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Chapter Text

“Musse, what are you writing?” Juna asked, sitting down next to the mint-haired girl a few minutes before homeroom would start. Altina had not yet arrived (she might be with Instructor Rean) but Ash and Kurt were standing and chatting by the window.

“Oh, nothing special,” Musse replied with a chuckle, twirling her pen as she watched their male classmates. When Ash laughed and put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder, Musse’s pen went to paper, making another tick mark.

“Musse?” Juna scooted closer to Musse, taking a closer look at what was written down. There were tick marks under multiple categories which Juna began to read aloud. “Shoulder touches? Back pats? Drinks thrown? Chess invitations?”

Unconsciously Juna’s voice had risen the more she read aloud, which was enough to catch Ash’s attention as he and Kurt made their way to their seats. “What’s with all the noise, Crawford?” he asked as he approached Juna and Musse.

“Ash, don’t look!” Juna exclaimed, but it was too late as Ash had already taken the book into his hands, bringing it towards his face for reading ease. Musse watched Ash with a sly grin on her face while Juna looked horrified. Kurt glanced over at them and decided to pretend nothing of note was happening. Well, Juna thought to herself, at least Kurt would be safe?

“Huh?” Ash frowned before returning the book back to Musse. “Oh, okay, that’s weird.” He shrugged, muttering something about “weird girls” before settling in his seat and pulling out his latest book of interest from his bag.

“Did he not realize…” Juna wondered as she took another look at Musse’s writing. “Oh, I suppose his name isn’t listed.”

Musse giggled. “Ah, so oblivious!”

“You’re just weird!” Juna shot back.

Musse ignored her and added dreamily, “I can’t wait for the day…when I can add another category…”

Thankfully just at that moment Instructor Rean and Altina entered the classroom, distracting Musse and Juna. Juna was so glad homeroom would start soon. She didn’t want to think any longer about what that additional category might be…

Chapter Text

After a briefing for what would hopefully be a “normal” field study, it was time for Class VII to drive from the training base to their field study location proper. The six of them made their way to where the orbal bikes were stored but found that something was missing. The bikes were present but the sidecars were not.

“I repainted the sidecars the day before and I guess I forgot to put them back with the bikes?” Mint explained in her airheaded manner. Ash almost choked laughing while Rean and the others looked at Mint in disbelief. After shaking his head, Rean walked over to one of the bikes.

“I guess it’ll be 3 of us driving and 3 of us holding on then. Altina?” Altina was quick to react, settling behind him before Musse could make a proposition or rebuttal. This left Juna and Ash as the other drivers. Ash was curious to see who would ride with Juna so he waited for Juna to pick a bike next. Well he wasn’t surprised necessarily when Musse sat behind Juna, but she did so rather quickly, snuggling up close and running her hands up… Okay, turning away, Ash went to sit on the last bike. Of course Kurt sat behind him since he was the only one left, though Ash gasped when Kurt wrapped his arms tightly around Ash’s torso.

“Hold on tighter, would you?” Ash joked, though his voice was a bit tight due to the pressure. Kurt muttered an apology and immediately loosened his grip so that it was barely there. That was no good either. “Or you could feel me up like Egret is doing to Crawford,” Ash goaded, flicking his gaze over to the girls where Musse’s hands were… Ash’s attention was suddenly on his own bike as he tried to regulate his breathing because Kurt…Kurt was… “Whoa there, Highness, I was just kidding…” he said as casually as he could.

Kurt’s hands stopped running up and down Ash’s chest and finally settled to grip Ash’s waist firmly. “I don’t want to die,” Kurt said into Ash’s neck.

Ash could not tell if Kurt was embarrassed or not, but he wanted him to be. After all, what he had just done made Ash feel… “Yeah, that’s a good plan. I’ll be more gentle, just for you.”

“Ash…” Kurt growled. Ash smiled to himself. Yep, Kurt was flustered now.

“Are you guys all ready?” Rean’s loud voice commanded everyone’s attention. Ash looked up from his bike, briefly at Juna and Musse (the two looked normal and comfortably settled now), and then at Rean. He and Juna nodded. Soon three bikes were running and being driven towards their intended destination.

(If Ash pushed on the gas a little bit softer than usual, just to make sure Kurt really was comfortable behind him, well it’s not like Kurt or anyone else would really know, right?)

Chapter Text

“Yo, Crawford.”

“Ash?” Juna was in the middle of dropping spoonfuls of cookie dough onto her next baking sheet when Ash entered the kitchen. Last time he snatched one of her freshly-made cookies so she was immediately on her guard. “I’m not making any of these for you,” she warned with a glare.

Ash put his hands up, signaling he came in peace. “Can I help?”

Juna paused, her spoon hovering above the baking sheet. “You want to help me make cookies?”

“Well…” Ash turned his face away, his right hand reaching to scratch the back of his neck. “Even though I’ve been following this recipe they still turn out mediocre, not like Egret’s. I can’t give him something that looks like shit.”

“What recipe?” Ash pulled a notebook out of his bag, a blue scrap of paper marking the spot with the recipe of interest. “Shortbread cookies?” Juna read aloud. The most common problem was… “I bet you’re not giving them love.”

“L-Love?” Ash stuttered, his cheeks turning pink.

Juna laughed. “You’re probably all chop-chop but these need more gentle care.”

“’Gentle care?’” Ash repeated. “What gibberish are you spouting?”

“I’m not speaking gibberish!” Juna exclaimed. She sighed. “Fine, you get the ingredients ready while I finish this batch of cookies and I’ll show you what’s not gibberish.”

Ash shrugged. “Gotcha.”

Juna took a deep breath, calming herself back down. She wasn’t going to mess up these cookies just because she got a little worked up! She was going to make some great cookies and then help Ash make some great cookies!

*****

Yep, she was right. Ash really didn’t understand “gentle care” when it came to cookies. As Juna showed him how to properly cream butter and then incorporate flour to make dough, she heard him hmm and made sure to loudly and sharply yell at him when he started to mix too fast or when he was done kneading the dough.

“Is that really it?” Ash asked rhetorically, but he stopped just as she instructed.

“Yep! Now we let the dough cool before we cut it into shapes and bake.”

“Alright.” Ash nodded as he pulled a book out of his bag.

“Hey, at least clean up before you start reading,” Juna complained as she started putting away the cookies she had made earlier. Ash grunted but did as he was told. Well, making these cookies must mean a lot to him if he wasn’t complaining…

*****

“Juna, Ash?” Kurt entered the kitchen just as Ash was pulling the second baking sheet of finished shortbread cookies from the oven. Of course, by following Juna’s instructions, the cookies looked amazing.

“Look! Ash made some shortbread cookies!” Juna exclaimed to Kurt once he made his way over. Nothing wrong with being proud of Ash’s efforts, right?

“Crawford helped,” Ash added quietly as he put the baking sheet to rest on the cooling rack.

“Thanks, Ash, Juna.” Kurt smiled as he looked down at the cookies. “Let me brew some tea.”

“Right now?” Ash asked, putting a hand on Kurt’s arm to stop him from walking away.

“Well, I have to thank you for your hard work, right?” Kurt replied, gently placing his hand over Ash’s. Ash sighed and let go. “Juna?”

Juna had hoped to have escaped before the two of them noticed, but she only made it halfway to the door. Quick, an excuse… “Um…I have some homework I forgot to do! Later!”

With that Juna scrambled out of the room, her heart pounding as she ran up the stairs to her room. She didn’t have to read that many romance books to know what was going on. Maybe the boys were oblivious, but she wasn’t going to stand there and be some third wheel!

Chapter Text

Was it an anniversary that Ash had forgotten? Some reward for something he did? Not that Ash was going to turn down a present from Kurt. He looked inside the small box that Kurt handed him carefully.

“Blue studs, huh.” He took them out of the box and replaced his red studs (which had been Kurt’s first jewelry gift to Ash) with these new blue ones. Not that Ash doubted they would look good, but… As he checked his appearance in their bedroom dresser mirror, his lips curled upward into a smirk. “Interesting choice.”

Kurt smiled sheepishly, the pink tint to his cheeks even apparent in the mirror. “I picked blue because our Thors uniforms were blue.”

Ash chuckled. “Light blue, though?” He put the old studs safely away and stepped closer to Kurt. “Nah, I would say…” He paused to grab a lock of Kurt’s hair, pulling it away from Kurt’s face so that it was next to his new stud earring. “It’s specifically your hair color, right?”

Kurt blushed. “Well…”

Ash grinned. “I like them.” He released the lock of hair, put his hand on Kurt’s shoulder, and turned Kurt to face him directly instead of the mirror. “Everyone will know I’m banging Kurt Vander.”

Kurt’s face was now crimson. “Hey!”

Ash pulled Kurt closer so that their mouths were only a fingertip apart. “I like it when you’re possessive, Kurt.”

“Ash…” Kurt growled.

Ash smirked. “What are you waiting for?” he goaded. He didn’t expect to be shoved backwards into a wall. “Whoa!” he exclaimed as Kurt’s hands pushed against his chest and Kurt’s mouth attached itself to his neck. “You—”

(That might have been the last coherent thing Ash was able to say the rest of the night.)

The next day, Ash did wear his new earrings from Kurt, but none of his coworkers noticed because he had some additional, more prominent changes to his appearance. Specifically Ash sported some large dark marks along the right side of his neck, trailing downwards and disappearing under his shirt, which he wore just as proudly.

Chapter Text

Musse had been taking a break from her book, daydreaming a bit, when the loud noise of Juna running up the stairs made her curious. She found the pink-haired girl huffing and puffing out in the hallway just in front of the room she shared with Altina.

“I thought you were in the kitchen.” Musse remembered that Juna was making some more cookies to send back to her family.

“I was…but Ash came…and then Kurt…”

Musse suddenly became very interested. Ash and Kurt, together in the kitchen, Juna running out, meaning… Musse checked her pocket. Good, she had her notebook with her.

“Musse, don’t…” Juna warned, but it was too late. By the time Juna had realized where Musse’s mind had gone, Musse was already heading down the stairs.

Musse walked quickly down the stairs, pulling her notebook to the bookmarked page and a pen out as well. Maybe she could still catch Ash and Kurt in the kitchen. Luckily she made it to the dining area without incident and not a second later, as Ash shoved a cookie into Kurt’s mouth. On instinct Kurt bit down on it, breaking it in half.

“Don’t say you can’t have another one when you keep eyeing them,” Ash told a glaring Kurt. “One more cookie is not going to affect your dinner appetite.”

Musse almost gasped out loud. Without taking her eyes off the scene, Musse quickly scribbled “feeding the other” to her list of Ash and Kurt moments with a tally of one. While writing she had quietly crept a bit closer to get a better view of the action and was rewarded when Kurt retaliated, grabbing a cookie off the plate and shoving the entire thing into Ash’s mouth.

“You too, Ash.”

Another moment! Musse was starting to feel a bit flushed. Did these two even know… Before Musse could finish that thought…

“I can feed myself just fine,” Ash grumbled, and in a shocking turn of events, Ash put the rest of the cookie he had fed to Kurt just moments before into his own mouth.

Musse clapped a hand over her mouth and almost shrieked. Did that just happen? Was she dreaming? Was she alive?

She saw Kurt’s jaw drop, his hands fall limply to his sides, his balance teeter. She saw a look of confusion cross Ash’s face before he too looked a bit shaky, his face turning bright red.

A minute at least passed with Ash and Kurt just staring at each other while Musse just stared at them, wondering, her heart beating crazily in anticipation of what would happen next.

“I…um…” Ash stuttered, a hand reaching back to scratch the back of his head. “I was hungry?”

Alright, Kurt, this was your chance… “Have another then,” Kurt said, grabbing a cookie and handing it to Ash. “They won’t be as good tomorrow after all.” Ash accepted said cookie with a relieved smile.

Musse would have sighed if she could do so without being caught. She could not feel anything else for a moment besides disappointment. Then again, could she have expected anything more from two oblivious boys? Still, as she left the kitchen area, she was overall pleased to have added a new category to her list and two tally marks. These two, even if they might not realize it yet, were continuing to make good progress. Musse grinned to herself as she returned to her room. Maybe someday, sooner rather than later, there would be…

Chapter Text

Although there wasn’t a literature club meeting today (not that they really needed to meet, but Ash wasn’t going to say “no” to putting down his reading time as a “school activity”), sometimes Tatiana was still in the club room. Ash had something he had been itching to return to her. Lucky for him, she was exactly where he needed him to be, absorbed in her latest book. Ash didn’t judge books too much by their cover, but he had a gut feeling this one too…

Ash cleared his throat. “Hey you.” Tatiana didn’t seem to react, so he tried again. “Hey Tatiana,” he said loudly.

“What’s wrong?” Tatiana replied, moving her hands in front of her face in order to receive the book Ash shoved at her.

Ash hadn’t wanted to hold on to book any longer than he had to, but he also didn’t want to embarrass Tatiana by berating her in public. “I know you’re more comfortable with me now,” he began. He took a deep breath, noticing she was shrinking back a bit because of his voice, and continued as calmly as he could. “But that doesn’t mean you give me this shit.”

“Ah?” Tatiana dropped the book onto her lap, the impact causing the paper to flutter and the book to open up to a certain section. A certain problematic section, if Ash guessed where in the book the open section was correctly.

He continued. “I did read it, because it was from you, but fuck if things actually go down like that.”

Tatiana blushed, closing the book. “Um…”

“Not only are dicks not like…” Ash didn’t want to say the rest out loud so he made a crude gesture. “Guys don’t act like ‘that’.” Tatiana nodded, but it looked more from intimidation than from understanding. Ash huffed and tried again. “When Kurt and I…”

“Kurt?”

