<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 255)">One's intentions when verbally communicating are greatly conveyed by the facial expressions, or physical gestures, they make to accompany their speech. As such, Casper couldn't gauge Ash's intent when he'd complimented him, because he had walked into the room and had his back turned to the teen, so didn't know if there was a flirtatious smile, or a sarcastic smirk. And so, Casper didn't know if the boy had just let it slip accidentally, or was indeed being sarcastic, or had actually meant it. He gave a quick grin in response anyway, and busied himself with the curtains. When he heard his son speak, he turned and watched Ash closely, unable to help feeling amused by the kid's quick flutter of emotions. He seemed to have a tight reign on them for the most part, and his face hardly gave anything away, but Casper could tell he was more than mildly shocked. Casper would be too, if he saw a friend in this state with no forewarning. He was surprised Ash wasn't being more emotional, actually. He was staying composed; Casper could respect that. This just further reinforced his presumption that Ash was more mature than was requisite for his age group.<br/>
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Casper scoffed at Miles' first words to his friend; obviously tactlessness on the greetings front ran in the family. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(77, 255, 77)">Miles </span>didn't notice his father's reaction though, because he couldn't angle his head to more than one person at a time without his neck hurting, and was currently focused on Ash.</span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(255, 255, 255)"><br/>
"Shut up!" He said indignantly at his friend's jests, mostly because he hated being teased but also because he couldn't think of anything better to say back. He grumbled some things under his breath, indeed not being able to think of any instance when he had proved Ash wrong. He looked back at his friend when the stream of questions started, and the surprise he felt was evident on his face. He didn't know if his dad had told Ash downstairs about what had happened, but he'd thought for sure that people would have some inkling about the fight. Surely something must have gotten out? He grinned though, at Ash's last comment.<br/>
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"HA, you were worried about me?" He sniggered, almost in a triumphant manner. He knew he had to answer those questions eventually though, and suddenly felt his mouth become dry. He didn't know how much he should say; he was well aware that a murder had taken place at the same fight he was involved in, but should he mention that? Even if he didn't, what would Ash think of him, being involved in gang fights of this degree? "Yeah, about all... <i>this</i>..." He swallowed hard, and then looked to his father for any amount of help, any signal of what not to say. But Casper was having far too much fun watching him struggle, and looked back coldly, even quirking an eyebrow as if making an enquiry himself. <i>Yes, how </i>did<i> you get those injuries?</i><br/>
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Miles looked back at Ash. He figured he'd play it safe, spew some vague facts. He gave a sheepish grin.<br/>
"I was in a gang fight," He finally admitted. "I was drunk, got beat up pretty badly. Can't remember the rest." He didn't want to divulge too much information, lest he let slip something that his father didn't want Ash to know, but there was also the factor that Miles was too childishly proud, too stupidly arrogant to make himself look weak. He didn't want to recount all the places those guys had broken a bone, landed a punch. As if he already didn't look pathetic, lying on a bed with half his body wrapped in bandages. To change the subject, he turned his gaze to the bag Ash had dropped. "The homework's in there? The stuff I asked you to bring over?"<br/>
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"About that," Casper finally interjected with a cold smirk. "I'm surprised you remembered homework amid your constant haze of porn mags and fap sessions."<br/>
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"OH my god!" Miles exclaimed, his previous anxiety replaced by sheer mortification. But it was true; once the pain in his wrists had somewhat eased, Miles had instantly took to resuming his personal hobbies, and had somehow wedged the magazines close enough to his position at the head of the bed so that it was easier for him to access them. "DAD, you can't <i>-</i>"<br/>
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"What? Wasn't that your sole qualm with all of this? Not being able to masturbate efficiently?" Casper drawled, a mocking smile playing at his lips. "Aren't you glad that that's no longer an obstacle? And it seems that Ash is familiar with your personal tendencies anyway, judging by our conversation downstairs." Miles instantly shot Ash a suspicious look, his cheeks infused with red. He <i>knew</i> it would've been bad if they met. "Ah, whatever." He started walking towards the door, suppressing a grin. Miles wanted to say something back, but he couldn't think of anything clever enough. <i>Oh my god, </i>Miles suddenly thought. <i>They're just like each other! Ash and Dad. They're both idiots that make fun of me. </i>He hoped to God that Ash and his father didn't meet again in the future, otherwise they'd pick him apart like vultures.<br/>
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Casper, as he neared the door, pulled the front of his shirt away from his chest, somewhat exposing his upper chest and collarbones. It was a very warm day, and sweat was starting to form on his skin. He wanted to strip as soon as he could and bathe in some cool water.<br/>
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"Heading for the shower. You two play nice now. It was <i>great</i> meeting you, Ash." He turned to the teen in question with a half-smile, and then swiftly exited. As soon as the door shut behind him, he pulled off his shirt in one fluid motion, striding across the carpeted floor towards his own bedroom. He set about undressing, and then walked to the bathroom to take his shower.<br/>
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As soon as his father had left, Miles hit Ash over the head with his bandaged hand. He'd never usually do such a thing to Ash, because he knew his friend would get his own back soon enough, but he was currently highly embarrassed and very angry.<br/>
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"What the HELL did you two talk about downstairs?!" He hissed, glaring at his 'friend'.</span>