makingmyway | IC Inbox

[ And logically Ashton knows that Dorian is right, Dorian is also one of the few people who gets to point out when Ashton is wrong and not get glared at or fought with.

At least for right now. Mostly because Dorian asked the right follow up question. ]

Because the guy thinks that just because he's some rich fuck he can be condescending to someone who went to him and politely [ For Ashton. ] asked a favor for a mutual friend.

Guy has the fucking balls to call me a "Good Boy" and,

[ They pull themself up to their full height and mockingly mimic the stuffy accent that Percy has. ]

'Maybe someday you might even manage to do more tricks then fetch.' Fuck off.

[ Dorian hums, his frown deepening. ] That is pretty bad. And nothing before the conversation led up to that attitude?

It started because the fucker asked me if all I needed anymore presents made or if I was just that friendless. So yeah, I got pissed and said fuck you, nothing more than normal fuckin me.

Told him I had plenty of friends and that this was just for someone more-don't give me that look.

[ You got them on a roll Dorian. ]

Said that Barcus must see something in me that he didn't, told him I'd get him the fuckin materials and that's when he said that shit to me. So I don't know I feel like I have a right to be pissed off. I don't do that shit, I don't just bite the bullet and deal with assholes like him because I feel like it.

[ And the sparking has picked up again. Hands clench into fists and it's taking more than they want to admit not to just turn and bunch the side of a building right now.

The building that would be the tavern...where they were going for drinks. ]

[ Honestly, yeah, Dorian is on Ashton’s side about this. ]

Yeah, that does seem pretty uncalled for. Even if you two hadn’t gotten along before all this, that’s no reason to say those things.

[ He isn’t sure if anything had happened before all this, but it still was really rude.

Fortunately they arrive at the tavern, and Dorian quickly ushers his friend inside and orders them some drinks, if only to stave off any collateral damage. ]

Thank you!

[ Hand fly into the air as Ashton drops into a seat, their voice loud and very exasperated. When their drinks come Ashton is quick to down a good portion of their own before letting out a deep sigh. ]

I can't stand people who treat others like that, it just...it's infuriating.

[ Dorian opts not to answer in favor of drinking from his own mug. He’s certainly known people like that back home, and he didn’t care much for them either. ]

Did anything happen after that?

[ This is where Ashton sort of shrinks in just slightly because as they think about what they are about to say....they realize they might have been in the wrong. ]

I might have mentioned how I liked the older version of him better and kind of compared him...to himself.

I got really fuckin angry and shit just came out then he started talking about the shit he'd gone through and I just wanted to make a point that trauma isn't an excuse but I'm fuckin bad with words.

[ Dorian doesn't answer right away, as he takes another draw of his beer. Honestly, he isn't one to judge, he's certainly said the wrong thing in the heat of the moment. Plus it's clear that Ashton feels bad about it, so pointing it out wouldn't really do much. ]

Words can be pretty difficult. [ Even as a bard, and someone who's had to study and practice public speaking, Dorian often finds himself struggling with the right thing to say when it counts. If he has the time to consider what he wants to say, he can manage it, but it's much more difficult coming up with things on the cuff. ]

Honestly, I'm not here to lecture you, Ashton. You both said things, you lost your temper, it happens. And I'm sure you know what you eventually need to do. I don't have to tell you all that.

Right now, as your friend, I just want to make sure you're okay.

[ Really, the only reason he had been asking about all this in the first place was because it seemed that Ashton needed to get it all off their chest. ]

[ Listening to Dorian, Ashton can't help but be glad that it was the bard that Ashton reached out to. He knew Orym would be just as good but they feel like they knew what Orym would do or say. Maybe not, the guy was always surprising Ashton, but still. It's nice to have a different view even if it's not too different really.

Of course him mentioning how he was sure Ashton knew what needed to be done does make the genasi deflate further, slumping forward on the bar.

Apologize. He had to apologize to Percy.

Fuck. ]

Yeah yeah I know...I will.

[ Then there's a deep breath as they mentally pick themself back up and take a drink from their beer. ]

Yeah I'll be fine...just needed to vent and...you know...not break things. I actually like that house.

[ Dorian nods, certain that Ashton would apologize eventually. He trusted the barbarian, and he wasn’t worried. He also didn’t want to push them into it, since pressure would just make them more resistant, more aggravated.

They needed to do it when they felt ready. He was just there to support them.

With a small smile, Dorian takes a drink from his mug. ] Honestly, I like it too. It would be nice to keep it intact.

We can have a few drinks, however long it takes for you to calm down.

[ They’ve got time. ]

[ Dorian over here gentle parenting his barbarian friend...and it works.

Damn.

Granted it helps that Dorian understands them better than they really realize. ]

Sounds good to me.

It is though, right? Nice I mean. Having a place that's ours. Haven't exactly had a minute to just sit and take it all in.

[ Dorian nods in understanding as he takes a drink from his tankard. ] I know. Even when I joined with you guys again, we hadn't had much chance to settle in any one place for too long. And from my understanding, that hadn't changed much from before I reunited with you all.

[ Even if Ashton wasn't quite caught up with all that, he doesn't think he's spoiling too much by saying so. ]

Being able to just take things a little easier... I think we've all needed it.

