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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 29, 2018 19:02:01 GMT -5
"I'm not sure anyone doubts that."
Spot straightened, looking pleased. He didn't like people thinking that he couldn't handle himself. His height was a major issue...
"Thunder's jus' bein' a pain," he explained, noting Lacey's uneasiness. She seemed a bit bothered by his brother's comment.
He scowled at the kitchen. "Sometimes I wonder why I ask him for anythin'."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 29, 2018 19:05:23 GMT -5
"Thunder's jus' bein' a pain."
Lacey nodded, shooting Spot a small smile. She was still mildly worried that she had done something wrong, but she didn't want Spot to worry, so she did her best to wipe the uncertainty from her face.
"Sometimes I wonder why I ask him for anythin'."
She smiled, "He's your brother. Ya love one another." Of course, she understood the sibling rivalry thing, considering she had three brothers herself, but she also understood that there was always love behind everything that siblings did to one another.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 29, 2018 20:13:23 GMT -5
"He's your brother. Ya love one another."
Spot cracked a grin before taking a bite of his sandwich. "Yeah... I know. It's just that I don't need 'im like Jasper does."
He winced slightly as the words left his lips. Maybe that was a little harsh. Thunder saved his neck quite a few times... Like back with Darcy and Rip. He shook his head best not to think about that.
"But um don't mind him. He just says stuff some times ta bother me."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 29, 2018 20:48:21 GMT -5
"Yeah... I know. It's just that I don't need 'im like Jasper does."
Lacey nodded a bit. It was still strange to think that Spot had family that he wasn't even living around, but she figured that they had their reasons for it. Plus, they still seemed to see one another a lot, so maybe it wasn't a big deal.
"But um don't mind him. He just says stuff some times ta bother me."
She laughed, "That sounds like a brother." Thunder seemed nice, although she understood that Spot was bound to get some teasing about a relationship, especially from an older sibling. She probably would have done the same if any of her brothers started to date while she was still around.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 29, 2018 21:12:56 GMT -5
"That sounds like a brother/"
Spot chuckled. "Doesn' it... heh you would know well with three of 'em."
He cocked his head slightly, wondering what it would be like to have more than two brothers.
"It ain't all bad. I guess I do miss him sometimes," he admitted.
Staten wasn't far, but it wasn't really close either. It would be nice if the family could be closer.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 29, 2018 22:04:34 GMT -5
"Doesn' it... heh you would know well with three of 'em."
Lacey grinned, "They're all rascals but I love 'em. I'm not sure that'll ever change. They'll always be little kids in my eyes."
"It ain't all bad. I guess I do miss him sometimes,"
Her smile faltered for a moment, carefully reaching her hand out to place it over Spot's. She didn't say anything for a moment, just letting her hand linger there before clearing her throat and pulling it back to continue eating. "I know for a fact that he and Jasper miss you, too. But they're real proud of ya, too. You're runnin' a borough, Thunder knows how hard that is," She smiled again, "You're all doin' your best. You'll get ta see each other more soon, anyway, when you're too old ta be newsies."
At least, she hoped that it would be the case. It would be awful seeing the family split up even more after that.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 17:26:04 GMT -5
"They're all rascals but I love 'em. I'm not sure that'll ever change. They'll always be little kids in my eyes."
Spot smiled, thinking of his own younger brother. "Yeah, I can see that. Don't think I'd ever see Jasper as grown up."
"I know for a fact that he and Jasper miss you, too. But they're real proud of ya, too. You're runnin' a borough, Thunder knows how hard that is."
He was slightly surprised as Lacey placed her hand on top of his. It wasn't that she didn't do that often. She didn't do it alot either. They weren't exactly a touchy-feely sort of couple. That might be why he felt surprised and a little happy inside when it did happen.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah... I know they do. Jus' sometimes wish I didn't run a borough..."
"You're all doin' your best. You'll get ta see each other more soon, anyway, when you're too old ta be newsies."
Spot nodded again, but seemed slightly distracted. When he was too old to be a newsie... well, he definitely wouldn't have to worry about Brooklyn, but still... He still wasn't sure if he could leave the place he called home. Staten just wasn't home to him like good ol' Brooklyn.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 18:24:58 GMT -5
"Yeah, I can see that. Don't think I'd ever see Jasper as grown up."
