Work Text:
The afternoon light filtered through the shutters, casting a soft glow over the room.
Asa was lying on his side, propped up on one elbow. A book lay forgotten on the mattress near his hip, open and face down. He wasn’t reading. In fact, he hadn’t read for twenty minutes. Instead, his gaze was fixed on his lover, who was napping beside him.
"You’re staring at me again."
The sound of Anthony’s sleepy voice brought Asa back to the present, and he let out a little laugh because he’d been caught red-handed.
Anthony’s eyes were closed, yet he knew.
"How do you know that, my love?" Asa asked.
Anthony opened his eyes and slowly turned onto his side to face Asa, resting his head in the crook of his arm.
"I can always tell when you’re looking at me."
Asa always had a certain look on his face whenever he looked at him. It was completely unguarded, imbued with unreserved devotion, a gaze he reserved exclusively for Anthony.
"I know it and feel it because I, too, am constantly watching you." He emphasised his words by letting his gaze linger on Asa for a few moments.
Asa let out a small, knowing chuckle and asked, "So, who’s watching whom now?"
The question called for no answer.
Neither of them wanted to look away from the other.
Anthony leaned forward slightly, closing the small gap between them without ever taking his eyes off Asa. He didn’t miss the faint gasp of surprise that escaped Asa’s lips, and he closed the remaining distance between them.
Their breaths mingled as Anthony whispered against Asa’s lips, "What about stopping watching and just doing?"
Asa raised his hand, gently sliding his fingers through the hair at the nape of Anthony’s neck and pulling him closer. "What do you want to do?" he asked playfully.
Anthony licked his lips and replied in the same tone, "I’ll show you."
He closed the distance between them and put his words into action.
There was no question of watching anymore, as their eyelids closed the moment their lips met. Their expression of love shifted from their eyes to their lips.
The kiss started gently but quickly became more intense, fuelled by an emotion far deeper than mere desire. Anthony’s hand slid down to rest on Asa’s lower back, pulling him closer. Asa parted his lips slightly, letting out a stifled sigh as he welcomed Anthony and surrendered himself entirely to his familiar, intoxicating taste.
When they finally pulled apart, breathless, neither of them opened their eyes right away. They simply remained forehead to forehead, breathing in each other’s scent, until their eyelids slowly opened.
WAnd whether it was Asa or Anthony, both saw nothing but love in the other’s gaze.