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“I need you to write your number down too, for me. So I can ask you to dinner.”
Asa turned to the man with an ensemble of navy outfit, wearing sunglasses, and ginger-colored hair. Asa didn’t know what courage came over him; it suddenly came out of his mouth.
He was mesmerized when the man came into their bookshop; even his fellow bookshop owner noticed the sparkle in his eyes. The man looked refined. A knowledgeable-looking man.
The man stared at him. The man, named Professor Anthony Crowley based on the astrophysics book he gave the other (not knowing he was the one who wrote it), was now getting it signed. The best tactic he could think of to ask the man to a dinner. A date.
Mr. Crowley said, “I’m not going to give you my number.”
Asa stopped playing with his hands, stunned by the reply, “No, no, no, no. Sorry.”
I’m so dumb. I shouldn’t have listened to Derek.
He stopped judging himself in his head when Mr. Crowley tilted his head, genuinely smiling at him, wrinkles forming beside his eyes, “I’ll wait for you. Where are we having dinner?”
Asa lit up like the sun, almost the same color as his ochre shirt, “Oh, oh. Sure,” returning the smile. It made them both giggle in front of one another.
Asa arrived at the restaurant at exactly 5:30 p.m. since they arranged to meet at 6 p.m. for dinner. Not much excited, am I?
Considering that it was around dinner time, most seats were taken. Looking toward the back, he saw a familiar face.
Mr. Crowley.
His date.
Wearing simple gray long sleeves, coat propped on the backrest, brows furrowed and gaze focused on cleaning his eyeglass lenses with his handkerchief.
Asa took that as a chance to silently approach the man. “Hi,” he muttered, clasping his hands on his belly while smiling at the shocked man.
Mr. Crowley immediately put on his glasses and stood up, almost tipping over the chair. “Oh, hi, you’re here.”
“Indeed, I am.”
As if time stopped when both lips quirked upwards, almost stretching to their ears, the ginger-haired man moved to his side, dragging the chair backward to form a space for Asa to sit.
Thanking the man, Asa settled in his seat, observing Mr. Crowley as he went back to his own side.
He took a glance at his watch and said, “You’re early, Mr. Crowley.”
“Uh, yes, I was actually looking forward to this day. Don’t want to disappoint you, but you’re early yourself, Asa.”
“Of course, I’m the one who invited you, best believe I’ll be early, Mr. Crowley.”
Asa was shocked when the man chuckled. “You’re too formal, Asa. Why not just call me Anthony?”
“Sure, dea— uh, Anthony.” His habit of calling someone he fancies "dear" almost slipped out. Now’s not the time, Asa, it’s your first date.
However, the man evidently enjoyed it, Asa was unaware if it was because of the "dear" or because he called him by his first name. Either way, Asa would love Anthony to become his future dearest.
In the meantime, he must compose himself and try not to ruin his image in front of the other. He wants this to work. He needs this to last.
After their endless chatter of getting to know each other, both felt comfortable in each other's presence, turning the night into a perfect one.
Outside the restaurant, they stood side by side silently, unwilling to end the night.
“May I offer you a ride home?”
“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother.”
Yes, yes I want to, take me wherever you want, is what Asa wanted to reply.
“You’ll never be a bother, Asa. Come.”
Anthony led them to where his car was parked. Asa was mesmerized with it, it was an all-black vintage Bentley. The ginger-haired man opened the passenger door for him, making the butterflies in Asa’s stomach go wild.
The journey was nerve-wracking for Asa as the man drove fast. He doesn’t like going fast, afraid of the possible consequences. But Asa is Asa, he would not tell someone to slow down, particularly a man he had a date with a few minutes ago, a man he doesn’t want to offend, a man he’s growing fonder of.
As the minutes went by, Asa thought that Anthony noted his demeanor, slowing the car’s speed and asking him questions to divert his attention. Asa released a sigh of relief, the man is a gentleman.
Arriving in front of his apartment, the car was brought to a halt. “Wait,” Anthony told him, immediately going out to open the door for Asa.
“I had a great time, and thank you for the ride.” That was all he can say, his heart was too full to say much more.
