Chapter 22 #2
“Slow down, you’ll give yourself indigestion,” Ash berates fondly. Kieran is a textbook example of ‘love goes through the stomach’.
He might as well shake hands with Cal, who is practically drooling and shooting Dawson pleading glances. Judging by Dawson’s stern expression, Cal’s already had his fill and is just begging for more.
Really, the scariest reaper ever. Everyone should be shaking in their boots.
“So, how did this happen?” Dawson asks when Kieran’s finished eating.
Ash is halfway through his tiramisu, but the hole Kieran is burning into the side of his face makes him hand the rest over. It’s fine, Kieran needs the endorphins.
“It turns out Zeke is a witch and likes to play with his grandma’s grimoire,” Ash answers.
“Zeke?!”
“His energy is very potent, but I never would’ve thought he can manipulate time,” Cal chimes in, completely oblivious to the incredulous stares aimed at him.
“You knew?” Dawson slaps his thigh. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”
“I thought everyone knew,” Cal says, confusion written on his face. “Everyone knows about Gabe.”
Dawson sighs, probably figuring Cal has a point, then looks at Ash. “How come you didn’t know?”
“Zeke didn’t know either.” Apart from seeing people’s thoughts, Ash can also enter their subconsciousness and dig up things that have been buried there for a long time.
But that’s the extent of his ability. He can only access knowledge that’s already there.
Unlike Cal, he doesn’t see beyond the veil.
“He always claimed to be a witch, though,” Dawson points out.
“He didn’t realize he was right. Just wishful thinking.”
“That’s even worse. Kinda makes you wonder what else he’s been up to without realizing.”
“Let’s hope this was the first time one of his spells actually worked.”
“But what if he starts playing around with it even more, now that he knows?”
That finally gets Kieran’s attention, making him take a break from demolishing the rest of the tiramisu.
“I’m gonna kick his motherfucking ass if he does.”
Dawson lets out a grunt that could be either a disapproval or agreement. “Do you know how to get back?”
“Apparently, I need to reach enlightenment. Easy peasy.”
“Sounds…fun.” Dawson grimaces. “Oh. I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“All the weird things that didn’t make sense at first.” He starts talking quickly, excitedly.
“When we first told you about Cal, you didn’t freak out nearly as much as we’d expected, because you already knew.
And the lottery!” He jumps up, hands on his hips.
“You didn’t dream about the winning numbers, did you? ”
Kieran pulls out his phone. “You just reminded me I need to check those out. Thanks!”
Dawson doesn’t seem pleased. “Are you sure that’s okay, though? Isn’t it dangerous to do these things for personal gain.”
Kieran throws his hands up. “My god, you’re such a goody two shoes.”
“But—”
“Dawson, it’s fine,” Ash intervenes. “After all he’s been through, he’s entitled to take advantage.”
Dawson purses his lips, not very happy with that reasoning. It’s clear his moral compass is in direct opposition to the pity he feels about Kieran’s predicament.
A huge, radiant smile on his face, Kieran looks at Ash. “I could almost kiss you right now.”
Ash’s gaze goes instinctively to his mouth. He can imagine exactly what the kiss would taste like; partly sweet, partly bitter from the tiramisu. Kissing Kieran is always like that. A constant swing between the two extremes.
“That can be arranged.”
Kieran’s eyes go wide. His tongue peeks out, licking his lips.
Dawson clears his throat. “Could you two behave?”
Kieran’s whole body jolts, like he’s snapping out of a trance, and he goes red. So. Damn. Cute.
Ash crosses his legs to hide just how cute he finds it.
“So, from when exactly did you travel here from?” Dawson asks Kieran. “Jesus. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth.”
“Never thought I’d be asked that question either,” Kieran points out. “It happened around the time you came to stay with me for a couple of days before going back to him.” He eyes Cal with contempt.
Cal doesn’t seem bothered by the blatant display of hostility.
“That must have been a very hard time for you, thinking that your friend went back to the horrible person who hurt him,” he says. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. And thank you for being there for Dawson. He’s very lucky to have you.”
“I am,” Dawson agrees, a big, smitten smile on his face as he reaches for Cal’s hand. While the two engage in a besotted staring contest, Kieran looks like he can’t remember his own name.
Leaning in close, Ash whispers, “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just…hearing him talk like that almost makes me like him, and I’m not ready to like him yet!”
“It’s okay, Kieran. I understand,” Cal assures him. While Ash cannot access his mind, he can still tell every word out of his mouth is genuine.
