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Ashers to Ashers, Dust to Dust (Gee I wonder who this is)
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 6:44:51 GMT
Asher would have responded about his build, but watching Isaac fall on his face erased his train of thought entirely, causing the spirit user to curl up from laughing so hard. It had been days since he'd laughed. Of course he'd go overboard actually doing so now. If it were any other person, he'd have offered to help the kid up. But, it was Isaac, and Asher just wasn't going to touch that.
"I'm actually telling the truth," the teen fussed a little, taking a more serious tone. "I've thrown up so many times in the past couple days that I stopped bothering to eat." What was the point in wasting food, anyway? Not like he had been particularly hungry anyway. "Doesn't mean that I can't take advantage of exploring a weird world." Since when has being ill ever stopped him? Oh. Actually, retract that thought. It stopped him a lot.
But, at least Elliot was safe. That was all that mattered.
Leaning away from the Yasyamon, he scrunched his face a little. "Yeah, just keep doing that. I'm sure it'll fix your issues." Placing a hand on the ground in front of him, Asher moved slightly to be able to more easily get up. After all, he remembered the last time brotherly actions had come up. "Do you actually want me to respond to that? Because I'm pretty sure that last time I did, you wanted to smash my face in." And, frankly, Asher liked his face!
Also, Isaac was the more skilled spirit user in the room, and could easily accomplish it.
"I'd rather the diagnostics!" Asher chirped, with an incredibly false smile. "It just looked like you were having so much fun in there!" And it didn't involve being stuck with someone he didn't like!
Oh, that reminded him. "So, I saw you have a different name than I've always called you," he started, with a smirk. "Piss Off, huh? That's way more suiting than Isaac. Why didn't you ever tell me that I was pronouncing it wrong?"
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 6:56:33 GMT
Wait, seriously? Isaac blinked a little, trying to figure out how anyone could get that sick. Was he contagious? He and Elliot hadn't had any illness. Or had Asher meant sick from stress? Somehow, Isaac had the feeling that was the answer. Being sick from illness left you in no condition to go to the Digital World. Briefly, Isaac felt a pang of guilt at knowing that he left Asher feeling that way. Another part of him, however, felt vindicated. If Asher was gonna bury his head in the sand and ignore how feelings worked, he could choke on them once they came to the surface for all Isaac cared. It was the least he deserved for treating everyone like they were disposable.
Besides, it wasn't like Asher was alone in wanting to feel sick, here. Just the way Asher jumped on Isaac's rhetorical question did, in fact, make Isaac want to smash him in the face again. "I wouldn't waste your breath" Isaac said, tone dangerous. "I already know the answer to that question perfectly well. Don't need little mister perfect rubbing it in." His grip tightened around his wooden swords. If Asher gave him cause to use these things, he damn well would.
At Asher's chirp of preferring the diagnostics, Isaac cocked an eyebrow. "Is that so?" he asked. "I think I could set a few up for you, if you wanted. And then we can have so much fun together! How does that sound?" His tone was a little too bright, and his grip on his blades was a little too unmoving. "I'll even have the courtesy to shut up during them, so you can just pretend I'm not even here. Then again, you're already a pro at that, aren't you?"
And then the name came out. Isaac glowered slightly. "You think I'm telling those guys my name? Not on my life," Isaac said. "But if you think its such a lovely nickname for me, I should give you one too, huh? How's Ash-hole sound?" Sorry, Isaac, he's probably heard that one at least a million times before.
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 7:09:40 GMT
Ugh. Just thinking about all of this was kind of turning Asher's stomach. If only he hadn't come to the Digital World today. But, it was too late. And, now he was stuck in a box with Isaac. At least this one didn't feel nearly as claustrophobic as the last time.
Slowly, Kinkakumon lifted himself to his feet, shifting to grab his bat off the floor, and drag it with a slight scraping sound. Hey, if Isaac was going to hold weapons that were discomforting, Asher was going to remind him that he had one, too. "Man, I should get you some balloons or something," he hummed, thoughtfully. "I mean, it's like you're in constant pity party mode. What's wrong with you? You actually make me feel like I might be normal!" And that was saying a lot!
