you got a second chance

You could go h o m e. Ashton Finley Ryder. 75. Turned at 26. Ex Astronaut In Training. Death Dealer. Lost and undecided."you got a warm heart, you got a beautiful brain, but it's all disintegrating."

[ashtonryder]

astor

Astor was content. The food was good, Ash was putting just the smallest hint of bounce back in his movements. He’d always been so… optimistic, for a vampire. (Sure, some of them were, but most of them weren’t.) Despite all of the shit he’d been through. Astor felt like crawling out of his own skin when his fellow death dealer looked so put out, and he was selfishly basking in the warmth of Ash’s playful sounding whining. That was much more like it. The small smile, even if it didn’t quite meet his eyes, was better than nothing. He was swallowing his most recent bite to reply, most definitely going to tease Ash more, but then the word ‘dad’ came out… and he shoved another bite into his mouth. Best to keep that one to himself.

He listened, snorting at Ash when he called himself a keeper. If only he knew, if only he’d believe it of himself. Astor couldn’t tell why his mind was pulling back from this simpleness of the moment. Sometimes he hated the way he could never turn off his thoughts, all it ever took was a gentle shove into a serious conversation and he was there, not here. He smiled any way though, raising his eyebrows up at Ash, pulling away from that place. Maybe it was more of a smirk, with the tilt that it had, well if Ashton was going to just pull it out of him – “I’m sure you can take a few good guesses. I’ll give you a hint, some of them go right along with you calling me Daddy.” He laughed, unable to help it at the look that fleeted over Ashton’s face for just a second. He laughed some more, taking a good few moments to calm down, before a hand came to rest over his stomach. “I think the rest you can just lay out for them. I’m ate those first three too fast. They were delicious though, obviously, so thanks.”

Ashton was already feeling much calmer, and less antsy. The distractions, both pancake and person, have been helping and he could feel the nerves and the whispers ebb away. Sometimes Ashton isn't sure if Astor knows how much he helps him stay calm and feel safe. While other times he thinks Astor knows exactly how much he needs him. The smiles and banter was genuine, something Ashton really appreciates between them. Something genuine was hard to have, everyone seem to be out for themselves, and Ashton, out for them. Not that Astor doesn't have selfish goals, but they're put aside. Sometimes. 

Ashton almost pours way too much batter as Astor speaks with a comeback. Some suggestive comeback that gets rewarded with a look of confusion and embarrassment and an outcry. "And what does that even mean?!" Not that he doesn't think about it but Ashton was not about to go into any thoughts or fantasies. He dragged his focus back towards the pan, the overpoured batter somehow forming one large pancake instead. Astor just continues to laugh while Ashton's face would've steamed in heat if it could. Though he couldn't bring himself to look at Astor at the moment, the small smile grows simply hearing that laughter dance around the household. Everyone could you a little bit of joy even if it's at Ashton's expense of his dignity. "Told you you wouldn't be able to finish it." He tried to claim back the lost dignity shifting the focus back to Astor. He had a slight frown towards the pancakes, "Are they though? I don't think I properly measured everything out. It might be too soggy.." He was still skeptical, staring intently at his creation. Sometimes little white lies float around the house, especially with a 4 year old running around.

[ashtonryder]

“because the war was in colour.”

ashton finley ryder - timeline

[midsommars-deactivated20201109]

Jon Hamm & Eiza González BTS on Baby Driver

[mementomorri]

@ashtonryder

[ashtonryder]

roman

Roman still hadn’t explored much of the estate–the whole kidnapping thing kind of turned him off from wandering around alone for a while. Deciding that there was no point in hiding in his room any longer, Roman hoped to have a bit of time by himself by the poolside. As he walked between the stone buildings of the estate, the warm air seemed to testify to that it was the perfect time to take a dip in the water. He’d long ago given up on relying on his sense of smell to alert him to possible threats–the estate was a constant mingle of lycan and vampire and Roman wasn’t practiced enough to sort through it all. When he turned a corner and saw the pool in sight, Roman sighed internally at the other man’s presence. Despite not wanting to go through the effort of holding a conversation, Roman had already walked all the way over here. He was too stubborn to just turn around. The lycan stopped a few feet short of the vampire, pausing at one of the sun-chairs to sit and take off his shoes. “A job you sucked at, thankfully.” Roman replied somewhat bitterly, setting his socks and shoes aside and rolling up the hem of his jeans. He walked to the edge of the pool, standing beside Ash and looking out at the water. “We good? Or do I have to worry about you trying to mount me on your trophy wall?” Roman didn’t exactly appreciate the shit the vampire had put him through, but at the end of the day he wasn’t going to do anything about it. He waited for answer before sitting down, letting his legs soak in the water.

