Forging New Paths

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Deciding where other people would sleep felt like too much, like a decision he wasn't allowed to make, even though everyone had been telling him he was allowed to make any decisions he wanted. It was too much for him to decide at first, but helping Anthony pull out the couch bed and getting it ready for sleeping in was easier. He was grateful when, after going to change and brush his teeth Evelyn asked Anthony herself if he would be so kind as to sleep on the air mattress with Garrett. Even though Luca thought it would have been fine cramming everyone into one bed so he could be next to them all, he wasn't sure there was enough room, and most people liked having space.

Evelyn had been thinking the matter over while she was out of the room, going through her nighttime routine. As much as she had wanted to let the boys decide where to sleep, she just couldn't get past the mental block that kept her from allowing herself to be near Garrett while sleeping. It was something about herself and how tense she could be round anything that might seem suggestive, or something her mind might label some sort of threat, be it emotional of physical. Luca, at least, was familiar to have nearby when she was sleeping, and presented no concern when it came to thinking of her in any way that was romantic or sexual. Being the only woman in the group, she just felt more comfortable sleeping next to him if she had to be next to anyone.

"I'll leave the light over the stove on," She said as everyone settled in, plugging in her phone nearby but leaving it out of reach on the table to convince herself to try actually sleeping. "It shouldn't cast too much light, but at least it'll probably keep anyone from tripping on the way to the bathroom." She kept her voice low to keep from waking Garrett, and just gave the two of them a smile as she came to lay down. "Let me know if you need anything, all right? Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight. . ." Luca murmured softly, unsure still if wishing dreams for people was something he was supposed to do, and closed his eyes to try sleeping. With everyone in the room and Evelyn close enough to touch if he needed to, he thought he might actually get a few hours of rest.
 
Anthony was more than comfortable with sleeping around any one of the group, and he quickly settled in next to Garrett and Watson for the night with a big yawn. "Night, Luca. Night, Evelyn. Night, Garrett. Night, Watson . . ." His voice trailed off, and he was deep asleep a few minutes later.

The next day, he and Garrett were buzzing. After a light breakfast, the group went out to get some painting supplies, and then tried watercolor art together at home. Each of their paintings - including Watson's, who Anthony had helped paint with his paws - was set on the table to dry for the evening. Then Anthony lounged in the living room while Garrett headed to his own apartment briefly to prepare for the date.

Eventually, the detective returned and rang the doorbell. He'd slicked back his hair with some gel, shaped his beard, and put on his fanciest vest, overcoat, and hat - soft, black fabric for all three. And in his hand, he held a bouquet of lavender flowers and a box of chocolates. Not only were the flowers beautiful, but they reminded him of Evelyn's purple umbrella, and he hoped the scent might help her sleep a little easier.

He rocked back on his heels and anxiously waited at the door.
 
It was good to spend time together in the morning, doing her best to explain techniques for watercolors that she had mostly only learned in theory, herself. The others didn't seem to mind, free to smile and enjoy themselves even if she didn't have all the answers, and to laugh at Anthony's helping Watson take part as well. Sometimes it was best to just learn by doing, and she was content enough to leave their drawings to dry with a plastic tablecloth underneath to protect her furniture. Later, when they were dry, she was sure Garrett would want to pin a couple up in his own home, though really she thought he was beginning to spend more time at hers than his.

The nerves didn't start until Garrett left, and they were strong enough she almost wanted to cancel the whole thing. How long had it been since she'd been on an actual date? She tried not to think about it, but couldn't fight down the nervous flutter in her stomach as she hurried off to get ready, leaving Anthony to spend time with Luca. While they entertained each other, she washed her face and redid her makeup, adding mascara and winged eyeliner she didn't usually wear, as well as a delicate dark pink lipstick. She hadn't had time to go and look for anything special, but picked one of her better dresses from her closet, one she'd bought on a whim and since had only worn once. It was a deep purple with a halter neck and delicate lace over the chest, the skirt high in the front and lower in the back. Along with it she wore a pair of black heels and a small black purse to carry just her essentials in, with a small silver bracelet on one wrist and small matching earrings, though she decided against a necklace. She was still curling her hair when the doorbell rang, and only sent Anthony a text asking him to answer the door and let Garrett know she would be ready in a few minutes, doing her best not to let the anxious feeling in her stomach rush her into doing a poor job.

