Hawknell Park Salon

Fit

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It was a nice day if just a little on the cooler side, but Viv had insisted that they go to the park, and who was Ronny to deny her? The sun was out, and the wind was light, if they wore their jackets they'd be warm enough, plus after finishing Lights Out, Ronny needed a little air and sunshine.

Something to take the sting away of having finished yet another amazing book.

Why couldn't all of them last forever?

Sitting at a park bench, Viv was running about ignoring the playset entirely as she hunted for a variety of flowers to stick into his unruly hair. So far he had a handful of dandelions, and a mix of purple and white flowers that he didn't know the names of. Daisies maybe? Either way she was a giggling mess, running back and forth between him and the field until her eye caught something new entirely.

He'd watch brows furrowed as she plucked a larger dandelion from the ground, beelining towards a stranger with a wide smile. Didn't wait for him to completely reach him before picking himself up off the bench towards his sister who was offering the stranger a smile with the request for him to allow her to put flowers into his hair now that her brothers was 'too full' for them.

"Viv, I have plenty of space!" He chided, pulling her back from the stranger with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that, she just can't resist a good head of hair." And apparently needed to listen to his whole 'stranger danger' spewl again.

outfit

---

There were plenty of great parks in Valencia but sometimes he had to have a change of scenery while lowkey absorbing the community vibes. It would probably be easier to admit he was feeling a bit lonely, but hell would have to freeze over before he'd admit it. So, he found himself outside, sunglasses firmly in place because of hello blinding light, but he was content.

Kids were laughing, adults chatting away, and Waylin was sitting under a tree with a file open of a potential cold case. Sometimes he was lucky and could talk someone into giving him a file that was gathering dust. It was rare but when he did get one it was like Christmas in July April.

Suddenly, the sound of giggles was getting louder and a shadow appeared. Oh? He looked up and found himself staring into the gaze of an adorable child who was asking him something. He blinked trying to piece together the question as his mind was delayed for a second before a man joined and - OH!

Misha’s friend.

"It's all good,"he told the man as he turned to smile at the girl. "Go ahead, I've been told my hair goes well with most flowers." Weeds. Leaves. Twigs. The whole nature lot, and who was he to say no? He closed the file and scooted away from the tree a little bit so the girl had free range with his hair.

God, Viv really knew how to pick them, the man smiled and Ronny swore his heart stuttered a beat. What was with Ridgefield and all these handsome and beautiful creatures that inhabited it?

He was starting to feel a little outclassed!

Viv would pounce forward with the easy agreement that the man offered, placing the daisy behind an ear before she was off making her way back into the field for more. "Thanks, but you know you're about to have all of this now, right?" A wave of a head around his very full and very flowered head.

”Letting her explore something she’s having fun with builds a kid’s confidence.”

His parents had let him explore so much outside, it was safe to say he felt more confident in nature than not. Mom had danced and encouraged this way of learning while his dad had the ‘he’ll only do it once’ mindset. Jokes on him, there were a few things Waylin did multiple time even if he earned a new scar.

”My hair is fluffy and soft, perfect for a floral arrangement.”

A confidence that Ronny was carefully building with every fun outfit, weird nail color or 'out there' hairstyle that he let Viv put on him on the daily. It was what his parents would have wanted, and it was always fun to see what Viv would come up with for every occasion. Some were better than others, but Ronny liked to believe that he rocked them all regardless.

But dang, a man that was good looking and good with kids? Again, Viv really knew how to pick them.

"Oh definitely perfect," Ronny nodded in agreement. "You're already so handsome, I'm afraid when she's done with you, you might be otherworldly." His poor eyes wouldn't be able to handle it. "Can I sit?"

Did he look handsome with his beard properly grown back in with the faint lines of claws still healing, sunglasses, and working under a shade tree? Maybe, it was one of those scenarios that when a person was great with kids they became ten times more attractive.

Well, handsome doesn’t always equate to attraction and who the hell was he kidding, his fox was preening as usual under the compliment.

