Nicolas didn’t know Asher well. They were, of course, acquainted due to their positions. Regardless, Nicolas believed in making allies with like minded individuals. It was his hope that Asher was of a similar mindset. Nico did his best to stay out syndicate affairs, even if he had his own ties to them. He hoped Asher was the same. So it was with that in mind that he’d scheduled a meeting with the other guild leader.
“Mr. Brandt,” Nicolas nodded as he was shown into his office. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
Who: Nathan, Asher, Jasper and their family.
Where: Asher’s Car, The Park Family House.
Warnings: Triggers with abandonment.
“Nathan, get in the car--” Asher muttered as he stared at the newly teal dyed male. Leaning on his car with his arms crossed he furrowed his brows as Nathan shook his head.
“Nah-- nope,” Nathan muttered. Causing both Asher and Jasper to groan as they rolled their eyes at their friend.
“Get in the fucking car or Sawyer will drive up here and drag you back to Jacksonville himself-- and he's on a date with his girlfriend, do you really want to open that can of worms?” Asher uttered. Nathan winced at that image as he pursed his lips. Did he really want his best friend raining down on him with so much guilt, glaring, and yelling. Yeah he could deal with that.
“Nope--” he stated again, eyeing Asher as if to challenge the much older, stronger male.
“I can kill you with one finger, you want to try me?” Nathan mimicked the male annoyingly so before he let out a yell when he felt himself being hoisted over Asher's shoulder comically so it sent Jasper into a fit of giggles.
“You're annoying when you're depressed,” Jasper stated softly as Nathan was shoved into the back seat next to him.
“Lock the doors before he can escape!” Asher pointed to Jasper who activated the kid locks. Nathan tried to open the door to run.
“Kidnapping is illegal!” Nathan yelled, trying to crawl into the front seat as Jasper wrapped around Nathan holding him back as Asher got into the front seat.
“I'm pardoned,” Asher muttered putting the car into drive as Kinsley and Sage waved from their front yard. Nathan rolling down the window as he glared at Kinsley as they drove past. Kinsley sneakingly giving him the finger behind Sage's back who thought the whole scene was fun and games. “You are worse than my son when I take him to the doctors-- you know that?”
“It's what I'm here for,” he muttered with a sigh, leaning back in his seat, he crossed his arms, tugging his hoodie over his head with a small pout. Eyeing the passing buildings and tree as they got onto the freeway towards Jacksonville. The car was silent except for the faint hum of the radio. Jasper was intently reading his book and Asher's eyes on the road, though ever so often he peered back to Nathan whose eyes seemed to get glassy the further they got from Greensville till something clicked in him the moment they got far enough as if it were safe to cry. Letting a few shy tears fall down his cheek, when he thought no one was looking.
Asher stayed silent for the next thirty-ish minutes before he heard a soft mutter leaving Nathan's lips. His heart aching for the male as the words took a moment to become clear. “How come people find beauty in abandoned places but not abandoned people,” his voice uttered softly, using his sleeve to wipe his face as he caught both the Park's attention now. “It's so dumb, a place can't feel pain-- yet it's beautiful when it's over grown and vacant-- but broken, abandon, vacant people are a hindrance of some sort. So easy to be tossed aside. No one takes pictures of broken people but run down mansions are littered on every damn edgy fucking blog you can think of,” his voice tapering off as his rant came to close.
“Because there's a lack of humanity in abandoned objects that makes people feel less guilty-- but broken and abandoned people aren't any less beautiful in comparison. They're more in fact. Buildings can't show the strength a person does when they've gone through hell and come out the fire again. Buildings can't fight back, fight through, fight for something-- they lack that humanity. So sure there's beauty in those things but the real beauty is what humans can endure and come out on the other end like a phoenix from the fire,” he murmured. Peering into the rear view mirror as he saw Jasper gently rubbing Nathan's back whose head was hung down now. “Nathan talk to us--” Asher muttered softly as the male shook his head with a small sigh. Moving to cover his head more with his hood, leaning his head on the window and closing his eyes. Causing Asher to sigh again.
Once to his parents place, Asher parked behind Sawyer's car, getting out as Nathan and Jasper followed. The three walking into the house, Jasper and Asher were engulfed in their mom's arms before she tugged Nathan into her as well, as if she was one of the many boys she gave birth too. “I'm so glad you boys made it, Asher was thinking you weren't going to be here for the bi-weekly dinner, you haven't missed one in three years,” Boyeong cooed as she cupped Nathan's face. Kissing his forehead.
“Sorry, Omma,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around the woman, who held him tightly for some time. So much so minutes later they pulled apart and they were alone. “I'm just not feeling that great.”
“Nathan,” she cooed, running her thumbs under his eyes, gently wiping his face. “I love you like my own. I've seen you from your lowest to your highest. Whatever has you in the dumps you'll shine through it again. Okay? Have I ever once lied to you?” Nathan shook his head with a sheepish grin. “This too shall pass,” she offered out causing the male to nod. “Good, go visit Sawyer, he's been missing you like crazy. He's in the basement watching television,” Nathan nodded again kissing Boyeong's cheek, moving to the stairs, he jogged down to see Sawyer laying on the couch.
“Asher said you had a date,” Sawyer scoffed with a small laugh.
“We broke up this morning, he knew that,” Sawyer muttered softly as he patted the seat next to him. Nathan moving in, fitting against Sawyer's side easily.
“Pity-- what was wrong with this one?” Nathan questioned as he snuggled against Sawyer's side.
“She was being annoying about my family again. I gave her all my time but this one dinner had her acting like I was cheating or something, far to into herself.” Nathan nodded some as his eyes stayed on the television. Blinking a bit as he felt his face move with the urge of Sawyer's finger. Blinking a bit as Sawyer moved in, Nathan's face moved away.
“Not today-- I'm just not wanting it,” Sawyer nodded some as he respected what Nathan wanted, settling in next to him again as he turned back to the TV. They sat in silence till Boyeong called for them to help set the table. Getting up he let Sawyer hold his hand as they walked up the stairs though separating to set the table with the help of Jasper. They all took their spots and soon the table was filled with the entire Park family. Laughing ensued as well as conversation and for a moment or two of even longer. Nathan felt like he could let his weight lift from his shoulders and enjoy the time spent with the rest of them. Just for a moment though.
