Chapter 23
Salvation decided on bring Asher one of his favorite foods deep dish pizza. He didn't know if the doc would like it, but it was worth a try. Ghosting a large one into his hands he left the hallway where Kara and Brock's room was and started for the clinic. Has he got closer to the clinic doors his heart started to race. "Get a grip." He said to himself.
Asher hit send on the encrypted email detailing today's issues and reports of the world losing it damn mind to Rycker for him to catalog and send onto the people who should see it. Leaning back in his chair, he looked at the clock on the wall and groaned. Food or sleep? Both were necessary and both required more time than he had if he wanted to do both. Rubbing his face, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a minute to enjoy the brief moment of no one dying on the floor. He wondered how Sal was doing. He was supposed to be his house guest, but neither of them had been there at the same time since it had been decided. The only way Asher knew that Sal may have been there was an imprint of a body on the bed when he fell into it when he was too exhausted to continue working. For all he knew it was his own from the time before. His mind was getting a little sketchy about little details like that.
Pushing the doors of the clinic open he went to Asher's office door an knocked on it. He knew Asher was in there, but he didn't wanna be rude.
Cracking one eye, he looked at the door, his nose twitched at the smell of melted cheese and meats. His stomach growled and a smile kicked up one corner of his mouth when he realized that Sal's scent as there to. "You don't have to knock, Sal." he called through the door, feeling a little less exhausted as his heart kicked up a notch, knowing the Ghuardian was back.
He opened the door and stepped inside and closed the door behind him. "I'll remember that for next time. I brought you some food. I have no idea what meal time it is for you. I hope you like deep dish pizza." Salvation said opening the box of pizza to show Asher. "It's one of my favorite foods." Sal looked at the desk Asher sat behind it was covered in papers and other little things. "I see the maid hadn't came in a while. Or did you eat her?" He nodded to pile of things on his desk that looked like bones. "You know some people might be scared off by that doc. Not me though I know chicken hawks are mean." He teased Asher.
Asher laughed and pulled the papers and files into a pile before opening the top drawer of the desk and sweeping them into it. He had no idea what the bones were. "I think Phelon forgot he was eating that, whatever it is," he made a face and got up to brush it into a trash can. "You read my mind," he smiled. "I'm starving and I think I missed you. So you've solved both of my problems."
A smile spread over Sal's face. "I missed you too." He said putting the pizza down. He ghosted in plates and silverware. "I wasn't sure what you would want to drink so just name it and I'll get it for you." Sal looked at the bones in the trash can. "Whatever it was, it was small. Chicken wings maybe? I can't really tell." He took a seat on the other side of the desk. "How long have you been sitting here?"
"Anything with sugar in it," he couldn't seem to stop smiling, which was weird as hell, considering the blood that had been splattered across him today. He caught himself staring and lifted his eyes to the clock. "Ten minutes. Long enough to type and send in the daily report. Ana just took over. We're working in shifts until things calm down." Asher leaned forward and opened the box, pulling out a slice for each plate and pushing one toward Salvation. "Things crazy out there for you too?" His eyes swept over the male, looking for injuries and he breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't spot anything obvious.
Salvation ghosted in two large bottle of coke. "Then I'm just in time then." He said smiling. He got himself a piece of pizza an opened Asher's coke for him. "Working in shifts is a good idea.Crazy is not the word I'd use for what's going on out there. I spent my day almost knee deep in dead bodies. All demons and other nasty things. I went to see Kara I had to follow up on a message I got." He picked up his silverware and started cutting the pizza in front of him. "What about you? Anything I should know about?"
"Other than we're getting just as many civilians that have been hit by the National Guard as we are from the end of days BS?" He shook his head no and forked a piece of the pizza into his mouth groaning at how good it tasted. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't remember the last time he ate. He unscrewed the cap from one of the bottles and took a long drink, feeling his brain brighten a little as his blood sugar got a kick in the pants. "I'm glad you're here and in one piece."
Sal laughed when Asher opened the other coke. "I opened that first one for you. I'm glad you're okay and not hurt. Can't the humans just handle their own shit. I mean since we are all on the kill list." Salvation said with a growl. Many of the things he'd kill today he did it to save the humans. Part of him wanted to let them be wiped off the planet like these demons wanted them to be, but logic dictated better in him. If he gave into every urge he had. A lot of shifters and other supers would be died as door nails too. Not just the humans. The hardships of having a moral compass. He was glad Asher was in enjoying the pizza. "Eat up. You'll need your strength for the next wave of crazy."
"They are handling their shit, by shooting our people it seems," he blushed and looked at the bottle of Coke. "Sorry, my brain isn't firing on all cylinders, I guess. Or maybe I'm not used to people doing stuff foe me." He shrugged, hoping the crazy could hold off long enough for him to catch his breath or second wind. "Are you just checking in or do you get a couple hours of R&R?"
