Oh! [ Well, there goes his plan to not blush around Dedue. Ashe chuckles, a little embarrassed but mostly overjoyed. Even if they're not for him, the fact that Dedue knows his favorite flower and is adding it to the castle's gardens does, indeed, make him very happy. ] They are. I'm... surprised you remembered, honestly.
[ He nervously tucks a few strands of hair behind his ear, dislodging some sawdust in the process. ] They'll certainly fit right in with all the other plants.
[Dedue responds with a hum and returns his attention to the plants. If he looks at Ashe for too long he’ll want to be the one brushing hair out of his face. He mustn’t act unnecessarily. ]
[ Ashe is okay with silence. It's comforting, even, just being in Dedue's presence. It's an odd thought to have during a time of peace, but he feels... safe when he's with him. He doesn't build as many walls around his heart as some of their other classmates, but Dedue's still the only one he's cried in front of - so he knows, without a doubt, that Dedue is there for him no matter what.
So he feels confident enough, once they've finished planting the violets, to ask ] I was wondering, could you get your opinion on something? It's... important. [ "Important" feels like an understatement, but it's the only word he has. ] Do you have time to come by my room later?
[Oh. Is he perhaps going to be let in on their secret now?
Dedue peels his gardening gloves off, giving them a little shake over the emptied sprout holders.]
Of course. We can go now if it pleases you. Duke Fraldarius is keeping His Majesty busy at the moment. [He knows he doesn't have to refer to Felix as such, but if Dedue does then he can at least try to make it sound like he's visiting Dimitri for political purposes and not...... whatever personal business they're getting up to right now. Ashe doesn't need to be keen to that.]
[ Ashe stands up, brushing his hands off on the front of his pants. ] If you're sure... [ Except he knows Dedue wouldn't just offer his time all willy-nilly to him, so he holds out a hand to help him to his feet. ] Thank you. I appreciate it.
[ If he were bolder, he'd keep his hand in his the entire way to his borrowed room. But the most he can manage is a gentle squeeze once Dedue's standing before letting go and heading on their way.
Since the castle's not meant to be home, he's kept his room neater than at the monastery. He has less books now (most of those were from the library, anyway), and they're all organized neatly on a shelf. In fact, the only mess is on his desk, where a pile of papers threatens to spill onto the floor. ]
Please, make yourself at home. [ Once they're both inside and Dedue's taken a seat on the only couch in the room, Ashe makes his way to the desk and starts sorting through the papers. ] I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but... as you probably already know, I turned down His Majesty's offer for knighthood. [ It's still odd to say those words. Being a knight was his dream since... well, since he first read Loog and the Maiden of Wind. But. ] Instead, I'm opening an inn in the city.
[ He returns to Dedue's side with a small stack and a smile. ] Do you remember the night I came back late from that scouting mission? What we talked about then - how our loved ones can live on through our cooking - I've been thinking a lot about that. I want to ensure the memories of my parents to live on...
[ He spreads out the papers on the coffee table in front of them. It's many things - a draft of the menu he's planning to serve, sketches for wood etching, notes for interior design, from colors to plants... there's one common thread, though, that Dedue will pick up quickly. ]
... and, the people of Duscur. [ Ashe looks up at him, shy but earnest. ] I, ah... tried to remember everything you told me about Duscur. But I'm not sure if I got it all right. [ He wrings his hands together in his lap. ] Would you look over it, and tell me what you think?
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[ He nervously tucks a few strands of hair behind his ear, dislodging some sawdust in the process. ] They'll certainly fit right in with all the other plants.
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So he feels confident enough, once they've finished planting the violets, to ask ] I was wondering, could you get your opinion on something? It's... important. [ "Important" feels like an understatement, but it's the only word he has. ] Do you have time to come by my room later?
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Dedue peels his gardening gloves off, giving them a little shake over the emptied sprout holders.]
Of course. We can go now if it pleases you. Duke Fraldarius is keeping His Majesty busy at the moment. [He knows he doesn't have to refer to Felix as such, but if Dedue does then he can at least try to make it sound like he's visiting Dimitri for political purposes and not...... whatever personal business they're getting up to right now. Ashe doesn't need to be keen to that.]
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[ If he were bolder, he'd keep his hand in his the entire way to his borrowed room. But the most he can manage is a gentle squeeze once Dedue's standing before letting go and heading on their way.
Since the castle's not meant to be home, he's kept his room neater than at the monastery. He has less books now (most of those were from the library, anyway), and they're all organized neatly on a shelf. In fact, the only mess is on his desk, where a pile of papers threatens to spill onto the floor. ]
Please, make yourself at home. [ Once they're both inside and Dedue's taken a seat on the only couch in the room, Ashe makes his way to the desk and starts sorting through the papers. ] I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but... as you probably already know, I turned down His Majesty's offer for knighthood. [ It's still odd to say those words. Being a knight was his dream since... well, since he first read Loog and the Maiden of Wind. But. ] Instead, I'm opening an inn in the city.
[ He returns to Dedue's side with a small stack and a smile. ] Do you remember the night I came back late from that scouting mission? What we talked about then - how our loved ones can live on through our cooking - I've been thinking a lot about that. I want to ensure the memories of my parents to live on...
[ He spreads out the papers on the coffee table in front of them. It's many things - a draft of the menu he's planning to serve, sketches for wood etching, notes for interior design, from colors to plants... there's one common thread, though, that Dedue will pick up quickly. ]
... and, the people of Duscur. [ Ashe looks up at him, shy but earnest. ] I, ah... tried to remember everything you told me about Duscur. But I'm not sure if I got it all right. [ He wrings his hands together in his lap. ] Would you look over it, and tell me what you think?