“Bet there’s a lot of people here who aren’t exactly happy to see you.” Roman, being one of them.

Ashton watched him strip off his shoes and scoffed at the bitter insult. "I had more than just you to kill." A fairly weak excuse but it came off darker than he wanted it to, even if it was the truth. He had crossed paths (or rather forced his way onto Roman' s path) more than once, evidently annoying the Lycan but he could never accomplish what he was ordered to do. This was like Dex all over again, but they weren't treated like failures, just ongoing missions, though with Tuscany, they’ve been put on hold. Sometimes he wondered, if a sliver of conscious in him makes the tiniest waves of subtle rebellion by not outright killing some as ordered. Sure they're to be fair also making it difficult for Ashton, but something in him knows that he doesn't.. push to his limits to kill them. He looked up to the man now standing beside him barefoot and he patted on the space beside him, "We're good, I think my orders of 'do not kill' overrides 'kill' for now." Even if every instinct in him still nudges the echo of that order at him to kill this man beside him, it gets easier to remind himself as the days go by. Getting use to Tuscany is hard, but it’s getting there. 

“Like you?” Ashton glanced with a grin, knowing the answer. It wouldn’t be entirely wrong to say Ashton had tried his best to stay away from Roman and any other lycan that would potentially like him dead. “I don’t there’s anyone exactly happy to see me.” The vampires all seem indifferent with the death dealer, but he’s aware of the nervous stares and whispers from humans and lycans alike. “What about you? What did you do for you to get into a mess this early?”

[ashtonryder]

astor

He could have honestly groaned out loud at the taste, and he might have, his mouth was full of fluffy blueberry deliciousness, and it was the best thing that’d happened to him all day. In a couple of days, actually. He swallowed as he cut out another bite and stuck it in his mouth. He’d have to bug Ashton for breakfast more often, Astor had completely forgotten that his pancakes were amazing. They hadn’t had much opportunity for things like four a.m. breakfast in awhile. Ash didn’t like the down time, but he himself could certainly find ways to appreciate it. He hummed in reply to Ashton, because yeah, he was probably right. But it was also true that Ash would end up helping him no matter what, so. There was another sigh from the vampire next to him and Astor eyed him carefully, hoping that his concern wasn’t too obvious on his features, and he went the extra mile to cover it up with a small grin. “You’ve already gone to him, I knew it. You almost made it three whole days, I’m proud.” He paused, chuckling a little, “But no, I haven’t heard anything either. Not that I’ve been out asking, but no one has reached out yet…” There was another pause, and he wondered on how to say it for a second before he continued, “And you’re not useless, Ash. You’re keeping Lili occupied, you’re keeping Morri sane, and you’re keeping me in check. That last part is enough on it’s own, so lay off. I’m the only one allowed to call you names, anyway.” He’d been standing right next Ash, and he leaned over, nudging him lightly with his own shoulder before righting himself and diving back into his pancakes. He knew Ash wasn’t a big fan of his current lack-of-objective, but maybe it would help a little if he knew war wasn’t the only way he was needed. Astor always thought he was shitty with these kinds of things, but he hoped his words did something.

He saw the look on Astor's face eating the pancake and felt confident enough to simply go on with the rest. Though it started off with the selfish reason to just do something before his mind wandered too far off, it was nice to see Astor enjoying them, at least they won't go to waste. Unpacking everything was a little daunting, not in the number of boxes, but in the finality of living here, that this was their new home now. Not living in Moscow was almost uncomfortable, but it was also almost a little... liberating. A word he doesn't feel like he's allowed to use. He'll have to see how he'd feel after they finish unpacking tomorrow. Ashton groaned the moment Astor teased him about it, he and Morri probably made bets on how long Ashton could hold out before reaching out to Jonathan. He buried his face in his hands as he half whined, "Uuugh, I really tried okay. If you don't count the moment we moved here then yes, three days. It was driving me crazy." He couldn't bare looking at Astor, probably embarrassed for the lack of willpower even after half promising to hold out as long as he could from going back to Jonathan. "Thanks dad," he rolled his eyes, finally putting his hands back folded across his chest. He was somewhat disappointed that neither of them got any word of what's going on, not comprehending the need to keep the secret, at least to them. Perhaps it just seemed like an insult to his loyalty. 

