IC CONTACT;

[moneyballer]

username: I CAN B UR DADDY

✉ ☏ 📷

Comments

[upshur]

I can tell.

[ since you're absolutely shattered about it, dude. it's really disconcerting for miles, actually. ]

So, it was self-defense. You didn't just head out and decide to whack some asshole because you felt like it.

[ he figures it was the former. asher's too soft for assassination. ]

Yeah, you really are a fucking mess. You need a hug or something?

[ HE DOES NOT SEEM LIKE HE'S GOING TO GIVE ASHER A HUG IT'S KIND OF #RUDE ]

[moneyballer]

And what's the matter the with that?

[Asher perceives it as an insult.

More often than not, his emotions get him in trouble. They aren't practical, but they are real.]

Huh?

[This is his own version of bitter.]

Yeah, okay, I get it. I'm-

[Fragile.]

"Emotional" or "sensitive" and some people here think it's dumb or whatever, but I'm sick of people getting all up in my grill because I have feelings sometimes.

That's normal, for me.

[And as much as it hurts sometimes, it helps too.]

Eat shit.

[upshur]

[ "fragile. emotional. sensitive." listen, asher - you're the one writing your own callout post at this point, while miles is working on standing up. his knees are sore, and he really, really seems like the type of guy who has a lowkey passion for actually looking down at some people. despite the way that he's approached this conversation, he's not really giving off that vibe -- it's more like he pities the guy.

"eat shit", asher says, and a smile creaks across his face. it's not a nice smile, but he's not sneering at least. ]

There you go. That's better.

[ he doesn't know the circumstances beyond "self-defense" and "dead bastard", and he doesn't care to dig into this one. ]

I won't tell, since it's so important to you.

[moneyballer]

[Sadness gives way to anger, although it's gravely misdirected.

He's too bothered by the tumultuous nature of his own bleeding heart to be paying too much attention to the other's more nuanced posture.]

Why'd you come here, anyway?

[In person.]

What did you want?

[upshur]

[ such distress. very heart. wow asher. ]

To let you know Jin's okay. Since our conversation got cut pretty hard and fast.

[moneyballer]

[Asher's jaw hangs open in dismay as the gears click and whir in his fear-addled brain, connecting the dots slowly but surely.

Miles' voice had seemed familiar, not deep but hoarse and wiry, like his own soul had died in his throat a long time ago. Right, right, the person who called him in the first place-]

Oh my god.

[All this time, the younger man's head hasn't been on straight. Despite being touched and having his hands washed by the other, he's failed to even notice that Miles has two fingers missing.]

I'm so sorry.

[This isn't just some shitty teammate who tried to spook him, that much is clear, from the oddly kind way the other has been handling things. He isn't gentle or soft, but practical, and his tone has been stern but lacking in judgment.]

I...

[Asher is backing away now, guilt's filthy hands have seized him.]

I gotta go.

[upshur]

Are you fucking shitting me. Get the fuck back h--

[ HE CAME HERE TO LOCATE YOU, ASHER FANCYWHITEBOYLASTNAME.

Miles reaches out, one hand snatching at Asher's wrist. A snarl on his face, and unforeseen strength in his grasp. If he connects, he's going to haul Asher in - but if he misses, he's not going to make a second attempt. ]

[moneyballer]

[Miles' hand just barely misses Asher's as he scuttles away, too frazzled to really process what's just gone down.

One day, he'll be more grateful.]