As much as Asher would love to spend every second he had with Saiki, he knew the boy needed his space. So, today he would be spending time with his mom.

It bothered him how little he had been able to see her recently. She was always out of the house, or in bed sleeping. Whenever she was awake at home, was when he was sleeping. Their schedules didn't match.

However, today she had a day off. Usually Asher would insist on her sleeping in, but she wanted some time with her son. He couldn't disagree with that.

Though, now he felt as if he were tricked.

They were out running errands together. Paying bills, and dropping things off. She just wanted help with her chores!!

"C'mon, don't act that way," she reached back slapped his back with a grin. "I can get these tasks out of the way while spending time with my son. Two birds with one stone."

The brunette sighed as he pushed the store through the supermarket they were in, pausing whenever his mother would. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

She shook her head. "You needed to get out the house, anyways. I know you stay cooped inside if you don't have the chance to see your little boyfriend-"

"SHHH, MOM!! Not so loud!" He whisper-yelled to the woman, despite the fact that most of the people here wouldn't be able to understand them.

The woman laughed. "How's things going with him? Finally make it official yet?"

Asher shrugged. "We talked about it, and I think we have mutual feelings.. we just don't have a label yet. And I'm fine with that. I think he's just nervous."

His mom stopped walling to turn back and look at her son, observing his face before walking ahead again. "M'kay, well.. just don't bring him home and do things you did back in America. Or I'll beat your ass, you hear?"

His cheeks tinted red. "It was only once—"

"More."

"..twice—"

"You know you're lying."

"Okay, most of the time it wasn't even my idea!.."

She laughed at her son's embarrassment. The two continued shopping, soon checking out and walking out of the building with a few bags in their hands.

"God, the fuck are my keys..?" The blonde woman muttered (while switching to Japanese, just because), digging through the small bag she had as the crosses the street.

Asher snickered. "Can't find them in that tiny bag you have?"

"Be quiet.." she scoffed, slowing her steps.

"Just find your keys, old lady," he stood beside her to look (as much as he could) into purse. He wouldn't be much help, but he wanted to be nosey and look as well.

He didn't notice that either of them until he heard a strange humming sound approaching rather quickly. He looked up, his heart jumping to his throat when he came face to face with a huge ass truck.

"HOLY SHIT!"

His mom turned around from in front of the basket, frowning at him. "Why're you yelling? I only asked a question."

Asher blinked in an owl-like manner, quickly looking from left to right. He was back inside of the grocery story, basket still in hand, basket only half-way filled.

"How.. what..?" His heart rate slowly calmed itself, but he was severely confused. How the fuck did he get back here? What is happening? Is he going crazy?

His mom looked at him weirdly. "Are you okay?"

He slowly nodded.

"Alright..." she slowly faced forward again, going back to shopping. She had to help him pull the basket forward, since he had been slightly dazed.

Asher went the process all over again: finishing their shopping, checking out, walling out with a few bags in their hands.

The brunette felt nervous stepping out. He watched intently, looking back and forth down the road.

"God, the fuck are my keys..?" she was hunched over slightly as she looked into her purse.

"Mom," he carefully, but quickly, led her across the street, "You can't do that shit in the middle of the road. People will run you over."

She rolled her eyes. "We would've been fine."

Suddenly, a huge truck zoomed behind them, on the road they had just been standing on.

"I doubt that..." he muttered, staring at the vehicle until he couldn't see it anymore.

'Either I'm psychic, have a good intuition, or I'm just crazy as hell.'

'All incorrect.'

The two loaded the groceries, then themselves, into the car. Asher's mom started the car.

"Damn," she sighed, soon but pulling out of the parking lot. "I need to get gas before we go home."

The brunette groaned. "Seriously? I'm so exhausted, ma..."

"Well, I have work tomorrow. So, bare with me for a little longer," she drove them to the nearest gas station.

'I just want to go home and text Saiki.. I can't believe she didn't let me bring my phone.'

When they pulled into the gas station, his mom turned off the car and handed Asher money. "Go and do it for me. Please?"

He was used to it, so he took the cash and stepped out of the car. He walked to the main building off the gas station, taking a small tour around the shop.

'I've gotta get myself something while I'm in here...'

He took almost 5 minutes to soon settle on a single serving of coffee jelly. He was interested in if it would taste different, since it's from a gas station.