When she was done, finally, having taken a moment to just breathe and calm herself down, she forced herself to leave the safety of her bedroom, her purse clutched in front of her in both hands. "Sorry for keeping you waiting," she said as she walked out, if only to announce her presence, and fought the urge to touch her hair as she usually did when she was nervous. She stopped as she came to the end of the hall, flushed the slightest pink across her cheeks as she took in how Garrett had dressed up for her, and the gifts in his hands. It felt so strange to get herself all done up after so long, just like he had. The fact that he'd gotten all dressed up for her made her feel a little better about styling herself in ways she didn't usually.

"Are those for me?" She asked when she could, managing a small smile and a bit of humor in her voice as she stepped closer to let him present them to her. As if they could be for someone else. "They're lovely. You shouldn't have."

Luca, sitting on the couch still, had turned around to sit facing the back of it so he could see Garrett when he came in, and made a soft, surprised sound when she walked out, eyes gone a bit wide. Everyone was dressed so fancy. Was he supposed to have dressed like that? Weren't they going to the aquarium?
 
Garrett let out a shaky sigh when Anthony opened the door. "Oh! Anthony. Hi. Uh - "

"Are those for me?" Anthony teased, chuckling. Then he patted Garrett's arm and held the door open. "Kidding. Come on in, Evelyn's just finishing up getting ready!"

"Ah. Yes, of course," Garrett murmured. He was too anxious to sit, so he wound up pacing the living room until he heard the door open. Then he froze and stared in awe.

Evelyn strolled out, with curled hair, a gorgeous dress, and dazzling lipstick and mascara.

Garrett finally let out a breath and held the gifts out with a shy smile. "Wh - why yes, they are. The lavender has some roots, too, so you can plant them. I thought they might help you get some better rest. Ah - and the chocolates are just for fun. Um - " He cleared his throat and blushed. "You look lovely, Evelyn. Absolutely stunning."

Anthony whistled and nodded at the pair. "You both look great! Definitely ready for a night out. Can we go to the car now?" he added, bouncing near the door. He was dressed very casually in a hoodie and jeans, although his hair was nicely brushed and washed.
 
Somehow, seeing Garrett acting nervous put a bit of her own anxiety at ease. She shouldn't be worried - it was Garrett, after all, her dear friend, touchingly worried about her and her rest, and she had to remind herself it was his first real date. It was easier to think of soothing his nerves than it was her own.

"They're beautiful," she said softly, reaching a hand out not to take them from him at first but to rest her hand around his to keep it still so she could lean in closer and smell the delicate flowers in his grasp. When she did take them from him, she gave him a gentle smile. "That was so sweet of you, thank you. You look very handsome." Not that she didn't think he always looked handsome, but it was nice to see him dressed up and without his trademark hat. "Let me just put these in some water so they don't wilt while we're away, then we can go."

Going to the kitchen to set down the flowers and chocolates and pull out a vase from on top of the fridge gave her an excuse to be alone and take a few deep breaths once more, and she was feeling steadier by the time she reemerged. Luca had gotten his shoes on and was petting Watson to say goodbye while they waited for her to be ready. On a normal day she would have brought a sweater along, going out at night with no sleeves of her own, but she was trying not to be in over-prepare mode. In contradiction to that, she was also thinking ahead in that it would give Garrett the opportunity to offer his jacket if she was cold later on, though she wouldn't admit it under pain of death.

Luca followed after Anthony on the way out, still confused about how everyone was dressed but letting it go with the idea of the aquarium in mind. He wanted to see the fish again, and since they were driving instead of walking and he'd gotten some sleep so he wasn't as tired as the last time they had gone. Maybe they would stay longer this time, so he could explore everything again.
 
The detective was prepared for Evelyn to take the flowers. He was not prepared for her to rest her hand on his and lean in closer to smell the flowers. He blinked a few times and blushed so much his ears turned red, and for a few moments he could barely gather the words to say. "Uh - I - well! Thank you. Um - " He cleared his throat and grinned from ear to ear. "I'm very glad you think so. We should maybe put the chocolates in the fridge, unless you want to bring them with. I - wow."

