Power Swap: Duncan

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Josh went to Temple on Saturdays, and he had continued that behavior since the incident that had changed Sean, Cobalt, and countless other residents of Pilot Ridge. Sean hadn’t attended services with Josh before the incident, and he certainly had no reason to attend Shabbat services after the loss of his ability and changes in his personal identity. That gave him several hours on Saturday morning and early afternoon to himself, between the travel to and from Temple, services themselves, and the breakfast/brunch served afterward.

It was fine with the psychiatrist. He was used to finding ways to occupy himself, and with the season, his thoughts turned to treats and good deeds. He enjoyed Halloween for so many reasons, between sweets, costumes, and the fact that it was a children’s holiday. And there were increasingly fewer available weekends before the holiday, in which to prepare. One of the aspects of the holiday he enjoyed was the individualized custom of reverse trick-or-treating, in which an adult would pay a visit to other adults and deliver treats he had made himself for the holiday. His schedule was off due to the incident, but with two bodies, they could make up for lost time.

As such, when he had finished breakfast and put another pot of coffee on to brew, he took out his supplies and set to work on making treats. Cookies were the simplest, and the least time-consuming. He also followed a recipe for making his own cake lollipops, which he made strawberry shortcake-flavored. When all was said and done, he put the treats into a basket and went over to deliver them.

The first two people on his list were Riley and Danny. When he arrived, he knocked at the door to the apartment and waited to see if anyone was home. That was the difficulty with no longer having telepathy; he couldn’t sense the presence of others nearby.

[Riley Adams]

Along with everybody else in his life a little panicking with the sudden changes of their abilities, the losses and the sudden gains, Riley was feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything. Which was how he found himself baking for an army. Danny was trying very hard to hold himself up...literally and he felt compelled to do it in his own apartment. Riley understood that he had that need so, in trying to be a good boyfriend, Riley pretended that not having his partner around wasn't a big deal. But the seven racks of pies that were cooling on the kitchen island begged to differ.

He was sliding in two trays of butterscotch cookies into the oven when there was a knock at the door. His hope heightened at the thought that it could be Danny and that he was ready to let Riley take care of him.

Quickly crossing over to the door, without noticing the glob of cookie dough on his light blue plaid shirt and the puff of flour on his face, he answered the door with a huge smile. Upon seeing Sean, however, the smile dropped and in place was a slightly awkward and sheepish grin as he greeted the older man.

"Sean. What a lovely surprise." He stepped away from the door, opening it wider to let the elder gentleman in. He tried to plaster on a bigger smile so Sean wouldn't feel offended and gestured for the psychiatrist to come in.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean no longer had access to his telepathy, but he remained observant. He saw the way that Riley’s smile dimmed, only to become rueful a moment later. He didn’t look disappointed, which told Sean that, most likely, Riley was expecting someone else. Or he was hoping for someone else. He knew that Danny had sequestered himself for a while, and that had to take a toll on their tall friend.

After all, Josh’s withdrawal from him was painful, and that was only somewhat physical, certainly not literal, and not entirely emotional. Likewise, Ben’s nervousness was also uncomfortable, as it led to emotional withdrawal. Not seeing Josh or Ben every day would pain them deeply.

Sean could try to help Danny work through the matter, although he didn’t know if Danny would be so receptive, given the fact that so much of Cobalt’s personality had been eclipsed by the former telepath’s initial personality. But it was something to keep in mind to try later.

For now, however, he was here with Riley, and he would do what he could to cheer his friend.

Stepping through the door of the apartment, he smiled at the younger man. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said.

He then held the basket of treats aloft. “These are for you, so I hope you have a bit of an appetite.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley didn't know what Sean was thinking but if he did, he would have felt utterly guilty for having that little facial meltdown. As it were, the landscaper just missed his partner and for some reason, he could no longer hold his emotions back.

At Sean's statement, Riley turned to his kitchen and shook his head a little in amusement. "No...you weren't." He said, finally noticing the cookie dough on his shirt. "Oh God. Look at this mess. Sorry." He wiped it down and looked at the basket Sean presented with a little sheepish guilt. "Could you hold on a second and let me clean up? Please, make yourself at home."

As he walked to his room, he pointed to the kitchen and laughed a little. "I...made pies. Help yourself to one." He felt like such a bad host but he looked a mess so it was either be a gracious host with a dirty shirt or get a clean shirt and a do over at being a host.

Once cleaned up, he passed a photo frame of him and Danny by the lake and shook his head. Not a time to be sentimental. And besides, they weren't separated...they just needed some time apart.

...That didn't sound any better.

Coming out of his room, he put on a smile and walked back to Sean. "What is this?" Riley asked, squeezing his shoulder as he pointed to the basket. "You really shouldn't have."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“Of course,” Sean said. He lifted one hand, making a small gesture intended to absolve Riley of any rudeness that the younger man perceived in his own behavior. For his part, the psychiatrist didn’t think that Riley was anything less than courteous, particularly when Sean had stopped by unannounced, and the other man was obviously engaged in baking activities of his own.

