Asher had also been quite distant the past couple days, maybe not physically but definitely mentally.
Sure, he would still wrap his arm around Cailen's waist or kiss him on the cheek, but it somehow just felt wrong.
Like he was just going through the motions because he knew this is what he should be doing but like he didn't actually feel like doing it.
Like when he left for work this morning, Asher gave him a chaste kiss to the lips, mumbled out a goodbye and barely looked him in the eye before fleeing for the door.
Their goodbyes in the morning were usually longer- a lot longer- and involved a lot more embracing, kisses and some playful teasing.
This morning, Cailen almost broke down in the kitchen because that's all it's been the past couple days.
He couldn't say Asher was completely to blame because Cailen didn't want to bring it up either but he couldn't help but notice the wedge
"I'm sorry," Asherapologized, never breaking eye contact. "I've been acting like a twat lately," Asheradmitted and as much as Cailenwould like accept the apology and leave it at that, he knew Asherwasn't totally in the wrong."So have I," Cailenadmitted, running his hands up Asher's arms and looking down at where their bodies met. "Why can't we figure this one out?" Cailenasked, knowing it's what Asher's been thinking as well."I don't know, because we're both a little stubborn and think we're right?" Ashersuggested, half teasing but half serious.Cailengave him a half smile, his hand resting on Asher's shoulders."I want you to know, I do support you. I know it might seem like I don't... But Ijust worry, Ash," Cailenexplained, continuing before Ashercan interrupt and he can't get his point across."I love that being a firefighter makes you happy, and all I want is for
"What?" Cailensaid, maybe sort of squeaked."Yeah, I think he should go," Asherchuckled. "I mean, not forever... maybe just a couple months to clear his head and see what he really wants to do. But he always talks about missing home and I think it's kind of mixing with all the Camilleemotions... So I think he should go and just sort everything out," Ashersaid.Cailenhadn't been expecting this at all. He had expected Asherto be very upset about this, to be begging Noahto stay, not telling him to go."Oh, you're not going to miss him?" Cailenasked, confused."Of course I am," Ashersaid. "But... You know, we're always busy with Zekeand now Mattand Hazelhave Aariyah. He's only got Wilto hang around and Wil's focusing on his band... I'm sure it gets lonely, he just doesn't want to say anything and make us feel bad," Asherexplained.Cailennever thought
"I have a son," Cailenanswered with a patient smile, still finding it odd but equally exciting when he told people that, no matter how many times he has told her this.Mrs. Cruzsmiled at this, the wrinkles by her eyes becoming more prominent."How old?""He's eight," Cailenreplied, watching as her eyes lit up with joy from his answer."Oh, they're such darlings at that age," she commented but Cailencould tell now that she was lying in her bed, she was getting tired."Yeah, he's pretty amazing," Cailenreplied, double checking that everything on the monitor was correct. "I'll be back in a couple hours with your dinner before I leave, okay?" Cailensaid, heading towards the door."Okay, dear," she smiled sleepily at Cailen, her eyes falling shut as she fell asleep.Cailenshut the door behind him, smiling to himself because he really did enjoy talking to Mrs. Cruz, even if she didn't
"Of course I'm coming back. Even if it's not to stay... I'll always visit," Noahassured. "Look, I don't know what I'm doing yet. You know I'm more of a 'play it by year' kind of guy. We'll see what happens when it happens, yeah?""Yeah," Cailensighed. "Just going to miss you," Cailenadmitted."I'm going to miss you too, but don't act like I'm never going to see you again," Noahsaid, the most stubborn sounding he's ever heard the man sound."Okay. But, I've got to go. Don't just disappear on me. Come say goodbye first," Caileninstructed."Of course," Noahsmiled. "Now get out of here. I'm sure you and Ashhave a special night planned," Noahwinked, nodding towards the door.Cailenchoked out a laugh because they actually didn't. Honestly, they'd probably end up falling asleep on the couch."Yeah, okay. See you, Noah," Cailensaid, backing away from the guy and towards the do
Cailenwas already grabbing the pants off the doorknob and slipping them on, underwear be damned."What's wrong?" Cailenasked, noticing Asherclimbing out of bed as well, going in search of his clothes."Zekehad a nightmare..." Williamsaid, and although it didn't slow his movements any as he searched for his shirt, his heart did calm some because this was something that had happened many times."Yeah... Hegets those. We're coming over," Cailensaid into the phone as Asherhanded him his shirt.Cailenglanced around Asherat the alarm clock and saw that it was nearly two in the morning."Is he still up?I want totalk to him on the phone.""Yeah... he's- he's here, but um, he doesn't want to talk about it. He said not to call you," Williamsaid, his voice turning into a whisper."We're coming,Wil, just try to keep him calm if you can," Cailen
They didn't knock when they arrived at the house.They both climbed out of the car, Asherbarely remembering to lock it and hurried inside.The house was quiet and dark except for the quiet noise of the television and low glow from the screen that was coming from the living room.Cailenand Asherkicked off their shoes and hurried into the living room where Williamsat on an armchair, his attention on the screen though it looked like he was ready to pass out from how tired he was.On the couch that was facing the television,they could see a blonde head poking over the top and as they drew closer,they could see Ezekiel's as well.When they stepped into the living room, Williamturned to them and stood in relief, gesturing to the couch where Ezekielwas."Zeke, look who's here," Williamsaid, smiling softly at the boy.Both Noahand Ezekielturned to see Cailen
"Is everything okay with you and Ash?" Williamasked hesitantly."I thought after tonight-" Noahbegan but he really didn't want to discuss that infront of his father, thank you very much."We're fine... we just-" Cailenwent to explain but then Asherwas coming into the kitchen, a confused expression on his face as he regarded Cailen.Cailenlooked to the ground, suddenly very aware that he sort of did throw a fit when he stormed out of the living room."Cai, I can't-" Asherstarted to say, his eyes taking in the audience they had."Don't," Cailensaid, his blood beginning to boil again because he knew what Asherwas trying to do.He was actually going to try and justify his reasons behind staying a firefighter and Cailenreally didn't want to hear it."How could you do that? How could you sit there and lie to Zeke? Please tell me because I'm going to need a lesson if we're g
"Should we get creamy or original?" Cailenasked, holding up two different boxes of macaroni and cheese to Ezekiel.They were in the supermarket picking up some groceries that they found they were in desperate need of after having gone home from Eden's last night.Cailenhad went to go make lunch and discovered they were quite low on food supplies,so they decided to go out for lunch and go grocery shopping afterwards.Asherwas beside him, leaning on the trolley and looking down at Ezekielas he contemplated the very hard decision."Creamy!" Ezekielfinally decided,so Cailentossed it in the trolley and set the other back on the shelf.They were moving on down the aisle when they heard Ezekiel's name being called.Ezekielturned first, then Asherand Cailen, to see a blonde kid rushing down the aisle after them.It was Tripp, the kid from Ezekiel's school that apparentl