He managed a smile, grateful for the fact that Astor was trying to make him feel better, but he couldn't help himself, words spilling before he could hold them back, "I guess I'm quite the keeper, huh?" He rocked lightly from side to side as Astor's shoulder bumped into his, a short awkward paused grew before Ashton managed a genuine smile, "Thanks, that means a lot." Sometimes he just needed to hear it before his own mind takes over. He wants to believe Astor wholeheartedly, but even the tiniest bit still think it's true. The sentimental moment dissolved when Ashton flashed a cheeky grin, ruining the mood, "Also, what kind of names do you call me anyways? Anything humiliating that I should know?" He turned back towards the pan, dumping more fresh pancakes on Astor’s plate, before he continued with the batter, not really having to think as his hands moved.

[ashtonryder]

marlowe

@ashtonryder

     Marlowe had given the soldier an ultimatum: either get his hands dirty now, or pay the price later. Of course, the lycan had implied that it wouldn’t exactly be Ashton paying the price. Besides, he was so fun to push around… Why would they get rid of him? 

     At any rate, they hadn’t been surprised to receive a text from the vampire, asking when and where he should meet them. Marlowe had instructed him to meet them at four am, in a rarely used parking structure located in the downtown area. Marlowe leaned against a concrete post, toying with a throwing knife in their hands. The streets were all-but abandoned at this hour, and the only humans who’d be outside either had sketchy intentions or no place else to be. Surely, both categories were miscreant enough that Ryder wouldn’t make too much of a fuss about capturing them. 

  The humans needed to be alive–and mostly unharmed–which is why Marlowe felt the need to include Ashton. They’d be the first to admit how little self-control they possessed. Hearing the echo of approaching footsteps, Marlowe stood upright. “You made a smart call. Coming here, I mean.” The words were spoken sincerely, but the sentence that followed couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than a taunt. “–You saved us both a lot of trouble.” Blood. Screaming. The usual, for Marlowe.

Ashton followed the directions Marlowe had given, albeit begrudgingly. They had hinted well enough what would happen if he didn’t help them, and he didn’t want to test that. There was no chance in hell he’d let Marlowe anywhere close to Lili and Morrigan wouldn’t either but anything can happen with them, it’s a chance he’s not willing to take. He sewed back the toy bunny and having to explain to Morri and apologise to Lili was hard enough. Whatever he’d do to keep them safe.

He was always early, to scope the place out, to be prepared, but even they beat him to it, probably knowing him enough. He watched the knife in their hands cautiously, his own slipped into the pockets on his jacket, eyes glancing around the area, “I don’t really have a choice, do I?” Marlowe never really ever gives him a choice. The parking lot was dead other than the couple of cars parked, hopefully known used to run him over again. 

“This is where you want to round up some humans?” He asked, stating it matter-of-factly. If anything, he’d helped in the most humane way, knowing them. He waited for them to tell him the plan, almost as if ready to object to whatever insane plans they had. If he can’t say no to them, at the very least he can negotiate.

[ashtonryder]

morri

@ashtonryder​

Being pregnant was strange; Being pregnant and a vampire, had to be far stranger. Morrigan wasn’t a born vampire, and had known little about what to expect. Moscow was hardly the place for her to learn what she needed, and that had been pointed out to her by nearly everyone she knew. Hae Min and Jonathan had both encouraged her to move back to Bangkok, and while the offer was tempting, Morrigan knew it would mean saying goodbye to her boys. Her boys–Astor Mayfair & Ashton Ryder–one was a soulmate and the other a beloved brother. They’d come to see her at her worse, but had never left her side. Why wouldn’t she want to raise her child with them? As messy and difficult as it would be, Morrigan wasn’t going anywhere.

Walking back into her bedroom, Morrigan carried two hot mugs of coco ( topped with whip cream and cinnamon, of course ). Ash had just finished dragging the heavy ikea delivery box from the hall into her room, and began to open it. “Here. I can already see the stress lines forming on your face.” Morrigan handed him a mug with a small laugh, setting her own on her dresser. Slowly, she sat herself down on her knees and dug into the box to find the directions. “Alright. No going back.” 

