I'm really getting back into this story, and that makes me really happy. I'm also very happy that I'm sneaking in hints of other Tales games. I'm smooth like that. Winkeyface.

Pokefan22456 Review Reply: Huzzah! So glad you're enjoying the story! I do try my best to put my readers into 'awesome overload' mode. And have no fear, this story is far from over! I still have quite a few ideas that need to make an appearance and I am so excited for all of them! So re-fasten your seatbelts, the ride isn't done yet!

Guest Review Reply: Make that TWO updates that didn't take forever! And in the same month at that! Yay for progress! And I swear I saw a pig flying around the other day... Guess my procrastination skills are helping somebody!

Chapter 10

Rage Against Everything

That weekend was one of the best Luke had experienced in his entire seventeen years of life.

He ended up staying at Hyperesonance for the rest of Asch's shift. In the blink of an eye, Friday night became Saturday morning. The couple didn't get back to the apartment until 3 A.M. And as soon as they got home, they both stripped out of their sweat-soaked club clothes, changed into something lighter, and promptly crashed out. Neither of them bothered to shower, and the bed reeked of bodily perspiration and the faintest scent of alcohol, but Luke paid it little mind and was asleep within minutes. With an arm thrown over the younger male, Asch was too.

Luke didn't wake up until eleven. Sunlight had just begun to filter in through the blinds. As he rubbed his eyes, he turned his head slightly to stare at the still-sleeping face of his boyfriend, who showed no signs whatsoever of coming around anytime soon. He giggled to himself, pressing his lips to the clammy skin of the other's forehead before wiggling his way out of bed and heading to the shower.

He found out that morning that Asch was quite the sleeper. For someone who was able to wake up easily with the alarm clock every morning for school, he didn't wake up until just past noon. Luke was showered, dressed, and chewing on a waffle while watching TV by the time he heard the shower start running. Ten minutes later, the older redhead appeared, hair damp with his bangs tumbling over his forehead.

"He lives," Luke sang, cheekily grinning over at the newcomer. Asch rolled his eyes, continuing to make his way to the kitchen. The younger got up and followed him, taking a seat at the island and watching his partner drop two more waffles into the toaster. "Sleep well, Mister Bartender?" A glare was shot at him from over a shoulder.

"Shut up," was the reply, lacking in bite. Luke merely giggled.

He waited until the waffles popped up and Asch was sitting across from him, busily devouring one before speaking again. "I had a lot of fun last night."

"Hmm?"

"Yeah. It was fun, watching you work and all." Asch smiled at him. "...You work again tonight, don't you?"

"You want to come with me again, don't you?"

"Can't I? Please Asch, pleeeeeease?" The lighter redhead clasped his hands together in the begging motion. "I was good yesterday! I didn't get drunk or do anything stupid!"

"That doesn't mean you won't, though."

"Oh come on, I wanna try more of the stuff you and Alvin make! I only got to have two last night!"

"You are underage."

"Hey, you're the one who works there, and you're only weeks older than me! That's not a good reason!" Asch chuckled.

"Look, even if I say no, you're going to just manage to show up anyway, right?"

"…Pretty much, yeah."

"Then you might as well just tag along."

Luke beamed and wasted no time in darting out of his seat and around to his boyfriend, pulling the other into a hug. Into his ear, Asch laughed, and the sound sent delightful tingles down his spine. He pulled back just enough to connect their lips, the decision eagerly supported as the kiss was returned. The last half of the waffle on the counter was forgotten.

It was a lazy day after that. Hyperesonance didn't open until eight, and Asch's time slot began at nine. They spent the afternoon and early evening on the couch, cuddling and kissing and watching TV. A pizza was ordered for dinner, and Luke quietly nibbled on his few slices while his significant other wolfed down almost half of what remained. Not only was Asch a sleeper when he wanted to be, but he was a big eater when he so desired as well. But he'd survived off of minimal food for years; if he wanted to eat an entire pizza all by himself, far be it from Luke to stand in his way.

A couple hours prior to leaving, Asch's uniform was thrown in the wash so it wouldn't be cold and crusted with sweat when he put it back on. The darker redhead offered to help Luke put together a new outfit for the night, and the two spent the better part of an hour in Luke's closet, throwing something together while laughing (and kissing) on the side. The outfits were stuffed into a bag that was tossed in the backseat of Luke's car, and they were off.

