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It was almost 10 p.m., and Anthony still hadn’t got in touch.
Asa put down the book he was reading and settled more comfortably onto the couch.
Half an hour earlier, as evening wore on, he’d changed into his flannel pyjamas and thick woolly socks.
He’d hesitated a little because it wasn’t the most elegant outfit with which to welcome his lover.
However, he’d remembered Anthony’s words about being himself rather than who he thought Anthony wanted him to be, and told himself that if that kind of outfit scared Anthony off, then he wasn’t the man Asa thought he was.
His phone vibrated in his hand, startling him.
It was, of course, Anthony.
I know it's late, but can I still come over?
As if Asa would say no.
Who said earlier that what's written is written?
Of course you can! Actually, you have to!
The answer came almost immediately and caught Asa off guard.
Then open the door for me.
Asa hurried over to press the button to open the ground-floor door. Then he opened the door to his apartment and waited for Anthony to arrive.
He heard his lover's quick footsteps before seeing him rush toward him.
"Aaaah, the light at the end of the tunnel."
Anthony pressed a light kiss to Asa’s lips before Asa took his jacket and bag to set them aside.
When he returned to Anthony, Anthony ran a finger along the lapel of his pajama jacket and said gently, "At least you were comfortable while waiting for me."
"Yeah, I know. Not very glamorous, right?"
Anthony wrapped his arms around Asa, pressed his face against his neck, inhaled deeply, and then straightened up. "Who needs glamour when I have such a warm and cozy welcome?"
A little embarrassed, Asa said, "I made some cocoa. Want a mug?"
"You’re perfect, you know. A real treat after that boring meeting."
Asa brushed Anthony’s hair back and gently stroked his cheek, noticing his tired features.
"You should go make yourself comfortable on the couch while I get the mugs."
"Hmm, that sounds like heaven."
Asa chuckled softly as he headed toward the kitchen. Meanwhile, Anthony took off his shoes and walked over to the couch.
He practically collapsed onto it, rolled up his shirt sleeves, undid a few buttons, and let out a satisfied sigh.
Just then, Asa returned with two mugs. He handed Anthony one and sat down next to him, holding his own.
Anthony blew on his mug before taking a sip and grunting with delight.
Asa asked, showing genuine interest, "So, how was the meeting?"
As they sipped their cocoa, Anthony talked about his meeting, answering Asa's questions. Then, he asked Asa what he’d been doing while waiting for him.
"Nothing extraordinary, really. Just dinner and enjoying a book on my couch."
Anthony shook his head and replied, "Still, your cozy little routine sounds a lot more interesting than my meeting."
He emptied his cup, set it on the coffee table, leaned back against the sofa, and stretched his long legs out in front of him with a grimace.
Asa finished his cocoa too, but instead of settling onto the couch, he pulled a cushion from behind him and placed it on the table in front of Anthony, whose eyes were following him, a confused expression on his face.
Asa then lifted Anthony’s feet and placed them on the cushion, making Anthony moan in contentment.
"Glamour, yeah, right. Who needs glamour when you’ve got this?"
He turned to Asa, opened his arms, and beckoned him to come closer. Asa didn’t need to be asked twice, climbing onto the couch to snuggle up against his lover. He curled up against Anthony’s chest, a position becoming more and more familiar, as Anthony’s hand buried itself in his hair, gently stroking it.
"Anthony?"
"Hm?"
"Is it always this easy?"
Anthony brushed Asa’s hair back, kissed his forehead, and answered gently, "I couldn't tell you. I've never known anything like this."
Asa looked up at Anthony, who brushed his lips with another kiss.
"Me neither," Asa whispered back. "And..."
"It's a little scary," Anthony continued.
Asa nodded. "It is, but then I think about something Derek told me yesterday. That it didn't always have to be complicated. And that’s it. From the start, which is technically only three days ago..."
They chuckled together.
Then Asa continued, "Ever since we've known each other, everything's been falling into place little by little. No matter how much I tell myself we should take it slower, I just can’t. I’m a little weird, aren’t I?"
Anthony chuckled softly. "Then I am too because I feel the same way, you know? I've come to the conclusion that the speed doesn't matter if we're both in it together. At our own pace."
"Put that way, it sounds a lot less scary."
Anthony hummed, his mouth against Asa’s hair, and they stayed like that for a little while longer in silence before Anthony started to move.
He sighed. "I really don’t want to, but I’m going to have to think about going home."
Asa turned his face into Anthony’s chest and muttered, "You could stay."
Anthony gasped.
"What did you say?"
Asa lifted his head and repeated in a firmer voice, "You could stay." Then he added, "To sleep."
Anthony nodded and asked playfully, "On the couch?"
Asa tapped him on the chest and said, "Idiot, I have a big bed."
"By the way, you haven't shown me your bedroom."