Ash realized just what he said. “Fuck.” His face was probably as red as his shirt, if Tatiana’s crimson face matched his own…

Of course, this was the moment Kurt walked into the literature club room. “Ash, you’re still…”

Ash had told Kurt it would only be a moment, but it must have taken too long, and now Kurt was walking in on this awkward scene between him and Tatiana. “Fuck,” he repeated.

Kurt scanned the scene, probably trying to decide how best to respond, while Ash was just thinking “fuck” repeatedly in his mind and Tatiana… “Um…congratulations you two!” she exclaimed, breaking the awkward silence, picking up her books, and scurrying out of the room.

With Tatiana gone, Ash took a deep breath as he felt Kurt’s hand on his shoulder. “Is everything alright, Ash?” Kurt asked.

Ash shook his head. “I need a drink.” He needed to get out of this room right now. He shook off Kurt’s hand from his shoulder only to grab Kurt’s other hand to drag him out of the literature club room. Something cold would be good to cool down his face, Ash thought to himself as he directed them towards the cafeteria. The cafeteria lady immediately perked up just in time for Ash and Kurt to stride to the counter.

“Give me a…” Ash trailed off because he realized, when he tried to point at something with his right hand, that this whole damn time he had been holding Kurt’s left hand with his right. How many people had they passed by and seen…

“Two iced teas, please,” Kurt said, unphased by Ash’s moment. The cafeteria lady nodded and went to fetch their drinks.

Ash tried to let go but Kurt only squeezed harder. “You started it Ash.” He sounded pleased.

Ash grumbled. Kurt wasn’t wrong, but this was kind of awkward. It would also mean that Ash would have to hold his drink with his left hand. Then again… “Fine,” he grunted.

Kurt smiled so brightly Ash probably would have gone blind if he hadn’t seen that particular smile before. Well, Ash couldn’t fight against that smile. He squeezed Kurt’s hand back as they walked together with their iced teas to one of the many free tables.

(Half an hour later, the iced teas were long gone, but the hands were still joined together.)

Chapter Text

It wasn’t really that early, but everyone was still out with their family, friends, or special ones, and Kurt…didn’t want to go to bed just yet.

After Rean had invited him to make drinks, Kurt had finally made his way to where Sidney said he would be, only to find Sidney flirting with Eida. Kurt didn’t want any part of that situation, so he left and debated what to do next. Looking at his ARCUS he decided to call up Ash.

“Vander?” Ash’s voice was loud and clear.

“Are you free?” Kurt asked, feeling hopeful.

“Yeah, I’m not doing anything right now.”

Kurt smiled, but then realized he should suggest something for them to do. What would Ash like… “Maybe we can make drinks at the beach bar?”

“Bar?” Of course Ash had noticed that word. “Sounds good to me.”

Five minutes later, Kurt found Ash waiting for him, leaning against the bar counter with his arms crossed over his chest.

“There you are,” Ash said with a chuckle. Motioning at the bartender, Ash added, “This guy wouldn’t let me make anything without a damn ticket, and I didn’t want to waste it.”

The bartender ignored Ash’s complaints and smiled at Kurt. “Back again?”

Kurt nodded. “Yeah, with my…friend.” Ash raised an eyebrow. Well, they hadn’t exactly discussed how they would… Kurt shook himself out of that train of thought. “Same thing as before,” he told the bartender, handing a ticket over to the man. The bartender nodded and went to fix their drinks.

“Same thing?” Ash asked, his hand grabbing onto Kurt’s arm. “Who were you here with before me?”

Kurt smiled. “Instructor Rean.”

Ash’s grip loosened. “Huh.” He pursed his lips. “What did Schwarzer make—”

“Here you go. Enjoy!” The bartender handed Ash and Kurt each a glass of lemonade.

“What’s this?” Ash asked, stirring the straw in his glass.

“Vander lemonade.” Once he said its name, Kurt blushed. It hadn’t been so awkward saying that to Rean, but to Ash…

“’Vander lemonade?’ How sweet.” Ash laughed. “You know that lemonade isn’t a cocktail, right?” Ash grinned. “I’ll show you a real cocktail.”

“No alcohol, Ash,” Kurt warned.

Ash raised his free hand. “Yeah, yeah, can’t let his Highness get wasted before the big day tomorrow.” Kurt didn’t catch what Ash whispered to the bartender, but whatever it was the bartender nodded, so it must have not had alcohol in it.

About a minute later two glasses of an orange colored drink were handed to Ash, who gave one of them to Kurt. “Here you go. It’s called ‘sex on the beach’.”

“Sex on the beach?” Kurt repeated, incredulous.

“Though technically this is the virgin version,” Ash added. Kurt glared at him. Ash grinned. “Hey, I didn’t name it! It’s a popular drink in Raquel.”

“Hmm.” He was about to take a sip when another pair approached the beach bar, so Kurt and Ash moved with their drinks to a nearby bench and sat down side by side. Kurt looked at the drink once again. Based on the color, it was probably citrusy? Kurt did enjoy those types of drinks. He took a big gulp.

“Damn, slow down buddy.” Ash seemed surprised that Kurt had taken such a large gulp.

“Mmm…” Kurt allowed some of the taste to sink in. There was the taste of orange juice, but also something else a bit sour? He liked it, whatever it was. “‘Sex on the beach’ tastes good.”

Ash sputtered. “Fuck.” He turned away and started coughing.

“Ash?” Kurt immediately put his drinks down and his hand onto Ash’s shoulder, holding steady until Ash’s coughing subsided.

“Never mind,” Ash mumbled once he was able to talk again. He took a sip of his own orange drink before taking a sip of the lemonade. He grinned. “So, glad you got a chance to taste a ‘real’ drink?”

Kurt nodded. He had some ideas now what to do after trying Ash’s drink. “If I tweak the amount of lemon juice, or add a syrup instead of honey…”

Ash chuckled. “Pff, ever the competitive one.” He took another sip of the lemonade. “Though I’ll look forward to trying Kurt Vander’s special ‘Vander lemonade’ next time.”

Ash raised his glass of lemonade towards Kurt, who clinked it with his orange drink. They leaned against each other as they enjoyed their drinks in peace. Kurt was glad he had this moment to share with Ash, drinking together while enjoying the stars in the night sky. If this was his last memory, he would not regret it at all.

Chapter Text

When Ash had walzed into Kurt and Sidney’s room and immediately made himself comfortable on Kurt’s bed, Kurt didn’t think it would be anything more than “I have something to show you” followed by another photo of a half-naked woman. What Kurt didn’t expect was for Ash to shove his ARCUS into Kurt’s face right after Kurt took a seat next to him.

“Joshua messaged me. The Brights are stopping by Hamel again and asked if I wanted to join.”

It was just like Ash to drop big news in the same tone and voice as jokes and irrelevant matters. Kurt could only nod and ask, “Are you going?”

Ash grinned. “I got permission from the Principal and Schwarzer to go.”

Kurt smiled. It was good for Ash to ask for permission ahead of time for once before traveling. More importantly, it was good that Ash was going to see Joshua again. “Well, I hope you have a safe trip.”

Ash shook his head. He put his hand on Kurt’s shoulder and pulled Kurt in a bit closer. “You’re coming with me.”

Kurt froze in surprise. “What?”

Ash pulled Kurt in even closer into a proper hug. Into Kurt’s ear Ash whispered, “You’re the reason why I didn’t just rot away and die back then, you know?” The arms around Kurt tightened even further. “This time I want to tell everyone about the man that saved me.”

Kurt smiled fondly, closing his arms tightly around Ash, matching Ash. “You’re exaggerating, Ash.”

“I’m not,” Ash insisted. They held each other tightly for a moment before Ash relaxed his hold on Kurt, pulling back slightly. “Anyway, do you…not want to go?” The last part was whispered nervously.

Kurt gripped Ash’s shirt. “I want to go, but I didn’t ask…”

Ash laughed. “I asked for you.” Kurt resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “We’re going this weekend, if that’s okay?”

Kurt smiled. “Anytime, Ash,” he replied, and happily replied to the additional wordless questions that Ash asked with lips and tongue with his own.

Chapter Text

Sometimes Ash can do something nice even for him, Rean thought as he walked down the stairs towards Ash and Gustaf’s dorm room. The book that Ash lent him this time was quite interesting. Ash did say he would read pretty much anything, but why Ash would have such a well-written book on different types of eastern swords and their history on his hands was a bit of a mystery to Rean. It was roughly 9 PM, so not too late. Maybe he could both return the book as well get that question answered.

Rean didn’t expect to find Sidney lounging on Ash’s bed. At first, Rean thought he might have accidentally walked into Kurt and Sidney’s room, but when he double-checked the nameplate, he saw that this was definitely Gustaf and Ash’s room. Then he spotted Gustaf at his desk tinkering with a small radio. Where was Ash then?

“Do you two know where Ash is right now?” Rean asked, walking to Ash’s bookshelf and putting his borrowed book on top.

Sidney looked up from his gravure magazine and replied, “Ash is next door. But don’t go bother them.”

Rean was about to ask why when he realized what Sidney meant. He was…very thankful for the warning. It would have been very awkward interrupting, if they even managed to notice that Rean was even knocking on the door in the first place. What they were doing didn’t seem to bother Gustaf or Sidney, but still…

“Does this happen often?” Rean wondered.

Sidney shrugged. “It’s only a few times a week, maybe? It’s not a big deal.” He turned the page so now there was a photo of a busty blonde in a pink bikini and grinned. “Actually Ash gives me some of his magazines in compensation.”

Rean sighed. Ash bribing Sidney with gravure magazines was not surprising at all. Though Rean wondered if Kurt was really okay with this particular habit…

“Ash gets pretty flustered sometimes from some of the messages he gets,” Gustaf added with a chuckle. “Don’t tell him that though.”

Not only did Sidney and Gustaf seem fine with the situation, but they both found entertainment from it. Rean smiled in relief. “Well, I guess it seems fine,” he said, “but if you ever want to switch rooms, just let me know. I’m sure the Principal would approve.”

Sidney gave Rean a thumbs up. “No worries. See ya, Instructor!”

Rean left Ash and Gustaf’s room with a bounce in his step. He was seriously happy that Ash had found something…someone…he really liked. Besides, Rean might find tonight’s new information useful in the future. For now, though, he would leave it alone.

Chapter Text

Kurt was fixing up his shirt collar in the bathroom when Ash entered. Ash was almost ready; he was wearing a red dress shirt, a belt, and matching tan-colored vest and dress pants, but the black tie was draped over his left arm.

“I look ridiculous,” Ash complained, standing next to Kurt and picking at the bottom of his vest. It had been hard enough to buy Ash dress clothes. Ash had grumbled that it was like dressing a clown like a prince. However, when even Altina gave Ash the business, saying he would look more out of place by not wearing formal clothes, Ash finally shut up and accepted the outfit that everyone picked out for him.

“You look good,” Kurt responded. It really was true; the clothes fit well and complimented Ash’s tall and lean form. Kurt wished Ash would dress in nice clothes like this more often, but at the same time...

Ash laughed, shaking his head. “I think the red is okay, but this thing…” Ash held up the black silk like it was a piece of garbage.

Kurt took the tie from Ash, figuring Ash had no clue what to do with it, and looped it around Ash’s neck. Ash fidgeted but said nothing as Kurt turned the long black silk into the perfect knotted tie. Kurt tugged on it lightly, pulling Ash’s face towards him for a quick kiss, before stepping away.

“I’m serious, Ash. You look really good right now,” Kurt insisted. Ash sighed and took a moment to look himself over.

“I suppose I’m…alright,” he conceded. “But you…” Ash put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder and turned him. “You look fucking hot.”

Ash had that wicked smile that looked like trouble, and Kurt wanted to indulge, but…

“Ash? Kurt?” Rean’s voice caused Kurt to reopen his eyes. “We’re heading out soon.”

“Man, what timing,” Ash grumbled. “We’ll continue this later,” he whispered. He winked and teasingly squeezed Kurt’s shoulder before pulling away and exiting the bathroom, leaving Kurt alone and flustered. Kurt washed his face one last time. Later tonight, Kurt would just have to give some payback…

Chapter Text

Ash whistled as he strolled to the computer lab where the other Thors II male students would be. Gender-separated classes were fun, well at least compared to normal lecture classes, because it wasn’t just another hour of listening to a teacher drone on but something hands-on instead. Nothing topped the combat classes, of course, especially when he got to fight the instructors or with Kurt…

“Congrats, Ash!”

Ash blinked. “Huh?” All he did was open the door to the computer lab and step inside, but for some reason there was a crowd of Thors II male students hanging out right there. Well Kurt wasn’t because he had run off to the bathroom earlier, but basically everyone else was. “Wait, what for?” Ash was confused why he had been congratulated.

“Dating Kurt! Man, all the girls were impressed,” Sidney explained. Wait, what?

Before Ash could process Sidney’s words fully, Gustaf motioned for a fist-bump which Ash met more out of habit than anything else. “I didn’t know you had it in you,” Gustaf said.

“How’d you manage to do it?” Wayne asked, taking out a small notebook.

“Wait a sec.” Ash motioned for everyone to be quiet and give him a second to think. He exhaled. “How do you all know I’m dating Kurt?” It had been a day…no, not even a full day yet. Although Sidney had accidentally walked in on Ash and Kurt making out on Kurt’s bed, Sidney had yelped and quickly excused himself, so Ash hadn’t thought much at the time…

An awkward moment of silence passed while Ash stared down Sidney, who looked nervously at Kairi, until Kairi finally stepped forward and spoke up. “Well after you know…Sidney and I were talking…” Kairi paused, fidgeting nervously. “And Musse overheard us.”

Ash gritted his teeth. “Damn snake woman…” Ash knew Sidney sometimes had loose lips, but it was very unfortunate that those loose lips happened to loosen up in Egret’s presence. Maybe that was why Schwarzer had an usually wide smile when he greeted him this morning during homeroom…

Pablo cheerfully exclaimed, “Don’t worry, Ash! We’re all proud of you for finally asking him out!”

