An Expert Opinion - Closed Tag

[Riley Adams]

He had leafed through brochure after brochure on the subject but adoption was still a mystery to the fifty year old landscape artist. He had called several numbers and although he'd gotten answers, he wasn't sure he was asking the right questions. And now he was stumped.

Riley had been toying with the idea for awhile now and every day, the idea kept growing and manifesting in so many ways. He had been seeing little kids with their dads everywhere. And there were more ads and pictures with men and their kids everywhere he went. It had to be a sign. His business was better than ever, things were just going his way, it seemed.

But with the seemingly dead ends in his inquiries, Riley had to summon up the courage to call the one person who would know more about adoption than anybody else Riley knew. Dialing his number, Riley's heart thudded against his ribcage, hoping against all hope that the man on the other line would be the answer to his dilemma.

"Hey Cobalt...um...I've just popped a blueberry pie into the oven...I uh...you wanna come over?"

[Cobalt Weaver]

Cobalt had every intention to just reading a book and relaxing by himself this weekend. He liked having his quiet time, and so he was already tucked into the armchair with a book when the phone rang. Grumbling quietly, Cobalt hauled himself out of the chair and reached for his phone. “Hello? …Oh hey, Riley. Oh. Uh, yeah sure. I’ll be right over.” He hung up the phone and stared at it, frowning slightly. He’d resisted the urge to ask if everything was okay, but Riley had sounded nervous and tense. And Cobalt wasn’t going to not help if there was something his friend needed.

The drive was relatively short, and Cobalt soon found himself limping to Riley’s front door. He knocked on the door and waited for only a moment before the door opened. “Hey, Riley.” He greeted the taller man with a nod, “What’s up? Anything the matter?”

[Riley Adams]

"Hi, come on in. Did you come alone?" Riley asked as he ushered the smaller man in, offering to take his coat. "Make yourself comfortable." He gave the other man a small nervous smile before going to the open kitchen to cut up a piece of the blueberry filled pastry on to a plate and rejoined the other man on the couch. He placed the pie in front of Cobalt, determined to make small talk first before plunging into the heavy hitting stuff.

"We haven't seen each other in awhile. So sorry to call you up out of the blue," Riley scratched the back of his head with a bashful grin. The past few months with Stephen and what he had heard from Leila of them being affectionately called the Dork troupe [Cobalt, Josh and Riley that was] had been eye opening for Riley and little by little his bashful ways had chipped away but it hadn't all gone away of course.

"I hope I didn't pull you away from a previous engagement?"

[Cobalt Weaver]

“Yeah.” Cobalt nodded easily, resisting the urge to tease him for the question. Did he come alone. Like there was anyone to come with him anyways. “Oh thanks.” Cobalt grinned as Riley handed a plate of pie. Yes… pie. So tasty. Taking a healthy bite of pie, Cobalt waited patiently for the other man to breach the actual conversation he’d been asked for.

“Nah, that’s cool. We’ve all been busy.” Cobalt shrugged easily, getting comfortable on Riley’s couch. So apparently they were going to small talk first. Okay. Cobalt’s lips twisted into a grin. Riley had definitely become a more confident person over the course of these past few months, but he certainly hadn’t completely changed. But Cobalt had also learned not to coddle the taller man either, and Cobalt had never had much patience for small talk.

“No, you didn’t. You know me, I don’t ever really do anything.” Cobalt leaned forward with a concerned grin on his face, “But what’s going on? Is everything okay?”

[Riley Adams]

Riley noticed the smile on Cobalt's face and he knew that smile quite well now. They'd been friends for half a year already yet Riley felt connected to the man the same way he felt connected to Josh. They'd gotten to know each other better and Riley didn't know how they never met before this. Suffice it to say, he liked his friends a lot.

Which was something seeing Riley's track record for actually making friends. He had only made friends with his colleagues and people he did business with but Riley hadn't had actual friends he hung out with until now. It was nice.

Giving out a small chuckle at Cobalt's jab at himself, Riley patted the man by the arm and avoided the concerned look he was giving. His question brought a big smile on his face, one that covered his worry. "Everything's fine. Nothing to worry about. It's just...I've been doing a lot of thinking," Riley stammered out an uneasy chuckle, trying to calm himself down.

"I'm old." He opened with a small grin. "I'm still stable and I think I've got quite a sound mind still and...I've got a lot to offer someone." With the bit of fluff out on the table, Riley looked at Cobalt and decided it was time to just blurt it out. "I'm thinking of adopting."

[Cobalt Weaver]

Cobalt raised an eyebrow as Riley stammered around the subject. He…really wasn’t making any sense. Cobalt tried to figure out the context of what Riley was even talking about, because he was really at a loss as to why his friend was telling him all these things. Either way, it sounded serious and Cobalt tried not to look too bemused by the whole thing.