"Demons I understand, but humans not a clue on how they think." He took a drink of coke that he'd open for Asher to start with. "It's okay I get your brain is mush. I have some time till the next bomb goes off. Did you know Brock was back and Jared has been sucked into a fucking hole? And the end of the world is upon us." He said counting on his fingers. "Yes I think that's all the news up to this point." Shaking his head Sal ate more of his pizza.
"And AP has been evicted from The Pit." Asher growled. "It's okay, Reese has plants and we have the panic buttons if we need them. It's just stupid and annoying." He sighed and one corner of his mouth turned up. "So we're both off the clock? Why the hell are we sitting in this office?"
"Well that's a kick in the pants." He said a bit shocked that he didn't realize that had happened. "I don't know why are we? I'm sure you don't wanna spend anymore time here than you have to."
Asher screwed the cap back on his drink and flipped the box lid shut. "If they see us, they'll think they need up. Out of sight and out of mind is better. Besides I want you to myself and in my rooms clothing is optional." he smirked and slid his plate and flatware onto the box, standing and picking it up.
Salvation gathered up his plates, drink, and silverware. "Let's hope so, cause if someone comes in here and they aren't near death I'll kill them myself." He said followed Asher back to his room.
Asher laughed and agreed with the sentiment. Once he got the door open he left it that way, for Sal to close. Walking through his space, he headed straight for his large bed and carefully set the box down before taking a seat and moaning as the memory foam molded to his backside. Feeling his phone is his back pocket, he leaned up to leave it on the bedside table. "Might as well get comfortable while we have the chance, right?" He grinned, hoping he didn't make the Ghuardian feel uncomfortable.
Sal nodded in agreement. He sat down on the bed with Asher. Carefully putting his pizza down an setting the coke on the night stand. Pulling his phone from pocket he put in on the stand with the coke. "Yes might as well enjoy it while we can. So how do you like the pizza?" He asked digging into his again.
"It's amazing. Thank you." He took another bite and chewed as he watched Salvation. "So did you miss me or did you just need someone to eat dinner with?" Asher groaned inside his head. "That sounded less rude in my mind."
"I did miss you. I was actually talking to Kara about you." He said smirking a bit. "I wasn't really that hungry,but I figured you might be. So why not kill two birds with one stone." As he said it tried not laugh. "Once you've rested and your brain is all there. I wanted to ask you something."
"You were talking about me?" He raised a confused brow and shook his head at another bird joke. Sal did love them and it was endearing that he bothered to tease him. Most people he just glared at or threatened, so Asher felt a little special. "You and Kara getting along? That's a good thing, right?' he scratched an itch on his neck, hoping he hadn't caught flees from someone. "I'm not sure we can count on my brain getting better than it is, if shit keeps spiraling. This might be as good as it gets," he snorted and took another bite, ignoring the flatware completely now.
"We are getting a long. And I think its a good thing. It would be nice to have a family. Or someone I can count as family." He took a drink of his coke. "I wanted to ask you.." His voice trailed off. Trying to think of a right words Salvation cleared his throat. "Kara said something about having something that was only mine. I'm not sure how to say it in a way that doesn't sound stupid. With everything that is going on having a relationship is hard, but now might be the best time to just say fuck it and give it a shot." Sal was rambling and started to blush.
Asher's brows creased as he tried to follow what Sal was asking, well not asking. Putting down his slice of pizza he reached out and touched Sal's leg. "I'm trying to follow, but I'm not sure what Kara has to do with hard relationships that I can answer a question about." His head tilted to the side as his tired mind tried to piece it together.
Sal sighed he had got it all messed up. "I want you to be mine. Or be able to call you mine." He said hoping it made sense this time. "I'm sorry." He said staring at him.
Asher met Sal's eyes, noticing that tonight they were a beautiful honey brown shade, and wasn't sure that he'd heard him right. "You want me?" His heart hammered as he tried to think of a single reason the Ghuardian would choose him. "A relationship or as a pet?" he teased, stretching out on the bed and forgetting about the food. He tried not to show his smile until he had all the facts, but he was almost positive that he failed.
"Yes I want you. Not as a pet though there was talk of a nice cage for you." Salvation said cracking a smile. "I know it's a lot to ask and I know the timing is shit, but this might be all we have. And you deserve someone to show you how special you are. And that you're more than just the clinic doctor." He hoped he didn't sound idiotic. His heart suddenly felt like it was in his throat.
"If it's a two way street, then yes, I'd be honored to be yours, Sal. I vote no about the cage though," he finally let his smile show fully. "The timing is perfect. I have a feeling that you know what I mean when I say I need something in my life that makes it worth breathing and work just doesn't cut it when you're alone at the end of the day. You deserve someone that appreciates and cares about you too, you know that, right?"
"I'm told that, but I don't feel that its true." He said trying not to let any sadness fill his voice. "Yes its a two way street. I want you to know I'll always be there for you. Even if you only need a friend. I am here for you. The connection I feel with you is something I've never felt with anyone else." He reached a crossed the bed and touched the doc's hand.