But, Asher never went into a catatonic state at a comment about his sibling. So, that meant he was better in some way or another, right?
"It doesn't really work that way," the teen was quick to argue about the offer. "Even if you did 'help' out with the diagnostics, there's a big problem! And, it's that you're still actually here." What was the point in diagnostics and socializing? Screw that! "I'd rather whatever you went through, instead of dealing with your attitude." How long was he going to be stuck in a box with this kid, anyway?
Heard it a million times? Definitely. To the point where Asher barely acknowledged the statement. "You're really bad at being creative, aren't you?"
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 7:21:29 GMT
Isaac tried to ignore the pity party comment. He was really bad at avoiding the urge to be the last guy talking in the room, but he tried to ignore it. Instead he focused on the creativity comment. "I'm great at being creative. When something's worth thinking about, he retorted. Honestly, he didn't even know why he was bothering with Asher anymore. Probably because if he went back to his preferred status quo of breaking down the walls, Asher would just start carrying on about how annoying he was. Isaac was no happier about their cohabitation situation than Asher was, and it showed.
He tried to focus on ignoring Asher again, with that last retort left. He continued following the perimeter of the room, roughly smashing the wall with his fist every few paces to try and listen for differences in tone. No luck. No spot sounded more hollow than the last, or more fragile than the last, or more stretchable than the last. It was like a featureless white void that just so happened to be solid. He tried knocking high and knocking low. No matter where he knocked, it didn't make a bit of difference.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. "What can I say? I'm just being honest! Something you wouldn't know if it grew teeth and bit you in the ass," Isaac snarled. Seeing peeks of the man under the mask just made Asher's actions seem all the more artificial. He wasn't even a compulsive liar. He was just a ghost under a shell. It was sad. "So what if I want to agree with you? After all, its not like I haven't heard those same comments almost every day of my life. Hell, you could hit me with all you've got, bring all the nastiest things you've ever wanted to use to get back at me, and I can promise you it's just another Tuesday at dear old dad's house.
But hey, maybe you're right. Maybe I should have a pity party. And why don't I invite you? A guy who pukes his brains out because he's too scared to face the idea that people might like him. If we're having a pity party, you might as well be the guest of honor."
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 7:40:34 GMT
Asher worked hard at being quiet about all of this. He really did. If the teen had his phone available, without returning to human form, he'd just go through the photo gallery to pretend that there was nobody else in the room. It wasn't like he was going to get an internet connection. But, instead, he was forced to listen to the distressed child in a monster's body.
"I've been plenty honest," he found himself protesting, despite the fact that he had wanted to end this, and all, conversations with Isaac. Stupid lack of self control. "What have I been lying about? I don't think I've lied since we got trapped in this box! And, hey, at least I told the weird monster-things my actual name!"
But, without thinking, he continued to blurt words that he shouldn't have. "Really? So, Daddy sent you into an existential crisis from making a joke about your relationship with your brother? Wow. He must be harsh." If only Asher actually knew! Still, he instantly felt regret on his comment. Why couldn't the Kinkakumon just keep his mouth shut?
"Hey, at least I'd be fun at the party! You just mope around and get pissy left and right!" Asher was willing to make jokes at his own expense, if need be! "People don't like me, and they shouldn't! I'm a jerk, and I do it on purpose. Like smashing your stupid tea cup! I'm taking responsibility for who I am, and other people don't need to deal with that!" Still, eyes shifted away from the Yasyamon. Man, why did it have to be Isaac? Why couldn't it be a stranger? "And, I didn't tell you that was why I puked. So don't assume." Not that Isaac was wrong, of course! In fact, it was practically spot-on! Asher just couldn't admit it!