It would seem those nasty little feelings from when he terrorized this man as a fox weren’t present now. Probably because he got scolded by Misha, and didn’t want to ruin a rare friendship for the vampire. Should he ignore this person then? Make friends?

Hmm…he’ll just let things be natural and if he feels a shift in the sour direction, he’ll chat up the kid as a distraction. Share some fun facts about the flowers she would put in his hair.

”I don’t know about otherworldly but sure you can sit. There’s plenty of space to hide from the sun.”

Wow we love a humble king!

Ronny would happily seat himself below the tree next to the man, eyes back on Viv who was sifting from one clump of grass to the next in search of perfect flowers. A hairstylist who only wanted the best for her clients.

"Ronny by the way, I don't think I've seen you around, you live around here?"

”Waylin.”

Waylin gave easily as he watched the child move about. He had an urge to get up and hunt with her, like a canine companion scouring for bugs with their human. He glanced around, fingers tapping the file in his hand trying to figure out how to handle this.

Just be friendly, don't bare his teeth. This is someone with someone who needs him around, don't send him into an early grave.

"I live in Valencia, so I tend to frequent those parks but wanted a change in scenery."

He would tuck that name into his memory, glancing down towards the folder as it was tapped, then back towards Waylin who's eyes were on Viv.

Viv who was currently offering some poor flower a very critical eye.

It didn't pass whatever test she had going on, tossed back onto the ground with a huff.

"What's that?" He'd ask, a nod towards the file.

Waylin turned his head to smile at Ronny, his ear focused on the child playing. One could never be too cautious these days with creeps around every corner.

”This?” He waved the file with a raised brow and the slightest tilt of his head. ”Is a cold case. I sometimes get lucky as a PI and get a case every once in a while. Current work is a little slow, so I try to pass the time in between cases with a puzzle.”

Jigsaw puzzles were fine and dandy, but cold case puzzles? That’s really what got his brain ticking. Was this human into true crime? Or, crime drama? He couldn’t tell, but hopefully, even if he wasn’t, it didn’t suddenly make him want to run away.

Waylin was being truthful and cordial…the opposite of scary! Except, maybe trying too hard would do the opposite effect. Please stop overthinking brain!!

Never in Ronny's wildest dreams would he have ever envisioned himself sitting under a tree next to a PI. It was like one of the top hottest career choices a man could make right up there along with fire fighter and doctor.

God, and for him to be using a cold case as some sort of way to pass the time? Swoon, he hoped he figured it out and brought peace to whatever family was still waiting for answers.

"A man for the public," Ronny grinned, "that's pretty hot, you ever solve one of these cases before?"

Was he a man for the public? Ironic, given that he disliked the public to an extent and there shouldn’t be so many missing people.

He merely shrugged and opened the file, not bound by the laws of HIPPA when he worked for no one but himself, and this case was a few years old. It could be a bust, hard to close most of the cases but it gave him something to think on. He’d mull over it back home when the cabin was too quiet or his mind was overly loud.

There was still some decompression happening when he thought about the weekend at Misha’s. Too many realizations but only one could truly hurt him again. Realizing he was zoning out looking into the vibrant blue eyes of one youthful ginger. The case was chalked up as nothing but an adult wanting to get away, even when statements stated they would never just do that.

”Hot, huh?" Waylin chuckled. "Never thought of it like that. Would that make it scorching if I've closed a few? Not as many as I'd like but yeah, I have."

He'd closed a few of them?! Holy shit, this guy had to be pretty damn smart, unless he was totally lying to him right now. Didn't seem the type but Misha would likely consider him 'too trusting' again, which... Oh well! >:3

"Oof, scorching's a big one." Ronny hummed a teasing smile pulling at his lips as he cast another glance towards the occupied Viv. "I'd say it depends on whether or not cuffs are included in the job description." An inquisitive raise of his brow.

Cuffs?

Waylin’s brows furrowed with a hum as he tried to differentiate the meaning behind that. Was there a meaning? Ronny was friendly enough, maybe just someone who liked details? An imagination unlike some people. Or, could be something else that this dear fox-man was too blind to fully realize.

