[ Ash is hardly the type to cry over such a comment. He doesn't even let it keep him up too long. Still, is that the kind of breakup it's going to be? While there's a real desire to keep the older man in his life, Ash doesn't plan to take those kinds of comments forever. But it's fresh, and Max suffers from a lot of things. A failed experiment is hardly a flattering title, but as someone who seems to have just started to emerge from complete self-hatred only to crash back down to Earth, he can't really argue the fact they failed.
As she would have. As Eiji would have. Max actually had the better chance of success. It worked so poorly that Ash knows the others can remain a positive, if painful, thought in his mind just for the fact he can play pretend and act like it would have been nice if only they could have found a way to be together.
Max hadn't even packed a bag. The clothes weren't very personal, Ash gets that. Apparently, the other things, Christmas and birthday gifts alike, hadn't been worth bringing either. But he won't linger on that. Apparently neither of them focus too much on that kind of thing. If they had another Christmas together, it'd have been noted. They won't, so it isn't.
It's an odd juxtaposition to the current scene. Ash can't have relationships, he concludes, while finding a family who did want him. Even now, there's a the knowledge that they love him without knowing him. That's not their fault, but it's nice while it lasts.
It's a good gift. A little embarrassing, and it shows in the flush of pale skin, but it's nice. Hardly a title he deserves, but Ash keeps his self-hatred silent. That's private and for good reason. Since his grandfather seems so eager to show off, Ash stands by, giving him small challenges, enjoying any look of small pride he might have.
... As for Kuro and Asher being introduced to Rusty, who is a very good boy otherwise, he takes it slow. Any sign of biting and they're pulled away. But he introduces them only with the cats safe in hand.
As they head to the airport, Ash already knows he'll cherish this as the beautiful but fleeting time it'll be. He'll spoil them, he'll treat them like the long lost grandparents who loved him enough to mourn him, but he'll be ready for when they reject him. They're kind people. ]
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As she would have. As Eiji would have. Max actually had the better chance of success. It worked so poorly that Ash knows the others can remain a positive, if painful, thought in his mind just for the fact he can play pretend and act like it would have been nice if only they could have found a way to be together.
Max hadn't even packed a bag. The clothes weren't very personal, Ash gets that. Apparently, the other things, Christmas and birthday gifts alike, hadn't been worth bringing either. But he won't linger on that. Apparently neither of them focus too much on that kind of thing. If they had another Christmas together, it'd have been noted. They won't, so it isn't.
It's an odd juxtaposition to the current scene. Ash can't have relationships, he concludes, while finding a family who did want him. Even now, there's a the knowledge that they love him without knowing him. That's not their fault, but it's nice while it lasts.
It's a good gift. A little embarrassing, and it shows in the flush of pale skin, but it's nice. Hardly a title he deserves, but Ash keeps his self-hatred silent. That's private and for good reason. Since his grandfather seems so eager to show off, Ash stands by, giving him small challenges, enjoying any look of small pride he might have.
... As for Kuro and Asher being introduced to Rusty, who is a very good boy otherwise, he takes it slow. Any sign of biting and they're pulled away. But he introduces them only with the cats safe in hand.
As they head to the airport, Ash already knows he'll cherish this as the beautiful but fleeting time it'll be. He'll spoil them, he'll treat them like the long lost grandparents who loved him enough to mourn him, but he'll be ready for when they reject him. They're kind people. ]