley walks ahead first and looks around blankly before just sitting on the bed to just lie down and face the wall.-

DEREK: -he follows her into the room, just ghosting along in step with some semblance of familiarity. there's always something to do around here if he just looks for it. maybe rearrange his things. he's always making a mess of the room anyway and though he doesn't usually care and prefers it that way, right now he only feels offended by the mess.- 

DEREK: -while riley lies down unmoving, he can't stop moving. he gathers up puppets and puts them up on a shelf... rearranges them a few times before suddenly shoving them and EVERYTHING ELSE off the surface with a loud clatter.-

RILEY: -rolls back around at the loud sudden sound and sighs seeing how intentional it was. he's tense, but so is she.- is that really fucking necessary?

DEREK: Fuck! -and cue the pacing. it's unclear if he was swearing at her, or just in general. there's a good chance he didn't even hear her.-

RILEY: -she watches him pace and pushes herself up so she's sitting again- yeah. same.

RILEY: glad we can talk.

DEREK: -that seems to have gotten his attention now and he spins to look at her.- What are we gonna talk about Riley huh? 

DEREK: You just wanna get on me then go ahead and say somethin. 

DEREK: Tell me how Im supposed to be feelin right now!

RILEY: -she feels herself growing angrier with the way he's speaking to her (as if she isn't doing the same) and narrows her eyes at him- you don't have to wreck the room and yell about it because that's gonna do a whole lot of fuck all. 

RILEY: he's my son too.

DEREK: Yeah? And what good is lyin around gonna do either? 

DEREK: You aint said a damn thing to me until now and you werent gonna. Only shit you got to say is what I should and shouldnt be doing. 

DEREK: Fuck. 

DEREK: Dont pretend you got some high ground over me just because Im angry and you dont wanna deal with it.

RILEY: -she stares at him, mouth slightly agape in an offended kind of disgust- i said nothing about being better than you so you're making that shit up. 

RILEY: how am i gonna deal with it, derek? knock shit over? YELL ABOUT IT? -swipes a lamp off the nightstand and onto the floor- MY SON IS IN A COMA AND MIGHT NEVER WAKE UP! 

RILEY: -kicks the same nightstand and a picture frame falls off- i feel great now!

DEREK: Dont fucking mock me! 

DEREK: -he just turns away and goes back to pacing. he knows he's being irrational, but he can't stop. it all hurts too much, it's too scary. it's all going back to the way it was. would anything ever really change?- 

DEREK: -once he's gotten some distance from her, he aims more of this pent up anger at the wall with his fist. and again and again until his knuckles bleed.- 

DEREK: WHY IS IT ALWAYS THEM? 

DEREK: THEY DONT FUCKING DESERVE THIS! 

DEREK: AND THERES NOTHING I CAN FUCKING DO! THERES NEVER BEEN A GODDAMN THING I COULD DO!

RILEY: -she doesn't even realize that she's crying until she tastes the salt, her gaze pinned on him. This is all so scary, so familiar, and her adrenaline is so far up she feels like she could destroy everything around her in one go. but it still stings painfully to watch him keep hurting himself like that. her voice cracks slightly- DEREK, STOP!

DEREK: -the sound of desperation in his voice is enough to rip him back to reality. it only takes that moment for the pain to register, in his hand and in his heart, and just as fast the tears are starting to roll down his cheeks as well. he looks down at the blood smeared over tattered skin, unable to think or act at all. he can only feel. and it's awful.-

RILEY: -she's silent at first aside from her own sniffling, and it reminds her of years and years ago when they lost Dirk the first time and she'd do nothing but watch him like this. Times where she needed to step up even if it felt like the hardest thing she could ever do.- baby, come here. -she says it quietly, but loud enough for him to hear accompanied by restrained sobs-

DEREK: -he feels a similar apprehension, but he's afraid of hurting her. he knows what he's capable of doing and saying. he's already done enough damage here. still, even with all the fear and doubts running through his mind, more than anything he just wants her support and to be with her. he wipes away tears with his good hand before he turns towards her again, sluggishly dragging himself to her side, weighed down by exhaustion and guilt.-

RILEY: -she holds out her hand as she's sitting: a peace offering, in a method that doesn't beg him to depend on her but instead invites him to join her. she knows her pain is too fresh to soothe his alone but she knows that carrying it together is what they need to do- i'm sorry i'm... 

RILEY: i'm sorry i'm being a bitch. 

RILEY: and for just... -let's out an unamused laugh- doing what i always did. 

RILEY: hid in bed instead of-- -she has to gather herself for a moment- talking to you.

DEREK: -places his hand in hers gently, taking the invitation easily.- I wasnt bein fair. 

DEREK: Im sorry. 

DEREK: And Im sorry if I scared you. 

DEREK: -sniffs, squeezing her hand gently.- I dont wanna be like that.

RILEY: -squeezes his hand back tightly- the only thing that scared me was how easy it was for us to go down that road again. -she brings his bloody knuckles up to her face so she can kiss them, just barely- i really fucking need you, you know? even when i try to act like i don't.

DEREK: -swallows back the lump in his throat as he watches her.- ... I need you too. -it gets a little easier every time he says it. and it gets a little easier to accept, too.- 

DEREK: I think I... 

DEREK: Need you more now than I ever did. 

DEREK: Probably goes both ways huh?

RILEY: nope. you're on your own there.

DEREK: ... Shut the fuck up. -wheeze.-

RILEY: -she smiles just a little despite all the tears- don't think i could do life without you anymore if i had to.

DEREK: -scoffs a little too when she laughs, raising her hands now to kiss them himself.- Same here. 

DEREK: I dont want to.

RILEY: -leans in to kiss him briefly- i...want to try something.

DEREK: -blinks, looking down at her curiously.- Alright. Whats that?

RILEY: -leans over to get onto her feet so she can make her way over to a cabinet where she hoarded a lot of ceramic cafeteria plates...for snacking, of course.- i just wondered if you had a point. -puts a stack of them on top of their dresser before taking one and throwing it at the opposite wall until it shatters into pieces-

DEREK: -he's a little startled by her suddenly causing a ruckus like this.- Shit-- -but then he laughs.- 

DEREK: Youre crazy. 

DEREK: Howd it feel though?

RILEY: -looks over at him- kind of...nice.

DEREK: -smirks and grabs himself a plate too before chucking it at the wall.- 

DEREK: Feels good to let all that shit out doesnt it?

RILEY: -watches it smash and it feels like a breath of fresh air. she grabs another and throws it as hard as she can- take that, universe. fuck you!

DEREK: -laughs at that.- Yeah baby. Show em whos the fucking boss.

RILEY: -and again- SUCK MY DICK!

DEREK: -snrk- Wonder whos gonna clean all this up. -chucks another even as he says this.-

RILEY: sure as hell ain't me. -just one more before she sighs loudly and plops back down on the bed- or you either. there's gotta be some kind of ceramic vaccuum.

DEREK: -takes a seat with her and then uses this opportunity to start cleaning and bandaging his hand finally.- Bet we can get one of those service drones to deal with it.

RILEY: -butts in to help him with that process- yep. cuz it sure as hell ain't us.

DEREK: -kinda lets her take over just so he can watch her and leans in to kiss her on the head.-

RILEY: -closes her eyes just for a second, truly appreciating the feeling of his lips on her head. she pauses for a moment before taking his uninjured hand and placing it on her stomach- 

RILEY: can you feel that?

DEREK: -looks down at her belly, paying close attention for any movement.- She gettin rowdy again?

RILEY: -she's definitely wiggling around in there- i think she has the hiccups. also doing somersaults or some shit i don't know. give it a sec.

DEREK: -snickers- Maybe shes throwing a tantrum cuz we were. -rubs a small circle where his hand is. relax in there.-

RILEY: -smiles a little- probably. shit, what if she's just like us? we're in for it now.

DEREK: Have some sense like your brothers do baby girl. 

DEREK: If youre gonna inherit our traits let me be the good ones. 

DEREK: Like my devilish good looks for example. -talking to ryan is relaxing him... like it always does.-

RILEY: she's gonna be beautiful. and also look nothing like you. just watch.