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 7:58:21 GMT
Isaac fell silent as he waited for the older teen to finish making his point. For once there were no cutting remarks, snippy comments, or interruptions. There was only peace and quiet, Isaac taking in everything Asher had to say. He blinked as he listened, face unreadable behind his mask. Then, once Asher was done, he started laughing. Yasyamon's wispy voice made it sound more like creaking trees as they bowed in the wind, but it was still unambiguous that Isaac was practically doubled over from his laughing. "You honestly think he was joking?" Isaac managed to croak out as he clutched at his guts. "You honestly think I'm sitting here right now, working myself into a frenzy over an itsy-bitsy joke. That's what you're telling me right now."
Slowly he recovered, but his hunched over position didn't change any. What looked lively and natural during a laugh was now eerily frozen, especially as Isaac craned his neck upwards to look Asher in the eye. "Tell me how funny it is growing up with a man who wasn't your father. Having the breadwinner and rulemaker of the house not even casting a glance your way because you weren't his, and he had to remember that fact every time you opened your defiant little mouth. Ooh, or how about the part where he can barely stomach you spending time with your own brother, because the idea of you spending time with "his boy" is revolting to him. Knowing you'll never be good enough, so you stop even trying and start rolling with it.
You know how Elliot busted his leg? We were playing kickball and he slipped. But the look on that man's face, you'd think I snapped his leg myself. I was amazed he didn't kill me for that one. Hilarious, isn't it?" Isaac asked. A few tears were gathering beneath Yasyamon's mask, but he refused to let them show.
"So go ahead. Laugh at the joke. I know you want to," Isaac said, voice laced with bile. He promptly turned away from Kinkakumon, resuming his orbit around the room's perimeter. However, he couldn't continue his journey. Still somewhat doubled over, he fell to his knees and clutched himself tightly. There was no fight left in him. Not after that.
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 8:16:45 GMT
It was easy to assume that, yet again, Asher had broken Isaac. This was an unpleasant turn, but not an entirely unexpected one. God, why did the older of the teens have to be such a jerk? But, rather than interrupting whenever he wanted, he gave the same courtesy that Isaac had prior, and remained silent. Jeez, Yasyamon was kind of creepy. Laughing or not. Neither was comforting. In fact, Asher really just wanted to knock him down or something, to make him look like a normal freaking person!
But, he didn't.
Eyes glazed over, lips parting only to close again. He couldn't even pretend to not care at this point. And, while he wanted to snap back with his own issues, his heart wasn't in it enough to really try. "I won't laugh at your life, unless you try to laugh at mine," he mumbled, offhand. Then again, it wouldn't be so much of a laugh, as it would be Asher legitimately punching the kid. This wasn't a joke. And, it really never was.
Watching Isaac further, the will to even hold onto Kinkakumon's bat had given way, and fingers loosened until it clattered to the floor. Isaac was a mess, wasn't he? People really needed to learn how to properly cope with their problems. Otherwise, they would break like this. What a problem.
More of a problem was that, at this point, the teen wasn't even going to bother with the hate act. Gliding across the floor, the spirit user lowered himself to wrap arms carefully, but tightly, around the Yasyamon's shoulders. Asher tensed slightly, bracing himself for any repercussions. After all, Isaac wasn't a fan of physical contact, let along being forced into a hug at a moment like this. And, he had no idea what would happen when the boy was in a different monster's body.
"It's not a very funny joke, anyway."
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 8:35:38 GMT
When Isaac felt a sudden pressure on his shoulders he wheeled around, eyes practically on fire as he prepared to lash out. Upon realizing he was being hugged, however, his fury halted in its tracks. Wordlessly he slumped against Asher, not quite returning the hug but certainly not stopping it. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if trying not to look his helper in the eye. Or maybe he just didn't want Asher to see him crying, even if he could feel the shudders of his body.
"I used to resent him you know," Isaac said, voice monotone as he continued to rest in Asher's grip. "He got everything he wanted when I was lucky to get the scraps. He couldn't do anything wrong, and I couldn't do anything right. And every time I looked in his eyes, I saw that man staring back at me. But I couldn't let myself feel that way. It wasn't right. And Elliot always thought the world of me anyway. He never realized. Or maybe he just didn't care. I couldn't keep hating him. It wasn't fair. He was innocent. And I cared way too much about him to keep letting that hurt him. To keep letting me hurt him.