Saturday night's proceedings were very similar to the previous nights. Hyperesonance was already started up in full swing, complete with blood-pumping music and a growing mass of bodies forming on the dance floor. Alvin was already dressed and behind the oak wood bar, starting up another of many flair shows of the evening. Asch quickly joined him, and Luke was given a drink and sat down to watch.

They were out until just after three in the morning again, and the ritual upon their return was identical to the day before; stumble into the apartment, change, care less about showering, and pass out on the bed.

Sunday had a bit of a different schedule. On those days, Hyperesonance was open during the afternoon as a simple every day bar; the dancing section was roped off and temporarily out of order, but patrons were welcome inside for a drink or two. Once nighttime rolled around, everything was normal and in full-swing, and when the next morning came, the building was closed and not to reopen until evening.

Because Asch had school Monday morning, he didn't work Sunday nights; rather, he took a few hours in the afternoon. Luke woke up just after noon, and by that time his boyfriend was already up, showered, dressed, eating a bowl of cereal and working on what was left of his homework. Apparently, typical studious Asch only failed to exist on Saturdays and not a second more.

He still tagged along to Hyperesonance though. It was a bit odd, walking into the club that was lit with sunlight instead of flashing neon signs and had soft jazz music playing from a stereo instead of deafeningly loud trap music. Asch didn't do flair shows on Sundays either. When Luke asked him about it, he said it just didn't feel right. He said it was a technique meant to keep people interested and excited, and anyone who came to Hyperesonance for a drink on Sunday wanted just that, a drink. It was quiet and calm and sort of boring actually compared to the other days, but he got to sit and be with his boyfriend and the jazz honestly was pretty enjoyable. So, Luke didn't complain.

And all too soon, the weekend was over.

Now Luke was laying on his back, flopped out on his king bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was the end of his first week with Asch, and it had been nothing short of amazing. He found it intriguing really; with Asch came an entirely different, entirely new world. And that world was better, so much better than the world he'd been living in. Maybe this was the real reason he'd wanted to be on his own so badly. To find this. To find him.

He rolled over onto his side. "…Hey, Asch?" The other redhead turned a page of his book.

"Hmm?"

"Happy one week anniversary." Asch glanced down at him. He smiled and reached out to smooth back Luke's bangs affectionately.

"Go to sleep, idiot." Luke beamed up at him, then nuzzled his face into his partner's thigh. Asch continued to play with his hair until he eventually fell asleep.

~oOo~

The week passed in a blur, a repetitive pattern of classes, homework, and time spent with Asch and their friends in between. Before Luke knew it, it was Friday once more. His stomach was alight with happy butterflies. He would be back in Hyperesonance again tonight! Back to the secret little world meant only for him and his boyfriend. He could hardly wait!

A pair of arms slipped themselves around his waist, and Luke blinked in surprise. Still, a smile crossed his face, and he turned to greet the familiar newcomer.

Only, he wasn't as familiar as Luke had first suspected. Immediately, he picked out two pools of shining blue where he expected piercing green to be. Then came the blonde bangs tumbling into those azure eyes, and the wicked grin that could never find itself on his boyfriend's face.

"Guy!" he scolded, shoving the older male away from him. "You scared the shit outta me!" Guy laughed.

"Sorry, sorry! I couldn't resist!" the blonde defended. "You make it too easy!" Luke rolled his eyes in exasperation and turned back to his locker, completing the task of depositing his books.

"Why am I friends with you again?" he questioned as he shut the small storage compartment. Guy only snorted in amusement and threw an arm around the redhead, pulling him along down the hallway.

"Because I'm wonderful and you love me?"

"Not really, no."

"…Because I'm the one who got you and your boyfriend together?"

"You can't use that one forever, Guy."

"You wanna bet, Fabre?" His blonde friend grinned at him. "Speaking of you and Asch, do you two want to hang out tonight? Sync, Ion and I were thinking about catching a movie or something, if you're interested?"

Luke tensed a bit at the question. Tonight? "Well um…" Asch wouldn't be able to regardless, he had work after all. And he really, really wanted to go with him…

Guy was watching him expectantly, a look of confusion on his face. Luke swallowed. "Well, Asch and I…kind of already have plans…" The blonde chuckled lightly.

