Putting the pieces together | Vinzent + Abel | Daycare Car

Vinzent Mayer

[Spongebob narrator voice] Many, several hours later…

After all was said and done, Vinzent was now calm enough to resume being in the area, as he also talked to other people for a while. To be honest, he did feel bad to have frightened the children with the surprise one-sided fight that he did not prepare himself enough for. But that’s over. There’s no point dwelling in it. He’ll deal with the rest of his emotions regarding this later. At least the most important thing has been talked about, and he’ll be more mindful.

For now, he’s content to observe where his younger self has been.

FVinzent was in the play area, seemingly in deep thought over a pile of puzzle pieces, with an empty box of 50 pieces puzzle nearby. Picking one, he could tell it was a corner piece, so he laid it on the ground. Then another… He couldn’t tell where this’d go. Putting it aside. The song and dance repeats until FVinzent figured out the edges of the puzzle pieces. The image on the box cover being visible did help as a reference, at least.

But… It did look like he could use some help! Because he still wasn’t sure where the rest of the pieces would go.

Abel Lazarus

Fabel has a new found enjoyment for interacting with other kids it seems! After Asuka and Taran and Viper and all! He isn’t… the type to approach people himself, though.

So instead he stands a little bit away watching FVinzent attempt to solve the puzzle while Abel is a little too busy doing something next to him to interviene and help them interact.

But Fabel Wants to join in! He looks at Abel a few times before spotting Vinzent watching his younger self and coming up with an idea! He can just… Ask him! Adults are way less scary than other kids!

He wanders off towards Vinzent- which does make Abel quickly finish his task to follow him- but he pays him no mind until he stands in front of Vinzent and asks, “Can I play with him?” He points at FVinzent. Yes. Vinzent gets to decide For himself if he wants to play. Because. Kid Logic.

Vinzent Mayer

Vinzent was surprised that he was approached by Fabel. But he smiled warmly at the kid. The answer is that obvious, but he’ll still say it. To be clear.

“Of course you can! He’ll be happy to play with you, I’m sure.”

To be completly honest, Vinzent was wondering how would it have been had he met Abel at a younger age… If things would have been different. But he can only guess, because events had happened. Abel and Vinzent are where they are today. So to have a perspective on what could have been is… Just that. The could. But what happened stays. You can’t change the past.

… It is interesting to imagine the possibility if they’d met earlier, maybe by sheer coincidence. Oh well!

Funny enough, FVinzent heard Fabel, and waited that his older self spoke. Because he… Really wanted to play with Fabel as well. The flourkid who talked to Vinzent… Reminds him of his friend. And FVinzent wants to be his friend here.

Abel Lazarus

Honestly? Their child selves… May not have talked much. Fabel’s only being more out going due to what Abel is offering by being here- Remove that and this kid… Wouldn’t have spoken to any of the kids. Only would have talked to the adults.

Fabel nods before moving to sit next to FVinzent and join in. Should he maybe have Also asked FVinzent? Yeah.

Does Fabel know anything about how you’re Supposed to interact with other children? If they’re not Cain, absolutely NOT. Doesn’t matter! He found another corner piece. “… What’s it a picture of?”

Abel moves to sit near Vinzent to watch over the kids.

“… Any chance he’s been running you around as much as mine has?” Abel leans back in his chair for a moment- for once not sitting with Perfect Posture. “I had to play tag. I don’t think I want to run ever again.”

Vinzent Mayer

Yeah… FVinzent would have tried at least to talk to Fabel, to befriend him. He’s a very curious kid who wants to know other people, but would step back if he was told a categoric no.

That said FVinzent was happy that Fabel joined him and looked at him with a smile. He gets some help!! He’s happy that he won’t struggle too much to finish the puzzle. Once Fabel asked, Fvinzent pointed at the picture on the box.

“A pirate boat at sea! With treasures!” Yaarrr.

Anyway, he resumed continuing trying to figure out where to put the other pieces while lending a good bunch of the puzzles pieces to Fabel.

Vinzent made sure to let enough space for Abel to sit next to him. He’s glad the secretary is back again. And this time, they’re both fine. Abel would notice that FVinzent did not have glasses by that age. Anyway! Vinzent spoke.

“Surprinsingly, not really. He’s been mostly found drawing a lot or reading pictures books if it’s not puzzles. He did have some bursts of energy and played with some kids but, mostly… He kept to himself unless he was talked to. But yeah, he’s curious. Very much so.”

He did chuckle a bit at the mention of playing tag.

