#Asher no last name :(

[angelbabby]

Typa shit Asher be saying

[lynzishell]

The Past 💛 Atlas

When I arrive at the office Monday morning, I immediately have the urge to walk straight back to my desk and bury myself in work as I normally would. But then, remembering the promise I made, I stop and stand in the doorway, silently fighting with myself over which direction to go while the room fills with its usual chatter as people start their day.

Eventually, the better part of me wins out and I walk toward Ash’s desk, my feet moving heavy and slow along the black tufted carpet. My jaw clenches tight as I remember how we left things yesterday. We haven’t spoken since, and I worry we’ll have backtracked to where we were only a month ago, when things were awkward and cold, when he barely spoke to me. But I meant it when I told him he’s my best friend, and I’ll do whatever I can to preserve that, so I prepare myself to face him and hope he’s willing to talk to me.

But when I approach his desk, he’s not there. His chair is empty, and his monitors are still asleep. Every day since he started, he’s already been here and working by the time I arrive. But not today.

I tug at my upper lip with my fingertips as worry fills me. Is he sick? Is something wrong? Is he avoiding me?

I look toward Lex’s desk and find her facing away from me to talk with Kamryn, complimenting her performance at the club the other night. I’m certain I won’t be her favorite person today, but my worry over Ash overshadows my concern for whatever bodily harm she has planned for me, so I walk over and interrupt her, “Hey Lex?”

Her smile falls when she turns around to face me, and her eyes squint slightly behind her glasses, “What?” It’s not a friendly greeting, but it could be worse.

“Is Ash coming in today?”

Without breaking eye contact she points to her left, “Over there.”

My gaze follows the direction of her finger, past the desks to the kitchenette along the far wall, where Ash is filling a cup of coffee and laughing. Evan is over there with him, clearly having said something very funny, and my jaw clamps down again as I feel a burst of irritation spread through me. I don’t know why I’m bothered. It’s nothing new. They’ve been friends with Ash as long as I have. But there’s something about the way they’re talking to him, the way they’re smiling at him, in the same place where I first met him, laughed with him… I remember that day clearly, it was warmer than expected and he had that same jacket tied around his waist, holding a cup of coffee and smiling up at me as he asked my name… I wish I could go back to that day. I wish we could start over again.

I shake my head and look back at Lex who rolls her eyes at me. “You know, he is going to move on one day.”

Right. As much as the thought fills me with dread, I know she’s right. With a small nod, I say quietly, “I know.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go talk to him.”

“Is he mad?”

"No, you're fine. Just go."

"Alright, I'm going."

When I approach them, Ash looks over at me, still smiling from whatever hilarious banter they were in the middle of before I showed up, “Atlas, hi.”

“Hey.” I suddenly feel awkward with the two of them looking at me. Maybe I shouldn’t have come over; maybe I should’ve waited until later to try talking to him. But it’s too late, I’m here now, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to say.

Evan, sensing the rising tension, takes a nervous breath and says, “Okay. Well, I should probably get to work.”

Ash gives them a grateful smile and waits for them to leave before turning to me and asking, “You wanna take a walk?”

“Sure.”

It’s a nice day out, bright and sunny, the sky cloudless and blue, but it’s deceiving. Without the insulation of clouds, the air is frigid. The kind of cold that reaches into you and grips your bones. The kind of cold I’ll need to get used to.

We walk in silence for a minute or two, and I get the feeling he’s waiting for me to speak first, but I don’t know what to say or where to start. I know if I wait too long, I won’t speak at all, so I opt for something mundane and hope the right words will come to me once we start talking. “How did things go with your sister yesterday?”

“It was fine. She got the last pieces of furniture for the nursery and wanted me to help set it up. I wish I hadn’t gone though.”

“How come?”

“I have a bad habit of always jumping when she says jump. It’s something I’m working on, but it’s hard. I wish I’d told her no. I wish I hadn’t rushed out on you. I’m really sorry about that. And I’m sorry if I made things weird.”