While Evelyn went to put her gifts away, Garrett sighed shakily and glanced at Luca and Anthony. ". . . She's so beautiful," he murmured.

Anthony giggled and nudged his arm. "Oooh, someone's got a crush!"

Watson curled up for a nap while the group eventually headed out, and Anthony could practically read the confusion in Luca's face while the boy studied the pair on the way to the car. He chuckled and patted his arm with a smile. "They're both dressed up all fancy for their date. It's - it's when people want to see if they might like each other romantically, so they get all pretty and handsome and have fun together. I think. I'm only like eighty percent sure that's what happens," he explained.

Garrett chuckled and adjusted his tie. "That's more or less the idea, yes. Now, we'll have the whole aquarium to ourselves again. Evelyn? What are your thoughts about letting the boys wander off while we stroll about on our date?"

"Please?!" Anthony asked with a grin. "I really want to show Luca that sand and water table thing!" He was plenty old enough to go where he wanted - but a large part of him was absolutely soaking up the parental attention he'd lacked for so long.
 
Garrett had turned very red. At first Luca had worried he was sick, but he didn't seem like he felt bad, and all he did was say Evelyn was beautiful. Did he flush because she was pretty? Because he was embarrassed? Everything felt very complicated, and Anthony's explanation in the car did manage to help a few memories resurface about the concept of a 'date'. Was everyone nervous? People got nervous for dates, didn't they? He had seen tv shows before when people got nervous around each other, so maybe that was it.

Luca, despite being a bit uncertain still, did nod along with Anthony's description, as if to confirm that it seemed right. "Date." He'd thought a date was supposed to be dinner, or a movie, or something like that, but couldn't remember exactly where he'd come up with the idea.

Evelyn couldn't help a smile at the two of them, though she had to hide it behind a hand for a moment to avoid laughing when she didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. "I suppose," she said with a slight drawl as if she were still mulling the idea over, and glanced back at Anthony in the rear view mirror, a little smile on her face, "if they're on their best behavior." Truthfully she'd taken most of the day thinking it over already. Anthony would take good care of Luca, and they wouldn't be able to get far. Nothing bad would happen inside a closed aquarium no one else was allowed to enter.

Luca seemed to consider the idea for a long moment, taking in Anthony's excitement and finally nodding a little. "I'll be good," he said softly, as much a promise to himself as to her. He would behave and follow Anthony and not break anything, and everything would be fine. They would all still be in the same building, and if he had to he could call Evelyn's phone to find her, so it would be okay. Nothing bad would happen if he was good.
 
Garrett had just settled in the driver's seat during the conversation, listening with sparkling eyes while Evelyn pretended to consider the idea. Somehow, he felt she'd already decided to agree before, especially with the smile on her face. Garrett highly considered teasing her about it. Maybe he'd crack a joke about -

"I'll be good."

And all at once, Garrett was relieved he hadn't started driving yet. Three soft words tore him out of the moment and yanked him all the way back to when he'd first met Luca. Trembling, hanging limply from his arm with a shackle around his wrist. Garrett had to hold onto the steering wheel and pull in a soft breath, and hope no one noticed the subtle wince in his features before he was able to smile again shortly after. Maybe they'd at least chalk it up to his first date nerves.

He finally cleared his throat and started the car, pausing a moment to glance behind at the pair with his arm on the seat. "Hey," he said gently at last. "We know you two are good people. We're not worried. Don't be afraid to have some fun in there, okay?" he added with a smile.

"Fun's why we're going to the aquarium, Garrett," Anthony said with a laugh. "We will! Don't worry. You two have fun too, okay?"

Garrett smiled warmly again and glanced at Evelyn. Right. His date. "I'm sure we will."

Once they got to the aquarium, Garrett hopped out the car and held the door for Evelyn, bowing lightly. "After you, miss Evelyn."

Anthony snorted and grinned. "You two are so cheesy. Luca, want to play with the sand and water tables first?"
 
Evelyn didn't think the others had noticed the way Garrett's posture changed, the way he went taut and only relaxed through what seemed like willpower and deep breathing. When he shifted the car into drive she reached over to briefly rest a hand on his, offering a short, reassuring look before turning her attention back to Anthony as if to distract him for a moment.

"Just don't tap the glass," she said with a quiet chuckle. "I'm sure you'll be fine."

