ashton 🏳️‍🌈

He was excited at first thinking about inviting stolas.

After thinking about what might happen (people noticing stolas is with him and not his ex wife or someone higher ranking) he's not happy about it.

I just really liked this part

he did not want their first date to be under these circumstances. he didn't even want this yet, because he's "afraid of loving people" and isn't ready to confront his very real feelings yet. Plus, his reason for asking isn't even *about* stolas. It's about keeping an eye on M&M (reason why? I also have opinions but that's a separate post I might or might not make).

god i love this owl

he doesn't know how to react

"oh yeah. I guess this is, huh." he's so deflated, not because it's a date with stolas, but because he did not want it to be like this. he already doesn't think he deserves the position he's in, and this just makes him feel worse about it.

he

"I just thought we'd have a blast here, you know?" normally he wouldn't care to lie for stolas' feelings. For some odd reason, he does this time. He already feels guilty for potentially bringing (even more) shame to Stolas by being seen with him, in public, romantically/casually. He wants this to go off without a hitch.

After he checks on M&M, he turns to Stolas and continues the conversation. He's shitty at small talk but he's not ignoring him or being short with him on purpose. This is unmarked territory for him- they've never really tried to have a normal conversation outside of this and talking about business. It may not look it, but he's actually giving an effort here.

new people are coming your way with love

a huge success is waiting around the corner

the possibilities are endless