[ Just as long as things were still okay back home when they went back. ]

Yeah? I mean that makes sense...seems like any time we settle in for a bit something gets fucked up or someone starts attacking...

It's also been nice...meeting people and it not being tied to whatever else is going on? Like...like meeting Bor-Dor, Deni$e, and Prism was fine...just wish it wasn't because we were tossed across the ocean.

[ Even if he still doesn't know about that end for Bor'Dor yet. It's fine.

It's fine. ]

And uh...speaking of new friends... [ They clear their throat, running a hand over the back of their neck. ] .....you were right...

I know what you mean. Even with the people we met back home, it would have been nice to be able to get to know them without the looming threat.

[ Dorian blinks when Ashton trails off, and he thinks he hears something but it’s difficult to tell. ]

Sorry, what was that?

You were right.

[ Ashton speaks up with a groan. ]

About Barcus...and me...and....whatever we are. After we got the eggs I...I went to see about getting my hair cut because he does gem cutting so I thought he'd be the best for it.

I made a dumb joke about him getting me in his bed and he was...I mean he was sweet.

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You were right.

[ Ashton speaks up with a groan. ]

About Barcus...and me...and....whatever we are. After we got the eggs I...I went to see about getting my hair cut because he does gem cutting so I thought he'd be the best for it.

I made a dumb joke about him getting me in his bed and he was...I mean he was sweet. <small<[ The last bit is said with a weird disbelieving tone, like Ashton can't believe he likes someone so nice and normal and sweet. Because really, this is Ashton we're talking about. ]

We...kinda..kissed.

[ And no he is not going more into detail about that.

Right now. ]

[ Dorian blinks a little; while he is a bit surprised, it’s only because he hadn’t expected anything to happen so soon. He could see how close Ashton and Barcus were, the playful flirting and the soft expressions, and honestly he was really happy for the both of them.

Still. ]

Wait, you both kissed already?

Yeah? I mean...there might have been...more...but that's not...I mean.

[ Ashton is just rubbing his face now with that slightest hint of color on the tips of his ears. ]

Barcus is so nice and...normal. Is it bad that's why I like him? Because he doesn't remind me of back home? Like...here is nice and while it's got it's shit it's not all riding on us to fox it, y'know? It's more than just the Hells havin' to do shit. And he...god he makes it so easy.

…more?

[ Dammit, Ashton, you can’t just leave him hanging like that!

But he doesn’t press further as Ashton continues, and his expression softens a bit. ]

I don’t think that’s bad at all. We can’t help who we’re attracted to, and honestly I think he’s good for you. And while I don’t know him as well, you seem to do a lot for him too. You both find comfort and strength in one another. Why not embrace it while we’re here?

[ The question just gets a look, Ashton's eyes only a little wider, eyebrows raised a moment as if to say more without the words, before the earth genasi takes a long draw from his drink and nods. ]

Yeah I just...I don't know. I get scared.

Like...what if...what if we end up back home and I forget all about him...but there's like this hole that nothing fits in because the person who made that hole is in a completely different world? Do I take what happiness I can just to torture myself later?

[ Not that he knows if that's the case or not. Who knows. ]

[ Dorian hums softly. From what he’s seen at home, he knows Ashton and Fearne had gotten pretty close. But mentioning that probably wouldn’t help much right now. ]

Well, I think it would be worth it. Whenever we go back home, even if nothing ever fits that hole the same way again, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever be happy. It’s like just like how we can make friends here, even with our friends back home. Our friends back home can never be replaced. We’re just adding more people to care for in our hearts.

Edited 2025-01-10 03:23 (UTC)

Yeah, and like....I know that. It's why I haven't really been pulling away. I like Barcus.

[ As if that weren't more than obvious at this point. ]

I know home can't be replaced but...it's weird how quickly this place is becoming a sort of home too. Like...I wouldn't mind living out whatever sort of life we could have here and then go back...

[ Yeah, called it. But he won’t say anything about it for now. ]

Well, we don’t know how long we’ll be here, or even how to get home. So why not enjoy the time we have here?

[ Hush you. ]

Yeah.

[ Just...draining the rest of his ale with small sigh. ]

Thanks, Dorian. For the talk and stuff...and this. It's...it's weird not having the others around but I'm glad I've got you and Orym here.

[ A sentiment he has no idea he'll be echoing again later. ]

[ Dorian smiles, taking a swig of his own ale. ]

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help. And honestly, I’m glad to have you here too.

[ He does still miss the others, of course. But he’d been glad someone had been here when he first arrived. He doesn’t know if he could have managed this whole new world on his own. ]

[ Ashton misses the others like a fish misses water. It's weird. They hadn't expected it but at some point the Hell's became their family and they knew they'd do anything for them.

And Dorian is one of them. Even if he hadn't been there long, even if Ashton had been kind of a dick to them, he was important too.

So Ashton just leans over, bumping shoulders with the other genasi and smirks. ]

At least between the two of us we can make sure Orym actually takes care of himself and not just him taking care of us.

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I DIDN'T KNOW MY HTML BROKE

Aww no worries, it happens

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