DEREK: The fuck? Rude. 

DEREK: -wraps his arms around her middle.- Youre just giving me attitude cuz youre cranky. 

DEREK: We should take a nap. -he just wants to rest too...-

RILEY: i'm giving you attitude because you deserve it. -leans back against him- yeah. 

RILEY: i'm all for that nap shit.

DEREK: -kisses on her again before lowering them both to lie down.-

RILEY: -and in his arms she realizes she's more tired than she thinks she is, and surprisingly, she's able to close her eyes-

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: -he's currently looking around his and riley's room for jinjin. she keeps running away, which he knows is normal for trolls, let along trolls who just got orphaned... but DESPITE knowing this, he's still adamant about finding her, grumbling to himself as he does so. his overall demeanor since yesterday has been best described as... irritable? he's angry at his brother. he's angry at everything.-

RILEY: -she's coming back from the cafeteria with food they can stuff in their fridge for later, trying to make it a little easier on derek if she can. When she enters, she watches him as she puts the food away, a concerned look on her face- she get out again?

DEREK: Yes. -says with a little bit of bite, not bothering to look at her when she enters.-

RILEY: -she can't get mad at him for being snippy. Not after everything that's happened. she sighs, still looking at him- do you think maybe...we should put her in the ship childcare until things settle down a little?

DEREK: -he pauses as if considering it, but grumbles incoherent noises that sound disapproving- 

DEREK: ... No. -finally concludes as he goes back to searching for her, but sighs when he knows its probably no use. she's likely escaped the whole room at this point.-

RILEY: -frowns, but she can't blame him- do you want me to check in the hall? i didn't see her in the cafeteria...

DEREK: No. Its-- 

DEREK: No. -he sighs again, feeling frustrated about all the questions and having to answer them, but it's not like he can blame her either. she's just trying to help, he reminds himself and plops down on the bed to try to relax for a second.-

RILEY: -she's trying so hard to help, but she knows there's only so much she can do. they are both no strangers to loss, and there are few words or actions that can actually lessen the sting, none of which she has right now. so she sits down next to him, silent. Part of her says it's too early to reach for his hand, but she tries to anyway-

DEREK: -he flinches at the touch. not because it startles him, but because of an instinctual desire to sharply draw his hand away from her that he's trying desperately to fight. he doesn't want to be like that anymore than he wants to be an emotional mess, but it seems like one or the other is inevitable and he hates having to make that choice. he just lets her hold his hand, resting his head in the other.-

RILEY: -the flinch is discouraging but he actually doesn't pull away and that's enough for her. She just squeezes his hand tightly, her gaze stuck on him because she wants so badly to give him everything he needs but she can't. she can't bring dave back. It makes her eyes water because although she didn't have that twin bond with davenforth, he was still family. he was still her friend. and if she misses him like this, it's unbearable to try to imagine how Derek feels right now-

DEREK: -he chances a glance at her during the moment of quiet, noticing her eyes glossing over with tears and he sighs again.- Dont... -he shouldn't discourage her from crying, but he's afraid it'll make him start to cry too. he turns towards her more, pulling her into his open arm.-

RILEY: sorry. i just. -leans into him, moving so both arms hug around his stomach- you deserve better.

DEREK: -he doesn't know what to say to that. was any of this really about what he deserved? because it wasn't about him, no matter how much it ached, it was dave who deserved better.- 

DEREK: Im... Im alright. 

DEREK: ... Ill be alright.

RILEY: it's okay not to be. 

RILEY: like...i don't want you internalizing it instead.

DEREK: -he goes quiet again, but seems to express what he can't in words by holding her a little tighter.-

RILEY: -snuggles against him- i got you baby. 

RILEY: i got you.

DEREK: -it was so hard to let people in... even her, as much as he wanted to. but fuck, he was so tired of trying to hold it together. he was so tired of pretending he could push through all the grief and come out the strong one for everyone else. it always ended up poorly, and maybe now he could finally start accepting it. when you lose a part of you like he just had, what's the point. dave was the reason he always wanted to be strong, anyway. he was the one he had always wanted to protect. and he failed him.- 

DEREK: -he starts to tremble, crumbling into her arms as it all comes crashing down on him at once.-

RILEY: -she knows how hard it is for him to get here, to let go to this extent. it was something he always struggled with, it was only a piece of why they fell apart after dirk was taken. so this...to see him this vulnerable and this broken all at once--it made her hurt too. but despite all of it, the moment she feels him give in, she's overcome with how proud she is of him. he needs to process this. he needs to let himself feel everything he tries so hard to deny. she repositions herself so that she can be the one to hold him tightly, lower lip quivering and throat aching-

DEREK: -it's such a foreign feeling, being on the other side of things. but it's nice, too, just letting her hold him and support all the weight he'd been carrying on his own. even if it's just for now he'll allow it, it makes all the difference. his sobs are kept contained in his throat, forcing out tears almost painfully so.- 

DEREK: F... Fuck. 

DEREK: This is why... I always have to babysit his ass. -cracks out a humorless laugh, causing the cries to escape when they're finally given the chance.-

RILEY: -she kisses his head sweetly and just holds him tighter, and him crying just makes her cry too but she was already about to. it's rare that he's ever like this but she knows he needs to be.- you know he woof have done what he did anyway.

DEREK: I know. 

DEREK: I know... -and it's fucked up. he feels so helpless, so lost. but maybe it's time to not only accept that vulnerability, but give into it, and just let it happen.-

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: -at some point everyone is bound to get settled in available dorm rooms, and also at some point derek slips away from a sleeping riley to bug his brother. there's too much on his mind for him to rest. he asked him to meet him in the hall so neither of them are disturbing their respective ladies.-

DAVENFORTH: -Not bothering his lady is actually the easy part. As much as Davenforth would like to keep an eye on Lifera, she just doesn't need it.-

DAVENFORTH: Whats up

DEREK: Besides the deterioration of civilization as we knew it? Not much bruh.

DEREK: Just thinkin about DC I guess.

DAVENFORTH: You say that like civilization hadnt already deteriorated

DEREK: Thats fair.

DAVENFORTH: Wanna go to the roof i havent had a cigarette in days

DAVENFORTH: -Too late he's already ascending the steps-

DEREK: -snorts and follows wordlessly. he knows this routine, though it's been a while...-

DAVENFORTH: -The steps are ascended. Davenforth sits on the ledge of the building. Legitimately he lights a cigarette, taking a long drag.-

DAVENFORTH: Why do i feel like i pulled everyone into some bullshit

DEREK: Nah man. -sits with him-

DEREK: We were already in some bullshit.

DEREK: You really think it was gonna be smooth sailing even if you werent egging them on?

DAVENFORTH: Before that

DAVENFORTH: Who the fuck even thinks assassinating major political figures is a good idea

DEREK: Dunno.

DEREK: A radical douche bag and his twin brother  I guess.

DAVENFORTH: That aint exactly comforting right now

DAVENFORTH: Putting my life on the line is easy

DAVENFORTH: Everyone else not so much -Puffs again-

DAVENFORTH: Feel like ive been here before with you

DEREK: -snorts- History repeats itself I guess.

DEREK: Still Im confident in what were doin.

DEREK: Not like I feel great about potentially putting everyone in danger but.

DEREK: This is bigger then us.

DAVENFORTH: Yeah i know but

DAVENFORTH: -Sighs again-

DAVENFORTH: Itd be easier if it was just me

DEREK: I get you.

DEREK: Thats what youre used to doin.

DEREK: Same honestly.

DEREK: Maybe we are bein reckless. I dunno.

DEREK: But I support you anyways. At the expense of soundin cheesy as hell.

DAVENFORTH: You fucking fuck

DAVENFORTH: -snorts and puffs again-

DAVENFORTH: Just dont think i could forgive myself if anyone other than me got hurt

DAVENFORTH: Or you especially since you decided to have another kid twenty something years after the first

DEREK: Its as much a decision now as it was then.

DEREK: Which is to say sometimes shit just happens.

DEREK: Even if youre bein properly cautious.

DEREK: Not that I was but for the sake of the metaphor pretend I was.

