Who: Phobia and Ashe What: Trashed and Secrets When: Early January 1 Where: Phobia and Ashe’s home than to Daryn’s
Phobia was grateful to leave that party. He supposed it wasn’t so bad but there were too many people, too much social and Phobia just wanted to go home. It didn’t help that once or twice, his control may have slipped and he was shaking a spider or two off of his hand. One fell in his drink and, well, that was the end of his drink. He tried to keep his grumbles to himself as they left the party and as they hit the cool night air, Phobia breathed a sigh of relief. He just wanted to go home and climb into bed. Bah humbug.
As they got to their apartment, Phobia noticed the door was ajar and immediately he was on guard. He stepped forward, in front of Ashe, allowing himself to begin to melt into shadows as he entered the apartment. He hoped Ashe stayed in the hall. He slipped completely into shadows as he took a hold of the living room. TV was shamed, the pillows on the couch were ripped open, he didn’t want to think about what was on the walls. He slid himself into the kitchen; dishes were smashed and shattered across the floor. He continued throughout, seeing their rooms trashed. Was this his doing? Did they know his work with the Faction? At least the place was empty. He shifted back to himself, his mouth felt wetter than normal. Ashe.
He stepped back to the living room where he found Ashe. He folded his arms in front of him, “I suppose this is one way to ring in the new year.” He wondered what they had been hoping to find.
---
Ashe had thought the party would be good for the both of them. To get out and be social. It didn’t exactly work that way but he figured it had been worth the try. When they left Ashe was almost as relieved as Oliver was. He felt like he should apologize but he didn’t think it would do any good at that point so he just stayed quiet.
When they got to their place Ashe froze. Something wasn’t right. He watched Oliver shift into shadows and told himself he should stay where he was, but he rarely listened. So after getting over his initial shock he followed his friend into their living space. He nearly groaned when he saw the devastation. Maybe it wasn’t quite that bad but that’s what it felt like to him.
Ashe had frozen in his spot when he saw the kitchen. The anger that he usually kept at bay was building quick and hot inside him and he could feel the fire at his fingertips. He hadn’t even heard what Oliver had said to him.
---
“Shit,” Phobia swore when he realised what was going on with Ashe. He didn’t want his home blown up in addition to everything needing replaced. Nor did he really want to be blown to bits either. He wasn’t sure if his shadow form was fireproof and he doubted there was anyone around here that was afraid of something flame retardant. He supposed he could just flick water at Ashe, sort of like spraying a housecat with a water bottle but he wasn’t entirely sure if that would backfire on him. So he stepped right in front of Ashe, trying to cut off his view of the kitchen and get him to force on him.
“Ashe,” Phobia said, his voice firm, “Focus on me. Over here. Nothing else.” Lord he hoped this worked.
---
When Oliver moved in front of him it took a few moments for Ashe to register that his friend was there. He dragged himself out of the mental fire to focus on his friend and the literal fire at his fingertips slowly went away as he regained control of his anger. Closing his eyes he took a slow breath before opening them again. “Thanks.” He said in a choked whisper.
Once he had, mostly, regained control he looked around again. The anger still simmered right below the surface but at least he had more control. Shaking his head he looked over at Oliver. “I’m sorry I dragged you to the party.”
---
Phobia breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the fire dim. There were other battles going on and blowing up their home wasn’t one Phobia wanted at that moment. He flashed Ashe a smile. Ashe didn’t need to thank him for that. Phobia would do whatever he could for his friend.
Phobia shook his head, “You don’t need to apologise for that,” he paused, “It means a lot to me that you push me to do things.” He didn’t want to get sentimental right now. He tilted his head, “We should check on Daryn. She’s nearby, isn’t she? See if she’s okay.” And anyone else they may cross.
---
Ashe began to relax more as he listened to Oliver’s words. He nodded, not arguing with him. Oliver was important to him so he always made an effort and he wanted to make sure his friend got out and met people. He wasn’t sure if it did any good but he kept trying. “Of course.” He said softly then his eyes widened as Oliver mentioned Daryn. “Oh shit. Yes. I hope she didn’t get hit like we did.” Focusing on someone else would help keep away the anger for what was done to them.
---
Phobia may not say it, perhaps because he didn’t really fully understand it, but living with Ashe, going out and being social with Ashe, it seemed to keep him more stable. The worst days were when he was on the island alone, unable to control his powers and constantly on his own. Ashe helped keep those memories at bay.
