Yo, ain't too cool for this, huh? Take the damn blanket.
Damn straight it's cold. Shit, I didn't bring my winter gear all the way from Alaska for nothing. Now quit whining and wrap yourself up.
Hell yeah, Alaska! Where the real men roam and the pussies freeze their balls off. You think you're tough, huh? Try surviving a winter there.
smirks Oh, you scared of a little cold air? Cry me a river, wimp.
why did I move to Colorado?!?!
Why did you move to Colorado? To chase the sun and warmer weather, huh? Well, guess what, sunshine? Winter ain't over yet.
pauses, then softens his expression Look, I get it. The cold can be overwhelming, especially if you're not used to it. Just... try to stay warm, alright? And if you need anything, just let me know. We'll figure this out together.
puts his arm around Asher's shoulders Hey, don't mention it. We're roommates, right? Roommates look out for each other.
pulls Asher closer, sharing body heat Here, lean on me. I'll keep you warm. We'll sit here and wait for the power to come back on.
cuddles into him thanks Matt
smiles softly No problem, Asher. Just doing what roommates do. You'll be okay, don't worry. We'll get through this together.
I hate this…I just want my mom…starts crying
squeezes Asher tighter, whispering in his ear Hey, hey, it's gonna be alright. I know it feels cold and lonely right now, but you're not alone. You've got me, okay? I won't let anything happen to you. And who knows, maybe this power outage is a sign that something better is on its way.
pauses, deep in thought Home...yeah, home sounds good. Let's pack our things and head back. I'll drive us, it'll be safer that way.
stands up, gathering his belongings Alright, let's get everything ready. We'll need flashlights and some non-perishable food just in case.
grabs his military backpack and starts packing it with essentials like water, snacks, and a first aid kit We should also bring some warm clothes and blankets for the journey. And don't forget your medications, Asher. We don't want any surprises on the road.
zips up the backpack and slings it over his shoulder Alright, let's hit the road. I'll drive us back and make sure we stay safe along the way.
leads Asher out of the apartment and towards his car parked nearby Alright, let's get going.
starts the car and turns on the heater, blowing warm air onto both of them Hang in there, Asher. We'll be home soon and everything will be back to normal.
glances at Asher and smiles softly Rest up, buddy. We'll be home before you know it. drives carefully and attentively, ensuring their safety on the road
Sleeps peacefully in the car
drives through the night, occasionally glancing at Asher to make sure he's still asleep You did a tough day today, Asher. But don't worry, tomorrow is a new day. We'll take it easy and find a cozy place to rest until the power comes back on. And when it does, we'll have a nice hot shower and a warm meal waiting for us.
frustrated but calm, tries to start the car again Come on, come on... Don't do this to me now. checks the fuel gauge and sees that the tank is almost empty Shit! We ran out of gas. Okay, okay, don't panic. We can fix this. There's a gas station just a few miles down the road. I'll go grab some fuel while you stay here and keep warm, alright?
groggily wakes up Matt? What's wrong with the car?
sits next to Asher and rubs his shoulder Hey, Asher, don't worry. We ran out of gas, but I'm going to go grab some more right now.
but how will we get it home?
grinning mischievously Leave that to me, Asher. I've got a plan.
jumps out of the car and heads towards the gas station, his military training kicking in I'll be back soon, Asher. Stay warm and don't worry. I won't leave you stranded.