Shieldbearer: hello arkay are you busy
Deathbringer is now online.
Deathbringer: Oh, hi Vick!
Deathbringer: I’m not that busy. Well, I am, but I can check and reply to messages. What’s up?
Shieldbearer: ive been thinking of you since you messaged me
Shieldbearer: and made
Shieldbearer: the chat with tenuk and elksos
Shieldbearer: im kinda worried and sad about u
Shieldbearer: because you ar always working
Deathbringer: Why are you sad about me?
Deathbringer: I’m doing really well now.
Shieldbearer: u are?
Shieldbearer: you ar always working
Shieldbearer: always being a big important responsible adult
Deathbringer: Eh, I’m used to it. I’ve always been a big, important, reasonable adult.
…
Arkay felt a nudge as he looked up from both his work and his communicator.
“Is something wrong, Litvir?” Arkay asked.
Litvir shrugged, then perched on Arkay’s desk. “Not really, no. But I got a message from Letharus saying that Vick was concerned about you.”
“I’m literally in the middle of messaging him. He’s sad about me, apparently. Because I’m always being an adult.”
“Well, he is right, you are always being an adult… See what he wants.”
“I guess…”
Arkay frowned briefly, then went back to his messages. He’d been sent a few.
…
Shieldbearer: I was just thinkin that maybe u should spend some time bein a kid
Shieldbearer: becase you never got to b a kid
Shieldbearer: always working ever since you were little
Shieldbearer: its not fair
Shieldbearer: I think u should get to be a kid one day
Shieldbearer: do all the kid things
Deathbringer: I mean, you’re right, but the time for me to be a kid is long gone.
Shieldbearer: I guess
Shieldbearer: its a shame
Shieldbearer: u deserve to be a little kid too
Deathbringer: I mean, true, but I have stuff to do.
Shieldbearer: do yo ever have free time
Deathbringer: I take breaks and stuff now, yes.
Shieldbearer: but do you have hobbies and things that you do in free time and you take time off just to do those or is it just whenever u have a chance
Shieldbearer: I just want to let u be a kid for a bit nd do the things kids do because you never got to be a kid
Shieldbearer: also I kinda want to spend some time wit you and u be a kid and we do father and son things together
Shieldbearer: becas we never really got to do that before you
Shieldbearer: before you
Shieldbearer: bfore you got taken away from us
Shieldbearer: …
Shieldbearer: I was a good mum to my actual kid as far as I can remember but I could have been a better dad for u
Shieldbearer: I want t make up for it
Shieldbearer: maybe I should have started with that or something
…
Arkay blinked, rubbed his eyes, then looked up from his screen. Litvir had picked up on his confused and heightened emotions again and was again nudging him.
“So?”
“He… he thinks he wasn’t a good dad to me. But… he wasn’t supposed to be my dad… he… I…” Arkay stuttered slightly, then sighed. “I don’t think I’m in a good spot right now.”
“Can I do anything to assist you?” Litvir asked.
“Not really…”
“Is Vick requesting to spend time with you as a father and son sort of thing?”
Arkay eyed Litvir but didn’t answer.
“Am I right?”
“Yes. Annoyingly. But… it’s unfair. He’s not my dad. My dad was… uh… I don’t remember. But…”
“But what?” Litvir shrugged. “You and Vick have an unusual connection. If Vick wants to make up for lost time, then you should accept that.”
“Yeah but it’s weird… Oh, hi, Retvik!”
Retvik grunted as he made his way into the office. “Hello, dears. Vikalos and Pah have requested that I assist in some purifications training this afternoon, mostly to help Vekeus and Elkay-En practice their powers. Do you two need anything?”
“No, not really, but may we have a moment of your time to ask a few things of you?” Litvir asked. “Vick has messaged Arkay, wanting to do “father and son” things. Arkay thinks it is weird. I think Arkay should take the opportunity.”
Retvik thought to himself briefly. “Vick is not your dad, is he? Just a father figure, yes?”
“Yeah…”
“Who was your actual father? I assume it was not Kenon, you always referred to him as a step-father.”
“I… I don’t know who my real dad was. I don’t really want to know.”
“Would you like to spend time with a person who clearly cares about you?” Retvik asked. “You did mention once that you never really got to be a kid.”
“Vick said that as well.”
“Well…” Retvik shrugged. “He is correct. You never got to be a kid. Perhaps some time with Vick would be good for you, because you have always struggled on the parental side of things.”
“Plus, you might have fun!” Litvir added. “Also, since Arkay will be spending time with Vick, would it be alright if I spent time with Letharus? Letharus has invited me to the bar for drinks and snacks at the same time Vick has invited Arkay to do kid stuff.”
Retvik shrugged some more. “That is fine with me. I just request that you bring back some nice mead or something.”
“I can do that, yes!” Litvir grinned. “Anyway, Arkay, go message Vick. Retvik, do you need help with the training?”
“Not that I know of, but you can come along anyway.”
“Good.”
Retvik and Litvir both headed off, leaving Arkay on his own. He sighed, then glanced down at his device.
…
Shieldbearer: sorry im being weird
Deathbringer: It’s not weird. You’re right. And…
Deathbringer: I think I’d like to spend some time with you.
Shieldbearer: really?
Deathbringer: Yeah. It’d be nice. And we can make each other happy.
Shieldbearer: we deserve to be happy
Deathbringer: Yeah, we do.
Deathbringer: What do you want to do on this… whatever you have planned?
Shieldbearer: come down to the pub, bring an overnight bag and u will find out
Deathbringer: Sure thing.