I still feel disgusted with myself when I remember that. How could I not feel like he deserves better?" The monotone in Isaac's voice cracked more the more he spoke, and he could barely control the shuddering of his body. If not for Asher, he would have probably hit the floor by now. Worst part was, he didn't even intend on saying all of this. The second Isaac had the chance to open up, however, the floodgates were slammed wide open. Now it was all coming pouring out. He wanted to lash out at Asher for twisting the knife and starting this in the first place. More than anything, though, Isaac wanted to lash out at himself for being the origin of it all.
"Now do you see why I worry?" So many answers hid behind that one statement. To atone. To protect. To help. To prove a man he refused to call father wrong. "I have to."
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 9:08:14 GMT
After not becoming horribly injured from hugging an irritable monster, the tension in Kinkakumon's muscles seemed to dissipate. But, it was replaced with tightening the hug, as if trying to stop the other teen from his shudders. How did Asher always end up in situations like this?
People weren't supposed to open up to him. They weren't supposed to trust him. And, they shouldn't like him. So, how did this always happen?
"Hmm," the spirit user hummed, which came out far more feminine than he'd prefer. Ah well, it was what it was. Still, he listened without any actual interjection, only notifying that he was listening to what Isaac was saying. What else was he supposed to say, when someone was so clearly in distress?
Asher really wished that Isaac would have lashed out. At least he could react to that. He couldn't do anything like this. Unless the teen wanted to risk some sort of friendship, his hands were tied. And, did he really want that?
Well, Asher didn't actually know. Nor was he going to contemplate.
Finally, there was an opening to talk. But there was a problem. "I really want to make some sort of joke right now," he admitted, lowly, "because I can't handle serious conversations. But, I can't think of anything!" Crown for Improv King just went into the trash! Darn it, Isaac! That kid ruins everything, doesn't he?
"Nobody's forcing you to do anything. So, I guess I don't really understand," the teen murmured, still refusing to let Isaac go quite yet. "Maybe, I just haven't been someone's sibling long enough to understand that kind of thing." Nor had he gone through quite the same childhood, to have been conditioned in such a way.
But, he still had to point out something that he had stated before. "You still make it sound like a burden. I get that," there was a pause, as something clicked fully into place. Finally! Jeez, Asher, how long did that take you to figure out? "You two're only half brothers?"
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 18:21:49 GMT
"It kind of is. Or, at least, maybe that's how it feels being told anything bad that happens to him is on my head," Isaac admitted. "But its a burden I want. I mean, Elliot's a really great kid. And he's my brother. I don't give a crap what anyone has to say about that. Especially not that waste of space. We always have each other's backs. And there's nobody I trust more. So what if he's only my half brother? To me, he's better than any brother in the world could ever be.
Heh. Its funny. I don't think he's the one burdening me. I think I'm the one burdening me." That was one way of answering Asher's question. Both of them in one fell swoop, even. However, finally getting all of that seemed to get a weight off of Isaac's shoulders, and he slowly shuddered back onto his feet. He blinked a few times, and then seemed to remember who he was opening up to. His eyes narrowed just the tiniest bit.
"So, you said it hasn't been long enough, huh?" Isaac asked, trying to keep the distaste in his voice down. He couldn't snap from furious to forgiving as easily as Asher could, but his gratitude to the older teen was making it awfully hard to be angry. "Guessing your schedule didn't leave you with much time to go home. That's another thing to consider if I go for the big stage, isn't it?"
Now there was an interesting tactic. Asher didn't seem comfortable with talking about his own life, after all. Was Isaac trying to acknowledge and sidestep in a way that put him in a more comfortable position? Of course, Asher's comfort zone tended to be kind of an enigma. Who knew where it was? Maybe Isaac was taking advantage of the older boy's sudden warmth to try and find that out.
Maybe he was hoping he wouldn't go running away again.
