DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

"He wanted to talk to the Doctor, and give you a break." Ashton replied and opened the door for them. His mouth watered as he saw all of the different kinds of meat.

gaster waved his hand and stood. "Don't burn anything or anyone important, don't burn the house down, and don't burn the cats. Other than those ground rules, I think you're responsible enough to not need me to babysit you making a fire."

"Okay, now I'm worried," True grumbled then waved.

"Of course I wouldn't burn the cats.  Burning cats reek," Lex said, straight-faced.  "Come on, I know you want to burn stuff!  It feels great."

Ashton shook his head. "You shouldn't be. Why are you?" It was an assistant today that took their orders and asked if they needed help.

Gaster shook his head. "I can enjoy a fire, but I have no interest in building one right now."

"Because it's Lex and I'm worried about how much house is going to be left when we get back," True answered after explaining what he wanted to the assistant.

"Couple of hours ago, you had no interest in living," Lex pointed out dryly but didn't push the issue any farther as he headed off to collect burnables.

Ashton ordered as well and frowned. "Lex isn't that destructive." He said in Lex's defense. "Especially not to the place he's calling home."

Gaster sighed and went to his study to look for a book to read.

"Then I guess he's changed from the guy I used to know," True said simply.  "Can we take this home to eat?  I think I need to lay down for a bit."

Ashton nodded, and bought lunch for both of them before he headed home with True.

True held the food on his lap and closed his eyes, tipping his face toward the sun.  This was good.

Ashton finally got them home and inside. Gaster was reading a book on the couch in the living room, which was rearranged some to accommodate the fireplace.

True stared as he watched Lex happily fed another branch to the fire in the new hole in the wall.  "He isn't destructive?" he commented to Ash.

Ashton looked at the scene. "Is he hurting anything, or destroying anything important?" He countered.

"The wall looks pretty important."
"The Doc helped with that," Lex replied.
True turned a disbelieving gaze to Gaster.  "Really?"

Gaster shrugged. "We had a fireplace that was covered up." he said simply. "Lex wanted to use it, so we uncovered it and he is now testing to see if it works."

"It works like a charm!" Lex said, surprisingly cheerful.
"Gotcha," True said after a moment.  "Just don't burn the cats."
"Why does everyone say that?" Lex grumped.

Ashton smiled faintly. "Where do you want to be?" He asked True. Ashton wanted to get True situated, and then eat himself.

"The couch is good," True said tiredly.

Ashton nodded and helped True to the couch. Once he was settled, Ashton went to the kitchens and got a couple of plates for himself and True.

True sighed contentedly as he settled down.  This felt much better!  "Whatcha reading, Dad?" he asked.

"The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Gaster responded. "I got it a while back, but hadn't read it yet. It's good so far."

"That does sound interesting.  Tell me how it ends?" True asked.
"It ends badly, doesn't it?" Lex asked from his place by the fire.

"You can just borrow it when I'm done." Gaster offered.

"Okay," True agreed then passed out from exhaustion.
Lex stood, brushing off his knees.  "I'll take him to bed."

Ashton looked over. "Want some help, or you got it?" He asked Lex.

"I got it," Lex said, carefully scooping up his brother and carrying him to his room.  Once he had True tucked in, he returned to the fireplace and carefully put it out.  "Alright, time to go collect people.  Ashton, do you want to come?"

Ashton nodded. "Yeah. I'll come with you." He cleared his dishes and grabbed his new jacket.