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All But One — Description

>Previously<
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As Asher and Fevernova finally left the dressage arena, the pair was almost immediately swarmed by a friendly group of familiar faces. It was the rest of Asher’s bandmates and closest friends. Even his manager had come along to greet him. Though he had of course invited the group and even offered to pay for their expenses, he didn’t have too much expectation, since they led such busy lives, but the fact that they all showed up in person just to offer their support almost made the tall man cry.

“Y-you all made it..?” he mumbled demurely, swallowing down his appreciation and swiping his eyes with the back of his crisp white glove. The adrenaline from the dressage test was just about starting to pass, and the low was putting him through a full spectrum of emotion. Despite the tears that threatened to fall, Asher’s face was glowing with a wide smile. His horse had done his absolute best, and he had too. And from what his friends were saying - they looked pretty decent doing it, at least to the untrained eye. He could only hope the judges would agree. He looked at every beaming face as they pat Fevernova’s neck and reached up to hug him with warmth and enthusiasm, showering him in praise and pride. He loved these people, and he knew they loved him, too.

Despite the little crowd of positivity that surrounded Ash and his horse, he couldn’t help but scan around in search of one person who wasn’t there. His father, who he had personally invited to watch his Olympic performance was nowhere to be seen. The Australian swallowed hard. He wouldn’t have minded so much if his old man had told him he couldn’t come. But Asher had phoned him about the Olympics months ago, and he had agreed that in the very least he would call to wish him good luck, but had also promised to see him if he could.

Asher quietly pulled out his phone and stared at his empty voicemail. He hadn’t called. Not even once.

He knew his father wasn’t interested at all in horses. They were something his in-laws had introduced Ash to, and that certainly made him bitter. Nonetheless, it broke Asher’s heart to feel so forgotten by the man he had always looked up to. Guilt tugged at him as he suddenly felt lonely despite being crowded by people who had moved mountains in their own lives just to be with him right now. It just wasn’t fair.

“You alright, Ash?”

The mounted man looked down to see his friend, Sam looking up at him with some concern in his eyes. Trust a policeman to read his emotions like a book.

“Yeah.. just a little overwhelmed. Are you? All the horses giving you trouble?” Asher tried to smile a little with sympathy. He knew Sam wasn’t particularly fond of the giant beasts that were now all around the venue. One of which was now uncomfortably close.

“Ugh, yes. I know it’s still morning, but I frankly can’t wait to take you to a horse-free bar to celebrate” Sam replied with his arms folded, and took a glance at a rather miffed Fevernova who clearly picked up on his disdain.

“..No offence” he added. Whether that was directed at Ash on behalf of his horse, or Nova to avoid a chomp was quite unclear.

Asher couldn’t help but agree. The sooner he had a drink or two, the sooner the disappointment could dissipate.

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