This was all friendly banter, and if there was a bit of flirt mixed in, he wasn’t for certain. Weird.

”I don’t make arrests so I don’t see how cuffs would be pertinent. Although, if I had to detain someone under citizens arrest, zip ties are way more efficient.”

And, accessible.

ZIP TIES!!!

How was he not absolutely melting right now? This was easily something that he could find in one of his books, definitely had recommended something similar to Misha when they'd scoped the library.

Among many others.

"Screw scorching, you're absolutely sweltering." And Ronny was swooning. "You ever actually gotten to use them before?" Maybe outside of work, wink wink.

"No...but I have knocked someone out!"

Waylin's grin widened at Ronny's interest in his stories. Or, maybe just the details surrounding his work. He had nothing to hide regarding what he's done, especially if being a PI is exciting to this guy. He can't believe he ever terrorized this poor man. It was a great lesson in shifter stunts, but maybe he should apologize? Mmm...maybe at the end. No need to spoil good company when he hadn't even gotten his hair done!

"Well, multiple someones." A shrug. "Both work-related and not, people can be a real pain-in-the-ass if you let them."

He was a fighter too, which could have been a red flag if not for the fact that Ronny was still gladly wearing his pink glasses as all times. No point in resisting the call of a grey man, especially when they looked as fine as this one did.

"I love a man who can take care of themselves," Ronny sighed eyes narrowing a fraction as two kids made their way over to Viv. Friendly conversation it looked like based of the laughter that followed. "Shame you haven't gotten to use the zip ties though, might have to make trouble just to give you an excuse to try em out."

Waylin couldn’t deny that he was openly being flirted with at this moment. He was a complete and utter stranger, someone who had scared this man for smelling like a familiar vampire. A moment of jealousy that got nipped in the bud by the end of that evening.

If he told Ronny the truth, would the demeanor change? Did he even want to be flirted with in broad daylight? What would Misha think? Misha...would probably be unfazed. He knew Waylin wouldn't do anything to jeopardize a friendship but also this man's requirement to stay human for the child in his care.

Hard to raise a kid when you bark at the full moon, or shift in a moment of extreme emotions. Could kill the girl and then most likely get rid of himself...Ronny seemed like someone whose world would be turned upside down at the death of his charge. His lips thinned as he looked away, glad for his sunglasses.

"Do you always flirt with the guys that your daughter decides has great hair?" No, malice. Genuine curiosity.

Ronny flirted with just about anyone he came across, so... Maybe? But it wasn't restricted to only those with good hair, and honestly most of the time Viv wasn't even around for the flirting. If she was even just a few feet closer, Ronny probably wouldn't have been so open in doing it now.

"If they look as good as their hair." he offered instead, 'why does it make you uncomfortable?" He could stop, would, he'd just gotten a little too used to people feeding into the act, hard to remember that not everyone was down for it even if it was harmless.

Did it make him uncomfortable?

"Not really. I'm just not used to someone flirting with me and recognizing it."

How many times in the past was he out for a drink and being hit on without realizing it? People talk and make remarks and his brain tends to look for literal information to supply. It was probably a defense mechanism, a way to keep people at arm's length. Plus, most were easily infectable and that alone took out the fun of flirting.

"Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm..." What? Taken? A twinge in his chest, the way he felt a squeeze around his lungs because that wasn't true. Not in the sense he'd like, but he would remain respectful. "A shifter."

He was glad he wore sunglasses because they helped hide his expressions a bit. Immediate disappointment flooded his veins. Why?

It sounded like those people sucked at flirting then, or didn't pick up on the hint that they needed to be more obvious when it came to this PI, which was crazy given it was his job to read people. A man that could read a room as long as that room wasn't pertaining to himself, cute, but also a curse in a way. How many relationships had been ruined because of his lack of understanding? Ronny couldn't help the inkling of pity he felt for the man.

Might have offered a bit of advice if the next words didn't throw him off.

A shifter.

It didn't deter the fact that he found this man hot, only enhanced it but not in the same way that Misha's vampirism increased his attraction. There was a danger here, and Misha had been pretty clear about what Weres could do.

