Giving friends [last November] Asher did not live particularly far from the house his sister shared with her boyfriend and cousin. Somehow or another, he found himself invited over more and more frequently, and then it became so routine that they stopped needing to invite him all together because he was already there. In November he discovered they were the hosts of some sort of annual “Friendsgiving” affair, which he thought was completely adorable and of course he would attend. He was also touched that it had been Braxton to mention it to him. The man was intimidating - a fair bit older than Sally, with the unkempt hair and brooding eyes of a bohemian, and completely a surprising match for someone like her - so it was a relief to fall into the belief that he liked him. Asher was also glad to find that he liked Braxton, too. Only having known about his sisters briefly did not stop him from finding an immediate protectiveness for them. Jake too, because the boy seemed fragile. And Arnold, because, well, it wasn’t fair to leave him out.
He had arrived early - or rather, was already there - and was a bit startled by the fireplace as another earlybird floo’d in. A skinny, dark-haired man stumbled out of the fireplace, and he looked very confused to find Asher seated on the couch. “Sally and Braxton are cooking,” Asher offered. “And I think they said Marcus was getting his fiancee. I’m Asher Hill. I’m-”
“Oh, Sally’s brother!” the young man squeaked. “Yes, yes, of course. She’s mentioned you.” He straightened himself, adjusting the strap of the messenger bag on his shoulder as he approached. Then he extended a hand. “Gideon Atwood.”
Asher didn’t immediately recognize the name as Gideon had recognized him, but he stood politely and shook the offered hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said with a genuine smile and firm grip.
Gideon looked down at their joined hands, and his face went a little red as they released and stepped back. “Yeah, uh, you too.”