He went up to the front counter, placing the container down. "And uhh...," he gazed out the window for a moment, "the rest of the money on 2."

The cashier was quick to ring up Asher's goods, giving him a receipt and the boxed treat back.

When Asher walked away from the counter, he noticed the guy that was standing behind him.

'When the fuck did he get there..? Is this guy high off the perc or what, the hell?'

The brunette decided to nervously watch the old guy approach the counter, slowly walking to the door. Probably a bad idea.

Suddenly, the old bum pulled out a hand gun, pointing it to the cashier, who froze with fear. "Pull out the money, noww," the old guy slurred.

Definitely high.

Definitely a bad idea to stay.

But Asher couldn't just watch this happen. He'd feel guilty for as long as he lived!! Besides, he didn't have muscle just for show, right?

"Hey!!" he threw the small box in his hand at the old guy, who flinched and turned to Asher. "Leave him alone, ya' quack!"

The old man turned the gun to Asher now. "Nnn, just get the fuck outta here, kid!.."

The brunette refused, instead taking hold of the guys hand (which held the gun) into his own, crouching down in attempt to snatch the gun away.

It was clear he's never had experience with being held at gunpoint. Why the fuck was he wrestling this guy for a gun?

Suddenly, a shot could be heard. Asher fell over onto the ground, curled into a ball as he held his stomach.

'Maybe I let this one go too far.'

"Holy fuckk..." he groaned, squeezing his eyes tightly shut.

"Asher, hurry up! I want to go home too, now. I'm getting hungry."

His eyes suddenly flew open; he was back in the car. He touched his stomach, where he had been shot at.

There was no wound.

'I'm seriously going crazy, what the fuuuuck?..'

Asher stared at his mom for a moment, slowly grabbing the cash. "I'll be quick, mom. Lock the doors."

"M'kay..."

He practically jogged to the door of the gas station, skipping out on boxed jelly and going straight to the counter. "Put it all on pump 2."

Asher heard the door creak open (which he only heard this time because he was hyper aware now) and he peek over his shoulder. It was a pleasant surprise, seeing Saiki walking over with two boxed jellies in his hand.

"Saiki?.."

The pinkette gave him a small smile, causing Asher's heart to practically skip a beat.

"I really am going insane.." he muttered to himself, backing away from the counter.

"Are you here with your mom?"

Asher nodded.

"Today's been an unlucky day. I think you should go home."

"Huh?" Asher's eyebrows furled together. "Are you talking about‐"

"Just a hunch," Saiki grabbed his treats after he paid, turning to walk out. "Let me know when you're home. You didn't message me this morning."

'Was he worried?'

'Absolutely not.'

Asher watched Saiki walk away. An unlucky day... he wondered if Saiki somehow knew about what was happening to him. He feels as if it were more of a coincidence that Saiki was suddenly there.

"... eh, probably just thinking too hard."

chat name:

me n you tbh

kusuo

hey

where are you

nvm

asher

awww, did you miss me?

me n my mom were out all day, and she made me leave my phone at home

sorry :))

*:((

kusuo

i didn't miss you

i already told you earlier, you just didn't message me

and it was weird

asher

so shy

kusuo

about?

asher

confessing any type of feelings about/towards me

kusuo

ok

asher

lmao ANYWAYS

today was super weird

kusuo

how so?

asher

every time id go somewhere with my mom, something bad would happen. but then it would be like time reversed, and i was given another chance

it was weird

it happened when you were there, too

kusuo

huh.

weird.

asher

that's it?

that's all you have to say?

kusuo

as long as you aren't dead, it's fine.

weird, but fine

dont think about it

asher

you're suspicious...

kusuo

what

asher

IM KIDDING

alrr 😘

kusuo

😚

asher

HUH?????

kusuo

wrong one

😐

asher

[screenshot the chat]

kusuo

ihy, bye

asher

<3

Saiki put his phone down into his lap, staring at his wall as he thought.

'How does he know any of that happened..? This isn't good. He'll find out sooner than I thought.'

---------------------------------------

+ earlier, when his mom mentioned doing certain things at home with asher's lovers, it meant several things

they would throw parties, doing the do iykyk, all that crazy stuff. wild child, indeed

this chapter was actually pretty fun. i wouldve written it longer, but my streak of posting every day was ruined so idk

yeah, and ive been fixing up other chapters. trying to, at least

Word Count: 1678