DAVENFORTH: You know what alright ill pretend like you were

DEREK: Thanks man.

DAVENFORTH: Always got your back

DAVENFORTH: Besides

DAVENFORTH: Thatd become convoluted as shit

DEREK: -snorts-

DEREK: Point is you shouldnt second guess it.

DEREK: And if shit goes awry... Which Im cocky enough to say it wont...

DEREK: It aint all on you.

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: -at some point after trailing penny, it's time to rest properly in a BED. he insists on this, because riley needs it. she needs a lot of things. before finding them a room he foraged for some real substantial food, but they're settled now in one of the empty dorms. there's even a shower here! fuck, that's nice. he isn't sure what he wants to do first... but for him, sleeping is out of the question. he's gotta keep watch. even if he made the decision to lead them here in the first place, that doesn't mean he necessarily thinks i ts safe.- 

DEREK: -dumps some take out boxes he got from the cafeteria on a table before turning towards riley.- This is nice eh? Like a vacation.

RILEY: -a lot of trailing penny but sadly no conversation. oh well. she's ready to settle anyway and not be doing everything in front of a whole bus. she watches him as she sits on the bed and snorts at his comment- i mean. in comparison to everything else? hell yeah. this what it feels like to go to college?

DEREK: Not at all. 

DEREK: At least not in my experience. -sits on the bed with her and brushes his fingers through her hair-

RILEY: -smooches him- they actually have showers here.

DEREK: Finally you can wash your stank ass. -smooches her back. hehe.-

RILEY: my stank ass? my ass is great. YOUR stank ass, however...

DEREK: Come on. Lets at least meet each other half way and agree we both have stank asses.

RILEY: ugh, fine. -groans but grins at him- they should have given us some kind of travel shower. do they make those?

DEREK: Pff. Nah. 

DEREK: 360 no soap we live in our own filth like men. -lowkey trying to get her out of her shirt though. whoops.-

RILEY: -she notices and smirks- whatcha doing with those hands, buddy?

DEREK: Hinting real subtly that you need a shower.

RILEY: so subtle. i don't know how you do it. 

RILEY: but hey. you need one too. 

RILEY: insert cliche about saving water.

DEREK: Damn... Were a couple a smooth customers. 

DEREK: Lets go save what precious lil resources this earth has still got babe.

RILEY: we're so environmentally friendly, too. the whole package. -she actually moves away to stand up and remove her shirt, carelessly tossing it aside, watching him the entire way before turning around and walking showerward-

DEREK: -grins and follows, throwing off his shirt carelessly as well. he's been dying for some privacy, especially with her being uspet with him half the time during this trip... by the time he's in the bathroom he's out of his pants, too.-

RILEY: -she's got a lot of feelings, okay?! but she feels the same. privacy has been so much needed. she wastes no time sliding off her pants and unhooking her bra-

DEREK: -nice nice... allow him the honor of sliding her panties down her hips from behind-

RILEY: -go for it. she's more than happy to relinquish that, looking back over her shoulder as much as she can to grin at him.-

DEREK: -kisses at her shoulders while he's here, running his hands up and down her sides. yeees. this is nice.-

RILEY: -hums a little at how nice that feels, sighing contentedly. she can't help but lean back against him a little. he's so nice and warm and his hands always  have that roughness that gives her chills-

DEREK: -his hands circle around to the front of her, smoothing over her cute little bump. sorry for all the commotion lately, ryan... for a moment, he holds her (both of them, really) just like this, nuzzling against riley's hair.-

RILEY: -she closes her eyes and just...genuinely smiles at how all of this is making her feel. she tilts her head briefly to kiss his chin once before sliding her hands down his arms to his hands, fingers intertwining with his just momentarily. they hadn't even made it into the shower yet but...fuck she doesn't really care-

DEREK: -they could stay just like this tbh... he wouldn't mind much either. but the thought of water warming them is getting awfully tempting (among other things) so after giving her a kiss on the head, he draws away to finish undressing-

RILEY: -while he does that, she slips into the shower and turns on the water, and it's COLD at first and she yelps- OH FUCK.

DEREK: -JUMPS. WHATS WRONG-- oh shes being a nerd is all.- Jesus.

RILEY: -laughs and puts the water on warm, standing back a little in the shower while it does that- getting my nipples hard already, jesus.

DEREK: As if they werent already. -slips in behind her and casually cups the tiddies. he must warm them, obviously.-

RILEY: touche. oh. such a gentleman. my very own tittywarmers.

DEREK: -RUBS, kissing at her neck again.- Youre welcome.

RILEY: damn right i am. -god a shower feels so great right now...it feels like it's been forever. as he kisses at her neck and rubs her breasts she reaches her hand back to move her fingers through his hair. the hair he has ANYWAY-

DEREK: -hey... he has plenty of hair, just not on top of his head... - 

DEREK: -snickers against her skin, eventually unable to resist trailing a hand down between her legs-

RILEY: -rubbing at the back of his neck now, grinning.- you're real fucking thirsty aren't you? -she's one to talk. she wants him just as bad. it's been too long, and who knows when they'll get to do this again while on earth-

DEREK: Like Im the only one. -yes he's eager, but he knows her too well to believe she isn't just as eager... he brushes his fingertips at sensitive flesh while he gradually gets hard against her backside. hello there.-

RILEY: guess you'll have to find-- hey there. -she can't stop smiling like an idiot.-

DEREK: Looks like you found something. -snickers at how cute she looks... what a nerd. a nerd he's going to tease by providing friction against her folds from both the front and the back.-

RILEY: -she shivers, feeling him in two different places and can't help but use her hand to encouraging his that's near her clit. She laughs a little- careful don't give us twins.

DEREK: Dont think it works that way. 

DEREK: But hey I like challenges. -takes the encouragement, rubbing in small circles around her clit while guiding the head of his cock to prod at her entrance. but only prod.-

RILEY: oh you motherfucking tease. -oh god damn it now her nipples are definitely hard and her fingers are digging into his shoulder. her hand on top of his attempts to bring him to that particular spot instead of just AROUND it. he knows what he's doing and he knows it's working and he knows he's driving her crazy-

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: -alright, so, it's new year's eve... riley's pregnant so it would be shitty to drink around her... and they're on the ship, which he has learned means he CAN'T set off fireworks (which is frankly bullshit) so he's left with very few options for the celebration.- 

DEREK: -good thing there are such substitutes as sparkling champagne and a creative mind. as well as a sylladex filled with all sorts of bullshit from his time traveling across the universe doing whatever jobs came his way.- 

DEREK:  -it's almost midnight and he's very carefully arranging every color of SMUPPET around the room, a good distance from wherever riley is sitting.-

RILEY: -she sits on their bed, watching him and she's been so into whatever the hell she's watching on a device that she doesn't realize what he's doing until she does all all at once. and she sits straight up, frowning- oh, no. no way. why are you doing this to me? jesus christ.

DEREK: Just hold on. -holds hands up defensively and then places down the final smuppet- 

DEREK: Alright. Its almost midnight. -goes to sit with her- 

DEREK: Hey. I just remembered we were hangin out for new years eve last year too. 

DEREK: Good times. -snorts-

RILEY: baby, whyyyyyy. -she pouts when he comes over and leans against his arm. She snorts too- oh my god. 

RILEY: hey, we can make out all we want this time.

DEREK: Youre right. -grins, leaning in to smooch her cheek. he inspects the time again... he's got a timer up on his comm device.- 

DEREK: Here we go. You ready? -suddenly produces something else from his sylladex... it looks like... a detonator?? um.-

RILEY:  -stares at the detonator looking thing and back at him- what are you blowing up now? -she's interested tho. things exploding...exciting...-

DEREK: -WONKS.- 

DEREK: 3... 2... 1... -PUSHES BUTTON and the whole line of smuppets slowly start to expand... until they're POPPING into bits of colored fabric and fluff.-

RILEY: -she's actually impressed by this when these things are getting destroyed. She claps- whoo! blow them up! happy fucking new year!

DEREK: -laughs- I knew youd like that. 