He’s apologizing to me?

“No, you didn’t. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one that should be sorry. I don’t know what my problem was yesterday. I woke up feeling so, I don’t know, anxious, I guess.”

“Probably the fuckin’ molly. It’s fun while it lasts, but the come down can be a bitch sometimes.”

“Yeah, I guess. But aside from that, you’re right, I’ve been confusing and I’m sorry for that. I just… I wish things were different. I wish I was different.”

“What do you mean you wish you were different?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”

“Well, for the record, I don’t wish you were different. I think you’re pretty great just as you are.”

I have trouble believing he means that, but the words make me smile, nonetheless. “So, are we okay then?”

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re okay.” He gives me a soft, reassuring smile that warms me from the inside.

“Good,” I breathe a sigh of relief. He’s far kinder to me than I deserve, I know this, and I don’t ever want to take it for granted. “You really are my best friend, Ash, and I don’t want to mess that up.”

“I know. I don’t either.” He looks like he may want to say something more, but then decides against it and looks away.

Without thinking about it, I reach over and rub his back. When I do, he smiles up at me and I have an overwhelming desire to pull him closer. I consider for a moment whether I should, or whether it’d be better not to, finally deciding to just ask, “Can I give you a hug?”

His smile widens as he nods, “Always,” and throws his arms around my shoulders.

It’s strange. My whole life I’ve always kept a certain distance from people, always shied away from affection. Never having the courage to admit that I needed it, let alone to ask for it. But here I am now, with my arms around him, squeezing him tight, and allowing myself to relax into his, to be comforted by their warmth.

I’m not sure when it happened, but something in me has changed. A small piece of me, healed. And it makes me wonder. Wonder if there’s hope. Hope that it’s not too late, that maybe I can still fix the parts of me that are broken.

As we step away from each other, and begin to circle our way back, he asks, “So, d’you maybe want to get together this week and work on our game or something?” I like that he’s started referring to it as our game. I like that we have something that’s ours. And I wish more than anything that I could make time for him this week.

“I don’t think I can. I have to train. We only have four months until our climb, so I need to get focused.” The truth is, I’ve been more than a little distracted lately, and Kiyoshi’s been getting after me, worried I won’t be ready. I’m not particularly worried, but I promised I’d do better.

“Oh right. It’s gonna be here before you know it. You should definitely focus on training.”

“Yeah. I’ll have some time on Saturday, though. If you want to come over.”

“That works. So, are you not going to the Winter Party on Friday then?”

“Shit, is that this week?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, yeah no, I’ll be there. I was actually supposed to ask you, are you brining a plus-one?”

“No, why, are you?”

“Yeah, my sister. Dawn wants to come.”

“Oh, that’ll be fun.”

“Yeah, but she wants to bring her boyfriend too. I was supposed to ask if you’d mind putting him down as your plus-one so he can come along.”

“I don’t mind, as long as he’s not an asshole or anything.”

“Phoenix? No, definitely not.”

“That’s good. My sister has a long history of dating assholes. I’m glad yours has better taste.”

“Right. How is Iris doing anyway?”

“She’s fine. Very much ready for Spencer to arrive.”

“I bet. You ready to be an uncle?”

“Hell yeah. I’m gonna spoil the shit outta that kid.”

“As you should.”

Prev // Next

[soup-scope]

we finally got canon ages for some of the redacted boys!!!

Samuel Collins- 29 *when turned* (technically 44 ig)

Vincent Solaire - 20 *when turned* (technically 43 ig)

Avior- Coalesced 36 years ago

Gavin- Coalesced 33 years ago

Aaron- 33 years old

David Shaw- 30 years old

Asher Talbot- 30 years old

Milo Greer- 30 years old

Lasko Moore- 29 years old

Elliot- 29 years old(???) (timeline just states he was adopted 29 years ago)

Huxley- 26

Caelum- Coalesced 24 years ago (caelum is still very much mentally a child tho. don’t be weird)

Damien- 24 years old

[hammerhead-jpg]

Born to be Asher Talbot forced to be Christian

[hott-brownn-sugarr]

getting married to asher next month omg ☺️🙈

if he doesn’t cry fat wet tears when he sees me in my bootiful dress then the wedding is off 😐 the entire thing.

