Be Brave Today

"God, give me the confidence of a mediocre white dude" Nikko - 18 y/o - he, him, his Littlest little brother, future foster parent, 'I'm All Ears' founder and president. ❤️Sammie's since 2/29/2020 ❤️

[nikkolai-prescott]

MUSING: Character Color Scheme Moodboard

Nikkolai Asa Evans

[nikkolai-prescott]

[Nikko didn't want to encourage Monty's self-deprecation by laughing. He did gently nod his head though.] Staying out of jail would be nice, yes. Our twins are gonna need their 'Uncle Monty'.

[montyprescottjoie]

"-'s'long as what they need ain't a diper change, I got it." {Monty chuckled, scrunching his face up in mock disgust.} "Vit can do the nasty shit, he's been around his niece, 'll get a swear jar an' they can getta early start on them college funds." {He grinned}.

[nikkolai-prescott]

You'll definitely change a diaper here and there once they get here, Montgomery, [Nikko said matter-of-factly.]

But the swear jar sounds nice. I'm sure they'll be Ivy League ready within a few years, [He teased before flashing his brother a smile.]

...I'm glad we re-found each other like this, Montgomery, [He added as he raised his hand to get the tab.] Isn't the universe wonderful?

END SCENE

[nikkolai-prescott]

Hey. [Nikko reached his hand across the table to take Monty's.] You have not made my life harder. You've done so many things to make my life easier, Montgomery. In fact, I wouldn't be married to the man I love and in a body that feels comfortable to me, if it weren't for you.

[montyprescottjoie]

"Between Pops an' his psychotic need for control, an' Momma bein' as useful as a wet newspaper, I had ta do somethin'." {Monty shrugged it off.} "Coulda done without pickin' my ass up from jail though, right?" {The self-deprecating humor felt flat again as he awkwardly navigated Nikko's sincerity.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

[Nikko didn't want to encourage Monty's self-deprecation by laughing. He did gently nod his head though.] Staying out of jail would be nice, yes. Our twins are gonna need their 'Uncle Monty'.

[nikkolai-prescott]

[Nikko's expression softened and he tilted his head.] All of what, Montgomery?

[montyprescottjoie]

"Makin' ya life harder with Jolly- Sam, me bein' the way I am." {Monty shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and not burden Nikko}. "My court-appointed therapist is gonna 'ave job security for life, man." {Monty attempted to lighten the mood with a terrible wisecrack and save the hopeful feeling the brothers' reunion had given him}.

[nikkolai-prescott]

Hey. [Nikko reached his hand across the table to take Monty's.] You have not made my life harder. You've done so many things to make my life easier, Montgomery. In fact, I wouldn't be married to the man I love and in a body that feels comfortable to me, if it weren't for you.

[nikkolai-prescott]

What? [Nikko reached out a hand and tried to gently pull Monty's head back up by his chin.] Montgomery, look at me.

You did not screw anything up!

[montyprescottjoie]

{Monty allowed Nikko's hand to guide him back to engaging not trying to hide.}

"-'m sorry, for all of it, ya know." [He whispered.]

{Mont wasn't used to this new feeling of shame, or admitting his mistakes. His anger management therapy had really done a number on him, and, like right now, it often did not feel like a good thing that he was becoming more self-aware.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

[Nikko's expression softened and he tilted his head.] All of what, Montgomery?

[nikkolai-prescott]

What? Of course I still want us all to do dinner, Montgomery! Why wouldn't I?

[montyprescottjoie]

Monty took a deep breath, looking down... “…Fucked up again, didn’ I.”

[nikkolai-prescott]

What? [Nikko reached out a hand and tried to gently pull Monty's head back up by his chin.] Montgomery, look at me.

You did not screw anything up!

[nikkolai-prescott]

Have you asked him? I think it'd be nice if you asked him. [Nikko offered gently.]

[montyprescottjoie]

"Huh, yeah, no, never... Ya still wanna do dinner an' I can ask?" {Monty hesitated, wondering if he'd crossed a line he didn't understand.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

What? Of course I still want us all to do dinner, Montgomery! Why wouldn't I?

[nikkolai-prescott]

I'm serious, Montgomery, [Nikko reprimanded, clearly not finding it nearly as funny.]

I'm saying he's never cared for that nickname, [He was sure to say.] And that's something you and I both know that you know.

[montyprescottjoie]

{Monty raised his hands in the universal sign of surrender. He was still perplexed that it was wrong if Vitya called himself ‘crazy’ but understanding it would be wrong if it was someone else Monty didn’t know personally or who expressed they didn’t like it.}

“I thought he liked that one, after we made nice,” {Monty looked genuinely disappointed, he really did think Sam didn’t mind or even liked the nickname.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

Have you asked him? I think it'd be nice if you asked him. [Nikko offered gently.]

[nikkolai-prescott]

I don't recommend it, but he can do those things because he's talking about himself, Montgomery. You shouldn't be encouraging it, [Nikko made sure to say.]