DEREK: Happy new year baby. -tilts her chin towards him for a proper kiss-

RILEY: -she kisses him sweetly back, not taking this one for granted- happy new year. 

RILEY: next time there's gonna be 3 of us.

DEREK: -slips an arm around her shoulders to draw her in closer.- Crazy to think about. 

DEREK: Reminds me... We still havent decided on a name yet.

RILEY: -leans against him completely  and puts her arms around his middle, kissing his arm- first decision of this year. 

RILEY: not a bad one at all. 

RILEY: -peers up at him- wanna toss some ideas out there?

DEREK: Well. 

DEREK: Ive been tryna look for some names usin my... usual method of namin conventions. 

DEREK: So names kinda like our own right? -dirk and derek... he's very creative- 

DEREK: Ryans a good ole irish name like Riley is. -smirks a little about it-

RILEY: -she grins just thinking about it- fuck. that's a good one. i mean...my first pick is still roley. 

RILEY: -her expression softens- ryan's a really cute name.

DEREK: -grins wider. he did a good...- Right? 

DEREK: Not usually a girls name but fuck it.

RILEY: well, it goes both ways like mine does. -she sighs a little- i kind of love it.

DEREK: Yeah? 

DEREK: Do we got a winner then? -rubs at her shoulder-

RILEY: -she nods- yeah. that was...really fucking easy. ryan. 

RILEY: ryan strider.

DEREK: Sounds right. 

DEREK: Way to go me.

RILEY: yeah. 

RILEY: good job, baby. -she has no doubt that this is the perfect name, but there are other things she can't help questioning. the same things that have been reassured to her over and over again. and she hates that they're still thoughts that cross her mind and nearly make her sick- 

RILEY: you know. i'm kind of tired. i wanna go to bed, i think.

DEREK: -blinks at her, surprised to hear this so suddenly.- Yeah? You sure? 

DEREK: Gonna make me clean up this mess I made all on my own? -gestures  to the smuppet REMAINS-

RILEY: -she pulls away from him- yeah. hormones or whatever. making me sleepy. like they do. -she wastes no more time in getting under the covers, turning away from him and staring at the wall.-

DEREK: -frowns... then slides into the covers next to her, getting his arm around her middle.-

RILEY: -stop being so good right now, shit. she puts her hand on his arm like she's about to move it  before just taking it off and deciding not to make it worse like that. she can't stop the tears, but if she holds her breath, he can't notice her shaking for at least a few seconds-

DEREK: -it's nothing she can hide. he already knows shes upset and he presses a kiss to the side of her head, muttering into her hair.- Whats up?

RILEY: -she closes her eyes at the kiss, feeling his lips move against her as he talks to her. She gives in, sniffling finally and letting herself cry- she's so real. 

RILEY: she has a name now and she's 

RILEY: she's just. 

RILEY: not an idea anymore. 

RILEY: she's ryan and she's ours and i-- -she's quiet for a few moments- i don't want to let her down. 

RILEY: but I could. 

RILEY: and that's. -she just stops there-

DEREK: Hey... Theres nothin to worry about. 

DEREK: You know I get thoughts like that too. But things aint how they were. Remember that. 

DEREK: Besides... If either of us fucks up too much we got people to put us back in our place. 

DEREK: Ryans gonna be alright.

RILEY: -she's quiet before she wordlessly turns over to bury her face in his chest-

DEREK: -pulls her in closer, showering her in more comforting kisses.-

RILEY: -mumbles into his chest- stop being so nice to me.

DEREK: No fuck you. I do what I want. -smooch smooch-

RILEY: i know you do. i hate it. -she's smiling a little tho-

[transient-tutor]

Keep reading

[transient-tutor]

[when Derek wakes up and makes his way to his side of his dresser, there's an empty chinese food carton with a note attached to it] "this alchemizer thing is some bullshit, let me tell you. somehow, i ended up getting this far and decided not to risk fucking it up even more. anyway. i don't think there's such a thing as space takeout, and we're "family people" now, AND i'm not cooking so take this sentimental shit instead. thanks. for everything. i love your stupid face. ❤️ riley."

He can’t believe what a sentimental dork Riley is... Except he can. He loves it.

[transient-tutor]

-- temulenceGenetrix [TG] began pestering transientTutor [TT] at 16:16 --

TG: Okay so before you say anything i really just want to say sorry about what happened. really wish i had an explination or excuse for what came over me but i got nothing. either way though what i did was really wrong and messed up and if i fucked up any semblence of you me and riley ever being cool with each other ever again then i guess thats okay too because its not like i dont deserve it after what happened. so. yeah thats it i guess.

TT: Oh shit.

TT: Yeah hello.

TT: Uh.

TT: Listen thats...

TT: Seriously dont even worry about all that.

TT: I mean Im good.

TT: Im cool.

TG: Youre cool?

TG: With what happened??

TG: Because that was a pretty damn uncool thing I did.

TT: Alright Im not cool with what happened but Im not like upset with you or anything.

TT: We were all under the influence of some weird ass juju shit.

TT: So its whatever.

TG: Okay.

TT: Uh.

TT: I mean.

TT: Not to be dismissive of it either.

TT: Shit.

TG: Nah you can be. i also kind of want to forget about the whole thing. it was too many levels of fucked up.

TG: But i needed to at least try giving some semblence of an apology.

TT: Right. I get you.

TT: It might be... I dunno.

TT: Irresponsible or somethin to not address... Things...

TT: That got said.

TG: Yeah.

TT: Yeah...

TG: Yeah....

TT: Ok listen... I know its gonna take time and maybe itll take me sayin so in a thousand different instances.

TT: But I know how what I did fucked you up too. And an apology isnt enough. I doubt me saying anything is enough.

TT: But I gotta say it anyway.

TT: That youre important. And that you didnt deserve that shit. And any way youve responded to it or felt about it is totally justified and Im a stupid dick basically.

TG: Thanks. its not really all justified but thanks though. i need to just.

TG: Give myself more time to move on from what I'm feeling. i guess i thought that if i covered it up, or ignored how i felt i could move on from it eventually. but i still care about you, a lot.

TG: I want to skip past the whole dramatic thoughts of "well what if he did still love me?" because not only is that dumb but its also really selfish. what you and riley have is something really special and super important. and im sorry if me saying what i said and kissing you did anything to jeprodize that.

TT: Dont worry about me and Riley.

TT: Focus on you babe.

TT: But uh.

TT: Guess thats all I wanted to say about alla that.

TG: Okay.

TG: In that case I'm just gonna' go.

TG: Ive got a few more apologies to make.

TG: But I'll see you around Derek.

TT: Yeah. See ya Ro.

-- transientTutor [TT] ceased pestering temulenceGenetrix [TG] at 17:58 --

[transient-tutor]

-- transientTutor [TT] began pestering practicalFamiliar [PF] at 14:14 --

TT: Yo James.

PF: HELLO DEREK. PARDON MY TARDINESS IN RESPONDING.

PF: I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF HOUSEWORK.

TT: No problem.

TT: You too busy to hang out?

PF: I WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED.

PF: I WILL SPRUCE UP JOHN'S ROOM POST HASTE.

TT: ... Aight.

TT: Ill be in the east commons.

JAMES: *If what Derek says is true and he is waiting in the east commons, then James is joining him. Composed as always, even James can't stove off the knot of anxiety clutching at his chest. Golly. This was much easier to handle when he smoked.*

DEREK: *would he lie to james?? yes, probably, depending on the scenario, but he is definitely lounging on a couch when james arrives. when he spots him, he sits up, greeting him with a sup nod.*

JAMES: *Nods sternly in return.* .... *moves to get himself some coffee. Caffiene is almost the same as nicotine. But not really.* DID YOU WAIT LONG?

DEREK: Nah I basically just got here. *pulling out his comm device and scrolling through his photos.*

JAMES: *drinks half this coffee cup in one gulp and pours himself a second helping.* I IMAGINE YOU HAVE BEEN PREOCCUPIED AS OF LATELY.

JAMES: I MUST CONFESS. I HAVE TOO.

DEREK: Yeah. *shrugs* It happens. But I got you now.

