"Do you think it would look better at this angle?" Ash asked, tilting his head as he studied the picture hung just above the bed.

Remi stood beside him, his eyes lighting up as he nodded. "Yes!" he said, clapping his hands with a cheerful grin. The wide, black-and-white frame captured a kiss under the moonlight - a stolen moment from their six-month anniversary.

Ash turned away from the frame, his gaze softening as he pulled Remi into his arms, wrapping them securely around his waist from behind. He rested his head on Remi's shoulder, a smile ghosting his lips.

"It still looks beautiful," he murmured. "And every time I look at it, I remember how lucky I am to have you."

Remi's smile deepened. He reached up, fingers brushing gently against Ash's cheek before he turned slightly to meet his eyes.

"I'm lucky to have you in my life too," Remi replied.

He could feel Ash's heart beating steadily against his back - a thudding rhythm that synced with his own. It was comforting, grounding... and perfect.

There were moments like these where they simply stared at each other, no words needed. Just the quiet understanding that they were all they had, and their love wasn't fading - it was growing stronger.

Ash slowly released his hold on Remi's waist, only to turn him around fully. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed him - a spark igniting instantly between them. Electricity pulsed through Remi's veins, his body buzzing with sensation. No matter how many times they kissed, it always felt like the first. Ash's kisses were warm, intoxicating, and left him aching for more.

No one could ever make him feel the way Ashley did.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless. Their foreheads touched, soft pants filling the quiet room.

"You wanna go for a night drive later?" Ash asked, his voice gentle, pulling Remi into another embrace.

Remi melted into it, enveloped in Ash's warmth - a cocoon of affection that made the rest of the world fade away.

Remi looked up at Ash, one brow slightly raised. "We don't know the city that well. How can we go on a night drive and expect not to get lost?"

They had only recently moved from New York to Atlanta. The last thing either of them needed was to get stranded in an unfamiliar neighborhood. What if all the houses looked the same? What if they ended up turning at the wrong corner or looping around identical blocks for hours?

Ash rolled his eyes with a dramatic groan. "That's why there's something called GPS, duh..."

Remi pouted, lips pressing into a small frown. "It was just a question, damn... you're making me feel dumb."

"Well, your words, not mine," Ash said with a teasing shrug. The unimpressed look Remi gave him was enough to make Ash laugh out loud.

"Okay, okay, sorry, Rem. I was just joking," Ash said quickly, trying to soften the blow.

Remi scoffed and pulled out of his embrace, turning to walk away, but Ash reached for him again, catching his wrist and tugging gently. "Are you mad at me?"

Remi turned his head, giving him a bored stare. "I'm not."

"You're sure?"

"Yes." His tone was flat, indifferent.

"Kiss me, then."

Remi side-eyed him, his silence speaking volumes.

"See?" Ash grinned, brushing his fingers against Remi's cheek. "You're still mad. I told you I was just playing!"

"You meant it," Remi muttered, folding his arms. "Maybe I am dumb... for having you as my boyfriend. You suck."

"Oh..." Ash smirked, stepping closer, voice dropping lower. "So now I suck?"

"Yes!" Remi snapped.

"Well," Ash leaned in with a sly grin, "whose dick were you sucking yesterday?"

Remi gasped, his entire face flushing red.

"How dare you-!" he spluttered, staring at Ash like he'd just committed a felony.

Ash's grin widened. "What? Just keeping the facts straight."

Remi shoved at his chest lightly, flustered beyond measure. "You don't play fair."

"And you're cute when you're mad."

Remi stared daggers at Ash, arms still folded, his foot tapping lightly against the floor. "You're unbelievable," he muttered. "Seriously. Every time you open your mouth, I lose brain cells."

Ash snorted. "Then why are you still with me?"

Remi opened his mouth, closed it, then pointed accusingly. "Because I have poor taste in men."

"Oh, now you're dragging your own standards?"

"I have every right to! Look at you!"

Ash raised both hands in mock surrender. "So dramatic. You're lucky you're cute, babe."

"Don't babe me!" Remi snapped, stepping forward and poking him in the chest. "You're arrogant, annoying, and so full of yourself."

Ash's smile widened like he was being complimented. "Damn, all that? Impressive."

"I swear, Ash-"

Before Remi could launch into another insult, Ash leaned in and pressed his lips to his, effectively cutting him off. The kiss was firm, silencing, and purposeful. Warmth spread through Remi's chest as he froze mid-rant, arms still crossed as if he hadn't expected it.

But of course, he melted into it - just like always. That was the problem with Ash. He could be impossible one minute, and the next, he'd kiss Remi like the whole world depended on it.

When Ash finally pulled back, their breaths mingled, and Remi's lips were slightly parted in stunned silence.

"There," Ash whispered, smirking. "That's how you shut up a smart mouth."

Remi blinked, heart hammering. "I hate you," he mumbled, cheeks flushed.

Ash grinned, taking Remi's hand. "You're going to hate me even more in the next five minutes."

Remi narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What are you-?"

