A/N: Short Chapter. Will post another in short succession.
It was well after ten P.M. before they decided to call it quits for the day. With some pressuring from Markus and even Dakota, the others agreed to get some rest before the next day. With no place of their own, Josh, Simon, and Connor took up an offer made by Markus to stay at Carl's house. Dakota came along as well, mostly to pick up anything he might've left behind that morning.
They all walked into the large house together, still talking over the final details, and were greeted by the sight of another android and an elderly man in a wheelchair. Upon seeing this, quiet fell over the group, and Markus stopped in his tracks.
"Carl," he breathed, clearly surprised to see him. "I didn't know you were up."
"I only got up about ten minutes ago," the old man replied. Markus stepped forward and enveloped him in a warm and gentle embrace, which was readily returned. "I had to fight with David here," Carl indicated the android standing behind him, "to even let me get out of bed." He broke the embrace. "You just missed Leo."
"How is he?"
Carl looked past Markus to the rest of the group, who for the most part was standing somewhat awkwardly, watching the interaction with various expressions. "We can talk about that later. You haven't introduced me to these people here."
"Of course. It seems proper introductions are in order." Markus stepped to the side and introduced the group one at a time, indicating to each one with an open palm. "This is Connor."
"Hello," Connor said as he walked up and politely offered his hand to shake, which Carl took.
"This is Josh."
"Nice to meet you." Josh followed Connor's example and shook Carl's hand.
"Simon."
"Glad to meet you," Simon said, shaking his hand as well.
"North."
North approached Carl to shake his hand as well, although she hesitated for a moment before doing so. "Hi," she managed out, her body posture wary and defensive.
Carl noticed this and gave a warm smile. " No need to be worried," he reassured. "I'm just an old man in a wheelchair, I ain't gonna bite." North seemed to calm down slightly at his words, but it wasn't until Markus looked reassuringly her way that she visibly relaxed.
"And Dakota."
Dakota set down a bag he had carried in with him and limped forward, faster and more capable than he would've been before, and extended his hand as well. "It's nice to meet the man whose home I've been staying in."
"Please," Carl waved off the shrouded thanks in Dakota's words. "I didn't even know someone was here until David told me. If you thank anyone for being able to crash here, it'd be Markus."
"It does say something about a person when another can offer up their house to stay without grievance," Dakota countered.
Carl narrowed his eyes. "You trying to be a kissass?" He had dealt with too many 'fans' of him that won't stop trying to compliment him.
Dakota chuckled slightly, guessing the old man's sentiment. "No, only speaking my mind. If I was, I'd likely be talking about how I'm a 'big fan' of you and how much I love your art, even though it would be irrelevant."
Carl shrugged. "True," he admitted.
Dakota stepped back to the rest of the group. "I only came here to collect my things. I don't want to overstay my welcome."
"Nonsense," Carl said. "If your stuff is already here, you might as well stay the night. There are enough rooms for all of you."
Dakota thought about the offer. It was already late, and sleeping here would make it easier to sync his schedule with the others. "Thank you."
"Of course. I've always thought I've had too much space here. I guess now's finally a chance to use some of it."
The rest of the group thanked Carl for letting them stay in his house and went upstairs to rest.
A/N Was really hitting writer's block with this chapter. The part that I cut out was just about how Leo is admitting himself into rehab, but I just couldn't figure out the transition to that scene.