DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

"Oh, okay," Shuni said softly.  "I hope all is okay for you now."

Ashton smiled a little and looked at Lex. "Well, with Lex, I have a purpose. A friend. A chance. Lex has given me a world and a life I never thought i would be able to have, and I could never repay him enough for it."

"Is like what Gaster and True and Sam and Paul are for me," Shuni smiled.

Ashton considered a moment. "Maybe. I guess."

"Thank you, Ashton, for not being mean," Shuni said softly then scampered off to join Sam in a nap.

Mama Cat was sitting waiting patiently for Ashton to sit down and pick her up.

Ashton did just that. He sat down and plopped the old cat on his lap. As always though, he was incredibly gentle to the cat, as if she would break if he set her down too hard.

The old cat appreciated his care and purred as she delicately turned a circle and settled down.  Ah, nice lap!  She liked this lap.

Ashton petted her until it was time to wake Lex up as promised. he woke Lex as he usually did when asked. Ashton knew a specific was to do it that didn't trigger Lex's "attack first, apologize later" reflexes.

Les snorted as he woke and mumbled, smacking his lips.  "Time already?" he asked fuzzily.  "Can I get some water, first?"

Ashton nodded and got him a glass of water. "It's been two hours, just like you asked. I couldn't find a big enough nail file, and all the knives I found were kitchen knives for food. But I found this file in Sam's workshop that might work instead."

Lex took the water first and drained it. Then he took the file and examined it. "Nope. Too big. Got ask Sam where he stashes his pocket knife. He'll be able to help out."

Ashton nodded and got up. He talked to Sam, and returned with Sam's pocket knife. "He says he hopes this works." Ashton said.

"Perfect," Lex said, examining it. He took out the zippo lighter and ran the blade through the flame. "You know the drill. Shirt off, back to me."

Ashton nodded and did as he was told and sighed. "Thank you, Lex."

Lex just grumbled and snarled as he cleaned the area and dug out the infection before patching Ashton back up.  He had a lot to say about how much work and effort Ashton made him  do and how much trouble he was, and yet, as always, his hands were gentle as he worked.

And as always, Ashton was grateful beyond words at how well Lex tried to take care of him. He muttered a thanks to Lex as he pulled his shirt back on.

"Mm-hmm, and now I'm going back to sleep," Lex said tiredly, wiping off his hands.  He handed over the tools to Ashton and painfully laid down.  "Do me a favor and hang a do not disturb sign on my nose."

Ashton raised an eyebrow. "Really want me to do that?"

Lex just yawned.  "No, but pull up my blankets, please.  They're all bunched up down there."

Ashton nodded and tucked Lex in. After that, he paused. What the heck was he suppose to do now? Ashton usually patroled or scavenged while Lex slept or took naps, but he didn't have to do either of those anymore. After several moments, he decided to go for a walk and explore this side of town.

Mama Cat meowed indignantly.  Her comfy lap was on the move!

Ashton gently set the cat down. "Shh... Lex is sleeping." He told the cat in a hushed tone. "I'm going for a walk, but I'll be back."

(How mad would you be if Ashton was caught and brought back to Black Jack and possibly tortured by him just a bit? XD)

The cat huffed but picked her way to Shuni's room.  Fine then, be that way!

(If that happened, Lex would bring the place down around them.  Wait until Lex is more mobile? *hopeful look*)

Ashton went out for a few hours and just walked around. He got a couple of looks because his arms had bandages around them as usual, but otherwise, he didn't draw that much attention to himself for once, which surprised Ashton.

(Okay XD wonder what Black Jack would do to Ashton, especially after what Ashton did to him XD)

True was in his room, humming as he worked on a song, pausing occasionally to write something down.  He was completely lost in his own world, working and enjoying every second of it.