Ashton had lived in Moscow almost all his life, discounting his human adventures. And yet he wouldn't necessarily call it home. He belonged here, it's where his purpose is, but he simply just had nowhere else to go, calling it a home was a bit much. Not until Morri and Astor moved in to Moscow, not until Morri was having a kid, did home start to be more than just a forgotten word. He was usually out on missions and tasks, meetings and strategy talk, war was messy and never ending. But when he does have a few hours off, he pours it towards Morri and the coming baby. Sitting down staring at the daunting box from IKEA. 

He took a pen knife to open up the box finding everything in pieces, honestly considering why they couldn't have just bought a crib. He frowned at the pieces as Morri came in with two cups of cocoa. He graciously accepts it mumbling as he brought the mug to his lips, "You are God's saving grace you know that, bless you." He sighed and settled his own mug aside, getting to work to pulling out the parts and separating them into whichever were the same things. "I don't think there was ever going back the moment we stepped into IKEA," he chuckled, inspecting the larger wooden panels, most likely the cribs legs. "Alright what's the first step?"

[ashtonryder]

@rxmandrake

Though Ashton was briefly filled in with the whole incident from Astor and Jonathan, it still itched him that he doesn’t know the full story, or that he couldn’t help, or rather was not needed to help. He was glad that it worked out and everyone got back safe, even if it meant someone like Roman, adding to the list of lycans Ashton needs to awkwardly face in the estate. It’s a conspiracy theory that he’s just been sent here to torment him with the lycans he was ordered to kill and have not, or with the family and friends of the lycans that he was ordered to kill and have. It was late in the night, evidence of daylight almost lurking in the dark sky, but Ashton wanted a few moments more outside, alone in comfort with the stars before the sun chased him back in. He sat by the edge of the swimming pool, legs dangling into the cold water, leaning back on the palm of his hands. If there was anything he could be thankful to in Tuscany, is the gift of the breathtaking sky, every single night calming and stable, helping him feel just that. If he couldn’t smell the lycan’s presence from a mile away, Ashton could’ve easily tuned out the fact that he was approaching but every instinct in him can’t avoid it. Talking about perfect timing when you’re thinking of somebody. He craned his neck to look at Roman, not giving much away on his expressions when he doesn’t even really know how to feel. But there was a strained lightness in his tone, words revealing what he’s been informed of already.

“Didn’t know you were so sought after to be kidnapped, I thought that was my job.”

[zalfieworld]

[ashtonryder]

@mementomorri

[ashtonryder]

There's a note taped to the outside of Ashton's shared apartment door, left especially for him to find, with nothing written on it but a big smiley face. How annoying would it be if all the doorknobs inside your home were coated in a thick, generous, hard-to-clean-off layer of Vaseline? Ashton's about to find out.

He of course found the smiley note weird at the least, alarming at the most. Ashton peeled off the note to inspect it, finding nothing else suspicious on it as he went inside their home. Everything seemed in placed, nothing moved, nothing destroyed, nothing placed, other than Margot running up to greet him, no sense of any other presence in the house. His guard was slowly dropping as he checked the living room and kitchen. Nothing seemed to be wrong and Margot wasn’t stuffed into the oven so.. Ashton almost seem to shrug it off, retreating into his room until he tried to turn the door knob, and felt the thick, slick substances as his hand slipped out of his grip on the knob. “The hell..” He finally paid attention to the one tiny thing that actually was out of place, and he paused, giving a disgruntled look at the smiley face note mocking him. As if his own door wasn’t enough, heading towards the bathroom, he was greeted with the same treatment. All the doorknobs had Vaseline on them. ...Why. He stood alone in his home with a handful of Vaseline, dreading the mess he’d have to clean without the reach of cleaning supplies, all behind doorknobs.

[ashtonryder]

morri

She couldn’t help the snort that came out. “Did you just use ‘vacation’ and ‘Jonathan’ in the same sentence?” None of the death dealers really understood the concept–Ashton being a prime example. Morrigan appreciated the hug she was pulled in to. There were times she couldn’t handle being touched ( though she’d been doing much better in the past few years ) and the boys were always gentle with her because of it. 

Morri groaned at the feeling of wet tomato sauce being painted on her face, crying with surprise. “Ash! Oh this is so gross.” She said the words with a laugh, trying to hold her head back slightly so she didn’t drip on herself. “Lili! I need back up.” Morrigan turned around so that her approaching daughter could see the mustache. Lili’s face spread into a grin, finding it instantly hilarious. “Hey–Don’t laugh. Get him back for me!” Morrigan instructed, slyly nodding to the open butter container left out by the sink. Liliana stuck her hand into the tub without hesitation, mischievous snickering as she approached Ash with her hand held out in front of her. Morri bent down to pick her daughter up, letting her reach up to smack her uncle’s face and smear it with butter. “Yeah, really get in there.” Morrigan laughed. 

