Bubble for your thoughts...[Ash]

[mikeym]

Jake's grin got even wider when Ashley squeaked, it was cute. Ash was cute..that wasn't something that Jake could deny at this point. He arched a brow when Ash threatened to run him over with his wheelchair "Guess I'll have to buy a pair of steel toed boots then to protect my feet from those dangerous stainless-steel wheels of yours" he kept making little jokes, which were still teasing but in a nice way.

"Is there anything that is safe?" he murmured, smiling some before he glanced at Ash's long-ish hair. It suited the boy "It looks nice on you.. I couldn't pull off the longer hair" he made a slight face at just the thought. "I'd look like a dark haired Shaggy.." That was a horrible thought, Jake liked looking neat even if he was a grease monkey from working at the garage on cars but to add Shaggy hair to that picture would make him look like a total bum in his mind.

Jake stared at Ash when he said that. "I do? Really?" was all that came out as a reply. A stupid sounding reply at that which made Jake almost groan at his own stupidity. He just looked at him for a moment his pale blue eyes roaming over Ash's face noticing a scar through his eyebrow before eventually they landed on his pouty lips. Unconsciously licking his own lips he drug his eyes back up to look at the chocolate brown eyes.

Then he broke the little magic feeling that was in the air. He had to before something happened. Blinking a couple of times he turned his head away inhaling quietly but it was a breath to calm himself down. "How..." he started to ask how he was going to get Ash into the tub but then noticed the stairs off to one side and he made his way over to start down them "You can hit me if I drop you, but I'll try hard not to."

[ashley]

The joking around was nice and Ash found himself relaxing into the others arms more and more with each little jab. He barely realized the compliment that Jake gave him, too focused on the fact that he wasn’t supposed to kiss him, wasn’t supposed to even want that. Hadn’t he promised himself, after their first meet, that he would convince the Ravenclaw not every gay man wanted to get in his pants? Ravaging him when the other was just doing him a favor really wouldn’t work too well in that situation.

He just nodded when the older male asked him, in that cute surprised tone, if Ash meant what he’d said..about making him happy. It was too difficult to talk when the other licked his lips, when he knew deep down that his voice would betray him. Not that his eyes weren’t, which was probably why he tried so hard not to look directly at Jake. It was stupid to think that there was any kind of sexual tension between the two of them. Jake was a friend who was helping him out, simple as that.

Jake turned away, and Ashley registered just how flirtatious he’d been acting, a faint blush on his cheeks as he noticed the position they were still in. It was probably a good thing that they would move, break apart as soon as they were in the water. He might not have full control over his lower regions, but there was plenty in his features that showed the attraction he felt to the older Ravenclaw.

[mikeym]

Jake kept quiet as he concentrated on getting into the tub without dropping Ash or falling in with him. He had thought about the look on Ash's face just a few moments ago and he wondered if Ash was starting to like him or not. It didn't make him feel that uncomfortable actually.. it flattered him. Since the other boy hadn't replied verbally Jake wondered if he had made Ash uncomfortable instead of the other way around.

Once his feet hit the bottom of the pool he smiled slightly "Ha..didn't drop you" he murmured, hoping to lure Ash back into speaking. The silence felt odd between them and he knew that it was probably partly his fault for doing something. "Did you want to sit on the bench in here over by the side?" he asked softly, he hadn't moved yet and was still holding onto Ash. He thought about dropping his legs to just hold onto him around the waist but he didn't let go just yet.

[ashley]

"Did you want to sit on the bench in here over by the side?"

Ashley had been very selfishly drinking in the scent of Jake Masello, his face still pressed against the others neck as if he was going to nuzzle him there. For a moment he felt tempted, but he knew that it would just make matters worse, not better. Jake might drop him, turn away from him and refuse to be his friend, which made him a lot sadder than he had expected. So when he pulled back he smiled, trying to hide his feelings the best he could. Yes he liked him and no, he wasn’t very good at hiding it, but he was trying to be good. Trying not to turn this into something it wasn’t supposed to be.

”Bench sounds good” He finally answered, skin sensitive to the Ravenclaws touch. He inhaled deeply, nostrils filling with that unique scent as he managed a smile that wasn’t too convincing. ”I’m sorry” Ash offered awkwardly, biting on his bottom lip and hoping that the other wouldn’t make a big deal out of this. ”I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable...It’s just been a long time since someone was so close to me.”

It probably sounded like he didn’t care about Jake at all, that any random person would have made him feel this way. ”Most people don’t like touching me. Like I spread a disease or something.” That was really the best way he could put it without downright saying that he liked him.

[mikeym]

The hairs on the back of Jake's neck were standing up slightly, and his skin was a bit warmer than normal wherever the Hufflepuff touched him. Jake was ignoring most of these little feelings and tell tale signs that he was attracted to Ash because mostly it scared him. He nibbled on his lip as he waited patiently for Ash to answer him he smiled a little whenever he finally did. "Okay" he mumbled, heading over to the side of the tub, feeling with his foot to find the bench, not wanting to hurt either of them if he just walked into it.

Listening to Ash explain quietly he shook his head, glancing at his face "You aren't.. not really.. but it's still okay" he said softly, finding the bench quicker than he would have liked but he still hesitated in lowering Ash down onto it, not setting the blond down just yet. He didn't want to admit it, but he really didn't mind cuddling someone again. He'd missed that about being with someone. He shifted Ash a little in his arms, getting a little twinge signaling the possible start of a cramp which made his hand run up and down Ash's side for a second until he found a spot to ease the cramping.