DEREK: *leans to show him some of the photos on his device. they're ultrasound pictures.*

JAMES: *Oh... he peeks and goes soft around the eyes.* MY WORD.

JAMES: SO IT'S TRUE.

DEREK: Yeah. Thats our baby girl. *smiling fondly at the photos.*

JAMES: SHE IS SO SMALL... *And now James has feelings.*

DEREK: Shes like. Apple sized or somethin. *smirks at james and all his EMOTIONS. geez.*

JAMES: I STAND CORRECTED. *Don't laugh at him. When it comes to delicate things like children and parenthood, James is highly susceptible. He looks off with fondness.*

JAMES: *sips his coffee*

JAMES: I AM PLEASED TO KNOW THINGS ARE GOING WELL.

DEREK: Were all good over here. *this is where he can transition into sensitive topics... and he actually does take advantage of it, as goddamn PAINFUL as it is.*

DEREK: You know. Despite that mess of whatever the fuck from the other day.

JAMES: *expression gross a little tight but he really should expect as much.* IT WAS... AN UNPRECEDENTED TURN OF EVENTS.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: I ONLY WISH RECALLING THE DETAILS WASN'T SO CLEAR.

DEREK: Youre tellin me. *rubs at the back of his neck while pocketing his device.*

DEREK: Im.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: *sigh*

DEREK: Sorry.

DEREK: About all that. Shit.

JAMES: IT COULDN'T BE HELPED. *mumbles, rather quiet*

DEREK: I mean. Sure.

DEREK: But that dont make it suck any less. *shoulders sag*

DEREK: The truth is though... Think all that wouldve come up eventually anyway.

DEREK: And I.

DEREK: Dont think it would have any more... I dunno. Healthily?

JAMES: *His own shoulders look a little stiff but... James nods anyway. As difficult as it was, he understood.*

JAMES: *when he speaks, it's with great hesitation* I REGRET IF... I MAY HAVE PUT RILEY IN HARM'S WAY.

JAMES: IN ALL HONESTY, I FEEL ASHAMED TO HAVE HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT.

DEREK: Well like you said. Couldnt be helped.

DEREK: Shes alright man. Dont kill yourself over it.

JAMES: *still stands there like :( So many regrets...*

JAMES: SHE DID BITE ME.

JAMES: THAT WAS CONCERNING.

DEREK: ... Shes a feisty one.

JAMES: *Sighs heavily, still feeling relatively unhappy... but what more can he do except speak to her himself? James can at least comfort himself with the knowledge it wasn't the end of the world.*

JAMES: *sips his coffee* ... *damn he could use a smoke.*

JAMES: IF YOU SAY SHE IS ALRIGHT, I MUST BELIEVE YOU.

DEREK: *protip, james, that coffee has basically the opposite effect of a cigarette... whether james LOOKS twitchy or not, he's patting the couch next to him.* I do say so. Now sit your ass down youre making me nervous standing around like that.

JAMES: OH. *starts a little. He's not twitchy, he's fine. Shuffles for the couch and lowers himself to sit.* YES.

DEREK: *he's quiet for a moment after that, rattling all the things he wants to say around in his head.*

DEREK: So uh.

DEREK: You and.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Roxanne.

DEREK: *eloquent, as always.*

JAMES: *An awkward quiet is what happens when you put two gents with more thoughts than words in the same room. James furrows his eyebrows.* ROXANNE AND I?

DEREK: Is there...

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Something.

DEREK: Happening there?

JAMES: *They are clearly the best to speak about this. James clears his throat.* NO, OF COURSE NOT. SHE IS EXPERIENCING A ROUGH TIME BUT NEVERTHELESS.

JAMES: I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE SHE WILL OVERCOME IT. SHE MIGHT NOT REALIZE HOW CAPABLE SHE IS, BUT IT'S TRUE.

JAMES: SHE ONLY NEEDS PATIENCE WITH HERSELF.

DEREK: *he seems... doubtful. but he doesn't think james would lie to him. to himself, maybe... but not to him. right? it's a difficult thing for him to wrestle with, so he tries not to think much about it. of course, this shifts his focus to roxanne, which is a far heavier topic.*

DEREK: ... Yeah. She... Doesnt deserve to feel the way she does.

DEREK: Talkin to her its easy to tell she-- I dunno.

DEREK: I know she thinks I consider her and Russet secondary to the rest of my life. And it aint like that.

DEREK: But how the fuck can I blame her for thinking that after what I did. *slumps with his head in his hand, sighing deep.*

JAMES: *He isn't sure it's something that can be fixed exactly. James is certain such a power rests far beyond his own reach.* SHE NEEDS TIME. *rumbles gently* A PROPER CONFRONTATION BETWEEN YOURSELF AND RILEY... AND A CHANCE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HER HURT FEELINGS ARE VALID.

JAMES: AND THAT SHE IS VALID FOR BEING HURT.

DEREK: *nods slowly. he knows james is right, and he wants that for her too. he's only glad he has had enough distractions in his life to keep him from obsessing on trying to fix that himself. especially when he knows he's only capable of making it worse on his own.*

DEREK: Well get there. I guess.

JAMES: *cracks a tiny smile.* WHEN YOUR FRIENDSHIP IS RECOVERED, I'M SURE THIS WILL ALL SEEM RATHER... SILLY. IN RETROSPECT.

JAMES: IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF GETTING TO THAT PLACE.

JAMES: YOU ARE A GOOD MAN, DEREK. I HOPE YOU REALIZE THIS ABOUT YOURSELF.

DEREK: *it would be easy to deny it, or pretend to accept the compliment with an arrogant response, but he gives himself time to really think about it. james really wouldn't lie to him. james is honest about all things, and if he sees good in him, then it really must be true. james made his efforts to try feel recognized, and it's weird to him how that makes them feel more real.*

DEREK: ... *rubs at the back of his neck, shrugging* I can only try right?

JAMES: *hand on his shoulder, firm and reassuring.* WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, I BELIEVE IN THE BEST IN YOU.

DEREK: *gay... he grunts.*

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Thanks man.

JAMES: *He is pleased.* RUSSET IS DOING WELL TOO. SHE AND MISS HEDWIG ARE GOOD FRIENDS.

JAMES: MISS HEDWIG SEEMS RATHER PROTECTIVE OF HER. I ASSUME THAT WOULD BE HER NATURE AS A CUSTODIAN.

DEREK: *snorts* So shes got two mamas now huh? Thats cool. *he's glad she's doing alright... he sees her plenty, but it'll never be enough.*

JAMES: IT CERTAINLY HELPS THAT RUSSET IS GENTLE WITH HER... AND VICE VERSA. *actually pulls out his comm to show him a brief video of Russet with Hedwig. Gentle petting... softest feathers...*

DEREK: ... Shes such a good kid.

DEREK: Sassy. But good. *hes smiling fondly again at the video, but a little sadly, too. he misses her.*

DEREK: Shes gonna be a great older sister.

JAMES: OH YES. I AGREE. *And now he's sad too... thinking about Jane and John and many things. James quietly stows the comm away.*

JAMES: HOW DOES IT FEEL HAVING GRANDSONS.

DEREK: *he laughs at the mention of colt and joel, positively tickled just thinking about it.* Shit. Its crazy when your babies have babies.

DEREK: But theyre fantastic. Have you met em yet? You need to.

JAMES: I GAVE MY BEST TO DIRK. *smiles about Derek laughing. Yes good.* BUT I REALLY MUST CHECK WITH THEM AGAIN. I ADMIT.

JAMES: IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE DISTANCE.

DEREK: Ha. I figured as much.

DEREK: Its cool he loves showing them off.

DEREK: Rightfully so.

JAMES: *eyes emoji...* WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE PICTURES WITH THEM ON HAND.

DEREK: *eyes emoji right back... he produces the comm again just for this.* Check it out.

DEREK: *BOOM. baby pictures.*

JAMES: OH. *Oh............ look at them. James is overwhelmed by too many emotions that he accidentally crushes his coffee cup. Good thing i was empty.*

JAMES: **it

DEREK: *EYES EMOJI OF SHOCK AND AWE.*

DEREK: Jesus christ James.

