[ 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?

[ 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. ]

[ Dorian laughs a little, nodding. ] Honestly? It’s probably going to take both of us just to get him to relax a little.

[ He loves cares about you a lot, Orym, but you are very stubborn. ]

[ Dorian nods. ] He has, but I haven’t quite gotten the hang of clearing my mind.

[ Too many anxious thoughts. ]

He has shown me the forms of the Zeph'aeratam, and I had done that with him before. I haven’t done them since before I left, though.

It’s a connection to the Ashari, I think. But he offered to show me, and the Squall has always had a close connection to Zephrah.

[ The question has him pause a moment, and he really does have to consider that. ]

…yes and no? He’s always been the most responsible one, the one who had to reign us in and keep us on track.

[ He falls quiet as he thinks about Orym when they’d been with the Crown Keepers, and comparing him to the Orym he reunited with. ]

Lately though it seems, he’s… even more so? Like, he doesn’t joke around as much as he used to. He’s holding so much weight on his shoulders now, and I’m… [ His frown deepens as his eyes look down at the table. ] A part of me is worried about him, once everything back home is over.

[ Dorian glances over at Ashton, his brow furrowing a bit. ] I don’t think it’s really anyone’s fault. Orym is also just the kind of person who takes care of people. He’s a protector, and even though he doesn’t see it, he’s very good at taking the lead. He sees it as his responsibility, and it’s difficult not to lean on him too.

[ Dorian knows he’s just as guilty for that. ]

I’d like to do that for him as well. I want him to have a chance to just… be, you know? He deserves a chance to enjoy himself and be happy too.

[ With a grin, Dorian holds up his mug. ]

I think that sounds like a plan.

[ Dorian chuckles as he takes a drink from his mug. ]

I don’t know, you seem to have gotten the hang of it lately.

[ Dorian laughs a little, looking at Ashton over the rim of his mug. ]

I mean, it doesn’t necessarily have to be.

[ Dorian blinks, a soft blush rising to his cheeks when he realizes how what he says sounded. But then he laughs again and shrugs. ]

Please. Orym and I have been sharing a bed with Fearne long before we met all of you. [ Then he grins. ] I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you ever wanted to join us.

[ Dorian shrugs a shoulder as he takes a drink from his mug. ] I know. So hopefully that means he won’t mind if you joined us for cuddling if you did decide to join us.

[ Dorian blinks in sunrise at that first part. While he had heard of relationships like that before, his minor dalliances back home didn’t give him enough experience with a relationship, let alone an open one.

And while he’d always been drawn to Orym since he met him, he had to admit (even to himself) that he would have been open to the idea of dating any one of the others if the opportunity had presented himself.

He wondered if Orym would be up to the idea…

He mentally shakes the thoughts away. He didn’t even know what he and Orym even are, never mind adding a third person to it.

…yet.

Shoving the thoughts down for now, he gives Ashton an easy grin instead. ]

Whenever you want. I’m sure Orym wouldn’t mind it either.