5:34PM

The bottle clinked lightly against the side of the glass as Théodore poured a generous shot of Henny, sliding it across the workbench toward Rae without missing a beat.

She caught it like muscle memory, legs kicked up on the other stool, biker boots smeared with grease and dust. Her gold-tinted low cut caught the light from the single hanging bulb overhead, and her nose ring gleamed when she raised her brows at him.

"Damn, you pouring like we celebrating," she said, tossing the drink back like juice.

Théodore chuckled, sipping his own slower. "Aren't we?"

"Your fine little couple left," she said with a knowing smirk. "That's what got you smiling like that?"

He shrugged but didn't deny it. "They got somethin'. Can't lie."

Rae leaned forward on her elbows, eyes sharp. "Don't tell me you catching feels already. It's been what? Three days?"

"They different." He swirled his drink slowly. "I like 'em."

"Yeah," she muttered. "I bet you do. That light-skinned one? Fine as hell. But the darker one-Ashley? Whew. Got that 'I'll cuss you out and still pay for your food' vibe."

Théodore smirked. "Exactly."

Rae shook her head, half-laughing. "You dangerous. I thought I was bad."

"You are," he said, tipping his glass at her.

"True," she said, grinning. "But I don't fall in love in three days."

"I didn't say I was in love," Théodore corrected, but his tone was too relaxed to be defensive.

She squinted at him. "You giving the energy, Teddy."

He didn't flinch at the nickname. He kinda liked it more coming from them, but Rae got a pass. She always had.

"They felt... right," he said finally, voice lower now, like he was sorting through the thought while saying it. "You ever meet people and feel like they just supposed to be in your life?"

"Yeah," Rae said. "Every time I meet a girl who lies and says she not clingy, and then cries if I don't text her back in ten minutes."

Théodore laughed, throwing his head back.

"Okay, maybe not like that," he said, chuckling.

"But real talk though," Rae leaned in, "you think they'd go for it? Like, actually try somethin' with you?"

He took another slow sip, then stared at the workbench for a second. "I ain't pushin' for no fantasy. I just made my move. They said yes. I'm not tryna play around either. I want something real."

Rae gave him a long look, the teasing gone for a minute. "You think they got space in their lil duo heart for you?"

He thought about Ashley's smart mouth and guarded eyes. The way Remi hugged him like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He nodded. "Yeah. I think they do."

Rae whistled low. "Well, shit. I hope you right. 'Cause the way you lookin'? If this don't work out, I'm gonna have to peel you off the shop floor."

Théodore smiled again, but softer this time. "Nah. I ain't rushing it. I just know what I want."

"Just don't be dumb, aight?" Rae said, finally standing and stretching her arms over her head. "They seem solid. Don't fumble that."

"I won't," he said, finishing his drink.

She gave him a look. "Yeah, well... if you ever need help writing that lil love letter, lemme know."

"Shut up."

"Love makes you soft, bro."

"I said shut up."

"Soft as baby lotion," she added, walking off with a smug grin, her boots clomping against the concrete as she headed back to her bike.

Théodore chuckled to himself again, letting the quiet settle in the shop as he looked at the now-parked car across from him-the one he'd fixed with more care than he'd admit.

That date better happen.

Because now?

He was in it.

And he didn't play games.

MORNING - REMI & ASH'S APARTMENT

The kitchen smelled like butter, coffee, and love.

Ash sat on the kitchen stool in nothing but grey sweats and a silver chain, legs spread lazily as his phone buzzed on the counter. Meanwhile, Remi was at the stove doing ten things at once-juggling burger patties in one pan and steaming almond milk for Ash's coffee in the other. He wore Ash's oversized tee and some silk shorts that had hearts all over them.

"You tryna seduce me with food and thigh?" Ash teased, leaning on the counter.

"I'm trying to feed you and keep you alive," Remi shot back with a playful roll of his eyes. "Big difference."

Ash smirked. "Still working though."

Remi grinned, turned, and placed a kiss on Ash's lips before turning back to flip the patties. "You always this sappy when you're hungry?"

