Let's Swim! [Chase]

[Nikolai Campbell]

"And, done!"Niko declared to his empty room as he carelessly shoved the finished homework into his three ring binder. Looking around his room once, he made sure it was still clean (which, aside from an unmade bed, it was) then smiled before leaving his room to locate Chase for his master plan. It had to be Chase for the obvious reason; Chase was less likely to find a legitimate reason to say no to him. So Niko checked the living room first, which proved to be a good choice. Of course Chase was watching sports.

"Chaaase!"Nikki's voice chimed cheerfully as he stepped into the living room. He glanced momentarily at the television, acknowledging it's existence and the excited voices of the sporting officials, but he didn't grant more than a second before he moved over to where Chase was on the couch.

"Guess what?"Though he didn't want his dad to watch the television instead of him, he didn't literally stand in Chase's way. That would be rude. Er, well, more rude than his distracting words. Instead, Niko stood off to his left, his head tilted toward his right shoulder in a quizzical gesture, as though silently questioning the direction of Chase's attention while waiting for some acknowledgment.

While patiently waiting, Niko clasped his hands behind his back and began to rock back and forth between standing on his 'tippy toes' to standing flat-footed, all in a vain attempt to keep his excitement in check (which was no small feat for any child, least of all Niko). Since James' 'accident', it was rare for Niko not to have a default mood of excitement or happiness, as though he thought that maybe he could cheer Chase and James up if he stayed happy. Of course, like anyone, he still had his bad days. Today, obviously, wasn't one of them.

[Chase Campbell]

Watching Niko all by himself wasn’t as fear inducing to Chase as it had been even a few months ago. The kid was pretty well behaved, and when he did need something, it was almost always something Chase could accomplish. (Unless it involved food. Complicated food. Then it was best to wait for James, or resort to pizza.) But with James working a bit of overtime on the weekend, it had left Chase in charge of watching their foster son. So far, the kid had been quiet. Working on his homework, or so Chase hoped. In all honesty, he hadn’t checked in to see if he was doing it or not. For all he knew, Nikki was reading comic books.

But he trusted him. So he was content to laze around the living room, watching a football game. It wasn’t his favourite team playing, but it was still football, and therefore worth watching. But his concentration faltered when he heard his name called.

He glanced over at the little boy, his attention captured. “What’s up, kiddo?” Though he knew the house had had a gloomy atmosphere ever since James’ ‘accident’, Chase had tried. Nikki had seemed okay through it all, though. Unusually sunny and bright, as always. The trainer grinned at him.

Guess what? He’d played this game often enough with his nieces and nephews, when he and James visited the Campbell herd. He pretended to think for a moment. “You discovered the cure for the common cold? You’re really an alien from Jupiter?” It was hard to think of something utterly ridiculous. So he just patted the seat beside him. “I’m out of guesses. Tell me what.”

From the way the boy was acting, Chase could guess that he wanted something. What that something was, he wasn’t all too sure. But with the rocking and the head tilt, he could tell it was important. “C’mon Nikki, out with it. What’s up?” Whatever it was, he just hoped it was plausible.

[Nikolai Campbell]

Nikki grinned at Chase's suggestions. The alien from Jupiter one, he could have agreed with, but the cure for the common cold didn't seem to appeal to him quite as much. But he didn't tell Chase that. When Chase patted the spot next to him, Niko immediately took up the spot, a smile on his lips. He loved being close to the two adults, so he certainly wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. Sitting close to them generally implied he got the attention which was always a plus. But, he had to admit, James and Chase didn't really ignore him, so to want their full attention was sort of unnecessary (yet no less appealing).

"Guess who finished all that homework?"Niko hinted proudly. It wasn't often that he bragged about completing homework- and in fact, Nikki normally put it off until forced to do it, but he was bringing it up because he wanted something and doing his homework seemed like his bargaining chip, along with his nearly cleaned room (that would have been the first thing to say to James). If Chase had wanted to interject something, there really wasn't much time allotted by Nikki before he jumped in with the obvious answer to his question.

