xp_logs | Doug and Miles

Miles comes to show off a bug that he found to Doug. In the process of showing the bug, Miles gets close enough to turn Doug's power off, and he realizes that there is something wonky with his power. After a very nice hug, they go down to ~~scare~~ show Alison the bug.

Hands cupped together loosely, obviously holding something between them, Miles practically skipped into his room. He frowned a little, only seeing Doug in the room. One person to share his new discovery with would have to do, and he could always show his mom later. New colorful bugs were neat, and should be shared with everyone. He quietly walked over to Doug's desk, and stood polietly, waiting to be noticed - and managed to not bounce with glee for almost a full fifteen seconds before he giggled, and poked Doug's arm. "Miles found a neat bug!" he said cheerfully.

Doug looked up from where he was sitting moodily at his computer and blinked. For a moment, the incessant background noise in his head had silenced. He blinked again, then turned to Miles. "Bug? What've you got there, little buddy?" he asked, trying his hardest to be cheerful and friendly to the young boy.

Uncupping his hands, Miles revealed a small black and green insect, wings buzzing against his hands. "Miles found a bug. It is green like Miles, but has red eyes, which is not like anyone Miles knows, but it is a really neat bug, does Doug know what kind of bug it is, because Miles does not know, and it is not a grasshopper, because it can fly, and it is not a bee, because bees are yellow."

Doug kept himself from shying back slightly, as he had an innate dislike and fear of flying buzzing insects. But the insect in Miles' hands was moving slowly and stupidly, so he looked closer. "Manuel has red eyes when he uses his power," he told Miles. "And I don't know what kind of bug it is. We don't have anything like this in Colorado."

"The bugs leave little bug-skins all over too. Miles heard Mister Marko complaining that the bugs were going to eat up all the trees!" Miles dug a sneaker-clad toe into the carpet. He leaned closer to Doug, and whispered "Mister Marko is a little bit of a pottymouth, and Miles thinks he does not like the bugs."

Doug blinked again. When Miles had leaned closer, the noise went away again. Doug could feel the tension draining away at the momentary respite. Suddenly his exhausted brain made a connection. "Miles, are you turning my power off right now?" he asked softly and hopefully.

For a moment, the small boy's eyes grew wide, and a nervous expression crossed his face. "Miles thinks so. Is it not hurting Doug, is it?" He took a careful step back, and watched Doug carefully.

Doug felt his whole body tense up as the unknown noise took up residence in his skull again. "No, it doesn't hurt at all," Doug responded quickly, drawing Miles closer. "As a matter of fact, it helps. You know how I haven't been sleeping very well lately, and have been really cranky with everyone?"

"Miles knows. Miles thinks Doug needs to take more naps and have more cookies. Those help Miles when he is upset and cannot sleep." Looking around for a moment and not finding anywhere safe to put his bug, Miles held out his hands to Doug. "Miles would like to give Doug a hug, but does not want to squish his new bug. Can Doug hold it?"

Doug looked at his desk and picked up a cup. Helping Miles place it gently on a sheet of paper, he quickly placed the cup on top of it. Then he opened his arms wide. "I think that you just helped me figure out that something is going wrong with my power. C'mere, you little genius."

Bug safe for now from the dangers of death-by-squish, Miles scrambled up onto Doug's lap and hugged him tightly. "Miles is a genius." he said, nodding firmly. "And Miles is very glad to help Doug not be cranky. Cranky Doug is no fun."

Doug shook his head. "Cranky Doug is no fun at all," he whispered huskily. He rested his head against Miles' shoulder and sighed wearily, allowing the tension of the past several weeks to drain out of him. A few tears trickled down his face and onto Miles' shirt.

Even the most patient of little boys gets restless after sitting still for too long, and after a bit Miles squirmed out from the hug, and turned to look at the paper-and-cup bug trap that Doug had made. "Miles wonders if Doug would come to show Alison Miles' new bug? So Doug can be not cranky for longer and then Doug and Miles can have cookies!"

Doug grinned and took one of Miles' hands in his. "That sounds lovely." He carefully picked up the cup-and-paper contraption. "Shall we?"