“Haha…! I get that, it is tiring after a while. You deserve a break. I wouldn’t put past him to want to play tag though, he’d love that. But he tends to really focus on one thing at time usually.”

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer He’s a very curious kid who wants to know other people, but would step back if he was told a categoric no.

It’s not so much that he’d be told no but far more that little Abel… Would have been VERY quiet. Or perhaps been a little too stubborn or weird for the average kid to bother with- After all. He’s going to ditch you on the playground to read sitting next to the teacher.

Fabel looks at the picture for a long moment before placing a few more pieces. He doesn’t particularly care about pirates… But a puzzle is a puzzle.

Abel leans his head back for a little while he listens. Seems he really is pretty tired out with how much he’s acting like a wet noodle.

“I didn’t think he’d like tag- but I guess I just never got the chance to play as a kid. Turns out deciding to just start running is easier when you’re six, though.” Abel pushes his glasses up for a moment- running a hand over his face. “He got to. Play wedding. And Storytime. And so many different games. I think I’m just glad I don’t have to do anything for the puzzle.” Better hope they don’t grab a bigger one Abel. They’ll need you then.

“… It’s weird watching… Myself. Doing things I never… Did at that age.” Not that he didn’t Want to do those things, though. “Very quiet kid when he’s not talking to the adults, though.” He says that a lot quieter. Like he’s not quite… Trying to have Fabel over hear.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus It’s not so much that he’d be told no but far more that little Abel… Would have been VERY quiet. Or perhaps been a little too stubborn or weird for the average kid to bother with- After all. He’s going to ditch you on the playground to read sitting next to the teacher.

Understandable-

FVinzent smiled as he saw more pieces were added. Then he found where some pieces of his own set would go to. Slowly… But surely. It did feel a little faster to work together! He… Likes working with a friend. But… Can he call Fabel a friend yet? He’s not sure. But he… Did like him already. So he’ll… Try his best! Maybe they can play more together after! Do a different puzzle after this one!

Vinzent gently rubs Abel’s back.

“Do you need water or something? I could bring you a glass… But. Yeah. I think it’s a pretty common game after all. Easy to play on principle.”

Vinzent’s face brightened when Abel mentionned how much Fabel played. That’s good. That’s really good.

“I’m glad he had plenty of fun. And don’t worry, I’ll help if they need me, okay? You can sit back and just watch if you prefer.”

His face fell a bit once Abel mentioned how strange it is to watch yourself doing things you have never done. It’s honestly sad. He deserved much more. But now…

“… Yeah, I can imagine.” Now, at least he can visualize it in real time. Even if the kids in this car are pretty much sacks of flour technically.

“I see.” He can only… Sympathize.

“I think when I was a kid… I already had a friend, and I had my brother, as you know. So it was like a tight-knit mini family. We almost always did things together. I… Didn’t have more close friends outside of that. Classmates were nice to me when I was a kid but I never really made any real friend until I went in university. I guess my… Understanding of friendship was quite skewed for a long while. Took me also a long while to open up. To warm up to more people.”

And by extension, his understanding of romance is also quite skewed but. He’s not. Mentioning that, because he’s aware of how… His situation made him see the concepts as. So he’s trying to step back and have a bigger picture first. To understand himself more, to learn better. To make mistakes is only human, so as long as he’s willing to learn from these.

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “Do you need water or something? I could bring you a glass…

Abel waves a hand. “No, I’m fine.” He finally makes himself sit up properly. “… It’s important I don’t leave him alone for long.” Again- quiet- but surely Vinzent will understand WHY Abel is a little too… Involved. Fabel has no experience with Anyone being this involved with him. Abel knows that even a moment where he’s not Fully There might have Fabel assuming he’s on his own again- and he just…

Well he can babysit for a few hours with very few breaks. He’s used to working without breaks anyway.

Even if he’s feeling like he’s going to end up napping with the kids later.

Vinzent Mayer To warm up to more people.”

Abel watched the kids while Vinzent spoke.

“… I really just had Cain- and even then they didn’t have us in the same classes. Boarding school sucked because we did… Nothing together. It didn’t last… Long but.” He makes a dismissive gesture. “All I really looked forward to was… Working. Uncle Marius took me to work with him sometimes.” He finally puts his glasses back where they’re supposed to be. “… I didn’t make any friends until… This train.”

Which… Terribly sad! move the topic Abel you don’t want to focus on that.

“… Kids were just mean to me but I’m guessing that’s a Catholic school thing.”