"Oh, that's it? Luke, it's fine if you want to just spend time with your boyfriend. Not like you're gonna hurt my feelings or anything." Luke smiled gratefully. How did Guy seem to know everything? "What plans you got?"

"We're just going to…spend some time together, like you said."

"Ahh… Time in the bedroom perhaps?" Blonde eyebrows waggled suggestively, and Luke's cheeks became a shade of red that matched his hair.

"N-No! Nothing like that!"

"Oh really? The look on your face says otherwise!"

"W-We haven't even done anything like that yet, okay?!" Jacking off to each other totally did not count. Nope. "We're just going out…!"

"Aw Lukie, you don't hafta be embar—"

"I'm going to work with him, all right?!" Luke finally admitted, not wanting that particular conversation to continue at all, let alone in the middle of the hallway. His friend blinked, the answer clearly catching him off guard.

"You're going to work with him?"

"Yeah…" The redhead drew out a long sigh. "Asch… He works at a club." Luke knew that that was dangerous information that was not to be spoken of lightly. If the wrong person was to find out, Asch could get into trouble far more serious than just losing his job. But, surely it was okay to tell Guy. He wouldn't tell anybody, and even if he did, would any of the other students really care? It wasn't like they were all good little sixteen and seventeen year olds who didn't drink. So it couldn't be that bad, right?

Guy, on his part, was shocked and still seemed a bit confused. "Asch works at a club…?"

"Yes, Asch does." The hair on the back of his neck stood straight, and Luke spun around, coming face to face with those emerald eyes he'd expected earlier. Above one of them, a crimson brow was arched in stale amusement.

"A-Asch…"

"Well sheesh guys, thanks for letting me know!" came a sarcastic whine from behind him. "This is valuable information you've been keeping to yourselves! Do you know how much easier life would've been if I'd known this sooner?"

"I don't hand out freebies, if that's what you're implying," Asch quipped, crossing his arms.

"Half-implying, at most." Guy grinned. "Well, I don't blame you for wanting to bail on movie night. I'd rather go party too." His eyebrows rose expectantly, and Luke instantly knew what else his friend was implying. He chewed his bottom lip in thought, looking over his shoulder at the darker redhead. Asch shrugged.

"What am I going to say, no? It's a public place, he'll show up no matter what I say."

"Very true." They both gave the blonde an irritated look.

"All right then." Luke sighed. "We'll pick you up then, but be ready before nine. Asch has to be there a bit earlier for his shift."

"Will do! Now c'mon, I'm starving!" Guy turned and started back towards the cafeteria. Luke made it all of two steps before arms were around him again, and he felt warmth press against his back.

"Friends put their arms around each other too, huh?" Luke rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Asch, they do. At least, friends like Guy do."

~oOo~

As soon as he set foot back into the club, Luke felt at home. The loud music made his body pulse with every beat, and it made him grin. He didn't have a ton of knowledge when it came to clubs, but Hyperesonance was definitely his favorite, at least as of now.

Guy seemed downright gleeful, no doubt getting drunk off the music the same as Luke always had. "Luke! Let's go dance!" he pleaded, voice straining to be heard over the dropping bass. The redhead had refrained from ever joining the mass on the dance floor, knowing what could happen if he did. And frankly, he didn't want anyone groping his ass or rutting against his hip unless that person was his boyfriend. But that didn't make the itch go away…

"It's okay." A shiver trickled down his spine at the whisper in his ear. "Go and have fun. Just be careful." Lips pressed against his skin and hands squeezed his hips. "But if anyone tries to get you into the back, come find me."

"What's in the back…?"

"Take a wild guess." The touches vanished. "You know where I'll be." When Luke turned around, Asch was gone, presumably off to the bar to start working.

He debated just following after him, wondering if Asch was really okay with him going off and dancing without him. But then Guy was grabbing his arm and screaming "Come on, Luke! Come on!" and he found himself being dragged towards the dance floor.

It wasn't too bad. Guy at least had the sense to stay near the edge of the floor where less people were instead of diving right into the swarm of moving bodies. There was the occasional bump or grind against them, and the few people who dared to get grabby were shoved away. For the most part though, they were just two more people in the sea of everyone else, jumping and dancing and laughing and having fun.