“I did too, Asa. Have a good rest of the night,” Anthony said, showing his whole set of white teeth to the other, wrinkles once again visible near his eyes. “Go ahead,” he said, gesturing for the other to go inside.
Returning his smile, Asa turned his back, going for the door when he thought of something. He looked back at Anthony, the man still standing outside, leaning on his car, watching Asa.
Striding towards the other, he planted a peck on Anthony’s cheek. It was so fast, not giving enough time for the other to fully comprehend what happened. Eyes wide open, cheeks and ears flushed, Anthony stood still.
“Take care, dear,” he said as he took a step backwards, then running to open his door and go inside.
Asa went upstairs to his room, pulling aside the curtains, looking downward at the pavement. He saw the ginger-haired man standing still, but now with his hands holding his cheek, eyes closed with his mouth still stretched into a smile.
—♡—
Two months later.
Ding.
Must be a customer, Asa thought, turning to the door. But instead, he saw a handsome man—Oh, it's my dearest.
“Morning, angel.” Anthony strode forward, gripping his waist and giving him a peck on the lips.
His dear started calling him angel on their second date, saying some corny line that Asa found adorable: “Every time I see you, it is like there's a halo formed around your head, shining light upon that sweet face of yours, angel.”
“Hmm, any plans for today, dear?” Asa put the book he was analyzing back on the shelf, giving his full attention back to Anthony.
Anthony reached out, holding his hand. “Want another date, angel?”
“I'd be delighted. Derek, would you mind looking after the shop?” He turned back to the white-haired man sitting on the counter, his favorite spot, reading a book.
Staring at them, slightly lowering the book to his lap, “Is there anything new? I'm always willing to, Asa.” It was always like this: Asa leaving early for a date and Derek closing up the shop. But he didn't have any complaints, Derek loved staying in the serene surroundings of books. Asa only went out 30 minutes early at most.
Thanking Derek, the two made their way to Anthony's Bentley. When the ginger-haired man opened the door on Asa’s side, his eyes sparkled, a bouquet of flowers wrapped in yellow parchment was propped on his seat.
“Oh dear, you never fail to amaze me.” Then Asa carefully lifted the bouquet, hugging it and sniffing the tulips, lilies, and a bunch of white roses together.
“You deserve it, all the time, my angel.“ Anthony took hold of his head, planting a soft kiss on his forehead.
Carefully slipping inside the car, he sat pretty while Anthony drove them to a café.
It was nighttime, the sky pitch black with specks of stars scattered around, the two finished their meal and were now taking a stroll in the park in the vicinity.
Holding hands, with Asa clutching the bouquet at his side.
“Anthony,” he whispered.
“Hmm?”
“I want us to stop being friends,” Asa replied, making the other stop in his tracks.
Anthony was still holding his hands, turning his attention to Asa. “That’s not a good joke, angel.”
Asa giggled, music to the ginger-haired man's ears, the way Asa’s cheeks puffed as he did. “What do you say we think of this as our first day?”
Anthony’s eyes grew bigger, his worries erased from his facade by the other's question. “Isn’t that a lovely thought, angel?”
“I love you.” Anthony was caught off guard once again as Asa tiptoed to reach his lips, capturing them in a swift light kiss. It only lingered for a second when Anthony grabbed both of Asa’s cheeks to bring back the man’s lips to his, deepening it into a passionate one, along with constant giggles from the two in between.
—♡—
Three months later.
As days go by, the love the two have for each other grows, every minute, every hour, and every day, whether together or not. Whether on good terms or bad terms. Every relationship has its own ups and downs, doesn’t it?
However, today is a great day, especially for Anthony, as he has something planned for his angel.
A trip to the South Downs.
He and Asa have been living together in an apartment for the past months, so when he woke up, he first planted a peck on the other's face and did his best not to wake him up.
Anthony woke up early to prepare his needed equipment for today’s trip. His car key, the apartment key, another secret key, and a small velvet box.
On the way to South Downs, Asa was only aware of the fact that they’ll be having a picnic with nature. Oblivious that his dear would be planning something big to up their relationship.
Anthony has been planning this for months, too. Reasoning to Asa that he’s busy researching for a book he is writing, and he really is busy, but with finding the perfect future home and the perfect ring size for the other.