When they arrived at the aquarium she waited patiently for Garrett to come around to her door when she realized it was what he was doing, offering him a small smile and laughing softly at the way he bowed even as she took his hand to assist herself out. "Why, thank you," she said with a little glance Anthony's way, and resisted the urge to tease him further. Even harder was resisting the urge to pull Luca closer as they got inside, to remind him that he could come and get her if he needed anything at all, and that they were really only a shout or a phone call away. He was safe with Anthony, and he was starting to be a little more confident with just his friend around. She didn't want to ruin it, and instead just clasped her hands loosely over the purse dangling off her shoulder to hold in the urge to reach for him. "Have fun, boys."

Luca was thoughtful as they walked, distracted by thinking about things inside the aquarium and not noticing the way Evelyn and Garrett looked at him. "Okay. . . Tables first." They would be fun, Anthony had promised, and then when they were done having fun with that he could sit and watch the jellyfish swim for a while. Maybe this time they wouldn't make him want to sleep.
 
Almost before Garrett had a chance to react, he felt his nullifying powers wrap gently around Evelyn's hand as she rested her hand on his. He blinked and smiled gratefully at her, immediately letting out a breath and relaxing. She had no idea how much just the small act of support meant to him. Maybe he'd tell her, once they split off from the boys.

And eventually the group was in the familiar, cozy space of the aquarium. Soft blue lights danced across the walls. The only sounds were the bubbles in the tanks, muffled by carpet in some areas. Garrett relaxed further and smiled while he watched Luca and Anthony head for the sensory tables. Then he turned to Evelyn and shyly offered his hand. "Well, uh - shall we? You lead the way where you'd like to go. I'll follow you," he added softly.


It didn't take long for Anthony to head straight for the water and sand tables. They were right near the entrance, with toy boats, people, tools, and sea life spread out to play with. Anthony giggled and knelt down on one side where the water and sand tables met. "I'm so excited! I haven't played with one of these in forever."

He scooped up a fisherman and a boat and set the figure inside. "Want to play pretend? Maybe my fisherman guy can come down the stream and invite your guy onto his boat!" he offered.
 
Evelyn couldn't help watching the two of them disappear for a moment, something vaguely anxious in her expression, and startled a little when Garrett got her attention again, however quietly. She looked at him with a soft, questioning hum in her throat, and offered a sheepish smile at her distraction. "Ah, one second," she urged, thinking quickly and taking her phone from the small purse hanging at her side to be sure the volume was turned up in case Luca needed her. She wouldn't be able to sense it if Garrett was too close, and the last thing she wanted was to refuse to hold his hand just because she was worried. It would feel too much like a slap in the face.

"Where to first?" She murmured thoughtfully as she tucked the phone away again, and reached to take his hand gently in hers, infers twining through his even as she started to walk with her arm pressed along his. "Why don't we walk this way and see what's there? I'd like to see the seahorses again, and maybe an octopus or two." Anywhere was fine. The aquarium was a beautiful place when it was empty, dimly lit and quiet, with fish swimming in soothing motions here and there even as their night began. Perhaps it had been a total accident, but Garrett had chosen a very romantic spot for their first date.


It felt strange, leaving Garrett and Evelyn behind, like he was lost even though he thought he knew the way. If he didn't, Anthony would show him, and he liked being in the aquarium so he thought it was all right. It was only an unsettled feeling he couldn't describe.

When they got to the tables he followed after Anthony still, kneeling carefully down when his friend did and looking at all of the bits and pieces around the table. ". . . Captain Starfish." He said eventually, reaching out to give the little fisherman's boat a gentle tap and watching it bob in the water with a small smile. Playing pretend wasn't something he was sure he remembered how to do. He had as a child, he thought, but as he looked over the little people available to play with and selected one that was mostly blue with a little hat on, he couldn't quite remember. Was it okay if he didn't? Everyone was always telling him it was okay, they would show him how and it was okay if he didn't know, or if he didn't like it. Maybe it was okay to try and 'play' for a little while.
 
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Garrett smiled gently. He figured Evelyn wanted the volume up in case Luca or Anthony needed them, which was wise, even if the aquarium was small for its size and was exceptionally quiet. He was sure they'd be able to hear Anthony or Luca call for help if they needed it, even without a phone. But he didn't want to discount Evelyn's worry. It was her first time being apart from Luca for such an extended time in a while.