“Wait…” Ash had a feeling that things were going to get even more awkward, but it was better to deal with that awkward now instead of later. “Does everyone think I confessed first to Kurt?”

There were a bunch of nods, but before someone else could speak, Kurt had opened the door and entered the room. He put an arm around Ash, his hand resting on Ash’s shoulder. “Sorry, but I confessed to him first,” Kurt said.

Ash looked down at his shoes. “Yeah…that.”

The collective sigh of disappointment was surprisingly loud. Way to hurt a guy, Ash thought to himself. Kurt squeezed Ash’s shoulder in sympathy.

“Wow Kurt, how’d you do that?” Sidney piped up. Wayne too had perked up after letting his disappointment in Ash show. “Considering Ash’s love for gravure…”

Ash groaned. Couldn’t this conversation be over by now? How much did he still have to suffer? For probably the first time in his life, he was wondering when the hell Schwarzer would show up and break up the gang. However, when Kurt’s hand slid down from Ash’s shoulder to Ash’s upper arm, pulling Ash closer to him, Ash supposed that it actually wasn’t too bad right now. It would be fine if Schwarzer took a little extra time…

Chapter Text

Inside the palace, a small orchestra was playing music, entertaining the 50 or so guests who were eating, drinking, chatting, and dancing. Everyone was relaxed and having a fun time. Well, Ash was trying to relax. Despite the nice atmosphere, Ash would say this place was probably the last place he wanted to be, considering exactly a year ago, at this same venue, at this same place...

Ash shook his head slightly, hoping to shake away those thoughts. Prince Olivert had decided to organize this event on this same date with roughly the same group of people to replace the horrible memory with a pleasant one. Or it was an excuse to have a party and get drunk with his new wife. Unfortunately the alcohol was still off-limits to all the Thors students in attendance. Ash would have loved to have imbibed something alcoholic by now…

A clink against the glass of soda Ash was holding jolted Ash out of his thoughts. Kurt had joined Ash with a glass of ice water. While a lot of the students and even some of the older guests, the former Class VII members, were dancing, Kurt had returned to stand with him on the sideline. Kurt shouldn’t be here, hanging out with Ash, just because Ash was feeling unsociable. Ash took a moment to look around. Actually Gustaf, Pablo, Wayne, some of the other boys were hanging on the sidelines too. Ash was about to yell at them to man up and ask a girl to dance, but Kurt grabbed on to his arm before Ash could move.

“Do you want to dance?” Kurt asked. Ash bit his lip and looked at the dance floor. It wasn’t too crowded right now. Even so…

“Nah, not really. It was awkward enough with Egret last year…” When he had that one dance with Musse last year, she had teased him about looking around, specifically at Kurt and Juna, the whole time they had danced together. Besides she was so short compared to him, and so small, and they had to dance uncomfortably close… It was unlikely that Ash could actually physically crush her, but it felt like he could have.

Kurt’s hold on his arm tightened. It took a moment for Ash to understand the unspoken words. “You mean together?” Ash asked.

Kurt nodded. “Juna and Musse are dancing together. So are some of the other girls.”

Just as he said that, Juna and Musse waltzed right by. They were both so relaxed and smiling and the smile on Musse’s face was of genuine happiness. Was Kurt hoping that he and Ash could also…

“I think the boys are waiting for you two to take the lead.” Rean had snuck in from behind, almost causing Ash to drop his glass. Kurt had also been surprised, suddenly letting go of Ash’s arm.

“Ah hell, Schwarzer’s in on this?” Ash exclaimed once he recovered. Rean hadn’t been particularly stealthy; it was just another sign that Ash was on edge.

Rean smiled. “You guys should just enjoy yourselves.” He gave both Ash and Kurt a light pat on the shoulder. “We’re among friends here,” he added quietly before walking off to talk to another one of his many friends.

Ash turned his attention back to Kurt. You know what, fuck it, he thought to himself. He could always blame Rean if someone started shit. “You know that means I’m leading, right?” Ash said into Kurt’s ear before setting his glass down on a nearby table. He gestured towards the dancing area.

In response Kurt put his glass down next to Ash’s and grabbed Ash’s left hand. With shining eyes Kurt declared, “Leading, following, I’ll do whatever you want, Ash.”

Ash coughed, feeling his lungs almost come out of his chest. “Fuck, don’t say it like that, Kurt,” he said once he had recovered, his face probably still red. “You’re giving a guy ideas.” Ash’s mind had gone places…inappropriate places for this scene. Two guys dancing was one thing; two guys doing “that” was another.

Kurt smiled back at him sheepishly. Hell, Kurt was just too cute at times. Ash took a deep breath. If they were going to dance in front of a crowd, they were going to own it. Ash put on his best cocky grin. “Alright, let’s do this!” he declared, dragging Kurt to the dance floor.

Ash wasn’t going to give a fuck what the others might think as he found them a spot in the middle of the dancing couples. Ash put his right hand on Kurt’s upper back, adjusting the distance between them. Yes, Kurt was definitely the right height, the right broadness, the right…partner for this. As Ash and Kurt started moving, Musse and Juna waltzed right by. Musse gave them a wink and Juna a broad grin. It didn’t matter, though, as Kurt’s smile was all Ash needed. If Prince Olivert’s goal was indeed to make a new memory for this same day, to replace that of a year ago, Ash supposed it worked out pretty well.

Chapter Text

Kurt had no idea how long they had dueled for, but he and Ash were both gasping for air and Ash was also apparently very, very warm right now.

“Damn you sure make a guy work hard,” Ash said, stripping off his coat and tossing it aside. Ash wasn’t done stripping, though; Kurt could only watch as Ash went to remove the brown sweater too, yanking it out of his pants and unbuttoning it before tossing it on top of his discarded coat, revealing a well-fitted black T-shirt.

Kurt swallowed, suddenly feeling very warm himself. Maybe some water could help cool him down? Yet despite this he couldn’t stop looking at Ash, at the toned arms, at the collar bone, at the beads of sweat on his face, near his mouth, along his neck…

“You need something, Vander?” Ash asked, finally noticing that Kurt’s eyes were focused on him.

“Water,” Kurt rasped, licking his lips.

“You keep looking at me though, Vander.” Ash smirked, emphasizing Kurt’s name. Instead of grabbing the water bottles nearby, he closed in on Kurt, grabbing Kurt’s cravat. “I don’t think water is gonna solve your problem,” he said huskily, right before closing the distance completely.

Ash may have initiated the kiss, but Kurt kissed Ash as if Ash’s lips had the water he needed. Ash was surprised by the forcefulness for a short time, but it was enough time for Kurt to take control, his tongue licking everywhere inside Ash’s mouth as if it was its domain. While Ash’s hands pressed against Kurt’s lower back, Kurt’s hands, which had initially grabbed hold of Ash’s shoulder, were now wandering lower, grasping tightly onto those biceps. It wasn’t like Ash didn’t have visible muscle, but belying his tall, lean form was some serious strength and it was incredibly attractive…

Kurt felt himself stagger backwards, pushed back by Ash as their kissing became more frenzied. Soon Kurt was on his butt with Ash straddling him. If this continued, Kurt would be on his back. The hard ground didn’t seem like the best place for… Ash seemed to agree. The next time they needed to break for air, Ash whispered, “If we’re gonna keep making out, let’s make it more comfortable?”

Kurt reluctantly let Ash go. He stood up and straightened up his clothes while Ash retrieved his discarded sweater and coat. Ash didn’t even bother to put those back on, tossing them over his arm. It wasn’t like they would have stayed on for very long… Right now the two of them had only one objective. Couch or bed, Kurt didn’t care at this point, and when Ash shoved them into the nap room and kicked shut the door behind them, there was no need to think anymore.

Chapter Text

Ash leaned back and looked up at the cloudy sky. The 8 of them, split onto two boats driven by Juna and Rean, were on their way back from Bryonia Island after fulfilling Gaius and Rosine’s request to see the stone giant and other ancient relics. Even though there wasn’t any major danger expected, Rean had decided to make this trip a field trip. Ash hadn’t been particularly excited about going to Bryonia Island for the third time in less than a week, but it wasn’t so bad going with his classmates.

“Ha, those look like beauties.” Ash was greatly amused by the fact that some clouds to the northeast looked like two voluptuous breasts.

“What does?” Kurt asked.

Ash grinned. He hadn’t meant to catch Kurt’s attention. Since he had it now… Ash crossed over to where Kurt was sitting. He grabbed Kurt’s hand, pulling Kurt onto his feet, and with Kurt’s hand pointed to the particular pair of clouds. “Those ones.”

“Ash…” Kurt sighed, shaking his head, clearly understanding what Ash meant. Ash was about to say more when the boat suddenly jerked.

“Fuck, Juna!” Ash swore, feeling himself falling backwards and then suddenly forward. He nearly crashed his face into the seats as the boat suddenly jerked again.

“I’m sorry!” Juna exclaimed. “There was something in the water…Kurt?”

Ash realized that Kurt was no longer on the boat. Kurt must have been the one who had shoved him, so that meant he was in the water! Kurt, of course, was already swimming towards them.

“I got him,” Ash declared as Juna stopped the boat. Ash waited for Kurt to get close enough to the boat before helping Kurt climb back on. “Fuck you’re drenched,” Ash swore.

“That happens when you fall into the ocean,” Kurt replied sarcastically before shivering.

Ash had already removed his coat before he even knew what he was doing. “Take my coat,” he told Kurt, shoving it at him.

“Are you sure?” Kurt asked with a frown, although he had already started fumbling with the coat in his hands.

Ash helped put the coat on Kurt. “You’re shivering so much,” he muttered as Kurt’s arms slid into the orange coat’s sleeves.

“You guys okay?” Rean shouted from the other boat, which had turned around and come towards them.

“We’re okay, Instructor!” Juna replied.

“Just a little wet,” Kurt added. Ash would have rolled his eyes if he wasn’t still worried about Kurt. Despite having the coat on, Kurt didn’t seem much warmer. Too bad none of them had the power to just magically make clothes dry and warm…

“Well, let’s hurry back then,” Rean said, probably realizing the same thing.

“Roger!” Juna made sure Ash and Kurt were seated before starting up the boat again.

If it was a different scenario, Ash would have teased Kurt for looking so cozy in the orange coat. Instead Ash wrapped his arms around Kurt and held him close. “Fuck, I’m sorry Kurt,” he whispered.

Kurt shook his head. “It’s not your fault. It was just an accident.” Ash just hugged Kurt tighter, burying his face in the orange coat. “Ash, why are you hugging me so tight?”

“You still look cold,” Ash replied. He shivered as the wind picked up for a second. “Fuck I’m cold too.”

Kurt laughed. It was only later, when Ash and Kurt had to separate to get off the boat and back onto the Courageous, that Ash realized he had gotten his own clothes wet due to hugging Kurt. Well, there was nothing he could do about it now…

*****

“I can’t believe you both got sick!” Juna yelled.

Ash groaned as the lights were switched on. He rubbed his eyes before seeing that Juna and Musse had brought two bowls of soup and some fluffy bread to go with them.

“Well Ash was holding onto Kurt so tightly that he probably got whatever Kurt got,” Musse said.

“Shut up,” Ash grumbled as he sat up. He didn’t exactly want to leave the warm cocoon of blankets and Kurt’s arms, but the smell of soup reminded him that he was starving.

“Well I suppose if Ash is also sick he won’t be able to do more stupid…” Juna stepped back upon feeling the full force of Ash’s glare. “Anyway, here’s your food!” She placed it on a nearby table before skipping her way out.

“Don’t tire yourselves out,” Musse added with a wink as she too made her exit quickly. Ash shook his head, expelling thoughts of annoyance with Musse. He had more important things to do right now.

With gentle shaking Ash managed to get Kurt to open his eyes. “Get up. There’s food.”

Kurt sat up obediently but then wrapped his arms around Ash instead of getting out of bed. “You’re warm and comfortable, Ash,” he mumbled, kissing the back of Ash’s neck.

Ash really didn’t want to break out of Kurt’s hold but he really was hungry, and Kurt really needed food. “Just eat, Kurt. Then we can go back to cuddling.”

“Okay…” Kurt mumbled, a sleepy smile on his face. It was too cute for Ash to make fun of; instead he lightly kissed Kurt on the lips. Thankfully Juna had been smart enough not to bring them boiling hot soup, for Ash and Kurt really needed to eat this food and to eat it quickly. They made minimal effort to get out of bed to the table, and as soon as the bowls were emptied, the two of them tumbled back onto the bed. They untangled themselves just enough so that they both could enjoy the bed and each other’s warmth. Once comfortable, Kurt fell back asleep almost immediately. Ash chuckled and managed one last kiss to the top of Kurt’s head before he too fell back asleep.

Chapter Text

Trouble always followed Ash, even when Ash didn’t invite it. Ash hadn’t really felt the need lately to invite trouble; he had less reason to when his free time was spent reading a book (he never managed to run out, somehow) or hanging out with Kurt. Ash supposed it was inevitable, though, that this bit of his past would not be left alone and forgotten.

A few weeks ago, a journalist from the Imperial Chronicle had contacted him, wanting to hear his take on the July 18th incident that led to the military state and conscription of men for a war against Calvard. She had been very polite and respectful of his wishes, not pressuring or demanding him to say something when Ash had refused to do an interview (unlike that Crossbell reporter, which the others had helped to chase away). It might have been a year already since the incident, but Ash still had no interest in explaining or defending himself. It was what it was. If people wanted to hate him for that, then they could. The most important people in his life still liked him; they even loved him. Ash looked over at Kurt, who was hanging out with him in the Hermit drinking non-alcoholic cocktails while the rest of their classmates had already returned to the train. Why they (Kurt) loved him was still a big mystery but…

“You’re Ash Carbide, right?”

