Asher had been dating Orion for a while. The Orion’s he seemed to meet the most were extremely similar, the only notable difference being one was more openly affectionate and the other was a bit more awkward.
A lot of people who weren't mentally well ended up here some way or another. Asher didn't find it all that strange, Orion seemed fairly put together the majority of the time.
The consistency of Orion’s memories themselves was nebulous at best. He would usually remember a lot of things. But occasionally he’d seem to lose time or have considerable gaps, but he didn't seem to notice it much unless prompted.
“What the hell? Who is it?” The door opened to a very tired looking Orion. “Why are you here?”
“We’re dating. Why wouldn’t I be here?” Asher smirked.
“Right, that's right.” He looked away scowling. “Goddamn it Orion.”
“So, you’re not ‘Orion’, then?” Asher asked, he hadn’t placed it yet but something about Orion’s expression reminded him of the night they first met, this Orion was probably the one called Katz.
“That’s none of your business.” Katz answered.
“I do think It’s some of my business.” Asher said coming in. “Besides, you’re not the first person I’ve dated with Dissociative I-”
“Don’t say it.” Katz said covering Ashers mouth with his hand.
“Oh, so you’ll speak about the other ‘Orion’s’, but you won’t acknowledge it?” Asher teased sitting down on the nearby couch.
“We have different boundaries when it comes to that sort of thing, I don’t like being direct about it. Just,” Katz paused, “… Just don’t say it.”
“I’ll try to keep that in mind. Anyway, come here, you look tired. Why don’t you lay your head in my lap?” Asher asked patting his legs.
“What?” Katz gave him a puzzled expression.
“Come on, I’ll play with your hair.” He offered.
“Fine.” Katz gave in to Asher's enticing and laid down. “Why are you doing this?”
“Well, one of you decided I was your boyfriend without consulting me when we first met so, I’m going to seduce you no matter what. It’s only fair.” Asher explained as he started to run his hands through Orion’s hair.
“I never agreed to that.” Katz retorted.
“Yeah… but you did come over here on your own accord just because I said I’d play with your hair.” Asher smirked.
“Touché.” Katz said.
“So, your scalp is your weakness then. I knew it” Asher chuckled.
“No comment.” Katz replied closing his eyes. “It’s probably the others influence but I do feel like I can trust you even if I don’t really want to...”
“Why do you guys trust me? Not that I’m complaining.” Asher asked. “You don't really seem to be the type to trust anyone. Especially given your associations.”
“Desperation perhaps. But there is something about you, maybe it's because you’re part demon.” Katz speculated.
“And not because I’m pretty?” Asher laughed.
“I won’t deny that it's a factor, but even if you're lying, I’m still benefiting from it either way.” He mused. “So, to say, if things go well, they go well. If they don't, it's not like you can kill me. So, I’m not too worried about something like that.”
“That’s a unique perspective…” Asher ran his fingers through Orion's hair noticing several sections of brown within his mostly blue hair. “Say… Next time you dye your hair you should let me do it, you missed so many spots.” Asher offered.
“I don’t dye my hair, stuff at work just does that sometimes. It’s been like this for a while so it's naturally that color at this point.” He explained.
“How does that even work?” Asher asked.
“I don't know. I’m a chemist, not a biologist. I'm next to certain I've said that before.” Katz shrugged. “It's not important anyway.”
“You have, but most people wouldn't ignore their hair changing color like that.” Asher said. “Have you seen anyone about this?”
“It's not like it’ll kill me.” He huffed.
“Er- right. So, you like chemistry?” Asher asked trying to change the subject.
“No, I hate it.” Katz replied coldly.
“Then why are you a chemist?” Asher frowned.
“Because I have to be.” Katz said.
“Why is that?” Asher asked.
“What's it to you? Why do you keep asking questions?” Katz was starting to sound irritated, he stopped himself and took a deep breath. “Do you have to know everything about me?”
“Well, no. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.” Asher frowned, “I was just hoping to get to know you. Is there anything you do like? Or like, something you wouldn't mind talking about?”
“I don't know. I’ve never had time to figure myself out. I don't really feel strongly enough about things to like them.” Katz said.
“Well, you definitely feel strongly enough about things to hate them.” Asher pondered for a moment. “But I can say without a doubt that you do like sweets.”
“Yeah? How would you know that?” Katz taunted.
“I have seen your kitchen. Not single thing that isn't just sugary, chocolatey or well… rice.” Asher nodded to himself, “Rice is probably the most normal food you have at the moment.”
“What if I’m the one eating the rice?” He rolled his eyes.
“That would be reasonable if it were true, but both of the other Orion’s seem to suggest otherwise.” Asher teased.
“Of course they did. Well, I don’t know if I like things. Is it even me who likes them? How would I even know?” Katz mumbled. “If Orion likes something I should like it too, right? Does it matter?”
“I don't know how to answer that.” Asher said.
"I wasn't expecting you to, I’m just thinking out loud." Katz clarified, “So, what happened with them?”
“Hmm?” Asher hummed.
“The other person you dated.” Katz asked.
“Nothing serious, it wasn’t because of that. It just didn’t work out.” Asher sighed. “She eventually figured out she was a lesbian.”
“Oh. I know that feeling.” Katz mumbled.
“I imagine so since you’re a shapeshifter.” Asher nodded.
“It’s not even that, people constantly mistook me for my sister.” He groaned.
“So, you have a sister?” Asher asked.
“I haven't spoken to her since I moved here. I don't really want to talk about it.” Katz said.
"That's fine, I'm not really on good terms with my family either." Asher let out a sad chuckle.
“Not bad terms exactly just… don't want her involved in... all of this. I wish she'd stay far away from here.” Katz explained. “That's all I’m willing to say on that.”
“Why are you here anyway? Or something you don’t want to talk about?” Asher asked.
“The project I’m working on requires me to work with the syndicate and I don't have any other choice. I can't tell you any more than that and it's not because I don’t want to. I’m not really allowed to discuss it.” Katz took another deep breath. “I’m going to rest my eyes for a while.”
“Oh, alright.” Asher said softly.
They stayed like that for a while until Orion fell asleep. Asher pondered a bit about how Orion behaved. Orion seemed a lot different than the other person he dated with this issue. Asher couldn't tell if it was because Orion had achieved some sort of remission in the past or if he just had less overt symptoms. He didn't have much else for comparison to say otherwise.
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