Before he could finish the question, Ash tugged him toward the bathroom. Remi stumbled after him, half-protesting, half-curious. The second the light flicked on, Ash already had his shirt halfway off.

"Oh my God," Remi muttered, watching the casual way Ash dropped his shirt and turned on the shower.

"Come on," Ash said, flashing him that familiar mischievous look. "Might as well rinse off all that attitude."

"You're not funny."

"You're still staring," Ash teased.

"I'm regretting everything."

"Liar."

Despite his grumbling, Remi found himself stepping in after him, the warm steam already curling in the air.

And just like that, their little fight dissolved in the mist - replaced with soft laughter, stolen kisses under the spray, and the familiar rhythm of love that always pulled them back together.

___

"I never knew Atlanta was this beautiful at night," Remi confessed, his voice full of wonder as he stuck his head slightly out the window. Bright city lights reflected in his eyes, dancing across towering buildings adorned with dazzling, colorful lights.

"Me neither," Ash agreed, glancing at him with a soft smile. "But for the love of God, don't hang your head out like that." He tugged gently on Remi's arm, trying to coax him back into the seat.

But Remi was lost in excitement.

"Ash! Look at that!" he gasped, pointing out the window like a kid seeing fireworks for the first time.

"What?" Ash slowed the car, leaning a little to see what his boyfriend was so animated about.

"It's an ice cream parlor!" Remi beamed, practically bouncing in his seat. He turned to Ash with big, pleading eyes. "Can we stop? Please?"

Ash chuckled. "Yes, of course we can."

"Yes!" Remi squealed, clapping as he grinned from ear to ear.

As Ash turned into the lot, he shook his head in amusement. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm dating a baby."

"Oh, please," Remi scoffed, unbothered. "You love this baby. And this baby loves getting spoiled, so shush." He placed a finger on Ash's lips.

Ash, ever the flirt, opened his mouth and sucked the finger in playfully.

Remi gasped and yanked it back, scrunching his nose. "Gosh! I'm dating a pervert!"

Ash laughed, watching him unbuckle his seatbelt in mock outrage. "And you love this pervert!"

"No, the fuck I don't!" Remi yelled as he climbed out of the car.

"Liar," Ash called after him, still grinning as he turned off the engine.

---

The ice cream parlor was packed, but still roomy enough to breathe. Ash hadn't realized so many people would be out for ice cream at night - no wonder the parking lot had been so full.

"That'll be $34.07," the cashier said.

Ash handed over his card and accepted the receipt with a nod. With two full bags of assorted ice cream tubs, he laced his fingers with Remi's as they stepped outside.

Back in the car, they each opened a cup - Remi with vanilla, Ash with chocolate. Remi moaned softly with the first taste, eyes fluttering like he'd just discovered heaven.

Ash raised a brow. "That good?"

Remi, mouth full, only nodded enthusiastically.

Ash chuckled but then noticed the weight of a stare. He looked over, and sure enough, Remi was watching him with those wide, mischievous eyes.

"Give me your cup," Ash said.

Remi handed it over without hesitation, grinning. Ash scooped a spoonful of his chocolate into the vanilla, stirred it slightly, and handed it back.

"Thank you, boyfriend!" Remi chirped, leaning over with puckered lips.

Ash leaned in to meet him, and they shared a sweet, quick kiss.

"You're welcome, boyfriend."

---

By the time they hit the road again, the sugar rush was fading. Remi was nodding off in the passenger seat, eyelids drooping heavily.

"Go lie in the back," Ash told him. "You'll be more comfortable."

Too sleepy to argue, Remi clambered into the backseat, curled under a patched-up blanket they kept in the car, and quickly drifted off.

Ash peeked at him through the rearview mirror and smiled. His chest ached in the best way at the sight of Remi's peaceful face.

But that peaceful moment was cut short.

The car started to slow unexpectedly. The gas pedal gave no response.

Ash's heart dropped. "No... not now."

The engine stuttered before the vehicle finally rolled to a full stop, jerking slightly as it died.

Remi stirred, sitting up with a sleepy yawn. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ash said, gripping the steering wheel. "But the car isn't. I think it just broke down."

Remi blinked, suddenly more awake. "Broke down?! You're joking, right?" He sat cross-legged in the back, rubbing his eyes.

"I wish," Ash muttered.

"Shit," Remi groaned. "How the hell are we supposed to get home? We're literally stuck in the middle of nowhere."

Ash glanced around - quiet road, no cars in sight, dim streetlights stretching ahead. "I'll figure something out."

Remi leaned his head back against the seat. "This is so not how I imagined our ice cream night ending."

Ash chuckled tiredly. "Yeah... me neither."

Ash was scrolling through his phone, trying to find a nearby towing service, when the distant, thunderous vrrrrrrrrmmm of a power bike ripped through the silence.

Remi, still cross-legged in the back seat, perked up. "You hear that?"

Ash looked up, squinting through the windshield. "Yeah..."

- Yes! Another book released from my draft!

So excited!