Let's Talk About Somethin [Ash]

[cally]

(ooc - god.. i couldn't think of a title lol)

Gale headed up to the library to find a quiet place to read a book he'd forgotten he had packed. The Common Room was way too crowded and he couldn't concentrate in his own dorm room so he hoped the library would be able to offer a quiet place with good lighting.

He would much rather be spending his time with his boyfriend but since he had a free period and Jasper didn't there wasn't much he could do. It was raining outside so spending the free time outside wasn't an option so finding a quiet place was the only thing left to do. He was caught up on his homework for once and needed a little 'me' time anyway. What better way to spend it with one of his favorite books from home?

He found his place on one of the comfy chairs in the large library and he settled down to read Wicked. It was a semi old book.. newer when he was born but he still loved the story. He shifted in the chair to sit sideways across the cushion, leaning his back against one arm of the chair and dangling his legs over the other one. With a smile on his face he turned to the first page and began reading about Elphaba and her life.

[ashley]

To say that he had been sulking would be a lie, though Ash definitely hadn’t been his happy, bubbly self for the past couple of days. He’d tried, giving the people that he cared about a smile and a nod if they asked whether or not he was alright, but he was fairly sure that at least one or two had caught on. He was a little tired of hiding in the library or doing his physical therapy in the Hospital Wing, but he wasn’t really sure whether or not he should talk to anyone about things.

His relationship with Jake wasn’t public, after all. And he was seriously doubting that it would be, for that matter.

Ever since their night in the Room of Requirement had ended in awkwardness and avoidance, he had been treading on egg shells. Instead of skipping class in the morning they had parted ways as quickly and inconspicuously as possible, exchanging smiles that were – at least on his part – falsely bright. After that he hadn’t even seen the boy around anymore, and he was starting to wonder whether the brunette was avoiding him.

And to think that he had thought things were going well...

Ashley tried to shrug it all off, but it was hard. He wasn’t used to being with someone while he was paralyzed, and he couldn’t help but wonder whether or not it was a factor. His thoughts were definitely settling on the yes it mattered side. No matter how much he hated that.

Wheeling himself into the library, his eyes caught one of his favorite blondes in the school, and how positively adorable he looked while reading. Ash hesitated for all but a second, carefully maneuvering closer to his fellow Hufflepuff. He’d just say hi...unless Gale promised to be in a talkative mood. Then, maybe, he’d stay and chat.

[cally]

Gale had been engrossed in his book, the tip of his tongue peeking out at the corner of his mouth while he read. He turned the page and caught sight of Ashley out of the corner of his eye so he shut the book on his finger keeping his place to say hi. He hadn't seen Ashley around too much late since he'd been seeing more of Jasper and Ashley had been hanging out with a Ravenclaw. Though the last couple of days he saw Ash in the common room a lot more all of a sudden. Gale hadn't gotten the time to ask if something was up but this seemed to be the perfect time.

"Hey Ashley" he said smiling at the other boy. His blue eyes tried to figure out how Ash was feeling today but couldn't tell which mood he was in, but his eyes seemed to be a little sad. "How're you?" he shifted a little in the chair to sit up more as he slipped a bookmark in between the pages to hold his place instead of his finger and he left the book resting in his lap.

[ashley]

Ash smiled back at his friend, knowing that Gale was one of the people who had noticed. The blonde was one of his closest friends and, being an artist, he saw a lot of things that others didn’t. Things that involved the look in his eyes, which was probably why he felt like focusing his brown ones on anything but the others inquisitive gaze. Running fingers through his messy hair, he took a deep breath, carefully lifting his face so that Gale could see. After all, what was the point in hiding from his friends?

”I’m...well, I think fine would not be the truth” He sighed somewhat, looking at the book that the other Hufflepuff had been reading. He didn’t like the thought of disturbing him, but Gale had asked, so he wouldn’t be too upset by this turning into a long story, would he?

”How are you?” He was chickening out a little, wondering whether or not Jake would be mad if he talked about stuff with someone else. ”I’m kinda...I don’t know. I think I ruined my chances with this guy I’ve been hanging with.” There was a pout on his face, partly because he didn’t want things to seem so serious, partly because he really felt bad about things.

