Unveiling Emotions
Rett grabbed the door handle trying to free Ash from the En-suite. “It won’t open!!” Asher turned to the kid only to find that he left a message on the fogged mirror. We won’t forget. “We? There’s more of them?” Asher shook the door trying to get it to open, finally it swung towards him and Rett fell on top of him. “Wahhh!” Rett was face first against Ash’s chest and landing on the gashes that began bleeding again. Looking up Rett saw the message on the mirror, his eyes widened. –Oh no…- He looked down at Ash who was knocked unconscious. Pulling Ash close he cradled his head, “Wake up Ash.”A few moments passed by before he felt Asher stir again, “Nghhh. My head…” Ash looked up at him and smiled. “Hey Rett, did we drink too much or what?” He joked. Rett couldn’t help but smile with him, he couldn’t help it. Sighing, Ash struggled getting up. He helped him to the bed, before looking around for bandages. Ash smirked pointing the dresser where there was a metal case. “You’ll find gauze and bandage tape in there. I’d get you to sew up the one wound, but I don’t think you’ve ever done that before.” Rett shook his head silently wishing he could be more helpful to Ash.
Silently Ash watched Rett bandage the shoulder wounds that he inflicted. He could see the pain in Rett’s eyes as he finished. Out of sympathy, Ash pulled Rett close after. “I don’t blame you for these wounds of mine. I called upon your past demons so it was my fault. Stop feeling guilty Rett. If you need to blame someone, blame me. I made you do it.”
Rett pulled away staring at Asher in disbelief. “How could you say that!? You didn’t say stab me!” “No, but I might as well have. I provoked you to.” This was making Rett frustrated, “I stabbed you. There’s no justification for it.” Asher’s eyes darkened, before glaring angrily at Rett. That made Rett step back, the fury he saw in Asher’s eyes was frightening. “Stop making yourself the villain! You are not a bad person! I am not innocent god dammit. I pushed you to a limit in which it broke and I suffered the consequences. No, I glad accept the consequence, because that is what I am here for. Rett, I will suffer with you.
He couldn’t say anything logical, all Rett could answer was, “Why?” Asher stood up and walked towards him, “I don’t know all the answers or why our paths have crossed Rett. But damn it! Let me in and stay by your side!” A smirk appeared on Rett’s face as his eyes flickered up at Asher, “And what if you don’t like what you see?” “When that time comes, I will late fate guide me.” Rett nodded, “What if you find out that I could be a villain?” Asher chuckled, “Well, it may be too late then. I may have become a villain myself. We will fall together then, as sinful lost souls.”
Tears streamed from Rett’s eyes. –If only, if you really mean those words Asher. I could be truly happy, but you don’t know the sins I’ve committed. You don’t know, when you do. What would you think then?-
Rett slept in the guest room. It has been awhile since he felt he could sleep with ease. Asher couldn’t sleep so he got up and trekked into the living space gazing out the windows at the moon. Its essence shining upon the city silently. He looked over to a wooden box on the coffee table, the mysterious lock on it taunted at him. The whispers from the box egged him. “Fine” He muttered going over to the desk and pulling out a key. Ash unlocked the box and pulled out a set of long cards. It was a dark tarot set, the hand painted deck was embedded with a dark energy that was dangerous to normal people. Ash shuffled the deck concentrating on the whispers of the cards. “What is it that you are trying to convey?”
A card flew out from the deck towards the window. Setting the deck down, Ash walked over slowly to see the card was upside down. The wheel of Fortune. –This doesn’t bode well... - Asher gritted his teeth at the sight of the card. “I better be careful then.”
The sun rose higher and Rett woke up smelling hash browns and eggs. His stomach growled, “It’s been awhile since I’ve had a decent breakfast.” He mumbled getting dressed in clothes Ash laid out for him. The red checkered shirt felt nice and smelled like Ash. Rett smelled the collar, Ash’s cologne and scent was still embedded in the shirt despite it being washed. –He must wear this one a lot. - The door knob turned startling Rett. Ash poked his head in, “You up? Oh, good they fit on you.” Rett looked off to the side a little embarrassed still. “They are a bit baggy though.” Grinning Asher commented, “maybe cause you are a scrawny rat.” He won a glare from Rett as he spat, “I am not a rat!!! I’m taller then you!”
“Oh?” He said, stepping in front of Rett poking his chest. “But I can snap you like a twig I bet.” Rett pushed Ash against the wall, challenging him. “Wanna try?” Ash smiled back at him as his shoulder was being gripped hard and bleeding again. “Not a fair fight right now, since I’m recovering.” That struck Rett and made him back down. “…oh. Right” He felt a bit guilty for saying that as soon as he saw Rett’s face fall. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Rett looked at him pained, Ash sighed touching Rett’s shoulder. “Hey, come here.” Confused as Ash pulled him into a hug, Ash whispered. “Let’s get past this ok?”
