DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

Gaster sighed. "Perhaps... I overestimated Tramp and how much he wanted to be with Ashton." He said sadly. "How's the lad doing, by the way?"

Geena leaned over the desk and took Gaster's hand.  "None of this was Tramp's choice.  How can you expect someone to do something when none of it is of their own decision?" she asked gently.  "Tramp had no interest in being with Ashton at first because he did not think anything of Ashton.  If he had had more time, I think he would have shown a much different side, but we saw an animal cornered, scared, and reacting in the only way it knew how."  She leaned back.  "Ashton is hurting badly."

Gaster felt more awful hearing that Ashton was not taking it well. "Is Lex at least with him?" He asked.

Geena nodded.  "Lex won't leave his side.  Not even for a few minutes."

"Good." Gaster said softly. He remembered when his first wife died.... there were days that had his boys not been there, the business end of a pistol looked awfully friendly.

"Maybe you should talk to him," Geena urged gently, "especially if you still want him to be at the wedding."

Gaster nodded. "Any idea what he might be doing right now?"

"Upstairs in bed," Geena informed him.

"I'll wait until he's feeling more sociable to talk to him." Gaster promised. "As long as Lex is with him at all times, I am less worried about him at the moment."

Geena nodded.  "Perhaps in the morning, but don't leave it too long.  You are running out of time, dear."  She stood and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Gaster nodded and kissed her cheek back. "Thank you for checking up on him."

"He might as well be one of my sons," Geena told him gently as she headed out.

Gaster smiled faintly as Geena left, glad she was in his life. He sighed and pulled out his laptop and did some labwork from it until it was time to make dinner.

Geena tiptoed up to check on Lex and Ashton once more then headed for bed.  It was getting late and she was exhausted.

Gaster hadn't checked the time in a while, and thus thought it was still earlier. He didn't feel tired yet, and was too worked up to be tired at the moment still.

True made the final rounds of the first floor to make certain the younger kids were okay then went to his room where he spent a couple of hours texting Kat and telling her everything that had happened.  He fell asleep with his phone in hand.

Kat wasn't too much better. She felt bad for Ashton and asked if she could help any before she too passed out.

Layla crept into Lex's room and slept in his bed. it was comfier then the couch.

True woke early the next morning and stiffly made his way out to make breakfast for everyone.

Lex woke, but he didn't move.  He remained where he was, eyes closed, arms locked around Ashton.

(Is this Friday or Saturday?)

(Friday, I think.)

Ashton was still asleep, exhaustion keeping him out like a light, although he did whimper softly on occasion in his sleep.

Layla woke early, and pulled her hair up before she went downstairs and offered to help True.

"Thanks, Layla," True said with a tired smile.  "Hey, can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure." She said as she helped get stuff out. "What do you want to know?"

True took a deep breath.  "How did you manage to get over your drug addiction so easily?"

Layla smiled a little, but it didn't reach her eyes. "To put it simply, I am a stubborn b-ch, and your brother was very distracting. I was determined to try and become someone I thought he would like more than a drug addicted hooker. It still wasn't easy, but I've spent most of my life pretending I'm okay when I'm not."

"Good answer," True said with a faint smile.  "I'm thinking toast with breakfast.  If you could move the toaster closer to the edge of the counter, I can toast the bread."

Layla nodded and did as he asked. "It also got easier as time wore on. The initial quit was worse than maintaining it."