Anthony is annoyed by a tailor who's a little too pushy, but Asa is there to save the day.
Notes
Beware of the jealous bookseller!
On Ao3
Rating G - 838 words
"Wow, you're really handsome," the tailor said as he helped Anthony put on the jacket.
Anthony was eager to finish the fitting. He didn’t appreciate the man’s hands lingering on his hips a little too long while adjusting the jacket. It was too insistent to be professional.
To make matters worse, the tailor was wearing overpowering cologne that was almost making Anthony nauseous.
The university had organized a charity gala to raise funds for new equipment, including telescopes for the astrophysics club. Of course, Anthony was required to attend.
However, since he didn’t have a suitable suit for this kind of event, he decided to have one made by a tailor. Hence the uncomfortable situation he found himself in.
He was trying to remain polite to the tailor, who was giving him teasing glances as he took his measurements, but all Anthony wanted was for it to be over as soon as possible.
The tailor pulled him out of his thoughts by asking, as he pinned buttons onto the jacket sleeve, "So, who will have the privilege of seeing you dressed so elegantly?"
He finished the question with a wink that Anthony tried to ignore.
Anthony replied in a neutral tone: "My colleagues, the university president, the administrators, and the benefactors."
And, most importantly, my partner, Anthony concluded mentally.
He probably should have said it out loud because the tailor saw an opportunity and asked, in a fawning voice, "Really? Are you going to this party alone? Tell me, how can a man as handsome as you be single?"
As he said this, his fingers lingered on Anthony’s wrist. Anthony pulled away abruptly and retorted, "Who said I was single?"
This didn’t seem to faze the tailor. He took a step forward, licked his lips, and murmured, "If you are, I’m ready…"
He was interrupted by the door opening and a deep voice finishing his sentence: "...to let go of my partner immediately and behave appropriately."
Anthony swallowed hard. Seeing Asa, who was usually gentle and cheerful, with a dark, jealous gaze and a menacing expression was quite intimidating.
The tailor must have sensed that he should obey because he began to stammer. Then he apologized and left the room, claiming that he was going to fetch fabric samples from the storage room.
From atop the fitting platform, Anthony watched Asa approach, feeling both relieved and amused.
As Asa continued walking toward him, his expression gradually softened, and his lips stretched into a smile.
Anthony asked him, "What made you come in?"
"Since you didn't come out of the store at our agreed-upon time, I took the liberty of going in. The receptionist told me you were in the fitting room. The door was ajar, so I overheard the end of the ‘conversation.’"
Anthony chuckled softly.
"My hero."
Asa stepped in front of him and asked playfully, "Now that we're rid of the troublemaker, what should the hero do?"
Anthony replied in the same tone, "I have a little idea."
Still standing on the fitting room platform, he placed his hands on Asa’s shoulders before leaning in and continuing, his face close to Asa’s. "If I jump, will you catch me?"
Asa replied gently, "Always."
Anthony jumped into Asa’s arms and wrapped his legs around Asa's waist as he caught him.
They both started laughing when a soft cough interrupted them. They turned toward the tailor, who was standing hesitantly in the doorway.
"I'm really sorry to bother you."
His earlier flirtatious demeanor vanished as he continued, "I'd like to get the suit back if you don't mind."
Asa retorted coldly, "And if we don't want to?"
Anthony patted Asa on the arm and said in a coaxing tone, "Asa, let the poor man finish his work."
He slid to the floor, forcing Asa to let go of him. He continued, addressing the tailor, "I'll be right back."
He headed toward the fitting room. As he changed, he couldn’t help but smile, secretly delighted by Asa’s possessiveness. When he pulled back the curtain to step out, he was amused to see his lover staring at the tailor like a cat watching a trapped mouse.
He handed the suit to the tailor, who snatched it and said brusquely, "Your suit will be ready the day after tomorrow."
He left without asking for anything else.
Asa asked with a feigned look of innocence, "I wonder why he reacted that way."
Anthony let out a little laugh and replied, "Probably because he realized he didn't stand a chance."
Then he wrapped his arms around Asa’s neck again, closed the distance between them, and pressed his lips against his lover’s.
Not to be outdone, Asa slid his hands down Anthony’s waist to his back, pulling him closer and returning his kiss in a deliciously possessive way.
When they parted to catch their breath, Asa whispered against Anthony’s lips, "He never stood a chance since you're mine."
Then, he kissed Anthony again, leaving no doubt in his mind as to whom he belonged.