His brow furrowed a bit and he looked at Ash with disbelief on his face "Why would anyone think you were spreading a disease? Just because of the chair?" he didn't even think about it might be because Ashley was gay, but that would be an even stupider reason for someone to think he had something. Jake opened his mouth to say something, but closed it since the words on the tip of his tongue sounded a bit like a come on to him. Telling Ash that he liked touching him would only put more tension between them so he just kept quiet and gently set Ash down on the bench.

[ashley]

He was happy to hear that he didn’t make Jake uncomfortable, breathing out a sigh of relief as the other looked at him. Ashley looked back, brown eyes warm and a little curious. He couldn’t figure him out. One moment Jake acted nothing but straight and the next he was brushing his hand over his side, being so gentle with him. For the moment, Ash chalked it up to nerves and their blossoming friendship. And if it was something different, well then he was definitely not the right boy to bring it up. He knew that there was something there, possibly, but he didn’t want to draw Jake out on it.

"Why would anyone think you were spreading a disease? Just because of the chair?"

The Hufflepuff nodded, biting his bottom lip for a moment. It was hard to own up to something like this, to see himself as anything but an ordinary boy. ”Some people think that it’s freaky, touching someone who can’t feel it.” He took Jake’s hand absently, stroking his own leg with those warm fingers. ”They get scared, like it’s going to happen to them too. It’s ridiculous, but it’s people.” He himself didn’t like the numb feeling either, but there was little he could do. Ash was forced to massage them every night to make sure enough blood flowed down to his toes.

As the older male gently sat him down onto the bench, Ash was hesitant in unwrapping his arms from the boys neck. He liked being close to him, liked to be able to cuddle someone without it being incredibly awkward. Seth wasn’t much of a hugger and neither were any of his other close friends. Unless you counted Callie, but she was a girl, so it would always be different.

[mikeym]

Jake could barely figure himself out, so he was sure he was sending crazy mixed signals to Ash. He tried not to, but it seemed like he couldn't really control his feelings or reactions as much as he could normally when he was around the Hufflepuff. Too bad there wasn't a switch in his head someplace that he could flip to just decide for him. Jake thought that would make things a hell of a lot easier than playing this second guessing game with himself and other constantly.

He was a little surprised when Ash put his hand on the blond's thigh, letting him control his hand movements. "That is pretty ridiculous..but yeah, it is people." he said quietly, realizing that even though Ash seemed like a big people person he didn't understand how people could change how they act around him just because of a chair and someone not being able to feel an appendage.

Sitting down next to Ash once he was settled he kept somewhat close, afraid that Ash might possibly slip off the bench into the water and he didn't want that to happen. And he liked being close to the blond, but that wasn't as important as not wanting him to drown. "Not to be even more nosey.. but what kind of exercises do you do?" he asked curiously, wondering if he could possibly help Ash. He really would like to see Ash standing on his own two feet someday, literally.

[ashley]

Ashley let go of his hand when he’d demonstrated his point, letting his own fall into his lap with a small sound as they hit the water. He always liked swimming, liked how weightless everything felt in the water. Even though he couldn’t move his legs, they didn’t feel as much as dead weight as they usually did when he was in his chair. The fact that Jake stayed close made him smile again, sighing softly as he realized the Ravenclaw was not going to make this easy on him. Really, the boy ought to open his eyes and see what was in front of him.

”Exercises? Well, I have massage therapy. I pretty much try to massage my legs every day, keep the blood flowing and all that. And then, most days, I go to physio...They put me inbetween two handles, and I have to try and walk. Mostly it’s just dragging myself by my arms though. It’s hard.” No one had ever asked him what he did to get back on his feet again and he was surprised that Jake seemed so interested. Ashley didn’t really know how to explain things though, since it was pretty much a Muggle way of rehabilitation. They had told him no magic could cure his disability and that this was the best way to ever regain some feeling in his legs.

[mikeym]

Jake didn't think it was weird to touch Ash's leg when Ash himself couldn't feel it, it made him want to try and help him more... if he wanted help that is. He leaned back against the side of the pool, hoping that Moaning Myrtle didn't make an appearance tonight. She had once or twice before to spy on him, giggling in a drain or two or she'd show herself and scowl at the pretty mermaid on the wall.

He nodded when Ash finished explaining his 'exercises'. "I used to watch a couple of medical shows on television. There was one where someone was relearning how to walk and his mother would massage his legs like you said you do, and she'd bend his knees up and stuff. Do you do that at the massage therapy or physio?" he asked tilting his head a little and he started messing with the shells on his bracelet. Not in a nervous habit but just one he did when he was sitting and wanted to do something with his hands.

[ashley]

God, Jake was so nice. Ashley couldn’t help wanting to smile at him every time those blue eyes were directed at his own. The fact that the older male was trying to come up with ways to relate to what was happening was completely endearing, and the Hufflepuff watched him play with his bracelet for a few moments. ”I have to do the massages alone every day, and in massage therapy she’s giving me tips and stuff...and bending my knees and everything like you said.” It was nice that the other seemed to understand what he was going through, if only because he had seen it on tv.

”Sometimes I wish my mum could do it. It’s not very painful, but because I have to do everything with my hands, they get cramped occasionally.” His voice was soft as he thought of his parents. Most of the time, Ashley tried not to dwell on it. What good would it do to feel all horrible over something that had happened and couldn’t be undone? But he still talked to them regularly, mostly when he was in his bed at night, after waking up from another horrible nightmare. Or sometimes when he was alone, in the beautiful flower patches that Hogwarts had to offer. Professor Longbottom often left him there on his own, knowing without having to ask what was going through the young boys brain. It was partly why he adored the man.