Gage grasped the case and opened it up, only considering a second later the oddness that it seemed to jump into his fingers. Not his talent at fault, but Asha. He shook it off and focused on the other's words. Humming low, he voiced a slight agreement. "I don't mind coming to listen. Even if I like playing with you, I'm not sure what I think of an orchestra though..." He sighed as he trailed off. Maybe he would talk that over with his parents or more likely his sister. He had no friends until Asha so if he wanted to talk something out, he always went to Maria before. "Let me know sometime?" he hesitated. After all, Asha sounded bashful about the whole thing so he felt it too and yet he couldn't turn Asha down either since it seemed important to him. And maybe it was time Gage come out of his shell just a bit.

Asha smiled brightly. "I'd love that. if all you do is listen then that's more then I'd thoguht I'd gain." he murmered. cheeks heating up again. and he knew he'd probably play his best every time just to be worthy of the other lsitening in. he carefully detuned and put his violine away. "I don'tt hink your parents realize I'm a shifter.. at least not until you told them anyways.."

Gage sighed as they returned to a more serious topic. Sitting back, he fingered the handle of the violin case because now that it had fallen silent from their playing, he felt anxious again. "No, I didn't tell them so they shouldn't know. I think....it might makes things easier between us if they did though." He bit his lip before continuing. "But, only if you're fine with it. I can tell them later tonight and then no one has to hide, be on edge, you know." Maybe the knowledge that they were both shifters would complicate things, but maybe it would also make things easier if everyone knew. At least then they could stand on even ground.

Asha didn't think he reached out and grasped the other's hand rubbing his thumb along the other's knuckles and trying to sooth him. "Alright we can tell them. I'd rather not have them have to hide who they are. it's sure not fair to them if i did that. and I know how uncomfortable it is hiding a lot of your instincts because your around humans." such as having to eat before going in to work and bringing what amounted to a snack because your body burned a lot of energy off..he'd rather avoid them thinking they had to act differently in their own home.

Gage nodded, though after a second, he pulled his hand away from Asha's. It wasn't a sudden or harsh movement, just a gentle extrication from the other's touch. He'd felt his heart beat a little faster rather than feeling soothed, though it was an entirely different sort of feeling. One that he needed to think about when he was alone tonight. "Alright. We'll tell them later. Let's just...sit here and talk a while longer though. I don't really feel like moving." They were having a moment even if he half ended it already. Just a little while longer still, he wanted to soak in Asha's presence. He liked to think that Asha might feel the same way too.

Asha grinned even though the other couldn't see it he'd be able to hear. "I'd like that. " heck more time with Gage.. he'd take that over telling other's he was a shifter like them. he glanced around the other's room studying it as he soaked up the other's presence like a sponge.

The two of them sat like that for minutes, ocassionally talking, though just about the warmth of the sunshine or CDs that were on sale. Finally though, they ran out of things to say and the silence dragged too long. "You should probably go..." he murmured into the silence. "If you want, I can tell my parents about you being a shifter for you if it's awkward. Not really a problem." He dragged a hand through his hair, feeling sheepish to end their time together that had been going so well. Still, he recognized that they should part. He had things to think about after all and he was sure that Asha did too.

Asha took a deep calming breath and nodded. "They might take it better from you.. instead of having some stranger popping into their lives to tell them that he's not human. so that would be a good thing and Um..I could..maybe come back at some point..." he was hesitent to leave but he did finally stand up..and coudlnt' fight the instinct to reach otu and runt he knuckles of one hand across theother's cheek. "Shee you around." he murmered and mad ehimself leave theothers room and house bidding his parents a good evening before he did so. then he started the calming walk home. forgoing the dart into the woods where he could of shifted and made the distance in half the time. he did indeed need the time to think and sort out his emotions and feelings and such.

"Of course," Gage murmured back. They already said they would make a regular thing of playing violin together so he felt glad that he wouldn't miss the other even if he needed time alone now. Still, he understood that being a shifter wasn't always easy compared to thise humans who knew nothing. And yet, he didn't know what he would be if he wasn't a bat. Maybe he would just be an amorphous blob instead of a musician. After Asha left, he laid down on his bed for a minute before willing himself to go down and followed the sounds of cooking to the kitchen.

"Mother." Clearing his throat, he garnered her attention. "I have something to tell you about Asha."

"O-oh?" He imagined he heard her hands start to tremble, but even his sharp ears couldn't really discern that. He knew her heart skipped a beat though because his would at these words. "Honey, you're not..."

Gage didn't let her finish whatever thought she might express. "He's a shifter like us. That's...how we met. So, you know, we don't have to super careful all the time..." Probably. If he did need to be, it was already far too late. He revealed his weak points one after another and here he was, safe. Asha couldn't just be a panther with sharp teeth and claws. He was soft.

A large sigh escaped his mother, all at once. "A shifter?" she echoed. Doubt colored her voice, but relief too. She liked this turn of events. "That's lovely, Gage. I'll ask your aunt about what family he comes from so we can get to know each other. It's not every day we cross paths with other families. I'm glad for it." She sighed again in bliss. Already, she seemed to be spinning plans. Not that he supposed it was a bad thing. Deciding to leave her to it, Gage headed back for a couch where he could relax in the meantime, throwing only two words of agreement over his shoulder.