[cally]

Gale's smile faded a little when Ash admitted he wasn't fine, now he was sure something was going on. He pushed the book off of his lap til it was on the seat cushion between him and the back of the chair so he didn't look like he was just waiting to get back to his book. It could wait even if he loved the story between the pages. A friends happiness was more important at the moment, especially if Gale could help him out.

"I'm okay..missing Jasper" he didn't think the situation called for ignoring the question Ashley asked him, but that wasn't going to detour him from asking what was going on. Then Ash started to answer without him asking. Tilting his head to the side just a bit with a quizzical expression he kept his eyes on Ash. "Ruined things how? I know that it's private and stuff, but I'll try to help if I can"

The pout on Ashley's face was cute but sad. Gale almost moved and patted the cushion for the other to join him but didn't know how that would work out. He realized then that even though Ash was a good friend he'd never been one to help him out of his wheel chair to a regular chair or something and that made him feel bad. "If you want to chat about it you can sit here with me" he suggested, moving to sit right in the chair to show that it was big enough for them both if Ash wanted to move.

[ashley]

Gale was such a cutie. Sometimes Ashley just wanted to lean in and squish the boy, but he doubted that Jasper would really approve. Regardless of the rumours, the boy felt that he had to give their relationship at least a chance, and he would never say a bad thing about the Ravenclaw. Who was he to judge on someone that he hardly knew, after all? He was sure that Gale was smart enough to know what he was getting into anyway. So maybe he wasn’t a Ravenclaw himself, but that didn’t mean he was stupid. The only thing that mattered was that they loved each other.

”Thanks” It was said softly, the boy giving him a smile. He was fine in his wheelchair, though the thought of cuddling a little with his friend was something he was unlikely to pass up. ”If you could help me, that’d be awesome.” It didn’t take the two of them long to make themselve comfortable in the large chair, Ashley leaning his head against Gale’s shoulder for a moment. He still wasn’t sure whether or not telling him about Jake was the right idea, but he knew that his friend would keep it a secret.

”It’s just...I don’t know. I got beat up by these Slytherins, and Jake was all Mr Hero, which was great. He took me out to dinner, suggested we spend the night together in the Room of Requirement...you know, it was like all the signs were there.” Ashley could hardly believe the words when he was saying those things. It all seemed so far away now. So unreal. ”We spent most of the night talking and cuddling and kissing. It was just...so great. And then all of a sudden, he brushed me off. He gave in when I suggested skipping class and I kinda...said I loved him”

Ash cringed at that, knowing full well how bad those words must have sounded. Still, apologizing for it hadn’t made things easier. If anything, they had made them worse. ”He knew I didn’t mean it like that, but he still brushed me off, like I was just...I don’t know. A toy, or whatever. He just turned around and fell asleep, and the next morning he barely said anything to me before he rushed off for class.”

[cally]

While he helped Ash into the plush chair he thought about what he knew about Jake the Ravenclaw. He knew his last name started with an M.. and he had gorgeous icey blue eyes, and he played Quidditch. That was about it and he was interested to know more about him from Ash. The Ravenclaws at the school were really amazing people, since his boyfriend was one he hoped that Ash's was just as good.

"No problem" he grinned slightly at Ashley once he was settled in next to Gale. Smiling at him when the other boy leaned his head on his shoulder, Gale nuzzled his hair affectionately. It wasn't anything new to see Mr. Talor-Kinney nuzzling or kissing on random people, he liked the close contact of others and when doesn't a hug or a kiss make someone feel good?

Letting Ash talk, he leaned his head against Ash's head looking at the pattern on the run underneath the chairs around them as he listened. How cute was that? Jake saving Ash and then whisking him off to dinner and a late night cuddle spree. Jake sounded like a sweetheart.. then Ash spilled the little detail of saying those three words. Shit.

