[dusts off community and character journals]

[asterope]

[After an undisclosed amount of time, has stuff changed for the characters? I SAY WE JUST PRETEND THE WORLD STILL EXISTS ITS TOO DEPRESSING THE OTHER WAY AROUND. IS CEL STILL AROUND]

[In any case, Ast is still living in his tiny little shitty appartment. He comes home, accompanied by a girl demon loudly complaining that she's tired. He puts his sword against the wall of his apartment, glancing briefly at Tricks' old room before heading into the kitchen to make some food]

Comments

/TOUCHES FOREVER

[celaeno]

[YEAH NO, his face was right up against the door like an idiot. So once it swings open at full force, he takes a direct hit, falling back and holding onto his poor yet hopefully un-fractured nose. Why do you have such a vendetta against his nose, huh!?]

O...w.... Niichan, way too violent for a reunion! You gotta give me a minute here. I think it might be broken!

[asterope]

[Is Ast concerned for Cel's nose? CelaeNOPE. He bends over Cel, maybe sort of gently taking Cel's hands away from his nose to inspect the damage himself]

Is what broken? Your ego?

[celaeno]

[CelaeNOPE, OH MY GOD. Anyway, his nose is fine, and he's just a whiner. When Ast parts his hands from his face, however, his focus is properly on him, staring back with a face that's still trying to convince itself it's not seeing an illusion. This is the closest to real tears he's probably ever gotten. He really... missed him. Finally, he decides there's only one way to confirm it: he leaps forward to wrap his arms around Ast to give him the tightest, most air-threatening hug he can manage.]

It's really you, right!? This isn't a dream!? I missed you!!

[asterope]

[oh god Cel dont agree so easily, getting a nose against your door isnt whining! DONT GET BEATEN DOWN BY AST'S ASS-T-HOLENESS ha im on fire]

[Ast just catches the hint of tears in Cel's eyes and, though he stands there like a wooden plank for a few seconds, relaxes and awkwardly pats Cel's back its not like he was worried about Cel or anything]

I-Idiot, can you hug a dream?!

[celaeno]

[Awww bro pats! If he had a puppy tail, it would be wagging like crazy right now. Anyway, after getting the hug out of his system (it takes a bit), he finally pulls back and wipes the wetness from his eyes.]

Well, you know, now that you mention it, Niichan's only this nice in my dreams! I can't really say I'm convinced just yet.

[asterope]

[Why you!! Have a slight thwack on your forehead with Ast's fingers]

And now? I swear you're a masochist, Cel...

[You're obviously not noticing his wet eyes]

[celaeno]

Ow, ow, ow! Joke! It was a joke!

[You know, that thing they do to make things like this less awkward except they always somehow make them more awkward instead. Like now. So, he supposes he'll take it seriously for once, and he smiles back at Ast, reaching up to pat him on the head.]

Really, you know you couldn't get rid of me if you tried, right?

[asterope]

I know.... I've learned that the hard way.

[Still, he's smiling a little at you, although the headpatting causes another frown. If he gets premature frown lines he's gonna blame you, Cel.]

Are you... okay? [he looks away]

[celaeno]

Huh?

[It's moments like these that reinforce just how much of a worrier Ast is. It's been tough without him around, but he's at least used to it. Ast, on the other hand... Cel promised never to leave his side. Even if it wasn't by choice, he wonders if his absence may have affected him, after all. Since Ast decided to look away, Cel playfully pokes a finger at his cheek.]

I think I'm the one who should be asking that. Or do you think I didn't notice?

[Yeah, he's talking about the wetness in your eyes, bro.]

[asterope]

[OH MY GOD REALLY CEL, seriously you're not a bro here. He scowls and whips towards Cel, shoving his hand away]

I-I don't know what you're talking about!

[celaeno]

[HE'S TRYING TO BE HELPFUL OMG. Help me to help you!!!]

C'mon! You don't have to be all shy and hide it! Let it out! Let it out! I'm here now to comfort you, after all.

[Opening his manly arms for a hug. C'mon, bro. C'mon.]

[asterope]

[HE TRIED ASKING IN HIS VERY OWN WAY ABOUT CEL'S STATE OKAY, he did his pseudo-brotherly duty]

[Also ew oh my god what is going on. He knows he's got brother issues and... whatever unhealthy relationship he has with Cel probably isn't healthy either, but he's not in the mood to be hugged. At least not if he has to do 50% of the effort. So his scowl deepens and he shoves you in the chest instead]

Stop it, you're not that cool guy and I certainly don't want to depend on you! You're the one who got lost for a long time and didn't even find his way home again!

