[Action]

[dissonates]

[After a few days of Deep Thought following this little encounter, Asch has finally resolved himself to go back home. He's packed his things, cleaned up, done a few repairs to make the apartment somewhat presentable after he tore it to bits during the Halloween ordeal, though he's sure it'll end up fixing itself anyway. Finally, sometime in the morning, he heads out and makes his way to House 5.

Depending on where the occupants are, he'll be looking for Guy, Luke, and Natalia- starting with their rooms, one by one, and then moving on to the rest of the house and outside if necessary. He's been thinking a lot - probably too much for his own good - and he's tired, but more than that, he's tired of just running away.]

Comments

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Why not? I'm hungry too. Besides, we've been sitting up here on the roof; having something hot would be good for both of us. [Meanwhile Guy is sliding effortlessly back into socializing with Asch as if they'd never fought.]

[dissonates]

[Oh, Guy. You make it look far too easy. Unfortunately Asch is going to be tiptoeing around the issues for a while, so he shrugs quietly, turning away to climb down off the roof. If Guy wants to hang out then he can at least try. It's not like they hate each other, it's just...

...alright, it hurts. But hell if he's not going to try to fight tooth and nail against letting it show.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy isn't naive enough to think Asch wouldn't still be somewhat upset or hurt -considering they were technically still split up- but he follows Asch without complaint, determined to keep his spirits up.

Into the kitchen and up to the fridge, Guy pulls out some ingredients and gets started on a baked lemon chicken dish. He feels better already.]

[dissonates]

[Asch stands somewhat woodenly by the table, watching Guy work. After a long moment he turns back and starts setting some plates and cutlery out.

His brows furrow, still lost in thought as he does this. Should he be asking Guy, too...?]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy sneaks a glance back at Asch-

Yep. That his thinking face.] Something on your mind?

[dissonates]

[Think think think- caught. Hurk.]

...I was... thinking that you could do something for me.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Sure, what is it? [Chop chop chop.]

[dissonates]

[...Okay. Here goes. He's got one, two more to go.]

...I need you to tell me when I call Luke "replica".

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[...chop.

Guy turns around and grips the edge of the counter, leaning back against it.]

You sure that's a good idea? To ask me to do that?

[dissonates]

I'm asking everyone, not just you. It'll probably be useful to both of us.

[Asch doesn't look at him, but he didn't miss the sudden halting of the knife.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

You're sure?

[He tilts his head to the side in question. Guy's more worried about Asch taking it poorly because of the perceived favoritism than anything.]

[dissonates]

Even if I wasn't, I'd still want you to do this. You know how important it is. [He had to; not just for Asch, because he'd always been the aggressor when it came to this. No, this was for Luke- the unsure one, the replica who lacked confidence in himself. The one who'd been ready to give up his name in a heartbeat. ...His name.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy had expected some waver in Asch's resolve, but saw none of it in his face. He didn't like it...but he was sure. He was.

Guy pushed down the urge to close the distance between them, but his smile is soft and genuine all the same.]

Then I will.

[dissonates]

....Good. [It takes him a long moment to reply, and he fights to keep his voice from hesitating as he does. He's doing this. He's going to do this. If change needs to happen then it will.

One step at a time.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

[Guy wants to tell Asch he's proud of him, but...well. Asch might take it the wrong way.]

Can I ask you to do something for me, then?

[dissonates]

What is it? [Though he wouldn't have expected Guy to refuse, Asch at least owes him a listening ear after he agreed to help.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

If I start to pick a fight with you, actually fight back.

[dissonates]

[...That's unexpected.] What? But...

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

Trust me. Maybe if you do I'll catch myself and we can avoid something more damaging.

[dissonates]

Or it'll make it worse and we'll both end up doing something we regret.

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

I don't think it will. Why don't we try it once and see how it turns out?

[dissonates]

...Hm. [Asch crosses his arms, visibly displeased. He's not sure he can just order himself to fight Guy; usually snapping and resisting others is what he does best, but somehow he's always just submitted - or perhaps resigned? - himself to whatever Guy has to say. It's a strange feeling, one he hardly notices anymore.] I'll think about it, I guess. [Reluctantly.]

[count-gardios.livejournal.com]

That'll work. [BACK TO COOKING. Guy is determined to stay loose and casual no matter how tense the air gets.]

[dissonates]

[JUST LIKE THAT!? Augh, Guy, you're still too much for him. Asch mutters something unintelligible and heads over to give himself something to do. If that's how Guy wants it, he's not about to argue the matter when it's so pointless to do so.]