Great job not focusing on it…

Fabel places several more pieces- definitely… doing a bit too much. He does, however, have Judas with him! He has the bunny place one of the pieces and it’s a cute little quirk. He… Isn’t thinking about friendship because he expects FVinzent to have… No Interest in it. Doesn’t hurt as much if you never expect things to change.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus Abel waves a hand. “No, I’m fine.” He finally makes himself sit up properly. “… It’s important I don’t leave him alone for long.”

“Ah, got it..!” Well, he had no problem with fetching the glass of water but.. Yeah, fair enough. He’ll sit back instead of doing that. Better have two pairs of eyes than one. Especially when Abel is a little tired.

Abel Lazarus Even if he’s feeling like he’s going to end up napping with the kids later.

I say he deserves it-

Abel Lazarus “… I really just had Cain- and even then they didn’t have us in the same classes. Boarding school sucked because we did… Nothing together. It didn’t last… Long but.” He makes a dismissive gesture. “All I really looked forward to was… Working. Uncle Marius took me to work with him sometimes.” He finally puts his glasses back where they’re supposed to be. “… I didn’t make any friends until… This train.”

“I see… Yeah… I never went to boarding schools, as it’s usually for foreign students, and… I only went to one university overseas. In Canada, more specifically. So I don’t have any boarding school experience, I think. But if that’s how it was… I’m sorry that it wasn’t a fun experience at all. Kids can be extremely mean regardless of school type, I think. Even if I was mostly spared until I was like… Fourteen… I was still young and. You know how the story goes.”

…

“I’m… Glad that we met here, despite… Everything. Even if I wish we’d met outside of this train instead. But I wonder how things would’ve been otherwise. I still do. But… If there’s one thing I really don’t regret, it’s meeting you. And more people. I didn’t expect to get along with everyone obviously. But… With you… It’s a nice surprise that I didn’t expect. I just… Really appreciate being around you. … Anyway.”

He coughed a little to. Move on. It’s fine!

FVinzent smiled at Fabel having his bunny place the pieces. He continues helping Fabel while noting the stuffed animal.

“That’s a cute bunny friend! I think I have a tiger friend at home. I didn’t bring it with me because I didn’t wanna lose it…”

He sounded a little disappointed at the end, but it didn’t let him down too much, as he continued with the puzzle.

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer But I wonder how things would’ve been otherwise.

… Abel doesn’t say it but. Without the train…

He never. Would have spoken to Vinzent for anything other than… Maybe work?

Hell, if he hadn’t been injured when he met Vinzent… He probably would have been a lot. Meaner? The only reason he didn’t awkwardly blow up when uncomfortable topics came up was because he was so out of it that blowing up might have knocked him out.

…

Can’t believe he’s thinking it’s a good thing he tried to fight that cat…

“… I’m glad I met you too.” He doesn’t say more- almost worried he’s going to be pushed to wonder about it and knowing he… Can’t lie. Hard to spare anyone’s feelings when you… Have to be honest.

Vinzent Mayer “That’s a cute bunny friend! I think I have a tiger friend at home. I didn’t bring it with me because I didn’t wanna lose it,,.”

Fabel looked at FVinzent when he spoke. “… His name is Jude. I didn’t bring him- older me had him.” He uses Judas to place a few more puzzle pieces. “… He has my brother’s bunny too.”

There are presumably other stuffed animals about- but the only stuffed animal that’s ever mattered to Abel has… Been Judas. He likes them- but Judas is sentimental. Fulfills a special role. Fabel couldn’t have possibly let Abel keep his bunny! It’s His!

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel Lazarus “… I’m glad I met you too.”

At this, Vinzent simply smiles softly. He tries to not be too tender, keep it simple, don’t complicate things further. But he really appreciates hearing it.

FVinzent perked up when Fabel spoke about the bunny. He looks over Abel for a moment with a smile as soon as Fabel mentioned him.

“That’s nice! Bunnies are cute! I’m glad you like bunnies.” He wished he had his stuffed tiger to place the pieces like Fabel did. But it’s not the end of the world, as he can continue putting more puzzle pieces together without difficulty. FVinzent was still thinking as he moved some pieces.

“I also have a brother. He likes tigers too, so we have a tiger each.”

Vinzent just realized now why the tiger kept being brought up by FVinzent. Orange. Redhead. Protection. Of course, how could he forget such an obvious connection- To be fair to him, it’s been years since he got over stuffed animals but… This was still a good memory. The stuffed animal is very probably in a box, stored away. Maybe he could try finding it, if he makes it home.

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer “That’s nice! Bunnies are cute! I’m glad you like bunnies.”

Fabel nods. “Bunnies are nice.”

