Title: A reason.
Rating: PG
Fandom: Tales of the abyss & centerverse rpg.
Pairing: Asch/Luke
For: vashsbitch and 30_romances challenge
Notes: AU since the two have never lived together and slight fandom mix.
Prompt 19. Stay.

“Why do you have to go anyway? It’s not like you’re moving in with that blue-haired freak of yours. Just stay here.”

Luke paused in the middle of his packing to send the former roommate an annoyed look. “Will you quit calling him that? You know how much it bugs me. He‘s still one of my best friends even if we‘re not together anymore.” There it was again, that small satisfied look Asch gave every time Luke confirmed that he and Endrace were indeed broken up. “Stop doing that to!” The replica never understood why his other hated En so much. It wasn’t like the man had a chance of replacing his original, they had way too much history and the boy had worked way too hard for the former God-generals acceptance to just give it up now.

“Tch, I didn’t do anything and stop avoiding the question.”

A sigh slipped past the younger boy’s lips. Honestly there was no way of explaining without sparking up the nasty temper he held. “It’s hard to say…”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just as it sounds.”

“That’s not an answer, Dreck.”

“So?”

The smart mouth remark of course cost him and next sound to fill the apartment was a loud clatter as the box of Luke’s things was shoved off the bed. “Dammit, Asch!” He snapped and promptly started repacking. “What’s the big deal? I’m not going very far. I’ll still be on the same world as you, so stop making this such a pain!”

“Shut up and answer me!”

“…”

“I said answer me!”

“But you told me to shut up.” A small smile appeared. Luke knew he shouldn’t keep messing with the other but he was honestly going to miss these little tiffs.

“…” Twin aqua eyes narrowed in rage and the boy made a move for another box of Luke’s thing.

“O-oi, Asch! Hey! Okay, okay, I’m sorry, just stop that!“

CRASH

“DAMMIT, ASCH!“ He could see it, the other was trying not to let Luke make him lighten the mood and he loved it but that was exactly the problem. He loved almost anything this pain in the ass did. Every annoying little quirk, cold remark, temper tantrum and bouts of kindness. The replica stupidly loved every bit of it and he also knew if Asch figured this out he’d never see any of it again… so...he lied.

“I just want to learn some independence is all…” Well it wasn’t a complete lie, the replica had always wondered what it’d be like to live all on his own but the desire to mend things with his original had outweighed that aspiration for sometime but now …he finally felt forgiven and planned to do all he could to keep things the way they were. “You know I‘m grateful for everything you‘ve done for me since I came here but this was only supposed to be temporary.”

“Well things change. Like my mind. You can stay now.”

Another calm smile couldn’t help but appear. He was still getting used to the fact that he was actually… wanted and it was nice hearing it from Asch of all people. But dammit, he was making this more difficult than Luke wanted it to be and pulling himself away from this boy was already plenty difficult. “T-this is important to me…” Already his resolve was shaken and unable to help himself, a hand reached out to it’s twin to pll him in closer before letting his eyes fall shut and their forehead’s lightly touch. The small bit of contact gave him more comfort than Luke would care to admit. Perfect isofons… every bit of him seemed to fall into harmony when they were this close to their source. Oh, how it would hurt when he pulled away but it was worth it every time, every bit of pain, every test and trial this boy put him through had been worth it and he’d do it all again in a heartbeat if it promised to lead right back to this perfection. “Please…” ‘Don’t be mad. Don’t pull away. Don’t make me do something stupid.’

He wasn’t sure which to pick but he regretted saying anything at all when Asch tensed.

“Whatever, do what you want.” And with that, the boy pulled away and the familiar ache set in but Luke bit the inside of his cheek to keep it well hidden. “Heh, thanks.” Came the slightly choked reply as the not-twin watched his better half leave the room. Once out of sight the clone fell back on the bed and sighed. “I gotta get away from him. I don’t think I can keep it hidden much longer.” With a grasp back on his sanity, he continued to pack.

~~

“Well, hurry it up already, the moving truck is done packing you up.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming, geez, now you’re practically shoving me out the door.” He chuckled, knowing Asch was acting out to make this easier, which Luke appreciated even if he wasn’t doing it for him. “Alright, this is the last of it.” He announced while lifting a box of clothing and turning to face the grumpy looking mirror that was waiting by the door. A cold look was on his face now and he seemed to try avoiding looking at Luke as he stepped passed him and into the hall. “You should come by and see the place tomorrow.”

“Hn…”

“I’ll even cook.”

“…” Darn Luke was sure that’d earn a crack about his cooking. It was clear Asch was upset.

“Well, go on already. What are you waiting for?”

‘A reason to stay…’ He answered silently but received nothing more than the same impatient stare. “Nothing I guess… unless you wanna give me a kiss goodbye.” He grinned teasingly which cost him again as the box he’d been holding was slapped out of his hands and onto the floor. “…Nice, Asch. Real nice.”

“…See you tomorrow…, Idiot..”

SLAM

He gave a jump at the sound of the door slam despite the fact that he’d been expecting it since the day he decided it was time to move. Leaning over to gather his things the former royal couldn’t help but stare at the door. He was homesick already… ‘Idiot? Heh, you don’t know the half of it.’ Standing back up he placed a palm on the door feeling the same harmony between isofons and wondered if the other was still standing by it. ’Nah…’ With a deep breath he smiled and started walking away, giving a small wave goodbye to the last place he’d ever call home.