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"Good morning, Derek!"
"You're full of energy this early in the morning, Asa."
Asa handed Derek a cup of coffee.
"Here's your coffee. Maggie and Nina say hello, by the way.”
Derek took a sip of coffee, let out a contented purr, and asked, "Are they doing well?"
"Very well, it seems," Asa replied as he hung his jacket on the coat rack.
"Well, now that we know your attempt at a diversion failed. Tell me, how was your evening?”
Asa was incapable of lying, especially to Derek. His old friend, who was almost like a father to him, had seen right through him long ago.
“I had a great evening.”
Derek took another sip of coffee, tilted his head, and asked, "You look surprised."
Asa swallowed.
"A little."
"And what surprises you?"
"That something like this would happen to me."
Derek smiled kindly and asked, "Do you think you don't deserve it?"
“What?”
"To be happy?" To be liked by someone? To be loved?"
Asa gave a slight, self-deprecating smile.
"You'll agree that I haven't had any experience that would lead me to believe otherwise."
Derek gave him a quick wink. "Because none of them had really seen you. But he did.”
“He?”
“Anthony. He saw you the moment his eyes landed on you."
Asa chuckled, mocking himself.
"Well, let's hope he doesn't look away."
Derek shook his head and replied, "Take it from an old fox who's seen a lot in his life, I don't think he'd want to. He’d be crazy. But you didn’t give me any details, just that you had a great night. I’m assuming it ended well.”
Asa, thinking back to Anthony’s goodnight kiss, blushed slightly and nodded.
Derek chuckled gently.
"Oh, my boy, you've got it bad."
The bell on the bookshop door, announcing the first customer of the day, spared Asa from having to answer.
Although modest, the bookshop had a very good reputation in the neighborhood and a solid base of regular customers. The morning passed quickly, and Asa was happy to take a short break at noon. He sat on the stool by the window to enjoy the sun, which had finally made an appearance. He took a satisfying bite of the sandwich he’d made that morning and pulled his phone out of his pocket.
He held it in one hand, his thumb hovering over the screen as he hesitated to type a message.
"Asa, you ran after him. A text message isn't going to scare him away, you know."
"I really did that."
"You did." Derek’s tone sounded almost proud.
Determined, Asa began typing a text when his phone vibrated.
It was a message from Anthony.
Hello, how are you?
Asa couldn’t help but smile broadly. He kept smiling despite Derek’s mocking chuckle while typing his reply.
Hello.
I’m well. How are you? Did you sleep well?
I’m great, too. I slept well, too. I’ll sleep even better tonight, though, since I’m expecting my bed to be delivered today.
When Asa read about Anthony’s new bed, he tried not to let his mind wander. Still, a few images flashed through his mind.
He cleared his throat and typed his reply.
Are you waiting for a lot of furniture?
Just a few pieces. The housing at the research site was pretty basic, and I don't own much.
Are you going to put it all together by yourself?
If I don’t want my furniture to fall on top of me, I’d better not.
Being an astrophysicist doesn't mean I'm handy.
Asa couldn’t help but let out a little laugh.
Oh! My bed is here! Wahoo!
See you tonight.
Have a good afternoon.
Asa finished his sandwich in a daze. The conversation had put a smile on his face that he couldn't shake.
Derek’s kind voice brought him back to reality.
“I’m really happy for you, Asa. You deserve it.”
Feeling embarrassed, Asa simply nodded and moved toward the back room of the shop to set up before the children arrived.
Every Wednesday afternoon, children from nearby kindergartens came in small groups, and Asa told them stories.
This activity was especially welcome this afternoon because it would keep Asa from worrying about the evening ahead, which he knew he would do if he had time to think about it.
Anthony was supposed to pick him up after the bookshop closed, and they were going to have dinner at the Dirty Donkey again. They had both agreed on the place. The atmosphere there was warm, and it felt familiar. So why look anywhere else?
Asa didn’t have time to think about the evening ahead because the first group of children had arrived. He led them to the corner of the back room that he had set up for the event. The floor was covered with soft, warm-colored cushions and blankets, creating a welcoming, cozy atmosphere. Once the dozen or so children and their two caregivers were settled, Asa sat down on the floor and asked, “What kind of story do you want to hear today, little ones?”
“The one about the gardener who talked to his plants!”
“Oh no! I want the one about the man who had a flying car that changed colors and shapes!”
Seeing that there was no way to decide between them, Asa laughed softly and said kindly, “How about I tell you a new story?”
“What’s it about?”
"About a starmaker."
“A what?”
“A starmaker.”
"What's that?" asked Lisa, a little girl who slipped closer to Asa until she was leaning against him. She seemed to find him more comfortable than a pillow.