You know, I bet he'd love it if you tried calling him by his name at least some of the time, [He attempted to compromise.]

[montyprescottjoie]

"Jus' followin' his example an' shit, he'll call ya crazy for not sayin' he is." {Monty snorted a laugh.}

"Ya sayin' he don' like nicknames?" {Monty furrowed his brow in confusion.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

I'm serious, Montgomery, [Nikko reprimanded, clearly not finding it nearly as funny.]

I'm saying he's never cared for that nickname, [He was sure to say.] And that's something you and I both know that you know.

[nikkolai-prescott]

Let's not call them "crazy turns", Montgomery. That's not very kind, [Nikko said simply, more than used to helping Monty with his language choice these days.]

[He chuckled lightly.] You're still calling him that? Really? After all these years?

[montyprescottjoie]

"He's gonna call 'em somethin' way worse in Russian if ya bring up his 'bad days'." {Monty sniffed,} "Sugar coatin' his own self ain't his talent." {He shrugged. Monty felt awkward trying to explain to Nikko that Vitya's language would be just as bad, if not worse.}

"Course I do," {Monty snickered,} "Unless he shrunk or ain't jolly no more, I'm stickin' to it." {He grinned, the nickname keeping alive the memory of the truce he found with Sam and Nikko back then.}

[nikkolai-prescott]

I don't recommend it, but he can do those things because he's talking about himself, Montgomery. You shouldn't be encouraging it, [Nikko made sure to say.]

You know, I bet he'd love it if you tried calling him by his name at least some of the time, [He attempted to compromise.]

[nikkolai-prescott]

I get it. But the good news is that we got the bugs off. So now we don't have to worry anymore! [Nikko insisted, unaware that things were far from over.]

[joiesamevans]

[Sam cupped Nikko's face gently with his hand and pressed a kiss to his forehead.] Let's go home, babe.

[nikkolai-prescott]

Yes, please.

[nikkolai-prescott]

Well, as long as they're helping him, that's all that matters, [Nikko made sure to say.]

I'd love to do that. [He smiled softly.] Wanna borrow a pizza stone?

[montyprescottjoie]

{Monty pondered for a few moments before responding,} "Not seen him have a crazy turn since he's been back, so that's somethin'." {He shrugged again, still a little awkward talking about his feelings for Vit.}

{His face brightened at the prospect of more time with his little brother.} "Yeah, I do, if that's cool with ya Jolly Green o'course."

[nikkolai-prescott]

Let's not call them "crazy turns", Montgomery. That's not very kind, [Nikko said simply, more than used to helping Monty with his language choice these days.]

[He chuckled lightly.] You're still calling him that? Really? After all these years?

[nikkolai-prescott]

Meds? [Nikko questioned, matching Monty's furrowed brow.]

No, not at all! You can definitely do it by hand. It'll take longer, of course, but what's wrong with that? Food tastes better when there's more love in it, [He insisted with a smile.] Do you have a pizza stone? That would help with the heat until you get your oven fixed.

[His smile grew wider.] You're welcome, Montgomery.

[montyprescottjoie]

"Fuckin' anti-depressants an' shit," {Monty shrugged,} "said more weird shit when he didn't take 'em." {He admitted, but it never made him feel any different about Vitya, even when he was at his worst}.

"Al'ight, maybe when ya not busy with baby stuff ya can teach me how." {Monty allowed Nikko's eternal optimism to persuade him.} "Nah, no pizza stone, just been hittin' a carry out place with good-ass sauce."

[nikkolai-prescott]

Well, as long as they're helping him, that's all that matters, [Nikko made sure to say.]

I'd love to do that. [He smiled softly.] Wanna borrow a pizza stone?

[nikkolai-prescott]

I just have to keep reminding myself that it's temporary, Sammie.

[joiesamevans]

I know. I'm sorry. I'm just a little on edge. [Sam admitted, finding both of their bags and said keycard by the door.]

[nikkolai-prescott]

I get it. But the good news is that we got the bugs off. So now we don't have to worry anymore! [Nikko insisted, unaware that things were far from over.]

[nikkolai-prescott]

...You find the keycards worse than having no stars?

[joiesamevans]

Well, no. But it's up there.

[nikkolai-prescott]

I just have to keep reminding myself that it's temporary, Sammie.

[nikkolai-prescott]

...I don't think keycards to homes are just a New York City thing, Sammie, [Nikko whispered as he headed towards the door.]

[joiesamevans]

Okay, I hate all the cities.

[nikkolai-prescott]

...You find the keycards worse than having no stars?

[joierpminorcharacters]

That makes two of us, [SJ agreed.]

Alright. See you two later then. And be sure to grab your keycards on the way out; they're by the door, [He said before turning to go find Lio again.]

[joiesamevans]

Keycards. [Sam repeated in Nikko's direction.] I hate this city.

[nikkolai-prescott]

...I don't think keycards to homes are just a New York City thing, Sammie, [Nikko whispered as he headed towards the door.]