Some old man in a fancy suit had walked right to where Kurt and Ash were sitting on barstools and enjoying non-alcoholic cocktails across from Julia. The tone he used indicated he was not here for a friendly chat. Kurt had tensed immediately, while Ash put his glass down and slowly turned around.

“How may I help you?” It was impossible to say those words without sarcasm.

The man laughed. “You can pay up for destroying my life!” he roared. Before Ash could verbally respond, the man had drawn his right arm back, ready to plant a fist into Ash’s face, but it was caught by Kurt’s hand instead. “What’d you stop me for?” he demanded, trying to shake his hand from Kurt’s grip. His attempt with left hand was soon also caught by Kurt’s other hand.

“How did Ash destroy your life?” Kurt demanded, glaring at the man. Ash meanwhile was trying to remember if he had seen this old man before. Maybe this man lost to him when he had played in the casinos, two or three years ago?

“This bastard sparked the war that broke my bank account! Damned taxes for the war and damned taxes for reparations afterwards!”

While Ash was muffling swear words, Kurt did not let the man’s hands go; if anything, he was gripping them even tighter. Before Ash could compose a response, Kurt answered. “If you had read the article that came out recently, you would know that Ash was suffering from the curse and was used by the former prime minister for his own ends.”

“Pff, a curse is nothing compared to the fact he shot the emperor!” the man scoffed.

Ash flinched. It was true; the curse did not ever change that fact, which is why he didn’t bother to defend himself in that article. Kurt apparently was prepared for that comment too. “If you were able to control a curse, then you wouldn’t be here trying to punch Ash.”

The answered stunned both Ash and the man. While Ash’s mind kept whirling with a hundred things to say to Kurt, the man gritted his teeth but eventually just shook his head in disappointment.

A tense minute of silence passed before Julia finally intervened. “Sir, if you have nothing else to say, then I ask you to leave.”

Kurt let the man’s hands go. The man, realizing he had no sympathizers, spat on the floor before leaving without another word.

Once the door closed, Ash let out a breath. Kurt, meanwhile, looked like he was still tense from the encounter. Ash put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “You didn’t have to do that for me.”

Kurt shook his head, whipping it so quickly that Ash worried it had caused an injury. “I wanted to,” Kurt declared. He shook off Ash’s hand from his shoulder only to grab both of Ash’s hands with his own. “Ash, I’ll stand by you no matter what happens.”

Ash swallowed. “No matter what happens?”

“Yes.”

The word echoed in Ash’s head; it was as if suddenly no one else was around. Ash took a deep breath, and then another. Surely Kurt knew the many terrible things that could still happen if he stayed with Ash? “Those are some heavy words there, Vander,” Ash muttered.

Kurt smiled while he squeezed Ash’s hands so tight it was almost painful. “I’ll share the weight of any burden you take on, any burden you still have. That’s what it means to me, to be with you.”

“Kurt…” Ash could only look at Kurt with his mouth agape. It felt like an eternity before the appropriate words came to mind. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do. “I swear I’ll do good for you.”

Kurt’s smile widened. “You already do, but I’ll hold you to that oath.” He kissed Ash’s hands before letting them go.

Ash didn’t let Kurt’s hands go far, though. He grabbed them and drew Kurt in for a kiss, trying to convey everything else he couldn’t manage to say right now with words: gratitude, respect, love...a promise, one that he hoped to keep forever, no matter the weight of it.

Chapter Text

Kurt entered the bedroom and shook his head once again at the sight of Ash on the bed, leaning against the headboard, squinting at the pages of the book that he held an arm’s length away. Kurt spied an abandoned pair of reading glasses, ones that they had picked out together over a month ago, on top of the dresser. He quietly moved across the room to pick them up, making sure that the only warning Ash received about the glasses being placed on his face was the dip of the mattress half a second prior.

Ash grumbled but didn’t look away from his book. “I don’t need them, Kurt.”

Kurt hadn’t meant to jolt Ash out of his book completely, or maybe Ash hadn’t really been reading because of all the squinting he was doing before. Either way Kurt could tell that Ash was definitely not reading right now, despite continuing to stubbornly stare at the book. “You look good in them.”

Ash still refused to look at Kurt. “I look stiff and proper,” he complained, but his cheeks were tinged pink now.

Kurt chuckled. He made himself comfortable next to Ash’s left side before he brought his lips to Ash’s left ear. “But you’re definitely not, right?” he whispered.

Ash groaned as Kurt’s tongue licked his ear, closing his book and pushing it aside. “Fuck, Kurt, I’m not even reading—” He moaned again as Kurt bit down on his earlobe.

“Doesn’t matter. You look very good in them,” Kurt teased as he used his left hand to cup Ash’s face and bring their lips close together. He committed the sight of thin black frames surrounding wide open, beautiful magenta eyes.

“You gonna keep staring or you gonna fucking do something?” Ash growled, his hot breath tickling Kurt’s mouth and nose.

Kurt would love to continue staring at Ash while he did stuff if it was possible, but he supposed he had spent enough time staring for now. Before Ash got too impatient, Kurt closed the distance between their lips completely. He could always admire Ash in glasses another time.

Chapter Text

“Carbide, for Aidios’ sake!”

Kurt almost dropped his spatula at the sound of Instructor Randy’s voice booming from the other end of the room. Today Kurt was standing next to Kairi today during the boys’ cooking class, at the opposite end of where Ash was, so he had not noticed any of the commotion until Instructor Randy’s shout. It had actually been a while since Ash had been yelled at by an instructor, maybe a few months? Kurt was curious. Putting his spatula down, he wandered over to where the other students had gathered behind Ash.

Randy grumbled. “I know sometimes class can be boring for you but please at least let the other students learn.”

“Oh, they can still learn. Just watch.” Kurt and the others indeed watched Ash as Ash expertly flipped the large hamburger patty he was cooking. From Kurt’s vantage point he couldn’t see exactly how big the hamburger patty was, but it was definitely bigger than it should have been with the amount of meat each person was allocated…like four times bigger.

After a bit more cooking, Ash deemed the hamburger patty ready and flipped it onto a plate. “Perfect.”

Randy whistled. “Well, I guess it’s not bad…” He shook his head. “You’re still in trouble, Carbide.”

Ash shrugged. “Worth it.” Ash turned around and Kurt was enchanted by the grin on Ash’s face, so much that he didn’t notice the plate with the hamburger patty being shoved at his face. “Yo, Vander, this is for you.”

Kurt finally looked at what was being handed to him and gaped. The giant hamburger patty was not just giant, but it was in the shape of a heart. Everyone else was silent or Kurt couldn’t hear anything but his own heartbeat thumping in his chest.

“It’s…not bad, is it?” Ash asked hesitantly, his grin turning into a frown.

Kurt shook his head. He needed to say something! “It’s…weird.” He felt very weird right now, at least. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. It’s not like he had done anything or had to do anything stressful, but the fact that Ash…for him? His hands felt sweaty, his face a bit hot…

Kurt’s thoughts were broken by Ash’s sigh. “Fuck if I ever use his advice again,” Ash muttered, just loud enough for Kurt to hear. Ash was about to retract the plate but Kurt grabbed onto it and pulled it out of Ash’s hands, causing Ash to stumble back in surprise.

“Sorry!” Kurt exclaimed. Ash was about to say something in response but Kurt cut him off. “I don’t think this is weird. I meant I feel weird right now.” Ash raised an eyebrow. “It looks very good,” Kurt insisted. “Thank you, Ash.”

Ash smirked and did a shallow bow. “You’re welcome, Young Master.”

“But…”

“But?” Ash’s smirk now faltered, causing Kurt to feel guilty. He didn’t mean to make Ash feel bad again. He was just overwhelmed and…

“I don’t want to eat it,” he finally said. “It looks too nice.”

Ash was silent for a moment, the only change being a slight blush appearing on his cheeks, before he shook his head and cursed. “Damnit Vander.” Ash turned away and returned with a knife. “Fine. I’ll cut it so you don’t have to.”

Eventually the hamburger patty was cut up into many pieces as everyone in the class wanted to know if the giant heart-shaped hamburger patty actually tasted good. Its disappearance made Kurt a bit sad, but it indeed tasted good. Kurt just had to hope that Ash would make it (for him) again…

Chapter Text

Ash was lying on his half-made bed, a “Girls” magazine held above his face, opened to the bikini spread of a busty blue-haired model. Ash was enjoying the photo, though no one but him knew that he was actually imagining a different face on that body, one with lighter and greyer blue hair. Especially not his frustrated boyfriend, who loudly opened and closed the door to Ash’s room (Gustaf had moved out yesterday), saw the half-packed bag of clothes and the shelves still full of books, and sighed loudly. “Can you put that away and please concentrate on packing?” Kurt asked, irritation tingeing his voice.

Ash laughed, not looking away from his magazine. “We still got time.” They weren’t leaving for Heimdallr until tomorrow morning. It wasn’t like Ash needed more than an hour to throw his stuff together into a few bags to load onto the sidecart of his orbal bike. “Why don’t you pick one up yourself and relax too?” he added with a wave of his hand.

Ash heard a rustle as he continued to look through his magazine. Maybe Kurt was actually following his suggestion. “Ash.”

“Heh, I remember this one.” Ash had just found the photo where the blue-haired model was flashing her booty at the camera. Imagining Kurt doing this pose was both hot but also hilarious.

“Ash!” Kurt shouted loudly. Kurt clearly wasn’t going to wait for Ash’s attention.

Ash closed and dropped his magazine to the side before sitting up and finally looking at Kurt. Well, he would have liked to have seen Kurt’s face but instead he saw a certain magazine which Kurt had shoved at Ash’s face – an old “Boys” magazine featuring shirtless Randy Orlando on the cover. Ash felt an overwhelming sense of dread, his face paling.

“I never knew you were into Instructor Randy,” Kurt said, dropping the magazine onto Ash’s lap, his face expressing a mixture of confusion, discomfort, and maybe jealousy?

“Fuck no. Orlando is definitely not my type.” Ash should have thrown that magazine away a long time ago. How was he going to even explain this one? With Kurt he had to be honest, but… “Egret lent it to me.”

Ash hoped that Kurt would just think about Musse and her “interesting” habits and leave it be, but of course Kurt was not satisfied. “Why?” he demanded.

“I was trying…” Ash was becoming unnerved by Kurt’s intense stare. He gulped. “I was looking for…advice…on confessing and stuff…” Ash was sure his face was as red as his shirt after that admission. He couldn’t bear to look at Kurt right now.

“And? Did it help?” Kurt wasn’t going to make this easy, was he?

“You know the answer to that,” Ash muttered, picking up the magazine and tossing it aside.

“Yes I do.” Kurt put a finger under Ash’s chin and lifted Ash’s face before planting a soft kiss on Ash’s lips, just like he did months ago, when Kurt was the one who confessed to Ash first. However, this time Ash didn’t let Kurt move away, grabbing onto the back of Kurt’s head and bringing their lips together again, kissing the hell out of Kurt. Magazines were accidentally kicked onto the floor as Kurt was pulled on top of Ash, their kissing becoming more frantic and heated, and hands began to wander…

Ash didn’t realize, though, that this moment had distracted him more than Kurt, and that a certain magazine was no longer among his possessions when he finally got around to packing.

*****

The next morning, Ash and Kurt said their goodbyes to their instructors one at a time. Towa was the first to talk to Ash; she got teary-eyed as she wished Ash best of luck starting his new life in Heimdallr. Rean would be last and probably as sappy as ever, so it didn’t occur to Ash that Randy would be the one to blindside Ash with embarrassment.

After bringing Ash into a one-armed hug, he whispered in Ash’s ear something that made Ash flinch. “I heard you had a certain ‘Boys’ magazine under the bed?”

“How the hell did you find out?” Ash hissed, looking around to see if Kurt was watching. No one else should have known but Kurt or Musse, so who spilled the beans?

Randy chuckled, patting Ash on the back. “I never knew you had a thing for me, Ash.” He added a wink.

Ash shoved Randy’s arm off. “Fuck off, Orlando.”

Randy laughed. “I know, I know. Your eyes are really on one prize only.”

Ash grinned. “That’s right. You and your ugly ass don’t do it for me.”

“I’m sure Kurt’s glad to hear that.” Just then, Kurt walked over and smiled at Randy. Oh, Ash got it now. This was Kurt’s revenge. Well, Ash supposed it was better than Kurt actually being upset with him, but… Ash felt Kurt’s arm snake around his waist, pulling Ash right up against him. Yes, this was definitely better than Kurt being upset with him.

Chapter Text

BANG!

Kurt jolted awake, not sure what was going on. The noise had been so loud that at first Kurt wondered if he had banged his own head against the wall, but upon touching his head, he felt no bruise, no pain. Which meant… Just as Kurt thought about it, another bang came from the other side of the wall, followed by a sob. Kurt felt his breath catch and his heart tighten. Another sound and Kurt had sprung out of bed, more awake than he had ever been at this time of night. He didn’t feel like he could breathe again without knowing…he needed to see Ash right now!

Kurt didn’t even bother to put on shoes as he rushed out of his room and ran next door, his body flinging itself into the locked door. Thankfully moments later Gustaf opened it before Kurt could hurt himself more. Kurt barely acknowledged Gustaf as he scrambled onto Ash’s bed next to his boyfriend whose face was hidden in his left arm and whose right hand was still banging against the wall, though the intensity was lessening and the frequency becoming irregular, as if his energy and his will was exhausted and he was giving up...

“Ash!” Kurt didn’t know how jumpy Ash might be right now, so he tried his best to warn Ash before touching him. Kurt’s right hand covered Ash’s right fist, guiding it away from the wall, and at the same time Kurt gently pushed Ash to lay on his back, to uncurl his body. Ash’s left arm still covered his face, although tears still leaked onto his arm and down to his mouth, where he was now silently crying out for someone – his parents? Aidios? Anyone?

