Apartment Above Wellspring Arms, Saturday Morning

[spring_lost]

Nate stirred.

This wasn't a particularly spectacular observation. He stirred like he did every morning, sound of mind, sound of body, and ready to tackle another day (if also ready to tackle some of his hard-won luxuries, such as sleeping in).

Sleepily, he moved one hand to dislodge Wade's arm from wherever it had wound up this time.

[[ for two

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[ihavenocodename]

Elsewhere in the house, there was a slightly more familiar visitor checking in on Jan.

"Hello there," Jean said, picking the now awake child up out of her bed to get a look at her. "My, aren't you big."

[spring_lost]

Jan giggled softly, reaching out to her. She was beaming. "Red," she mumbled, happily.

The noise, the sudden presence... Somewhere, Nate twigged.

[ihavenocodename]

"That's right," Jean replied, tapping her on the nose with a smile. "Just like you."

[spring_lost]

She let go of another delighted giggle, flailing happily.

The door opened.

"Jean--?"

[ihavenocodename]

Jean smiled, bouncing Jan on her hip as the girl played with the gold sash. "Hello, Nathan."

[spring_lost]

"...Phoenix."

His headache was getting worse.

"Put her own, please?"

[ihavenocodename]

"Jean," she corrected. "And the Phoenix."

Kissing Jan on the top of the head, Jean set her down to toddle away.

[spring_lost]

Nate tracked Jan's movements closely, tilting his head along to follow. "What are you planning to do?"

[ihavenocodename]

"I'm only here for the weekend," Jean replied, taking a step forward to look him over. "You look--good. Happy."

[spring_lost]

"Busy," Nate corrected, quietly, and lifted Jan off the floor. "I have to guard her until she's old enough to make her own decisions. No more, no less."

[ihavenocodename]

"Nathan," Jean chided, patient as could be, even when dealing with a member of the Summers family.

[spring_lost]

"Jean," he echoed, likewise. "But yes... everything is under control."

He paused to let Jan adjust. "From when in the timeline are you, if I may ask?"

[ihavenocodename]

"After her birth and disappearance," Jean replied. "Beyond that, I couldn't tell you. You already know that, though."

[spring_lost]

"I do," Nate said, lifting his chin thoughtfully. "But it's always good to have some inkling, especially considering your history."

A pause.

"Want to sit down?"

He'd long since graduated from being a young boy just looking for his mother, but that didn't mean spending time with Jean wasn't... nice.

[ihavenocodename]

"I'd like that," Jean replied with a smile, taking a seat on Jan's bed.

[spring_lost]

"I'm afraid I don't have a lot to offer from the kitchen," Nate said, wryly. "...Swiss miss?"