"Will do," and he stands up and takes Kaleva's hand and tugs him homeward. 

He is noticeably more relaxed when Asher leaves.

"You're my people."

"And you're my people. And Asher — isn't my people, but he maybe could be?" 

"Gangs have more than one person on the Isle?"

"There are two-person gangs, but yeah, almost always. My old gang had five." 

He squeezes Kaleva's hand. 

"Then-- I think I can manage? You and him? --I was going to say 'as long as you're not going to replace me with him' but I want you to do that if you want to, maybe 'as long as you don't fail to communicate that you've replaced me with him for eighteen months and then leave me to have a nervous breakdown and run off to New Orleans.'"

"I promise I will not fail to communicate that I've replaced you with him for eighteen months and then leave you to have a nervous breakdown and run off," Sasha says, and kisses him. 

"You are so good."

Kiss.

"But also, you're my people and I don't see that changing." 

"I dunno, Asher can cook and he has really good abs and he doesn't have to go to class because he can teach himself any subject twelve hours before the test and he's great at sports and he's, like, famous and powerful and stuff."

"And you're soft and you can teach me and you get excited about things and I don't really care about sports except insofar as being good at them means you can probably win in a fight, so." 

"I would not be able to win in a fight. I get winded when I have to climb too many stairs."

"Good thing we don't have to win fights here, then. — should I text Asher?" 

"If you want to. It'd be hot to watch you suck him off probably."

"I'll do that, then," and he texts Asher

hey 

Kaleva and I talked 

and their location. 

cool

do I get to make out with him

unsure but he thinks itd be hot to watch me suck your dick

that would be hot

not right now I'm all fucked out because of mardi gras

terrible timing

is he..... not into me

He pauses before typing 

also unsure 

he thinks you're very attractive but thsts just having eyes 

thank you <3

I'm not actually sure I've ever...... cared about being rejected before

you should come cuddle us 

I can walk and text at the same time!

He appears and waves.

He's snuggled up on Kaleva's shoulder. 

"Hi! You should hug me." 

He hugs both of them!

"Hi. --I have no idea what I'm doing."

"That's alright, neither do we. Cuddling is a good first step."