"Only when my chef is cute," Ash said, sipping the glass of water next to him.

Remi hummed, then slid a mug of coffee toward Ash. "Two pumps vanilla, one sugar. Your usual. Don't say I don't love you."

Ash took a sip and sighed. "Marry me."

"Buy me a ring first," Remi said, doing a little spin in front of the stove. His bare legs moved as he shimmied to the lo-fi music playing softly from the speaker.

Ash chuckled, heart full.

Then-Ash's phone buzzed.

He glanced down at the screen.

> @Theo.machinix has sent you a message.

Ash blinked. "He just texted."

Remi spun back to him like a nosy cat. "Theo?! What'd he say? What'd he say?!"

Ash clicked the message, thumbs hovering like he was nervous to open a test result. Then he laughed quietly and read out loud.

> Theo.machinix:

yo, what's up y'all

how's your morning going?

Ash looked up at Remi. "He just said what's up and asked how we're doing."

Remi leaned on the counter beside him, brushing his fingers through Ash's curls. "Text back! Say we're making burgers. And that I'm being hot in the kitchen."

Ash gave him a side-eye. "I ain't writing that second part."

Remi pouted. "Fine. Just say we're cooking."

Ash typed:

> Ash.byx:

making burgers and coffee

chill morning

u?

Théodore replied almost instantly.

> Theo.machinix:

man i just finished wiping down the shop

bout to run errands in a bit

y'all better save me a burger 😤

Ash chuckled.

Remi leaned in closer. "Tell him if he comes with that same gold chain he wore on IG last week, he might just get one."

Ash gave him a deadpan look but typed anyway:

> Ash.byx:

if you show up in that gold chain from your post last week

maybe you'll earn one

Théodore reacted with the laughing emoji and replied:

> Theo.machinix:

lol damn

i'll keep that in mind

but for real-i'm picking y'all up tomorrow at 6

dress hot but comfy 😏

Ash blinked. "He said he's picking us up tomorrow at six and to dress 'hot but comfy.'"

Remi gasped like he just won a reality show. "Tomorrow?! Oh my God. I need to plan my outfit now."

Ash laughed, tucking his head into Remi's shoulder as he hugged him from the side. "You're such a drama queen."

"You love this queen," Remi said, wiggling his hips against Ash.

Ash grinned. "Yeah, I do."

Remi giggled, pecked Ash's forehead, and turned back to the stove. "I'm making extra patties. One for you, one for me, and maybe one to offer to the sexy mechanic if he ever swings by."

Ash narrowed his eyes with a smirk. "Bold of you to assume I'm giving him food and you."

"Mmhm," Remi teased, swaying his hips as he flipped the burgers. "You say that now, but you were smiling at your phone too, Mr. Ash.byx."

Ash couldn't even deny it.

And yeah... he was lowkey kinda looking forward to that date too.

----

Next Day - 4:08pm

Their bedroom looked like a tornado hit a thrift store.

Shirts on the bed. Jeans on the floor. Remi's skincare bottles were lined up like tiny soldiers on the dresser. Ash was standing in front of the mirror shirtless, holding two different button-ups and groaning.

"This is stupid. I look basic in both," Ash mumbled.

Remi, sitting cross-legged on the bed in nothing but boxers and a face mask, raised a brow. "One is black and one is navy. They're literally the same thing."

"Exactly," Ash said, throwing both onto the bed with a frustrated sigh.

Remi snorted. "You overthink everything. Just wear the black one, leave a few buttons undone. You know, the effortless sexy look."

Ash glanced at him. "You sure?"

Remi gave him a look. "Ash. I date you. I think I know what makes you hot."

Ash smirked. "Fair."

Meanwhile, Remi got up and walked to the dresser, dabbing moisturizer into his cheekbones like it was a competition. "What do I wear though? Should I go soft cute or like, bold sexy?"

Ash turned to look at him, checking him out top to bottom. "Why not both?"

Remi paused. "You're really flirting with me while we're getting ready for our date with another man?"

