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Anthony left his plants and boxes in the car, strode quickly toward the entrance of his building, and took the stairs two at a time to his floor.
It wasn't because he was in a hurry to get back to his apartment; it was because he was eager to see Asa.
He had been busy in Cambridge with administrative tasks, a walk-through of his studio, and a farewell dinner that ended late—or rather, early in the morning—as well as various invitations from former colleagues. As a result, much to his chagrin, he’d only been able to send a few messages to Asa. He hoped his lover wouldn’t be offended.
He had really missed him.
They hadn't known each other for even a week, yet Anthony felt a connection to the bookseller unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
Ever since they first met, there had been something about Asa that had drawn Anthony to him like a moth to a flame. That’s it, the light. It was almost as if a sun were shining from within him. He chuckled to himself at how cheesy that sounded.
Asa had texted in the last message before Anthony left that he’d be waiting, so Anthony was hoping, a bit selfishly, that his lover would be there.
He opened the door and saw that there was no light. Only the streetlight was shining through the window.
Disappointed, he walked down the hallway and into the living room. There, he gasped when he saw a figure lying on the couch.
He set down his bag, took off his shoes and jacket, which he tossed carelessly onto his bag, and moved quietly toward the couch. As he got closer, he saw that Asa was fast asleep and hadn’t heard him come in.
Anthony crossed the room silently and turned on the halogen light at the lowest setting, providing just enough light to move around without knocking anything over.
He walked back toward the couch. Asa was lying on his side with a pillow under his head and a blanket pulled up over his lower legs. He was sleeping peacefully and Anthony crouched down to watch him more closely.
Touched that Asa had come after all, Anthony wanted to touch him. But seeing his lover's completely serene face, he resisted and just stayed there for a few moments, watching him.
Then, deciding to give Asa a little more time, he stood up and went to get his plants and box of books from the car.
Five minutes later, he was placing the box near the half-filled bookshelf, then put the two plants with the ones that were already there. Leaning toward one of the plants, he whispered, "Did you miss me? Huh, you missed me, didn’t you?"
A giggle made him turn around. Asa had his eyes open, his head resting on his palm. He was looking at Anthony and smiling.
"Are you talking to your plants?"
Anthony scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed.
"It's ridiculous, I know."
Asa shook his head as he sat up. "Not at all. It's actually kind of endearing." Then, running his hand through his hair, he added, "Anyway, I don't know about them, but yes, I missed you."
Without taking his eyes off his lover, Asa stood up and walked over to Anthony, closing the distance that still separated them. He gently rested his hands on Anthony’s waist and pulled him closer. He tilted his head, and Anthony leaned in to meet him.
The kiss was exploratory at first, a taste of a timid reunion, that quickly turned into something hungrier. Anthony let out a stifled sigh and placed his hands on Asa’s shoulders. His fingers buried themselves in the strands of hair at the nape of Asa’s neck and pressed against it, deepening the kiss. In response, Asa’s tongue brushed against Anthony’s in a dance that was both familiar and charged with the urgency of their reunion. When they finally parted, they remained forehead to forehead, eyes closed and panting. Anthony caressed Asa’s cheekbones with his thumbs and whispered, "I missed you, you know."
Anthony buried his face in Asa’s neck, wrapped his arms around him, and exhaled deeply.
"I'm exhausted."
Asa pulled away and led him toward the couch.
He made him sit down and said gently, "Rest up. I'll make dinner in the meantime."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned to go into the kitchen. However, Anthony held him back, pulling him forcefully until Asa had no choice but to sit down on the couch next to him. Anthony then put his feet up on the couch and rested his head on Asa’s lap. Asa instinctively stroked Anthony's hair, making him purr with delight.
Asa asked softly, "Have you always liked plants?"
Anthony nodded. "My parents have a garden on their property. But since I’ve been doing research, I’ve only lived in apartments. So I haven’t had the chance to have a garden, but I’ve made up for it with plants."
"The ones you talk to."
Anthony grunted, making Asa chuckle.
"And you, what did you do this weekend?"