"I did! So... Can we do something fun? Please, Chase? Please? There'll be other games. I'll even watch it with you- and, I promise, I'll be really quiet, too, so you can tell me what happens."Niko pitched, seemingly unwilling to slow down enough for Chase to give him an answer, let alone to calm down if Chase denied his request. Much like a child with too much sugar, Niko seemed excited and energetic enough to bounce off the walls at that moment. Proof that you should never to give the kid soda- he certainly didn't need it.

[Chase Campbell]

The grin Chase won from Nikki just proved that he was still young enough to play with like that. He’d tried it with some of the older nieces and nephews, and they weren’t all that amused by it. Nikki was a different story. He even returned the grin when his foster son jumped on the couch beside him. As much as spending time one on one with him that didn’t involve power training had once scared him, he was happy to do it now. He really did adore the kid. And the more time he spent with him, the more he began to enjoy this parenting thing.

“Oh, I don’t know. Homework gnomes?” Yes, he was taking advantage of Nikki being young. He could get away with saying ridiculous things. He grinned and ruffled Niko’s hair. He was suspecting the kid wanting something even more than he had before. It was a tactic he’d used against his own parents, at Nikki’s age and older. He turned down the volume on the television so that he could focus better on Nikki.

Of course, Nikki answered for him quickly. He pretended to be surprised for a moment. “All of it? Really? Even math?” Okay, even if he wasn’t completely done all of his homework, Niko was impossible to say no to. Unless it involved food. His request made the trainer smile, and he flicked the television off. “It’s okay, buddy. I don’t need to watch it. But if you really want to, next time there’s a game, we can watch it together.” He turned slightly so he could face him. “Did you have something in mind to do?” If Nikki had an idea, so long as it was possible, he’d roll with it. If not… he so hated saying no to the kid.

[Nikolai Campbell]

Nikki scowled at Chase when Chase mentioned homework gnomes, then shook his head instead of laughing.

"No, Chase! They steal my homework when I don't want to do it, they don't do it for me. That's just silly. I'd pay them to have them do it for me instead. But... I doubt they'd agree, and I'd probably fail because they were dumb enough to agree to it in the first place, so they probably wouldn't get the homework anyway."Niko corrected. By the time he got to don't, he was grinning, his expression happy again - he couldn't keep up even a pretend mad face. Really. Creatures willingly doing homework was just insane- and if such imaginary creatures existed, Niko would have employed them- duh. Even so, he did think Chase was funny most of the time, so it all worked out. At least Chase was trying. That was good enough for Niko.

"Even the math!"Niko agreed proudly. Math wasn't nearly as boring as English, and he enjoyed the challenge when he wasn't just outright refusing to do his homework. When the television went off, Niko momentarily looked away from Chase to examine the now black screen. Not what he was expecting, but he was quite happy with that. When he looked back to Chase, he was slightly calmer, as though realizing he didn't have to fight the television for Chase's attention now.

"It's only fair to do something you want to do next."Niko explained. Ah, the playground logic of a child. Why shouldn't it be fair and equal? "But I do know what I want to do! I want to go to the lake with you. Then it'll be your turn and I'll do what you want to do, okay? Even if it's not watching tv- but only after the lake. While we wait for James to get here- he's taking a really long time. We could even call him and ask him to come to the lake, too! He probably won't like it that much... but I'd want him there anyway. He should have fun after being stuck at school so long ..." Niko's emphasis on his words came naturally, though perhaps unnecessarily. Not that Niko noticed or cared, of course. As for him mentioning that James was taking a long time- he said it whenever James wasn't around, not just when James really was running later than usual. And the further rambling was just Niko being, well, Niko. Leave it to him to get lost in his own words.

[Chase Campbell]

Oops.

Sometimes Chase forgot just how logical Niko could be. And barring logic, the kid had one hell of an imagination. He listened patient to his explanation as to why it couldn’t have been homework gnomes. Really, Chase liked the idea of creatures designed with the sole purpose of doing a kid’s homework. All correctly, too. He’d have killed for one of those as a teenager. Heck, even when he’d been doing the ‘adult’ version of homework as he’d trained to do his job at Hammel, he’d have gladly paid for one. Of course, he was older then. And knew the consequences if he didn’t do the work himself. At least Nikki had covered all the other angles. “Yeah, you’re right, kiddo. Gnomes are a little too dumb to do your homework right.” He slung an arm around him. “So I’m glad it was you that got it done. That way we know it’s right.