"Exactly, case in point. No one ever expects it. This is just an elaborate vacation plan." Sarcasm oozing from his words, he doubt the humans would fit in any category of vacation. But he knew vacation wasn't exactly in their vocabulary, feeling fidgety at the thought that he's been given nothing to do. Ashton was still careful with Morri, sometimes hesitant to give to most instinctive level of comfort he has, instead being soft and gentle. 

Unless it were these instances of family warfare. "Gross? You're gonna eat it anyways." He was in full laughter with both of them, it was beautiful sound that rang around the house, something Ashton had lost so long ago and will always cherish. The mother had brought out her tiny secret weapon who seemed more than happy to get into it. He saw it coming, her hand filled with butter but he let it happen, squeezing his eyes shut in anticipation. "Ugh, see now that’s gross." He said trying not to get the butter in his mouth. Margot had trailed behind Lili and if Morri gets a partner he does too, he bent down picking the dog up, she began licking his own face at first sight, "No Margooot, the other way," he shoved Margot towards Lili as she began her own attack of kisses.

[leescheyenne]

A look™

[ashtonryder]

astor

The pout on his lips was already forming, but he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t doubt for a second that Ash was actually tired, the same new kind of tired that he himself had been feeling since they’d arrived in Tuscany, and it had nothing to do with all the unpacking. And to be fair on that front, most of what was left was his shit. Though, the pout was wiped off his face by Ash’s next comment. So what if he was influenced by the kid? And to be fair, that was probably better than him influencing her… so there. Another childish antic, that he kept in his head, lest he prove Ash’s point. Instead, he did as he was asked and dropped several blueberries onto the other pancake. These domestic moments were so easy, came so naturally with them. It didn’t bother him anymore, but it also didn’t do anything to soothe the near constant ache in his chest. He kept his sigh to himself, he was keeping a lot of things to himself lately. Not that it was anything new, but this was the first time it felt… weird to do so. “Fine, fine. We’ll see if I’m up to asking nicely tomorrow, yeah? I think I’m all tapped out of everything for the night.” He spaced out for a moment, that mind of his wandering the way it did, until a pancake was slid his way. He was half tempted to be a barbarian and eat it sans utensils, but he’d had enough of Ash’s judgey little eyes for the night, so he opened a drawer and grabbed a fork before he dug into his first one. He took a large bite and swallowed, not bothering to go for the syrup until his second bite, humming in his small moment of contentment before picking his head up and looking Ash’s way. He had no idea how much he’d wanted food. “So you heard anything from Jonathan since we’ve been here? I know we’re still in the starting stages, but the silence is a little… daunting.”

Ashton knows that he won when Astor says nothing but pout in return. Most of their banter ends that way and he flashed a fleeting triumphant smile, almost taunting Astor to argue back as the silence lulled between them, hands still working around in the kitchen. He only murmured a soft thanks to interrupt it, with a small glance and smile to Astor when the blueberries were placed on the rest of the pancakes, looking longer than he should, and then it was quiet once more. But between them, the silence wasn’t anything unnerving, it was calm and comforting. Astor’s presence has a way of doing that, though Ashton wasn’t exactly sure why. Maybe because he understood, he always understood. “I’m sure when you wake up staring at the boxes, you will,” but they both know that Ashton would help regardless, it’s not like they have much else to do anyways. He cast a questioning side glance as Astor took the first few bites, flipping the rest of the pancakes in the pan, not even sure if they were any good. The making of it was more on his mind than the end product. Ashton sighed loudly and shook his head when Astor asked, “No. Nothing at all. I’ve bothered him enough but he wasn’t budging.” He turned around to lean back on the counter and fold his arms, “I just.. feel useless right now.” He could’ve simply been left back at Moscow to help keep the HQ running, but he’s here. “And you? Has he told you anything yet?”

[mementomorri]

@astormayfair @ashtonfinryder

[ashtonryder]

morri

Morri leaned against the counter, lost in the thought of the estate bathed in sunlight. It was hard to remember what the warmth of the sun actually felt like–it was a privileged she’d lost long before she became a vampire. “I bet Tuscany is beautiful at sunset.” There was longing in her voice, though she tried not to linger on what was lost for too long. She stood up, offering a small smile to Ashton. “But nighttime will do.” Morrigan pulled out a knife and began slicing french bread, buttering each piece and setting them on a tray. It was her only real contribution to the night’s dinner, not that anyone seemed to mind. 