The ring size was effortless to acquire as he got it while Asa was sound asleep on the sofa, holding a book close to his chest, his glasses perched on his nose.
Likewise, finding the perfect home was seamless because Asa has been mentioning a cottage he saw on an advertisement, on sale. Telling Anthony that they should save up for it, not knowing that Anthony had already bought it only a week after that moment.
On the way to South Downs, Anthony was nervous, but he believes in the love they have for each other. Holding on to the fact that they’ve known each other for months and their feelings are deeper than any of the past ones they experienced.
Asa was telling him all about the snacks he brought, the sandwiches he personally prepared, and the freshly cut fruits, when the Bentley stopped. In front of a familiar cottage Asa knew dearly.
“Oh, dear,” his eyes were teary. He doesn’t know why they were there, he doesn’t know why Anthony brought him face to face with his dream home.
But one thing’s for sure, Anthony did this for him.
Staring into space, Asa failed to realize that Anthony was at his door, opening it for him. “Come, angel. Let’s take a closer look,” a hand reaching out for him and guiding him out of the car.
Words can’t describe how perfectly astonished Asa was, with his mouth agape, hands clasped tight to his chest, “Oh, oh, dear,” and started sobbing.
Anthony held him close, leaning Asa’s head on his chest, and caressing his hair in the softest way possible, “Shh, angel, I know you wanted this.”
Asa lifted his gaze from the other's chest, staring into his eyes, “I love you.”
“I love you, too, angel,” then planted a kiss on the other, lingering a minute too long. We sure love to kiss.
“Here, let’s take a look inside,” Anthony took the cottage keys from his pockets, holding them up to let Asa open the lock himself.
As soon as they were inside, Asa slowly made his way to every room, from the living room, to the kitchen, to the bedroom, and the library beside it.
“Oh, God, this is perfect.”
Asa was still admiring the books on the shelves, silently reading the book titles, when he realized that he could not feel Anthony’s presence.
Turning on his back, there he saw the man, kneeling in front of him, a velvet box between his hands. “Asa, my angel…”
He opened the box; a silver band appeared, sparkling through the sunlight from the windows. “My dear, my love, Anthony…”
“Would you?” tears streaming down his face as he asked the most important question he ever did in his life.
Asa knelt with him, clasping his fingers around Anthony’s, staring at the contents of the box, crying from the overflowing feelings the moment gave them.
Looking down at the simple silver ring, he saw it: the small wings engraved in the middle. A perfect one.
“Yes,” he cried harder, “just the way I want it, it’s perfect, dea—”
Asa didn’t get to finish what he was saying when Anthony hugged him, the box he held pressing against Asa’s back, both still kneeling on the floor.
When they calmed down from the tears, both were sniffing and giggling, both forgetting about the ring in the box.
“Wait, let me put this on you, angel,” extending his hands to reach for Asa’s left hand and inserting the ring on his ring finger. Seeing that the ring fit perfectly, Asa melted on Anthony’s shoulders, the other kissing his ring finger with the engagement ring on it.
“I could never ask for more,” Asa stated, leaning to his fiancé's lips, sealing them into another tender, passionate kiss.
—♡—
Several years later.
Years after their first meeting in the bookshop, their first date, and their wedding, to which everyone close to them was invited, using the Bentley as their wedding car in all its glory, covered in white roses and yellow tulips.
The two are in their cottage, sitting beside each other on their respective benches forming a heart, each holding their own mug to keep them warm.
“Do you hear that bird?” Anthony suddenly asked, confusing the other. He doesn’t know any bird.
“That’s definitely a nightingale,” he continued.
Asa was more confused, “How can you tell?” brows furrowing, “You wouldn't know a nightingale even if it perched on your nose.”
Anthony faced him, booping his angel's nose, “I would, my heart says so.”
“But do you think there’s another existence in the universe, other than us?” swaying his hands in the air as he continued, “Anything more than this?”
Anthony turned to him, his hand without the mug holding onto Asa, “My dear, I don’t need anything more than this. I have the universe out there and I have you,” a genuine smile forming on his face, the lovely smile Asa constantly fell for. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted.”