a blush blooms across tanned cheeks, the idea of asher taking care of him was enough to fluster ari. āo-oh, yeah?ā he stammers, a bashful smile curling into his lips. ādo you have experience in nursing people back to life following heartbreak and too much alcohol?ā a deadly combination. but, at least ariās in good hands. he doesnāt know why, but he trusts asher. something about how honest he was and the way he carries himself with ease, itās as if heās openly himself and unapologetic for it. ari finds it refreshing - - heās so used to apologizing for who he is ( for feeling too much, for being too sensitive, the list is endless ), but asher seems to be confident in who he is. and for good reason, ari is already enthralled.
fingers tap nervously on the table as he waits for asher, trying not to sneak glances over his shoulder at the other. asher was gorgeous and selfless, how did ari end up here? it almost feels like a fanciful dream after the nightmare his ex put him through. ari wonders if his mind is making it all up, until he hears the clink of glasses on the table. asherās question settles over him, heart clenching in pain - - but he finds solace in espresso hues. āoh, uhmā¦ā he nods, foot accidentally tapping asherās beneath the table. when the other calls his ex by the wrong name, ari canāt help but laugh. he doesnāt know if itās purposeful or not, but he appreciates it. ājacksonā¦heā¦ā eyes flicker up to asherās for a moment before he glances back down at the table. āhe cheated. a few times.ā a shaky exhale escapes him. āi know, i shouldnāt have taken him back, but he promised me he wouldnāt do it again. i caught him, thoughā¦last week ago. and i got sad.ā eyes flutter closed for a moment, flashbacks of tears and heartbreak before he kicked jackson out. but, jackson had a way of crawling back into ariās life. āi took him back again.ā he feels ashamed just admitting it. āand he decided today that my emotions were too muchā¦that i needed to get over it.ā shakes his head, long hair flopping into his face before he actively seeks asherās gaze - - the eyes that anchor him. a gentle smile plays on his lips, āand then you saved the day.ā