Kieran’s frustration only grows the nicer Cal gets. It would almost be funny, if it weren’t for the fact that Kieran’s watched his best friend’s life be ruined by the man who shares Cal’s face.
“Maybe you can find comfort in knowing the hostility will eventually go away,” Cal reassures him. “I like to think that you consider me a friend now.” He looks so earnest, it must be messing with Kieran’s head.
“He’s right. You do come around,” Ash steps in, figuring a little more reassurance is in order. “Don’t force yourself. It’s already a miracle that you’re sitting here and not bracing yourself for a fight.”
“Just barely,” Kieran mumbles, but Ash’s words seem to have relaxed him.
Ash suppresses a smile. It’s very hard not to get smug about his Kieran-relaxing effect. It’s his second superpower, if you ask him.
“Thank you for taking care of Tequila,” he says to Cal and Dawson. “And congratulations again on the exhibition. The photos looked great.”
“What exhibition?” Kieran asks, eyes snapping to Dawson. “Your exhibition?”
Getting bashful all of a sudden, Dawson drops his gaze, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, my very first one. Ellis helped organize it.”
“That’s fucking awesome!” Kieran’s smile is brighter than the sun. At least for the few seconds before it turns into a frown. “Wait, does that mean we weren’t there? I wasn’t there?”
Dawson shrugs, unbothered. “It was your anniversary, and the dates overlapped. It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?! Dee, this is huge!” He jumps to his feet, gesturing wildly. “Why was I on a stupid vacation instead of supporting you?”
“It’s not stupid, it’s your anniversary. It’s important.” Just as Kieran prepares himself to argue, Dawson adds, “And it’s not a big deal because you support me every day. That’s what matters.”
The fight drains out of Kieran like water through a cracked glass. He’s such a sucker for his friend, Ash is almost jealous.
“But still…” Though not arguing, he still looks bummed out.
Dawson stands up. “Hey, want me to give you a tour? I’ll show you my studio. It’s gigantic!”
That seems to do the trick. Kieran nods, following Dawson silently. Donut jumps off Cal and trails behind them, tail wagging.
“What about you?” Cal asks once Dawson and Kieran are out of earshot. “How are you handling things?”
“I’m…actually okay.” The answer surprises even Ash. He doesn’t feel like he’s walking on eggshells, or handling a ticking timebomb anymore.
Cal looks a little doubtful. And worried. “Are you really?”
“Yeah. Sure, I was freaking out at first. Kieran from two years ago doesn’t…
” He swallows, the next part hard to admit.
“He isn’t in love with me. He doesn’t know what we’ve been through together and is still constantly on guard.
I was afraid I’d mess up, and he’ll go back to his time and decide that this—us—is not going to happen.
” Kieran isn’t the only one afraid of fucking up the timelines.
“And now?”
Ash feels an involuntary smile stretch his lips.
“I think we are okay now, just need to take it slow. Honestly, I have no problem with that.” In fact, he might be enjoying starting over a little too much.
While a part of him misses the domesticity they’ve established, watching Kieran peel the layers off his armor in response to Ash’s words or actions gives him the sort of high no drug ever could.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Cal gives him a small, reserved smile. “But you might be wrong.”
“About?” Ash strokes Tequila’s back. She curls into an even tighter ball, purring happily.
“Him not loving you.”
Ash’s head snaps up. “I can see his thoughts, Cal. I know he’s started to wonder. Sometimes he imagines things that freak him out. He’s warming up to me, but he isn’t in love with me.”
Cal has a bleeding heart, but Ash would appreciate it if he didn’t sugarcoat things for him. He doesn’t want to get his hopes up.
“In love, no,” Cal agrees. “But he does love you. You can see inside his head,” he goes on just as Ash opens his mouth. “But I can see his soul. It shines so bright when he’s next to you, when you speak to him, touch him.”
Ash just stares, speechless. Cal must’ve got it wrong. Kieran’s…soul or aura or whatever got brighter because they’re at Dawson’s house. Kieran’s missed Dawson, the one constant thing in his life. It makes perfect sense.
But Cal says Kieran lights up when Ash talks to him or touches him. If that’s true, that would mean…
Ash flings himself against the back of the sofa, covering his face with his palms. “Fuck.”
The movement disrupts Tequila, and she hops off with an annoyed meow. Ash would try to win her over again, but he has more pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that the man he loves might finally be falling for him too.
“What’s wrong?” Cal asks.
“You shouldn’t have told me that,” Ash whines, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It takes everything I have to hold back as it is. I look at him and I just want to throw him on the nearest surface and worship the living crap out of him.”