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Asher plucked a can of Dr. Pepper from his fridge. He popped the top and poured it into the waiting glass, making sure to stagger the pour so that it didn’t overflow onto the counter. He expertly slid the glass to the person leaning on the other end of the counter. “Heads up, Babe,” Asher advised with a smirk. “One Dr. Pepper coming your way.”
Babe reached out to steady the glass as it came their way. Not a drop of fizzy soda spilled as they curled their fingers around the glass and took a sip. The bubbles tickled their nose. “Mmm.” They nodded, savoring the sharp flavor of their favorite drink. Usually, Babe opted for whatever drink was most readily available, or politely refused the offer altogether. They never wanted to trouble anyone for anything, and in pursuit of that goal, Babe had trained themselves to avoid asserting their own preferences.
Surprisingly, Babe didn’t feel a pressure to be convenient with Asher.
They wanted to share themselves with him, fully and completely. That included favorite drinks, pet peeves, rambling thoughts, intimate secrets, and everything else under the sun. Babe could hardly believe themselves. It was as if Asher had somehow cast a spell that made Babe simply want to reach inside of themselves and give Asher everything they usually kept tucked away for their own use only. With him, Babe didn’t just feel like their preferences were tolerated. Asher made them feel welcome and celebrated when they asserted those preferences. It was a new, surreal feeling.
Babe had only known Asher for a handful of weeks, but they could already tell they were falling hard and fast for the goofy, sensitive, energetic, curious, optimistic, sassy, more-than-meet-the-eye guy they met in a broken elevator. He had consumed their thoughts in a way no one else had before.
As fun as it was to realize that, it was also scary as hell.
Ever since they had met, Babe and Asher had been in contact with each other. They’d text often, sometimes even call, and hang out with each other every chance they got. By all signs, everything was going well. Asher was responsive and attentive. He laughed at their jokes, asked questions, and remembered even the slightest detail. Babe reciprocated in kind, always eager and excited to learn about Asher. They’d talk for hours over common interests (such as Star Trek, Vulfpeck, and imagining the future’s outlandish technology. They’d even talk for hours about stuff that the other had no idea about, but wanted to learn because it clearly made the other happy.
Nevertheless, Babe couldn’t help but wonder if Asher was as invested in their budding relationship as they were.
Babe had never felt like this before. They were more than certain of that.
But what about Asher? Was he just as smitten as they were, or was he simply humoring Babe because he was a nice guy who hopped from fun fling to fun fling, with no real intention or desire to commit?
No matter how Babe scrutinized and analyzed Asher’s every word and behavior, they couldn’t quite settle on an answer.
And it was driving them up a wall.
“Tastes like it was handcrafted in a local Pepper-ewry,” Babe joked, raising the glass up to the light and swirling it around carefully. “The doctor flavor is quite forward, if I do say so myself. And the carbonation is utterly exquisite.”
Asher couldn’t help but laugh as he watched Babe inspect the soft drink like the most skilled of sommeliers. Their humor was clever and sharp. If you weren’t paying attention, you’d miss it. Thankfully for Asher, he was ready, willing, and eager to give Babe his full attention for as long as he was conscious. He never wanted to miss even the smallest quip when it came to Babe.
“Only the best for you, Babe,” Asher answered. He took a long stride to close the distance between himself and Babe. If he didn’t know any better, Asher would’ve sworn they were a magneto-energetic. Anytime he was close to them, Asher felt an irresistible pull that beckoned him even closer. If he had his way, he’d be holding them in his arms for all eternity, lost to the world and totally enraptured with mapping the topography of Babe’s entire body with his own…
Asher cleared his throat to snap himself out of those thoughts. Rather than figure out what to say to fill the silence, he opted to busy himself with getting an orange soda he didn’t actually want at the moment.
He didn’t want to rush this. He couldn’t rush this. It was too important. Babe was too important to him.
Asher had a habit of moving fast when it came to relationships. So many times before, Asher had found himself on the receiving end of the dreaded ‘needed talks’ that cycled through all of the cliches.
”It’s not you, it’s me.”
“I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”
“Can’t we just have a good time tonight?”
“You’re cute, but I have a history with him. I was just mad, but he says it’ll be different now. Thanks for a nice time, though.”
“The person you end up with is really, really lucky, but they’re not me.”
“Already? Get a grip. I feel like you’re smothering me.”
In another lifetime (that was, in his pre-Babe era), those snippets of conversation were some of the hardest words Asher ever had to hear. He was the type of guy to feel everything deeply. While that meant his highs were glorious and joyful, it meant that his lows were unbearable wastelands of sorrow. It hurt to be told over and over again that he had somehow misinterpreted the situation, and that the relationship he thought was the real deal had fizzled out for the other person, or that his enthusiasm was a mood-killer. Asher was never sure what was the worst thing about the cycle: that he was the one being rejected or that he had been so blind to the other person’s unhappiness.