The psychiatrist then walked into the kitchen and made himself comfortable the kitchen table, mindful of the pies surrounding him. He kept the basket in his hand, holding onto it for when the younger man returned from freshening up.

Admittedly, the pies smelled delicious. And he was loathe to ever turn down the offer of fresh pie. Particularly pie that Riley had baked.

When the biological manipulator exited the bedroom and returned to the kitchen, Sean offered him a smile. “It’s part of the Halloween season. A culture of fear and paranoia mean that I can’t make fresh treats for children on Halloween night. However, I can still do something for my friends to show that I appreciate them.”

His smile then became slightly self-deprecating. “They aren’t as good as anything you can make, or anything Josh can at this point – thank you again for that. But I still hope they turned out all right.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley gave the older man a genuine smile before taking the basket to lay out the contents, intent on giving the basket back at least. "Everything looks amazing, Sean." He called out over his shoulder before laughing at Sean's comment.

"That cannot be true. You can't tell me that after what I've eaten of yours." Riley smiled widely before turning to Sean with the empty basket. "Thank you so much." He leaned forward and gave him an awkward sideways hug before trekking over to the fridge to pull out a jug of apple cider.

"Would you like something warm instead?" He asked, holding up the jug.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean’s own smile widened at the compliment. “Thank you. It kept me busy this morning while Josh was at services and Ben was on his morning run.”

Everyone at Hammel and essentially everyone in their joint circle of friends was aware of what had happened to Sean and Cobalt. As such, they saw no reason to need to beat around the bush when discussing their private lives. They had to take notice of, and account for, both Josh’s and Ben’s habits and schedules each day.

Common ground had to be found as a means to sync their schedules, as it was utterly exhausting trying to live two separate lives as a single, merged entity. But both Sean and Cobalt had spent the day baking in their respective homes, mind focused on the same task. That had made it easier.

“And you’re welcome,” he said brightly at the compliment. “I like to do this every year to show people how appreciative I am and to get into the holiday spirit. But please, don’t be modest about your skills. Everyone knows you work miracles.”

The psychiatrist shook his head, politely refusing the offer for something warm. While he enjoyed several warm beverages, particularly with the early chill in the air that had come this autumn, he also rarely turned down apple cider. It was an autumn treat, one only sold in stores for too short a period of time each year. “Cider is perfect. Thank you.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley briefly wondered how the non-metas were coping with the sudden upheaval in their lifestyle. It must be such an unexpected emotional rollercoaster for both of them, especially after how they had fought at odds to with their respective significant others. But he just outwardly gave a small smile and nodded in kind response to Sean's explanation.

Sean's kind words made the landscaper blush as he found glasses to put the cider in, nodding to Sean's agreement to the cold beverage. He slid one tall glass towards Sean before pulling out plates and forks for the pie. Cutting up a slice of apple pie, he sent it Sean's way.

"Well, I appreciate you doing this. And I'm quite sure everyone you send it to will feel the same." Riley gave him a kind smile and poured some cider for himself. He sat next to Sean at the island, pulling out a tall stool for Sean.

"How...how are Ben and Josh?" He finally asked. "A...and Cobalt?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean and Cobalt also had similar concerns about the others in their community. They had two non-powered people to worry about in their lives, each of whom was coping to the best of his ability, even if that was less than ideal. With the loss of his telepathy, Sean was unable to passively monitor the world around him in the way he trusted most, which left him to wonder the same way that all non-psychics did.

It was distressing; it made him feel impotent. But there was nothing he could do about it; Hammel’s Research Division was already focused on the problem.

When Riley poured him the glass of cider, he smiled gratefully and lifted it in a mock-toast. “Thank you,” he said, before taking a sip. It was quite good.

“I’m sure you’re right,” he added. He was sure that the friends upon whom he bestowed treats would be appreciative, which was all the more reason to do it. It was a difficult autumn, and everyone could use what little cheer they could have.

At the question, Sean peered down into his glass. He was silent for a long moment, choosing his words carefully, before he said, “Cobalt and I are fine. Josh and Ben are coping, which is to be expected.” There was another pause, before he added, “It isn’t easy for them.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley chuckled noiselessly as he raised his own glass to Sean before drinking the contents. He nodded at Sean's supposition, absolutely believing his thoughts to be true. Especially since he was also greatful that Sean had stopped by. The landscape artist had been a little lonely without Danny around so Sean's basket definitely helped.

Frowning slightly when Sean suddenly became quiet, Riley feared he had overstepped his boundaries. But just as he was about to apologise, Sean spoke. The answer was something he had expected so he offered the older man a smile and a nod, not knowing what else to do or say.

"I think they'll come around soon. I know they love both of you so they're probably already trying their hardest to wrap their heads around the situation as best they can." He responded finally after a few seconds of silence.

Riley wanted to have that option with Danny but the younger man clearly had his reasons not to burden Riley with it. But it still didn't stop him from missing his partner.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean took another sip of his apple cider and listened to Riley. The other man was correct, and he acknowledged that with a nod. He was sure that both Josh and Ben were doing their best to adjust to the situation, which was evident in how they behaved around him and Cobalt. He knew that they were trying, given that it had been so many weeks already. If they weren’t trying, either man, or both men, would have left already.