"Me too."

Asha closed the door to his apartment and arched his back, before he headed to his kitchen to turn on the oven. over the week ends he made and froze his meals for the rest of the week. it kept cooking to a minumum when he had no clkue when he had to go in or hell would get home. the living room was a simple thing, a coach, two entables bracketing it, a TV, the coach was in the middle of the room, the tv against the wall behind the coach was a couple of book shelves also bracketing the window which was covered with a light blocking curtian. on ethir side of the front door where two other door ways, one lead to a small kitchen, the other lead tot he bedroom. through the kitchen was the bathroom. wh ich of course meatn paddign through the kitchen and the living room to reach the bedroom to change into fresh clothes but he tended to bring them with. once he had the tea pot going he opened the fridge and pulled out one of his frozen meals, the whole thing was placed in the oven to heat up.

The night outside was warm and dry, pleasant if not for the slight breeze. It pulled on Zaire's hair through the open window because if he closed it, he wouldn't be able to sleep past the dreams. That was the thing about dry, warm, still air. It brought back memories that even now, he couldn't deal with. Shivering, he turned over again in the lumpy hotel bed he chose for the night. Truth was, since getting away from his parents, he had almost nothing to his name. He under paid, instead agreeing to be gone before morning clients came in for their hourly jobs. He didn't know where he would go, but he did as Asha asked him many times and left the other man alone. He just hoped the note he left meant something, anything to the person he once loved. As the sky lightened with the dawn still hours away, he already made his plans. He would go to the cafe first thing and if Asha never showed, then he would end it all.

Asha entered his apartment wairly, set to bolt if he saw Zaire. unsure on if he wanted to deal with theother after the relitively..happy hours he'd just had. of coruse then he found that note..and the urge to avoid the man went outt he window. it was one thing to avoid someone because they where an abusive jerk. but he wasn't about to let Zaire do something foolish. so at the time noted, he was at the cafe..nervously keeping his back tot he wall as he fought downt heurge to snarl when a few males that to him read dominant, not that humans where ever oen or theother. they often seemed a mix of the two. got far to close for comfort. not taht they ever paid him much attention mind you. he was jsut feeling a tad..off footed.

When the cafe opened, Zaire was already at the door. He couldn't miss a second that Asha might come to drop off a note or maybe even see him. But Zaire doubted he would do that. Either he would try to slip in and leave a note without ever being seen, or he wouldn't come at all. Didn't Asha love him though? He always knew that, believed that, loved it. So why did Zaire doubt it now? Feeling uneasy, he sat at the far back through the morning crowd and into the afternoon. No food ever settled on his table, only water coffee that he let grow cold and bitter before taking a sip. Finally, a shiver went up his spine. Zaire raised his eyes, settling them on Asha in an instant. The other male sat down with his back to a wall, across the room. Their eyes met. Somehow, some way, Asha had come.

Asha moved forward through the crowed when he finally caught sight of Zaire. hesitation in his movements, and a hint of fear but he still moved forward. he wasn't about to be the reason the other killed himself or did something else just as foolish. like pick a fight with someone a long stronger then him and end up dead. "you can be such an idiot." he muttered. eye's glowerign at theother. "Just because i don't feel the same for you, doesn't mean i still don't love you and want kyou happy."

Every fiber of Zaire's being hung on Asha's steps toward him. One, two, three--he counted out each of them in his head, terror and exhilaration in every breath. By the time the other man stood within ear shot, his heart beat already thundered in insanity. He almost didn't hear what Asha said. A second passed. "What...?" Zaire managed. He croaked out another small noise that couldn't quite form itself into words. Head swirling, he tried so hard to piece together Asha's words and what they meant. Asha came. That should mean he was giving him the second chance at love, just like Zaire begged for in his note. Why else would someone who claimed to hate him come? "I...I don't understand." And he didn't. Did Asha love him or not?

Asha sat down across from the other. "If we do this. if I give you a chance at..fixing this.." he'd have to stay away from Gage..could he DO th at. could he not go near the other boy..'i said I was giving him a chance. so far there's nothing between me and gage jsut..these new feelings.' a lot mroe intense then he'd felt in a while. almost drown worthy. "If we do this no losing your temper if I'm around others ..I have a new friend i go and visit." now choices choices..did he tell theother theother was a shifter and..he might or might not have feeligns for him.. he shook his head trying to clear the thoughts away. feeling slightly anxious with his back to the room. "and no hurting yourself if this doesn't work. just because i might not love you in the same way as I used to doesn't eman i want to see you hurt.."

