[ota] that stay on my nose and eyelashes

[bluntforces]

Evan isn't supposed to be coming back to the Deck until Christmas time. He's in fact supposed to be studying this weekend. He will be studying this weekend. Definitely 100% going to spend time studying here despite not having his study group to force him to when it starts to get boring

Comments

And a One-A

[grrranimals]

Well if stray males insist on stopping in the middle of the sidewalk for no apparent reason, they ought to expect stealth ninja hugs from old friends who spotted them from across the street and decided to sneak up and give them a surprise--or a heart attack.

"Evanmonster! When did you get back?" Here, Evan. Have a bear hug from Tess.

Errytag! \o/

[bluntforces]

Once he's gotten through the heart attack phase--all three seconds of it--there will absolutely be a big whoop as he tugs his arms tight around her in return. She's still small enough comparatively for him to lift and spin, right? Right.

"Just back. Hell've you been, Tess?"

Be lucky he didn't get Gideon too!

[grrranimals]

"Dammit, Ev! Put me down!" But she's laughing more than kicking, more than kicking. No fair him having growth spurts and her being stuck at 5 foot nothing.

"Pining for you. I'd planned to skip the annual Christmas Familial Shoutfest in protest at your absence." She steadies her hands on his shoulders so she can properly blow a raspberry on his hair. "Thanks a lot. Now I need to come up with another excuse."

But he would love to congratulate Gideon, if you can handle that much Evan. \o/

[bluntforces]

He'll put her down when he's good and ready. And really, putting her down doesn't have to involve letting go of her, right? Right. Clearly.

"I mean, now 'm back, it'd be real easy t' just kidnap you an' keep you from going." Off on horseback with the wind in their hair, clearly. "But really, Tess. C'mon. You gotta be able to think on your feet."

And a Two-A

[threecardmonty]

He may be an ambassador now, a stable master and a Five, but that doesn't mean Monty can't find ways to escape the office and enjoy wide open spaces as often as he can. He looks up from where he's repairing a fence post when Evan wanders by and waves a lazy hand.

"Hey there, Hoss. What flavor's the snow today?" Hopefully not yellow.

[bluntforces]

No longer being Four-buddies doesn't mean Evan's smile of greeting as he comes back from snowflakes into the land of people is any less bright. His own wave is cheerfully energetic as he bounces over for a proper meandering 'hi how've you been.'

"Tastes a suspicious amount like water. 'm gonna have to investigate. How they hangin' today, Monty?"

[threecardmonty]

"Left." He winks. "Keep waiting for them to start spiking the stuff, but don't reckon the memo's getting to the right people. Elani know you're here yet or should I find some earplugs?"

[bluntforces]

"Where they should be." Clearly.

There's the faintest wrinkling of his nose at the question.

"Told Ma and Dad. Can't promise they passed it on. 'poligies if you get caught unaware."

And three's a charm!

[onlytolerable]

"Oh, drat!" The female behind the wall of packages exclaims as she teeters and a brightly wrapped box perched at the top of the pile falls off and lands precariously close to a puddle of slush. "Thanks," she adds as Evan scoops it up. "Sorry. Didn't see you there and--" Sophie finally manages to peer around the retail mountain and see who she rammed into. "Evan?"

[bluntforces]

He's all about scooping it up again. He's also about, once he sees who it is, taking some of those packages for her and smacking a kiss against her nose.

"Hey, Sophisaur. The credited response is 'Hi, handsome, I really missed you and it's fantastic you're home.' Just so ya know."

[onlytolerable]

She makes a face at the kiss, but only to hide how pleased it makes her and, now that he's lightened her load, attempts to get an arm around him to properly half-hug him back at least.

"'Hi...handsome? I really missed you and it's fantastic you're home'?" She parrots robotically, but not before sticking out her tongue. "Horrible. Who writes your material?"

[bluntforces]

Half-hugs work. Half-hugs are awesome, even. And half-hugs are only going to encourage this behaviour in the future.

"Twelve monkeys and a typewriter." So, you know. Squeeze. He missed her. "You doin' good?"

[standlikestone]

Well, he doesn't really have to knock the papers out of her hands. She just drops the many finals in her hands in utter shock. "--Evan. What are you- you said you weren't-- I don't--"

(( something of interest?))

[bluntforces]

Doesn't matter if it were his fault or not--he's absolutely going to be dropping his bag and moving to help scramble for those finals with a faintly nervous smile on his lips. "Changed my mind."

How to keep this light and out of the 'I needed to see you' category.

"Just-- realized it'd been a real long time since I'd been home. I can study here just fine, right?"

[standlikestone]

"Yeah. Yeah, I guess," she blinks up at him after stumbling to pick up the papers again. "Um... I'm sorry for not being able to go to your place."

He's making up for it. He isn't ordering her around. The overwhelming wave of guilt that hits her could wipe away a small town, she thinks. "Can you help me take some of this stuff to my place? I mean, if you have somewhere else to be, that's okay."

[bluntforces]

He's trying. Love's like that.

Also friendship, as he hefts his bag and shakes his head. Because they're friends. "Don't worry about it. Here, gimme a few more, nn?"

[likemarilynsaid]

He's got maybe a moment's warning thanks to that excited squeal before he's getting a big hug from a delighted Eden. It's already a gorgeous day--this snow is just what she was looking for--and the unexpected arrival of friends is just the icing on the cake.

"Evan, darling! What are you doing home before Christmas, mm?"

[bluntforces]

Excellent amount of warning. That means she can be caught and hugged properly by a not-completely-startled Evan.

"Missed ya way too much," he hums softly, punctuating it with the firm smack of a kiss on the cheek. "How's life treatin' you, Eden?"

[likemarilynsaid]

And she will happily take all the hugs, and give him a kiss on the cheek right back to welcome him home, of course. "Life is lovely. How could it not be? Snow, and dear friends home again, and carols, and all the most wonderful plans for the holidays. Are you home til Christmas, or heading back? I didn't think finals were over already."

[bluntforces]

"Nah, gotta head back Monday morning. Gonna be studying half the time 'm here. Just-- missed bein' here." And seeing people. Like... his sister.

Yes. Her mostly. Not anyone else mostly.

"What're these most wonderful holiday plans, then?"