[ Ashe chuckles, warm and affectionate, and moves a safe distance away so he can get the fire burning. ]
Of course. It'll be just a minute... [ (one of these days, he's going to teach caspar how to cook. not that he minds taking the lead - it's something he's always enjoyed, but... it's an important life skill. yes, he knows from experience that him and flames are a bad combination, but surely now that they're older and entirely responsible for their own well-being, things will go more smoothly!)
When they began their journey, Ashe had his doubts about being able to fall into a comfortable rhythm with Caspar. But now, with the sounds of the campfire crackling, their knives chopping, and their easy, casual chatter, he feels at ease. At home, even, despite the lack of a proper roof over his head.
Once all the work is done and the stew bubbles away over the fire, Ashe bundles up in one of their spare blankets and settles next to Caspar. He lets himself lean slightly against his arm, but nothing more - even though the urge to drop his head on his shoulder is there. ] Hey, Caspar. Can I ask you something?
[Caspar doesn't think it gets much better than this. Being cuddled up in front of an open fire with the one person he loves the most. Out in the wilderness with the world at their fingertips. Eating a meal they made together ("together" used loosely). He couldn't ask for more. He wouldn't know what more to ask for if even given the chance.]
[ Ashe turns his head toward Caspar - watches the flames dance in his bright blue eyes. ]
When you invited me to travel with you, I didn't really think about it. I just said yes, because I knew I wanted to stay with you. [ Because the thought of returning to Gaspard alone scared him. He'd gotten so used to having Caspar by his side that imagining a future without him was impossible. And he couldn't ask him to stay - not when that free spirit of his that he admires so greatly calls for him to be just that. Free. Not tied down by land or titles.
He loves him too much to ever ask him for that. ] But I've been wondering... why did you ask me, of all people? N- not that I have any regrets! Just... [ How does he say this? ] if Linhardt didn't get married, I would've thought you'd ask him.
What are you talking about? You "of all people"? [Caspar frowns, though not at all upset.
The way he sees it, he did essentially the same thing as Linhardt. He gets to spend the rest of the days with the person he loves - just without the marriage bit because he's never cared for or had to worry about that obligation.] I asked you because I don't want to be with anyone else. I thought that was obvious.
[ (him "of all people" because caspar has many other friends. not many that would throw their futures into the wind like this, yes, but his point still stands.) ]
I know that you care a lot about me. I see that every day we're together. [ Under the blanket, he wrings his hands together. ] But I feel like I haven't been honest with you. [ His smile wavers. ] I kept things from you because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but I can't anymore. I want to tell you the truth, even if you hate me for it.
[ He takes a little breath. Here goes nothing. ] When I say I want to stay with you, I mean as more than just friends. I... I love you, Caspar. And I want us to be together - romantically.
[As Ashe talks, Caspar begins to feel uncharacteristically scared. He’s not the best at reading the mood, but even he can tell this is going south. This isn’t good – Ashe is gonna leave him, isn’t he? Oh geez, what had he done – they didn’t always see eye to eye on things, but he didn’t think they had disagreed on something so grievous that warranted a ........
a confession?
Wait, what.
Caspar tilts his head, almost comically in confusion.] Aren’t we already together..... romantically?
[ Ashe expects rejection - a flurry of movement to pull away from him, and some loud words - so to hear that burst of laughter and effortless "I love you" in return has him turning beet red in record time.
He chokes out ] You knew? [ then proceeds to try and hide his face in his blanket. Did he really hear him right? He loves him too? And he thought they were already together? ] But you never told me...!
[ Ashe is arguably one of the most skilled archers in all of Fodlan, a war hero, and an aspiration for many. But right now all he can do is whine in the face of his confession not going as planned. ] I didn't know you felt the same...
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Of course. It'll be just a minute... [ (one of these days, he's going to teach caspar how to cook. not that he minds taking the lead - it's something he's always enjoyed, but... it's an important life skill. yes, he knows from experience that him and flames are a bad combination, but surely now that they're older and entirely responsible for their own well-being, things will go more smoothly!)
When they began their journey, Ashe had his doubts about being able to fall into a comfortable rhythm with Caspar. But now, with the sounds of the campfire crackling, their knives chopping, and their easy, casual chatter, he feels at ease. At home, even, despite the lack of a proper roof over his head.
Once all the work is done and the stew bubbles away over the fire, Ashe bundles up in one of their spare blankets and settles next to Caspar. He lets himself lean slightly against his arm, but nothing more - even though the urge to drop his head on his shoulder is there. ] Hey, Caspar. Can I ask you something?
no subject
Yeah? What's up?
no subject
When you invited me to travel with you, I didn't really think about it. I just said yes, because I knew I wanted to stay with you. [ Because the thought of returning to Gaspard alone scared him. He'd gotten so used to having Caspar by his side that imagining a future without him was impossible. And he couldn't ask him to stay - not when that free spirit of his that he admires so greatly calls for him to be just that. Free. Not tied down by land or titles.
He loves him too much to ever ask him for that. ] But I've been wondering... why did you ask me, of all people? N- not that I have any regrets! Just... [ How does he say this? ] if Linhardt didn't get married, I would've thought you'd ask him.
no subject
The way he sees it, he did essentially the same thing as Linhardt. He gets to spend the rest of the days with the person he loves - just without the marriage bit because he's never cared for or had to worry about that obligation.] I asked you because I don't want to be with anyone else. I thought that was obvious.
no subject
I know that you care a lot about me. I see that every day we're together. [ Under the blanket, he wrings his hands together. ] But I feel like I haven't been honest with you. [ His smile wavers. ] I kept things from you because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but I can't anymore. I want to tell you the truth, even if you hate me for it.
[ He takes a little breath. Here goes nothing. ] When I say I want to stay with you, I mean as more than just friends. I... I love you, Caspar. And I want us to be together - romantically.
no subject
a confession?
Wait, what.
Caspar tilts his head, almost comically in confusion.] Aren’t we already together..... romantically?
no subject
You had me really scared for a moment!!
no subject
He chokes out ] You knew? [ then proceeds to try and hide his face in his blanket. Did he really hear him right? He loves him too? And he thought they were already together? ] But you never told me...!
[ Ashe is arguably one of the most skilled archers in all of Fodlan, a war hero, and an aspiration for many. But right now all he can do is whine in the face of his confession not going as planned. ] I didn't know you felt the same...