abyssdressing | (no subject)

You're notoriously stubborn about changing. [ The gesture still has yet to fluster Asch in the slightest. In fact, he grabs one of Luke's wrists and pulls him in to return the favor. ]

[ starts to make a kind of startled sound at the wrist-grabbing, and winds up with his hands braced on Asch's upper arms, and just goes extremely still ] ... [ he's not so much flustered as he is trying VERY HARD to exhibit self control ]

[ Ever the picture of composure, Asch brushes back Luke's bangs to allow his lips to linger on Luke's skin for a time before slowly moving away, watching him in an ear-splitting silence. ]

[ he mutters something like an apology in this silence, shifting and briefly brushing his lips over Asch's before moving away as completely as Asch will let him, although in a surprisingly composed manner. ]

[ The apology is dismissed with only minor mentioning of the word "replica" and "idiot", in the moment their lips meet, he gives Luke the lightest of kisses. Though Asch still won't let him go totally; he's loosely hanging onto Luke's wrist and thumbing the grooves on his palm. ]

[ and there's a part of Luke that is extremely grateful for that. ...otherwise he'd have likely freaked out, run off, and baww'd some more. ]

[ And he would have had Asch on his heels, dragging him home kicking and crying. ] Life is fair to no one.

[ Lets out a loud sigh. ] You all are so infuriating. You're willing to give and give and give for others, then you turn around and close up your emotions, trying to suffer alone so that you won't hurt anyone. I swear to Lorelei you're masochistic by default. If I didn't care for you, I would deck you a good one.

... [ turns around and just gives him a hopelessly confused look ]

[ Glares at him, because really, he's not sure where this whole train of thought was going. ] By now it's not so much what you're giving people, but what you've given up to keep yourself safe. You see no hope for yourself! You're back to being afraid and feeling worthless!

... [ the fact that he's managed to piss him off only serves to make Luke shut down, outwardly. he lowers his gaze and then closes his eyes over, shaking his head slowly ]

[ ..dammit. This is reminding Asch of why he had never let anyone in for so long. Since he still has Luke's wrist, he yanks on it to bring the replica closer. ] You must have felt your life was worth less than mine, always telling me that I should be the one to free Lorelei. ...you should feel damn proud of what you've accomplished and at how far you've come in seven short years.

[ stumbles toward him, but pulls back again almost immediately ]

[ Gives another strong pull, this time grabbing onto his other wrist. ] I'm not talking about hyperresonances or abilities! I mean you, as a damn human being! What you've accomplished on a personal level!

[ there goes that splendid coordination again, and he's kind of partly in Asch's lap. this leads to a rather awkward lack of personal bubble between the pair of them. ] All I've accomplished is forgetting what my friends look like and sleeping around to give myself some semblance of companionship! Or did you forget that I'm not who you think I am?

[ Asch is too busy chewing Luke out to really notice the sudden lack of space between them. ] I know who you are. You're Luke fon Fabre: my replica, dreck extraordinaire, and the only reason the Outer Lands were able to be lowered! What you're doing now doesn't make all your past accomplishments null and void! You handle things differently now than you used to, as do I. If you're not happy with that, follow your own damn advice and change who you are!

[ which sort of leads to a Luke in his lap, which surprisingly bothers him less than it should. ] ... The problem is that I did change. I stopped depending so heavily on other people. I drifted for a year, I never stayed in one place for longer than two weeks unless something forced me into it. I just haven't been able to readjust.

[ He's getting more violent with a Luke than he has in a long time, gripping his wrists tighter and yanking whenever Luke hits a point that makes him angrier. ] You've adjusted quite well to my presence and to Luke's. You were able to let us in, so you can continue to improve yourself now that you have no other alternative.

[ tugs gently on his wrists ]

So you can run off and ruin your lungs, or worse? I don't think so.

[ just tugs a little ]

...tch. [ Loosens his grip but doesn't let go completely. ] I wouldn't hurt you.

Then you have no reason to be afraid.