ic contact;

[orangehoodie]

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION | ETC.

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july 3

[pheromonecoffee]

[It's 8:30 by the time Matt knocks on the door. He's considered waiting until tomorrow, but that's a holiday. Maybe the day after that? No, that's waiting too long. He has to go now.

He's a little happier than he could be. 2/3 problems resolved well--no injuries, no lost friends, and a new girlfriend? He thinks that's what happened. He can't be entirely sure. Whatever, he and Sasha are on good terms and that's something to celebrate. And Emil seemed to be doing okay last Matt talked to him, too. But problem 3/3 is something he's more nervous about. Ken and his father.

He'd fucked up in Vegas. He knows this better than anyone. And he has no idea where to start in fixing it. Pretending he was okay was a good first step. Apologizing might be a good second one. But what then? What if Mr Amada tells him he can't see Ken anymore? It isn't that he depends on Ken, but...

More than a teammate, more than that kid he babysits, more than anything, Ken's become a part of his life. A friend? Maybe not on the same level as some people, but like the little brother his parents always said they didn't have room for.

So when he knocks he tries to look like the presentable tutor he first met the both of them as. Not the scared 18 year old who could've died last week and considered running away and not looking back. He's not quite pulling it off. His hair's kind of messy in the back, and the lack of sleep is showing with circles under his eyes.]

[inretribution]

[He didn't know the exact date Matthias would be back in Locke. He hadn't asked, trusting that he'd get contacted once he was back, and it had seemed really like Matt didn't want to answer too many questions. It seemed better to just let him come back when he did, even if it was worrying to not be given a definite date. He'd told himself he knew well it was impossible to get everything.

With tomorrow being such a huge holiday, Ken's father is home tonight. By 8:30 they'd already finished dinner, and it's Ken who answers the door as his father's in the back room taking care of some work that's piled up over the last few days. He's just gotten out of the shower so he's dressed in PJs and still has a towel thrown over his hair as he answers, eyebrows raised in confusion about who would visit so late in the day right before a holiday. It can't be a solicitor. Would it be a neighbor? It's not like just anybody could enter the building -- they needed a number. Was it Basil perhaps? (It can't be Nadia; her father wouldn't let her visit on her own at this hour. Or any. Not unannounced.)

His eyes widen in surprise once he recognizes who's at the door, hand dropping from his head as he stares for a moment. He wasn't expecting to see him so -- soon? He wasn't sure when he was expecting at all. It's...]

... Matt!

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt smiles a tired smile and rubs Ken's hair over the towel. He's hoping the look Ken gave him wasn't one of horror or disgust or anything. He's too tired for his mastery of social cues. There's a moment before he can think of something to ask--]

... Are you guys busy?

[orangehoodie]

[Ken seems to have no problem with being touched at least, his head moving back and forth with the movement of Matt's hand as he processes the question, blinking slowly.]

Huh? Oh-- no, it's okay. Do you want to come in? It's late.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Aw that's kinda cute. He knows Ken's 14 and he should probably stop but--]

Yeah. I need to talk to your dad. If he has time.

[orangehoodie]

I think it's okay. He's just in the back.

[He steps back to give Matt space to walk in, although not enough to pull himself away from the hand on his head. He looks almost shy, eying Matt's face.]

I can call him.

[pheromonecoffee]

[He'll pull away after a few seconds anyway.]

How's your hand doing?

[orangehoodie]

[He'll close the door behind them, raising it. It doesn't show any signs of the injury he had.] It took a few tries, but it's healed. Dad wanted me to go see a doctor here, but everything's healed. He was amazed...

[He trails off, glancing from Matt to the floor to Matt again, before he steps closer. He wants to hug.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt is a little too sensitive to the current situation to be the first to offer. He would hardly say no, but he is sure Mr Amada is furious enough.]

I'm glad. I was really worried. [He crouches to look Ken over.] How about the rest of you?

[orangehoodie]

It's okay. Nothing that can't be handled, you know? [He contemplates, for a second. He doesn't know if Matt is hurt, and if he is, he doesn't want to make him stand too long. He's probably tired. He probably wants to rest. But he came all the way out here...

Screw it. He steps in and wraps his arms around Matt, careful not to squeeze him too hard in case he's still injured, and holds him there.]

What about you?

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt blinks. And smiles before he puts his arms around Ken's shoulders. Pats Ken's head gently.]

I'll live. Nothing permanent.

[orangehoodie]

[Sorry you're gonna have a wet spot on your shirt from his hair.]

It's good to have you back. But you gotta rest, okay?

[pheromonecoffee]

I've been resting. I rested every day in Vegas. [He hardly minds. Ken needs the comfort.]

[orangehoodie]

I was worried. I'm glad you're back. [He seems happy enough to just stay like this, but he'll pull back after a few seconds. Matt came here with something to do.]

You can wait on the couch. I'll call dad over.

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt smiles at him, with one more head rub.] I'm glad you're okay.

[orangehoodie]

I'm not that easy to kill. [He will lead Matt to the living room, to the usual couch with the usual cushions and the usual extreme neatness of the room. Since there's no school not even Ken's homework is there to add a little clutter. The hamster cage was apparently moved to the shelf by the wall though, for when Ken asked Nadia to take care of his pet.

He'll make sure Matt is seated, ask if he wants anything to drink, then disappear down the short hallway to where his father will be. It'll only be a minute until they return.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[Matt's a little dazed, staring at his hands on his knees when they get back. It takes him a second to offer Mr Amada a cautious smile...?]

[orangehoodie]

[Mr Amada is quiet as he enters the room, frown set on his face. He looks upset, to be honest, crossing the room to stand in front of the unexpected guest.

But then he's reached over and his arms are around Matt, pulling him close like he would do to his own son with words about how worried he was and he's sorry he left Matt by himself he's glad to see he's back is he okay?]

[pheromonecoffee]

[That frown terrifies Matt to his very core. The last thing he's expecting is what Mr Amada actually does.

He has absolutely no idea how to respond, blinking in confusion.]

Yeah, I... I'm fine, mostly.

[orangehoodie]

[Mr Amada holds him tight -- not so tight that it might hurt though -- with his arms around Matt's shoulders and one hand at the back of his head, like he's making sure he's there and not in pieces. Is Matt sure? He's not sure? Was he okay driving back?]

[pheromonecoffee]

[HE'S REALLY CONFUSED BY THIS.]

... You're not angry?

[orangehoodie]

[Of course not! Why would he be? He's the one who let you on your own in Vegas of course he's not mad!]

[pheromonecoffee]

I let Ken get hurt... [HE IS CURRENTLY HARBORING SO MUCH GUILT.]

[orangehoodie]

[You were hurt, too. That isn't your fault.]

[pheromonecoffee]

[He can say that as much as he wants. Matt's not going to believe him.]

... I'm sorry I worried you.