“Come on,” Phobia said, leading the way out. He reached out, sensing fears as he went. It meant he wasn’t alone. It almost meant these were familiar fears and there was no one around he was not around usually. He shook his hand, an ant falling off his finger. Better practice would stop that while he focused on fears. At least it was an ant and not something Ashe was afraid of.
It didn’t take long to get to Daryn’s and the door was ajar. Phobia swore and this time told Ashe to stay outside. He let his powers take over, becoming darkness. He was nothing but shadows and darkness. He slid into the apartment and he was immediately drawn to the light. Fuck. He shifted back into himself and called for Ashe. He looked at Ashe as he entered, “Fire.”
---
Ashe reached out to gently touch Oliver’s arm. He just needed that moment of connection to steady himself. Their relationship seemed to be completely unspoken and Ashe was okay with that. They had each other and that was what mattered.
He nodded and followed Oliver out, looking around as they headed up the street. He didn’t see very many people around. Was that a good thing? He had no idea. He kept some of his attention on Oliver. He knew his friend would be able to sense things that he couldn’t so if something was off he’d know.
When they got to Daryn’s Ashe’s heart dropped again. He just hoped she was safe because she wasn’t home. He knew she hadn’t been at the party but that didn’t mean she wasn’t with friends. This time he stayed put when Oliver told him to even though it was difficult. Hearing his name he ran in to see what Oliver was calling him about and was immediately drawn to the fire.
Without hesitation he stepped over to the fire and then into it. Closing his eyes he focused on the fire. Just the fire. Drawing on his own internal flames to draw it into him. It only took a few seconds but it felt like hours by the time Ashe had pulled it all into himself. Opening his eyes he let out a slow breath then frowned as he looked around.
---
When Ashe touched his arm, Phobia brushed his fingers over Ashe’s hand. He was there for him. There was no question that Phobia would stand in the blast zone for Ashe. Though he would rather not have Ashe lose control. Different conversation.
Phobia remained quiet as Ashe forced on the fire. He wanted to look around to see if Daryn was here but he did not sense her. That concerned Phobia. He knew she wasn’t at the party. If she wasn’t here… then she must be at the hospital working. He hoped.
Phobia felt weird moving towards the back of her place, to see if she was in her room. Daryn would forgive him. He looked into her room. She wasn’t there. He went back to the kitchen and shook his head at Ashe, “She’s not here. Do you think she was working tonight?”
---
It took Ashe a few moments to be able to move without being a little wobbly. When he could he followed in the general direction Oliver had gone. When he saw Oliver again he knew that Daryn wasn’t Home.
At the question Ashe shrugged his shoulders. “I knew there was no way she’d be at the party. That does seem like something she would do. So it would be my guess.” As much Ashe wished she was safe with friends he thought it was more likely she was working. That should be safe too, right? “I can try to call her.”
—-
Phobia nodded. He hoped she was the hospital and that she was safe. His thoughts went to Fitz and Remy and Thursday. His stomach twisted. He couldn’t contact Fitz and Remy was still at the party, surrounded by people. He was at least safe.
He looked to Ashe, not realising that due to his nerves for Daryn’s safety, and everyone else’s, the bottom of him was starting to shift into shadows again. Please have Daryn pick up.
---
Ashe paced while he listened to the phone ring. And ring. And ring. When there was no answer he left a short message then hung up and stuck it in his pocket. Looking over at Oliver he chewed on his lip for a moment. “That just means she’s busy, right? Like she’s working and not actually paying attention to her phone.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked around. “I want to say we can clean this up for her but … I don’t know if we can.” The longer he looked around the more angry he got again. This was actually hurting more than seeing their place the way it was. And it didn’t help that they didn’t know where Daryn was. Was it a good thing she wasn’t there? He didn’t know.
---
Phobia wanted to go find her. He wished he would be able to reach out. His powers did not work that way. He was useless. He took a deep breath, looking down. Shit. When did that happen? He tried to regard shape but it didn’t work. He needed to calm down. He looked to Ashe.
“I’m sure she’s working. If our place and her place is trashed? We aren’t the only ones,” Phobia said. Remy. Thursday. Alec. Who else in the Faction that had been attacked tonight? Who else was hurt? Hurting? He didn’t notice that he was losing more control. “Try again?” It was stupid. He should call someone. What could he do? He said he would try to spread hope but he didn’t feel hopeful right now. He felt scared.