Anthony è un outcast. Un perdente, un ribelle che ama le stelle. Asa è un dolce signore che ha scelto una vita tranquilla, ma che non si sente completo. Entrambi sono pronti a rischiare. Per amore, sempre per amore. Sono loro. Senza i poteri e l'hype dell'inferno e del paradiso. Sono loro, in ogni universo.
Asa woke up to find his lover asleep in his arms. He took the opportunity to gaze at him with all his heart.
Notes
I've got a lot of family obligations this weekend, so I need to cheer myself up with them, which means few words but lots of comforting fluff.
On Ao3
Rating G - 514 words
Asa woke up to find Anthony’s warm body in his arms, his head against Asa’s chest.
They had fallen asleep in the spooning position, with Anthony’s arms wrapped around Asa, and Asa couldn’t remember exactly when they’d shifted positions during the night. But that didn't matter; he loved being held by Anthony just as much as he loved holding him. He could never get enough of it, so he relished this moment as he gazed at his sleeping lover.
Even though they had been together for several weeks, his heart still fluttered at the sight of his beloved, as if it were the first time.
Although Anthony was a little taller than him, Asa loved the way their bodies fit together perfectly, no matter what position they were in. Like two unique pieces of a puzzle, made to fit together. Much like their lives.
Gazing at his sleeping lover, he tried not to think like a man madly in love and to remain objective, but despite everything, he could find nothing to fault in his partner.
Even the fact that he drooled slightly on Asa’s pajamas while he slept with his mouth agape. The fact that he tidied up his things almost frantically every night before going to bed. The fact that he talked to his plants and was practically obsessed with caring for them. His enthusiasm sometimes made him forget that the person he was talking to didn’t necessarily understand when he discussed astrophysics. All those little quirks were part of the man Asa was hopelessly in love with.
As Asa watched Anthony sleep, completely surrendered to him, he wanted nothing more than to stay like this forever.
He whispered, "I wish we could stay this close forever."
Anthony mumbled against his chest, "Mm? What did you say?”
Asa kissed Anthony’s hair before replying, "I just wish we could stay as close as we are now forever."
Anthony’s eyes were wide open now. He tilted his head back to look at Asa.
In a sleepy voice, he replied, "As it happens, my angel, I don't want anything more either."
Then he snuggled up against Asa, tightening his embrace. Clearly exhausted, he fully intended to fall back asleep.
Just as he seemed to be drifting back to sleep, Asa whispered, "Go back to sleep. I'll get up and make breakfast." Anthony tightened his embrace around Asa’s chest even more. He buried his face deeper in the crook of his neck and rubbed his nose against his skin. "I don't want you to leave. It's so comfortable like this. Besides, today is Sunday. There’s no rush.”
Although he was half asleep, Anthony knew his lover’s weaknesses all too well. He gently bit him at the junction of his neck and shoulder, letting out a soft chuckle when he felt a shiver run through his lover.
Cradling Anthony's face in his hands, Asa whispered, "Anthony, you're not fair..."
He couldn't resist and closed the distance between them, pressing his lips against his lover's in a tender, lingering kiss.
After sharing dinner with Derek and Anthony, Asa opens his heart to Derek—or rather, Derek tricks him into doing so.
Their conversation has a witness who will be more than happy to hear his lover talk about him to his old friend.
Notes
Derek being the Derek we all love…
On Ao3
Rating G - 1049 words
"Asa, you're staring at him again. Ah, to be young and in love."
Asa turned to Derek, looking perfectly innocent. Inwardly, however, he was annoyed because he knew exactly what the old bookseller was implying.
"I have absolutely no idea what you mean," he replied, looking everywhere but at the spot where Anthony was tending to the plants in Asa's living room.
Derek chuckled without answering; the explanation seemed obvious to him.
For several years, Derek and Asa had had dinner together at Asa’s place once a week, and that habit hadn’t changed since Asa and Anthony got together.
After dinner, the three of them were sipping alcohol—sherry for Derek and Asa and Talisker for Anthony—and chatting cheerfully when Anthony suddenly stood up, shocked by the state of Asa’s plants.
Amused, Derek and Asa watched him fuss over the plants.
Anthony was now wiping the leaves with a damp cloth and once he was done, he put away the watering can and walked over to them.
When he reached them, he said, rolling up his sleeves, "I’m going to wash my hands and I’ll be right back," brushing against Asa’s shoulder as he passed.
Asa followed him with his eyes, fully aware that another pair of eyes was scrutinizing him, and trying his best to ignore it.
"Boy, you’re literally drooling!"