And then Riley finally got to the point. Cobalt straightened up, a thrilled grin growing on his face. “Wow… Riley, that’s great. Who’re you thinking of adopting?” It certainly wasn’t what he was expecting—although if he thought about it, it made more sense with Riley than, say, Josh. Poor Josh wouldn’t know what to do with a child, Cobalt didn’t think.

[Riley Adams]

A blush crept up the older man's cheek as the shadow manipulator showed his enthusiasm over Riley's decision. it was more than he could hope for and he was relieved there hadn't been a delay in Cobalt's reaction to the news.

"Um...thank you," he replied with a smile. "I...don't quite know yet. This is why you're here." He paused. He had been dreading this moment since he even thought of calling the other meta up. It might stir up some really bad memories but who else could Riley ask?

"I'm sorry to ask too much of you but...you were in the system...you...you know things not everyone is willing to make light of. I need your help finding a child who needs a stable home. I mean I know I can't adopt a baby or even a young kid but I feel like...I could do something you know?"

[Cobalt Weaver]

“Okay, what can I do?” Cobalt asked readily, leaning forward intently. He was thrilled, to say the least. He couldn’t think of anyone who would be better suited to raising a child than Riley. The older man was incredibly nurturing and kind and someone who would love a child unconditionally.

Cobalt nodded slowly, turning a little serious. That made sense; Riley didn’t have any concept of how the system worked, and it was extremely hard to navigate the system on your own. “No, it’s fine. I’m happy to help. And I’m really glad that you’re considering this. It’s really good of you. Um…” He considered things for a moment, “I know of a few children’s homes that you could visit, if you want.” He huffed out a laugh, “You could go to the one I went to, for added hilarity.” He rolled his eyes, completely unserious.

“But is there anything specific you wanna know?” Cobalt asked, “I can tell you about some of the child custody laws and all that. Since you’re an older, single person, you would have more trouble trying to adopt a younger child.” He shrugged, “It’s kind of an unspoken understanding. So it’s good that you want to adopt an older child anyways.” Cobalt glanced down at his knees briefly before looking back up to his friends, “And it’s good of you because by the time you get to about ten, you’re pretty sure adoption is going to be that much harder.” He shrugged, pushing the glasses up his nose.

[Riley Adams]

Part of Riley was so relieved that Cobalt was readily giving him advice. Riley had lost his parents abruptly but at least he was at an age where he could easily cope with the loss. And he had Janice all the way. He couldn't imagine never having parents, despite his father having been the way he was. He still kept the roof over his head and he kept food on the plate. His mother had always been there and Riley couldn't ever imagine being in Cobalt's shoes.

The fact that the shadow manipulator was so willing to joke about his childhood at the orphanage left mixed emotions in Riley but he was determined to get to the bottom of this. He wanted this. He had been wanting this for awhile now. He certainly had talked about it at great lengths with Michael. The little girl they wanted to get; name her Eva...it stirred something in Riley that he had a hard time fighting down.

He looked up at Cobalt and smiled at him, nodding at his assessment. "I had a feeling about the whole age thing. I didn't have high expectations of getting a younger child." Riley shrugged, fiddling with his fingers. "I could do with someone who's ready to be out of the system. Or someone who only has just a few years ahead of them. I mean I think I can really help with them."

"I guess it's mostly what they're looking for? I can't actually think of anything specific. But...I guess, I guess I want to know what happens once they've come of age? Like...do we sever ties? Will they get inheritance if we pass on?"

[Cobalt Weaver]

Cobalt could see that Riley was serious about this. And the older man’s proclaimed desire to adopt someone older made Cobalt smile. “Well, you’re gonna be a godsend to some kid, that’s for sure.” In Cobalt’s hazy memory of living in the children’s home, he could only think of a few children who had been adopted when they were older. Usually, at a certain point, the older children had gone to foster care, which wasn’t necessarily bad, but the younger him had not been happy with that prospect.

At Riley’s questions, Cobalt rested his chin in his hand, thinking. “Well, as to what they’re looking for, you’ve got very little to worry about on that front. You have a stable, steady job, a good place to live, no records of any kind. You know, all that.” Cobalt squinted, thinking, “If you have legally adopted a child before they come of age, then once they do come of age, they’re still your legal family and all that. Inheritance depends on how you write your will and all that.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley thanked Cobalt for his support and fought the urge to just hug the smaller man. The last time Riley did that was in public and he was pretty sure the man had been very uncomfortable with it so he restrained this time, lest the shadow manipulator punched him in the arm or something. "I hope that's true."

"That's...okay that sounds good." Riley nodded at Cobalt's answers. "I'm going to need to talk to Janice about this as well..." his voice trailed as he thought of what Janice would say once she found out about this. She had been ecstatic when Michael and him went to her with their announcement so, he was sure she'd be as ecstatic, if not more? Only time would tell on that one.

