[ota] aggressive normalcy

[thepupthatmatters]

There's still a lot to learn.

But that's okay. He's starting to feel properly that it's okay. It's okay that he's still getting used to walking with a knife in his boot. It's okay that he's adjusting to which Fives to call by their name and which will all but slap him if he doesn't say 'sir.' It's okay that his greatest visible skill is an incredibly efficient knack for getting paperwork filed and delivered, and that the skill he's been progressing best at is classical piano.

Yes, the man he came here to find is an overwhelming force of nature. Yes, watching his father Challenge to Ten had absolutely sent him, briefly, through half a crisis. But that's okay too.

Because he's here. He's here, and here is the right place to be.

It's the right place to be while he works at filing cabinets. It's the right place to be while he steals mouthfuls in the kitchen and whispers in more comfortable languages than English with other former Outsiders. It's the right place to be while he gets his ass handed to him in the training fields and forces himself back up onto his feet.

And it's the right place to be while he steals out on an afternoon off to just skip rocks over the newly thawed lake. Because it's really nice to know that skipping rocks and throwing knives are both starting to feel equally normal.

Comments

[theacethatmatters]

Julien shrugs slightly, picks up a stone and tosses it up and down a bit in his palm. "There's a use for everything, just about."

Probably now isn't the time to mention throwing them at people or anything of that sort.

[thepupthatmatters]

"And everyone?"

Which is an important question. Which is necessary, really, if he has any hope in being here.

[theacethatmatters]

"Everyone," he agrees. "Though sometimes it can be difficult convincing them of that."

Or that their use is something they don't care for. But no one ever said it would be easy.

[thepupthatmatters]

It might be a rough journey. It might take more effort than initially anticipated to find his place here.

But at least acceptance is something that can be earned. At least it isn't a mad dream to be chasing.

"I'm glad."

[theacethatmatters]

It's a slightly unexpected response. Certainly most people aren't glad about anything around him.

"You are?"

[thepupthatmatters]

"Of course."

It feels like such a given. How could a person be here and not want a purpose?

[theacethatmatters]

Julien really doesn't have a very good answer for that. It's easier to just pick up another stone.

"Show me again."

[thepupthatmatters]

It's a natural moment. A quiet sort of moment he knew other people had with their fathers. Switching back to the language he's been trying to escape is almost unconscious.

"Maty." A stone is caught up and the grip demonstrated again, just for a moment, before he shifts back to release the stone in a fluid motion. "Verhaty."


[*Grip; *Throw]

[theacethatmatters]

Perhaps he ought to have corrected Aleksei, considering their conversation about accents.

But he doesn't, he just returns to rock-skipping in peace.

No one would ever believe it of him.

[thepupthatmatters]

Slipping will only really happen here. Because really, this is a moment apparently removed from time and space and the reality he knows they'll have to go back to soon.

Here, now, there can be the slight sensation of home. Can be enjoyment.

Can be skipping rocks with his father.