For a kid, Chase was actually pretty happy with the fact that Nikki was good about his homework. Most of the time. There had been a few occasions he or James had needed to step in and get him to settle down and actually do it. Usually when it was a particularly dry subject or project. Or it just seemed too hard, until one of his fathers explained it. Or tried to. Chase really wasn’t up on some of the math and science their son came home with. “Good job buddy.”

… Okay, those were rules Chase hadn’t abided by in a long, long time. “Nikki, it doesn’t work that wa – what?” Oh crap. The lake. The lake wasn’t good for much this time of year. James didn’t trust it for skating (and honestly, neither did Chase), and it wasn’t all that exciting to look at. “Uh…. Why, buddy? The lake’s really cold this time of year, and it’s not safe to skate on.” If he wanted to skate, they could go to the rink in town. If he wanted to swim, Chase supposed they could use the Hammel pool. But the lake? Really? “It’s just not a good idea, buddy. We can do anything else. The lake’s just… too cold for swimming, and not good to skate on.” He nodded outside. “We can go when it’s warmer out. In the summer, when we finally have the sunshine back.” Oh Chase, watch what you say when your son is a weather manipulator.

[Nikolai Campbell]

Niko giggled at Chase's comment, then offered an accomplished grin. Whether Chase really meant it as a compliment or not, Niko took it that way anyway. Of course he did his homework right, but the vote of confidence definitely made him feel better. And the fact that Chase agreed with his assessment of the imaginary gnomes was equally pleasing.

"Thanks,"Niko agreed, cuddling into Chase's side to be closer to him.

Niko listened quietly to Chase telling him no. He didn't pay much attention when Chase said that they couldn't skate- he didn't care. When Chase went on to say it was too cold for swimming, Niko's expression fell. Chase wasn't supposed to tell him no. At least not after he'd done his homework. Dejected, he leaned back slightly, away from Chase as his gaze fell to the couch. He wouldn't stay upset long, fortunately. Thanks to Chase and his additional comment about it having to be warmer with the sunshine, Niko's disappointment was short lived.

Instantly Niko's expression was confusion. It might not have been odd for someone else to say that to him, but his trainer was going to tell him no because there was no sun? It threw Niko off and left him thinking. Was Chase saying it as a 'nice no'? Niko was going to push it, even if Chase was trying to get out of going swimming in a nice way. Maybe it was Chase's way of getting him to practice his power. That made sense, didn't it? ... No, no it didn't. Niko looked up at him, searching his expression for some hint of an explanation.

"Um... Okay, Chase If that's what you want."Niko responded after a few seconds before he got off the couch."I'll go get my swimming suit while you check the weather outside. If there's sun, we go, right?" Niko didn't wait for a reply before he began walking toward his room. After all, Chase had said he could go to the lake if there was sun as far as Niko was concerned. And Niko didn't think it was a difficult request to be asked to bring the sun out. After taking a few steps, Niko paused, then turned to face Chase again.

"Never mind. Maybe you should just go get your swimming suit- the sun'll still be there when we leave, dad."Niko corrected himself. There was no point letting Chase waste his time going to the window when Niko clearly knew he could alter the weather at will.

[Chase Campbell]

Chase had figured out a long time ago that if you encouraged kids, rather than nag at them, they performed a lot better. For the most part, he applied that in his classroom, with a few exceptions. But it was something he’d learned even as a kid. His mother would nag after him for homework, and he’d be much more inclined to waste time and procrastinate. When his dad actually encouraged him, it was easier to say that yes, he would actually settle down and work. “You’re welcome,” he managed to reply, smiling when Nikki cuddled. This was nice, this sort of bonding thing. Not as trainer and student, but as father and son.

When Chase had said it was too cold for swimming, he’d meant it. He didn’t like the cold weather, well, ever. The idea of attempting swimming in the frozen lake wouldn’t appeal to anyone, except perhaps an ice manipulator. Even then, the trainer would question their sanity. He shook his head as the kid’s expression fell. No way. It wasn’t going to work on him.

He was saying no because it was cold, and no one in their right mind should be going into the lake this time of year. It wasn’t a training trick, it wasn’t anything. He was saying no because it was safer that way. If Nikki really wanted to go swimming, there were much better options. Like the warm pool at Hammel.