"Then I will convince you otherwise," Asher turned his hand and laced his fingers with Salvation's. "For the record, we're already friends and I hope we always will be, but if you're offering more, then I want it. I want you, the good, the bad and the ugly. All of it. Are you cool with that?"
Salvation looked at their fingers laced together and felt his heart in his throat again. Swallowing he cursed himself for being so choked up over this. "Yes I'm cool with it." He said as his voice wavered. "I'm hoping there is more good than anything, but who knows."
Asher squeezed Sal's hand and rolled up so that he was sitting beside him, cupping his face and brushing his lips over Sal's. "What I meant is that I want you to just be you, when you're with me. I know that you can't do that around everyone, but when we're with me, you're safe." His thumb stroked Sal's lower lip as he watched his eyes. "It was my turn to not say what I meant well," he teased with an embarrassed grin.
Salvation melted to his touch. He kissed his thumb. "I know what you mean. And I'll do my best to remember this." Sal leaned in an kissed Asher softly. "It'll take some time for the both of us to remember that we don't have to keep the walls up we always have up to shield us from the outside world." He kissed Asher again softly.
"Yes," Asher agreed, nipping at Sal's lips and smiling against them. "You made my night, just by showing up. This makes it even better." Asher wasn't sure that he could stop smiling right now, if his life depended on it.
Sal blushed. "I don't know what to say other than I'm glad." He was happy to see the smile on Asher's face. It was a look he didn't see much. He doubted anyone saw it. Asher and him were a lot a like if Salvation was honest with himself. One of the reason's he liked the doc. Was his honesty and the fact he understood hard work and brutality of life.
"Good," Asher grinned and ran his hand down over Sal's shoulder, his brow arching at the tenseness he felt there. "The do me a favor, just for tonight, or until someone screams that the word is ending right now, try to relax for me?" He pulled back and reached out for his pizza to take a bite before moving behind Salvation and began kneading his shoulders and neck, with his hands, digging int harder to work out the knots as he hound them.
"I can try, but I don't know if its a thing I know how to do." He closed his eyes as he felt Asher working his shoulder. He opened his eyes long enough to crammed what was left of his pizza in his mouth. Chewing it slowly he focused on his muscles relaxing. "Should I be doing this to you?"
"Only if you want to," Asher brushed the dark hair over Sal's shoulders so he wouldn't accidentally pull it and grinned as the tight muscles under his hands began to soften.
"I do. I feel like you need to relax and rest. Hell we both do. I don't remember the last time I really slept. Would it be bad if we turned off our phones and I put up a block so nothing could bother us for a few hours to really sleep? Or at least so you can sleep." Salvation groaned as he felt his neck pop. "Oh god that was nice."
"No, I think it would be wonderful," he sighed, closing his eyes and enjoying finally allowing himself to breathe as he became familiar with Sal's shoulders and neck. "You need to sleep too," he couldn't keep tone he used when dealing with difficult patients from creeping into his voice. Realizing he tried to soften it, by playfully nipping the back of Sal's neck.
"Well if its doctor's order who am I to argue. I say we sleep and let the world fight its own battles for once." He turned pulling Asher into his arm ghosting away the food and other things on the bed. Sal lay back with him on his chest stroking his long beautiful hair.
Asher closed his eyes enjoying the feel of his hair being touched and draped his arm over Sal's waist and edging closer so that their bodies were flush on the bed. "I like how you think," he murmured against his chest. "And because I know how easy it is to make you blush," He tilted his head back to nuzzle the underside of Sal's jaw, "If you touch me, asleep or awake, it's okay," he teased.
He chuckled. "I don't know what you're talking about Sir." He said yawning. "Thank you for the permission to molest you or check you for ticks." He joked feeling relaxed having Asher in his arms made him body melt.
He chuckled, "Just don't hold anything getting hard against me." He stopped and thought about what he's said and burst out laughing, "Scratch that, feel free to hold it against me."
Sal chuckled and yawned. "Noted. My goodness we should try and sleep before hell comes to our door like it always does."
Asher groaned at the reminder, but nodded and ghosted away his clothes, because he couldn't sleep in anything that chaffed his skin, it went back to an incident when he was a kid on the Res. He covered them with a thin blanket and sighed as his body finally seemed to relax, like knowing that he had nothing to worry about other than this male's heart beating in his ear, finally let him unplug. Even his mind quieted. "Sweet dreams."
"Yes sweet dreams. I'll be here when you get up. Or when we get up." Sal said as sleep started to take him. His eyes heavy he ghosted his clothes too. Feeling good with Asher against him and the blanket over them for protection. Listening to Asher's breathing was like lullaby.
His lips twitched when Sal included himself and he felt himself begin to drift off with a soft smile on his lips and the male that was never far from his thoughts beside him.