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"Well, this planet is quite lovely, isn't it, dear?"
"It is. Reminds me of a nice spring day out on our farm, with the wind weaving its way through the trees and the sunshine warming our land."
"Indeed."
When the diner touched down somewhere in Andromeda, Leif wasn't expecting much. He had been back in the kitchen, prepping the stove for today's shift. However, his task was quite abruptly interrupted when Caspar had run back into the kitchen, practically vibrating in place.
"Look!" He exclaimed, jabbing his finger in the direction of the window. Curious, Leif walked from the kitchen to see where they landed.
Surrounding the diner's immediate vicinity, underneath a beautifully clear blue sky, was a field. Not of crops, but a flower field. Namely, sunflowers.
Conveniently, that was Caspar's favorite flower.
"Sunflowers!" Said man had cheered, clapping his hands gleefully. He hurries up to the window and presses his face against it, trying to get as close to the outside as possible.
Leif cocks his head and watches the happy display. "Caspar? Are you regressed right now?"
"Mhm!" He rapidly nods and dashes to the two double glass doors. Caspar whips around and points outside. "Can go outside? Sunflower!"
Leif cracked a smile and nodded. He motioned over towards the radio. "You do that, and I'll make us lunch. Take the Mucklewains with you and go find a nice spot to eat. I've learned better than to leave you unattended."
"Okay!" Caspar walked over and retrieved the radio. He swayed to himself and lifted the box to stare into the speakers. "Mama? Papa?"
"Hello, sweetheart. Let us go outside, hm?" Effie's voice was soft as she spoke to her favorite little one. Caspar nodded happily and hurried outside, careful not to drop his two caregivers.
Through the window, Leif watched as Caspar laughed and ran his fingers along the huge petals of the nearest sunflower. The sight fills his heart with warmth, knowing his friend was so happy.
He turns on his heel and heads towards the walk-in, ready to assemble their lunch.
There's no time at all before Leif is exiting the diner with a tote bag — bought by Caspar last week because of its colors and the little duck printed on the front — full of food. He spots Caspar bouncing through the flowers and yapping a million miles an hour to his two friends. He's got a sunflower tucked behind his ear and another gripped in his fist.
As Leif approaches, Caspar drops to a quite awkward sitting position and gently sets the radio down. His legs are all wonky, with one folded in front of him and the other splayed out behind him. Considering Caspar regularly complains of how non-flexible he is, Leif is quite amused at the display.
"Well, isn't he just the sweetest little thing," Effie coos as Caspar threads a number of sunflowers into a crown of sorts. He places it on top of the radio and giggles.
"Now you have flowers!"
"Yes we do. Thank you for the lovely gift, Caspar." Zebulon sounds just as happy as his wife to have received a token of such love. "And- oh, would you look at that. Here comes Leif with our picnic."
"Picnic?" Caspar gasps, whipping around. There's such joy and wonder on his face that Leif wishes to kiss his forehead and hold him tight.
He smiles, motioning towards the bag. "It's a picnic, alright. Made your favorite; turkey and mayo on white bread."
Caspar shoots to his feet, nearly knocking the radio over with how fast he moves. He pauses and gently moves the radio back a number of inches before turning to Leif again. "My favorite sandwich. I love sandwiches."
"That you do." Leif scans the ground, which is covered in a grass of sorts. At first, it appears to be a dark, cool green. But, if Leif looks closer, cracks of purple and blue color shoot through the fibers. He crouches and runs his hand through the blades. They're light and feel like the caress of the breeze. Black dirt lays underneath.
"Here seems good, don't you think?" Leif glances up and Caspar nods, plopping down again. He does grabby hands as Leif joins him and scoots the radio closer.
"Sammich?" The little cuts out the extra consonants and Leif chuckles. He goes to hand it to him when Zebulon cuts him off.
"Now, Leif. Don't you think our dear friend Caspar should say the magic word?" The radio host's voice tilts up in amusement. Leif's brow furrows before it clicks, and he turns to Caspar.
