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THE FUTURE / KERRISH

This is the day Kerrish Soto becomes New York City's youngest Public Advocate.

He arrives at the Municipal Building in Manhattan alone. As he cranes his head backwards, Kerrish notices his breath misting in the brisk air, tendrils rising peacefully, and higher still, the soaring columns of the old Roman-style architecture.

This place is heavy with history, but Kerrish only feels lightness and hope for the future as he crosses the threshold.

It is early in the morning. The sun is barely risen, and streetlights still fend off the remnants of darkness. Inside, light comes more from the old sconces than from the lofty windows. At least for the next couple of hours, Kerrish is here voluntarily. He does not have to arrive so prematurely, but his sense of duty and his compassion calls him to rise.

Kerrish would never call himself dutiful, or compassionate, in such words, despite the truth behind them. Sometimes he lies awake in his bed, Wyn always within reach, and thinks he is an impostor. That he somehow tricked his electorate and sponsors into believing his legitimacy. That the naysayers are the ones that see reality.

That he is not good enough for the mantle.

On the days he rises before the sun, with little sleep, Wyn tells him that for as long that he tries to be good enough, he will be. She thinks of the world of him, and Kerrish will always try to prove her right.

She will be watching from the crowd, later this day.

Kerrish meets the Magistrate and the other bigwigs who are obligated to be on the scene at obscene hours. He brews coffee - remembering the lessons he received in Italy and Spain during his post-high school romp through Europe - for his colleagues, weary-eyed but excited like him.

They review the program, run through their speeches and welcome the caterers, reporters and politicians as they arrive. Kerrish feels less and less the impostor with every person he talks to.

By the time noon rolls around, he knows exactly what he is and what he is not.

He is the link between the city's people and their government. He is the person who will fight for the good of the people. He is not a coward. He is not corruptible. He is a son, a friend and a husband.

He places his hand on the Bible, and repeats his oaths. He rises to face the cameras. He smiles at Wyn, sat with his family and friends, her face like a beacon in the crowd.

I know exactly what I am and what I am not.

The weight of responsibility pushes on Kerrish for as long as he serves - which is long - but he always pushes back.

__________

THE FUTURE / RYANEL

This is the day that Ryanel Gonzales returns from postgraduate study.

Ryanel has earned his Masters of Applied Science in Bioengineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. He returns to the United States brainier than ever, full of purpose and curiosity - and fluent in Swiss German, which is indescribably sexy to his boyfriend.

Asher is at the International Arrivals terminal with all of Ryanel's States-side family (a lot). Between the flowers, the chocolates and the young cousins who aren't completely familiar with this tall stranger - but are shoved into his arms by persistent aunties nevertheless - Ryanel has a lot of things to hold.

This is a busy weekend for Ryanel.

The entire group that received him at JFK take him out to his favourite restaurant for dinner.

In the middle of the night, he and Asher make up for several months since they could last touch each other - when Ryanel visited for the holidays. (Long distance was hard.)

The next morning, the pair head to Eastcliff Hospital to christen the new pediatric ward. True to his angry words in Elmhurst Hospital nearly three years ago, Asher had taken back over as CEO while Ryanel fucked off to Europe - as he had so delicately put it. Ryanel, to this day, still appreciates Asher's sacrifice, despite Asher clearly loving his work.

They stroll into the hospital and greet the receptionist, the nurses, some doctors - well, Ryanel does not know if there is anyone in the hospital they don't know by name at this point. The hospital staff are familiar with all of the D-Tech gang, but since Ryanel's visits have been few and far between for the last two years, their greetings to him are especially warm.

Today is the opening of the Delrov Children's Ward. The name of the ward honours Asher's contributions to pediatric philanthropy and prosthetic care, but also those of the company.

Kelvin and Annalise are already waiting outside the new ward, mingling with the trustees and donors in pressed suits and slim-fit dresses. Annalise tries to squeeze Ryanel as close as possible despite her pregnant belly keeping the distance between them. Kelvin tries to entice Ryanel back into work with D-Tech, but they both know he is going to expand his horizons before he settles anywhere.

And Asher is as charming as ever. When he schmoozes with the well-connected and well-to-do, when he delivers his heartfelt and clever speech, and when he makes everyone genuinely laugh right before the group photo is taken.

He lights up any room he enters.

In the afternoon, Asher drives the two of them to a lookout. He cuts the bike engine and purposely walks Ryanel to the edge, where the city lights glimmer and celebrate them. Ryanel has never felt so content.

Then Asher gets down on one knee, and pulls out a smooth band of silver.

The contentedness flies out the window, replaced by something humming and bristling with energy. Asher says Ryanel is brilliant and kind and amazing, and that he wants him around for the rest of their lives - all of this in Asher's trademark gentle, ingenuous voice.

Throughout the proposal, Ryanel stifles the urge to throw those compliments back in the face of his much more deserving boyfriend - well, fiance, now. Because, of course, he says yes.

This is a busy weekend for Ryanel, but it is also the best of his life.

Yet.

__________

THE FUTURE / ASHER

This is the day Asher Delrov teaches his daughter how to ride a bike.

His daughter is called Katherine, after Ekaterina. For their future son, whenever they receive him, his name will be up for debate. But neither Asher nor his husband could have picked anything else for their daughter.

Inside your ears are your semicircular canals, Asher signs. They help you balance.

Children, in all their flexibility, learn quickly - and neither sign language nor bicycle riding will be an exception. Especially not to clever Katherine.

Asher has been partially deaf for three years, and is continually deteriorating. The loss has been painful. But Asher still finds morsels of happiness and gratitude in his days, which is another victory over his demons.

Katherine is a determined, sensitive child much like Asher - and also Ryanel, if one thinks about it - despite her having no blood ties to her fathers. But she does not have great balance. Asher pinches her ears, reminding her of her abilities.

That's how his own mother taught him, and Asher is sure the tradition will not die here.

I won't fall over, will I? Katherine signs back, before placing her chubby hands over the handlebars.

I will catch you if you do.

Currently, however, Katherine does not have great balance, and she topples not long after setting off, and Asher picks her up.

I can't do it! Why can't I do it?

Asher chuckles. You can't do it yet. I know you have it in you, and you should keep fighting till you get there.

I don't like fighting. Especially since the bike doesn't like me, Katherine pouts.

That's unfortunate, Asher pulls his daughter into his arms on their lawn. Since you come from a family of fighters.

Do I?

You're named after Grandma, who fought to make people's lives better. She made technology that gave people the ability to do things they couldn't before.

Katherine's eyes go wide, her hands twitching excitedly as she signs, Like Iron Man!

Exactly like Iron Man. Grandma was a superhero, Asher tells her, mouthing along. And Grandpa fought to bring me to America, where I could be safe and get any help I needed. He was all alone in a new place for a long time.

Grandpa's very brave, Katherine awes. Her legs stamp absently at the ground, while her brown eyes peer up at Asher. What about Daddy?

Daddy fought for me. A long time ago, I was in a very dark place and- Asher snaps his fingers, -just like that, he pulled me back into the light.

Daddy saved you! Katherine signs this, but Asher can feel through the vibrations in her little torso that she also exclaims it, joyously.

As if summoned, Ryanel's car turns the corner and cruises towards their house. Katherine hears this, and jerks her head towards the familiar sound. Asher follows her gaze. The late afternoon sun is still high, so he must be off work early. Asher places a gentle kiss on Katherine's head and props himself onto his prosthetic leg.

Yes, Asher signs fondly.

The pair stand, ready to greet Ryanel.

Yes, he did.

THE END

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