The songs blurred together in Luke's mind, and he wasn't sure how long they danced. It was only when they were tired and their hair was sticking to their sweat-soaked faces did they retreat, and he led his friend over to the bar. The only available seats at the moment were on the side of the bar Alvin was currently at, the tall brunette chatting with a customer. Luke took Guy by the hand and pulled him over, the two of them dropping onto the stools.

"Alvin!" Luke called out, waving to get the bartender's attention. Alvin glanced over and grinned at him, saying farewell to whoever he was talking to and stepping over to their end.

"Well well, if it isn't Spitfire's catch of the week. I was wondering where you were hiding all night."

"Just dancing!" Luke answered, beaming over at Guy. Alvin chuckled, his gaze going to the blonde as well.

"Didn't know you two were friends," the brunette mused. "It seemed like you were here on your own earlier." Guy blinked once he realized he was the one being addressed.

"…Wait, what? Do we know each other?" Alvin cocked an eyebrow.

"You've been up here three times already. Alcohol finally starting to get to ya?"

"But, Alvin," Luke piped in, "we haven't even been up here yet tonight. We were dancing." Now all three of them were confused. The tall male clicked his tongue, eyeing the blonde across from him.

"You know, you were wearing different clothes before…" Luke looked over at his friend's outfit. Guy was wearing a dark gray graphic T-shirt with a short-sleeved, sleek leather jacket that fell halfway down his sides. His legs were covered by a simple pair of black jeans, and a wide black leather belt stretched lopsided across his hips. On his part, Luke was wearing a dark green shirt with matching jeans, a slimmer belt around his waist and a chain looped around it that fell down his right hip. "Huh. Maybe you've just got a doppelganger floating around somewhere." Alvin tossed the towel he was holding over his shoulder. "Ah well. What can I get ya?"

"Screwdriver," was Guy's answer. "Orange and pineapple." Alvin winked at the blonde, going about getting the shaker ready.

"And…?"

"Mmm, surprise me again."

"You like cherries?" At Luke's nod of confirmation, the bartender grinned. "Perfect. 'Ey, Asch! Heads up!" Alvin tossed the shaker to the redhead, who caught it easily, then went about fixing together a second container. Once that was done, the shakers were up again, and the current patrons of the bar watched in awe as the flair show started up. Luke had seen what felt like thousands of these by this point, and he still was amazed by the precision and skill the two bartenders had. His emerald eyes watched as glasses flew up and were caught, then set down again and – snap – filled with their drinks.

"One orange-pineapple Screwdriver and one cherry." Alvin pushed the pale red glass in front of Luke. "You seem like a fruity type." He giggled. Alvin seemed to have a god intuition for this kind of thing or something, because every surprise drink he'd concocted for the redhead had been delicious, and this one was no exception.

Asch and Alvin switched places – or the more literal translation would be Asch appeared and shoved Alvin to the other end of the bar so he could talk with them for a minute or two. Luke reached his hand across the wood, palm up, and his partner set his own hand atop it.

"How was dancing?" Asch questioned, and the smaller redhead beamed at him reassuringly.

"It was fine. Nothing happened." Which wasn't a complete lie, and Luke was pretty sure the bartender knew that anyway. "And besides, I had the amazing Guy to protect me."

Asch scoffed. "Don't inflate his ego; it's big enough."

"Wow," Guy chimed in, taking a gulp of his drink. "Tough crowd, guys, tough crowd."

A couple people stood up and left, and new entities quickly took their place. Asch gave Luke's hand a squeeze.

"That's my cue," he said. "Don't let Guy get too wasted."

"No promises." That one earned him a smile. The darker redhead leaned over the top of the bar to give him a kiss before he backed away to tend to the newcomers. Beside him, his blonde friend sighed dreamily.

"You two are seriously perfect together," Guy cooed. "I'm a fucking genius for seeing that." Luke rolled his eyes.

"Maybe Asch was right about your ego."

"He probably was." Guy tilted his head back and downed the last of his drink, all but slamming the glass back down on the bartop. "C'mon, let's go dance again!" Luke barely had time to finish his own concoction before his arm was being grabbed and yanked on, and had no choice but to follow his friend back to the dance floor.

The ground was vibrating with each beat that blared through the speakers, a feeling that spoke to Luke's core. He and Guy had jumped back into the motions like they never left, spinning and stepping and laughing like idiots. It was like getting drunk off the music instead of the alcohol, though the alcohol certainly helped.