"Your Papa has a point, Caspar. Forgetting your manners?" He's teasing and is sure to lean into that tone of voice so Caspar doesn't think he's actually upset. It's happened a couple times, where Leif will joke and Caspar will think he's truly angry and freak out or cry. Leif can be hard to read at times.
"No!" Caspar huffs, crossing his arms. "I sorry. Forgot. Please have sammich?"
"Thank you. Here you are." Leif hands him the sandwich wrapped in cling wrap and begins to lift the other items from the bag. It's nothing too impressive; a Monte Cristo for himself, orange juice in both of their thermoses — of which were bought after many, many spills — and some fruit salad supplied by Leif himself.
"Anything in there for us?" Effie jokes and Leif chuckles, shaking his head.
"Afraid not. If I could beam some food in there for you guys I would." He glances around, taking a bite of his own sandwich. "It's quite empty, except for the flowers. Not sure why the diner dropped us off here with no mouths to feed."
"The diner caters to those who need it. I'd say that care extends to not just those outside of its walls, but the people inside as well."
Leif mulls over Zebulon's words as he munches on his sandwich, accompanied by the occasional spoonful of fruit salad. Caspar eventually finishes his food and begins to chug his orange juice, barely faltering when Effie gets onto him.
"Caspar!" She scolds, the tail end of a laugh chasing her words. Caspar rapidly shakes his head and downs the rest of the orange juice. "You'll have an upset tummy, you rascal-"
"Nuh uh!" He giggles, ripping up a handful of the grass-like plant and throwing it at the radio. Effie gasps in playful offense and Caspar laughs harder, doubled over with his carefree giggles. "Silly Mama."
Effie doesn't answer for a second, but when she does, her voice trembles a touch. "Did… did you hear that? I'm his Mama. Husband, I'm Caspar's Mama. Caspar is our child."
"I bet he'll love that when he comes out of it," Leif mutters, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"Leif, don't you dare jinx it."
Caspar stands and randomly swings his arms. He always tended to have excess energy when regressed. Perhaps from a supply of repressed energy from his time being big. "I'm making Le'ave a flower hat." He mutters, already quite determined. Leif watches as Caspar begins plucking sunflowers from their stems, slowly gathering his supplies.
"Stay where I can see you!" He calls when the little begins to wander in search of the best flowers. Caspar shouts 'okay!' and Leif is left with the Mucklewains.
"He's so sweet," Effie sighs, obviously endeared. Leif stands and begins gathering the leftover wrappers and thermoses into the tote. A breeze passes through the flowers, ruffling his hair. "Now, Husband. Doesn't that breeze feel wonderful."
"It sure does." Zebulon agrees as Leif pauses and looks up from the tote.
"You guys can feel that?" How-?
"Indeed we can. It's as if a breeze is passing through our house, as we speak."
"I don't see any windows open either," Effie mutters, obviously confused but just going along with it for sanity's sake. Leif has to shrug as well, as he secures the tote over his shoulders and bends down to pick up the radio.
"Caspar!" He calls, carefully retrieving the Mucklewain's flower crown from the ground and placing it gently on top of the radio. He glances up, and Caspar is nowhere in sight. "Caspar, get your ass over here! I told you not to wander off-"
"Perhaps it is not best to yell and swear when Caspar is regressed," Zebulon sternly breaks in, and Leif sighs.
"Yeah, you're right. I don't want him freaking out again." He begins to walk towards the diner, nudging his way through the tall stalks of the flowers. "I just don't want him getting lost. I still have no idea what's past this field of flowers, if anything."
"A planet of only flowers sounds quite nice, I must say."
The trio emerges from the wall of flowers. Caspar is nowhere to be seen. The sky is beginning to grow dark. It's been nowhere near twelve hours, so if some version of night fell on this planet, Leif would just lock up the diner and put Caspar down for a nap, or something.
