imfine1111one | EMP

[Dhurke had tossed an invitation to Apollo about seeing the northern lights, hoping that perhaps he'd join him, but also half expecting him to decline. Eventhough they've been living together, they've kept some space between them. Every so often Dhurke would try to find opportunities to break the ice with little success.

This was yet another attempt, hoping that being outdoor might bring back the good ol' days and they could just have fun. The viewing site wasn't too far from their home either, so if Apollo didn't want to stay, he could easily just go home.

Dhurke had already gone ahead to help set up the tents and pass out food when he'll notice a set of hair sprouts in the crowd. With a smile, he comes over to greet his son, offering him plate of pigs in a blanket.] Hey there son, glad to see you could make it.

[Apollo's been in and out a lot since his arrival, still not sure what to make of the situation, or the fact that he's living with his flesh and blood adoptive father again. For the first couple weeks, keeping busy and keeping his distance was pretty much keeping him sane.

So when Dhurke tossed the idea to him, he didn't really commit with a real answer. But thinking it over, he'd finally decided. . .well, no point in making things even more awkward, right? And while it isn't stargazing, it was an activity Apollo actually enjoyed. He grabbed a blanket and headed out on his own, fairly sure Dhurke would find him eventually. He had a knack for it, after all.

And he was right.]

Uh--yeah, no bites on a job for tonight, so my schedule was free. [Which is as close as he comes to saying 'i wanted to come' as he can get right now. He takes one of the small wrapped sausages.] Did you make these?

I see. Well there's always tomorrow, and I'll keep a lookout for anything too. [He gives him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.]

And this? Nah, but I did make the boar stew. [Just like the old times is what he wanted to add.] You want me to grab some of that?

Eheh, thanks. . . [he shakes his head at the offer of stew though, content with the weird little snacks.]

You don't have to go all the way back for my sake. You wanted to watch the lights too, right? I actually saw you earlier when I got here. It looks like you've been running around helping people for a while.

Aw, I don't mind. You're still a growing boy after all, you gotta eat when you can! [He's an adult, Dhurke]

You'd be surprise how many people don't know the basics of camping around here. So of course I went around to help and gave them some pointers. Oh, our spot is over here by the way. I got us a good view. [He'll take him to one of the hillsides, where he had set up two tents along the slope.]

[Dhurke plz. Apollo just makes a thin frown at that, but doesn't comment, chewing on his pig inna blanket. ]

Does no one worry about the dragons that fly around or. . .? [He feels like that is an important thing to note while camping?? He's only met a small child that seems to be concerned about the wyverns, and as far as he knows, that the sanest kid here.

Spotting the campsite, Apollo pauses. Two tents. Dhurke really had wanted him to come, huh? If he'd stood him up. . .haa. Apollo frowns a little at himself before continuing.]

It looks like a nice spot, yeah. How'd you get dibs on that?

No? Not really. I mean, this place raises them for food and for transportation, so they don't really cause us much trouble. It's the big sand wurms you gotta worry about, they occasionally come digging into the city.

[He naturally forgets to mention the wild wyverns or the fact there are trained sand wurms guarding the city borders.

He settles down in front of one of the tents, looking to Apollo expectantly.] I was here this morning, scouring the area to find a good spot. Oh, and it also helps when you're volunteering. [If he had both his eyes, he be winking right now.]

W-wait, what, wurms? And--we eat dragons?! [LOOKS...TO THE REST OF HIS PIG IN BLANKET SUSPICIOUSLY...welp he's going to be awake tonight.

He sort of hobbles down in front of the other tent, trying to put that out of his head, gosh. He sighs.]

That would be a perk, yeah. Well, uh. Thanks for inviting me.

Yea, and we eat the wurms too. [He laughs as Apollo stares hesitantly at the food.] This ain't dragon, this is just some gruse you're eating. [???]

And I'm glad you're here to see this with me. Oh, here comes the lights! [The sun was about to disappear behind the horizon, and a rainbow of colors start to dance in the sky.]

[what the fuck is a gruse, is what Apollo's expression reads, wanting very badly to vocalize this, but it's quickly wiped away by the sudden strips of colors stretching through the sky.]

--ah! Woah! It's just like the one on earth! [only they are not freezing in the artic so that is a plus.]

Wow, it sure is, and we got to see it live and not through a television. [He chuckles at his own joke. Without thinking he wraps an arm around Apollo's shoulder, and bring him closer.]

[that's not a joke that's literally what is happening, gosh, what a dad. Apollo would point as much if not so distracted by the lights. It's such a simple but beautiful natural phenomenon that he can't break away--literally, as he doesn't even notice Dhurke's move til they're shoulder to shoulder.

He blinks, tensing slightly and glancing at him. . .but this time, he makes himself not brush him off. He's quiet another beat, then sighs.]

Hey, uh, Dhurke? Sorry.

Hm? [He looks to Apollo, confused as to where the sudden apology came from, and why. Then he just puts on a genuine smile, feeling as though progress has finally been made.]

You should be. You know I had to pay for canceling that reservation for that one dinner and show I was trying to get you to go to last week? You owe me son. [Wat. Ok surely he's teasing.]

Eh?! [Apollo is pushed around so much that he believes it, and he frantically shakes his head.]

S-sorry! Once I save up a little more, I'll pay you back! And for that stuff I set on fire, too!

Hah hah hah ha! I'm just pulling your leg! [His laughter was so loud and boisterous, that a few nearby campers turned in their direction to see what was up. All they'll see is one happy father, lovingly embracing his son.]

Just let me be a father to you, and we'll call it even.

[and one lawyer blushing in embarrassment, very much wanting to hide his face. he flails a little but ultimately concedes defeat, relieved Dhurke isn't angry with him. then again, when has he ever been truly cross with him?]

Don't scare me like that, jeeze.

But--okay. The evidence is all here, and if you're really intent on picking up where you left off, then, well. T-that's fine.

[Did the sun come back? Nah, it's just Dhurke, who was filled with so much joy that he was lighting up the area. At last, even if they were on an entirely different planet, he felt this was a blessing by the Holy Mother, to be given this opportunity to reconnect with the boy he so reluctantly had to send away all those years ago.]

Thank you, for giving me a chance. [He leans forward and plants a kiss on his forehead. No matter what, he'll always see him as his own.]

Ack--! [Jeeze!! He really still sees him as a kid, Apollo thinks. He pushes Dhurke away with flail, turning to stubbornly get back to eating his mystery meat-in-a-blankets. Though now, there is definitely a hint of a smile in his expression, despite trying to hide it.]

L-like I said. It's fine. You're fine, Dhurke.

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