"Not bad news," he corrected easily. "Not unless you plan to bite me right now?"

”No, not when you have a kid that needs you.”

Waylin would have chuckled if this wasn't a serious moment. He didn't go out and infect whoever Willie-nilly for the fun of it. However, if Ronny was talking about biting, he probably didn't know it was more serious than that.

"Biting? Sure, but only those that can't be changed. However, all jokes aside, shifters can infect through the swap of bodily fluids, not just a bite. It can be either human form or animal form."

Please, be intelligent enough to get what he's meaning. This guy was suppose to be on the lookout for the sake of his kid, and she was adorable on her hunt for flowers. It'd be terrible for her to lose someone that adores her.

He did have a kid that needed him, and so he was pretty damn grateful that she was having this Were second guess any biting, if there had even been any thought of it in the first place. He claimed he only bit those that couldn't be changed so... Hopefully that rang true and he kept his teeth to other animals.

All bodily fluid though? Interesting update, and one that had him frowning in pity for himself, because that meant there was absolutely no way any of this could ever go past flirting.

Not unless he found a way to be immune, didn't matter how hard he tried.

Completely unfair when he had a face like that, sigh.

"Didn't know that second part," and the sigh was traveling into his tone now. "Pity, means that I'll be stuck to only flirting when it comes to you." He wasn't looking to have his pact change him back human because he wanted to run around and be stupid.

Thank god vampires couldn't change people that easily.

Would it really be a pity when he told him that he was the fox that terrorized and mocked him?

That they both had a mutual friend, Misha? Waylin wasn’t one to lie if asked directly, but when would be a good time to bring up his unruly animal behavior?

”A pity indeed,”he found himself agreeing. What, Ronny was pleasant to look at? ”I tend to tell people the Weres are walking STDs so if you go out to have fun. Don’t let anyone near your drink.”

He couldn’t help but be responsible first and foremost when it came to someone not knowing much about his kind.

Comparing this man to an STD? Abysmal!

But he got the point the was being put down in front of him right now, seemed pretty unfair that Weres would be left to their own species. He imagined it could get pretty restricting, less fish in that little pool of the world.

"You know of any way that makes it harder to catch the infection?" A guy had to try, "or is really just animal way is the only way?"

”Not everyone immediately turns…it’s like some weird lottery system. A bite from an animal tends to be a greater risk than say kissing the human form, but you’d still be dancing with the devil.”

Thirteen years of ups and downs, avoiding most dating pools until the last two years where he’s had nothing but bad luck. Okay, people can change their minds (or you know, die), but still bad luck when things don’t last past six months. He should have tried to give shifters a chance, they know what he’s going through buuuuut he can’t help it.

He liked what he liked.

"If there’s a way, I sure as hell haven’t heard about it and I’ve been one for thirteen years."

Ronny considered himself to be a pretty lucky guy, had made it out of a few sticky situations, found some very helpful people, and had won custody of his sister in a battle that he'd been sure he was going to lose. Was pretty sure that all of his shit luck had been put into the car accident, and all of the lows that had followed soon after.

Didn't mean that he was willing to go around testing that luck just yet.

Not unless there was a real attraction outside of looks.

"Damn thirteen years?" Ronny echoed head shaking, as he watched Viv and the other two children chase each other about the field. "I trust if there was something out there you would have found it by now." Or heard about it.

”There’s another thing, and I promise I won’t hurt you. I know ominous, and all that, but…”

Waylin had already told Misha he wouldn’t do anything more to this man. Told himself that he wouldn’t because of the kid laughing as she played with two other kids. That included being honest. He couldn’t go around being flirted with by this surprisingly charming, if not a little…too forward, when he didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle.

He wasn’t intentionally being dramatic, just warring with himself as per usual. After a moment, he raised his sunglasses so they sat atop his head, the sun casted by clouds. When he looked at Ronny, his silver gaze would pop more in the shade they were under.

”I’m the fox that terrorized you a month or so ago. I was in a mood…and you were an easy target. I apologize for my behavior.”