But, oh wait, that required finding Caspar in the first place.
Leif huffs, eyes scanning the darkening landscape. "I shouldn't have let him just run off. I don't even know what kind of shit comes out in the dark. God, how stupid-"
"Stop degrading yourself and just find him."
Leif goes to snap at Effie and return the jab when a loud clatter comes from the roof. He freezes and his head jerks up to try and peer up there.
It's quiet, than-
Crying. In particular, Caspar's crying.
"Oh god," Leif mutters, trying not to start panicking. There was so much dangerous bullshit up there; knives and weapons and oh christ, a fucking purple nullifier-
"Get your rear end up that ladder or I personally will climb out of this radio and-"
"Yes, I fucking know you will," Leif snaps and runs around the side of the diner to the base of the ladder. He chews on his bottom lip, trying to figure out how the fuck he's supposed to climb with one hand holding the radio. "How the hell do you want me to-"
"Caspar! Are you up there?" Zebulon calls. The crying quiets for a second.
"Up here." The words break in two. Then Caspar's head pokes over the ledge. His eyes are red and puffy and glossy with tears and regression. A sunflower droops from his ear, but stays put. He sniffs, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his sweater. "Sorry."
"No, it's okay little one," Leif quickly remedies, giving the little a soft smile of reassurance. "I'm just glad you're okay. You're okay, right?"
Caspar nods, wiping his eyes. The tears have slowed but not stopped. " 'M okay; 'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Didn't mean to do what?" His eyes scan Caspar for injuries. Nothing visible, and no purple. Not that Caspar would be in front of him if things were anywhere near purple. "What're you doing up there?"
"I-…" Caspar's voice catches and he shakes. He swallows. "I tryna see where cool flowers were 'n knocked over the- the-" He glances over at the rest of the roof, before looking back to Leif. "The table and bowl with all the screws 'n stuff."
Leif exhales, letting his shoulders drop from his ears. It was just a bowl of nuts and screws, saved from and for applications inside the diner. "Thank fuck." He wipes the sweat from his face with his free hand. "That's okay."
"Is not okay!" Caspar shakes his head as more tears fill his eyes and drip. His bottom lip begins to tremble. "I made it a mess and 'm sorry-"
"Caspar, it can be cleaned up. Your Mama, Papa, and I are just glad you're okay. Come down?" Leif reaches a hand towards Caspar, who just stares at him in fear.
"Is you sure?"
"We are sure, Caspar. Messes can be cleaned up. Thank you for admitting to your mistake." Effie soothes.
Caspar swallows and nods, glancing at the radio and than the ladder. "Okay, okay." He carefully maneuvers his way onto and down the ladder. Clutched in his fists is a half made flower crown and a number of sunflowers
As soon as his feet hit the ground, Leif pulls him into a hug. "C'mon, let's go get your pacifier and Mr. Snooter."
"Snooter," Caspar mumbles, walking with Leif into the diner but holding onto to his arm. His eyes dart around, as if uneasy to be in his home of the past year. Anxiety simmers in every aspect of him. Caspar often got anxious when little, when he wouldn't allow himself to be when big. "Don't like it here. Wanna go home."
Leif's heart pangs, and he gives a sad smile. He places the radio and tote bag on the counter, rummaging through the bag and finding his own thermos. "This is your home, bubba."
"No, is not." He clings closer to Leif, pressing up against him. The engineer wraps an arm around his shoulders, tracing patters through Caspar's sweater. "Don' like, want home, home-"
Caspar's breathing starts to go shallow and fast. Leif stops what he's doing and fully turns to the other, wrapping both arms around him. "Hey. Breathe," He soothes, stroking through the little's hair and in circles on his back. Leif isn't used to comforting anyone, including himself. However, with Caspar, it comes almost naturally. "I don't need you to pass out."
"I feel as if it would be best for Caspar to be somewhere more familiar and comfortable. Such as his room," Zebulon suggests, and Leif nods.