Lacey grinned. She understood the feeling, but she couldn't wait to see the way that everyone would look all grown up. She was sure that all of the Conlons were destined for great things.
"Yeah... I know they do. Jus' sometimes wish I didn't run a borough..."
She frowned, although she didn't ask. She understood. It was a lot of pressure, and it took him away from his family. The was more than enough of a reason to wish for a more low key sort of life. "I'm sorry, Spot." She whispered. She didn't know what else she could say without risking making it worse.
Spot seemed just slightly out of it. Something was obviously on his mind, but Lacey didn't want to push him to say anything if he didn't want to talk about it. So, she focused on finishing up the sandwich while it was still warm.
After a few more bites, however, Lacey stopped. Slowly setting down the sandwich again (though there wasn't much left anymore), she swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. "Hey, uh, Spot?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 18:40:48 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, Spot."
He shrugged it off. That's just what he did. "Who else could run Brooklyn? It's just until I can find someone to do it after me."
It was quiet as they finished off their sandwiches. A nice sort of quiet. It left Spot thinking a little too deeply. He hadn't realized it until Lacey spoke up again.
"Hey, uh, Spot?"
He blinked in surprise. "Uh yeah? Say somethin'?"
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 18:44:00 GMT -5
"Who else could run Brooklyn? It's just until I can find someone to do it after me."
Lacey nodded slowly. She supposed that it made sense, considering Brooklyn couldn't just be left without a leader, but it was still strange to think of anyone beyond Spot running the borough.
"Uh yeah? Say somethin'?"
She suddenly wasn't quite so sure that she could. The lump in her throat only seemed to grow, and her mouth suddenly became dry. "Well--I really, uh, I think you're great. And I, uh, really like ya. A lot. A whole lot."
She couldn't say it. She couldn't form the words. She could feel her cheeks beginning to burn and she buried her head into her hands. "Nevermind. Sorry." She muttered.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 19:14:33 GMT -5
"Well--I really, uh, I think you're great."
Spot wasn't sure how to reply to that. "Um... thanks. I try."
"And I, uh, really like ya. A lot. A whole lot."
He almost didn't catch what she said. It became suddenly rather soft, like she was afraid to say it. Though... he didn't know why she was shy to say it?
"Nevermind. Sorry."
Spot placed his hand on top of hers to move them away. "You don't have ta apologize..." He looked away, slightly embarrassed and shy himself. "I um... like ya a whole lot too."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 19:18:03 GMT -5
"Um... thanks. I try."
It was humiliating, if she was being honest. Lacey knew that Spot wasn't going to judge her or hate her or anything, but it was definitely uncomfortable knowing that she had made things weird.
"You don't have ta apologize... I um... like ya a whole lot too."
It took everything inside of Lacey to muster up a small smile as she looked at Spot, although there was a slight pang in her chest. She wanted to say it. She wanted to say more, but she was too worried about what could happen if she did. "Yeah, uh... Thanks." She cleared her throat.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 19:25:25 GMT -5
"Yeah, uh... Thanks."
It was awkward. Spot could feel it. But, somehow it didn't feel as bad as he thought it would. It's what made him like Lacey. She was different from the other girls. Awkward, yes. But sweet in her own way. But he really needed to make her feel better. She looked uncomfortable.
"Want to take a walk?" he offered. "I know a nice spot to see the stars."
It was getting rather late. It would be a good time to see the night sky.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 19:28:14 GMT -5
"Want to take a walk?"
It came as a huge relief when Spot broke the silence and brought up and walk, and almost instantly, Lacey nodded her head. A walk sounded perfect.
"I know a nice spot to see the stars."
She grinned. That sounded like the perfect thing to do after a dinner like this, and it would be nice to get some of the nervous energy out by walking around. "That sounds perfect."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 19:46:08 GMT -5
"That sounds perfect."
Spot was pleased with her answer and stood up. He offered her his hand. "You ready?"
A walk seemed to be just the thing to make Lacey relax. Besides, he did want to show her the best spot to see the stars in the park.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 19:48:12 GMT -5
"You ready?"
Lacey rose from her seat, pushing her chair back in to the table before taking Spot's hand in her own. Almost immediately afterwards, she intertwined their fingers, a few of her nerves seeming to relax at the contact.
"Ready." She agreed with a small smile.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 19:51:58 GMT -5
"Ready."