But now? Asher didn’t give any of those dodged bullets or almost-somethings a second thought. Each and every day of his life had led him to step onto that elevator containing Babe, and for that, Asher would’ve endured a thousand rejections and uncomfortable conversations.
That said, Asher was a quick study. He had learned from his past mistakes. He wouldn’t dare risk moving too fast with Babe. They were cautious and careful. Logic and practicality dictated their every move. The last thing Asher wanted to do was pressure or spook them. Asher never considered himself a patient man, but for Babe, he would wait as long as it took for Babe to see that he was in it for the long haul.
Babe was too focused on Asher’s smile to notice that his hulking roommate had lumbered into the kitchen until he grunted with clear disapproval. “Use a damn coaster for that.” The roommate nabbed a purple Camelbak water bottle from the fridge before tossing two coasters at Asher. He didn’t bother to turn his head to see that Asher caught the coasters with ease. “Jesus, Ash, they’re gonna think we live like animals here.”
Asher nearly choked on his soda. “Well, David, you could make an argument…”
“Stop right there,” David ordered darkly. “Don’t you dare.”
Babe watched the exchange with more fascination than confusion. “Don’t make the argument that humans are technically animals, too?” they guessed. “Because I hate to break it to you, David, but Asher’s right. Biologically speaking. And sometimes, socially, too.”
“Hrumph.” Cool eyes jumped from Babe to Asher before David replied, “Duly noted.” He raised a conciliatory eyebrow at Asher before tucking the water bottle into his backpack. “I’m gonna run a few errands,” he announced. “Bank, drug store, and post office. Do you need anything while I’m out?”
Although David seemed like he was permanently cursed to being in a bad mood, it only took a few conversations with Asher and a few meetings with David to realize just how deeply he cared for Asher. It warmed Babe’s heart, though it didn’t surprise them in the slightest, that Asher would have such a strong bond with his best friend.
“Post office!” Asher yelped. “Oh, perfect. I’m so glad you said that, because as long as you’re gonna swing by there, would you mail my RSVP to Rowan?” Asher snatched the card and envelope card off of the fridge door that had been held in place by a Balto magnet. “I’ve been meaning to send it in for the last month, and I keep forgetting. Thanks, buddy!”
David scanned the paper that slid out of the card. “This RSVP is due tomorrow,” he observed with utter disgust. “It’s going to take more than a day to arrive internationally, you know. And you didn’t even seal it.”
“I think mail deadlines are usually described in postmark date, not arrival date,” Asher countered. “So technically, I’m a day early. A testament to my punctuality, which is one of many reasons why I am an ideal wedding guest.”
Babe’s mouth went dry at the mention of a wedding. They took another sip of their drink, almost forgetting to use the coaster.
“Your cousin’s mistake was inviting you in the first place,” David snorted. “But it's too late for Rowan to correct that now, because I’m on my way to mail it.” He carefully folded the card on the perforation so that it would fit into the envelope, spotting a glaring error. “You didn’t even fill this out.” He shoved the invitation into Asher’s chest. “Hurry up so I can go already.”
Asher frowned. “Yes, I did!” he defended, pointing to the checkmark. “I said I’m attending right here.”
David pushed Asher’s finger to the next line. “But you didn’t answer for your plus-one.” Oblivious to the tension that rolled off in waves from the two other people in the kitchen, David twisted his head to face Babe. “Are you planning on going with Asher to Rowan’s wedding this summer?” he inquired expectantly.
Babe struggled to pull their slack jaw up to spit out an answer. “I…” They didn’t know who Rowan was, the date of this wedding, or where it was, but the thought of dressing up, dancing, and spending some time at an event that celebrated love with Asher? Babe was ready to pack their suitcase and lead the way to the venue.
But attending a wedding together was quite a statement about the relationship. Maybe he didn’t think they were at that ‘plus one’ level yet… Then again, Babe didn’t want to give Asher the wrong idea by automatically saying no to the offer, if it was, indeed, an offer. “I want to go if Asher wants me to go,” they finally said.
Stunned at their admission, Asher let the invitation slip through his fingers and float to the floor. Of course he wanted them by his side at the event, but he didn’t want to scare them away or lock them down before they were ready to take such a meaningful step. “I want you to go if you want to go,” he said quietly.
Horror overcame David as he realized that his simple question was anything but. To him, the only thing worse than accidentally thrusting Babe and Asher to have some sort of intense heart-to-heart about the status of their relationship was being present for such a conversation.
David zipped up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “Well, you’ve clearly got some decisions to make.” He backed out of the kitchen, barely resisting the urge to break into a sprint towards the door. “Goodbye!” Judging by the sound of David’s trampling footfalls, he lost that battle.
The door slammed shut before Babe or Asher could bid the flustered man goodbye.
Babe and Asher snapped their heads from the door back towards each other.
“Uhh…” Babe began.
“So…” Asher said at the same time.
“You go ahead,” the pair told each other.
“Jinx! Buy me a coke?” Asher yelped out of habit, earning a scowl from Babe.