Vinzent Mayer “I also have a brother. He likes tigers too, so we have a tiger each.”

“I have two brothers.” Seeing as Tsubasa is not yet born and… Abel didn’t want to blow this kids mind with that part of the ‘Hey! We do have a dad!’ lore drop if he’s even given it to him at all. “But only Cain has a matching rabbit. It’s because we’re twins. Mom bought them for us before we were born.” It is- in fact- the only toy she’s ever (willingly) Purchased for Abel- but luckily he doesn’t really drop that on poor FVinzent who probably can’t conceptualize a mother who can’t love their child.

… Anyway.

Fabel… Does not think about the orangeness of his hair in relation to a tiger. In fact it is one of the least remarkable things about him and far from something he even… registers about himself. Sure no one else here is a red head- but he’s used to living in a house with only red heads (And Ransom) in it! He probably thinks red is… Far more common of a hair color than it even is. What other context could he have?

So he just thinks FVinzent REALLY likes tigers.

“I think Benedict has a stuffed dog.”

Abel leans back against the chair he’s in again. His own Judas plush is at home- on his bed. Exactly where he left him- unless this Judas is… Supernaturally Also His. He’s hoping not- but… He doesn’t know how this works.

“… You like Tigers that much as a kid?” Abel whispers to Vinzent.

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

“Two? That’s nice!” FVinzent smiled then listened.

“Yeah I understand!” He nods with a smile, still blissfully unaware of the sad fact. Please don’t drop that on him, he would VERY probably tear up. He wouldn’t be able to handle this concept.

Which is fair enough for the kid! He’s allowed to mistake that for that singular reason. Another mention.

“A stuffed dog! I have one too. But I just… like tigers!”

Vinzent by that time, puts his head in his hands. Relax, this might be extremely embarrassing but it has happened. He can’t tell the kid off to not say it. So at Abel’s question, he lifted up his head, cheeks rosy, to whisper back.

“Well… Um, I also have a childhood friend, Lena, she’s a year older than me. She was my first and only friend for years. And the tiger… well, I saw orange and it reminded me of her I think. Mom and dad bought both stuffed tigers because I and Leon really wanted it when Lena was not around for a while.”

Man, he’ll have to explain and the more he got to think the less happy he is with his poor understanding of romance probably. Especially when it’s like fate has written it that way.

“She…” He sighs. “She was the frame of reference for a lot of things I’ve first experienced. Especially friendship and romance. I think… I simply love too intensely. I don’t think we had any bad relationship issues, no but… Time had decided that it wasn’t gonna last. By adulthood, we… Drifted apart from romance because we had no time.”

…

“I dated her from when I was around 18 to when I was… 24? I genuinely think these were some of the best years in life and… 6 years is long but… This might have severely skewed my expectations. We still stayed as friends after that even so!”

He felt a little… He doesn’t know. Does he really love Abel or is it just because part of him didn’t want to be alone in this train at all? He should be just content with being friends, he should. But part of him is desperate to love passionately again. To care in more than one way, to… Romantic love is something, isn’t it? It completely messed up himself. He doesn’t want to push Abel away though with his actions, he really appreciate that Abel is here. That he cares. Vinzent… struggled to not tear up himself, to not… He regrets going too fast, he’s scared to be alone at all.

Doing all he can to dry away his tears, he whispered to Abel again.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore. But… Don’t worry. I’m just happy that you’re here at all. That you care about me. It’s enough.”

That’s what he wants, but his feelings deep down still beg to be let out. To… show, but he really had to hold back. For both their sakes. There’s one way he can appease that though.

“Would you mind if we hug again? I just… I just think I’d like it.”

Abel Lazarus

Vinzent Mayer By adulthood, we… Drifted apart from romance because we had no time.”

Abel knew about Lena being a childhood friend from their first conversation- but he hadn’t known Vinzent and Lena had dated. He remembers it being mentioned he’s Vinzent’s type- and with what he remembers of what Lena looks like- Yeah.

It’s hard for Abel to… even imagine he could measure up to someone with That much history with Vinzent- especially with his own baggage. Maybe it’s leaning into the fact that Abel… only really accepted people Could Possibly Like him A Little- definitely not so much he could ever have a relationship last that long, though. Regardless of who it is.

Romance also just… Isn’t at the forefront of Abel’s worries. Any of the time he had to think about it went out the window once the game… Was real. It’s a lot to work through and he’s not… He just isn’t thinking about it.

He’s overwhelmed enough with figuring out most of his emotions for the first time- he can’t. Figure out how to work through all of that yet.