JAMES: YES? *There is certainly a crushed cup in his hand.*

DEREK: ... *fuCK. he just laughs.*

DEREK: You good?

JAMES: I AM DOING SPECTACULARLY. *The babies give him new life.*

JAMES: *causally stashes the cup crumbles into his sylladex.* COLT DOES TAKE AFTER JAKE. YOU OUGHT TO HAVE SEEN HIM AS A NEWBORN.

DEREK: *god... james is a dork. a strong fuckin' dork.* Yeah? Can imagine he was a cute one. *fat and happy baby. he can see this.*

JAMES: YES. THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE HIM. *He only had John and Jane's baby pictures on hand. Everyone elses... he kept in the safe back home. Hmm.*

DEREK: *jude is hacking into it as we speak to remove any incriminating baby pictures of himself.*

DEREK: *derek hums a little to himself, thoughtful.* ... Real glad Dirk found himself a relationship like what hes got.

DEREK: Knowin hes being taken care of is. *shrugs a little* A relief I guess.

JAMES: YOU OUGHT TO TELL HIM SO.

DEREK: What... *feigns shock at the suggestion.*

DEREK: Nah. *a genuine answer*

JAMES: *tilts head over at him* WHY NOT?

DEREK: Cuz thats too corny. *he's AFRAID to, obviously.*

JAMES: PERHAPS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

JAMES: CONSIDER HIS.

JAMES: *James is in no place to talk. He does corny things all the time for John.*

DEREK: ... Ill think about it.

JAMES: *gazes at Derek with a small smile. Yes, he still believed in him.* THERE MAY BE A CHANCE HE KNOWS ALREADY.

JAMES: BUT REGARDLESS. IT'S GOOD THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING IT AT LEAST.

DEREK: Yeah someone as corny as you would say that. *averts his gaze, but he's smiling too.*

JAMES: I THINK YOU'VE GROWN TO APPRECIATE CORNINESS. *says this 100% unironically. James is having a good time.*

DEREK: Youll never catch me admiting it. *elbows at him*

JAMES: *It's like elbowing a dad-shaped wall.* I SIT IN THE CONFIDENCE THAT I DON'T NEED TO. THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

JAMES: ...

JAMES: *STRONG elbows him back*

DEREK: *DOOF.* Damn man do you even know your own strength? *rubs at his arm.*

JAMES: YES. QUITE. *smiles passively. He knows what he's doing.*

DEREK: *snorts* Fucker.

DEREK: I mean... Rap... scallion. *pffffffffff.* It aint fair you make me censor myself.

JAMES: *raises an eyebrow* IT SHOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF RESPECT.

DEREK: Ive been swearin terms of endearment since I was a kid. Just the way it is.

JAMES: *considers this*

JAMES: EVERYONE IS CAPABLE OF CHANGE. *says matter of factly*

DEREK: *gives him such an unamused look.* Yeah ok James.

DEREK: *mutters to self.* (Fucker...)

JAMES: *he's sitting right here, Derek. He can hear you.*

JAMES: HM.

JAMES: VERY RUDE.

DEREK: *HE KNOWS. he's just snickering now.* Well /anyway./

DEREK: I should get back to Riley.

JAMES: *nods and begins to move up from the couch* VERY WELL, DEREK. WE WILL BE SPEAKING AGAIN SOON.

DEREK: Yeah. Until then. *claps james on the shoulder.* Take it easy man. *and he skedaddles.*

[transient-tutor]

RILEY: -she always gets nervous during visits to the doctor, and only ones that check up on the baby. this one is even more nervewracking considering there's a chance they might get some information here. boy or girl? or will the baby be facing away from where the ultra sound can see? she's particularly restless as she waits in an exam room, glancing at the clock where every minute seems to be going slowly by. derek's with her, at least, so she has someone to spread the crazy to- okay but what if the baby doesn't ever want to cooperate with the ultrasound? like they just decide they're not going to let us know.

DEREK: -he's more nonchalant about all this, looking around the room just for something to do. he scoffs a little at her rambling.- God forbid. I will just fuckin. Fly off the handle if I dont find out right this instant. 

DEREK: -pats her hand. be calm...-

RILEY: hey stop making fun of me. i bet sometimes you forget you're having a baby because you don't have a baby inside you so you CAN forget about it but i can't. -pouts-

DEREK: Trust me. I dont forget. -eyeballs her. that might be a comment about her whining about it all the time. but it's mostly a joke.- 

PORRIM: -ARRIVES. she's actually kind of excited about this. she's been training to work with hospital tech for a while now and she always feels more useful when she gets to do something besides filing. she actually kinda feels like a nurse now!- Hello+ yo+u two+. Ready to+... -looks over her files again. there are plenty of reasons to do an ultrasound. what are they here for? ... oh.- 

PORRIM: ... Find o+ut the sex o+f yo+ur baby? -and inflict traditional gender roles on them before they're even BORN no doubt. YEESH. she'll keep her quiet disdain to herself.-

RILEY: -gives derek a LOOK but porrim comes in finally and she composes herself- i'm ready, i just hope the baby's ready. -here come the NERVES-

PORRIM: I'm sure the baby is neutral abo+ut it, if it's any co+nso+latio+n. -takes a seat- 

PORRIM: There's a lo+t mo+re we can find o+ut fro+m this... If yo+u're interested. Yo+u kno+w, like the general develo+pment o+f yo+ur child. Their weight... Their cardiac activity... Their po+sitio+n in the uterus and the po+sitio+n o+f the umbilical co+rd... I can go+ o+n. 

DEREK: -eyes her-

RILEY: -she listens and nods- well, yeah. all that too. but it might be helpful if you just say whether all that's helpful or not and maybe give me the details on like...in a book? or e-mail? but i definitely want to know the sex first. we do. -looks at derek- right, babe?

DEREK: -grunts about condescending nurse and nods.- Right. 

PORRIM: -smiles, seemingly satisfied with this.- Okay. I can pass alo+ng a full repo+rt to+ yo+u. 

PORRIM: -begins the PROCESS. turning on the machine, getting riley all jelly'd. all that good stuff.- So+... Any preferances? -what was that about keeping comments to herself? she already forgot her own coaching.-

RILEY: -the jelly is so COLD but she expects it by now- uh. -looks over at derek- i mean, i don't. i'll take whatever i can get. i'm not about to be picky or anything. don't know about him, though.

DEREK: -scoffs- Yeah its all the same to me. 

PORRIM: Great. -good answer. she quiets for a moment while she presses the  transducer to her lower stomach. an image starts appearing on the screen -- and it being the FUTURE and all, what appears is a much clearer three dimensional recreation of the bab dwelling inside.- 

RYAN: -SUP BITCHES IT'S ME.- 

PORRIM: There they are. -she's taking note of other things she's observing on a tablet projection. like the stuff she mentioned earlier.- No+w, let's see if we can get a better lo+o+k at them.

RILEY: -it's always surreal to see her baby in front of her, to really see them when they're invisible at all other times. her eyes are glued to the screen, watching this tiny tiny human inside of her body. she forgets to breathe a little, but she doesn't look away- wow.

DEREK: -his grumpy exterior melts away at the sight of the baby. he can't help smiling, taking up riley's hand in the process. it's almost like traveling back in time. the giddy hopefulness for the life they're building together. to think they get to do that all over again.- 

PORRIM: Hmm. It lo+o+ks like... A girl.

RILEY: -for some reason she's so distracted by the baby that she forgets what she's waiting for, and she's completely caught off guard by the statement- a girl? 

RILEY: we're having a girl? -her voice cracks a little because yes, she's already crying-

DEREK: -riley, you blubbering goddamn pansy... he's grinning between her reaction and the screen, though, giving her hand a squeeze.- Thats what she said baby. 

PORRIM: -doesn't really get why they'd have such a strong emotional response to that information buuuut... she also has a feeling it'd be the same no matter what, so she's smiling at the moment they're sharing. it is cute.-

RILEY: -squeezes his hand in return and looks at him with tears eyes and a smile and a relieved laugh- look at her.