"Good idea." He turns his attention to Caspar, moving to speak quietly into his ear. "How about we get you to bed? Effie will read to you, and I believe you left Mr. Snooter tucked in."
The little nods, wiping his eyes with a sniff. Leif's shirt is damp with his tears, but he doesn't mind. "Okay." Caspar removes himself from Leif's hold and glances down at the flowers clutched in his fists. "What do?"
"There's a vase on top of the fridge. Try that."
"Thanks, Effie." Leif turns and retrieves the vase. He also grabs a pair of kitchen shears and places them on the counter next to the sink.
While he fills the vase, conversation drifts in from outside the kitchen.
"Hey Mama 'n Papa."
"Hello, dear."
"How are you feeling now, Caspar?"
A sniff. " 'm better. Still small. I sorry I small so much."
"Hey, none of that now. You can be as small as you want, and Effie and I will be here every step of the way."
Effie's voice floats in. "And, how could we not take care of such an adorable boy?"
Caspar giggles, and Leif exits with a halfway full vase.
"Here we are." He carefully takes the flowers from Caspar and stands them up against the vase. Leif squints, measuring the amount to cut off, before snipping away the excess stem and tossing it in the trash. He forms a bouquet and slides the flowers into the vase.
There they rest, Caspar's flowers on display for anyone who may walk in. Which will not be anyone for a while, considering that there was no civilization visible and the fact it was going dark.
"Alright then. Bedtime for the little." Leif reaches over and ruffles Caspar's hair, who huffs and swats Leif's hands away.
"Stop…" He whines, grabbing Leif's closest hand and pulling it to him to toy with Leif's many rings. Leif smiles, allowing him to.
"You can fidget with my rings in bed, bub. C'mon. Mr. Snooter awaits."
"Snooter." Caspar tightly grasps Leif's hand and huddles close. He grabs the radio with his free hand and closes the short distance to the bedroom. The diner is quiet and slowly going dark with every light switch they pass. Leif flicks them off; he'll lock up after Caspar is asleep.
They enter the space Caspar has made his office. Filing cabinets hold his clothes, purchased at random places throughout his journeys on the diner. One drawer, open near the head of his cot, holds age regression supplies; sippies, pacifiers, teethers, noisemakers, colorful things. Leif picks out Caspar's favorite pacifier; a cornflower blue background with a bouquet of sunflowers in the center, surrounded by other smaller, dotted sunflowers. He wipes it off on his shirt and hands it to Caspar.
The radio is carefully set on top of the filing cabinet closest to Caspar's head. Effie gently guides Caspar through the process of getting ready for his nap; lifting up the covers, rescuing Mr. Snooter from under the blanket, shedding his uncomfy daytime clothes.
With the stuffed rat clutched to his chest and pacifier bobbing in his mouth, Caspar turns to look up at Leif with big, trusting eyes. The engineer can't help but reach down and stroke Caspar's hair, smiling softly at the little.
"What book will it be today, chief?"
Caspar's eyes flick to the shelf set up across the room. He scans the selection, before pointing to the top right corner, over Leif's shoulder. "That."
"Good choice."
Leif retrieves the book. It's a bedtime story he had needed to translate into English from the native language of Sigius. It was the story of a reporter who could travel through time and space to report on urgent stories and bring justice to those being taken advantage of. It was also one of Caspar's favorites.
Leif returns to the little's side and sits within viewing range of the radio, opening the book to the first page. The chair he's in is between Caspar's head and the wall. Caspar turns on his side and takes Leif's free hand, playing with his rings. The low overhead light glints off of his big, glassy eyes. If there was room on that cot Leif would stay every night and hold his friend until he fell asleep.
Effie clears her throat, and begins. "Today, like usual, we are reading Reporting for the Stars. Let's begin."
"Chapter one. Being a reporter wasn't easy, and yet Gilyan Starboard refused to back down…."