“What? No, Nikki.” They weren’t going to the lake at all today. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, getting up from the couch to follow his son. “We aren’t going to the lake for swimming until it’s summer. I told you that. If you want to go swimming, Hammel has a pool.” He wasn’t sure if James would want to join them, but... “We could go up to the school, and when we’re done, we can kidnap James away from his work, if he’s done, and I don’t know... go out for dinner or something?” It would be nice to do something all together. He just hoped that was enough to get Niko off the lake kick.

[Nikolai Campbell]

Niko would have agreed with Chase on both points; whenever he was nagged, like any child, he would rather do anything but finish, just to spite the person nagging and prove he did still have free will. And on the second point, about bonding. If Niko wasn't so excited, he probably would have stayed still enough in that comfortable spot against Chase to fall asleep. Niko had long since decided that if he was sharing a roof with the two adults, he needn't be shy. As time progressed he'd grown more and more affectionate than he'd been before with the constant idea of, 'this is what families do, right?' hanging over his head. By nature, Niko was rather affectionate so it seemed natural to him, particularly with Chase who he spent more time with.

"Okay,"Niko nodded in understanding as he giggled at the idea of kidnapping James. "That sounds fun." While going back to school in itself wasn't a great idea, Niko liked the idea of being able to find James and steal him away. To be involved in such plots, like Chase proposed, was rather empowering and very amusing. As for the compromise Chase proposed as a whole, Niko decided he could live with that. The swimming pool might not be quite as fun as the lake, but swimming was swimming, and time spent away from home with Chase was bound to be enjoyable. With the new idea in mind, Niko began walking toward his room again, stopping shy of the exit from the living room only when he thought of something significant to ask Chase. Turning to face him, his voice took on a thoughtful tone.

"Chase, do you think I'll be able to make it summer when I'm older? You can teach me to do that, can't you? So it doesn't snow anymore, and it's warm all the time- except on Christmas."Niko asked."Then we wouldn't have to wait to play outside." And, of course, then Chase wouldn't have to endure the winters he so obviously disliked, but Niko didn't add that thought. People tended to answer your question with, 'don't do it on my account', and a contradictory lie when you told them your real intentions. Niko knew it was better to keep it to himself.

[Chase Campbell]

As James often pointed out (usually after Chase telling him all about the latest impromptu football match to end a class), Chase was still a bit of a big kid. It was true. Much as he’d playfully deny it in front of his husband, it was true. There was no getting around it. He liked to think it helped him as a teacher. He could really relate to the kids. Well, most of them. Some of them weren’t so eager to have their almost forty year old trainer mess around with them. Thankfully, Nikki wasn’t one of them. Over time, Chase had noticed the little boy come out of his shell, no longer the shy, frightened thing he’d first come to know him as. He was affectionate, willing to cuddle, and quite frankly, it was the cutest thing the trainer had seen in a long time.

Chase had figured Niko would like the idea of “kidnapping” his other foster father. “Good. Just don’t tell him.” He figured they could have a little fun with the idea. Of course, the moment Nikki went to get his swimming gear, Chase would be warning James in advance. As much fun as a secret kidnapping mission might be, he didn’t want to surprise James too badly, or pull him away from something important. And in his mind, it was a good idea. Bring Nikki back to the school, have a bit of fun, and then they could all go out as a family. The idea appealed to him a lot more than he’d ever thought possible.

He was about to turn to go and get his own swimming gear when Nikki turned and spoke to him. He considered his question for a moment. “You might be able to. But really, you’d have to think about the effect you’d have on the environment. It’s cold here for a reason, right now. Even though we might not like it, it’s part of where we live.” He has to smile. He really did miss Sedona’s weather. “You just have to get used to winter sports. You could try hockey, if you wanted. Or skiing, maybe. Something fun, so that the winter doesn’t seem so bad.” He smiled at his foster son. “Don’t worry. Summer’ll be here before you know it. Then we can hit the lake.”

[Nikolai Campbell]

"I guess you have a point."Niko relented."I don't really mind the snow. Hockey sounds fun, though. Just not with all the older kids." Ah, as always Niko seemed as easily distracted as ever. The smallest detail got the kid thinking- forget the big picture, he cared more about the side conversation he could create. Niko didn't promote the discussion of hockey any farther, fortunately.