He looked at Ash seeing the cringe and he knew how bad those words had an effect on someone when they didn't feel the same way or wanted nothing of the sort to happen. "Well.." he murmured, collecting his thoughts for a moment trying not to just call Jake an arse without knowing everything, but he couldn't help himself. "He sounds like an arse.." he shook his head a little "Did you try to explain to him why you said it? Granted it wasn't the best thing to say but he didn't have to give you the cold shoulder for a slip up like that."

[ashley]

"Did you try to explain to him why you said it? Granted it wasn't the best thing to say but he didn't have to give you the cold shoulder for a slip up like that."

Ashley nodded, enjoying the small nuzzle to his hair. He was always very affectionate with his friends, which had on occasion made his boyfriends feel jealous. But he knew himself, he knew that nothing would happen between him and someone who was just a mate. Besides, Gale was with someone, and even if he hadn’t been, they were just cuddling. It was like animals huddled together, to do with physical warmth and pleasure. It wasn’t anything sexual, at least not from his side. Never from his side. He was always a hundred percent committed to a relationship, and cheating was one of the things he had a hard time forgiving.

”I did. Or well, I tried. I said that he’d know if I meant them, you know? And that I thought he was a great guy. He pretty much went ’I know you didn’t mean it’ and then said we needed to get some sleep.” He practically cringed again, rubbing his forehead and sighing as he leaned closer to Gale, needing that physical closeness right now. Sure, he could pretend that he didn’t care, but he did. He had honestly thought that this could lead somewhere.

”Guess I’m just stupid. I mean, why did I even think that it could be something?” Ashley didn’t want to look at Gale as he said it, knowing that he’d end up crying if he looked into those eyes for too long. ”He’s in the closet, and he’s obviously not ready for something serious. Let alone with someone like me.”

[cally]

Gale arched a brow before shaking his head a little with a sigh "Men.. can't live with em, can't live without em" he murmured, smiling just slightly to make the situation a little less dire. He thought that Jake would come around. Ash said he was in the closet so those three little words probably scared him shitless and he'd come around soon enough. He hugged Ash closer pressing a comforting kiss against his cheek.

"You're not stupid, Ash. Nowhere near stupid, you just had a slip of the tongue. If he's still hiding in the closet give him some time. A week at the most to let him realize that you really didn't mean it like that. Or go and find him and pin him to a corner and tell him you don't expect the same from him" He looked at Ash the last of his sentence registering with him and he shook his head again "Someone like you is special and any guy who has you is lucky. I think Jake will come around..he just has to figure things out for himself"

"We were all once curious but stupidly shy and apprehensive closet cases once" he joked, knowing he was one for a little while but most people knew he was gay or suspected so it wasn't exactly a big deal when he came out to everyone he knew.

[ashley]

"You're not stupid, Ash. Nowhere near stupid, you just had a slip of the tongue. If he's still hiding in the closet give him some time. A week at the most to let him realize that you really didn't mean it like that. Or go and find him and pin him to a corner and tell him you don't expect the same from him"

Gale was being super nice, but he just didn’t seem to understand. It wasn’t even the timing that had been off, the words had been all wrong. Jake hadn’t seemed to want to hear them, period. That was what freaked him out, because he knew that at some point, in this relationship, he would want to say them. He would mean them, and if the Ravenclaw didn’t want that from him, then this was doomed from the start. And if it was doomed, then he didn’t even want to try, because falling in love with someone who didn’t return those feelings was the worst thing in the world. Yes, Ashley was really good at this if-logic that led his brain to travel such unhappy roads.

"Someone like you is special and any guy who has you is lucky. I think Jake will come around..he just has to figure things out for himself"

He tried to smile, closing his eyes for a moment as he leaned closer to Gale, needing the affection and attention from someone. He’d feel selfish if it wasn’t so damn obvious that the other Hufflepuff was crazy about someone else. So cuddling was good, they both knew that nothing would come of it. ”I just..I dunno. I don’t think Jake wants to be lucky. And maybe he shouldn’t. Maybe he should just find some uncomplicated guy to satisfy his bicuriosity. Merlin knows it’s never going to be uncomplicated with me. I can hardly blame him if he decides not to go for the disabled guy.” He sounded a little harsh towards himself, pain obvious in those brown eyes.