Apparently though, they weren't the only ones getting insanely hyped up. At one point, Guy was beside him, dancing and grinning and doing his own thing; and the next, he was almost toppling over from a body suddenly crashing into him. Luke had to duck back to avoid a hand striking him in the face. His blonde friend managed to catch the person at fault for the stumble before either of them could crash into the ground. His grip was located just under the fallen's armpits, and he hauled him back up to his feet.

"You all right there?"

"Y-Yeah! Sorry! I didn't mean to—!" The stranger looked up as he was speaking, and his words caught in his throat. Guy's eyes widened. And when Luke leaned over to see what the hell was going on, he was stunned too.

This person looked exactly like Guy.

His eyes appeared to be a bit larger, but were the same crystal azure color. His hair wasn't as thick and was cut a bit shorter in the back, but was an identical fluffy blonde mass. And his clothes were obviously different – a neon blue T-shirt, crisp white jeans, silver cuff bracelets around his wrists and white sneakers with shining silver laces – but each piece of fabric hugged his body shape the same way Guy's did his.

A Guy doppelganger. Alvin wasn't fucking kidding around.

"…It's uh… It's all right," Guy said, not taking his eyes off of his lookalike. "No worries." The second blonde blinked his wide blue eyes in surprise, but then gave a small smile.

"…Thank you, for catching me…" Guy the Second glanced down to where original Guy's hands were still holding him under his arms. The latter realized this and slowly – almost reluctantly, even – retracted his hands.

"Yeah… No problem." The stumbler nodded, stepping back to make his departure, but must have still been wobbly on his feet because he almost fell over backwards. Luke's Guy reached out and caught him again, this time around the waist. "Whoa there!" The doppelganger's face was pink, probably from embarrassment. "You okay? Do you need to go and sit down?"

"…Y-Yeah, I think that'd be best…"

"Here, lemme help you... Luke, you mind?"

"Of course not. Come on, let's get him to one of the tables." The redhead took the lead, searching for a table over by the bar that didn't have groping couples hiding in its depths while Guy assisted Stumbles, his arm still around the male's waist. They found a table that was devoid of desperate patrons and sat down. Guy's lookalike smiled sheepishly up at them.

"Thank you… I guess I'm not as steady as I thought I was…"

"Said everybody ever. Don't worry about it, okay?" Doppelganger nodded shyly, glancing up at Guy. Their gazes locked, and a long span of silence stretched between them. Luke felt like a third wheel.

"…Uh, I'll get you some water…" he offered. Neither blonde said anything, though the second one did provide a nod of acknowledgement, and mumbled something that sounded like another 'thank you'. Luke didn't bother them further, and turned to hurry over to the bar.

It was busy right now, both of the bartenders occupied with flairing and mixing drinks and collecting up dirtied glasses. Luke forced his way between two stools, the beings residing on either one ignoring him for the most part, either too drunk to notice or simply not caring. He waved to catch Asch's attention. His boyfriend noticed rather quickly and said something to a customer he was serving before approaching the lighter redhead.

"What's up?"

"Can you get me a glass of water?" Asch nodded, turning away and fiddling behind the bar where Luke couldn't see. A water glass was soon set in front of him.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah, fine. Someone bumped into us on the floor, and he was stumbling all over the place. I think whatever he's been drinking is starting to get to him."

Asch nodded again, more slowly this time. "And is this someone the same someone whose company Guy seems to be enjoying?" Luke blinked, twisting around to see behind him. Guy and his lookalike were still at the table where he'd left them. Only now, the second blonde's chair was pushed back against the wall, and Guy was leaning over him, their mouths pressed together in what was no doubt a make-out session. And it appeared to be getting pretty heated.

"Yep, that would be the one." He sighed heavily. One of the customers occupying an stool beside him suddenly stood up and left, and Luke quickly took the seat. He smiled at his boyfriend across the bartop, resting his chin in his palm. "Oh well. Looks like I'll be here for a while. Would you be so kind as to make me a drink, Mister Bartender?" The darker redhead rolled his eyes, a smile of his own twitching at his lips.

"You're an idiot. What do you want?"

"Hmm… Something cherry. I'm feeling fruity."

Asch laughed and leaned over to give him a kiss.