Even though he used Tigger as his Starbucks name and Lyric and Cody sometimes called him by it to counter his Piglet and Pooh comments, hearing his Pops say it made him all warm and fuzzy inside. It brought up fond childhood memories and reminded him that he was still someone’s child and it was okay to be. His mom may have left but his dad still loved him, even when he didn’t fully approve of what he did. The tattoos were never about rebelling, which he had told Pops after the first one, but just an expression and a reminder to himself. “Thanks,” he mumbled and grabbed another mug, not that inclined to explain it.
And then Cody chose that moment to appear. It wasn’t the first time he had stayed the night. As kids, he’d stay from time to time and even into their teens Lyric was still allowed to have him over—if he slept in Nocturne’s old room. He rolled his eyes at his dad’s death glare and poured a mug of boring coffee. “It’s Cody, Pops, not just a boy. Besides, he sleeps in bear form when in Lyric’s bed, pressed against her back or sometimes she’s cuddling him like a stuffed toy.” It was true. Mostly. He knew what all the two brats got up to but they’d had that talk long ago and precautions were in place to avoid reasons for their dad to murder any or all of them.
He set the mug down in front of his Pops and started preparing the milk for the fancier drinks and changed the subject. “Lyric graduates in two weeks." Even with helping her prepare for it, it didn't feel real. He needed another year at least before he was willing to accept Lyric was growing up and he wouldn't be needed quite as much. "She got her dress. She wanted to wait to go with you but I convinced her that making it a surprise would be fun since it's hard to tell when you'll be back from assignments." Maybe he was being mean by reminding Pops of the big day and his lack of being around lately but Nocturne hadn't had his cup of coffee yet and was tired. Raising a teenager was exhausting and never something he thought he'd be so hands on for.
"I also made dinner reservations at her favourite fancier restaurant for the night before under her name." Another low blow quietly delivered as he mixed the coffee, milk, and caramel into a heavenly combination. Would it be the brother or the father that would escort Lyric to her special night out and pile gifts on her and exclaim how proud he was? Ideally, it would be both of them taking her out but who could say? The Guardians loved calling in famed hunter Abraham Jackson at the worst times. Nocturne knew he was being unfair--their dad tried hard to make it to the big moments and not miss too much of their lives.
Then again, he was allowed to hold grudges just like everyone else. Pops had been given a lead on their mom and jumped at it without a second thought despite three years having already passed since she left, missing his son's high school graduation. It made him glad that he had only entered a couple of gymnastics competitions when he was younger--less big days to miss. It was why Nocturne had attended every single long and awkward dance recital and dance competition and even baked for and attended fundraisers. Their dad did his best and always filmed her performances and was the definition of a proud papa but he couldn't catch everything.
And then Cody chose that moment to appear. It wasn’t the first time he had stayed the night. As kids, he’d stay from time to time and even into their teens Lyric was still allowed to have him over—if he slept in Nocturne’s old room. He rolled his eyes at his dad’s death glare and poured a mug of boring coffee. “It’s Cody, Pops, not just a boy. Besides, he sleeps in bear form when in Lyric’s bed, pressed against her back or sometimes she’s cuddling him like a stuffed toy.” It was true. Mostly. He knew what all the two brats got up to but they’d had that talk long ago and precautions were in place to avoid reasons for their dad to murder any or all of them.
He set the mug down in front of his Pops and started preparing the milk for the fancier drinks and changed the subject. “Lyric graduates in two weeks." Even with helping her prepare for it, it didn't feel real. He needed another year at least before he was willing to accept Lyric was growing up and he wouldn't be needed quite as much. "She got her dress. She wanted to wait to go with you but I convinced her that making it a surprise would be fun since it's hard to tell when you'll be back from assignments." Maybe he was being mean by reminding Pops of the big day and his lack of being around lately but Nocturne hadn't had his cup of coffee yet and was tired. Raising a teenager was exhausting and never something he thought he'd be so hands on for.
"I also made dinner reservations at her favourite fancier restaurant for the night before under her name." Another low blow quietly delivered as he mixed the coffee, milk, and caramel into a heavenly combination. Would it be the brother or the father that would escort Lyric to her special night out and pile gifts on her and exclaim how proud he was? Ideally, it would be both of them taking her out but who could say? The Guardians loved calling in famed hunter Abraham Jackson at the worst times. Nocturne knew he was being unfair--their dad tried hard to make it to the big moments and not miss too much of their lives.
Then again, he was allowed to hold grudges just like everyone else. Pops had been given a lead on their mom and jumped at it without a second thought despite three years having already passed since she left, missing his son's high school graduation. It made him glad that he had only entered a couple of gymnastics competitions when he was younger--less big days to miss. It was why Nocturne had attended every single long and awkward dance recital and dance competition and even baked for and attended fundraisers. Their dad did his best and always filmed her performances and was the definition of a proud papa but he couldn't catch everything.
