Mabel
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Mabel laughed at the question, a thick hearty laugh that seemed out of place coming out of a beautiful woman

"H*ll if I know Eric. All I can tell you is that you're not going to be done for about a month, maybe a little less since you are a guardian. As for your skin, well I'll find a solution." Noting the creaking cot, and the fact that both boy's pants were at the breaking point she added "and I'll find something better for you to sleep on and wear. Because I am NOT going to be in a room with a bunch of naked men."

Checking her watch she realized she had been down there for almost an hour.

"look you know the routine. Dishes by the door I've got a diner to run." She said, hurrying upsairs


Ashburn
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As Mrs. Mabel finished her spiel Ash looked over to Eric and blushed before looking back at his legs. He hadn't really noticed before but they were fitting pretty tight. His jeans were looser than Eric's pants but were still snug, and way to short. 

Ash lay back and thought to himself quietly.

'Why is it I blushed' he asked himself in his head 'its not like I haven't seen guys naked before. So why would I blush?'

He closed his eyes as he reflected, his overactive mind working out the puzzle. For that matter he hadn't even told Eric he was gay. A decade of living in Alabama had made him accustomed to not talking about it, even though it was fairly obvious. It just wasn't a natural thing to talk about for him, and the last thing he wanted was for Eric to think he was hitting on him.

'Damn it Ash. Your whole body is f*cking transforming and you just found out you're a demon. Why is romance even in your head? It should be the last thing on your mind.' he beat himself verbally.

Ash looked over at Eric, and his forlorn expression. Forcing a smile he said 

"You're lucky in one aspect Eric" He said calmly, with a slight quiver in his voice "You get to have a soul mate. Someone who you can literally share a mind with and be as close as two people can be. And you know what man? I'm happy for you. After everything you've gone through you deserve a girl like that."

Though as he said the word "girl" he could feel a small pang in his heart. 'I am not feeling anything. Eric surely wouldn't like me, and good because I don't like him' he said to himself softly. A mantra he had been repeating for days, and believing less and less each day.