Zaire gasped. He could hear it, half a second after he made the noise himself and it startled him with how clear he could hear it past his own heart beat. So...Asha did love him after all. Even though he knew it, he no longer expected this result. He didn't think he could be happy."R-really?" In an instant, Zaire's entire face lit up like a child's. "I told you I changed! I wont be angry like that because I know what I’ve missed. I really can’t be without you!” he gushed. Even though he briefly made up his mind to put distance between them, here he was again, falling back into his obsession. He didn't even remember the last person he talked to made him feel almost the same. “And I swear I don’t mind that you have a friend!” Probably. He didn’t know why Asha had to make such a bid deal about all of this.

Asha eye'd him at the tone in theothers voice. stomach knotting up as wairiness washed through him. he coudlnt' stop from sitting a bit further back in his chair.. further away from the other. as was he was fighting the urge not to bolt. not to run.. "O..okay.." he got out. waryness lacing his voice. 'oh no no i do not want that tone ..' suret heone before had been depressed and unhappy it had at least sounded normal. now it sounded like theother was obsesseda gian and it was the last thing Asha wanted. if anything it had his heart pounding a mile a minute with the need to RUN. to escape. the issue was? Gage lived HERE. and he didn't want to leave theother. heck, he refused to.

Not noticing the change in Asha's tone, Zaire continued to beam at him. Things would be different this time. He probably didn't deserve it, but somehow, he still got his second chance. Unconsciously bringing his hand up to cover his odd-colored eye, he thought maybe he could be normal for Asha too. "...Thank you." His voice a bare whisper, the man's smile turned softer around the edges. "And I promise, this time will be different. Or else...I don't know what I'll do..." he trailed off, his voice disappearing in a gust of wind as the cafe's door opened and closed again.

Asha eye'd the toher.. anyone with eyes would be able to see how tense he was.. hell hear how tense he was. but he forced himself to sit there .. even though everything in him screamed to run. "Zaire..you do know it might not work out.. we m ight not be meant to be ..anythign beyond friends right?" his voice was cautious.. because he sure as heck didn't feel the same way for Zaire as he did for Gage.. when gage was around he didn't feel tense, uncomfortable..scared? no he felt well he felt as if his world had narrowed down to that single person.. and when gage smiled it was like the sun came out from behind storm clouds..bright and beautiful.

Zaire paused, a frown passing quickly over his face. It was dark, but vanished in little more than an instant. He couldn't let himself dwell on that. He knew he was was right, and they were in love. Or at least, he was and Asha wouldn't give him a second chance if there was no chance. "I don't know how you can say that. I have faith. Asha, babe, you should have faith in us too!" he exclaimed. Another paused passed for another second. "Faith...like you used to." Even if he knew somewhere deep down that they could never go back to what they once were before breaking apart, he foolishly through himself into the thought that it was possible. As Zaire turned his gaze to look out the distant doorway, he knew there was no one here who could stop this out of control spinning that he was, and that might be the worst thing ever.

Zaire would find somene he knew outside those windows, and for a moment it'd feel as if he landed on solid ground .. Maya was standing on th eother side of the window talking to someone. the other's face was tense and not quite as open and friendly as it had been with Zaire. thena gain the person he was talking to looked angry with all the arm waving then that person turned and stormed off leaving an uncertian looking maya where he stood. when maya caught sight of Zaire he'd give an uncertian smile, eye's lighting up from their shadowed state as he gave a small wave of one hand that was free of a couple bags he was carrieing.

Asha on the other hand felt as if he was being straingled. as if he wore chains and another link was added to them. and he really did try and fight the words back but they slipped out anyways. "That was before you knew I was a shifter.." before the other knew he wasn't human.

Zaire's wandering gaze paused, stuck on the sight of something outside the windows. Even the fact that Asha sat across from him washed away into the background. Maya? He surprised himself that he remembered the other boy's name. And yet he couldn't look away from the scene unfolding outside, the facial expressions, signs of unease, uncertainty. Zaire didn't raise his hand in answer. He didn't look away either. Frowning, he finally answered Asha's whisper. "...I think I can learn to live with that..." The thought strangled him, but he still thought that he could. For Asha. For....he blinked, wondering why Maya was here in the first place.

Maya looked down the street as he started back on his way .. crossing the street now that Frank had left. shuddering. the man was a basterd. though seeing Zaire, well it had made it better a bit. he frowned as he moved. 'what on earth am I thinking i barely know him. and he ceteriantly didnt' seem interested in talking to me in the park. but for one heart beat.. things had felt..better seeing the other man. reaching the other side of the street he went to a shop directly across from the dinner the other two where in and went in. a plant shop. which shouldn't of been surprising given he'd been tending plants in a park.

Asha felt thrown at those words and blinked at the other. 'he can?' since when. before today any MENTION of them not being together had lead to..well a mess.. it was why asha had run in the first place.

Zaire hummed slightly under his breath, giving a hint of his distracting. Maya moved across the street and whatever happened with the other guy seemed over, but he found himself curious. He didn't know why since he didn't like Maya. That guy getting involved with him just got annoying in the one day they interacted. It should have been enough and yet, it was so rare for anything to distract him from Asha.

Finally turning his attention all the way back to the boy sitting across from him, Zaire blinked in response. "Huh? Did you say something?" Then for good measure. "You know I'm telling you the truth when I say I love you."