DEREK: I am. Shes real weird looking. -just... laughs.- 

PORRIM: ... -snorts-

RILEY: she's so weird looking! -she laughs with him, feeling a surprising sense of amusement and joy.- she's perfect. perfectly weird, weirdly perfect.

DEREK: -leans over to press a kiss to her forehead. she's so cute when she's excited like this...- 

PORRIM: -alright, that is definitely adorable. she turns away to take more notes.- She lo+o+ks go+o+d, to+o+. No+thing abno+rmal.

RILEY: -she can't stop grinning and this just makes everything all the more exciting- of course she's good. she's a strider. we're practically invincible.

DEREK: Damn straight. -laughs and squeezes her hand again- 

PORRIM: I'm transferring all this info+ and the pho+to+s to+ yo+ur devices. So+ we can pack this in whenever yo+u're ready.

RILEY: okay. thanks, porrim. -pokes her own belly- hey little girl. these pictures are gonna embarrass you in 15 years. and we have copies.

DEREK: -when he thinks about starting over, he doesn't often take their prospective future into account. at least not that far. imagining them fifteen years down the road, living a functional enough life that their daughter can be more concerned over baby pictures embarrassing her than any of the shit either of them had to deal with, that their other kids had to deal with- ... -squeezes riley's hand again.- 

PORRIM: -wipes the remaining goop off her when they're all done ogling the screen and starts packing everything up.-

RILEY:  -she's focused on Derek even as everything is being put away, and she smiles in such a loving manner, her thumb rubbing over his knuckles- you okay over there?

DEREK: -snaps out of it, blinking a few times before he looks back at her.- Yeah. Im great. -smiles back at her, sincerely.- 

DEREK: You ready to split?

RILEY: -she nods, slipping out of the chair- yeah. i'm good. -doesn't let go of his hand-

DEREK: -holds her hand tight, looking at porrim.- Thanks again. 

PORRIM: Do+n't mentio+n it. -smiles- We'll keep in to+uch fo+r yo+ur next check up. -slips out with that.-

[transient-tutor]

DEREK: *HE'S HOME. there's nothing too spectacular about it, but he's in a pretty alright mood, so he arrives with a little more pep in his step than usual. what is riley up to? he's going to hover when he's done kicking off his shoes.*

RILEY: -when he enters the room, she's reading up on articles online about baby development and how long it's going to take until they find out the sex. she grins at him when he enters, looking up at him as he hovers- hey, baby.

DEREK: Hey there. *leans over to smooch at her cheek.* Whatcha lookin at here?

RILEY: -shows him her communicator- actual baby stuff. reading up on when i'm going to act like an asshole again. maybe i can warn you next time. ;)

DEREK: Oh thanks. I always like to know when Im gonna perish ahead of time. *steals her comm so she can read.*

DEREK: Wont be long till we find out what they are right?

RILEY: i'll be at 15 weeks on tuesday. crazy, huh? we're supposed to find out like...apparently it could be as early as 16 weeks. but that's only if they cooperate during the ultrasound.

RILEY: this one's a rebel, i can feel it already.

DEREK: Takes one to know one. *takes her comm with him when he crashes on the bed to lounge.*

DEREK: You thought about names at all?

RILEY: -turns to look at him- kanye.

DEREK: Zero hesitation there.

DEREK: Guess Ive got no choice.

RILEY: ryder.

RILEY: ryder strider.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Fuck.

RILEY: -she cracks up laughing-

DEREK: Dont tempt me.

DEREK: Ill sign the fuck outta that birth certificate.

RILEY: i know you will. that's the sad part. and also the best part. -she gets up to go join him on the bed- no, but really. we should go my route. my name could work for eather gender.

RILEY: you can't lose.

DEREK: *snorts* Hey I wouldnt oppose a similar name. We all know picking the name Dirk was just a narcissistic reflection on myself.

RILEY: i just went with it. cuz it was cute. and what the fuck else would we name him?

RILEY: he sure doesn't look like a bob.

RILEY: or a tom.

DEREK: ... Bob Strider.

DEREK: I dunno I think we missed a big opportunity there.

DEREK: Weve got a second chance to make it right.

RILEY: -she laughs at that- bob saget. bob saget strider.

DEREK: Christ. *he's laughing too* Thats the worst.

RILEY: -she rests her chin against his chest- honestly, it's the best name anyone could have.

DEREK: Aside from Derek you mean. *pets her hair*

RILEY: nah. that name sucks diiiiiiiick. -smirking at him-

DEREK: Sorry but who here is the last of us to have sucked a dick?

DEREK: Just sayin.

RILEY: -squints at him- keep that up and that will be the last time your dick is sucked.

DEREK: Damn... Brutal.

RILEY: i know.

RILEY: i'm a dick breaker.

RILEY: dream maker.

RILEY: love taker.

RILEY: don't you mess around with me.

DEREK: And youre a husband waker.

DEREK: With your loud ass snoring.

DEREK: But at least youre also a booty shaker.

RILEY: -she huffs and rolls her eyes- you're so fucking rude.

RILEY: and also thanks for noticing.

RILEY: i am a booty shaker.

DEREK: Hard not to notice.

RILEY: oh yeah? -puts her ass in the air and wiggles it around-

DEREK: Oh shit there it is.

RILEY: whoop there it is. -she laughs and crawls over him a little- hey. how about...spencer?

RILEY: or like.

RILEY: tyler?

DEREK: Eh. Spencers a spoiled lil rich kid name.

DEREK: Tyler envokes the imagery of a redneck scootin around on his John Deere for some reason.

RILEY: -makes a face- eugh.

RILEY: uh... -thinks on it and snuggles up against him- reid? no. that sounds like. clarinet related.

DEREK: *snorts* Yeah thats right out.

DEREK: An R name sounds good though.

RILEY: we could do what we did with dirk and just slightly change my name.

RILEY: rilo.

RILEY: roly.

DEREK: ...

DEREK: Roly.

RILEY: yeah. -tries to keep a straight face but can't-

RILEY: they're already a little roly poley anyway.

DEREK: *smirks a little, rolling them slightly so he can rub at her belly* Yeah theyre gettin bigger alright.

RILEY: -she can't help but grin at him. he's such a cute dad.- you can tell?

DEREK: *smile widens into a grin, running his palm over the slight curve of her baby bump.* Sure I can. You notice these things when ya cant stop lookin at somebody.

RILEY: -leans in to press a brief kiss to his mouth before looking down his hand and putting one of hers on top of his- yeah. you're a real freak.

DEREK: I know it. *nuzzles at her once she pulls away from the kiss.*

RILEY: -nuzzles right back, smiling, content.- i'm gonna get way bigger than this.

RILEY: remember how big i got last time? i was a planet.

DEREK: You were adorable.

DEREK: Not your fault Dave was so fat.

RILEY: he was so fucking chubby. not looking forward to this one getting so big that i can't get comfortable.

RILEY: right now it's kinda cute.

DEREK: Ill help ya get comfortable. *now he's just kissing on her and rubbing along her side.*

RILEY: -please don't stop the kisses- you trying to get me horny?

DEREK: Maybe. *grins behind the kisses he's trailing down her neck.*

RILEY: -closes her eyes and arches her neck a little, giggling- well. good news for you. because it's not hard to do nowadays. almost feels like i've been feeling it for three straight weeks.

RILEY: my imagination's been going crazy, baby.

DEREK: Oh really? And youve been keeping all that to yourself?

RILEY: -grinning- hard to find the time. looks like we got some now, though.

RILEY: (which means i don't have to do it all by myself, do i?)

DEREK: *rumbles against her neck* (No you do not.)

DEREK: (Tell me what you want and Ill take care of it.)

RILEY: (that's quite the statement, strider. sure you're up to the challenge or should i go a little easy on you?) -these words are all for fun--these questions don't need to be asked at all. but she sure loves feeling his reactions-

DEREK: (Never go easy on me.) *snickers, kissing down her chest now.*

RILEY: -exhales, fingers in his hair a bit intensely- (give it to me rough. i've been dying for a fuck like that.)

RILEY: (like we used to.)

