Somewhere in the Preserve, Monday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Well, well, well.

Another successful weekend showing the denizens of Fandom some possibilities of what may yet come to be. But now it was time for the young visitors to head back home. Thus did the portal open once more, beckoning those who'd come through it to return from whence they came...

[ooc: up early for all your goodbye-ing needs, but feel free to play your kiddos still throughout the day.]

Comments

[itsananomaly]

As much as Cutter didn’t want this time to come, he knew they had to say goodbye and send Teddy and Tabby back to their own versions of them.

He was very reluctant to let go as he walked with them to the portal and stared at it, “are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

He was getting better about portals but letting his kids, well versions of his kids go through it seemed a bit too much.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor wasn't exactly looking forward to the goodbyes either. He knew it had to happen. But that didn't really make any of this any easier.

He watched Cutter and Tabby walk along ahead as he carried Teddy up on his shoulders as they made their way through the preserve. He froze as he saw the portal, the reality of this goodbye suddenly hitting him.

[itsananomaly]

“Dad I’ll be fine,” Tabby assured him as she gave her father a hug, “it’s not the first portal I’ve been through,” she pointed out, referring to the portal that had taken her and her brother here the other day and the anomalies.

Because someone had definitely snuck into a few anomalies.

“I don’t think I want to know,” Cutter admitted as he returned the hug tightly and didn’t want to let go.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I like the portals" Teddy said with a grin. "They are all sparkly and swirly..." he said, wiggling with fingers as he did.

Connor had to laugh a little at that as he knelt down and pulled Teddy into a hug, feeling just as reluctant to let go.

It had only been a couple of days, but Teddy and Tabby felt so right, so natural.... Connor didn't want that feeling to end.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter was very reluctant to let go of Tabby and he held on for as long as he could, he looked back to see how Connor was doing with Teddy and noticed he seemed to be just as reluctant.

He hadn’t realised just how hard it would be to say goodbye.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor felt like his heart cracked just a little when Teddy finally wiggled free from the hug and ran over for a "Da-Da Hug." He didn't have too long to think about the empty arms, at least for the time being, because Tabby was soon standing there a playful eye roll as she held out her hands, the grin on her face giving away just how much she did want that hug.

"I'll take care of Teddy Pops... don't worry" she said as she threw her arms around Connor's neck and hugged him. Connor just nodded, the lump in his throat making it impossible to say much at all just then.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter could feel tears in his eyes now as Teddy threw his arms around him for a hug.

“I’ll keep trying to find tribblites,” he promised and yeah those tears were starting to fall now as he clung tightly to Teddy.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

There was no stopping the tears when Tabby pulled back slightly a placed a small kiss on Connor's cheek and looked over her shoulder for Teddy.

"Love you Pops, Love you Dad" she said with a grin as she held her hand out for Teddy.

Smart girl, she knew there'd be no way either of them would willing let them go.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter couldn’t stop the tears as Teddy gave him one more hug and then went to join his sister, taking her hand, “love you Da-Da, Papi,” he gave them a wave.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Love you both," Connor said, as he reached over and took Cutter's hand in his and clung tightly as he watched their kids walk through the portal.

He stared after them for a moment, almost expecting them to walk back out. He knew they wouldn't and that realization brought out the sob he had been fighting back as he leaned his head against Cutter's shoulder.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter managed to get out an I love you to Teddy and Tabby, clinging tightly to Connor’s hand and then watched them disappear into the portal. He leaned his head against Connor’s as he couldn’t stop those tears or his own sobbing.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

How long they stood there, Connor didn't know, but eventually, he shifted, slipping an arm around Cutter as he started to move them away from the portal slowly.

"Come on Nick," he said softly, trying to wipe tears of his own. "Let's go home."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter nodded, trying to wipe away those tears of his own , “okay,” he said very quietly, as he leaned against Connor, “do …do you think we could go back to your place?” he asked quietly, the thought of going to his flat was just a little much right then.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor smiled sadly and gave Cutter a gentle hug. "Of course, Nick. We can stay at my flat tonight. Not a problem at all," he said understandingly. It had been a lot of emotional up and down for them both and he was still trying to unpack it all himself.

[itsananomaly]

“Thank you,” Cutter said softly as he returned the gentle hug, “I don’t think I can go back to my flat just yet,” he admitted softly.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I got a couch and I think I saw some nice Scotch too" Connor said as he pulled Cutter in for a hug.

[itsananomaly]

“Sounds perfect,” Cutter sniffed, trying to stop his sobs as he hugged Connor, “I could go for a lot of scotch right now,”