"I'll go get ready now."Niko offered before turning to make his way to the room James and Chase had set up for him. As he walked, he found himself silently considering just how important the natural weather was. Niko hadn't said so aloud, but being a weather manipulator did provide him with a certain respect for weather that he might not have had otherwise. It was as intimate to him as his own emotions at times, and though he knew it was positively ridiculous, sometimes he genuinely believed that the weather was a way of telling how the world was. How Mother Nature was as a whole. Also known to Niko was the fact that, in his mind, Chase's disapproval of winter was far more pressing than the whims of nature.

When he reached the room, the door was left open- it was almost always open if he had his say. There was no sense in keeping anyone out, anyway, because he'd already spent enough time alone without any help. As usual, the first thing that caught his attention when the light turned on was the ceiling and the stars upon it. Even now those were his favorite, and just as he had been from the beginning, he was comforted by their constant presence.

Realizing he'd let himself get distracted by the stars, Niko shook his head and set about grabbing the things he wanted to take with. Swimming shorts, a t-shirt and a towel seemed like enough to him, along with his favorite messenger bag to carry it in (which was promptly emptied onto his bed of all school-related papers and books) A minute more to grab a towel, then time to shove them carelessly into the bag and to zip it up- now he was ready. Niko looked about the room one more time, making sure he wasn't forgetting anything important, then made his way to the living room to wait for Chase. He didn't think it'd take too long, but he made himself comfortable sitting on the couch anyway.

[Chase Campbell]

“Hockey is fun. I just never got to do it outside. Too hot in Arizona.” Like most boys, Chase had tried a number of sports before settling on favourites. He’d always retained a love for football, but he liked soccer well enough to coach Hammel’s team. “I bet we could find you something in town. Hammel is the only meta school around, but there’ll be kids your age in town.” He rarely forgot how rough Nikki had it, being so young at the school. It had been bad enough at sixteen.

“Sounds good, kiddo.” He watched Nikki go before heading upstairs to get his own things together. He found a beat up old sports bag and tossed his swimming shorts, a t-shirt, and a towel into it, not worried about folding it neatly. Once everything he needed was in his bag, he pulled his cell phone out and smiled as he typed a message out to James. Taking Nikki swimming at Hammel’s pool. Kidnapping you for dinner after. Love you. No chatspeak. He had to smile. James would appreciate that.

It was good that Niko was thinking about his power, and the consequences it could have on their environment. Any of the elemental manipulators, and particularly the weather manipulators had a real responsibility to use their powers in moderation. Untrained, they could easily influence the environment, and not always in a positive way. Granted, it was the same with psychics and their affects on people. Telepathy, empathy, and even mind control. They all had a responsibility to use their powers responsibly. It was one of the first things Chase tried to teach his students. He knew Nikki knew that, so he wasn’t overly worried about it. (Of course, if the boy chose to make it just a few degrees warmer, he wouldn’t complain.)

The trainer put his phone away and slung his bag over his shoulder, grabbing his keys off of the nightstand. Tossing them in the air, he made his way back downstairs and dangled the keys at his foster son. “Ready to go, Nikki?” This was actually going to be nice. Just the two of them. At least until they kidnapped James.

[Nikolai Campbell]

When Chase mentioned Arizona, Nikki found himself wondering why Chase left in the first place. Nikki hadn't been around Chase long, but it was obvious Chase liked Arizona and, after experiencing a winter with cold weather Chase so openly disliked, Niko could only assume Pilot Ridge wasn't his favorite place. That raised the next question which was why anyone would leave such a sunny state for one with seasons. Sunny meant happy, right? It did to Nikki. For all he knew, maybe there was a really powerful meta who always wanted it to be sunny there- it was possible.

Nikki'd shrugged passively when Chase had suggested that there were kids around town. He'd gotten along with kids his age when he'd attended a normal school. And yes, all the games he'd played with his peers didn't work with two just people so Nikki was often left to spend time playing football (which he did like well enough) instead. But he didn't mind much because the way it all worked out, it seemed almost like a trade-off to him. He'd given up the regular kids his age for parents, for family. That seemed worth it.

