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[keterclass]

Nephrite Curtiss

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[sacredashes]

[This is the first time Asch is hearing of these plans. To think that Nephrite had been planning to protect him the whole time... and he had no idea. Asch was certain, too, if he had to choose between his family and the Order, that he'd choose the option that would probably kill him. But thankfully it never came to that.

For once, he's quiet on the other end of the line. It's a while before he speaks again. Only when he's sure Nephrite has nothing to add, and Asch is sure that his own voice won't quiver the way he feels like it might.]

It's a good plan. Practical. You've clearly thought about this for some time. In your shoes, I would probably do the same.

[An observation, not an accusation.]

... Still, I have a selfish request. I know it probably won't make sense, but hear me out first.

The next few months are going to be very busy for me. I won't be able to keep an eye on Belle and Zelos like I usually do. I have a routine: in the morning, I usually help make breakfast. It's been... easier to go over to their house and check on them since I was given the keys to a house down the street.

Since I'll be working in Meropide doing who-knows-what for most of the day, and I have several extra rooms, I'd like you to move closer. If you don't want to move in with me that's fine. But, at the very least, I would feel better if your apartment was in the vicinity. That way if something like the board game curse happens again and we're separated, I know you will be close enough to help one another.

... That's all.

[keterclass]

[He sounds so adult. Putting together these logical pieces, laying out his case. And yet still not mature enough to stop hiding behind practicality and admit that this is about his feelings.

He's really growing up fast. It's thrilling and a little heartbreaking. Maybe this will be good for them both.]

It's not a bad idea, but really, can you imagine apartment-hunting at this time of year? Even if I were to find another apartment somewhere closer, I'm sure I'd need to stay in one of your extra rooms for a few months while I was between leases.

[Okay, maybe the hiding behind practicality is more about Asch's upbringing than his maturity.]

I imagine with our busy schedules, we'd be able to avoid getting on one another's nerves too much.

[And he really would like to see Asch more. He never expected to suffer from anything as cliche as "empty nest" but after raising a child, living alone is too quiet for him, leaves him too much to his own thoughts. It was good for Asch to have his own place while they were still in the Order together, to give them time apart; but they'll have plenty of that now. Moving back in would ease the transition a lot.]

[sacredashes]

[He lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.]

That's fine. [He just brushes past all of that like it doesn't bother him, because it doesn't. He just can't stand the thought of Nephrite living in some hovel while Asch has a whole empty house. And it definitely doesn't have something to do with the fact that, until recently, he never really lived alone. There was always someone else with him on assignment, and the rooms at HQ weren't exactly private, more like dorms. And then, in his past life, it was pretty much the same... busy noble house, and then barracks...

For a distant introverted guy, he doesn't go out of his way to avoid people.]

I'm used to your particular quirks, anyway. [Time for Nephrite to come up with some new ones.]

Oh, and I bought a coffee maker when I moved in. It has some kind of espresso function. Maybe you can figure it out.