[Video]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke's curled up in front of the terminal, looking rather forlorn after the massive info dump that was just dropped on everyone, not to mention Dax's horrifying death. It takes him a moment for him to live his chin up from where it's wedged against his knees so he can speak clearly.]

So... I don't... really understand what's happened. But from what I've read and watched on the network... does this mean everyone that's died is... a replica?

[...he really doesn't know how to feel about that. On one hand, yay, even more people like him! On the other... that is so damn depressing.]

W-were we living when we were taken from our worlds, or was that our first 'death'? How is it even that they were able to bring any part of us here?

[He sulked back until his face was hiding behind his knees now.]

...I think all this gave us even more questions than answers...

Comments

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a surprised noise at that, staring at his original like he had just lost his mind. It took him a moment to even figure out what to say, and even then he wasn't sure it was the best thing he could have responded with.]

...why do you want to be around me then?

[bloodyashes]

[An uncomfortable shift. It's clear that he doesn't really want to answer.]

It doesn't feel as bad when you're near.

[sacred_flamer]

But... I'm just a reminder of what you had gone through; why would you want that?

[Seriously, he's confused here. Asch you are not making sense.]

[bloodyashes]

[He's busy being traumatized here, he's allowed to not make sense.]

You're composed of fonons that were ripped out of me by that machine. The holes hurt less.

[Yeah, good luck following that train of thought.]

[sacred_flamer]

[...yeah, he just doesn't understand. Luke blew out a breath, his bangs flopping up, before he dropped his chin on his knees again. Silence reigned for a long moment, before...]

...you're going to talk to Jade later. Right?

[bloodyashes]

[A pause; he unfolds his arms slightly and leans back against the wall behind him.]

You're coming with.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke hunched his shoulders slightly.]

...you sure that's a good idea?

[bloodyashes]

[Asch tips his head slightly into his knees.]

Better than going through with it alone.

[He's not all that sure he could.]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a soft breath, not feeling very confident on that one...]

Well... I'll let him know as soon as I see him then.

[He paused a moment, glancing back at Asch, before leaning back with him, shoulder to shoulder.]

...we'll be okay, right?

[bloodyashes]

[He leans slightly into Luke's shoulder in turn.]

I don't know. But it's more likely than the alternative.

[And it might be good, to have someone to watch his back .]

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke let out a faint, awkward sound... before hesitantly leaning his head toward Asch's.]

...I hope you're right.

[bloodyashes]

[He nods slightly, expression turning serious before he reaches out, catching Luke's right hand in his left.]

You watch my weak side, and I'll watch yours.

[Both literally and in other ways.]

[sacred_flamer]

[...this was awkward. This was very awkward. There was so much awkward here. And at the same time, Luke couldn't really protest against it, because Asch is actually trusting him. It took him a moment to process that this was actually a thing, but when it sunk in, he couldn't help but smile.]

Yeah. Of course.

KEYWORDS THO

[bloodyashes]

That's a promise.

[A squeeze of that hand before he lets go - and then it's like all the tension goes out of him, leaving a slightly limp pile of redheaded molasses to slump against Luke.

Sorry, Luke, right now all his sides are weak sides.]

D'awww...

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke blinked as Asch practically slumped over, before he let out a faint laugh, nuzzling closer to him, resting his head on top of his.]

AAAAND HERE WE GO

[alae]

You forgot to turn the terminal off.

['sup guys.]

[bloodyashes]

[Guess who just jolted so hard he banged his head on the wall?

Hint: it's this guy.]

You did what?!

[Luke this one's all on you, bro. Just be glad that you're out of view of the cameras.]

[sacred_flamer]

[...oh.]

I-it's not my fault! You just randomly showed up and leaned against my legs!

[Video] -> [Private]

[alae]

Might wanna turn it off now before it gets worse.

[... He'll just fumble with the terminal for a minute hang on.]

How do you make this thing priva - ah.

[There we go.]

I don't really know what you guys were going on about but if you uh... need something...

[How does he shot comforting.]

[bloodyashes]

Turn it off. Now.

[Shoving Luke out from under the terminal rn because wow okay no one needs to know of this. Although at the last comment, a bit of red hair does peek out from under the keyboard, just enough that he can look at the screen.]

We're fine.

[sacred_flamer]

[Luke fell over with a startled, "oof!", laying face down against the ground for a moment. Because really, why do good moments with Asch always end up ruined like this?]