Kurt reprimanded himself; he shouldn’t have left Ash alone. Kurt had been stupidly worried about doing too much on a Sunday night, and Ash had been okay earlier in the day, but of course nightmares, old memories…these things didn’t care about how happy the day had been. There was nothing Kurt could do but try to make up for it now.

“I’m here, Ash.” Kurt murmured as he left soft kisses first on Ash’s arm, where the tears had made the skin wet. His own voice choked up as he repeated those words in between kisses, in between using his fingers to lightly touch Ash’s arms and shoulders and then his face, wiping the stray tears. Kurt did his best to keep most his attention on Ash and comforting Ash, with only a slight awkward exchange of keys with Gustaf, who left the room with the softest of clicks.

It was long after Gustaf’s exit that Ash felt in enough control to finally remove his left arm from his face. Kurt could see just how red Ash’s eyes were. Yet at the same time Kurt could see that they gazed up at him in wonder, as if Kurt too was part of his dream, just a different part now. Kurt couldn’t stand to see that expression, that distance, and gripped Ash a bit harder with his hands, pressed a bit harder with his lips, kissed Ash until Ash was kissing back, until Ash had wrapped his arms around Kurt and hugged him.

“Kurt, I’m sorry.” Kurt wanted to protest right then, to tell Ash that he should be apologizing instead, but Ash brushed his lips against Kurt’s again. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

Kurt had wanted to wake up. He didn’t want Ash to suffer without him, not another moment. However, it didn’t seem like Ash wanted to hear any apologies. “It’s okay, Ash. I want to be here.”

It wasn’t exactly what Kurt wanted to say, but this was true too, and it was his way of indicating that he was going to stay here the rest of the night. He caressed Ash’s face tenderly. “Ash, I love you.”

Ash nodded; he had heard all the words Kurt had said and those he didn’t say. In response Ash shifted their positions so they could lay together on his bed, holding each other. “Love you too, Kurt,” he murmured, kissing Kurt’s forehead. “Sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight, Ash.” Kurt prayed for Ash to have a peaceful rest of the night before letting himself surrender to sleep in the warmth of Ash’s embrace.

Chapter Text

Kurt woke up to the smell of something sweet and vaguely citrusy. For a moment he thought he was back in Parm, waking up to hot tea and the lemon pound cake. Instead Kurt blinked and saw the usual four walls of the small bedroom in the apartment he shared with Ash, the dresser stuffed with undergarments and socks, the bookshelf crammed top to bottom with all sorts of books, the tiny desk that really only Ash used that had photos of Class VII in small picture frames… The room was mostly dark because the curtains had been left closed, but Kurt could tell that something was missing. Or rather, someone very important…

“You’re up, finally.” The missing person walked into their bedroom holding a tray with two plates of bread pudding and two mugs of tea. Kurt was suddenly much more awake as the tray was placed onto Kurt’s lap, temporarily, as Ash climbed into bed next to him.

“I didn’t make the bread pudding, don’t worry,” Ash said as he moved the tray back onto his own lap. Kurt wasn’t worried about that; he was curious as to why Ash was out of bed before him, on a Sunday of all days. Usually Kurt had to give Ash an incentive to leave their bed...

“But I did make the tea, just the way you showed me. So I think it’s okay.” Ash frowned when he received no response from Kurt. He put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “Schwarzer and Arseid gave you a real beating yesterday, huh.”

“What time is it?” Kurt asked, his hand reaching out for his mug and lifting it towards his lips. He took a small sip, enjoying the smell, the taste, and the warmth from a freshly brewed bag of Earl Grey tea. The hot liquid warmed Kurt’s insides and made him more aware; Ash’s hand felt heavier and his breath more ticklish.

“10 AM,” Ash replied into Kurt’s ear. “Pretty late for a guy like you.”

“10 AM?” Kurt exclaimed. That meant he had slept for approximately 12 hours? “I’m sorry.”

Ash laughed. “Don’t apologize. It was nice being able to admire your sleeping face for once.”

Kurt blushed, lowering his face and taking a slow, drawn-out sip of tea. He was guilty of doing that almost every morning, admiring especially how Ash’s usual smirk or grin was instead a gentle smile. Sometimes Kurt would even touch that face with his fingers, gently brushing aside stray eyelashes off Ash’s cheeks or stray bangs away from Ash’s forehead.

“So, is it good?” Ash asked, once Kurt raised his face once more.

Kurt smiled back. “Yes, very good.” Though he was still shocked that he had slept in so late, Kurt was very happy right now, enjoying tea and bread pudding next to Ash. He wouldn’t mind if the future had another pleasant morning like this.

Chapter Text

Ash whistled as he walked into the bathroom, dressed up in formal wear as Kurt requested and ready as he ever would be to head out for the Thors II reunion party. Kurt, however, was the slower one for once. Ash watched as Kurt slathered sun lotion all over his face. The amount seemed excessive, especially since they would only be outside for a few hours. Kurt was basically painting his face with this lotion. “Are you that afraid of the sun?” Ash teased as he smirked at Kurt’s reflection in the mirror.

“I burn pretty easily,” Kurt replied, making sure to also put lotion on the little bit of neck that was visible above his collared shirt.

Ash slung an arm around Kurt’s back and stepped in closer. “Yeah, because you’re so pale.” It was easy now to see the difference in their skin tone in the mirror with Ash’s face next to Kurt’s. “You really look like one of those young masters who never go outside without a manservant that holds one of those umbrellas over them,” Ash remarked with a chuckle.

“I put on sun lotion so I don’t need a manservant to hold a parasol over my head,” Kurt said with a hint of a smile. Ash wondered if that was some version of Kurt making a joke. “Here, some for you,” Kurt insisted as he squeezed some more lotion out of the tube and onto his finger.

“Wha—” In one quick motion Kurt had maneuvered himself out of Ash’s one-armed embrace and began drawing lines all over Ash’s face with his lotion-covered fingers. The lotion was cool and not oily, but that didn’t help cover up the heat and the pink cheeks that came from having Kurt caress his face like this.

“Close your eyes,” Kurt commanded after he had finished coating most of Ash’s face except for the area around his eyes. Ash obeyed without thinking; when Kurt’s voice had that extra deep timber to it, Ash knew it would lead to something good. With eyes closed Ash felt Kurt’s fingers brush over his eyebrows, around his eyes, on top of his eyelids. Ash was about ready to reopen his eyes when he felt a puff of hot air on his mouth followed by Kurt’s lips on his own. It lasted for a second before Kurt pulled away.

Ash wasn’t going to let Kurt get away with one measly kiss, though, not after all this leadup. “Is that how you’re going to protect my lips from the sun?” he asked, his hand finding a spot once again on Kurt’s shoulder. Kurt blushed. Ash grinned. “If so, you missed a spot.”

With that Ash pulled Kurt back in for another kiss, making sure it was a long and proper kiss. After that they shared many more kisses until Ash was triple sure that no spot on his mouth was left untouched.

(They were a little late for the party, but no one cared, not even Kurt.)

Chapter Text

Ash hadn’t been able to check messages with ARCUS for a few days after participating in a bracer training camp from hell, so when he finally was able to reconnect, he checked the group chat and found himself in the middle of a conversation he had no idea about.

Ash: I’m still alive.
Juna: Kurt’s leveled up!
Juna: Congrats, Ash!
Ash: What the hell were you two up to?
Ash: Don’t get Kurt into trouble.
Juna: That’s what you do.
Juna: ANYWAY I taught him a bike trick.
Ash: Wait, Kurt can ride a bike?
Musse: Hehe
Musse: Congrats, Ash :D
Juna: *sends video*

Ash opened the video that Juna sent and his jaw dropped. Juna was clearly the one filming as her voice cheered Kurt on as Kurt not only was able to properly ride a bike but he even did a perfect 360 turn! This was damn impressive for someone who had been so scared to ride a bike and clung to Ash like his lifeline, especially after only a few days of practice or less. (He wasn’t exactly sure what Kurt and Juna had been up to these last 3 days, but apparently it was not just enjoying tea and cookies.) Unless Kurt had been secretly practicing without Ash’s knowledge…

Ash: Fucking hell
Juna: I’ll let Kurt know how impressed you are.
Ash: Damn right.

Ash replayed the video a few times, admiring how attractive Kurt looked when he maneuvered the bike with cool confidence…

Ash: Fuck that’s hot.
Altina: Just please wait until you two are alone before you start “congratulating” him.
Juna: Al?!
Musse: Reward him properly ;)

Ash was already contemplating the ways he would properly “congratulate” Kurt for learning how to properly ride a bike before he closed the chat window. Maybe next time they needed to go somewhere together, Ash could sidle up behind Kurt on their bike and give Kurt’s chest a nice groping… Ash snickered to himself before sending a message to Kurt, promising to reward him for his achievement. Thank Aidios they would see each other tomorrow. Ash couldn’t wait to see Kurt’s new skills in person.

Chapter Text

When Ash said he’d just wait outside of their dorm rooms for Kurt to come back from the clubroom, Kurt couldn’t help but rush out anyway. Ash didn’t sound like his normal, casual bordering on rude self… What Kurt found was Ash standing outside their dorm rooms with his hands shoved into his pockets, shifting back and forth waiting. Just how long had Ash been standing there waiting?

“Ash, what’s—"

“Hey, um…” Despite being interrupted, hearing Ash speak so softly, Kurt clamped his mouth shut and waited patiently for Ash to continue. Ash pulled a small golden key out of his right pants pocket and held it out towards Kurt. “This is for you.”

“Ash?” Kurt stretched out his left hand and allowed Ash to place the small key in his open palm. There was something familiar about the size and shape of this key. “Is this…”

Ash let out a nervous chuckle. “It’s a copy of my room key.” Ash’s right hand moved to scratch the back of his neck. “Gustaf made it. I tested it and it works perfectly.”

“You what?” Kurt exclaimed. His fingers had reflexively crushed the key into his palm. “Are the teachers aware?”

Ash shrugged. This meant that Ash hadn’t asked for permission, but considering Gustaf agreed to make it, maybe Gustaf had asked. Not like that was important to know right this instant.

“So next time when…you know…you can just come in.” Kurt knew exactly what Ash was talking about and his heart clenched thinking about it. The worst nightmare, the one so loud that Kurt thought he had hit his own head against the wall, may have been a month ago, but there had been a few quieter ones since then, and waiting for Gustaf to open the door each time always made Kurt sweat with worry.

“Of course. Any time.” Kurt knew it was unreasonable to expect Ash’s nightmares to suddenly disappear, no matter how hard he prayed to Aidios, but to be able to come to Ash when they did happen, to make sure Ash was okay, to pull him out of the worst of them, to hold him and comfort him, to help him fall back asleep peacefully… Kurt placed the key on his keyring, next to the key to the Vander home in Heimdallr. “Though not just for that.”

Ash raised an eyebrow. “What else then?”

Kurt didn’t answer Ash verbally but instead used the newly gifted key on Ash’s door, opening it and walking inside. Ash immediately followed, and as soon as the door closed behind Ash, Kurt pushed Ash up against it and kissed him. Kurt was pleased with the response he received, enjoying the warmth of Ash’s hands on his back as Ash pulled Kurt in closer and deepened the kiss.

“So you can sneak into my room to make-out with me? I like that,” Ash said with a smirk once they broke apart to catch some air.

Kurt blushed. “Nothing that…” He shook his head. Well, okay, Kurt did just pull Ash into the room so he could kiss Ash in privacy. “We don’t always have to impose on Sidney.”

Ash’s loud laugh made Kurt smile. “Well then, let’s make ourselves comfortable,” Ash said with a grin, lightly shoving Kurt away only to take his hand and lead him to his bed. During the next hour or so they indeed made themselves quite comfortable on Ash’s bed, and if Gustaf had any regrets about his role in facilitating this development, he wisely kept those comments to himself.

Chapter Text

Even though Kurt had entertained Fritz and the others from the Thors Main Branch chess club earlier in the day, Kurt had expected, just like any other weekend, that he’d still spend the evening with Ash. That’s why he was surprised when Ash wasn’t in the literature club room, the cafeteria, in the dorms, in the bookstore, or anywhere at all in Leeves. Concerned, Kurt called Ash’s ARCUS. He started to shake when the call kept ringing and Ash wasn’t picking up, but finally after the eighth ring he heard a muffled voice.

“Kurt?” There was a lot of background noise…chatter?

“Where are you right now?” Kurt asked. It was certainly not anywhere in Leeves, because it sounded like a restaurant or pub or…

“Raquel.”

“Raquel?” Kurt exclaimed. This morning Ash had kissed Kurt just like normal, telling him to destroy Fritz at chess, but now Ash was in Raquel? Kurt knew Ash was from Raquel, that he had friends there still, but Raquel was at least a half-day away even if he managed to catch all the express trains. Which meant as soon as Kurt had left for the academy, Ash had jetted off without even a word.

“Anyway, aren’t you busy with that stern-faced guy and his mates?” There was a sudden drop in background noise; perhaps Ash had exited whatever establishment he was in before and gone outside. More quietly he added, “You don’t need to worry about me.”

Kurt resisted the urge to slap a hand across his face. Ash saying that was not reassuring at all... “They already went home,” Kurt replied bluntly, unable to suppress how hurt he felt by the fact that Ash hadn’t told him anything about this trip.

A minute of silence passed. “Oh.” Ash sounded regretful now, but it was too late for Kurt.

“When will you be back?” Kurt knew it wouldn’t be tonight (that would be impossible), but he wanted to at least know if Ash was going to be gone for a long while, because despite feeling angry and hurt, Kurt still loved and worried about Ash.

“Tomorrow…evening, around 7?” It didn’t seem like Ash had set a time, but it was a little reassuring that Ash had clearly planned to be back tomorrow at least.