“He made stars.”
“Wow.”
"Yes wow. But he had a problem. He couldn’t do it alone. He had a book and a crank. He had to turn the crank in the book, but he only had two hands.” As Asa told the story, he made gestures to show the children.
“How did he do it, then?”
"Well, someone else happened to be passing by that night. The Starmaker called out to them and asked for help.
"Was it another Starmaker?"
Asa shook his head. "No, he didn't have that kind of creative talent. His talent was that he liked to help."
Asa told them the story he’d made up about the Starmaker and his new friend who created the stars and galaxies. Several groups came and went, and with each retelling, the story grew a little more. The Starmaker came to resemble Anthony more and more, and his helper came to resemble Asa.
By the time he told the story to the last group, he was so caught up in his own narrative that he didn’t hear the bell ringing on the other side of the shop.
*********
Anthony arrived at the bookstore shortly before 6 p.m., even though he and Asa had agreed he would come at 6:30 p.m., after closing. He wanted to browse through the store's books. At least, that was the excuse he gave himself for coming early. Clearly, he hadn't come early to be with Asa. Not at all.
“Hello, Professor Crowley.”
Surprised to be greeted by Derek, the owner, Anthony stepped forward to greet him.
“Hello, sir, but please call me Anthony.”
“Then call me Derek.”
Anthony immediately sensed the other man’s probing attitude and asked, "Is this the moment when you tell me that if I hurt him, I’ll face your wrath?"
Derek chuckled softly, amused.
"Oh, no. You don’t know Asa as well as I do yet. Once you get to know him better, though, you’ll realize that he’s capable of defending himself. But yes, if you hurt him, you’ll have to deal with me.”
Anthony chuckled softly and looked around for Asa again.
Derek nodded toward the back of the store. Then he put a finger to his lips, signaling for Anthony to be quiet.
Anthony moved silently toward the astrophysics section. From there, he saw Asa sitting among children, some seated and some lying down. Asa had his back to Anthony and he was telling them a story.
Anthony leaned against a bookshelf so as not to be noticed and listened to the bookseller. After a few minutes, he realized that Asa was making up the story as the children asked questions and chimed in.
Completely under Asa’s spell, Anthony knew he was lost.
One of the children had lain down with his head resting on Asa’s thigh. Fascinated, Anthony watched the bookseller finish his story, using dramatic gestures and facial expressions that Anthony would have loved to see and he changed his voice to match each character in the tale.
“Our Asa is amazing, isn't he? It's a shame he doesn't know it himself.”
Anthony turned to Derek, who was standing next to him, and nodded.
"Maybe I can help with that," he murmured.
Derek gave him a cryptic look and said, "I think you can," before returning to the entrance of the bookshop.
Then Anthony turned to see that, during his exchange with Derek, Asa had finished his story and the children were getting up to get ready to leave.
Asa finally noticed Anthony and exclaimed, "Anthony, you're already here? You weren’t supposed to come until much later.”
Anthony couldn't answer because the children were coming up one by one to say goodbye to Asa. He stepped aside until they had all left.
A little later, while Asa was putting away the cushions and blankets, Anthony finally answered.
“Actually, I came to see if I could find any interesting books, but I found something even more fascinating.”
Asa stood up, blushing.
"Look, my shop isn't the place to chat. Go flirt somewhere else. I want to close up and go home.”
Asa asked him, “Do you want me to help you?”
“No, get out of here and go on your date.”
Asa grabbed his jacket and dragged Anthony outside.
They started walking side by side toward the Dirty Donkey.
After a few steps, Anthony couldn't help but, "Do you like telling stories?"
Asa cleared his throat.
"I've always done it. But for a long time, I was my only audience. It's only since Derek hired me at the bookshop that I've been doing it with kids."
Anthony nodded.
"You really have a knack for it, you know."
“Well, it’s no big deal.”
Anthony protested. “I swear to you that the adults, as well as the kids in the room, were hanging on your every word. Then he added with a wink, "Including me."
Much to Anthony’s delight, Asa’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, and Anthony was really getting a kick out of it.
They had just walked through the pub door when Justine, the waitress from the previous night, recognized them.
"The same table as yesterday?"
"Perfect."
The two men answered in unison, making them laugh.
Dinner unfolded in the same atmosphere as the night before. This time, however, after dessert, Anthony insisted on paying. Then, Asa asked Anthony to walk him home.
“Would you like to have one last drink at my place?”
Caught off guard, Anthony didn’t answer right away.