DEREK: *lifts himself away so he can look down at her smugly.* I can do that. *and with that, he's working on jerking her pants down.*

RILEY: oooh! -she smirks at him when she can already feel how speedily his hands are working her pants, and she couldn't be more pleased. well, she could be. and she's about to be.- can you though? sure age didn't bring you down?

DEREK: Guess youll find out huh? *the pants are gone in no time, and he isn't wasting another second to rub his fingers roughly over the fabric between her legs.*

RILEY: -there he goes, and she inhales, hand grasping for his shoulder and squeezing, nails uncut and digging- i guess so.

DEREK: Ah-- Fuck. *laughs a little at the nails in his shoulder. it's a nice encouragement to get rid of the panties altogether and kneel down, gripping her thigh and lower back, angling her hips up at him while he dips his head to bury his face into her folds. whoops.*

RILEY: -she gasps at how quickly his face is in her crotch and she barely has time to register what's happening- oh-- shit. here we go. -and she grabs at his hair again, tightly gripping strands and urging it on-

[transient-tutor]

ROXANNE: =She is walking back onto the ship after a lovely stroll outside. Hedwig needed the exercise and free space to fly around, and the fresh air was good for Roxanne as well. Hedwig had opted to stay out chasing small mammals for a little while longer but Roxanne had full belief that the owl would come back in if and when she felt like it. As she walked through the halls she stowed the falconry glove in her jacket and loosened the soft scarf from around her neck. Things were certainly starting to get a little more chilly.*

DEREK: *patrolling the halls had become second nature, even when he wasn't actually working. saturday was a day he had off, and yet here he is, stalking around like he's on the look out for something. though truth be told, he's always just lowkey paranoid and restless. it's a hard habit to get out of. he catches a glimpse of roxanne as she's passing through a hall. he pauses, contemplating saying hello, and decides yes, he should, just to be friendly and try to get their relationship back to someplace normal... so he does, sliding up next to her from behind.*

DEREK: Yo.

ROXANNE: *She half startles, not entirely expecting someone to come up behind her like that but seeing how its only Derek she quickly regains her composure and smiles at him.* Hey.

ROXANNE: You headin' somewhere?

DEREK: Nope. Only wanderin aimlessly.

DEREK: Looks like you were just out though.

ROXANNE: That would be a correct assumption sir. you've got some good sleuthing skills.

DEREK: Thats me. Your modern motherfuckin Sherlock Holmes.

ROXANNE: Color me impressed. cant wait to see the books and or shows they write about you, haha.

DEREK: *smirks* Hey man... Its bound to happen.

DEREK: Were already famous criminals as far as I can tell. So why not?

ROXANNE: Mmm well arent most stories written about criminals after they are caught? *Shes poking holes in your logic.*

DEREK: You kiddin? There are a shit load of movies and stories all about the chase.

DEREK: Cuz thats the excitin part.

ROXANNE: Okay but how many are made before the villain is in jail or otherwise?

DEREK: Or otherwise... deceased? *chuckles* Not many.

DEREK: But Im the type to beat the odds.

ROXANNE: *Snaps fingers.* Bingo, you got it.

ROXANNE: Also yeah I guess if anyone was going to throw a wrench in whats considered conventional it would be you.

DEREK: Thank you. I dont really try. Hah.

ROXANNE: You're just naturally like that i get it. makes you one of a kind really.

DEREK: *his smug grin falters, but into something slightly more flustered. he rubs at the back of his neck, looking ahead.* Oh yeah I know it.

ROXANNE: *Her smile fades some as well when his expression changes. Right... things are still not quite right.* Mhm. Well, uh.

ROXANNE: So Dirk's kids are here right? I havent gone to see them yet, but thats great. You must be one proud grandpa.

DEREK: *he's back to smiling again thinking about the grandbabbies.* Shit you gotta go see them.

DEREK: Theyre a handsome pair thats for damn sure. Joel looks so much like Dirk.

ROXANNE: Oh heck really? man... i really do gotta go see them but i figured i'd just give space for the actual family to have time to see them you know?

ROXANNE: But pass it on to dirk that those babies wont be safe from my peeping eyes forever. they are adorable, pudgy, and also ecto-cloned.

ROXANNE: Which is totally one of my favorite things.

DEREK: Dont he know it. In fact he can probably thank you too for all that cloning shit youve done.

DEREK: Congrats on advancing modern technology so my son can have like instakids.

ROXANNE: *She chuckles.* Hey its not all on me plenty of other people worked hard to make the ground breaking discoveries in modern day cloning. i just did my part to help smooth out the bumps.

DEREK: Dont make it any less impressive. *shrugs about it, ignoring that he's dishing out the compliments now.*

ROXANNE: *He sure is, and its impossible not to be flattered.* Well. thanks then, haha.

ROXANNE: *She tucks a stray piece of hair back behind her ear.* Worked for it all my life, it would be ridiculous not for me to at least take a compliment.

DEREK: Damn straight. You earned that shit. *he knows how much it sucked to lose her career when everything went to hell. maybe it'd help to see how much her work is effecting the people around her? he hopes so.*

ROXANNE: *It does, but it also vaguely reminds her of what she has been forced to given up. Its a tricky topic for her, no matter how happy she is about how her research still goes on without her to help people she knows she still will probably never be able to return to it. All those years spent giving were in a sense wasted. So she wont think about that, she will think about how nice it is for the two of

ROXANNE: them to be talking again. See how her smile hardly falters after a brief moment of centering herself.* So those grandkids though.

ROXANNE: Really just, all these babies in general.

ROXANNE: If you ever need to like take some time to be with the twins or riley or whatever let me know.

DEREK: *he assumes she's referring to russet, and offering to take her off his hands when need be, so he just waves a hand dismissively.* Nah its all good.

DEREK: Dont worry yourself with any a that.

DEREK: *he assumes she's referring to russet, and offering to take her off his hands when need be, so he just waves a hand dismissively.* Nah its all good.

DEREK: Dont worry yourself with any a that.

ROXANNE: Im not worrying, Im just offering. I wouldnt mind being kept out of the lab and James keeps coming up with all these activities that Im sure she will love.

DEREK: Well. Sure. *weird twinge of something negative happening here. hrk.* But it aint as if Russets cutting into my personal time. Besides shes a well behaved kid. She can hang with the twins if I got her when Im visitin em.

DEREK: Theyre her family after all.

ROXANNE: No yeah, I know. Shes great and I'm sure she'd love to meet them. *She shrugs some.* I was just putting the offer out there, in case you want to take it but didn't want to ask.

DEREK: *he can't help feeling like maybe she thinks he has other things he'd rather be doing, but he keeps that to himself.* ... Well thanks for the offer anyway. Ill let you know if Im ever in a bind.

ROXANNE: *Well can you blame her for wondering? He just had grandkids and has another kid on the way that can be pretty time and attention consuming.* You're absolutely welcome.

DEREK: *falls quiet for a moment...* Is she with James right now?

ROXANNE: *Mmm why is he asking she wonders.* Nnno. Shes with that dare care system we have running this time.

ROXANNE: Why?

DEREK: *internal sweating* No reason. Just wonderin... What shes up to... *nailed it*

ROXANNE: .....Mhm. *She raises a brow. She aint buying.*

ROXANNE: Do you like, I dunno', mind it when I do leave her with James?

ROXANNE: Or is this you wondering if I just left her alone or something?

DEREK: What no. I didnt think that. *grumbles* And of course I dont mind. Aint nobody more capable than James.

ROXANNE: *Mmmm, she will let it go, but she still isn't one hundred percent sure that his reaction was nothing.* Yeah hes pretty great. Russet really likes him, although I think thats because shes starting to figure out if she pouts he will pretty much always give her a juice box or something.

ROXANNE: Shes working her magic, haha.

DEREK: *smirks a little, even though he still feels weird about all this.* Thats my girl.

ROXANNE: *She is smiling for real again at that.* You are proud of her skills already?

ROXANNE: I've been wondering where she gets it from, but she actually might just be smart enough to figure it out on her own.

DEREK: Think youre right about that. *laughs* As much as Id like to take credit.

DEREK: Still somethins gotta be said for havin a genius mama.