“It’s better than I expected. More homey, you know?” Morrigan let out a small snicker, adding, “I wonder who the hell found this place? I can’t imagine KeKet or Romulus particularly favoring a place so warm and beautiful.” Tuscany was full of life and culture, and Morrigan was somewhat calmed by that. She didn’t feel trapped here, despite the circumstances. “It makes me rethink going back to Moscow–I mean, if that even ends up an option.” The words reminded her just how much their lives were up in the air right now. If the war ended, would the death dealers disband? Publicly, maybe… “No matter what, we’ll stick together, right?” Morri asked quietly, unsure of what answer she might be given. 

She finished with the bread, dropping the knife in the sink and washing her hands. Morri flicked her wet hands at Ash, catching him with water droplets. 

Ashton followed her gaze looking outside trying to imagine seeing and being under sunlight again, “I bet..” But all they had was darkness, it wasn’t too bad, they still had the moon and the stars, but what he’d do for the warmth once more. He grinned back, bringing his focus to their dinner once more before things start to burn, opening the jar of sauce, “True, plus Tuscany is a famous place for its night sky so win-win.” He was secretly excited when he found out after doing some research, the space boy in him excited to have a field day with this place when time permits. 

Morri was right about the homey bit. He lived in Moscow for so long, mostly alone, even when Morri and Astor moved over there, the place itself never really felt like home. “Maybe Jonathan really wanted a vacation from the cold.” It’s hard to ever see Jonathan taking a vacation from anything, but who else did Ashton learn his habits from? He remembered the outburst from the other two about moving to Tuscany especially with Lili. Ashton didn’t exactly have a choice so he didn’t argue but you can bet they were partially reluctantly dragged here by conditions that they stayed together. No matter what changed that was always the constant. He paused from cooking to look at Morri when she asked her quiet question. A small smile arose as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave a light squeeze, “Always.” He wasn't sure if it was physically possible when the circumstances come but Ashton was at least certain that emotionally and in every decision, they'll always stick together.

Ashton flinched away from the water being flicked onto his face, "Hey!" He laughed, taking the spoon and placing a finger in the sauce painting a stroke of pasta sauce under Morri’s nose, finding it hard to not crack up at her new mustache.

[lhzthepoet]

I am not just war. No one ever is.

Midnight Excerpts #46 // L.H.Z

[ashtonryder]

ophelia

“Yeah- of course, take whatever.” She gestured to the plate of muffins, but there were always going to be more. All her recipes had been scaled for twelve or more, and that wasn’t going to just go away because suddenly there weren’t a table of siblings waiting for plates of cookies. Instead of watching the emptiness grow on her kitchen table, there was someone willing to take them off her hands. “I’ll be sure to make a plate of beignets soon.” And maybe she’d bring them around, though it seemed like a far off possibility. She wasn’t good with kids- she could blame it on that.

It’s easy to bypass his next point ( was it noise when she was staring down the rest of her life without family? a few years of silence was one thing, but staring down a century? ) in favor of some more small talk that she can actually stomach. She had no plans of getting to know any of them past hallway pleasantries.”He’s great.” Though she knew most of her knowledge came from letters that they’d written, cramped pages with smeared ink as she tried to fit in every detail of her life that he would find interesting and vice versa. It was different now, hearing everyone refer to him as a prince. “How’d you run into each other?”

"Thank you, they'll be so happy to have some," Ashton strolled over to the muffins, helping himself to one for now. The closer he went to them, the stronger the scent, and it was almost comforting and homely. He gingerly picked one up, glancing to Ophelia to get her approval to have one right now while they still cooled. “Let me know when you do, I’ll try to help and earn a piece,” he mumbled before taking a bite at the muffin. No matter what Ophelia baked, it could hardly ever go wrong. “And I’m pretty sure these muffins won’t be any problem to you.” He perked up before he continued, hoping to give suggestions if she wanted them, “you know what goes well with oranges? Chocolate.”

He was almost surprised by Ophelia’s opinion of the lycan, he didn’t really know that the two of them knew each other well. “Same way here, just the welcome wagon.” He wasn’t exactly the very sharing type with Ashton, but he couldn’t blame the heir when he’s standing in front of a death dealer. “I don’t think he likes me very much yet,” he chuckled, looking down at his muffin before taking another bite, “And how did you guys know each other?”