It was extremely ominous, though Ronny would keep his face pleasant as he waited for Waylin to work through his thoughts, couldn't really even begin to imagine what he was about to be told and then...

Ah.

There were feelings there, with this new revelation, feelings that Ronny didn't really know how to work through. Feelings that Ronny didn't necessarily want to work through when part of the source for them was sitting right here. Similar silver eyes staring back at him and offering him an apology that felt sincere, but... Again it carried with it feelings he wasn't sure how to make out.

Nice to know that he'd been considered an easy target for a fox tantrum. Still didn't know what he'd done to warrant any of it. How different would things have been if Misha hadn't happened to be in town during that time? Would the antagonizing continued? It had barely stopped with Misha even being around.

It wasn't a good feeling.

"Well, if I had known the fox was this handsome I wouldn't have run away like I had." He joked, smile remaining bright even as he felt his insides dim. "Well, actually no, I would have still ran but only because it would be totally hot." Playing into this normal role was much easier than dealing with any of whatever that was.

Waylin could see that joyful light dim in this man's eyes. Yeah, his admittance totally ruined whatever joy this interaction was carrying and he looked away.

Plop.

There goes his sunglasses back to covering his own eyes.

No need to let this man peer into his soul when he had more than enough issue rebuilding his walls. Should he sink into this man's attempt at flirting? At trying to be suave when Waylin knew Ronny felt anything but that. One less human to think he's marvelous, reminded the cruelty shifters could have even if it wasn't mind-control level.

"No need to pretend. I know I was a bully," he sighed, more disappointed in himself. Silly. Jealous over someone not his. "I should probably go...just didn't feel right to let you keep flirting without knowing the truth."

He didn't hold any closer claim to the vampire now than he had back then. He closed his case file, deciding sharing details and pretending he hadn't admitted what he did wasn't the play. Subconsciously, he scratched at the spot on his chest above his heart. Eugh, feelings. Maybe, he'll run away for a weekend, or slip into Alice's place and try her concoction to try and find peace for a moment.

Leave it to the PI to see right through him, Ronny's smile dropping into a worried frown as Waylin picked himself up from his spot beneath the tree, Ronny's eyes widening as he realized that he was leaving which...

Yes, he had these feelings, but this was Misha's friend and leaving on a note like this didn't seem right? He didn't hate the dude, was he disappointed in how things had gone down that day? Absolutely. Was he still confused why he'd been on the receiving end of the aggression? Of course, but that didn't mean he needed Waylin leaving thinking that he hated him. He didn't, he just...

He didn't know.

"Hey hey hey," he quickly stumbled over the words, picking himself up off the ground as well. "Listen, I mean, that day sucked. It did, but I'm not gonna sit here and hold it over your head or anything, you're Misha's friend and I trust his opinion on people." Truly, he didn't see the man sticking around someone he thought was a bad person. "A bad day doesn't make you a bad person, and I don't regret meeting you again today."

The weird feelings were totally a him thing, and he'd get through them on his own time.

Waylin stared at the human telling him he didn’t have to leave. Ronny admitted some feelings, but chalking it up as a bad day?

This fox picked on him intentionally, it wasn’t a bad day but how would it come across admitting that he had been jealous? That there had been this fear Misha would choose someone that had more…potential than him? After all, he had been told that it was easier to court his food rather than suggest or force a feeding.

This fox would like to say there was still a chance for that, but knowing what Misha was sorting through regarding his sire…he didn’t think he would. It might be too much to date a human, but what did he know? Once again, he had to remind himself that he held no claim even if Misha shared intimate information.

They were a situationship, something without labels, without claim. Merely two beings who were existing and trying.

He sighed, shoulders dropped as he raised a hand to scratch the back of his neck. Now that he knew Ronny was the flirty type, he wouldn't be caught off guard in the future. There would be a curt nod before he settled back down on the grass. His knees were bent to his chest as he wrapped his arms around them and rested his head.

