That grin caught Anton off-guard, and a sheepish little smile crinkled his nose in response. He tucked his thumbs in his pockets, shoulders slightly bunching forward.
“I ain’t as involved as y’are,” he muttered, trying his best not to blush – and failing, especially after noticing that Chase was as flustered as he was. He did not even know that the other knew who he was, and really, getting that kind of compliment from someone so deserving made him want to crawl under the nearest rug. He welcomed the change of topic with a nervous little chuckle.
“Yeah, male pronouns,” he confirmed. “Y’too, righ’? I heard people talkin’ ‘bout ya…”
He pointed at the bag in Chase’s hand. “D’ya need any help with this? I figured… If y’ don’ have any plans, maybe…” He took in a deep inhale, and blurted out, almost in a single breath: “… maybe y’d be down for a drink somewhere?”
“Doesn’t matter how involved you are, as long as you’re involved, really. In my opinion, anyway.” Chase stated simply, expression soft and sympathetic. It was how he really felt though. Even anyone who simply assisted in cleaning at the shelter, and didn’t even interact with anyone who needed the resources was helping. Every little bit counts.
“Yeah, male pronouns too, thanks. It’s always refreshing to be asked, I feel.” It wasn’t often that he was misgendered these days, as he had been passable as male for nearly ten years. It was something for which he was thankful every day, how his own journey through transition had been fairly easy, compared to many others.
Gaze flickering down to his hand and back up, Chase nodded. “That’d be awesome, yeah, thanks. Not much left to do, just chucking out the rubbish and putting chairs away and stuff.”
Brows shooting up toward his hair line when he finally comprehended what Anton said, Chase nodded again, pulling his lower lip between his teeth briefly as he met the guy’s gaze. “I um yeah, actually. I’d like that a lot.” The blush may have deepened on his cheeks
While he wasn’t really that much of a drinker, he was definitely keen to go somewhere - anywhere, really - with Anton. Especially as that had definitely been asked in a tone that indicated the guy was asking him out.