Rett leaned his head on Ash’s chest quietly. The pain of loneliness seemed to have subsided with Asher being near but a new fear came as he was afraid of rejection. Rett’s stomach growled making Ash chuckle, “Hungry huh? Let’s eat first then decide what to do.”
Shutting the door, Rett saw Asher pull out a skateboard from the trunk. “You skateboard?!” Asher’s face was beaming with pride. “Hell ya!!” Rett felt a bit of admiration for his friend as he too could skateboard.
They headed to the ramps and Rett watched as Ash stepped on the well-used board and began to unleash the moves. Basic moves like ollies and grinds were performed. Then Ash looked at Rett getting his attention before picking up speed and doing a backside flip then following up with a rock to fakie and a rock and roll with the finishing Disaster move before he glided back to Rett. “It’s still a bit shaky but I’ve been working on it.” Dumbstruck was written all over Rett’s face. –How the hell can a big bulky ape like him execute those moves without teetering or falling?-
“Impressed huh?” Ash said with a chuckle, Rett glared at him gnashing his teeth. –Oh ya? - “Big deal! I can do that too!” With a wide grin and stepped off the board and slammed his foot on the back of it catching it and handing it to Rett. “Why don’t you put the moves on then?” Annoyed he snatched it away from Ash, “I’ll show you!” –I can’t screw this up!!- Ash watched as Rett jumped onto the board and grinded a few rails before doing some mid-air turns and ollies and getting into a fakie and front and backside flips. Rett did a disaster then flipped backward with the board on his feet doing a handstand flip before riding up the ramp and grinding down towards Ash.
“Ok, I’ll admit that was pretty cool.” Asher replied smiling widely at Rett. Instead of being smug, Rett blushed, refusing to look at him. “Thanks.” He said holding the board close to his chest. Ash looked at the sun, it was past the mid-day point. “Is there anything you want to do?” Shaking his head no, Ash sighed. “Guess we’ll head back. I should drop you back to your place then so you can get cleaned up.”
They got into the car, Rett felt a pang of sorrow as they headed towards his place. He didn’t want to go to his apartment. It was dark, and empty. But it never bothered him before, so why now? Conflicted Rett looked out the window. –Why does it affect me now? - Asher stopped at a red light before remembering something. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He said, rustling in his pocket and pulling out a black box handing it to Rett. “That’s for you.” “What is it?” Ash smirked and tilted his head to look over his sunglasses.
Rett blushed seeing those mysterious eyes. Asher tugged his dog tags out and rustled them. Opening the box, Rett saw that a matching set of dog tags to Asher’s new ones were in there. One of the tags had his name on it. “How?” Asher scratched the back of his neck, “I may have been a sneaky bastard and found your file to do that up for you.” A guilty smile spread across his face. If it were anyone else Rett would have been threatened, but this was Asher. A man who was willing to put his life on the line for someone he barely knew just cause fate said so. “You really did make the dog tags after all.” “I promised didn’t I?”
He pulled into the complex and looked over at Rett. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at work.” –No, I hate this…Don’t go- “Don’t go…” Ash was surprised. “What?” “Come up with me.” This was odd for Rett, he seemed to be stuck up but he seemed he didn’t want to be alone. “Ok. I haven’t got much to do today anyways. Sure.” He replied smiling at Rett.
Rett pulled out the keys and unlocked his apartment, feeling a bit self-conscious about his personal space now. –Was this really a good idea to invite him up here? - He looked back at Asher as he looked around the small apartment. It wasn’t dirty, but it wasn’t like Asher’s place. It was darker and the floor boards needed replacing. The walls were greyish and needed a new coat of paint. There was a brown couch in front of a decent sized TV and Rett’s bedroom was off the hallway from the bathroom.
“Not that bad of a place.” “It’s lousy compared to yours…and empty…” Rett whispered to himself, but Ash heard every bit of it. Smiling softly he walked over to Rett and touched his dog tags. “You are part of the Brigade Rett, you will never be alone now.” He saw his eyes quiver hearing those words. “I mean every word Rett.” He turned away from Ash gripping his chest. –Does he really? What if I let him in? Too close? - Arms wrapped around him as Ash put his chin on his shoulder, “Hey, you don’t have to hide from me. We are buddies remember?” “Right…”
They played a few racing games and watched a horror movie while drinking beers. Rett would keep glancing at Ash and blush looking away again. It was amusing none-the-less watching Rett’s interactions.
When the movie ended, Asher sat back looking up at the ceiling and taking a gulp of his beer. “You know, it’s so obvious. I can see right through you.” Rett was surprised, “W-what? I don’t know what you’re talking about Ash.” Asher sighed looking over at him, with a smile. “I know.” –know what??- Rett felt his heart jump into his throat. What did Asher know?! Ash neared close and tugged Rett forward making Rett wince. He didn’t know what was going to happen and it scared him.
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