IM SO EXCITED FOR THE AUDIO YALL DONT UNDERSTAND

[sheltoner]

i actually appreciate uso fan week/qualifying week and how the grounds are free to enter during that week so much bc it gives so much more opportunity to people who can’t afford tickets or just can’t go during the regular tournament to be able to still go and see their favorite players and have fun

[nanowatzophina]

Anyone else still excited for their weddings?

Let’s be honest, Asher WOULD get married in a Jersey, Milo had to wrestle him into that tux and try his best with his hair. But he managed it.

And hey! Not a Nick Miller Jessica Day one. Not even a New Girl one to round out my pass at doing screen caps with each of the pack and their listeners!

Ref:

[sunshineboy-greer-collins]

how the video in which Angel steals David’s hoodie would have (maybe) went if it was Asher and Babe instead:

Ash: “First you steal my heart, then my hoodie, what’s next? my last name?” *gets the ring box out and starts his actual proposal*

[i-am-just-a-skeleton]

guys the autism won my name's Roger now

[halscafe]

milo and david’s relationships are out here getting big developments and i love how the majority of the theories with a potential development in asher and babes would be an asher last name reveal

erik please HES THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT A LAST NAME

[myorgansaremelting]

The normals get a funny tumblr post too bcs they need to know my new obsession

I’m living up to my last name

[lynzishell]

The Past 💛 Atlas

Upstairs, the club is already full and alive with music and lights and people. While the others walk out on the dance floor, making their way toward the DJ booth, I stay back, allowing myself a few minutes to acclimate. I find a spot in the back, out of the way, and watch the crowd on the dance floor as they smile and cheer and dance, some goofing off and laughing with friends, others serious and focusing only on the music as they move. It occurs to me that it’s been years since I’ve been to a club. Dawn used to drag us out all the time when we were in college together, and I got kind of burnt out on it after a while, but I’m glad I came out tonight.

I look past the dancers to the booth and recognize the DJ as our co-worker Kamryn, her signature bright pink ponytail swaying as she dances behind the decks. I had no idea she did this kind of thing, but she’s good.

It’s not long before I find myself moving my head and shoulders to the beat, the rest of my body itching to be set free and move as the bass thumps in my chest and a familiar warmth radiates through my limbs. As I expected, the tablet Lex gave us contains MDMA and something else, and whatever that something else is multiplies the sensation and I feel it hit me all at once as my entire body flushes with heat and a gentle euphoria lifts my anxiety up and away.

I look around to try to spot Ash, and as if I manifested him with my mind, I see him walk out of the crowd right toward me. His black t-shirt is soft and thin and hangs on him just right, and my mind flashes briefly to the exposed skin underneath. Catching myself, I take a breath and look up quickly to see his playful smirk. “Are you gonna come dance, or what?” He asks.

“Yeah, I was just about to.”

“Let’s go then.”

He extends his hand to me, and I take it, letting him lead me through the crowd to the middle of the dance floor where the moving lights and loud music and energy of the dancers take over. I let it envelop me and flow through me as I let go and dance and become part of it all.

[music]

I look over at Ash and am immediately mesmerized by the way he moves, weightless and fluid. I’ve seen him dance dozens of times, and he always looks good, even when we’re just fucking around in his living room trying to make each other laugh, but this is different. His footwork is quick and smooth and hypnotic, his weight shifting, pulling him side to side, crossing over and back again. It’s a style so distinctly urban that I can’t help but wonder where the fuck in Brindleton Bay he learned to dance like that. I can’t take my eyes off him.