Eventually, when she settled on a direction to walk and mentioned seahorses and octopuses, he happily held her hand and strolled off with her. "That sounds wonderful."

And then, when they'd gone a distance and reached the seahorses, Garrett's voice softened. "I can't thank you enough for your support earlier," he murmured. "I know you weren't in the building the night we rescued Luca. But . . ." He took a breath and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. Maybe this conversation should wait until after our date, hm?"


"Oh, yeah! He kinda does look like Captain Starfish, doesn't he?" Anthony asked with a grin. "He doesn't have his yellow raincoat, though. I swear he has that thing on in every photo." He scooped his person up and examined him. "I think I'll name him Marlin."

He set the man down on the boat and drove it over to the shore. "Okay, I'm gonna pretend my guy is talking to your guy." He moved the figure around to make it more animated. "Ahoy, there! Care to join me on me boat fer a spot of fishing?" he called out in an exaggerated accent.
 
Evelyn was content to walk more slowly than they had in their first visit, letting the nerves slowly begin to settle with the warmth of Garrett's hand in hers, the gentle sound of bubbles coming through the glass here and there. It was strange, getting to hold his hand, to lean her shoulder gently into hers, to go so far as to rest her other hand on his arm as if to keep him close, without feeling as if there was something she should be hiding, from others or from herself. Garrett was good, and kind, and safe. It was all right to admit that she found him quite handsome. And more than that, that his always welcoming heart made it feel as if it was all right to try and open hers again.

"It's all right," she reassured gently when he apologized to her, brow drawn down a bit in concern as she gave his hand a small squeeze. "I wasn't sure what happened, but I'd like to hear what's on your mind." She gave him a small smile, wanting to reassure him. "We so rarely get a moment alone anymore, I don't know when we'll find another time for it."

Date or no date, she would always want to hear what he had to say.


Voices. Garrett and Anthony were always doing different voices when they were reading, a somehow then it made sense, like it was something that was supposed to happen. Hearing Anthony's 'Captain' voice startled a chuckle out of Luca, quiet and short but with an amused little smile on his face. He considered the little person in his own hands, and the toy boat in the water, the words from Anthony's funny voice that made them seem like they were from a story. After a long moment, he sat up on his knees enough to reach over the edge of the water table and set it gently on the boat with Anthony's Captain.

"If we go together," he said finally, quiet and thoughtful, and though he put on no exaggerated accents or changes in pitch, there was a shift in the tone of his voice that suggested it wasn't supposed to be his voice at all. "We can catch twice as much."

It felt easier, somehow, to speak when the words weren't his, when they belonged to someone else and only came with the sound of his voice. Like telling a story, only one he'd never heard before. Maybe some day, just using his own words would be just as easy.
 
"That's a good point," Garrett agreed at last, squeezing her hand in reply to thank her. He took a moment to compose himself, and then turned to watch the seahorses while he spoke. It seemed easier to get the words out when he wasn't distracted by Evelyn's gentle expression. "When I went into the house - well, first things first, I nearly got shot almost immediately. But once I got past that - "

He described what had happened in the short time Evelyn couldn't sense him. How Luca had burst through the door and thrown an attack or two at him. How he'd stumbled forward and caught the young man's wrist. How Luca sank down and began murmuring to himself, over and over, "Be good."

". . . So when I heard the same words again, in the car, I - well. I suppose it reminded me so much of that night," Garrett finished. He smiled shakily and finally turned to glance at Evelyn. "I'm just - I'm so proud of how far he's come since then. The way he said it tonight, I'd like to think he knows he's safe now."


Anthony beamed when he heard Luca chuckle. It was rare he got him to laugh, and every time he heard it, it made him smile. He nodded and pointed his figure towards the front of the boat as though it were pointing at something. "All right! In that case, welcome aboard! Are ye ready to travel down the Ripping Rapids?" he announced.

He pointed with a hand at a section of the water table with various rivers and steep waterfalls. "How about those are the rapids, and while they're going down it their boat crashes and sends them flying over to the sand table?"
 