Asa wiped his mouth instinctively and protested, "No, not at all, Derek! You’re completely delusional!"
Derek snickered mockingly before replying, "Yeah, right. Because what's so special about Professor Crowley?"
"What?!"
Asa nearly spilled his sherry when he slammed his glass down on the table.
Offended by Derek’s words, Asa began speaking loudly and gesturing wildly with a vindictive look. "Anthony is amazing! Deeply good, smart, very smart, in fact, much smarter than you and me put together and handsome, much more so than you and me put together too, and that’s not all. He makes me smile or laugh for no reason. He sees the best in me, even when I don’t see it myself. He never compromises on his ideals. He works so hard that he sometimes forgets himself. He lets me take care of him in those moments. He accepts my flaws and failures. He…"
He was interrupted by another snicker from Derek.
"Damn it! I can't believe I fell for that. Hmph!"
When Asa turned to face Derek, however, he saw that his friend’s smile had lost all trace of mockery. The older bookseller said kindly, "You know he’s not perfect either, don’t you, Asa? Don’t idealize him. Don’t put him on a pedestal. It wouldn't be good for either of you."
Asa appreciated Derek’s concern; like Anthony, Derek could read him and besides he had known him for a long time, so he knew that his advice came from the heart and from the fact that he truly cared about Asa and, by extension, now about Anthony as well.
In a tone that was both gentle and firm, he replied to the man who was like a father to him, "Oh, I know he’s not perfect, but precisely his imperfections... He’s not afraid to show them to me. He shows me everything: his mistakes, his fears, his demons. In fact, he’s perfectly imperfect. Or rather, we’re perfect for each other."
Derek nodded before replying, "Well, Asa, it looks like you really love him."
Asa rolled his eyes at the obviousness of it, then nodded. "Of course I love him. How could I not?"
Derek chuckled softly and said, "It sounds like you're living your own Jane Austen–style romance."
Asa shook his head. "In some ways, maybe, but it's real, and that's better than a novel. The only thing I ultimately regret is not having met him sooner."
Derek nodded again and said in a soft, serious tone, "Take it from an old man with experience, make the most of the time you've been given."
He placed his hand on top of Asa’s on the table and squeezed it gently.
"I’m happy for you, my boy. Really."
They looked at each other, nodding and smiling, then Derek stood up.
"I'm going to get some fresh air on the balcony. The alcohol's hitting me a bit."
Asa watched him go, touched by the support of the person he cared about most in the world, after Anthony.
"So I’m not perfect?"
Two hands rested on his shoulders and slid down his chest.
"Anthony!" Asa tensed slightly. "Don't tell me you—"
"...heard everything? From amazing to perfect for each other. I don’t think I missed a thing," Anthony replied.
Asa couldn’t see him, but he was certain from the tone of his voice that he was smiling.
"Okay..."
Asa couldn’t help but blush slightly. He’d gotten carried away defending Anthony and couldn’t remember everything he’d said, but he remembered enough to feel a little embarrassed.
Anthony pressed a kiss to his hair. "Don't be embarrassed. It's nice to hear you compliment me. Even if it’s not good for my ego."
Asa laughed softly, tilting his head back to look at Anthony, who was staring at him and smiling tenderly.
"Hey, handsome," his lover said, leaning in to kiss him.
Just like every time they kissed, Asa forgot about everything else. A few feet away, behind the glass door, Derek was still on the balcony. But to Asa, he no longer existed. All he could sense were the woody scent of Anthony’s cologne, the warmth of his hands against his arms, and the softness of his lips on his own.
Anthony pulled back slightly and whispered, "Derek might be back soon," although he made no effort to move.
Asa smiled and placed his hands on Anthony’s arms, holding him close for just a moment longer.
"In a minute," he replied, parting his lips for another kiss.
Anthony couldn’t resist, closing the distance between them and capturing his lover’s lips in another kiss.
Derek was a few feet away and had turned to go into the living room when he saw the two men through the glass door. Their silhouettes were intertwined in the dim light, and a small, amused smile spread across Derek’s lips.
He retraced his steps and leaned on the balcony railing. The night was mild, so he could grant them a few more minutes of peace.
Karmelo Anthony jury views video showing chaotic aftermath of fatal stabbing
McKINNEY, Texas — Tensions ran high as the second day of testimony got underway Friday in the murder trial of a Karmelo Anthony, the Texas teenager accused of fatally stabbing a high schooler at a track meet.
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Three people were removed from the Collin County courthouse before morning proceedings…