Part of me is tempted to reach out and pull him into me, but I also don’t want to interrupt him. I watch as someone else comes up behind him and tries to dance with him, but he shrugs them off and shakes his head, clearly wanting to be left alone to do his own thing. So, I leave him be and dance beside him, keeping my hands to myself. It’s probably for the best anyway… I have an image of Lex popping up between us if we get too close, as if I’m a teenager again at a church dance being monitored to “save room for Jesus”. Little did they know what Henry and I had gotten up to earlier that day. I smile to myself at the memory. He may have broken my heart in the end, but that day… that was a good day. It feels nice to be able to enjoy a happy memory without being dragged down by all the sad ones attached to it, even if only temporarily. I silently thank Lex for whatever she gave me… and thank myself for only taking half. The night is already starting to blur around me as it is.

Soon, a song comes in that drags me gently out of my wandering thoughts and wraps around me like a warm blanket. It’s beautiful, layered and flowing like waves, the beat quick but more subtle than the others, a welcome reprieve. I look over at Asher and he smiles at me, nodding; he likes it too. Letting the beat guide me, I close my eyes and move to the music, feeling it wash over me as I lose myself again.

[1:50] The song slows and gets quiet sooner than I’d like it to, but I take advantage of getting a moment to breathe. Ash is grinning up at me, and I get the distinct feeling he’d been watching me.

“What’s that look for?” I ask.

“Having fun?” He was definitely watching me.

I laugh a little, more flattered than embarrassed, “Yeah, you?”

He shrugs casually, but, judging by the size of his pupils and the grin on his face, I’d say he’s feeling as good as I am.

“Where’s Lex?” I wonder, realizing that I haven’t seen anyone else from our group in a while.

Ash searches the crowd for a moment before pointing to the far end. I turn to see her familiar mop of ginger curls, and smile when I see her laughing and dancing with her friends.

“Enjoying her birthday, I see.”

“Yep.”

[2:20] The music dips quieter as the layers are removed bit by bit. When I turn back to Ash, my smile falters as I look him over, the image of his shirt lifting up refuses to leave my mind, and my body trembles from the effort of holding myself back from reaching out to him.

My desire (or desperation?) must show on my face because he peers at me through his long lashes, gives me a playful grin, and asks, “What?” The way he says it comes out like a dare, and I watch as his eyes dip down and then slowly follow the lines of my body back up until they meet mine again, making my heart race and turning the last ounce of my willpower to dust at my feet.

[2:40] The music is starting to rise, so I gesture for him to come closer. When he leans in, my body reacts instantly, as if each and every individual cell is reaching for him, so I take his hand and I put my mouth to his ear and say the only thing I can think of to say, “I want you to kiss me.”

Our cheeks are so close that I feel the disturbance in the air between them as he smiles. He pulls back, and holds up a finger, telling me to hold on. I watch curiously as he listens to the music, nodding his head to the beat, as if waiting for something.

[2:55] A second later, he looks back at me with an excited smile, and in one swift motion, he reaches a hand to the back of my head and pulls himself into me. The second our lips touch, I feel the energy rush through my entire body as the music drops and the crowd around us erupts in cheers and dancing.

Maybe it’s the drugs, maybe it’s the music, maybe it’s him, or maybe it’s the combination of it all, but it’s the best kiss I’ve ever had.

Prev // Next

[vilf-lover]

guy’s parents were so right to name him Guy

or maybe the name is why he turned out that way

…either way he’s the love of my life

[redlikeredacted]

Asher has such he/they bisexual swag

[peraltuki]

"I'm miss Talbot, miss Shaw, miss Greer, miss Collins, miss Solaire" SHUT UP. My boy doesn't have a last name don't you think I would put it in my profile if he did?

[amtrak12]

I'm surprisingly chill about The Voice top 9 results airing tonight. I was stressed af last week because it was the first week of audience voting, but Maddi Jane went through easily so I'm fully expecting her to make finals without issue. Like even if she'd bombed her performance last night (she didn't), people have already picked their faves. She's not going to suddenly lose a ton of votes one week to the next.