Friday Afternoon and Evening- Mainland

[anomaly_research_nerd]

It had been a busy day for Connor already, and he hadn't even had a class to deal with like Cutter had. But he DID have a lot to keep busy with to make sure everything today went according to plan.

After their talk last week, Connor had made arrangements for a little day trip to the mainland. He had something special planned and had somehow managed to keep it a secret from Cutter until now. He looked down at the pamphlet to the small museum he had found.

It sounded like someplace Cutter would enjoy. Connor just hoped he was right and resisted the urge to fiddle with his gloves as he waited for Cutter to meet him so they could catch the portal he had set up for them.



(For that guy. That they met to go on a date is okay but rest once they catch their portal is, of course, NFB due to distance.)

Comments

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"If we manage to pull ourselves away from the exhibits in time, I found a place to grab dinner before we head back" Connor said as they walked. "And if not, it'll be a good excuse for another visit right?"

Connor couldn't keep the grin off his face, not that he wanted to. It was hard to believe it was two tears ago he knew Cutter as only a professor at the university. Things could really change.... And for the better!

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled brightly at that, “oh, what place did you find for dinner?” he asked curiously, “even though spending more time at the museum sounds great as well,”

“I’m really glad we’re doing this,” he added, his smile widening.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"A nice little Italian place just a few blocks down from the museum. Looked like they have a good variety so figured would be an easy place to grab something while still keeping it a little classier than fast-food" Connor said hoping it was a safe choice for a possible dinner.

[itsananomaly]

Now Cutter was a little torn, on the one hand he did like the idea of spending as much time with Connor at the museum but dinner at an Italian restaurant also sounded nice.

“I do like the sound of Italian,” he admitted, “it’s been a while since I’ve had it,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"We'll play it by ear. And we can always come back and look a the collections again," Connor offered. "This doesn't have to be a one time only deal."

Awwww look at them, possibly making recurring date night plans? So cute.

[itsananomaly]

It was very cute.

Cutter smiled at that, “I do like the sound of that and …” his smile widened, “especially coming back for more visits, I’m sure we could make multiple trips ,” he added, tilting his head a bit at that.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Most definitely.... between the museums, zoos, aquariums and everything else, I daresay there'd be plenty to keep us busy just here in the state" Connor said brightly. He may (totally did) have done some research before settling on this place. So there was quite a list of other options they could work through.

"It's interesting, isn't it?" Connor said after a moment's pause as they walked. "Spent several years dealing with different times separated by thousands and millions of years, totally different realities... yet the best one by far was one that looked almost identical to the one I knew. Save for one, very very special difference," Connor said as he gave Cutter's hand a squeeze and looked at him with a grin.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter definitely liked the sound of all those trips and he squeezed Connor’s hand in response, going slightly red as he did.

He smiled warmly, “I never thought any of this could ever be possible, thank you, it’s …I don’t think I can even put into words how much this does mean to me, being here with you,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Oh Cutter, if you only knew how unthinkable all this was for Connor just a few short months ago....

"I think I have an idea at least," he said with a grin as he pulled Cutter closer and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before stopping.

"Looks like we're here" he said nodding toward the small museum in front of them. "Shall we?"

[itsananomaly]

Cutter’s cheeks went red as Connor pulled him in to kiss his cheek and he just smiled happily at him for a few moments before turning his attention to the museum, “let’s go inside,” he smiled back at Connor with a nod.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor nodded and then led them in, going to the room he had been told was set up for them. Opening the door he stepped aside and bowed slightly as he grinned at Cutter. "The fun room awaits, Nick. After you."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter’s eyes lit up as he took in the room, unsure of where he wanted to go first, “oh this is fantastic,” he grinned, “I don’t even know where to begin looking,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I believe that they have a section over there that is all about the Cambrian Explosion," Connor said with a smirk. And Connor loved the look on Cutter's face already. Was the geeky paleontology talk working? "Might be a good place to start."

[itsananomaly]

“Actually that works, I covered that in my class this morning,” Cutter told him with a grin, the geek Palaeontology talk was definitely working, “or at least the basics of it …I would probably need a whole semester to cover just the Cambrian period on its own,” he admitted, he tilted his head, “actually that could be a good subject for a future class,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"Well, if you ever need an assistant for a class or anything, I think I might know a bright chap who would be available," Connor said, trying and failing to hide the smirk.

[itsananomaly]

“Really?” Cutter was trying to maintain a serious expression but was failing pretty hard that, “it just so happens that I could use an assistant for class, it sounds like it could be a good fit,”his smile was wide now, “he needs to be prepared to step in and teach at a moments notice though,” he added, even though he had a feeling Connor would be prepared for that.

After all he hadn’t even know who Connor was originally because he hadn’t turned up to the seminars, Stephen had largely been responsible for running those.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I'll be sure to pass that requirement along. But I'm pretty sure he can handle that."

Connor HAD been a dedicated enough student to keep coming to the classes after all, even when the professor was MIA for the majority of them.

"I'll be sure to take some notes while we're here. Ya know... to pass them along next time I see him in case he's interested."

Connor wasn't even attempting to hide the huge grin now as he turned to look at the first set of rocks and fossils on the table. Glancing over his shoulder at Cutter for a moment as he did.

[itsananomaly]

“Well then, I’m looking forward to hearing from him about the position,” Cutter grinned as he followed Connor’s gaze to the first table, “oh these are beautiful,” he remarked as he leaned in for a closer look, “trilobites are such fascinating specimens,” he gushed.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor could just stand and watch Cutter gushing over fossils and rattling off facts and data all day. It was good seeing him so happy.

"AYe, I keep thinking I wouldn't mind seeing these guys in person..." Connor started as he stepped closer and leaned over for a better look. "But then I remember the centipedes and the scorpions.... and yeah, these guys would likely be a lot bigger knowing my luck!"

[itsananomaly]

“I’m honestly surprised we haven’t seen them yet,” Cutter admitted, “with everything else we’ve seen but I know I don’t want a repeat of the centipede and the scorpions,” he added as he took a closer look at one of the fossils, “but it would be beautiful to see a live one up close,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor nodded, giving Cutter a slight apologetic grin, still feeling a bit bad for being off with those Silrulian scorpions.

"Maybe someday we can get that chance," Connor said as he shifted a little closer, maybe slipping an arm around Cutter's shoulder as he leaned over. Maybe.

[itsananomaly]

Cutter happily leaned against Connor as his leaned his arm around him, taking the time to appreciate just how nice this was.

“I should go more in depth on the Cambrian next week and talk about the trilobites then,” he mused, “it’s incredible to think they were around at the same time Rex was,”

[anomaly_research_nerd]

Connor just stood there, enjoying all this, enjoying them, just soaking it all in.

"And kind of mind-blowing when you think that all of the time humans have existed is barely more than a blink of an eye compared to how long there has been life on the planet."

[itsananomaly]

Cutter smiled at that, “it’s incredible to think just how much history there is and we’ve only scratched the surface of what we know, there’s so much that we’re still finding out,” he said in an awed voice.

[anomaly_research_nerd]

"I know some see that as a bit depressing, that all of our life and accomplishments mean little in the grand scheme of things. But that's not how I see it at all." Connor said, looking over fondly at the man beside him. "I think it just shows how special it is, how amazing it is, to be here where we've ended up in our little slice of history."

Look what you did, Cutter, you made the geek go all philosophical!