Asa continued, "Oh, um, you don't have to, you know. I shouldn't have asked that. It’s too soon, isn’t it? I’m—"
Anthony interrupted him, asking gently, "Why do you always do that?"
“What?”
"It's like when you asked me to write down my phone number. You immediately assumed I’d say no."
Asa swallowed before answering. “Life has taught me that it’s less hurtful to strike first.”
“I understand. But just like yesterday, my silence had nothing to do with rejection and everything to do with admiration.”
Amused by Asa’s surprised expression, Anthony continued, "I admire your courage. You chased after me to invite me to dinner, and now you’re taking the initiative to invite me to your place. Don’t think I’m unaware of how much courage that takes.”
Then he got up from the table and asked Asa, "Shall we go?"
Still amazed by Anthony's words, Asa stood up, put on his jacket, and followed Anthony out of the pub.
A few minutes later, they entered Asa’s apartment on the third floor, just below the roof.
Anthony scanned the room with curiosity while Asa hung his jacket with Anthony's on the hooks behind the front door.
Anthony thought Asa’s apartment fit him well: a mix of modern and old-fashioned with warm colors that created a cozy overall impression.
"I really like it. It's welcoming, warm, and soft. Just like you.”
Asa shook his head. “Stop doing that.”
“Doing what?” Anthony replied, furrowing his brow.
“Complimenting you.”
“No.”
“No?”
“Why should I stop if it’s true and that’s what I think?”
Asa didn’t know what to say. Once again, his cheeks flushed slightly.
Anthony continued, "That's really what I think. I’m not saying anything I don’t mean. I’m not trying to win your affection with flattery.”
Asa bit his lip and replied almost inaudibly, "You've already won it anyway."
Anthony gasped, moved closer, and asked gently, "Asa, I'm dying to kiss you right now. But if it's too soon, you only have to say the w-"
He couldn't finish his sentence because Asa had suddenly grabbed his lapels and pulled him close.
The bookseller captured Anthony’s lips in a tender kiss. It was a delicate yet urgent exploration that seemed to suspend time. Anthony let out a muffled sigh against Asa's mouth. However, though the contact was warm and reassuring, it was brief because Asa was already trying to pull away.
Anthony reacted purely on instinct. His arms instantly closed around Asa’s back, clasping his hands firmly to hold him close. He whispered against Asa’s lips, "Not so fast. That’s what I was saying, you are so brave. But leave me a little of that courage, will you?”
Anthony captured Asa’s lips, and their breaths mingled in a feverish dance. At first hesitant, Asa’s hands grew bolder, resting firmly on Anthony’s waist. In response, Anthony cupped Asa’s face, brushing his thumbs against his cheekbones with an almost unholy adoration as the kiss lingered. They pulled apart just enough to catch their breath, their foreheads brushing, each capturing the other’s gaze. Then, they eagerly lost themselves in that rapture once more.
They moved slowly toward the sofa without ever breaking contact. They let themselves fall onto it in a fluid motion, the room’s subdued light accentuating the intimacy of the moment.
There, the kiss changed in intensity. The urgency of the moments before gave way to an infinite, almost fragile tenderness. Their movements calmed, shifting from feverish exploration to gentle caresses. A necessary interlude to remind both of them that they had time ahead of them.
They settled more comfortably onto the sofa. Asa snuggled up to Anthony, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his head on his chest. Anthony wrapped his arm around the bookseller's shoulders and brushed his lips against his soft blond hair. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the comfortable silence and the gentle ease that was settling between them.
After a few minutes, Asa broke the silence in a slightly hoarse voice: "I'm a little rusty when it comes to relationships."
"I'm no different, you know. Research isn’t exactly conducive to stable relationships, especially since I’m the type to forget everything else when I’m working.”
Asa nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'm the type to get completely absorbed when I'm passionate about something. So who would want a partner who always has their nose in a book?"
"Me," Anthony replied softly.
Asa laughed softly.
Anthony ruffled his hair.
"Hey, I'm not joking, you know."
He gently smoothed Asa’s hair, running his fingers through it. “I don’t know where we’re going yet,” he continued, “but know that it’s important to me that my partner has the space they need for their passions and to be who they are. Never hold back just because you think that’s what I want, okay?"
Asa replied with a hint of wonder in his voice, "I promise I'll do it if you do the same."
"I'll do it. I swear.”
Asa cleared his throat.
“Er... Anthony, you said you don’t know where we’re going yet, and neither do I, but...” He paused, not knowing how to continue.
Anthony pressed a long kiss into Asa’s hair and continued, softly saying, "We'll figure it out together."
Asa hummed his approval and snuggled just a little closer to Anthony.
Together.
In Asa’s mind, that word sounded like a beautiful promise.