Nikki looked up when he heard the jingling of keys and Chase's voice, then smiled.

"I'm ready."Nikki agreed, getting up from the couch and grabbing his own bag. Now that they were going- really going- he was noticeably happier than before. The sun shining brightly outside would have given him away as quickly as his smile- Nikki didn't mind knowing that. He hadn't intentionally used his power for the sunshine like he'd promised, but Nikki rarely bothered to control his power when in a good mood. Only when upset did he actively consider it outside of a training environment. It wasn't worth the trouble of controlling it if all he was doing was making it sunny, was it? And, besides, he didn't want to get to the point where Chase didn't have anything to teach him. It felt like he was learning much too fast- Chase was obviously too good of a trainer. Niko often thought that if he was really lucky, he'd stay in Chase's training class as long as James had spent training. Perhaps he wouldn't always feel that way, but now he certainly did.

[Chase Campbell]

Why had Chase left Arizona? Simple. James. It hadn’t been the job offer, or the chance for something new. It was just James. He missed the weather, and he missed his family, his friends. But the trade off had been so much better. He had an incredible job, and a family. He’d never thought he’d get to this point in his life. Married, with kids. Not unless, like James, it hadn’t been intentional. Weather aside, Pilot Ridge was his favourite place. He had friends here, and his family. That was enough to combat the freezing temperatures, and the damn snow.

It had been worth a suggestion at least. Or so Chase thought. It was still a little weird for Hammel to have such a young student. There were a few close in age, like Jean Manne, but that was it. Close was as good as they were going to get for the next few years, unless another young meta manifested. Selfish as it was, Chase sometimes found himself wishing James would be alerted to another. Just so Nikki could have a playmate that didn’t consist of himself, James, Milo, or Ginny. Then again, the kids in the town could be anti-meta, and that could just spell trouble. There was just no winning, here.

“Good. Let’s go, kiddo.” He slipped on his coat and held the door open. He noticed the sun and smiled, but said nothing. As long as it wasn’t raining (or snowing a ridiculous amount so a certain someone didn’t have to go to school), he was okay with Nikki’s powers showing themselves. He just unlocked his Jeep and held the door open for Nikki, waiting until he was in before closing the door behind him. He loved the thing, if only because it tore through the snow with no issues. It had been a good idea at first, due to the fact Chase had had so little experience driving in the snow. Now, it was just fun. He’d admit he drove like a teenager half the time, but since they’d taken Nikki in, that had slowed. Unless he was running late, Chase drove like an adult now, particularly when Nikki was in the car. He was sure it was a nice change for James. “We’re gonna have fun, Kiddo.”

[Nikolai Campbell]

Nikki missed being in a regular classroom, missed the social interaction, the learning that not even the greatest teacher could offer him. There was something about having kids who offered their perspective, something about being on the level, that Niko needed. So more than anything, Niko looked upon the elementary school with envy. He wasn't ready for this much social isolation in the learning environment. Not even Chase's play-a-game method filled the void. But Chase pretty well covered his need for a playmate. In fact, in that regard it was better. Having an adult pay attention and interact with him did more to make his troubles fade than anything else in his life. He felt important then, and incapable, though he didn't say so.

Nikki moved past Chase and outside without noticing his smile. And again- when he climbed into the jeep- he didn't think to look up at Chase. Instead he focused on buckling his seat belt (which was more of a habit than from any real worry) before waiting patiently for Chase. The jeep was his favorite and he was quick to say so; it was much funner than James' vehicle, though who was driving may have played a part in that.

"I know,"Nikki agreed, finally looking over at Chase,"It's not as fun as the lake, but thank you, dad."Nikki suddenly giggled, hardly having finished his last sentence before he added,"Maybe I should do my homework early more often." Yeah, like that'd happen. He wouldn't willingly do his homework, even if it meant going to the pool every day. But it seemed worth suggesting because it was a good idea right now that he had no homework.

Niko's attention went to the window. He was used to walking in Pilot Ridge, especially if it was just to get to Hammel, so as he looked at his surroundings he found that even the smallest details were familiar to him. At that moment, knowing it was familiar was comforting to him.

"Dad,"Niko began, looking over at Chase as he spoke,"Do you think Arizona could be so warm all the time 'cause everyone's happy there?"