Anthony gave him an exaggeratedly suggestive wink. The potential seduction was ruined, however, by a huge yawn, which triggered a burst of laughter from Asa.
Asa stood up, held out his hand to help Anthony up, and led him to the adjoining bathroom. After they'd each gone in to get ready for bed, Asa handed Anthony a pair of his sweatpants and a soft, worn cotton T-shirt.
Asa sat on the edge of the bed and watched Anthony change, taking off his pajama top and leaving him in just the T-shirt.
After all, Anthony had a gorgeous body, and it would be a shame not to look at it.
Just as Anthony slipped his head through the T-shirt, he looked at Asa and winked, letting him know he was aware that Asa was watching. But, instead of looking away, Asa kept watching. Blatantly.
With a soft smile on his lips, Anthony said, "Once again, you're so brave."
Asa replied with a wink, "I'm learning."
By the time they finally slipped into bed, the atmosphere had grown slightly more awkward. Asa was lying on his back and staring at the ceiling, his heart pounding. It had been years since he’d shared a bed with anyone, and old anxieties about propriety and boundaries flashed through his mind, but they vanished the moment Anthony moved.
Without hesitation, Anthony shifted, pulled up the comforter, and drew Asa close in one fluid motion, as if they were two puzzle pieces finally fitting together. He slipped behind Asa, wrapped an arm around his waist, and pulled him tight against his chest.
Asa bent his knees slightly and snuggled up against Anthony in the spooning position, comfortably nestling in the hollow of his chest. The slight panic that had begun to overwhelm Asa evaporated, replaced by a deep sense of peace as he relaxed against his lover.
Anthony’s breathing was steady, and Asa could feel his breath in his hair.
Anthony brushed a kiss against the nape of Asa’s neck and whispered, "Good night, sweetheart."
Asa's heart leapt at the endearing term.
"Good night, Anthony."
Only a hum answered him, and the weariness of the day finally carried Asa off right after Anthony, into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
The dim morning light filtered through the curtains, and Asa stirred, feeling a gentle, indescribable sense of contentment wash over him before he was fully awake.
A warmth against him.
Anthony.
He must have been awake, too, because Asa felt his fingers in his hair, caressing it with a delicacy that took his breath away.
Asa let out a soft hum of pleasure and surrendered to the gentle touch.
"You know," he murmured in a sleepy voice, "this is probably the best way to wake up. I think I could get used to this."
He felt Anthony smile against his neck and heard his amused chuckle vibrate through his chest.
"Maybe that's my plan, then," Anthony replied softly. "Maybe I'm doing it on purpose, just to make sure you can't stand being apart from me."
Asa turned in his arms, careful not to break contact until their noses touched.
"Anthony," he said, raising his hand to stroke Anthony’s jaw with his thumb. "It's a little late for that. I don’t think I can be away from you anymore." Anthony said nothing, simply leaning forward and closing the last centimeter between them. It was a slow kiss, a lazy exploration. They moved together with a fluid, natural ease as if they had always woken up like this.
They stayed that way for a while longer, entwined in the sheets and savoring this new closeness and step in their relationship. Until a rumbling from Asa’s stomach reminded them that it was time to get up.
After freshening up and getting dressed, they made breakfast together. Asa marveled once again at how easily they moved together in his small kitchen.
A little later, as they sat at the table, Anthony asked, "What time do you have to be at the bookshop?"
After taking a sip of coffee, Asa answered, "Derek's opening up today, so I don't need to be there until ten."
Glancing at the wall clock behind Anthony, he continued, "I've still got about an hour before I have to leave. What about you?"
"Not much. Just preparing for class and unpacking a few more boxes."
Asa slid his hand across the table and placed it on Anthony’s. "Is it too much to ask if I say I'd like to have dinner with you tonight?"
Anthony traced the back of Asa’s hand with his index finger and replied, "Is it too much to ask if I suggest we have dinner at my place tonight?"
They shared a knowing laugh.
"Your place," Asa agreed. "I'll bring the wine."
"And I’ll make sure the couch is ready for another round of quality cuddles," Anthony promised, delighted by the giggle that escaped Asa’s lips.
"Well, I’m going to head out so you can get ready in peace."
They stood up together, and as Asa walked Anthony to the door,
Anthony kissed him tenderly before stroking his cheek. "Have a good day, and see you tonight," he said. Then he turned to leave.
"See you tonight," Asa repeated.
He stood rooted to the spot until the sound of Anthony’s footsteps faded into the distance.
He gently closed the door, turned toward the living room, and saw the two cocoa mugs from the previous evening on the coffee table. He tidied the cushions on the sofa, took the mugs to the kitchen, and put them in the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes.
Everything came in pairs:
Two mugs.
Two teaspoons.
Two coffee cups.
Two plates.
Anthony and him.
He might just get used to this.