---
Ashe was looking around, trying to decide what else they could possibly do. He tried Daryn’s phone again but no answer. And he sent her a text but something told him he wouldn’t get a response from that either. He was just trying to decide if they could clean up her place for her when he noticed Oliver having trouble. “Oli.” Stepping over he stepped right in front of him. “Look at me. Focus on me.” He spoke softly. “Breathe slowly and just focus on me.”
Once Oliver had control of himself again Ashe reached out and touched his arm. “Let’s go find somewhere we can sit and talk. Then we can come back and help clean up.”
---
Phobia’s thoughts stayed with the rest of the Faction. He probably shouldn’t stay here. He should find somewhere safe for Ashe. He should check on the others. He almost didn’t hear Ashe at first but the words, weren’t they what he had said to Ashe when the fire appeared? Phobia looked down. He was becoming shadows and nothing. He turned his attention to Ashe. He couldn’t do anything for Daryn right now. He couldn’t help the rest of the Faction but he could help Ashe.
He let go of his fear and he looked down again. He was solid. He nodded, “Thank you, Ashe. Come on. I know where we can go.” He lead Ashe outside and towards one of the safehouses. His guard was on high and he wished he had a weapon. There were weapons in some of the safehouses. He opened the door, letting Ashe in first.
“Sit. We need to talk,” Phobia agreed. He ran a hand through his hair.
---
Ashe didn’t question Oliver when he said he knew of a place to go. Ashe certainly didn’t have anywhere. He couldn’t exactly go to work and that was about the only other place he knew. So he just went along with Oliver, staying quiet as they walked.
When they got to the house Ashe frowned as he looked around. How did Oliver know this was here? And empty? As he was told to sit Ashe’s eyebrows went up. He did as he was told then looked at his friend. “That sounds ominous.”
---
Phobia sat down next to Ashe and smirked. It didn’t feel much like a smiling night but it was just how Ashe said it.
“No,” Phobia said. He had no idea how to start this conversation, “What have your heard about the Faction? Or any group that is fighting on the island?” This wasn’t exactly how he thought of starting this conversation but he might as well just say it and rip the bandaid off, right?
---
Ashe looked over at Oliver, confused by the smirk then even more surprised by the question. What in the world? That seemed completely random. “I uh … I mean a couple years ago I heard about a group that was fighting back but they were pretty much decimated. And there have been whispers since. That the group was coming back but it’s all just that … whispers. Why?” He frowned at him. “This seems random.”
---
“They aren’t exactly decimated. Just slightly more underground,” Phobia answered, “This is one of the safehouses,” he paused, “we have,” he paused again, glancing at Ashe. He looked away and said, “It may not be exactly random. I don’t know if maybe our place was trashed because of… that or Daryn.” Argh. He wasn’t making sense. He sat up a bit straighter and said, “I’m sorry for not telling you before but I’m a part of the group.”
---
Ashe was glad to hear that the group wasn’t decimated. But then the rest of what Oliver was saying didn’t make sense to him. He frowned and it deepend as he kept talking. “Wait.” He shook his head at himself. “What are you telling me? I don’t think I understand.”
---
Daryn was wrong. Phobia was not the person who ought to be telling Ashe this. She probably would have told Ashe in such a way that it made sense. Instead of Phobia, who clearly wasn’t making sense and it didn’t make sense to him either, when he thought back. He should try by being blunt. Just say it. He already sort of did but it didn’t make sense.
“I’m a part of the Faction,” Phobia said, “I’ve been a part for a bit now.” Well, if that wasn’t blunt, Phobia didn’t know what was.
---
Ashe just looked at Oliver for a few moments then it finally clicked. His eyes widened and he blinked at him. “Really? I mean … wow.” He said softly then shook his head. “I shouldn’t be so shocked. I’m sorry. I just … didn’t even know it was real and to find out my best friend is part of it … that’s … I mean that’s a good thing, right? This is something you want? I don’t even know what I should be saying or asking. Sorry I’m not making much sense.”
---
Phobia looked up at the ceiling for a moment then said, “Before, when I first got to the island, well, you have seen what happens when I don’t have control of my powers. I had a really hard time staying me, solid. A woman reached out and helped me get control. She also lead me to the Faction and focus on helping people.” See? He could have a bit of sunshine and rainbows in him. Somewhere.
Phobia shrugged, “You are making sense. I don’t really think there is a standard answer or question to, ‘hey, my friend is a part of an underground organization that is trying to thwart the government from being assholes.’ So ask anything at all.”