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 20:23:32 GMT
At least Isaac realized that it was himself being the burden. Asher didn't want to even consider Elliot legitimately being one. "He is a great kid," the teen agreed, softly. Even if Asher did almost seriously injure him the last time they were together. Elliot was just too innocent.
But, the talking seemed to make Isaac feel better, and once he was in a place to hold himself up, Asher released his hug and stepped back to sit down in the middle of the room again. After all, he left that stupid bat over there. It was probably best not to leave weapons unattended. And, putting as much space as possible between himself and the Yasyamon seemed like a good idea after far too close of proximity.
Oh, but why did the topic have to turn to him? And, why did Asher feel like he had to be so honest when stuck in a room with someone that he was trying to keep from liking him? Maybe it was because opinions of someone unimportant didn't matter? Or, because he had been called out on the subject of honesty earlier.
Either way, the idea of telling lies seemed to be ignored entirely. "Not really?" Asher hummed, trying to think about how he wanted to phrase any of it. "I was at home a lot of the time. It's a bad idea to overwork actors, I think." Placing hands behind his head, the spirit user rolled from sitting to laying on his back, crossing one knee over the other. Way to look like a lady, Asher.
"Guess our dad didn't think it was smart to have a second kid with my mom. 'Cause she's crazy." It should be concerning if Asher legitimately thought someone was insane. "So, Pip and I didn't have an option to live together until I quit." Not that it ever stopped him from trying to be a decent brother. Heck, if it weren't for his sister, would he still be stuck auditioning for whatever his mom told him to?
Time to get back to the point of the question, though! "But, you should get enough time off to spend with Elliot, if that's your concern."
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 20:51:19 GMT
Oh. Ooooh. That made a lot of sense. It seemed both of these two needed their similar backgrounds spelled out for each other. After all, who would have ever guessed Asher and Piper were half-siblings as well? At least Elliot and Isaac had different hair colors, eye colors, and features. Piper, on the other hand, was such a spitting image of Asher that Isaac thought a freshly dress-wearing Asher was actually his little sis. At the same time, it explained a lot of the weird comments Asher had made a few days ago.
Why were they fighting? They were so similar! Then again, that was probably half the reason.
"Well, y'know what? Screw the "half" part," Isaac said, smiling a little behind his mask. "For all the shit about you that drives me nuts about you, you're the best big brother Piper could have." Wow, that was a declarative statement! Then again, coming from one big half-bro to another, Isaac at least had experience knowing he was talking about. "Guess that's part of what pissed me off the most about you going dark for so long. I really don't give a shit if you never want to see me again. But Elliot really looks up to you, and it stung seeing him so broken up about all this." Why did Asher have to be so likable? Why did Elliot have to imprint on him like a baby duck? A baby duck with a really awkward crush?
Still, the parents thing was still fresh on Isaac's mind. "Heh. You think if those two met, they'd drive each other crazy?" Isaac asked. "Maybe then, they'd finally leave us both alone for good."
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 21:11:48 GMT
Why was Isaac being so friendly about all of this? Did he think that, just because they both only had half siblings, it was something they should bond over? Shoot, this was veering from what Asher had intended. Was Isaac incapable of fully disliking a person?
This was going to be far more difficult than the teen thought.
But, he really didn't want to drag Elliot down from it, either. "I had a feeling he was upset," the spirit user mumbled, staring up. Were those weird monsters watching them? Was this really what they had expected? "Couldn't think of anything to reply with that didn't sound like a cheap excuse," he admitted. So, instead, he just worked himself up into a huge mess, until he forced himself to stop looking at his e-mails. How many times had Elliot messaged him since then?
And, to top off admissions, "I almost hurt him, you know? Like, physically injured him." Would that irritate Isaac? With any luck, it might keep him from getting just too comfortable. But, it was another reason that Asher had been avoiding the younger of the brothers. "He did something stupid, and it turned out that this form didn't appreciate it. Do you really want me anywhere near your brother?" After having a conversation about Isaac's burden, Asher suspected that discussing this would justify avoiding Elliot entirely.