"So...um...I kinda guess that the older kids would be feeling a little...jaded or something like...they might not be as accepting as younger kids are to a new family...wh-what do I say to them? I mean, to make them feel that they do belong and - and I do want them." Riley asked, his voice going softer with each word. He didn't really know what Cobalt had gone through and whether he got adopted or not so he didn't know what would be offensive and what won't.

[Cobalt Weaver]

Cobalt nodded, “Yeah, Janice’ll probably be thrilled.” He grinned slightly. Cobalt firmly believed that this process ought to involve the entire family, not just the parents and potential child. Of course, a lot of this information was personal feelings and distant memory, since he’d never been adopted or even really considered (to his knowledge). But that wasn’t the point. Regardless of how it had turned out, Cobalt knew what it was like to be in the situation of wanting to be adopted. Which was more than more or less all of his friends could say.

At Riley’s next question, Cobalt worried his lower lip thoughtfully. He tended to forget that while Riley knew he had lived in a home, Riley didn’t know that Cobalt’d never actually been adopted. Which, he figured, was something Riley ought to know now, in case that influenced how the older man decided to take his advice. “Well, obviously, it’s case-by-case and all that. Um. I’ve never been.” He stopped, trying to think of a way to phrase this that didn’t sound a little pitiful. “I didn’t get adopted. So, I am not basing this on specific personal experience. But…” He bit his lip, considering, “It’s not gonna be easy, but I think you already knew that.”

He thought about what he would have wanted, when he was young. “Kids like that—well, anyone, really—all they want is someone to trust. Someone who is safe to trust. And that takes a lot of time.” He smiled up at his friend, “Honestly, I don’t think you’ll have too much trouble. All you need to do is listen, and let them know that they’re not risking anything by talking to you.” He shrugged, “At least, that’s what I would have wanted. I’m obviously not every child, but it’s somewhere to start.”

[Riley Adams]

The revelation that Cobalt had never been adopted saddened Riley considerably. "I'm so sorry to hear that. I mean, it doesn't make much difference when I say it now but I truly am sorry you...never...you know." Riley paused to look away, embarrassed. Then he pulled Cobalt into a sideways hug that turned into a full one. "I'm glad it didn't screw you up. You're a good man and a good friend." Riley let go of Cobalt and gave him a small apologetic grin.

"But yeah, I know it wouldn't be easy." Even though he knew how it felt like growing up without the proper care of one parent, not growing up with either had to be even more difficult. He knew he wouldnt fully understand what the kid had to go through but he was going to put in the effort his father never did with him. He at least knew he could nurture someone by way of him having been taught by the most amazing mother and he was sure, with Janice's help and maybe even Stephen's, the kid would know he or she belonged.

"Thanks Cobalt. Really. You're doing me a world of a favour. You don't know how much this means to me." Riley hadn't actually opened up to the fact that his decision hadn't been a new revelation. But how could he cram in about twelve years of contemplation into one conversation? He decided to hold off on that thought until Cobalt mentioned it. He was sure the man would ask. Now, more than ever, given the fact that Riley knew that Cobalt had been in a position where that question would probably pop up.

[Cobalt Weaver]

“Oh. Riley, no, it’s ok—Waugh!” Cobalt suddenly found himself wrapped in a hug by the other man, knocking his glasses askew. “Thanks, Riley. You’re a good friend too.” Cobalt laughed as he pulled away, adjusting his glasses. He grinned at the taller man, “And you’ll be a great father, I have no doubt about that.”

“Hey, no problem.” Cobalt clapped Riley on the shoulder, “Anything I can do to help, man. I’m… really proud that you’re planning on doing this.” He tilted his head questioningly at Riley, “So how long have you been planning on adopting? Sounds like it’s been a while.”

[Riley Adams]

Riley blushed at Cobalt's confidence in him. He himself thought he could do good...or at least the child would get more attention from him than they would being in a cramped home with so many other kids. "Thank you, Cobalt. That means a lot to me." He nodded.

His smile widened when Cobalt said he was proud of him. It had been awhile since he heard those words from anyone. It was a little embarrassing but it felt good. It made Riley feel lighter than air. Was it sad that Michael was the only one who openly told the biological manipulator how proud he was of him?

And then the question he had been mulling about finally surfaced. Inevitable, really despite Riley having trouble telling the other man. "Um...it's...it's been about t-twelve years? I...Michael and I, we planned on it a couple years before he..." though they had all been privy to each other's past, neither of them liked to own up completely about it. Their past had always been skimmed over and had not really been talked about in detail.

Josh and Cobalt knew Michael was an ex but they didn't know the other man had passed away. They never pried so Riley never said anything more. So he left Cobalt with that abrupt end.