At the Apartment...

The door clicked shut behind them as they stepped into their rented space - a modern loft with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, warm light pouring through sheer curtains. The ride home had been quiet, not awkward, just thick with a buzz neither of them had dared put into words yet.

Ash pulled his shirt off the moment they walked in, tossing it aside with a lazy grunt. "That shirt smelled like engine grease and testosterone."

Remi chuckled, slipping into the kitchen and opening the fridge. "You smell like jealousy."

Ash gave him a side-eye. "Don't start."

"You were into it."

"I tolerated it."

"Sure, baby," Remi sang, pulling out ingredients with a little sway in his hips.

Ash came up behind him, wrapping his arms lazily around Remi's waist. "I don't like that man."

"Mmhm," Remi teased, turning to kiss his cheek. "You're so hot when you lie to yourself."

They made lunch together - soft rice, spicy shrimp, some grilled plantain slices. The kitchen was small but intimate, filled with quiet music and Remi's humming as Ash chopped vegetables a little too aggressively.

They eventually sat cross-legged on the couch with two bowls and a shared soda. Outside, the city was just beginning to slip into evening.

Remi nudged Ash with his foot. "Be honest."

"About?"

"Théodore."

Ash paused with a bite halfway to his mouth.

Remi's eyes sparkled as he leaned in closer, straddling Ash's lap in one smooth move, their bowls long forgotten on the coffee table. He traced Ash's jaw lightly with a finger. "He was hot."

Ash's brow twitched. "You're doing this on purpose."

"Yes," Remi grinned. "You're cuter when you're annoyed."

Ash exhaled through his nose, head falling back against the couch. "You liked him."

Remi grinned, pressing his forehead to Ash's. "You did too. Don't lie."

Ash met his gaze. "I don't like people who flirt with you like they own you."

Remi's smile dimmed into something softer. "I'm yours. You know that, right?"

Ash's hands gripped his thighs, not possessive-just grounding. "Yeah. I know. But when he looked at you..."

"He looked at us."

Ash didn't reply, and Remi tilted his head. "You're jealous."

"I'm territorial," Ash muttered.

"That's so hot," Remi breathed dramatically, grinding just a little on his lap.

Ash growled low, grabbing his waist. "Don't test me."

Remi smirked. "Or what?"

"I'll make you forget his name."

"Oh no," Remi gasped mockingly. "Not the possessive boyfriend act. Whatever will I do?"

"You'll shut up," Ash said, pulling him in close, "and admit you like me mad."

"I love you mad," Remi whispered, teasing his lips with a featherlight kiss. "You're mean when you're mad."

"And you're a brat when you're turned on."

"I can't help it," Remi grinned, brushing their noses. "We met a hot mechanic, Ash. He had dreads and forearm veins. I blacked out a little."

Ash's chest shook with laughter. "You're such a whore."

"And you love it," Remi whispered, lips pressing to Ash's with heat - not desperate, just slow and full of everything unsaid.

Ash kissed back with an exhale, hands roaming lower now.

Eventually, Remi pulled back, licking his bottom lip. "You know we've talked about this before," Remi said, low.

"I know."

"Since month two."

"I remember."

"And you said if the right person ever came along..."

Ash met his gaze. "You think he's the right person?"

Remi brushed their noses together. "I think he's interesting. And you looked interested."

Ash's hands rested on his waist, fingers sliding beneath the hem of the shirt. "So what, we add a mechanic to our relationship?"

Remi laughed. "Relax. We just got home. I'm just saying..."

"You'd let him fuck us?"

Remi smirked. "You'd let him kiss you."

Ash didn't respond.

Remi tilted his head. "See?"

Ash grinned, slow and dangerous. "Come here."

Remi leaned in, thinking he was getting a kiss - but instead, Ash grabbed his thighs and flipped him, pinning him against the couch cushions.

"You talk too much," Ash said, hovering over him.

"And you're into it," Remi whispered.

Ash lowered his mouth to Remi's throat. "Shut up before I make you scream my name."

Remi shivered, gripping Ash's arms. "Okay."

Ash kissed him then - deep, slow, possessive.

And somewhere in the back of both their minds, a name hovered like an echo.

Théodore.

Not a threat.
Not yet an invitation.
Just... a door. Slightly open.

Next Day - 9:16 AM

Ash was at the stove, shirtless in grey sweats, tattoos stretching over his back and biceps as he flipped a pancake like a pro. The kitchen smelled of syrup, cinnamon, and a bit of cockiness-mostly from Ash humming something cocky while moving around like he owned every damn inch of the space. Which, to be fair, he kind of did.

Remi sat cross-legged on the kitchen island in a hoodie and short shorts, one of Ash's phones in one hand, his own in the other, multitasking like chaos was an art.
He popped a mini grape into his mouth, then made a noise.
"Oooh."

Ash turned slightly, spatula in hand. "What?"

Remi grinned. "Guess who followed us?"

"Who?" Ash asked, not looking yet.

Remi waved the screen. "Théodore."

Ash paused mid-flip. "Huh?"

Remi grinned wider, holding out the phone. "Here."

Ash turned, confused, just in time for Remi to open Théodore's profile.

And there it was: a clean, dark-themed page, sleek layout, black-and-grey palette. Videos of power bikes speeding through night roads, car engines revving in slow motion, greasy black gloves pulling back from machinery - and right there, in the center:

A thirst trap.

Théodore shirtless, grease smudged on his collarbone, dreadlocks falling over one side of his face, full lips parted slightly as he looked off-camera, arms flexed while wiping sweat off his chest with his jumpsuit.

Remi gasped like he'd just seen the face of God. "LOOK at this man-Ash-LOOK."

Ash looked. Briefly. Then rolled his eyes and flipped another pancake.

"I've seen him in real life. Not impressed."

Remi laughed, snatching Ash's other phone. "That's not what your eyes said when he fixed the hood."

Ash snorted. "He didn't fix me, though."

"Yet," Remi teased, double-tapping another photo, this one of Théodore under a car with his gold chain peeking from under his shirt.

Ash turned around slowly. "You tryna thirst over another man in front of me?"

Remi made a mock-innocent face. "Nooo."

Ash smirked. "Give me the phone."

"No."

"I said-Remi-"

Before Ash could move, Remi squealed, leapt off the counter, and jumped on his back, wrapping around him like a monkey. Ash staggered slightly, grabbing Remi's thighs to steady him.

"You're such a menace-"

"You love me," Remi laughed in his ear, gripping tighter.

Ash exhaled dramatically. "Barely. Not after that 'ooh daddy' tone you had looking at his pics."

Remi grinned, resting his chin on Ash's shoulder. "You mad?"

"Not mad. Just might block him."

Remi gasped, all scandal. "You wouldn't!"

"Bet."

They tussled there, pancakes forgotten, Ash trying to steal the phone while Remi clung to him from behind, both of them laughing in between fake threats.

Then, Ash reached back, cupped Remi's thigh, and tugged him closer.

"I don't care who you follow," he said, voice quieter now. "Just know... that mouth's mine."

Remi blinked, cheeks flushed. "Okay. Damn."

Ash grinned, finally spinning and pinning him against the kitchen wall, their bodies pressed close.

"You want motorcycles and tattoos?" he asked, kissing the edge of Remi's mouth. "I'll give you me, covered in oil, with a wrench in my hand. See how fast you forget that man's username."

Remi melted, fingers gripping his waist. "That sounds dangerously hot."

Ash smirked. "Good."

Then they kissed-lazy, slow, lingering-and the pancakes definitely burned.