"I was jealous..." Waylin turned his head to stare at Ronny, tinted by his sunglasses. "Thought you were potentially something more with Misha. I got chided for my behavior which I realize now was uncalled for...the behavior, not the chiding."

Jealous of him? He couldn't see why, not until the next statement was made and things became a little bit clear. He didn't know how, but Waylin had known that Misha and Ronny were close, in some way or another, had let his mind wander and had come to a conclusion that was untrue. A conclusion that had resulted in him getting upset and angry with Ronny because he didn't like the idea of someone being 'something more' with Misha? Why?

"Are you two dating?" He asked, because if they were, Misha had definitely left that little tidbit of information out, not that Ronny particularly cared as long as it was mutual between both parties that flirting and talking with others was okay.

Judging by the jealousy, it wasn't.

"No."

A little piece of Waylin crumbled at the word softly spoken. Pained. He wouldn't tell Ronny that they kissed a few times, nor that Misha asked him to be patient while he sorted through his troubling revelations regarding Nadia. Plus, he figured it'd just be awkward to say it was a situationship with someone that was a potential interested party.

"You're charming, and I can see why Misha likes you. I wish this had been our first encounter because this is way better than as a fox."

Waylin's chuckle wasn't quite as light as he hoped it would come across. His words, however, were genuine because talking to Ronny was entertaining even with this short conversation. He wasn't here to ruin a friendship, not again, and while Misha had told him to leave things be - you can't help but chance encounters with a curious child trying to play salon.

Ah, so that explained the 'chiding' though unless there had been more talking after Ronny had left, he wasn't quite sure if he'd count that as chiding. Soft teasing and correction maybe, but nothing that would leave him too broken up if he'd been on the receiving end, nothing to really deter the actions from happening a second time. Still, it appeared that Waylin was the sensitive type, based off what he was seeing right now, so maybe the soft chiding had hit hard?

Still, to come after someone for being close to a man that wasn't 'yours' was still a little much. Waylin seemed to get that now so there was no point in driving the point that Misha had already delivered any further.

There were a couple ways that he could play this right now, a look cast out towards Viv as he debated, lips pursing some in thought. He could just leave things as is, let the man bask in his own misery and just keep the distance between them. He could accept the apology and continue to just to just go through life as he had, or he could accept the apology and put in some work to sort out their differences... Which really depended on Waylin's answer to this.

"I like Misha, I enjoy being around him and I don't plan to stop seeing him." Ronny began, and yes it did make his heart happy to hear that Misha liked him too. "Is that going to be an issue in the future?"

”Nope. I'm not here to ruin friendships.”

Especially, when Misha had been isolated for so long in his years as a vampire until recently. The vampire had every right to be friends with whoever he wanted, and he was stepping out of his comfort zone already so why make it difficult? Plus, he was pretty certain Misha wouldn't take it lightly and tell him to rightfully fuck off.

Then that settled that issue, and Ronny was happy to let everything stay in the past where it belong, again he wasn't looking to beat this man up anymore than he was clearly beating himself up now.

"Theeeen," Ronny sang squatting himself back down before Waylin. "We let the past be the past, and just consider this our first official meeting." A peace offering if Waylin wanted to take it. "Hard to talk to the fox, but I more than enjoyed getting to know Waylin, and I don't see any reason we can't get along going forward."

Waylin found himself raising a hand and ruffling Ronny’s hair. Whoops! There went a few flowers that he quickly picked back up and placed back in the human's hair. He can't go messing up the kid's hard work because he felt a little overwhelmed and had to mess up something.

"Seriously, you gotta watch out. Quit being so trusting especially with a young ward," he huffed lightly, the smile back on his face. "But, I accept going forward."

The hair ruffling was a surprise to him, but not as much as it was a surprise to Viv who had noticed the destruction from her place atop the slide. Lucky for them both it was going to take her a minute to get back over here.

Which was good especially when Waylin was pulling a total Misha here.

What was with these men and telling Ronny to be distrusting of those he came across!! He was fine! Look how many friends he'd made by being trusting, being all reclusive was going to leave him withered with need for a social life!!

