Chapter Text
Anthony walked into the small restaurant, looking around before Asa followed him in. Anthony smiled at the sight of him, finding the fellow rather adorable. Anthony started walking towards the table in the back before he spotted someone.
Asa looked at Anthony, confused as to why he was staring down at some woman. Asa whispered to him, “What's wrong?” Anthony simply mumbled for him to go find a table. Of course, Asa didn't. The pudgy man followed the professor hesitantly, asking as to what was going on before Anthony started to speak to the young couple.
“What are you doing here?! You said you weren't going out anymore.” Anthony said sternly to the.. woman? Perhaps, but Asa couldn't tell, and honestly didn't really care.
“Dad, you can't just ruin my date!” The person argued back before standing up.
“Oh yes I can!” The professor argued.
Asa watched, connecting the pieces. Father and child. Huh. Asa never knew about Anthony having a child, but he'd only known the man for maybe an hour or two.
Asa sighed, about to interfere when the gentleman who was on a date with the young person spoke to him. “Don't bother, they'll just get angry at you.” the man said, taking a sip of champagne.
“I'm sorry, but who are you… ?” Asa asked, confused by the whole situation.
The gentleman cleared his throat. “I'm Eric, Muriel's… boyfriend.” He said before standing up and shaking Asa's hand. “And you are… ?”
The bookseller shook hands with Eric and cleared his throat. “Asa, Asa Fell. I'm um.. on a date with Anthony.”
Eric nodded before looking at his girlfriend and their father arguing. “Hey, can we get back to our respective dates, or… ?”
Anthony looked at him before looking back at Asa. He softened up at the other man's soft, kind, understanding smile. Anthony sighed and looked at Muriel once more. “Next time, don't lie to me.. Okay? You may be an adult, but you're still my child, you hear me?”
Muriel sighed and smiled slightly. “Alright.. Have fun with um.. him.” They said before giving Asa a sweet smile and sitting back down with Eric, immediately going back to chatting away and holding hands.
Asa followed Anthony to the table in the back of the restaurant. They both sat down and looked over the menu.
“So.. You have a child?” Asa asked with a smile.
“Augh, don't remind me…” Anthony replied jokingly, smiling widely.