[celaeno]

[He might have been half-joking when he proposed the offer, but either way, he supposes he didn't really expect Ast to take him up on it. Still, the shove is a bit much, and he stumbles back, a hand on his chest at the point of impact. His words are those of his usual kind, but... Why? For some reason, they hit a little harder today.]

Er, well... Right. I know I can be a little unreliable. But I can get things done, too! See? I found my way back! Even if it... took a while.

[asterope]

[oh no Cel 8( I'm sorry Ast is the biggest emotionally dumb jerk ever. Still, he notices that your response is a bit off from your usual 'I dont care if I get eaten by demons' kind of spiel, and he tilts his head. Still, he's annoyed at you how dare you make him worry so he won't address it.]

Hmmmm... What took you so long anyway?

[celaeno]

Niichan, did you know? The world is pretty vast! Even I couldn't have traveled it all by now. So like. I couldn't do much until I found something that looked familiar.

[Any faith you put in this kid is faith completely wasted.]

[asterope]

[CLEARLY. Ast is starting to remember why his life was 95% exastperation with Cel around]

But... we have comms, right? Did yours stop working? I left you a thousand messages!

[OOCLY I DID FORGET ABOUT COMMS nvm nvm handwaves... but imagine Ast leaving increasingly mopey and angsty voice messages on Cel's voicemail inbox if one happens to listen back to it]

[celaeno]

[wow I forgot too shhhhhh let's rock this]

Aaah, you did!? Sorry!! But about that...

[He's pulling out his CONVENIENTLY severely damaged comm. It looks like it suffered some sort of impact, but then it looks like it possibly got a lot worse after someone with zero skills tried to fix it himself.]

Do you think it could be fixed? I absolutely have to hear those messages!

OH MY GOD I SUCK IM SORRY

[asterope]

[he looks at it. blinks. What the hell, did you try and barbeque with this...]

You absolutely don't need to hear those messages!! I mean-- tch, you're here now, right? So it's fine. More importantly, what did you do to your comm!

NO YOU DON'T ILU

[celaeno]

I absolutely do! This could be like, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear what Niichan thinks about me when I'm not around!

[He looks forlornly at his misshapen comm. No, seriously, he's so upset. You don't understand!! But... Well, the fact that he left a thousand messages is pretty nice information, too, he supposes.]

Anyway, I didn't do it! Once I realized we were separated, it's the first thing I checked, and it was already like this... [He kind of points to the big dent in it.] After that, I tried to fix it, obviously. But you know? I don't really know the first thing about what's inside of these things, hahahaha!

[asterope]

Like I talk about you when you're not around, idiot! It was... quiet without you. Relaxing, even!

[no Cel you really dont need to hear those Ast might move out and never return if you do]

Anyhow, do you need food? Water? A bath?

[if you play your cards right he may even cook for you or push you in the bath]

[celaeno]

N-Niichan, for real!?

[He takes a step back, astonished by Ast's sudden boldness! No, really, he's probably only saying something sensible to someone who needs as much looking after as Cel does, but it's the way he phrases it that causes Cel to burst out laughing, leaning forward once more and patting Ast on the shoulder in the process as a sort of thanks for the laugh.]

Aren't you supposed to say those sort of lines when you're like, dressed in only an apron?? Hahahaha! I can't believe you just said it all with a straight face!

[asterope]

[wow Ast is never offering you anything again, survive by yourself now you bum

he grabs the hand on his shoulder by your wrist and wrenches it off of him, grabbing it angrily]

Tch! You're too stupid to take care of yourself... when was the last time you ate, huh?

[celaeno]

[Ast is so forceful with his kindness. It's actually one of his coolest attributes, though.]

Ow, ow, ow. You hurt my wrist and my pride all in one turn! Just how much of a sadist are you? Let's see, the last time...

[This requires having a concept of time, doesn't it. And since he has to think about it, he already knows Ast is going to give a big huffy sigh over it!]

Don't worry!! Of course I've been eating! I wouldn't be here if I wasn't! But... maybe... I'm a little past due, heheh.

moms you into sleeping with you, ast style

[asterope]

[ predictably, Ast offers a deep sigh, rubbing his temple. why did he miss this 24/7 headache again... ]

I-I'm not a sadist, you just won't listen to reason!

[ he lets go though, peeking at the wrist to see if he left any marks he's not worried before wordlessly going to the kitchen to make you some food]

oooh mr. ast ooh

[celaeno]

[Well, it's good that Ast hasn't changed because it might be worrying otherwise. Cel laughs, following him and also really excited to have a real meal again.]

