IC CONTACT;

[moneyballer]

username: I CAN B UR DADDY

✉ ☏ 📷

Comments

[digiorno]

[There's a long moment when he doesn't respond because, frankly, he doesn't know how to. He isn't used to hearing that--could probably count the times it's happened on one hand, and even then only in the last six months, if he's being honest. He still doesn't know how to respond, doesn't have the words, and he can't just not say anything.]

[He can't help but be suspicious, though. Just like always. He hasn't suspected Asher's motivation until now, but when kindness is turned on him he feels cornered. It can't possibly be real.]

Of course.

[He lies as easily and seamlessly as breathing. Even if he trusted in someone else's investment in his well-being, he doesn't have the luxury of weakness. In all likelihood, he never will again. Not until they find him again--Polnareff, Mista, Trish, Fugo--and then there will be a breath of fresh air before he dives under the water again. Asher is not the oasis for Giorno that he seems to want to be.]

You don't need to worry about me. I'm very resilient.

[moneyballer]

[Contrary to Giorno's suspicions, this is one of the few times where Asher is truly being himself.]

Everybody cracks, dude.

[There are no convoluted schemes, no artfully constructed farces whirling about in his head.

He's as simple as can be.]

It's chill, aite? I'm the last person who'd judge you for feelin' tired.

[digiorno]

I don't mind who judges me.

[This is true, at least. He couldn't give less of a fuck who thinks he's doing the wrong thing, or the right thing the wrong way; if he did, he wouldn't be the person he is now. He probably wouldn't even be alive.]

[It's less an issue of fear of judgment and more fear of safety--but saying as much isn't safe, either.]

I'm good at pacing myself, that's all. [His voice goes a little wry.] Metaphorically, at least. I'm terribly impatient about the little things in reality, but people let me get away with it.

[He's terribly impatient to talk about literally anything else, please don't be perceptive Millstone.]

[moneyballer]

[And that is one of the many ways they are worlds apart.

Asher wishes he could be that self-assured, but the things that people think affect him in ways that aren't healthy. To some degree, he understands that. But it doesn't stop the words from piercing his fragile psyche like tiny little knives, leaving painful cuts that never seem to heal up all the way.

He's still sore, he'll always be.]

Don't forget to take care of yourself, too.

[He smiles warmly on his end.]

I'm rootin' for ya.

[digiorno]

[Asher is . . . rooting for him. All of the individual words make sense, of course, and even the idiomatic meaning translates after a moment, but actually parsing it takes a bit longer. He blinks a bit and then, despite himself, gives a crooked smile.]

[It's a nice thing to believe in, just for a moment or two. The idea that someone might support him unconditionally.]

Thank you. I'm . . . rooting? For you too.

[moneyballer]

[He's too simple to pick up on any inkling of doubt in the other's voice.

That and he's happy, he's finally happy for a moment.

It sounds as though he's made a friend.]

I think I have to get back to helpin' out.

But... I'll see you around, I guess?