#anywhere

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Morning. Adam rests a bit fitfully but he has slept, at least.

He smells something... something good. Something...familiar?

He nuzzles. Nab?

Nab isn't there. But something smells delcious

"Mm?" Adam cracks an eye open.

One of his favorite childhood meals.. he's sure it is.

"Hm?" He pushes himself up and looks.

And he sees an empty room, but a tray of his favorite comfort food... with a letter

He puts bare feet on the floor and goes over. First the letter, then eat.

That does bring a sad smile to his face, touched. And yes, he'll eat.

The food is good, and it makes .. yeah, weirdly it helps.

Yeah. Love and food help. As will the following shower and getting dressed for the day. He's not his usual self..... but at least he's out of bed.

And when he gets out of the shower, Nab is there, getting his tray"Oh, hey"

"Hey." Towel held loosely, he goes over and hugs her. "Thanks."

She hugs him back careful not to drop the tray "You're welcome. Your mom and dad were very cool about it."

"I appreciate it. Them being cool, and you reaching out to them. Thanks."

She kisses him on the cheek "We love you, dork. Now, let me get this tray put up before i drop it"

"Nab?" he releases her at least.

"Yeah?" She smiles

"Last night.... and now, just now... You said you love me."

"No I didn't" she says

"Oh. Ok." his eyes hold her gently "My mistake."

"Thanks for the tray. Coming back?"

"I thought I might talk to your parents in the garden, lure you to talkk to them then split.." A smile "But I can skip that plan if it's too soon?"

"Nah. Might as well.... you know. Get it over with. I'll be ok, Nab. It just... hurts."

"I know" She says sympathetically

He kisses her cheek, and gets dressed.

And he's ready when she returns to walk to the garden together.

They enter the garden together, and do see his mom and dad talking under a tree

The weather is turning cool as winter approaches, but not so cold as to need a coat.

"Hi mom, hi dad."

"Adam," His mom moves to him and gives him a hug "It's so good to see you, I'm sorry it's not at a good time for you. Nab, well.. she told us, you saw the note?"

She gets a good hug back. "Yeah. Thanks. I'll be ok. It just hurts."

"I can imagine" His mom says as the hug breaks "Anything we can do? I.. guess not huh?"

"No. But thanks for the offer. And the food helped too."

His dad pats his shoulder "I still never understood what you liked about the stuff" Mild amusement

"Tastes good! And.... you know, mom made it."

"See?" Brenda says to her husband smugly, then says "Sorry, Lily isn't here, but she's helping in some scare plot"

"Still not crazy about that" Kyle mutters

"Scare plot?"

"Yes, your sister is terrorizing an area to help some changelings" His father explains "it's like reverse marketing.. 'avoid this product'. I gave a few tips but your sister kept saying 'daad... let us slllooagh do this' and groaned a great deal"

"She was gonna do that anyway."

"Yeah, of all of us she took to her kith the most" Kyle says "I'm afraid your dad isnt' always the best troll.. but I'm getting there."

Brenda says "We're both proud of your sister.. guess she saw how far her big brother is getting and decided she wnted to strut her stuff too mmm?"

"Not really getting that far but thanks for the vote of confidence, mom."

"Adam's being modest!" Nab protests "Your son's getting much further. "

"Doesn't feel like it. But thanks."

"Oh? What are you progressing in?" Brenda smiles

"I'm getting good at cleaning up after the animals. And hunting, I think. Some mistakes but.... I mean, that's how you learn."