Asa told him that, since Anthony wouldn’t be around over the weekend, Derek had invited him over for dinner. To his surprise, Derek had also invited Maggie and Nina. They owned a coffee shop and had known Asa and Derek for a long time.
Thanks to Derek, they spent the evening gently teasing Asa about his new handsome boyfriend and making him promise to bring him to the coffee shop one of these days.
Asa said sheepishly, "I promised them. I’m sorry."
Anthony shook his head. "Why be sorry? I’m happy to know about your life."
Delighted, Asa cautioned him, "I'm telling you, the Spanish Inquisition is nothing compared to this. Plus, this is the first time I’ve introduced anyone to them. They're a little protective, like big sisters, even though I'm older."
Asa brushed Anthony’s hair back as he lay on his back looking at him. He said softly, "You told me about your mother the other day, and..."
Asa nodded. "Yes, she left me a few years ago. An undetectable aneurysm."
Anthony said softly, "I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
"You said she passed away a few years ago, and you said Derek asked you to help out at the bookstore when you stopped working—is that…"
Asa said with a slightly amused tone.
"Excellent deduction, Professor Crowley. Yes, you’re right. My father disappeared before I was born, and Derek, his best friend, more or less took me under his wing. I grew up surrounded by his books in the bookstore."
Anthony couldn't help but picture a young Asa in short pants, surrounded by books, as his lover continued, "But my mother wanted me to become a professor and pushed me in that direction. It wasn’t my dream job, but I did it for her. When she passed away, I saw no reason to continue in a profession I didn’t particularly care for."
"You would have kept teaching if..."
"If she'd lived longer? Probably. You know me by now. I don't like to let people down, even though I've made progress."
Anthony sat up straight and said gently, "I think you would have broken free. After all, you were the one who chased after me and invited me to dinner. When the time came, you would have chosen to pursue your dream."
He leaned down, pressed a kiss to Asa’s temple, and asked, "Are you happy with your work now ?
Asa nodded vehemently, "Derek’s needed help was a lifesaver. As Confucius said—hey, don't laugh; I'm a bookseller; I read things—"
Anthony raised his hands in surrender, and Asa continued, "As I mentioned before you so rudely interrupted me, Confucius said, Choose a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Well…"
"That’s how you feel at the bookshop."
"Exactly."
Suddenly, Asa’s stomach growled. They both laughed and got up to sit at the table. Asa went to the fridge and got what he had prepared: a few carefully made sandwiches and salads.
After they finished eating, Anthony asked gently, "Are you staying tonight?"
Asa answered, "I didn’t want to assume." , seeing Anthony’s pout, he quickly continued, "But just in case..."
He pointed to a corner of the room.
Anthony saw a small leather travel bag and turned to Asa, looking surprised. Asa asked, "I brought a few things. I shouldn't have. I am s—"
Anthony’s broad smile reassured him.
"On the contrary. It’s perfect."
Anthony took Asa’s hand, pressed a long kiss into his palm, and held his hand throughout the meal.
Later that evening, after the dishes were done, Anthony and Asa continued chatting on the couch, sipping tea.
Then, Anthony let out a yawn—and then another.
They realized it was time to end the cozy evening, so they headed to the bedroom together.
Bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp, they changed in the intimacy of the room before taking turns in the bathroom. Once they were both under the covers, they turned toward each other.
Anthony reached out to brush Asa’s cheek, gently tracing the outline of his jaw with his fingers. Without a word, they drew closer until their breaths mingled. The goodnight kiss was slow and deep, and, a little later, when they pulled apart to catch their breath, the need for closeness took over again. They snuggled up against each other. Asa rested his head on Anthony’s shoulder while Anthony wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer.
As Asa felt sleep overtaking him, a thought crossed his mind: he imagined a hundred more nights like this, a hundred more awakenings where he would only have to reach out to find that same presence.
A faint smile touched his lips in the darkness. He slowly closed his eyes and snuggled a little closer to Anthony’s shoulder.
He wouldn't mind at all, he thought, drifting off to sleep.
He wouldn't mind if this became a habit.
And, carried by Anthony quiet respiration, he finally surrendered to rest, his heart at peace.