Evelyn was quiet as she listened, letting her eyes follow his to the slowly floating seahorses even when all she wanted to do was look at him, to see his face and try to understand what he was feeling when her Insight could never tell her. That night, she had heard the gunshots from afar, had feared for them both but not in the same way she could now, knowing them and holding them close to her heart. She had never known, in those first days, just how big and open Garrett's heart would be.

"That was my fault, I think," she said softly, giving a small, sad little smile when she looked at him. "I told him when we came for him, if he could just try not to listen, if he could be good and try his best to fight back, that everything would be okay. I suppose it was all he had to hang on to, back then."

It felt like so long ago, but he'd been with them for such a short amount of time in the grand scheme of things that she thought Garrett was right to feel proud. Luca had come far, and he was finally getting the chance to be the good person he wanted to be.

"It's an uphill battle," Evelyn said, giving him a gentle tug to get him walking again so they could wander slowly to the next interesting tank, though she often looked more at him than the fish they meandered by. "And sometimes it only feels like we're sliding back down, but . . . I'm glad you're fighting it with me. He needs someone to look up to. You're his hero, you know."

She was Luca's caretaker, someone to provide for his needs, soothe his hurts and brush aside bad feelings, but though Garrett filled some of those roles at times too, she knew Luca saw him up on such a high pedestal. There was no one he looked up to more than the great Detective Shiver.


"Rapids?" Luca questioned softly, back to his own voice as he looked at the different parts of the table and made a soft, understanding hum. There were a lot of obstacles to go through, like rocks and rapids on a river - though he'd never seen one. It made sense to think of it as a dangerous journey for such a small boat.

After a little pause to consider, he turned back to the toys with a determined nod and reached over to set his little plastic person down on the boat. "I'm ready." Rapids were scary, and he'd only ever seen them on tv before, but someone who was Not Him didn't have to be scared. They could go on adventures and see what happened, even if the rapids were big and the boat small.

When Anthony pointed out the sand table, Luca was back to himself and only nodded at first, thinking back to the mess-making room Garrett had shown him, of playing in the sand bucket and dreaming of beaches and castles. ". . . Like an island." Or a sandbar. It that was less exciting.
 
When Luca shifted back into voicing his character, Anthony knew he was ready to play. He sent the boat on a dangerous quest down the rapids, plunging it below the water at points and offering Luca to take turns with it as well. Eventually, they sent the boat crashing into a rock and launching off into the mysterious island. It didn't take Anthony long to shift the story to pirates and treasures and mermaids, and soon he was completely invested in the tale. But he also made sure Luca was having fun, and checked in on him subtly from time to time.


"Oh," Garrett murmured, letting out a soft exhale when Evelyn revealed she'd been the one to plant the phrase. "That's a relief. I thought his captors were the ones who had taught him the phrase, that maybe his idea of being good was only following orders. I'm very glad to hear he learned it from you with a better context."

He blushed and followed after Evelyn said he was Luca's hero. "I'm honored. Truly. Although sometimes I think I look up to Luca more. He's been through so much, but he's always so kind and eager to learn, and always so gentle." He smiled and tried to pretend to be interested in the fish. But mostly, his gaze traveled back to Evelyn, and he sighed softly. "Thank you for listening. It really helped, and I feel a good deal better. Shall we talk about the fish next?" He knew Evelyn was a fairly private person, and didn't want her to feel he was turning the conversation to be about her.
 
To play was a strange feeling, in a way that was uncertain but also pleasant. It had been so long since Luca had played, since he had felt any desire to, or felt safe enough to let his imagination start to come alive again. He had spent such a long time afraid of every thought he had and every movement he made being so wrong he would be in trouble, he hadn't even thought about if he still knew how to pretend. He mostly followed Anthony's lead, smiling at the way his friend made the story come alive and poking here and there at the water and sand tables to see how they worked, speaking more freely 'in character' than he usually did but quiet and passive still, just happy to be a part of whatever was happening. By the time the story ended, he almost felt tired.


In the moment, Evelyn didn't have the heart to tell him that Luca probably had turned 'I'll be good' into a mantra meant to keep himself from being hurt. Like every abused child, he had likely held on to the idea that if he did everything right, followed orders exactly as he should, that he would stop getting in trouble. It was why he had been so afraid of making messes, why he'd gone so long not doing anything under his own will unless she urged him to. He was getting better, but like all things it would take time. For now, she kept such sentiments to herself to keep from upsetting poor Garrett when he'd seemed so reassured. She was used to keeping information that could be unpleasant to others to herself, after all. Once more wouldn't hurt.