Spot smiled. He could feel the tension leaving the two of them as they crept out and headed towards the park. It was a cool evening, but not too cold. It seemed as if they might have an early spring.
It was dark, but the stars lit the sky up. And the streetlights glowed merrily as they made their way through the park. Spot lead them away from the main path to one of the side paths.
"We're almost there," he promised.
It took awhile to get there. After all, it was in almost the dead-center of the park.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 19:55:33 GMT -5
Walking with Spot was fun, especially considering that they had been sitting down at dinner for a while now. The silence was comfortable, and it was a good temperature outside. It was getting warmer, and the winter was finally drawing to a close. That was a huge relief.
"We're almost there."
Lacey nodded. She was more than willing to keep walking with Spot and not rush the process, especially since it was such a nice night. She was excited to stargaze again, though. She hadn't spent much time outside since the beginning of the winter.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 20:01:14 GMT -5
Spot kept Lacey close as they got further into the park. A few old branches got in their way. This wasn't a well-used path. In fact, it wasn't really a path anymore. There was no direct path to the center of the park. Which was why the spot was special. It was a private spot to think and hide out at when it was too cold or too foggy at the docks. And well, it was a great place to see the stars.
"Here we are..."
He lead her into the open space of the park. Trees and various brush surrounded them, but up above, it was just the stars. And lucky for them, it was a clear night that provided a wonderful view of the stars.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 20:04:32 GMT -5
"Here we are..."
It was beautiful, where they were. Lacey sold in the park every day and she had never seen this place, and that made it even more special, in a sense. This could have just been Spot's special place, but he had brought her there, and that meant a lot to her.
Looking up at the sky, there was a beautiful clearing in the trees above them, allowing them essentially a perfect view of the night sky, littered with stars and the light from the moon casting a gorgeous light over the clearing itself.
"Wow." She exhaled, unsure about what else to say. The spot was perfect, just as Spot had said.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 20:08:39 GMT -5
"Wow."
Spot chuckled. "Yeah... it's a perfect night, ain't it?"
He gently nudged her to the almost dead-center of the the clearing. "Here... now look up."
Spot guided her hand, helping her point out all the constellations he knew. Unlike alot of boys in Brooklyn, Spot had kept up with his schooling. He might not have gone to school once he became a bird and later the leader, but he had done his best (with Thunder's help) to study and be ready for adulthood.
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 20:11:47 GMT -5
"Yeah... it's a perfect night, ain't it?"
Lacey grinned bashfully, "Yeah... It is." Of course, being in the clearing with Spot was perfect, but almost everything about the night had been perfect. She was beyond flattered that Spot had done all of this for her, and she had no idea how to pay him back for it.
"Here... now look up."
She did as he said, allowing him to move her hand as he told her about the constellations in the sky. She was a bit surprised that he knew them, but she figured that it made sense, considering he knew about this place in the first place.
Her head gently rested against him as she gazed up at the sky, taking in what he was telling her and doing her best to remember, although most of the names were too complicated for her.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 20:17:21 GMT -5
"Yeah... It is."
Spot smiled, glad that she agreed. He had really tried to make this day--night--special. If she thought it was perfect, he was happy.
Lacey remained quiet as he showed her the different stars, but out of the corner of his eye, he could see her taking it all in. She might not remember the names, but that didn't matter. As long as she enjoyed the night... and remembered it. What more could he ask for.
"And that one..." He pointed her to the North Star. "Always remember that one, Lacey. It'll always guide you home."
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Post by Lacey on Aug 30, 2018 20:21:15 GMT -5
"And that one... Always remember that one, Lacey. It'll always guide you home."
Lacey grinned a bit as she looked at the star that he pointed to. It looked like it was glowing brighter than the ones around it, and she figured that it would help her remember easily.
She turned briefly to look at Spot, taking in the expression on his face and trying to read how he was feeling, although it was difficult to read. All that she knew was that the moonlight was making his eyes an even brighter blue. "I've forgotten most of 'em already... But if that one's special, I'll remember it."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Aug 30, 2018 20:24:21 GMT -5
"I've forgotten most of 'em already... but if that one's special, I'll remember it."
His lips twitched into a smile. "That's fine." He lowered her arm. "As long as you remember that one, you'll be fine."
Spot wrapped his other arm lightly around her waist. "Happy Valentine's, Lacey."
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