“We will talk then. Good night, Ash.”

Kurt didn’t wait for Ash to reply before hanging up and throwing his ARCUS on some corner of his bed. Why did Ash have to be so frustrating at times? Was there something Ash was doing there that he couldn’t tell anyone else about? They had been dating for 3 months already…shouldn’t they trust each other more? Kurt knew if he didn’t train to distraction, he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep. He exited his room and headed towards the training room, only to bump into Rean.

“Are you okay, Kurt?” It was probably obvious to anyone but especially Rean that Kurt was not happy right now.

“No. Ash is in Raquel and he didn’t tell me.”

“Oh.” Rean put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “He probably went there to clean his apartment. He does that every once in a while, though I can’t remember if he had done it since last August...” He shook his head. “Not that it makes his actions excusable. But you don’t have to worry about him going there for trouble.”

Kurt sighed in relief. It was good to get Rean’s guarantee that Ash was fine, but it still didn’t make sense why Ash wouldn’t tell him something like that. Kurt would have encouraged Ash to go, not blocked him. So what was wrong then?

Thankfully Rean was a willing partner in Kurt’s attempt to distract himself from thinking too much about Ash by training until he was too tired to stay awake. Tomorrow Kurt and Sidney would be hosting another day of chess matches against other school chess clubs. At least that would help distract Kurt until Ash’s return…

*****

At approximately 7:30 PM, Ash exited the Leeves train station only for Kurt to immediately grab onto Ash’s arm and drag him back to the dorms and up into Kurt and Sidney’s room. Kurt had told Sidney earlier what would probably happen once Ash returned, and Sidney had graciously made sure to be absent from the room so Kurt could shove Ash against the door as soon as it closed. “Why didn’t you tell me where you were going?” Kurt demanded, his palms pressed firmly against Ash’s chest.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal?” He looked genuinely surprised by Kurt’s temper. “You were supposedly busy all weekend with the chess tournament, so I figured it was a good time as any to go to Raquel and clean my place, you know? I didn’t think you would have time for me.”

“I always have time for you,” Kurt huffed, his fingers tightly clenching the material of Ash’s jacket. “But it doesn’t mean you have to sneak out just to do stuff on your own.”

“I know that, but…” Ash looked to the side, his cheeks turning pink. Quietly he added, “I just wanted to spend as much time with you when you have free time before we graduate.”

Kurt couldn’t help his immediate reaction, which was to shove Ash back against the door harder. He shook Ash and shouted, “YOU. ARE. SO. STUPID.”

“Kurt—”

Kurt didn’t wait for Ash to finish his protest, slamming his mouth over Ash’s and keeping his lips pressed there until Ash began kissing back, his hands landing on Kurt’s lower back.

With Ash flushed and breathing heavily from kissing, Kurt pulled back slightly and cupped Ash’s face so that he was forced to look Kurt in the eye. “Why do you think we’ll separate after graduation?” Kurt asked. When Ash was unable to answer after a minute, Kurt’s fingers started trembling, but he did his best not to look away. All types of reasons started to swirl in his head, unpleasant and heartbreaking ones, but Kurt had learned from past experiences that it was better to just know then to keep speculating. “Unless you don’t want—”

“I do want to stay with you!” Ash interrupted loudly, using his hands to pull Kurt back closer to him and hugging him tightly. “But…”

Kurt didn’t need to hear Ash say it out loud now; he had the feeling that Ash still didn’t think he was good enough for Kurt. Kurt’s heart tore a bit at the thought that despite these months of dating, he hadn’t gotten across just how much he loved Ash. He would just have to keep reinforcing it as many times as he could: that he believed in Ash, believed in them being together for as long as Aidios allowed them. “We’ll make it work,” Kurt declared.

Ash’s response was to bring his lips down onto Kurt’s lips for another kiss. Kurt made sure he did his best to meet every nip, every lick, every nonverbal question with a reply of his own. Kissing against the door wasn’t too comfortable though, so they eventually stumbled over to Kurt’s bed, continuing to share kisses until lips were thoroughly swollen.

Ash laid next to Kurt, a smile on his face, when Kurt added, “Also, next time take me with you.”

It took a moment for Ash to realize what conversation Kurt was continuing. When he did, he replied with a grin. “It’ll just be more cleaning…unless you want me to introduce you to the pretty ladies in town?”

“Ash!” Kurt was happy, though, that this normal Ash was back.

Ash laughed and added, “But I have the most beautiful person with me, so actually they’ll be the jealous ones.”

Kurt sighed before rolling on top of Ash and gently brushing Ash’s bangs to the side. He still didn’t like it when Ash brought up Kurt’s beauty when Ash himself was very handsome; Ash should stop selling himself short. Maybe Kurt should get back to kissing Ash out of his stupidity. As Kurt’s lips sealed over Ash’s once again, Kurt thought to himself that they indeed needed to work out what they would do after they graduate and how they would stay together after graduation, but those could be worked on later. For now, Kurt would keep kissing Ash. After all, Ash needed to make up for last night…

Chapter Text

It was finally his first day off in a long while and Ash was too exhausted to do anything besides grab a book, find a bench, and finally spend some time reading for the first time in weeks. With summer had come a rise in the number of monsters that needed to be quelled and of course Heimdallr had to have a sewer system as large as the city itself, which meant daily trips to fight monsters for like a month straight. It was nice when Kurt was able to bring his students to help, but unfortunately it was only one time, and the rest Ash spent alone. He preferred fighting to guiding lost tourists and other tasks dealing with annoying people as tourism to Heimdallr also increased around summertime, peaking especially for the Solstice. The city of 800,000 probably had like twice that number and it was annoying as hell doing anything at that time.

Ash closed his eyes for a moment. Aidios he was tired… He set the book on his lap and leaned back.

The next moment, Ash felt a kiss to his forehead. His eyes fluttered open to see the face of his blue-grey-haired lover partially blocking the late afternoon sun. Ash had fallen asleep outside; thankfully he had like no money so the only things worth stealing off him were the necklace around his neck or his earrings. The only one allowed to manhandle him like that and live to tell the story was Kurt.

“You want some cola?” Kurt asked as he brought a cold can to Ash’s lips. Ash took a large gulp. Ah, that felt good.

“Thanks.” He put the can aside and chuckled. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. I think I’m becoming an old man.”

Kurt laughed. “Responsibility is hard work.”

“Heh, maybe.” Ash stood up and put his book away. He put a hand on Kurt’s shoulder. “But it’s worth it, for you.”

Ash used his other hand to cup Kurt’s face before leaning in and kissing Kurt lightly on the lips. One of the easiest things for Ash to admit was the fact that Kurt changed his life for the better. Not rotting away back then, going back to school, graduating with honors, becoming a bracer…this was all due to Kurt always being there by his side. Besides, telling Kurt these things always caused Kurt’s face to turn pink, even if Ash had already said it hundreds of times by now.

Kurt pulled Ash back in for another kiss, possibly to distract Ash from teasing him about his blush, which Ash didn’t mind at all. They kissed for a few more minutes, forgetting they were outside. Catching his breath, Ash realized something felt off. “Seeing you here, at this hour, aren’t you being a bit irresponsible?” Ash was pretty sure that Kurt was supposed to still be teaching right now.

Kurt smiled sheepishly. “I saw you out here and excused myself.”

“Playing hooky for me?” Ash grinned. “I’m flattered.”

“My classes were basically over for the day.” Kurt stepped back and took hold of Ash’s hand. “So let’s go home.”

Ash squeezed Kurt’s hand back and let Kurt lead the way down the street, up the stairs, into their apartment, right to the couch. Maybe Ash didn’t spend much of today reading after all, but with Kurt straddling him on the couch and covering Ash’s face with kisses, Ash was definitely fine with this change to his day off.

Chapter Text

Ash collapsed on the bed, an extremely extravagant bed adorned with the silkiest of sheets and the fluffiest of pillows which altogether probably cost more than a lifetime’s worth of midnight colas, but the most important, priceless person was next to him and in the end, no matter the stupid long ceremonies or the embarrassing speeches or the lack of alcohol because some guests drank it like sustenance, it was worth all of it. However, it didn’t mean Ash couldn’t and wouldn’t grumble, pulling his now husband into his arms before he lost Kurt to the fluffiness of this bed. Damn, having royals as friends means they don’t do anything by halves…

"I’m never gonna do this again,” Ash groaned, his mouth brushing against Kurt’s forehead, displacing some light blue hairs to the side.

Kurt’s hands moved up to Ash’s shoulders to grip them tightly. “Good, because you aren’t marrying anyone else,” he declared.

Ash grinned, his lips parting just as Kurt’s mouth sealed over his. They had shared multiple kisses throughout the day: one in the morning, one right before the ceremony, one during the ceremony, a few during the reception. But this one, just for their own enjoyment, for their own happiness, was the best one yet.

“I never will,” Ash promised, sealing it with another kiss. Nothing else needed to be said.

Chapter Text

It had been a few years since Kurt had been a student, so he was trying to deal with his anxiety over tomorrow’s rank exam by going over the text once again. He hoped that reading it one more time would help the information stick better in his memory. He was about to turn the page when he heard Ash groan. Ash then muttered something, causing Kurt to close his book carefully and turn around to look over at Ash.

“Go the fuck to sleep.” Ash, who had been lying on the bed presumably trying to sleep, was now propped on his side.

Kurt frowned. “Ash.” He knew Ash would never grow out of the habit of swearing, but he still didn’t like it.

“I mean it.” Ash kicked his blankets off and sat up completely. “Reading this late will not only be useless, but you’ll also be tired.”

“But…” Ash had a point, but he had always been better at remembering things like this without needing to study, unlike Kurt…

“Besides, I can help you go over it tomorrow morning at breakfast.”

Kurt paused. It was rare for Ash to suggest eating breakfast together when he usually woke up as late as he could get away with. “You’ll wake up early enough?”

Ash laughed. “If I’m asleep before you, then yeah.”

“Ash…” Kurt sighed.

Ash knew he won Kurt over and flashed Kurt a wide smile. “Come here, Kurt,” he said, motioning for Kurt to join him on his bed. Once Kurt crossed the short distance between his desk and their beds, Ash pulled Kurt onto his bed. He placed his arms around Kurt and gently rubbed his hands up and down Kurt’s back. “Just relax,” he murmured, lips brushing against Kurt’s forehead. “I’ll take care of you.”

Kurt’s eyes closed automatically as Ash’s touch brought him to a warm, hazy state. “Thanks, Ash,” he quietly replied before his lips landed softly against Ash’s neck.

Ash continued to murmur things but at this point Kurt could no longer hear him clearly. He merely felt Ash’s warmth and love and fell asleep only a few moments later.

Chapter Text

Ash was hoping it would be a light day at the Bracer branch since today was Kurt’s birthday. It’d be nice to have an excuse to go home early and prepare something nice for Kurt, but what he found instead was an assignment from none other than Kurt himself.

“What is Kurt up to,” Ash asked out loud as he received the note from the receptionist.

“He specifically asked for you to fulfill this request,” the receptionist said with a cheerful smile. Well, sure, Ash would take on any request that Kurt put to the Guild, but the timing of this request was very suspicious.

Reading the note, Ash groaned. It was a request to gather ingredients necessary to make bitter tomato pizza so that Kurt could make it together with his lover later for dinner. Ash blushed as he crumpled the note and stuffed it into his jacket pocket. “Why does he have to be so weird,” he muttered.

Well, there was nothing to do but go shopping for those ingredients. From all the monster-killing requests, Ash always happened to have a pretty good stock of gelatin and powder, but the other three ingredients he lacked and needed to buy from the nearby stores. It should be easy, right? These were pretty common ingredients. Ash couldn’t wait to get this over with and go home to primp something else nice to go with this pizza…

*****

“You don’t have any bitter tomatoes either? Seriously?”

When Ash thought Kurt’s request would be easy, he found that apparently every general store in Heimdallr just happened to be out of bitter tomatoes. Just Ash’s luck that the one key ingredient for the recipe was out of stock everywhere.

“Why don’t you try the market in Celdic?” the clerk at the last store suggested, once Ash exclaimed about not being able to find a fucking bitter tomato anywhere in Heimdallr.

Well, it was better than disappointing Kurt with a regular tomato. Thank Aidios he had stopped into the branch office early this morning; he could spare a trip to Celdic and back on his bike. It’d be slower than the express trains, but Ash was still pissed off and driving could let off some steam, hopefully. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that the bitter tomatoes were out of stock, except maybe every person who decided they also needed to make bitter tomato pizza or gelato or whatever the fuck bitter tomatoes were used for.

There better be some damn bitter tomatoes in Celdic…

*****

“Sorry, sir, but we don’t have any right now. We ran out last night.”

Ash nearly kicked the stand upon hearing this. Celdic was supposed to have the biggest farmer’s market in all of Erebonia. If Celdic was out, did that mean there wasn’t a single bitter tomato in all of Erebonia? Did he have to go all the way to Crossbell or Liberl or some shit?

“Sir, maybe you can ask the guild for help? Some of the nearby tomartian monsters drop bitter tomatoes.”

Ash quirked an eyebrow. “Tomartians?” He vaguely remembered fighting something that back in his school days. Those sneaky little things… He remembered that they were nearly impossible to hit with his axe but thankfully he was pretty decent at arts too. “Where can I find them?”

“You’re going to fight… Oh…” The shopkeeper realized pretty quickly that Ash was not an ordinary man. “They inhabit the nearby highways.”

“Got it.” Ash waved casually before stalking out of town. He made sure to equip some fire arts so he could roast those fuckers and Ash could finally finish this quest and go home.

*****

“Ash!”

Ash was tired from fighting hundreds of monsters just to get a few measly bitter tomatoes. He supposed he could have stopped fighting after getting one tomato, but he had been so worked up that he decided a good clearing of the area was in store. The bracers in charge of Celdic’s monster quests could thank him later.