"Good, because you're about to get chewed out." Ronny settled with instead, voice dropping to a whisper as Viv neared, little stomps of her feet as she cast a chiding glare towards Waylin, and claiming she was the expert here.

Moved to fix the flowers that had been placed back into his hair before snagging two from his mop and shoving them into Waylin's instead.

”Woooooow, you’re coming to chide me out but I was just upset that I didn’t have any flowers in my hair.”

Waylin unfurled his curled form at the stomping approach of the child. He found it amusing when someone so little tried to be intimidating. He pretended to be offended until she begrudgingly started to put some in his hair. Please, child, make him look fabulous and let him move past this awkward conversation that he didn't know how to recover from.

He chuckled at her concentrated face as she worked and then suddenly he had a small hand on his cheek. It caught him by surprise as she titled his head to what he guessed was to inspect the look before she rushed off. There was a moment of confusion when she suddenly came back with a...spider lily?

Where did that come from?!

There was a request to move his sunglasses and he did without a second guess before she tucked the spider lily behind his right ear. With a hand on her hip, she took a step back and suddenly beamed at the adults, and Waylin found his face morphing into something warm and soft. Fond.

"How do I look? I feel like she did a great job." Waylin turned to look at Ronny with a raised brow.

Ronny watched his sister work, a soft smile on his lips as he admired the careful concentration that she was putting in to make sure that each flower matched whatever mental image she had going on in her head. Watched as she darted off and returned with a very different looking flower, but one that suited Waylin well, stiffened only slightly at the request to remove his shades, but relaxed when Waylin complied.

She didn't appear disturbed by the silver, but then again, he supposed Viv wouldn't know what to think of them outside of the fact that they were both pretty and different.

Two things that both siblings really enjoyed.

A question was passed his way, and Ronny would make a show of inspected Viv's work, a soft click of his tongue. "I don't know Viv, I think I could have done better." A tease that was quickly met with soft slaps of her hands against his shoulder. Ronny laughing as he help his hands open in defeat.

"Okay okay, you're easily the best stylist in town."

Waylin was about to be offended for Viv when Ronny tried to state otherwise.

Except, no need when tiny hands went to slapping at shoulders which caused him to laugh. It was a wholehearted laugh, and before he knew it Viv was joining in. If anyone would have to protect them, he could see Viv putting up tiny fists.

Hopefully that never happened, but kids were feisty.

"You show him, Viv! You're top notch, and I bet my stylist friend would agree!"

Just to show he meant it, Waylin pulled his phone from his pocket to snap a grinning selfie. There would be two people he had in mind, Eden and Evie. Later, he'll send the image to show off, but for now, his phone was back in his pocket as Viv was tugging him to his feet.

Something about swings?! He turned to look at Ronny in a silent question to make sure it was okay. Maybe, he'll join, too.

It was nice to push past all the weird feelings that had bubbled up just moments before, good to sit here and laugh with Waylin and forget what had happened in their last meeting. Waylin was kind to Viv, boosted her confidence and made her smile, it was easy to look past the bad when there were good things currently present. Viv was happy, Waylin seemed happier and Ronny found himself happier too.

Viv was a catalyst of good feelings, and he was happy that she'd been able to reignite them here.

"Can't leave her waiting." Ronny answered for the questioning look, pushing himself back to his feet with a grin. "I'm just happy I don't have to be the one pushing today. Girl likes to go real high." >:3

”Oh? Do we have a daredevil in the making?”

Waylin asked as he swooped an arm down and picked Viv up with ease. Not even a blink of a struggle, bless having the superior strength over humans. That seemed to earn a surprise fit of giggles as he set Viv upon his shoulders before charging towards the swings.

At some point between picking her up, he slapped the file he had tucked under an arm into Ronny’s grasp. When was the last time he got to be a child with a child? Not many people really cared for his gruff appearance, and it’d be weird to work as a babysitter.

Suspicious, even.

But, Ronny had given the go ahead so hell yes he was about to feed into this wild child side.

”Time to be top of the world, kid.”

