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Date nights became quite common with Asa and Anthony. Even though they were married now and have been for years, it was nice to go out and have some fun.
On a nice autumn night, driving home from the restaurant, Asa sniffed the gorgeous marigolds Anthony got for their date night. They had a lovely dinner at The Ritz, followed by a calm peaceful walk over by the bandstand where Anthony proposed. Asa loved calm quiet evenings like this, and Anthony indulged him every time he got the chance.
“My dear, tonight was so fun,” the bookseller beams. “The food was scrumptious, and these flowers are beautiful!” he sniffs them again, humming in joy.
Anthony chuckled, taking Asa's free hand and placing a gentle kiss on his knuckles. “Anything to keep you happy, love.” He turned down the familiar Whickber street as Asa leaned over and placed a loving kiss on Anthony's cheek, earning a blush from the professor. They lock hands, squeezing gently as a quiet ‘I love you.’
When the blue paint of the corner of the bookshop appeared, Asa brightened. “Oh! Dear, if you don't mind, could we stop by the bookshop before heading home?” Asa asks. “I have a gift for you there."
Anthony raised an eyebrow. “A gift, eh?” He smirked. “What could it possibly be?”
“You'll just have to wait and see,” Asa teases as Anthony parks the car.
Anthony unbuckled his seatbelt with an amused scoff. “Wait and see? Do you know how irritating that is?” Anthony opened his door and stepped out, the smirk on his face betraying the grumble in his voice.
“Well, I can't ruin the surprise! It wouldn't be fun!” Walking around the car to meet Asa, Anthony shakes his head fondly at Asa's feigned pouty face. How he loved this silly bookseller.
Once Asa gets the bookshop unlocked they walk in together. Anthony watched as Asa searched for somewhere the Merigolds could be placed with a fond smile. Finally Asa found a vase that had a bunch of trinkets. He took a moment to empty it into a drawer and put them in, deciding to add water later.
Giggling excitedly, Asa goes behind his husband and places his hands in front of his glasses to block his vision. “Right, close your eyes!” Asa instructs cheerfully as he starts to direct Anthony to the back of the shop.
“What are you planning, you silly man?” Anthony teases.
“Just wait and see!”
Anthony allows himself to be guided to the back of the bookshop. He had to admit, he was quite excited to see what his angelic husband had planned for him.
“Alright… Here we are! But keep your eyes closed,” Asa removes his hands and flips the light switch which reveals plastic glowing stars lighting the ceiling in a beautiful array of constellations. “Okay, love - open!”
Anthony opens his eyes, a soft gasp lighting his face as he gazes at the lovely work his darling Asa has done. “Wow…” he breathes out. “Asa, this is…”
A tender silence fills the room as Anthony revels in the beauty of the stars. The lol of pure awe and love at the stars in the astrophysicist's eyes behind his glasses tugged at the booksellers heart. Something about it seemed familiar, like a sense of weird Deja Vu...
"I can't believe you did this for me," Anthony's voice pulled Asa from his thoughts.
“Do you like it?” Asa sheepishly asks, wringing his hands. “I had Derek help me.”
Anthony melted into a puddle of adoration. He approaches the blonde and pulls him in for a gentle, thankful kiss. Pulling back, he takes Asa's cheeks in his hands. “I love it, darling. Thank you.”
The bookseller beams in pride before they take their seats on the plush couch. They cuddled together in each other's arms, admiring the bookseller's hard work.