“Ash! What happened to you?”

“Huh? Kurt?” Ash had stumbled into the western Heimdallr guild branch office only to find himself embraced tightly by Kurt, Kurt’s face nuzzling into Ash’s neck. “What’re you doing here?”

“I was looking for you,” Kurt replied. “I thought you had a light day today and was hoping we could spend the afternoon together.”

“It was supposed to be a light day but…” Ash shook his head. “Nevermind. I got the ingredients. Wanna make that pizza now?”

Kurt pulled away and smiled broadly. “Yes.” He grabbed Ash’s hand. “You can tell me all about your day while the pizza bakes.”

“Oh do I have things to say,” Ash muttered quietly as he squeezed Kurt’s hand, but just seeing Kurt and his smile made everything fine.

*****

Ash was preparing midnight colas to drink with the pizza while Kurt sat at the dining table and watched the time, a frown still on his face after hearing Ash’s account of his day.

“You should have just called me. We could have made pizza with a regular tomato.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” Ash replied. “I had fun.” He placed both finished drinks on the dining table before leaning over to kiss Kurt’s forehead. “Besides, I always want to fulfill your requests perfectly.”

“Ash…” Before Kurt could voice further protests, Ash used a hand to tilt Kurt’s face up and placed his mouth over Kurt’s, swallowing Kurt’s words with a sweet kiss. Instead of speaking, Kurt tangled his fingers into Ash’s hair and slipped his tongue into Ash’s mouth. When Kurt’s ARCUS timer went off, they parted with flushed faces and short breaths.

“Well, time to see if your first birthday present is indeed perfect,” Ash said as he pulled away to retrieve the pizza from the oven.

“First?” Kurt asked. Ash laughed at the genuine question on Kurt’s face.

“Of course there’s another present,” Ash replied, placing the pizza onto the kitchen counter so it could cool a bit. It smelled delicious and Ash could feel his stomach rumble. It’d be good to eat up before continuing to the next phase of Kurt’s birthday celebration. He tugged at his shirt collar. Just thinking about it was…

“Oh…” Kurt blushed crimson. It seemed that Kurt understood what Ash meant. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect too.”

Ash smirked. “Nothing less for the most wonderful man in the world.” He placed a light kiss on Kurt’s lips. “Happy birthday, Kurt.”

The bitter tomato pizza was indeed delicious, but the way Kurt enjoyed it meant much more to Ash. Now that Ash knew how to make this, maybe he could make it again in the future? It was a thought Ash barely remembered later as once they finished eating, Kurt was not shy about showing Ash just how much he appreciated this gesture and everything Ash had done for him.

(The second present was more perfect than the first, Kurt would say later to himself as he embraced his peacefully sleeping Ash lovingly.)

Chapter Text

Musse had recently started a new category for “endearments” in her notebook and it was rapidly growing. She had probably missed the first few instances (she didn’t always spend her time observing Ash and Kurt moments especially if Instructor Rean was around), but it was completely obvious now that Ash was liberally throwing around the words “pretty boy” when referring to Kurt Vander with a shit-eating grin, as if no one would notice that it was actually an endearment and not an insult. No one had said anything out loud about it yet, but she was pretty sure she wasn’t the only one who had noticed.

Kurt, though… Musse was pretty sure that Kurt didn’t even register Ash’s words at first. Maybe Kurt had heard the phrase so many times before that his brain auto-translated it into “you”? But Kurt was starting to blush every time Ash used it now. Maybe it was because of the way Ash’s voice would deepen when he said those words to Kurt.

Musse was ready when they finished combat training, grabbing her notebook and pen. Just as expected, Ash tossed Kurt a bottle of water.

“Thanks, Ash,” Kurt said, smiling gratefully.

“Hey, wouldn’t want a pretty boy to die of thirst.” Yep, there it was, those words with a sly grin. And as expected, Kurt blushed but quickly hid his face with the water bottle.

Giggling, Musse opened her notebook and added marks under “drinks thrown” and “endearments” once again. It was getting harder and harder to find space to mark these instances now. She wondered if these two adorable idiots would manage to get together before that happened…

Chapter Text

Kurt was rereading one of his favorite knight stories when his ARCUS rang unexpectedly. He wasn’t expecting a call from anyone, especially not this late at night on Christmas. His heartbeat spiked upon opening his ARCUS and seeing the name “Ash Carbide” flash on his screen.

“Ash?” Kurt answered, voice strained with worry.

“Hey there, Kurt. What’s up?” Ash said with a smirk. He appeared to be casually lounging on a bed, but did that mean…

“Ash, is everything okay?” Kurt knew better than to let Ash try to cover up his concerns with false cheer. “You’re still with the Brights, right?”

“Yeah.” Ash chuckled. “Was a little too rowdy in the common room so I escaped for a bit.”

That was a genuine Ash smile. Kurt relaxed. “Oh. That’s good. I was worried.”

Ash smiled sheepishly. “Nah, nothing’s wrong here.” There was suddenly a loud shout…was that Estelle? Ash laughed at the twist that Kurt’s mouth made. “Just wish I could have some alcohol to make it a little more bearable.”

“Ash…” Kurt knew Ash was joking…probably?

“There was a bottle of wine but the three of them were stingy,” Ash grumbled half-heartedly. “Estelle is the only one actually drunk. Her dad is just pretending to be drunk.”

Kurt laughed. “Joshua must be having a hard time.”

“I think he doesn’t mind, actually,” Ash replied with a shrug. “Anyway, I hope it wasn’t a bad time to call?”

Kurt smiled sheepishly. “Actually, everyone else is asleep here.”

“Sorry for waking you—"

“No, I was thinking…” Kurt shook his head. “I wanted to call you, but I didn’t know what would be a good time…” Kurt hadn’t wanted to interrupt Ash if Ash was having a good time. After all those years where Ash must have spent Christmas alone…

“Kurt…” Ash sighed. A moment of silence passed as they just stared at each other through the ARCUS video.

Kurt didn’t mind the silence (he wouldn’t get sick of looking at Ash’s face), but his heart was just bursting with happiness. “I’m glad you called.”

“Yeah…” Ash smiled. Yes, this was the sight that Kurt rather look at forever. However, the spell was broken moments later when Kurt heard someone knock on Ash’s door and open the door. Ash made a gesture at the person before tilting his ARCUS so Kurt could see the purple-haired teenager at the door. Bringing the screen back to show his face, Ash said with a chuckle, “Looks like Renne is giving me that look so…” His face morphed back into a bright smile. “Merry Christmas. Love you, Kurt.”

Kurt smiled in return. “Love you too, Ash.”

Ending the call, Kurt put his ARCUS away and settled back on his bed, still smiling. Maybe he’d go to sleep now. Kurt had missed Ash’s presence more than he had wanted to acknowledge, but he felt warm again after talking to Ash. It wouldn’t be too much longer before they’d be back at Thors II, hanging out in the dorms they had decorated earlier with festive lights and cheesy decorations, but until then… And maybe next year…

Chapter Text

It was incredibly funny that Kurt was out like a rock after like half a cup of beer, Ash thought with a laugh as he guided a half-awake Kurt to the couch so they could rest. Although Rean had protested loudly about alcohol being available when all the students were still underage, it wasn’t like Rean could do anything about it when Principal Aurelia was the one who was personally handing out the alcohol. Kurt too had been reluctant about having alcohol at first, but when even Altina took a few sips offered to her by Juna, Kurt gave in. Ash, on the other hand, was incredibly glad that he could finally get some alcohol after spending nearly a week with the Brights and unable to touch any of the alcohol that was just right across the table…but one glare from Joshua and Ash gave up. He’d like to keep his hands attached to his body, thank you very much.

Unlike Kurt, Ash was not a newbie to alcohol nor was he a lightweight. It wasn’t hard to get a taste as a delinquent in Raquel, when sometimes alcohol was easier to come by than food or money. Of course people could easily “forget” that he wasn’t old enough when Ash put on a mean scowl; he had the build of an adult anyway. The alcohol his “friends” had given him back then was cheap and tasted like shit but Ash hadn’t minded. He didn’t mind the one time he blacked out, though the hangover was hell the next day. He learned quickly how much he would drink when and where, and tonight would have been a great night to get drunk but…

Kurt had fallen asleep as soon as his shoulder found a good resting spot on Ash’s shoulder. Ash chuckled before helping to maneuver Kurt to a more comfortable position, with Kurt’s head now resting in his lap. The couch Ash had found was off to the side so Ash could only observe the others, not hear what they were saying, though Ash didn’t mind that he was rather uninvolved in the party now. Despite the jokes he made sometimes, Ash wasn’t that much of a party person, not when he had such a wonderful boyfriend to spend quiet time with. Sure, speaking with all those pretty ladies or hanging out with those dudes was a way to chase off loneliness back then, but what loneliness did he have to worry about now with Kurt by his side?

Aidios, he was in a mood tonight… Ash was glad that no one was paying attention right now or they would surely see his soft smile and make fun of him for it. Ash looked down again at Kurt’s sleeping face and brushed Kurt’s hair off his forehead gently. Kurt was just an incredibly beautiful person inside and out, but he also made Ash calmer, steadier, warmer, happier… If Ash had any ability to return even a portion of that back to Kurt… Maybe that’s why Ash couldn’t wake Kurt up, even though he would’ve liked to have another drink so he could get a little more drunk. Kurt like this was just so…precious…

Sometime later Ash felt a small nudge to his right arm, jolting him out of his half-aware state. He had been thinking about the times he and Kurt…never mind. He looked up and saw Musse already a few steps away, giving him a wink.

“What’d you wink at me for?” Ash asked, confused.

“It’s almost time,” Musse replied. “I’m off to find Juna.”

Almost time? Just how long had he been sitting here with Kurt’s head in his lap, with his fingers absentmindedly carting gently through Kurt’s blue-gray locks? Ash grabbed his ARCUS, flipped it open to see that it was 11:58 PM. Oh shit. Ash carefully maneuvered Kurt so that Kurt was now sitting upright before shaking him by the shoulders with increasing force. After a few moments Ash saw Kurt blink. He stopped shaking Kurt but kept his hands on Kurt’s shoulders, holding Kurt steady.

“What’s going on?” Kurt mumbled sleepily, lifting his left hand to rub at his eyes.

Ash caught Kurt’s left hand with his right and linked their fingers together. “It’s almost midnight.”

“Midnight?” Kurt looked at their surroundings, at the couples all getting close together. He leaned in closer, unlinking their hands only to put his hands on Ash’s waist instead, moving closer until his mouth was barely a fingertip away from Ash’s.

“Kurt…” Ash began but was cut off by the count down starting. It looked like Aurelia had started it; with her booming voice there was no mistaking the time anymore. 10, 9, 8…3, 2, 1…

“Happy New Year!” With people’s shouts and the sound of fireworks as background, Ash and Kurt kissed once, twice, many times, sharing wishes and promises to a bright future together. Sure, kissing right at midnight might be a silly tradition, but Ash would never deny any excuse to kiss Kurt for all the world to see. He loved Kurt and he was happy to tell anyone and everyone. If this kiss also meant that his and Kurt’s destinies were intertwined now, well Ash would gladly take that too.

Chapter Text

Five sets of white lilies laid in a circle on the gravestone in bunches of three. Kurt exhaled deeply as Joshua put the last set down and stepped back. He turned to Ash whose eyes were already closed. Kurt closed his as well. For a while there was just the sound of the wind, gently rustling through the trees and grass and fields of flowers. When a flock of birds honked as they flew over, Kurt opened his eyes again, blinking as he readjusted to the sunlight reflecting off Ash’s hair.

Not much had changed here but also so much had changed. The scenery was the same: the flowers that grew nearby were still growing in beautiful white, the fallen pillars were still scattered across the ground, the spaces hollow and empty. The first time Kurt came to Hamel he didn’t even know about its existence. The second time he came it was all about finding Ash and bringing him back. This time, coming back after everything that happened in the world but also between him and Ash, it was still about Ash but also about Joshua, about love and support and family.

Ash had been quiet ever since the five of them walked past the damaged sign, but Kurt hadn’t been concerned before. Now, though, Ash had started to walk away, his eyes glued to his feet. Kurt managed to catch Joshua’s attention and was going to open his mouth to say something, but Joshua waved him off with a small smile. Joshua would stay with Estelle and Renne by Loewe’s gravestone while Kurt would check on Ash.

Ash hadn’t gone too far. Kurt found him back in the ruins of the village, sitting on the ground and leaning against one of the broken pillars of what used to be the church, knees up against his chest. Kurt sat down next to Ash, cross-legged, a few rege to Ash’s right. “What’s wrong, Ash?” he asked.

Ash looked up at Kurt briefly before looking down at his hands again. “It’s nothing.”

“Ash.” Kurt put a hand on Ash’s right shoulder. They both knew it wasn’t “nothing”.

“To be honest, I don’t remember Loewe much,” Ash began quietly. “I think I remember him lifting me up once and it was terrifying. I’m sure he was a good guy but…”

Ash shook his head. When he spoke again, his voice was louder and his words tumbled out faster, like he had to say it all at once or he wouldn’t be able to say it at all. “I don’t even remember that much about Hamel. I couldn’t even remember which one of these places was my house. Joshua has told me a lot of things but sometimes I don’t want to hear more. It feels shameful to not remember these things myself.”

“Ash…” Kurt closed the distance between them, moving his hand now to Ash’s shoulder and cradling Ash lightly against his chest. Ash leaned into Kurt’s touch and closed his eyes.

“Is it bad that I remember my adoptive mother much more than my real parents?” Ash wondered aloud. “When I think about being a kid, I think about her first? That I don’t really remember what my real parents look like?”