---
Ashe focused on Oliver and what he was saying. He was still trying to comprehend all of this and he didn’t want to miss a word he said or misinterpret something. He nodded slowly in acknowledgement that he knew what happened when Oliver didn’t control his powers. He was silently thankful for the person who helped him. Ashe suspected he and Oliver wouldn’t have their friendship if it weren’t for that person.
“I don’t even know what to ask.” Ashe spoke softly. “I’m .. still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean … I know the Faction is trying to help. That’s kind of one of those things that is a given, right? And what better way than to fight back. What the government is doing here is wrong. I just … is it worth it? I mean … You think our place being damaged was because of it don’t you?”
---
Phobia didn’t want to think where he would be if he never learnt control of his powers. He would probably still be shadows living alone, away from everyone. He might as well be dead if that was still the case. As bitter as he was, he was grateful, he was no longer lost in the shadows.
“Daryn is a part of the Faction too,” Phobia said, “The fact that our place and her place got hit? It’s either a coincidence or…” he trailed off, not wanting their positions to be known. Was Ashe in danger now? He shook his head, not sure if it fear getting the way of reason. Keep calm, “Is it worth? Yes. To me it is. All the things they have done and their solution is to just throw us on an island and pretend we are the problem?” Phobia shook his head, “This isn’t going to be your only chance to ask questions because I’m sure you’ll have more later. We’ll just need to be mindful of our surroundings.”
---
Ashe was actually not surprised to learn that Daryn was part of the faction. If Oliver was then why not? She was a strong, independent woman. She definitely had the personality that would support it. He nodded slowly as he listened. Hadn’t he just been telling Daryn that he had wanted to help people? If he felt that way then it made sense that others would as well. And everything going on here was wrong in every sense of the word.
After a few moments he looked at Oliver. “What can I do to help?”
---
Phobia should not have been surprised that Ashe wanted to help. He was proud that his friend wanted to and he wanted to get Ashe there. Phobia went quiet for a moment then said, “I shouldn’t be surprised you want to help. I know you probably understand the risks involved. I have put you at risk already. But becoming involved? Puts you more at risk. Are you sure?” He suspected that Ashe would reply with yes.
---
Ashe nodded at the questions. “I’m sure. I want to help. I want to be useful. I don’t care if it's cooking meals for the people who are busy. I just .. want to do something to help someone. To help you.” He looked over at Oliver with a small smile. “If my best friend is willing to take the risks then I’m going to be right beside him.”
---
Phobia returned the smile, a real smile, not a smirk as he usually did but a real smile. It did not last long.
“I am not really the best role model,” Phobia replied, feeling warmed that his friend wanted to be right next to him. It was almost a hugging moment. Almost, “You will help. You should talk to Daryn about this. She’ll start you in.”
---
If Oliver had been willing to hug Ashe would have obliged but he wasn’t going to push it. His mind was still reeling a little from all of the information. Isn’t this what he had wanted for a long time? But then again he wasn’t actually in. Oliver was just telling him about it. He needed to not get ahead of himself.
“You are to me.” Ashe smiled then nodded. He bit his lip when Oliver mentioned Daryn again. Maybe he shouldn’t be involved. Maybe he should just let it be and walk away. Maybe Daryn really was too good for him. He nodded slowly. “Maybe.” He said softly.
—-
Phobia felt the wave fear and doubt that went through Ashe. He tilted his head when Ashe bit his lip. Was he pushing? Did he assume too much that Ashe would be eager to join? Was he having doubts? He didn’t blame him. Phobia knew that, in the beginning, that a part of him joined because had nothing to lose. Now it meant more to him.
“You are a good fit,” Phobia said, “but if you want to think about it more, I don’t blame you. There is always a risk.” Like last night. Like any time before. There were risks in standing up.
---
Ashe looked over at Oliver. If he thought Ashe was a good fit who was he to argue? And wasn’t this exactly what he had been dreaming of? “The risk doesn’t scare me. I want to help. I just don’t want to disappoint anyone. And ….” He paused then looked at Oliver. “I really like Daryn. And I most of all don’t want to disappoint her or you.”
---
That was the feeling he felt. The fear of disappointment. He shook his head and said, “There is no way that you will disappoint me and,” he smirked slightly, “I know Daryn likes you and I don’t think you can disappoint her.” He supposed there were ways but not in this. Not unless Ashe turned on them and he doubted Ashe would. Ashe was well suited for this.
---
Ashe leaned over and hugged him then. He knew Oliver didn’t like to be hugged but he needed to. He kept it brief then pulled back. “Thanks.” He said softly. “I’ll do anything I can. And I won’t let you, any of you down. I promise you that.”