Surprise first for the fact that Viv was being easily placed atop another's shoulders, and second for the file that was now being put into his hands. How long had it been since Ronny had been able to race around with her like that? A while, the bigger she got the harder it was to just toss her around with the ease that Waylin did now. If the fox had been jealous of the time Ronny spent with Misha, then Ronny was feeling just a little jealous for the joy that Viv was feeling now.

The selfish part of him wanted to keep that joy for himself, but the larger part of him was happy that she was finding so much joy in this little outing of theirs. Happy that she had the confidence to meet new people and allow herself to just have fun.

It had taken him a long time to get to that point.

He'd follow after the newly formed duo, ready to interfere if ever needed, but happy to let the two of them have fun.

Waylin could have made a simple adventure to the swings, but what was the fun in that? He was quick enough to avoid any harm coming to the girl who was now under his protection.

So, with permission granted, and her hollering for them to run, he took off towards the swings as she held her arms out. With them both on their feet, Waylin noted that he was the same height as Ronny, and briefly wondered if he was someone who preferred taller beings like Waylin did.

Well, it was strange because he enjoyed shorter women and then taller men. He'd like to be the average between the two, but - no, quit thinking. This was a fun time, not a time to get lost in trivial things that may never come to light.

"Hold on tight, Viv."

Waylin made sure her hands were secured before he rushed onto the swings with one foot in the middle of the seat and set them flying up, his hands gripping the chains. It would boost Viv higher than ever as the wobble was almost like levitating but he got to have his feet stabilized on something. He'd laugh alongside the girl as they swung back and then forward again.

A really unconventional way to swing but it was fun and she weighed nothing.

OH.

MY.

GOD!!!

Ronny was racing for the swings after them, heart in his throat and eyes bugging out of his head at this new form. Never in his life would he have attempted this, never in his life would he have expected Viv to be okay with this!! He wanted to call an end to it, but Viv was laughing. Waylin was laughing, and she looked pretty secure, he wouldn't drop her surely...

He would just stand like... Right here so that if anything happened he could swoop in and let his body catch any falls.

"Hold on tight Viv!" He called, an unusual anxiousness to his town. "You too Waylin!" AHHHH!!

”Lighten up, Daaaaad!”

Waylin called out as they flew back, his other foot now resting next to the one already in the seat. If there was ever the slightest shift in her grip, he’d feel it. As it were they were having a blast, and this was something he needed. He didn’t realize he needed it until this very moment, but kids didn’t have all the complex feelings and judgement.

Okay, they could totally judge but it’s just because they were honest! He’d try to go higher, but there would be a point in their swinging session that he wouldn’t go past. It would only take one release of a hand for Viv to tumble back into oblivion.

Not on his watch.

Dad?

Vivian echoed the sentiment and...

It was not something that he'd ever been called, not by the courts, his aunt, the school, the nieces or the nephews and certainly not something that he'd been called by Viv before now. It was a mistake, a misunderstanding, and he knew that he should correct Waylin, correct Viv, should clarify that he was just her older brother and that's all he'd ever be, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Again, the selfishness returned, a desire to let the comment lay and just hold it close to his heart. He didn't suspect that Viv would stop calling him her brother, didn't expect that she'd start calling him 'dad' from just this one little slip.

It was fine, he could be selfish for right now.

Because while he loved playing the part of her brother, he often felt like his role had shifted, often felt that he couldn't play the brother that he wanted, but he could certainly play the dad that she needed. It only came with a little guilt for the father that they'd both lost, and great now he was tearing up.

Thank god they had their backs to him.

Waylin was oblivious to Ronny’s turmoil with a kid laughing in his ears.

He could do this all day but at one point he settled down in the swing normally. His abdomen ached slightly from how much he had been laughing without restraint. Viv kicked her feet gently and Waylin lifted her up and over his head to rest on his lap.

Her hands rested on the chains below his as they gently rocked the swing back and forth. Her face was brilliantly red from her own joy and Waylin would hate for her to pass out from overexertion.

He tilted his head back to stare at Ronny,” There’s a lone swing next to us. Quit being a straaaaaaanger.~”