“No,” Kurt declared as his hand tightened on Ash’s shoulder, causing Ash to reopen his eyes. Kurt just… So many times Ash pretended as if he was confidently “Ash Carbide”, that he was beyond the tragedy and hurt in his past. To hear him say this…to reveal this vulnerability… Kurt knew he had to speak from his own heart.

“You were only 3 years old when you lost them,” Kurt said, looking straight into Ash’s uncertain gaze. “I can barely remember anything from that age. Sometimes Mother or Mueller will tell me how, before I could even talk, I would grab for two sticks to play with, but I only remember that I wanted so badly to wield a greatsword just like Father and Mueller. Does that mean their memory is wrong, that they were trying to comfort me with a white lie? Not necessarily.”

Kurt paused only to catch his breath, continuing before Ash could interrupt. “In the end the past is just the past,” Kurt stated. “Sure, the past leads to the present, but the you that exists right now is more important.”

“Kurt…” Ash looked like he wanted to say so much but didn’t know how to express it.

But Kurt was not done, not until he got Ash to smile again, genuinely and naturally. “Ash Carbide is the one that I love. The man with the potty mouth, with the wicked smirk, with too many smarts he doesn’t even know what to do with himself…”

“Hey!” Ash’s ears were starting to turn pink.

Kurt chuckled. “Not some sweet crybaby, though I wished you’d show me your dopey smile more often…”

Ash’s face was red now, but he was also smiling. “Hey, Kurt…”

“Yes?” Kurt couldn’t help but bring his face in close so that he could see every bit of emotion in Ash’s magenta eyes.

“I love you, so just shut up and let me kiss you,” Ash grumbled, moving a hand to cup the back of Kurt’s head.

Kurt barely managed to reply before their lips met, the word “okay” pressed into Ash’s lips and swallowed by Ash’s tongue. He would “say” it to Ash over and over again, for eternity if it was possible. When Renne found them later and poked them each with a white lily, Ash and Kurt would finally stand back up again. They joined the three Brights, spreading white lilies all across the ruins, until no pillar was left untouched. With every white lily they laid down, they wished for a little more peace to the people lost that day. A pair of these flowers were for two loving parents, another flower was for the 3-year-old who lost so much that day… Maybe each white lily was more for their own comfort than anything else. But no matter what, with white lilies or without, Kurt would be here with Ash, facing the past, the present, the future, holding Ash’s hand.

Chapter Text

Kurt was just finishing the last of his 1000 strikes when he heard a voice behind him, a familiar voice?

“Yo.”

Sheathing his swords, Kurt turned around and automatically caught the water bottle thrown at him. He opened it and took a sip before he looked and truly took in the sight of Ash Carbide standing a few arge away in the middle of the Vander training hall. Yes, Ash was really standing there with his hair slightly long and messy, his clothes sticking to his skin, but with his same signature smirk.

“Ash?” Kurt exhaled and inhaled again, making sure the sight before him wasn’t a hallucination. When Ash’s figure didn’t disappear, Kurt asked, “What are you doing here?”

Ash laughed. “What’s with that cold greeting? I’m back, of course.”

Kurt frowned. “But your training…” Ash was supposed to be gone another week at least for a total of 5 weeks, right? Had Kurt lost count of the days?

“Finished early.” Ash grinned. “I have a week of break now unless something urgent comes up.” He took a step forward towards Kurt, but when Kurt didn’t move to meet him, Ash’s smile flipped. “You’re not happy to see me?”

“I’m just…” Kurt shook his head. Something bothered him about the Bracer Guild cutting Ash’s training short but if Ash was truly smiling… He could ask about why Ash’s training was cut short later. More importantly… “Did you run straight over here?”

“Well…” Ash blushed. Kurt too felt his cheeks warm up. To think that Ash wanted to see him so badly he didn’t even go home to freshen up before finding Kurt… “I figured I should show off the fruits of my training,” Ash added, his smirk back on his face. He stepped back and drew out his large varia axe, pointing it straight at Kurt’s chest. “Fight me, Vander.”

Kurt unsheathed his swords and took a ready stance. “You’re on!”

Kurt was immediately on the defensive but with every clash of their blades Kurt felt more and more excited, to fight again with his partner, his equal, his lover. And when Ash finally disarmed him (not that Kurt was too mad, considering the circumstances), Kurt showed he too had been training hard while they had been apart, surprising Ash by grabbing him by the collar and tackling him to the floor before sealing their mouths together in an overdue greeting kiss.

“Welcome home, Ash,” Kurt murmured, enjoying the feel of Ash’s body underneath his, Ash’s heart beating against his.

Ash chuckled. “I’m glad to be back,” he replied before bringing Kurt’s mouth back to his for another kiss.

Chapter Text

It’s in the middle of breakfast with Altina and Juna one July morning, when Juna is complaining about not getting enough sleep, that Kurt has a sudden realization. Kurt himself hasn’t had any problems with sleep or classwork, but he has felt this constant slight irritation around a certain blonde named Ash Carbide, like an itch he can’t soothe. Yet even though Ash gets on Kurt’s nerves by just barging into Kurt’s space willy-nilly, putting his hand on Kurt’s shoulder, and talking about girls (why does he keep talking about girls?), Kurt still wants to spend more time with him. It can only mean one thing, something that Kurt would never have thought just 3 months ago. Kurt likes Ash.

Kurt chokes at the thought, causing Juna and Altina to look over at him in concern. He assures them that he’s fine and just worried about the upcoming field study. This isn’t exactly a lie; each field study has become more and more intense and although their class has been strengthened with Ash and Musse and… Kurt’s thoughts stall when he catches a glimpse of blonde hair and sun-kissed skin…

“I’m going to ask Ash to join us!” Juna declares, standing up before Kurt or Altina can say anything. Kurt can only look on with his mouth half-open as Juna literally pushes Ash to sit at their table. With his half-eaten breakfast Ash takes the seat to Kurt’s left and puts a hand on Kurt’s shoulder.

“Hope you don’t mind, young Master,” Ash says with a grin, squeezing Kurt’s shoulder. Kurt’s heart skips a beat but in the next moment he’s shrugging off Ash’s hand.

“Just eat,” Kurt mutters, looking down and hoping his cheeks aren’t starting to turn pink. It’s easy to focus on eating when Juna starts talking again, this time wondering what part of Erebonia they will visit next. She wonders if they will get a chance to see Altina’s home or Instructor Rean’s home. Kurt wonders too where they’ll go to next, but he also can’t stop thinking about Ash sitting so close next to him at the breakfast table and how unusually quiet Ash seems to be, as if he’s planning something… Kurt is just about to look up when he finds a sausage placed on his plate.

“Had an extra one,” Ash says with a grin, standing up. “I’m sure the young Master won’t let it go to waste.”

Kurt drops his fork and looks curiously up at Ash. He isn’t the only one weirded out by Ash’s behavior. Juna stops talking mid-sentence to stare along with Altina. After all, last time any food was exchanged between them, Ash tried to take Kurt’s food.

Ash breaks the silence with an awkward laugh. “Sorry I can’t hang,” he says, fingers twitching. “I still have stuff to take care of back in my room, if you know what I mean.”

“I don’t know what you mean!” Juna exclaims after Ash’s retreating back, her face flushed. They all knew what Ash had implied. The itch that Kurt felt normally relating to Ash grew more intense. Did it always have to be about… He stabs the sausage with more force than necessary.

“Are you okay Kurt?” Altina asks, just as Kurt is about to put a piece of sausage in his mouth. Kurt nods.

“That guy,” Juna says with a sigh. “Don’t worry about him, Kurt. He’s just an asshole.”

Kurt tries his best to follow Juna’s advice, but the rest of the morning he can’t put Ash’s strange behavior out of his mind. It didn’t make sense for Ash to have been so quiet and not at least make a snarky comment about Juna’s chatter. Maybe when… did Kurt upset Ash by shrugging his hand off? But when Ash, during lecture break, pulls out his gravure magazines without a care to the audience around him, Kurt figures he is probably over thinking the whole situation. Yes, Ash is just the same as always. Kurt’s just overthinking because he just realized he likes Ash, has for a few weeks at least. This will take some getting used to…

“Which one caught your eye there Vander?”

Kurt blinks. “What?” Had he been staring off vaguely in Ash’s direction again? He looks down at the magazine and notes a blonde and a redhead posing together in bikinis on one page, and a white-haired woman on the other page. He frowns.

Ash laughs. “Damn, I guess none of them.” Ash turns to the next page of his magazine. It’s a blue-haired model this time. Kurt doesn’t really care to notice anything else. “But one day you’ll get it, I’m sure.”

Kurt sighs and just shakes his head. It always has to be about girls with Ash, right? “I won’t,” he mutters.

“You say something Vander?” But before Ash can pester Kurt more, class starts again. Kurt takes sneak peaks at Ash all throughout Instructor Towa’s lecture and then later during combat class with Instructor Randy. Ash doesn’t seem to notice this at all. And Juna…

“Seriously, Kurt, there’s nothing to worry about,” she tells Kurt later when they have a break to watch Ash and Altina fight against Instructors Rean and Randy. “Ash is doing just fine.”

“I guess.” Kurt already figured this out. The problem is Kurt’s alone, at least for now, since Ash seems oblivious… Hopefully it stays that way, Kurt thinks to himself as he admires the way Ash swings the varia axe, nearly catching Instructor Rean in the leg. Kurt doesn’t know what he’ll do in the future about this realization he just had, but just for a bit longer, he wants…

Chapter Text

found

Ash doesn’t have a problem admitting he’s made mistakes. He’s probably made enough to write a whole damn novel at this point. Funny, considering he’s read so many books, that he’s made many of those same mistakes that he wanted to yell at those idiot characters about. Like hurting people without noticing he was hurting them, or without noticing why he wanted to jab at them. Why did he want their anger, why did he want their laughter, why did he want their attention?

Ash didn’t realize that all he was looking for was someone who could find him, the real him, hidden behind walls of grief and fear, walls to protect himself from losing more than he could afford to lose.

But then Kurt found him. Kurt didn’t just find his physical body, leaning half-heartedly against a ruined wall in a ruined town. Kurt found his mind, lost in a destructive spiral of thoughts. Kurt found him at his worst and pulled him out, gave him an anchor to hold onto. And Ash won’t let go of that, not now, not ever.

With Kurt Ash has found comfort, warmth, home, and there isn’t anything more he could ever want.

touch

With a simple touch of lips, Ash’s irritation calms as if it never existed.

Ash lets the warmth he feels wash over him, absorbing it fully. It’s amazing every time this happens. Whether it’s anger, frustration, irritation, Ash can be disarmed so easily by a simple kiss.

Of course Kurt also has the ability to talk Ash down when Ash gets a little too riled up, when he wants to spill for a fight he shouldn’t fight. But there’s something better about being kissed gently by Kurt.

Maybe Ash is just greedy, because Kurt isn’t one to just touch anyone anywhere. Maybe because Ash knows when Kurt reaches out to touch him that Kurt really cares, that Kurt’s really worried about him or really sympathetic or really just as much in love with him as he is with Kurt.

In response to Kurt’s kiss, Ash takes Kurt’s hand and smiles.

wait

Ash still wakes up in the middle of the night sometimes, even though he’s come to terms with what happened 20 years ago, 6 years ago. He wakes up and looks at Kurt’s sleeping face, the most beautiful sleeping face in the world, counting the strands of hair that have fallen across his forehead and cover his closed, blue-grey eyes. He spends this quiet moment focusing on Kurt. He didn’t understand 6 years ago, hell he still doesn’t understand even now, why Kurt waited for him, waited for Ash even when Ash hit rock bottom and needed someone to pull him up again. Ash doesn’t make excuses; he isn’t a good person. But being with Kurt makes him think maybe he’s not a bad person either.

Ash waits until his thoughts are full of Kurt’s love for him and nothing else, before he closes his eyes and falls back asleep.

Chapter Text

Walking the route from the dormitory to the Thors II branch building, wearing the distinct blue uniform… It was hard to remember that they were just starting September with the way August went. So much had happened in the two months or so since they last spent time here as official students; they had all experienced so much, grown so much, changed… They were good changes, Kurt thought, smiling as he squeezed Ash’s hand.

After making that left turn after Barneys, it was a straight shot up to the campus. The three story building was visible even from far away, and in a few weeks, the trees might start changing colors. That would make a nice walk, especially if accompanied by a cool breeze, like the one that just picked up for a moment, ruffling the leaves of the nearby trees. And with Ash by his side…

“This is where it all started, huh.”

“Ash?”

Ash had stopped them an arge in front of the Thors II main gate, a frown on his face. Now that Kurt thought about it, Ash had been really quiet on their walk from the dormitory. Kurt had assumed that it was because Ash hadn’t quite woken up completely, but maybe Ash too was being introspective.

“Though I wasn’t very nice to you at first.”

Kurt chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”

“Yeah.” Ash smiled sheepishly as he squeezed Kurt’s hand. “Sorry about that.”

Kurt shook his head. “No need.” He pulled Ash to the side, so that they no longer stood in the center of the walkway. To be honest, Kurt didn’t remember exactly what Ash had said back then, but he understood now why Ash acted like that. He wasn’t concerned about that anymore. “All that matters is that you’re here with me now.”

“I guess…”

Kurt sighed. He took a step closer to Ash and planted a kiss on Ash’s lips. In response Ash’s free hand came to rest on his waist, but there was no motion to deepen the kiss. A minute later Kurt pulled back.

“Let’s go, Ash.”

Kurt tightened his hold on Ash’s hand and tugged with renewed vigor, bringing them into Thors II campus proper. He ignored Ash’s grumbled “damn why are you excited to get lectured” and marched them proudly past the front doors. Although many things had happened since their first conversation outside these gates, today they were here as classmates and as boyfriends. Today was a new beginning to their life at Thors II, and Kurt couldn’t wait to get it started.