Always The McCarthers

[clouds just clouds]

Surprise lifted Kasimir's brows. He couldn't believe that Noah took off his hat in the hallway--where anyone might step out and see him. Immediately, a smile lifted Kasimir and grinned. "Noah," he said softly, reaching up to gently run his fingers through Noah's hair.

[ If you don't want to wait: ]

"You look adorable," With a light smile, Kasimir pulled away. "I'll bring Hiro out." Slowly, he pushed himself up and walked over to the door. He slipped his key in and cracked it open slightly to peer inside the room. Luckily, Hiro happened to glance up and catch Kasimir's eye. Kasimir motioned Hiro to come out.

Taking out his music, Hiro stood and walked across the room, confusion filling his face. "What is it?"

"Noah has something to tell you," Kasimir murmured. He pulled Hiro out, closed the door, and then stepped over to Noah. Reaching down, he took Noah's hand and squeezed it, trying to encourage him. "Everything is going to be fine," Kasimir said to him, and then stepped out of the way so that Hiro and Noah could look directly at another.

[If you want to wait a post: ]

"I don't understand why you would be ashamed of yourself," Kasimir said, softly. "If I looked half as cute as you, I think I would be quite proud of myself." A teasing smile lifted Kasimir's lips and he let go of Noah, only to pull him into a hug. "Noah, I am really proud of you. You're being really brave right now. Would you like me to get Hiro now?" He patted Noah's back, half wanting to just take Noah and whisk him away. The two of them could find a cabin and hide for fifty years. Hanna and Hiro would eventually find them. Eventually.

[Dina Doo]

(Mm, we can have Hiro out now~ Though Kassi will have to be adorable and tell Noah how proud he is of the boy later. XD)

It took every ounce of courage Noah possessed at that moment- albeit not a lot -to look up at Hiro, a sheepish blush coloring his pale cheeks a light shade of red while the rest of his face was downcast with shame. "I..I'm sorry, Hiro," he started, dipping his head. "I was scared to show you earlier but... I was probably running away from it myself." He hesitantly lifted his gaze once more. "The changes started a while ago and I was scared.. I-I don't know what I am anymore but I wanted to tell you before I told anyone else. But I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I-I don't really know what to do.."

[clouds just clouds]

(Okaayy~ XD)

It wasn't hard to notice the differences. His eyes flickered from Noah's ears, to his horns, and then to his eyes, but his own face remained without emotion. He couldn't believe his father put Noah up to this. They had Noah wearing a hat, for this? A prank? Pursing his lips, Hiro wondered if he should humor them. To pretend as if he was shocked. He really wanted to know who did the make-up. It was Rylan, wasn't it? Kasimir pulled Rylan into this, too?

Hiro glanced at his father, hoping to see the look on his father's face when he realized all this preparation had gone to waste-

Kasimir wasn't looking at him. He was looking at Noah... with... pride.

At first, shock fizzled in Hiro's stomach, and then bitter jealousy hit him like a zap of lightning. His eyes flickered back towards Noah and--did... did his ears move? A knot formed in Hiro's throat and his fingers clenched tightly. This wasn't a joke. Noah looked.. lost, scared? "You're joking, right?" Hiro raised a brow. "You think that after you've washed my underwear, I would really care?"

His face softened and Hiro smiled, so Noah knew that he wasn't mad. He stepped forward to get a better look at Noah. "Noah, you shouldn't be afraid to tell me anything, alright? I'm one of the most acceptable people you can come by." His brows came together and he searched Noah's gaze. "I am kind of hurt that you trusted my father more than me, but... I understand." Not really the touchy and feely type, Hiro hesitated before placing a hand on Noah's shoulder. "I think it's a good look on you. Very fitting." His eyes softened, at least under he drew back his hand, looking a bit embarrassed, "Do... do you mind if I... touch?" His cheeks bloomed.

[Dina Doo]

"I-I didn't really tell your father," Noah started, quietly, watching the ground for a silent moment. "He.. he sort of found out." When he was still trying to hide from everyone, like the cautious little deer that he really was. Or a timid mouse, but that animal metaphor has already been taken. But then his face reddened when Hiro asked if he could touch. They were both blushing messes, it seemed. Poor Noah hadn't really let anyone else feel his strange new ears or horns, other than Kasimir, but he suspected that naturally came with him coming out about this. His little deer ears folded back even more, if that was possible. "S-sure... Of course you can, Hiro."

[clouds just clouds]

A sharp breath cut into Hiro's mouth. "They move." He leaned to look closer, his sharp eyes flickering about the changes--except he didn't touch. Not yet. Hiro wondered how weird it would feel if Noah tried to touch his ears. His ears were incredibly sensitive. But those ears... were they really fuzzy? And his horns... "Is that glass?"

"Mm, no, ice." Kasimir smiled lightly at Hiro. "Feel them."

"I feel bad," Hiro blushed. "I certainly wouldn't want anyone molesting my body parts."

Chuckling, Kasimir said, "Noah said you could."

"If I asked Noah if I could hit him," Hiro murmured, "he would probably say yes." Standing up straight, Hiro nodded. "Thank you, Noah. For... telling me." He paused, and said, "I bet it took a lot for you to do that, huh?" Reaching up, Hiro ran his fingers through his purple hair. "I suppose Hanna is next then." A smile flickered on Hiro's lips and he gave Noah a mischievous look. "I'll try to keep her hands off of you."

"He has a tail, too," Kasimir murmured.

Hiro's ears seemed to twitch at the murmur, "A tail? Like--what?" Somewhat bewildered, Hiro looked at Noah's face for confirmation. "What kind of tail?"

[Dina Doo]

Gods, why did Kasimir have to bring up the fact that he had a tail? Noah's face turned a rather unique shade of red thereafter. "I-it's a deer tail," he said quietly, as if it were a secret that needed to be kept. "Please.. don't ask me to show you..." Poor baby Noah wasn't comfortable enough with that. He hadn't even shown his tail to Kasimir. Especially since that would involve removing his pants and who wanted to do that? "But-but you can feel my horns.. and ears if you really want to." Hiro was right, though. If they simply asked something of Noah, he wouldn't be able to refuse.

[clouds just clouds]

Almost immediately, Hiro shook his head. "I won't ask..." With a light smile, he reached up for a moment to gently pinch Noah's ear, mostly as a teasing gesture. "I don't want to see your pale butt any time soon." Straightening up, Hiro looked over at his father and said, "Thanks... for taking care of him."

"He's family to you," Kasimir said gently, slowly moving to stand. He placed a hand on Noah's head and smiled. "You've been really brave, Noah."

Hiro held out his hand for Noah and said, "Want to go in and tell Hanna? If not, we can go get some ice cream or something. Strawberry ice cream sounds good."

"You can't even taste anything anymore," Kasimir pointed out.

"It still sounds good," Hiro flashed his father a smile.