Vinzent Mayer “Would you mind if we hug again? I just… I just think I’d like it.”

Abel nods. He doesn’t… know what to say to comfort Vinzent- or what to do- So he just holds him.

Fabel glances around at the toys around the play area. “There might be a Stuffed Tiger around you can use if you want? I know it’s not the same, but.” He kind of shrugs and places some more pieces. “It still might be fun?”

Vinzent Mayer

Abel Lazarus

Abel being quiet wasn’t a surprise to Vinzent, but admitelly, the artist has been anxious. He had been also relieved to… Let it out. To just say what has been bothering him, eating him inside.

He doesn’t expect Abel to say yes right away, he doesn’t expect him to go forward, nothing. They both need to live first. To get out of the train. But feelings… Are always complicated things, especially when they get in the way. Especially when they’re more intense. Again, if Abel is just there for Vinzent. It’s plenty.

Hopefully, when they’ll be both home, there will be time to work through it. Hopefully, that’ll work out. But… Now? Vinzent preferred to just say things as it is, to at least shut down some of the… Growing intensity of how he feels. The… He really doesn’t expect much. But he wanted to deal with it as soon as possible, to not have it explode in something much worse. Much more… Painful.

Abel Lazarus Abel nods. He doesn’t… know what to say to comfort Vinzent- or what to do- So he just holds him.

He leans on Abel’s good shoulder, and simply stays there. For now, he’s content. For now, this is okay.

In the meantime…

Abel Lazarus Fabel glances around at the toys around the play area. “There might be a Stuffed Tiger around you can use if you want? I know it’s not the same, but.” He kind of shrugs and places some more pieces. “It still might be fun?”

“… Okay! But even if I don’t find it, I’ll just continue what we are doing! But I will look for it!”

It might not be the same, indeed. But FVinzent wasn’t too bothered. He just thought it’d be fun to do what Fabel was doing. So, he was on a quest to find a stuffed tiger before coming back to help Fabel with the puzzle again.

… And there it was, after some minutes of searching! Unable to contain his giggles, FVinzent picked up the tiger from the pile of stuffed toys and ran back to where Fabel was.

“Look! I found one! We can play together…!”

Waving the paw of the stuffed animal he was holding, FVinzent then resumed working on the puzzle. He’d at least try to get it done first, then they can play more together! … If Fabel still wants to.

Abel Lazarus

Abel… Is lost in his own thoughts for a while. Just watching Fabel and FVinzent. He’s exhausted- but… He can sleep whenever they can leave this car. Hopefully he can find somewhere to curl up. He just…

Has a LOT to think about after everything today.

Vinzent Mayer “… Okay! But even if I don’t find it, I’ll just continue what we are doing! But I will look for it!”

Fabel didn’t wait too long to place a piece or two while FVinzent is off looking. He has no patience : )

But when he comes back and joins in on putting the puzzle together with the tiger too Fabel does smile. “Yeah! We can keep playing.” He… He’s so into this puzzle. Fabel is SO focused on this thing- But as it’s starting to come to the end of the puzzle he frowns and looks up at Abel. Sort of like he thinks he’s going to come up with something for him- which is Very unlikely.

Abel just looks Right back at him with a raised eyebrow.

“We’re running out of the puzzle.”

“What are you going to do about that?” Abel isn’t doing this for him- nope. Too Tired. Sorry kid. Your turn to think- he’s tired of it.

Vinzent Mayer

Honestly, to say Vinzent wasn’t tired would be a total lie. The fight earlier alone has drained most of his energy, so he’s doing what he can to preserve it for the rest of the time.

He too has… Quite some thoughts. A lot. He needs to put his emotions in order. At least… Now he has said it. At least, now, he’ll prepare himself to accept whatever outcome.

He doesn’t care in the end that they stay friends until they survive at least, that would be probably the best outcome. But… While he was glad to let his inner thoughts go, he… Hoped Abel will just… Understand and not be too bothered for a long time. He’s sorry to have put him in an awkward spot, but at the same time… Vinzent didn’t want to keep quiet until one unexpected event could ruin it all. Involuntarily.

Abel Lazarus Fabel didn’t wait too long to place a piece or two while FVinzent is off looking. He has no patience : )

It do be like that-

FVinzent smiled brightly in turn and helped Fabel completing it. Unsure what to do, he thought about it for a bit, what other games can he play with Fabel…?

… Ah! An idea! Approaching Fabel, Fvinzent spoke.

“… How about we play hide and seek?”

Vinzent smiled at this. Hopefully that will work and Abel can finally rest. It’s been. Certainly a day!