I'll Rise Up

[Spencer sighed gently. Something about knowing two fully grown humans were about to cut out of her body made her lose some of her usual apprehension about things.] ...I meant "missing each other" a little... less literally than that.

Oh. [Now it was Ariel's turn to have her cheeks redden.] Well... yes. Certainly that too.

[Spencer looked away towards one of Ariel's paintings when she blushed. God, this was hard.]

I mean... I don't know, [Spencer lied.] I guess I feel like we just... [She hesitated for a moment but eventually let out a sigh and continued,] ...keep missing each other?

I know, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you! It's just... life. And all the boys have needed a little more attention lately and-- [Ariel shook her head.] No point in making excuses. It is what it is, but I'm very happy to see you.

[Spencer sighed gently. Something about knowing two fully grown humans were about to cut out of her body made her lose some of her usual apprehension about things.] ...I meant "missing each other" a little... less literally than that.

They are. There's a reason why you have the most things out here though, [Spencer couldn't help but say.]

Because I spend way too much with a brush in my hand? [Ariel joked.] Thank you though, really.

I mean... I don't know, [Spencer lied.] I guess I feel like we just... [She hesitated for a moment but eventually let out a sigh and continued,] ...keep missing each other?

[Spencer couldn't help but giggle with her.] ...Well, I promise I'm not being creepy either.

This is definitely a lovely place to do it. The other artists are very talented as well. And Red, of course.

They are. There's a reason why you have the most things out here though, [Spencer couldn't help but say.]

What?! No! You're not being creepy! [Spencer was quick to say.]

I am? [Ariel asked, until she figured out what Spencer meant and giggled.] Oh. I wasn't trying to be. That's very sweet of you though.

[Spencer couldn't help but giggle with her.] ...Well, I promise I'm not being creepy either.

...You've missed me? [Okay. Maybe Spencer could blush a little harder.] Really? We haven't even really... talked that much.

[Ariel shrugged.] We talked enough to-- am I being creepy?

What?! No! You're not being creepy! [Spencer was quick to say.]

[Okay. If Spencer blushed any harder, she would actually turn into a tomato.] I am? That's... I'm glad.

Yeah. [Ariel said with an easy smile.] I've missed you.

...You've missed me? [Okay. Maybe Spencer could blush a little harder.] Really? We haven't even really... talked that much.

...Gray, kinda curly hair?

That's the one. He was encouraging me to... not hide in my studio so much. So you were a lovely surprise.

[Okay. If Spencer blushed any harder, she would actually turn into a tomato.] I am? That's... I'm glad.

[Spencer suddenly blushed even harder.] ...Um. ...Who's Casper?

Oh my boss. He owns the gallery. Strange Scottish man. Said as a compliment.

...Gray, kinda curly hair?

[Spencer immediately blushed bright red.] ...Your... Your what?

[Well, that was adorable.] Casper said someone's been coming regularly and looking at my paintings.

[Spencer suddenly blushed even harder.] ...Um. ...Who's Casper?

For what it's worth... it's all absolutely beautiful.

[Ariel smiled a bright, genuine smile. Something she didn't do nearly enough anymore.] Thank you.

[Spencer immediately blushed bright red.] ...Your... Your what?

Well, at least it looks like you've found something to work on in the meantime, [Spencer offered as she glanced around the space.] I mean... that's something, right?

Oh, yeah. Art's always been my... release, of sorts. It's just not sitting in a storage facility anymore, which is pretty incredible. Still can't believe it most of the time.

For what it's worth... it's all absolutely beautiful.

...Jesus.

Thanks. [Ariel shrugged.] It's obviously the boys going through the worst of it, but the oldest daughter in me really wishes I could figure out how to fix it.

Well, at least it looks like you've found something to work on in the meantime, [Spencer offered as she glanced around the space.] I mean... that's something, right?

...Shit.

I'm not even sure. I don't think they've spoken since then. And I've been giving Red time to process and figure it out for himself before I go sticking myself into things.

...Jesus.

Jesus...

No. [Ariel answered easily.] But we're all getting along day by day.

...Shit.

Holy shit, what? [Spencer asked ...before quickly placing a hand on either side of her obviously large bell as if she was covering a child's ears. Ugh. Nikko kept getting on her about that...] What? When? What happened?!

It's... still a whole process.

Jesus...