It wasn't like Isaac could really kick him out of this stupid box, after all. He was trapped hearing things that he might not appreciate.
Wait, what was Isaac getting at with their crazy parents? "Unless they reproduce, I don't think it'll do me much good. And, then we'd kind-of-sort-of be related. What, you want to keep me around that badly?"
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Post by Elliot and Isaac Sunderland on Jan 4, 2017 21:44:28 GMT
"You mean like all the other cheap excuses you come up with?" Isaac asked. When Asher didn't want to do something, he seriously did not want to do something. Unfortunately, that often came with picking the lamest excuses. "But hey, I getcha. I'm guessing you didn't want him poking and prodding when you were already sore about all of this." Briefly Isaac remembered how Asher reacted when told he was doing something wrong. The way he drifted around like a ghost, as if discomforted by Isaac's mere presence. He couldn't imagine how Elliot would have reacted to that.
And then Asher admitted that he almost throttled Elliot to death. In big, tough Kinkakumon form. Isaac's eyes flashed with anger, and it took a lot of restraint to not just clock Asher right there. He reared back, as if ready to strike with one of his wooden swords, before sighing and letting his arm drop. "I swear, he's gonna be the death of me one of these days," Isaac muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "I love him, but he really needs to stop poking stuff that doesn't need to be poked. Wait, was he going over that list of training activities with you? Because seriously, I tried to tell him like five times that they were all terrible ideas.
Him being a little idiot doesn't change that you're getting a pounding if you ever lay a finger on him, though. Just wanna make that clear."
He dodged the part about wanting Asher near Elliot. On one hand, Asher was stupid, irritating, probably filling his brother's head with all sorts of corrupting thoughts, and apparently now was likely to accidentally break him in half. On the other hand, Elliot really loved spending time with him. He already trusted Asher enough to bring him home, for crying out loud! It already crushed Elliot's heart knowing things were tense between Asher and Isaac. Wouldn't barring Asher from ever seeing Elliot only make things worse? Isaac sighed. Somehow, Asher was just forcing his way into all of Isaac's comfort zones.
"Tough call. But it's a sacrifice I'd be willing to make," Isaac joked, tone of his voice suggesting that the idea of being Asher's stepbrother was a fate worse than death. "Seriously though. We have way too much in common. That why you can't stand me?"
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Post by Asher on Jan 4, 2017 22:31:25 GMT
Taking a deep breath, the teen rolled back into a sitting position, to better look at Isaac. It was weird, the concept of two people dressed up as monsters just having a conversation. But, he still couldn't argue with Isaac's comments about his excuses. And, Elliot certainly didn't deserve any of that. "Some of them can be very expensive excuses," he tried to joke. "You just don't get those ones." Maybe Isaac wasn't worth it! Or, maybe Asher's heart just wasn't in it.
Eyes shifted to watch Yasyamon's hands, as he seemed to debate on hitting Asher. Would he have blocked it? Probably not. Did he deserve it? Rightfully so. And, when nothing came of it, the spirit user almost felt disappointed. He wanted Isaac to be mad, after all. He wanted the kid to hurt him. He wanted all of this stupid distaste to be justified!
But Isaac wasn't that type of person.
And, then Kinkakumon found himself looking away at the question about the activity list. So Elliot had gone over that with Isaac, huh? Well, he didn't really want to throw the kid under the bus, but his spirit was a terrible actress. "I don't know, were tea cups or metal pans on the activity list?" Way to not-subtly give away the answer!
But, he looked back to Isaac with a smirk, hearing the threat. "So, uh, should I assume that hugging him a couple of times was a big 'no' from Big Brother, too?" Asher, you're really pushing your luck.
"Aw, maybe you do like me," the teen teased back. What a problem. But, the joking was quick to be silenced at the next question, pressing lips tightly together while debating on how to phrase it. "I don't dislike you," he finally pointed out. It still sounded just as honest as the last time he discussed hatred toward Isaac. "Why do you keep assuming that? I really don't hate anyone."
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