Archive of Our Own ^beta

Easter Sunday arrived upon the small town of Mineral Wells. The sun was hidden by puffy gray clouds, leaving a small breeze to flow throughout the streets. Plants let their flowers bloom about to match the bright pastel decorations set up by the townsfolk. But since it was still morning, many were preoccupied with preparing for the festivities. The church was having the Easter service, while the Grand Oaks resort was up in a buzz to entertain all the guests with candy, plastic eggs, and candy hidden in plastic eggs. From the chefs cooking nonstop to the poor fella in the Easter bunny costume, everyone had a part to play in making the day special.

That of course, includes our misfit friends.

Interestingly enough, they were taking it easy for this holiday. Rather, easy as in not planning an Easter themed magic show, but in hindsight it was inevitable.

The Golden Twins had their hands full as they entertained guests with their grand flips and snappy quips, of course in sky blue suits with sunny yellow shirts to make sure the Easter pizzazz really set in. Granted, the suits were a noble sacrifice given one of the gags involved broken eggs. Raided from the kitchen of course, can’t let them all be turned into omelettes.

Theo found himself at a concert set up by the orchestra, which basically involved playing Spring by good ole Vivaldi for the 30th year in a row. But nonetheless, his playing was as lifting as his levitation tricks, proven by the audience rising into a standing ovation.

Leila and Dante helped James in the kitchen, half as moral support and half as ‘the two people to grab things from the other side of the kitchen’. He loves those two, but he can’t have spatulas disappearing right now. Leila got to wear one of the intern chef outfits. Dante? A spare apron.

But what of Carter? It appears our little blonde rat has scurried off into a vanishing act. He’s a bit shy to join the twins, too short to see Theo’s recital, and the kitchen was hectic already even with the other two Vernons helping James. Where could he be? He’s enjoyed the other holidays, but why has he sprung away?

Why, he’s on a mission.

You see, Dante normally helps in the annual Easter egg hunt by hiding all of the eggs. Every nook and cranny has at least one or two of the bright eggs with their small candy treasure. Of course, Dante’s been doing it for so long that a few kids grew into veterans of sorts, knowing the old man’s patterns. Ok, that’s a half truth, it’s really the adults who point their kids in an efficient path based on where Dante hides the eggs. Cheeky as it may be, everyone has fun and that’s what matters.

But Carter’s different, he’s smaller and more agile. Not only that, his sense of hiding is a bit refined for, admittedly, more sadder reasons. But now’s not the time to dilly dally in the past. He has an important job of bringing joy to other kids to do. In fact, Dante chose Carter for a similar reason as well, this would be the first time Carter’s participating in a more active role, and even better, it’s benefiting from his strengths.

Eggs get hidden in newer, more curious places, kids have more fun on the hunt.

Of course, Carter’s not doing it alone. Ever since that Kalagan incident, having a misfit alone could spell disaster.

So Ridley tagged along, with all the innate chaos that implies. Though she may be dressed in a teal gown with a purple shawl on her shoulders, her green eyes sparkled with schemes as they always do. They also keep watch over Carter as dirt puffs and smears on his usual getup.

Of course, she joined for many reasons. One, ain’t nothing better to do. Two, someone’s gotta watch the little Lockehead and to chauffeur him around to keep his strength up. And Three, she gets to try out her egg-launching devices when Carter wants to hide an egg up high. Oh believe me, she’s using real eggs soon enough, these plastic eggs only serve as an opportunity to refine her mechanical prowess.

But of course, Ridley’s been known to keep secrets, and as such there is a fourth reason for tagging along. Well, it’s as secret as white rabbit in green grass. It’s even a secret the two share.

Ridley and Carter have been growing closer lately. It started off small, mainly stemming off Carter being Ridley’s little secretary for the meetings, but as the two had to interact more often, the bond grew a little each time.

Sure, one could draw the line at both being living incarnations of “Life Sucks”, but even with their related strength in pushing on aside, they balance each other out surprisingly well. Ridley inspires Carter to be more dynamic and assured. Sure, Leila is much more in tune to Carter’s gentle side, but Ridley’s the spark for Carter’s mischief. On more serious issues, Ridley is Carter’s vent for something that he believes Leila can’t just hug away. Or in actuality, something he believes might upset Leila should he say it. To Carter, Ridley’s tougher approach gives him more ground to say his mind.

To Ridley, Carter is an important reminder that strength isn’t all snark and bite. One can easily be quiet and calm but still resilient through and through. Carter in essence cools Ridley down. Theo’s more of a point of reference, an extra angel on her shoulder to rein her in. Carter meanwhile is Ridley’s chance to embrace her softer side, and sometimes even act motherly.

Now, the two liking each other has been testy waters to say the least. Carter’s whole life has been too fast to get close to any one person, and given how even close ones like his parents seemingly abandoned him, he’s very afraid of hurting someone in that regard. Sure, the fear goes away when it’s five other blorbos hugging him but, the fear pounces right back on him in moments of isolation.

Ridley meanwhile sees herself unable to sustain such a relationship even if she got it. Sure her parents work just fine, but it’s more of how she believes she turned out. She’s sharp, but that means she can cut. She’s perfect as a leader, but is she too demanding if it ever got all focused on one person? Questions like that make her second guess these things, and while she’s best of buds with Theo, she knows his heart lies elsewhere anyway.

The funny thing is, if these two poured their hearts out to each other or even to the other misfits, it would be nothing but assurances and encouragement. Ridley and Carter both knew that they would immediately comfort the other in need.

So, they took a small gamble, and decided to let it burn slowly.

Don’t rush into it, don’t make too many plays, just let it be subtle and see what happens.

A handhold here and there, an extra second gazing at the other for just a little longer, maybe just sitting next to each other just a tiny bit closer.

And one such moment occurs back at the present.

As Ridley’s wheelchair rolled along the sidewalk, heading back to the Grand Oak Resort, she felt pressure on her head. Carter leaned forward to rest his head on her own, eyes closed and deep breathing indicating the little fella’s energy was as gone as the eggs.

“You ok, Lockehead?” She asked softly.

“Mhm…” Murmured Carter, who tried to straighten up as he answered.

His blue eyes only stayed open up until Ridley was fully situated at one of the tables in the resort. It was a round table with six spots, easily reserved for our magical friends to meet up for the rest of the day.

Carter began to lean sideways, and Ridley’s quick thinking led to her raising her armrest as his head found her lap as his pillow. His well earned rest was assured by soft snoring.

Ridley looked down and smiled, gently smoothing Carter’s hair and giving him the tiniest boop of the nose.

She rather enjoyed this, and watched as festivities were tuned out to the company of this small, sparking love.