Hey, niichan... I probably should have said it sooner, but... I'm sorry.

only cel would be into that

[asterope]

[ he wants to yell YOU SHOULD BE and a thousand other things as the frustrations of being scared for him and being annoyed with him for the past months idk all well up with those words. He breathes in and out, focusing on the food he's making it's your favourite as his nervous energy and anxiety washes out of him again. He's trying to make an effort to not lash out at stuff Cel can't help, trying to be a better niichan to Cel.

Obviously he's not going to be very good at this. ]

Y.... idiot.

[ he ruffles your hair, though keeps his eyes focused solely on the food, glaring fiercely at it! ]

possibly yeah

[celaeno]

[Okay he appreciates the hair ruffle, but even though Ast is just being a prickly tsundere, he can't just let that comment slide!]

What do you mean "idiot"! It's not like I got lost on purpose! Or broke my comm on purpose...

Or made you worry on purpose.

[asterope]

[he snaps his head at Cel's direction. Yeah, really not going to be very good at being cool and not snapping at Cel...]

What do you mean 'what do you mean idiot'! It's even worse when you do it by accident! If you did it on purpose you'd just be an asshole...

[celaeno]

Th-Then those are my only two choices!? Why can't I be something in-between! You need to see the world with more color, niichan.

[And he's folding his arms and pouting as he turns aside because he is super mature.]

i just realize my previous tag doesnt even make sense im so sorry

[asterope]

in-between an asshole and an idiot? So like, an assiot?

[he smirks at you, glad you're no longer looking at him so he can just. look at you and relax because you're home again.]

NO IT DOES /touches!!!

[celaeno]

[The moment is fleeting. Cel is right back in your face again.]

Not that! How about something like a normal person!?

[asterope]

[ god he cant even enjoy the moment. he hopes you fall asleep quickly so he can edward cullen you and watch you while you sleep okay not really well maybe ]

You've never been a normal person! Own your idiocy! I'm surprised you even survived!

...How did you, anyhow? Did you make your demons get food for you or... something...

[ he feels like he should feed Cel's demons instead ]

[celaeno]

[Actually, he really should.]

AAAAHH!! I didn't even think about that! I should have done it!!

[Meanwhile, they've likely been inside their pokeballs this whole time... what do demons even eat again.]

[asterope]

[ you should eat first! So he hands you some water BECAUSE CLEAN WATER, and finishes your food (I have no idea what Ast prepared but it's good! He sets some magic balls away for Cel's demons and some chakra candy Cel have you even fed your demons at all]

So... basically you haven't eaten at all. I'm surprised you didn't find another me to mooch off of...

Anyhow. [he scratches his neck nervously] Thanks... Cel's demons, for taking care of his stupid ass.

[celaeno]

I ate!! Like mushrooms and stuff!

[he totally hasn't so are they still alive... Anyway, he blushes at the comment, partially out of indignance toward being called stupid once more, but more so because of Ast's genuine concern.]

Besides, how could I, niichan? There's no such thing as another you.

[asterope]

D-Do you know which ones are poisonous then?

[he wonders how Cel's still alive and slightly worries he's going to drop dead right in this apartment. He blissfully ignores Cel's last comments as it would just make him blush like Cel is blushing right now and real men don't blush over their stupid adopted bums ok]

sorry THIS IS SO LATE :'(

[celaeno]

Hm! Don't underestimate me! I've tried every kind known to man, so of course I know which ones to avoid now!

[He's rather proud of this... despite the fact that it's the stupidest way known to man to have gained this knowledge.]

[asterope]

...

[ he doesnt even have words right now, just looks at you with a mixture of utter disgust and horror. he shoves eating utensils in Cel's hand and is one step away from feeding him himself ]

[celaeno]

[He's used to this look, but he never understands how it constantly surfaces with (in his opinion) inappropriate timing?? So as the utensils are shoved into his possession, he merely tilts his head in confusion, wondering what Ast is so grumbly about this time.]

That's the part where you're supposed to praise me, you know. I did survive, you know!

[asterope]

That's not something to be praised for, that's supposed to be common sense! I don't see you congratulating me on taking a breath!

[oh my god ast cant take this anymore. is cel gonna make him cut his food before feeding him because thats the not-good kind of kinky and ast cant get behind it]

...Tch. I bet your demons are the sole reason you managed to survive that long.

[celaeno]

Then, in that case, congratulations on taking a breath! And extra points for your exhaling; you're always putting full effort into that!

[Ast's headcanon confirmed. But don't worry about him so much! Who do you think you're dealing with here? This kid can eat! And he does finally take his first bite, and— whoa holy crap it's so good he could cry... Give him a moment here. He just might.

... No, okay, he's good. After fully savoring the taste, he gets back to the topic at hand, pointing his fork and not gun at Ast.]

Give me some credit here. Just why do you think they hang around with me anyway? Because I'm awesome. That's why.