When they made a move towards the fridge, Asher held out his palms. Babe was never one to be silenced by a mere superstition, but they couldn't bring themselves to talk over Asher.
“No, wait, hang on a minute,” Asher beseeched. “Let me take advantage of that jinx. It'll give me a chance to get this out without stopping. And I need that because if I stop, I don't know if I've got it in me to start again.” He took Babe’s hands in his. Calloused thumbs caressed their contacted knuckles.
Babe waited patiently as Asher gathered his thoughts. Their utter attentiveness alone nearly had Asher on his knees for Babe. They never failed to leave the beta spellbound, starstruck, and ready to prove his devotion in any way they deemed fit for him.
Before Asher indulged in that fantasy too long and rendered himself a lovesick fool, he brought himself back to the matter at hand by letting his tongue track across the top line of his teeth. It was an idiocracy that showed up in his wolf and human form.
“I’m crazy about you, Babe,” Asher said. “I think about you all the time. When we’re together, I’m happy in a way I can’t describe. And when we’re not, I’m thinking about you nonstop. You make me feel excited and nervous and at peace and comfortable all at the same time. I don’t even know how that works, but it does.” He threaded his fingers through theirs, relishing the way they fit like jigsaw puzzle pieces. “And I don’t know if this is weird for me to say, or if I’m moving too fast, or if I’m losing some stupid made-up relationship everyone in the world but me knows the rules to. I can’t possibly care about any of that when every fiber of my being is obsessed with you.” Deep within his core, Asher could feel his wolf sing out a triumphant howl as he spoke, as if to celebrate finally being able to express the well of emotions that he had tried to dampen. “So, yeah, I’d like nothing more than for you to come to this wedding with me.” The weight of that fact smacked into Asher like a surge of graviton energy directed at his face. He let his eyes wander to the invitation sitting on the counter. “The official title might be ‘plus one,’ but to me, Babe, you’re a plus one-in-a-million.” Asher brushed his hand up Babe’s arm, relishing the soft feel of their sweater, before he settled a hand on the side of their cheek. “But I don’t want you to feel pressured to say yes, though. That’s why I didn’t ask. I was worried you’d think I was trying to rush…” He moved a hand between his and Babe’s chest, the gesture somehow more evocative than any phrase he could’ve conjured. “Us.” He frowned a bit at that thought, his eyebrows pushing together to create a worried divot at the center of his forehead. “I’ve been trying to hold back, but I can’t anymore, okay? I need you to know that I’m crazy about you!”
Babe made a strangled sound, but cut themselves off so as not to violate the very official decree of the jinx. Instead, they framed Asher’s head with their palms and drew him in for a warm, ardent kiss.
Asher leaned into them, surrendering to the safety and sublime pleasure of them. He felt the tips of his ears grow hot. From somewhere deep within his chest, Asher could feel his wolf groan with contentment, basking in the presence of Babe.
“So?” Asher asked, reluctant to break the kiss even as his lungs screamed for air. “Is… is that a yes?”
Babe tapped Asher on the nose before they took long strides to the fridge. They procured a can of Coke Zero from the shelf, popped the top, and shoved it at Asher. Despite his bewilderment, and preoccupation with kissing Babe again, he obliged them by accepting the can. The cold bubbles fizzed over onto his fingers as he brought it to his lips to take a sip.
“Yes!” Babe burst. “Asher, Yes! Of course I want to go!” Suddenly aware they were shouting, Babe quickly composed themselves. “I…” They crossed their arms in front of their chest, a tell-tale reaction that they were feeling too vulnerable. “I’ve never felt like this before.” They pursed their lips and paused, almost like they were waiting for Asher to reveal he had been joking all along and was waiting with hidden-cameras to capture their embarrassment. “I’m not worried about moving too fast with you. Not at all. Actually, I was worried I was falling hard and you were thinking this was just a fling or something.” Babe shrugged. “I don’t want this to be a fling. I want you. Did I make that clear?” they fretted. “Because if not, then I will now. I’m crazy about you, too.”
No such response came from Asher. All he did was set the can of Coke Zero on the counter and smile. “Huh…” Giggling, he swiped the back of his hand across his chin. “So we’re both crazy for each other?”
Babe looped their arms around Asher’s neck. In turn, he caught them at their waist, his long fingers splayed out and slightly digging into their skin as he gripped them close. “Evidently,” Babe confirmed.
Asher tugged them forward for another kiss, overcome with relief and exuberance. Rowan’s wedding was going to be a huge affair. To have the honor of introducing Babe to his family and friends as his partner? To have the chance to see Babe dressed to impress at the event? To dance the night away with them? To hear them say that they were into him as much as he was into them?
It was almost too much for Asher to believe. He kissed them even more passionately, barely able to contain the surging storm that swirled within his pulsing core. Before Asher was completely lost to the blissful haze, he had one final thought:
I’ll be lucky if I make it through this wedding without proposing…
Meanwhile, the forgotten sodas went flat before Babe or Asher felt inclined to take another drink.