Nathaniel Ashcroft

“Can’t say I have,” he admitted with a light laugh. “Every time I’ve tried to suggest it he doesn’t seem to express much interest,” Marcus added. He pulled out a few more pieces from the bag. “Well let’s hope we can still set this up right.”

“Yeah... well he’s more of a luxury guy than a hard ground and fire cooked food type... unless you can get a pizza done on it.” Nathaniel spoke with a smirk. “But the stars would be his thing I’d imagine. He’s always had a fascination for them.” Taking some of the parts, he began to work on putting it together. 

“You’ll consider it.” James commented with a small laugh and a shake of his head, he guessed it was something but he had a feeling that the other wouldn’t actually do what he suggested. “And why wouldn’t it work out, are you planning on taking off again?”

“Have you ever done this with James before?” Nathaniel asked after a moment, a slight smirk on his lips as he recalled how it had gone when they were children. “I can’t remember the last time I did this for fun...”

Rolling his eyes, Marcus already regretted trying to make an effort. Was there any point to this? “Well for starters– why did you decide not to like me? I’ve never done James wrong, ever. I don’t understand.”

“It’s not that I decided to not like you...” Nathaniel said with a heavy sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. Okay, so they were really going to do this. He closed his eyes for a moment before continuing. “My brothers been hurt enough in his life and admittedly, a good amount of that is because of me. I didn’t want to see that happen again, so yes, I am overprotective of him. Besides, usually relationships that end, end for a reason. It’s why they suggest not getting back with your ex.” He added after a moment. “James is... he’s special and he deserves the best.”

“I mean that’s a start.” James shrugged at the other, “Both will listen to you when you need someone to listen the most, also both won’t pass any judgement.” James continued, “And if he doesn’t have an owner, you’re going to take him home, right?”

“I’ll consider it.” At least it wasn’t a right out refusal. He did give James a look when he mentioned the dog again. He felt like the man was more hopeful than simply wondering. “But I suppose I could and see how it goes. Might not work out though.”

“I’m all for getting along for James’ sake but– perhaps we should try and clear the air between us in the first place. I mean what better time than a time when we literally can’t walk away from one another until help arrives?”

An eyebrow cocked as if he wasn’t completely convinced but at least he wasn’t writing it off. “Right.... So exactly how do you want to clear the air? Passing and smoking of the peace pipe?” Okay, so maybe he was being a little sarcastic but that was his nature. “Why don’t you start up.”

“There’s nothing wrong with therapy, it’s helped me.” James shrugged, because he guessed deep down he did think it would help his brother to talk to someone. He had been on a mission for so long, he had been assumed dead by many as that’s what it was made to look like, he hardly imagined that would be something easy to come back from. “What’s more important then building a team of supportive people around you?” James asked, because he didn’t know what he’d do if he didn’t have people like Marcus or Mars for him to lean on. “He is my child and I won’t let anyone tell me otherwise.” James looked for any collars or tags, shaking his head. “Doesn’t look like it- might be best to take him to a vet’s first. See if he’s chipped, don’t want to be accused of dognapping.”

“Never said there was anything wrong with it but I was trying to confirm that it was what you were suggesting which by your response it was.” Nathaniel didn’t know how comfortable he felt about that but it was still an option he supposed. “And who exactly do you believe I should start making this team out of? A dog and a therapist?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. Still, at least the dog was cute, he couldn’t say the same about a therapist. “Let’s get him to the vets. If he has got an owner, they’re probably worried by now.”

“Because I’m starting to think someone is spreading lies about me and I don’t like the sound of that,” Louis joked, “Perhaps we’ll both find out what’s true now won’t we?”

“Maybe, though I don’t think I need to be told what is true and what isn’t on my part.” He was fairly well aware of what he was like. Nathaniel was still attempting to adjust himself properly after all the work he’d done. Given all that, he really just didn’t feel like he fitted in properly anymore.

“Prickly?” he rose a brow at the other’s commentary. “If anyone should be worried about me being ‘prickly’ towards them, it’d be you.”

Nathaniel gave a scoff at that. “Get over yourself.” He stated bluntly as he stood up once more so that they were at the same level. “I think it’s agreed that we aren’t one anothers favorite people and for good reason on both sides.” Because Nathaniel at least could accept his faults. “And I’ll do my best to put up with you for J’s sake but if you think that it means I’ll just ignore your attitude, you have another thing coming.”

“Seriously, what person is telling you that I’m not fun?” Louis asked, “I mean, I know I worked a lot but I do lots of things in my down time.”

“You’re getting awfully concerned about this.” Nathaniel answered with a little laugh. “But I’m sure you are fun, Lou. Look you can’t be any worse than me if that’s any help.”

“I don’t, they’re like therapy on four paws. No wonder they’re titled as man’s best friend.” James looked to the other and ruffled the dogs fur, “I wasn’t suggesting, I was telling you how it is, are you going to tell me I’m wrong. Because I’m pretty sure you’d be lying if you did.” James smiled at the dog in his lap and then back up to the other, “You haven’t introduced yourself to them, so how do you know it’s not going to be attached to you. It’s not like I can take them home, I have Kovu and I’m pretty sure he’s happy being an only child.”

“So you think I need therapy?” That probably wasn’t untrue actually considering everything. He wasn’t the person he once was anymore.  “Maybe but I’ve not really been around long enough to make a lot of friends and I had more important things anyway.” Not that it had gone exactly to plan but his relationship with James was slowly improving. At the others suggestion, Nathaniel sighed and moved to crouch down beside the pair. “You’re a goof. An only child.” He shook his head lightly. “Alright, fine...” He reached out to the dog, letting him get used to his scent before scratching his head. “Does he have a name?”

“I’m not even sure you know what fun is, Ashcroft. Maybe you could learn a thing or two about it,” Louis teased.

“Maybe, but it surprises me that you seem to think you are going to be the one to teach me about it.”

“I don’t know, nothing negative really. Some might even say fun.”

“I see. I guess I have yet to experience all that.” Nathaniel teased lightly, a little chuckle falling from his lips.

“Depends– do you think they’ve forgotten we’re stuck in here?” Marcus grumbled a little. This was certainly now how either of them wanted to spend their time. “Perhaps we should sound the alarm again, I dunno.”

“I doubt it.” Nathaniel answered simply. “But go for it. You can have a try this time. See if you get a better response out of them. Try not to be too... prickly though.” Because it was clear that Marcus wasn’t in the best of moods right now.

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“Knowing any of your feelings is a surprise really. You’re not exactly the most open person, Ashcroft,” Louis paused, “And generally people don’t describe drinking with me as a downward spiral.”

That was something that Nathaniel couldn’t argue. “Comes from being used to not being able to show them I guess.” It’d been years since he’d really had anyone to open up to and it wasn’t proving easy now that he was in the ‘real world’ of sorts. “What do they describe drinking with you as then?”

“Good to know how you really feel about me, Ashcroft,” Louis joked.

“I didn’t realise it would come as that much of a surprise.” Nathaniel answered. 

“A downward spiral? Do you think getting drunk with me is gonna be that bad?” Louis asked, chuckling.

“I wouldn’t know. I feel like it could be dubious at best though.” Nathaniel answered with a bit of a laugh.