That they hadn’t, that they were there every night when he and Cobalt came home from work, meant more than words can express. “They are trying their hardest,” he agreed. “I know that it isn’t easy. We-I dated a gestalt pair once, years ago. But I knew what I was getting myself into when I dated her. Ben wants Cobalt. Josh wants me. Instead, they have both of us, and it’s a hard adjustment to make. But with some luck, there will be a solution to this and soon.”

He sighed softly to himself and then glanced over at the other pies cooling all along the kitchen. “Do you think I could impose on you for a slice of blueberry pie?” Riley had offered pie when he’d first come to the apartment, but he didn’t want to impose.

[Riley Adams]

What Josh, Ben and Riley all had in common was the fact that they wanted their relationship to work so bad that they were willing to go through just about anything to keep it. Lucky for Ben and Josh, their counterparts were present and wanted them around. For Riley, he had to let Danny come to him. He couldn't go to Danny because he was scared the man would run off for good.

There had been days when all he could think about was just calling Danny to ask how he was but he was just so afraid that it would just lead to Danny not picking up the phone or not wanting to deal with Riley at all. It didn't stop him from still loving and caring for the younger man but he knew that if he pushed, it would be so much worst.

"I hope, for all your sakes, that you find a solution that could benefit all of you." He smiled softly, patting Sean's hand affectionately.

"Oh of course, Sean." He perked up as he went in search for blueberry pie. Cutting up a big slice and plating it, he handed it over to Sean. "Would you like some cream with that?" Riley asked, already heading over to the fridge.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean smiled when Riley assented. While he hadn’t thought that the younger man would refuse, he still wanted to show his gratitude for the pie. “Thank you very much. It smells delicious.”

Which it did. Sean had never been disappointed by Riley’s baking or cooking; nobody that he had ever met had ever been disappointed by Riley’s baking or cooking. “And cream would be nice, thank you.” Those would go well together and would complement the apple cider nicely.

The psychiatrist watched the other man bustle around the kitchen. He wanted to ask about Danny, since he was aware of the fact that the model builder had been imbued with a power as a result of the incident. Moreover, that the power he had discovered was a difficult one. He knew that could take its toll on a relationship; he remembered what it was to manifest for the first time.

After a moment of gathering his thoughts, he said, “I haven’t seen Danny in a while, which I know isn’t surprising. I realize that he’s having a bit of a tough time. But how are you holding up? It can’t be easy for you either.”

It wasn’t easy for any of them.

[Riley Adams]

Riley produced the bowl of fresh cream he had whipped earlier while he was waiting for the pies to bake. He turned to Sean just as he was thanking the younger man and he smiled with a nod. "It always smells delicious but there's no accounting for the taste." He chuckled. He had been baking on autopilot and had not been concentrating on what he had put in, he was genuinely afraid it might not have turned out the way he wanted it to.

He took a spoon from out of one of the drawers and scooped out two spoonful of cream and dropped it on top of the pie. He left the bowl out so Sean could take more if he wanted.

The landscape artist was cutting up another slice of pie for himself, cherry this time, when the question about Danny arose. The smile that he had been plastering on his face fell almost instantly and he could feel the prickly sensation behind his eyes.

"I...I don't know how he is." He admitted, his shoulders dropping as he gave up cutting the pie and letting the knife sit in the warm baked good.

"I just miss him. And I hope he's doing fine without me." He said softly, his head hung low. "But at the same time, I want to be selfish and go over there and take care of him, even though he already told me that he doesn't want me to be around because he doesn't want to freak me out." Riley sighed and ran his fingers through his hair while he walked away from the kitchen counter back to his seat.

"Will...will you be visiting him?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean’s smile widened when the cream and the pie were laid out in front of him. In addition to smelling delicious, they also looked quite appetizing, and he was sure that they would taste no less heavenly. “No accounting for taste? Surely you know how impressive your skills are.”

Sean didn’t believe that baking and cooking were magical powers, the way that Josh used to believe, before he had begun receiving lessons from the landscaper. However, he could also appreciate that Riley was of a far higher caliber than most other people when it came to food.

He had just taken a bite of the pie and fresh cream, and found that they were every bit as delicious as he’d anticipated, when the other man answered his question. That was...distressing to hear, although it also confirmed suspicions that he’d had based on previous conversations and observations.

It had to be difficult for Riley. “I don’t think that it’s selfish to want to take care of loved ones. Although it’s also important to remember boundaries. I hope that he reaches out to you soon.”

And he truly did. He knew that Riley wouldn’t judge Danny for his newfound ability; Riley was meta himself and had spent years at Hammel, surrounded by those with powers quite different from his. But that could be difficult to explain to someone who wasn’t naturally meta.

He set his fork down when the other man turned the question on him. “I want to try, but I don’t know if he’d be receptive to a visit. We-Cobalt might have better luck, since I think Danny still separates us, even if that’s not logical.”