"I think he might like to hear you say that, some day," she said softly when Garrett went on, smiling gently at his earnest tone. "I think he would also shut down like an overtaxed computer," she added with a soft laugh, "but like it nonetheless."

Talking about fish was a request she hadn't expected, but she only nodded and went along with it, wondering if she had overwhelmed him, or if he just wanted to not think of how Luca had been treated for a while. They could both use a break from that. "Do you think any of the octopus will be out, or do they sleep at night?" She asked as she gave him a little tug that way, passing a couple of smaller fish displays that she didn't feel like looking at just then. "They aren't the cutest things, but they're so smart I can't help but like them."
 
". . . And then they lived happily ever after, exploring with their new crew and meeting new friends!" Anthony announced. He sighed happily and smiled. "That was fun! Do you want to keep playing at the sensory tables, or should we go do something else?" he offered.


Garrett couldn't help but chuckle at Evelyn's accurate description. "He would. But I'd love to tell him one of these days. Maybe on a day he really needs to hear it, or a day when there's time to recover from hearing it." He paused for a moment, running a hand through his slicked hair. Maybe he should tell him tomorrow.

But he'd ask Evelyn about it first. Besides, tonight was about Evelyn, not Luca. And the change in topic seemed to work exactly as planned. Maybe he could use it to sneak in a compliment without her getting too self-conscious. "It actually depends on the species. Some octopi are diurnal, awake at several times during the day, and some are nocturnal." His eyes glittered. ". . . And I think you're cute and smart."
 
By the time the story was through, Luca felt strangely tired. His body was fine, but his brain felt sluggish. Even if he'd had fun playing, he didn't think he could manage another story with any sort of focus, so he hoped Anthony wouldn't be disappointed. He'd gotten to put his hands in the sand and experiment with the little fixtures that poured it or water down into turning wheels and such, so he thought he was done.

". . . Fish now?" He asked softly, hesitant again even as he pushed himself up to his feet from where he'd kneeled to play with the sand. Even picking a direction felt much too difficult, but any fish was fine with him.


Always thinking. Garrett reminded her of herself a little, though what he thought about was usually other people, rather than simply overthinking and overpreparing for every eventuality. On a case, she was sure he was more diligent and careful, but for the everyday his thoughts seemed always to be thinking of others rather than himself. She might have poked at him for it, if he hadn't gone on and reminded her that the person he was thinking about then was her.

A faint dusting of pink rose across her cheeks, and she had to adjust the strap of her purse on her shoulder to keep herself from touching her hair as she usually might. "Are you comparing me to an octopus?" She said with an eyebrow raised, letting him stew for a moment as if she might complain though there was an amused little smile on her face the whole time. "Well, I think they're very smart and innovative, just like you."

It felt strange, handing out something she would usually have kept carefully silent on, even delivered in a teasing manner. Her instinct was to clamp her mouth shut and say nothing, to retreat so none of her thoughts could escape, so no one could know her. But she wanted to let go. Garrett was the first person in a long time that she had let convince her it was safe.
 
Anthony got to his feet and stretched, cracking his back a bit. "Fish sound good to me! Want to start at the jellyfish? That's where we paused last time," he suggested. Then if Luca still had enough energy, they could explore more and see the rest of the aquarium. If not, they could just relax by the jellyfish again until Garrett and Evelyn came to find them.


Garrett blushed and burst out laughing. "Well, yes! I mean, not entirely, but - I mean it in the best way possible." He was still smiling when Evelyn returned the compliment, and he scuffed a shoe across the floor. ". . . Thank you. I mean, it's sort of my job to be smart and innovative, but hearing that from you is very - it means a lot," he stammered at last.

Then he stifled another laugh and raised an eyebrow. "Say. If we're comparing each other to fish - which animal in the aquarium do you think I'm the most like? Take me to it, but don't tell me which one it is or why until we arrive. Then I'll do the same for you. I think it might be kinda fun," he added. Not only would he learn a bit more about how Evelyn's mind worked, but he'd get another chance to compliment her, too. He had just the creature in mind.
 
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