Ash shrugged. "Old habits die hard."

They laughed. The moment was light, real, and kind of chaotic, just like them.

Remi pulled a few clothing options from the closet, laying them out dramatically on the bed. "Okay okay, help me choose. Mesh top or that cropped knit one?"

Ash tilted his head, then pointed. "Mesh. Definitely mesh. Shows off your tattoos."

Remi smirked. "You just wanna see me suffer in the breeze."

Ash grinned. "Also true."

Remi eventually chose the mesh top, pairing it with a loose denim jacket and high-cut shorts. He sat on the edge of the bed to put on his platform sneakers, glittery laces and all-except one side refused to tie properly.

Ash, already mostly dressed and watching from the mirror, walked over, crouched down, and gently swatted Remi's hands away.

"Let me," he said.

Remi blinked. "You're tying my shoelace now?"

Ash didn't look up. "I mean, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I let you trip on the way to seduce another man?"

Remi chuckled, biting back a smile as Ash carefully looped the glittery lace, fingers slow and deliberate.

"There. Sparkly and secure," Ash said, giving Remi's ankle a small pat.

Remi looked down at him, warmth blooming in his chest. "You're disgustingly sweet sometimes, you know that?"

Ash stood and kissed the top of his head. "Only for you."

By 5:52 PM - Downstairs

Ash wore the black shirt, sleeves rolled up just right, paired with fitted jeans and sneakers. Remi settled on a mesh top under a loose denim jacket and shorts that made his legs look extra long. Lip gloss, check. Curls? Fluffed.

Ash stared at him. "You're showing thigh."

Remi shrugged. "We're being bold today."

The phone buzzed. @Theo.machinix: "Outside 😏"

Ash pocketed his phone. "He's here."

Remi grinned. "Let's go make trouble."

THEODORE

Music bounced off the walls-something smooth but upbeat, a mix of R&B and funk. Théodore moved through his space with rhythm in his steps, shirtless, socks sliding across the hardwood as he did a little spin and finger-gun at his reflection.

"Still got it," he murmured, grinning to himself.

His bedroom smelled faintly of expensive cologne and citrus body spray. A half-drunk protein shake sat on the nightstand next to a black chain-link bracelet he debated wearing.

His closet looked like a sleek fashion shoot exploded-half of his wardrobe was laid out on the bed: dark tees, bomber jackets, three different silver chains. He paused, holding a fitted charcoal tee against his chest.

"Too tight?" he asked the room. No one answered.

He frowned and tossed it back. Then picked it up again.

He eventually settled on that very tee-tight enough to show off his arms and back tattoos, but not so tight he looked like he was trying too hard. Black jeans, combat boots, and his favorite silver rings followed. His dreads were freshly re-twisted and tied back in a low bun, two loose strands hanging near his jaw.

He turned sideways at the mirror, cocked his head, and lifted one brow. "Damn."

Then he sat on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone.

4:25 PM

His fingers hovered over the keyboard. He typed:

> y'all still down for 6?

Deleted it. Rewrote:

> still game for tonight or nah?

Deleted again.

He finally just sent a devil emoji. 😈

Then added:

> Picking you two up at 6. Don't keep me waiting.

He stared at the screen for a moment. His heart thumped a little.

They hadn't made it clear if this was a date date. Or a hangout. Or a crash course in emotional chaos.

Théodore exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face.

"You're not nervous. You don't do nervous," he said to himself.

Then, softer, "...But what if they don't like it?"

His eyes flicked to the corner of the room where he'd stacked a few last-minute additions: a picnic basket, an aux cord playlist, some non-alcoholic champagne Remi liked, and a sleek, black speaker he borrowed from his brother.

He'd even gone so far as to clean out the backseat of his car.

Because yeah, he was ready to flirt and tease-but somewhere under the silver chains and cocky grin, he wanted tonight to go well.

He wanted them to see he was more than a walking smirk.

5:55 PM

He sat behind the wheel of his matte black car, tapping his fingers on the leather steering wheel. The engine purred beneath him, music low and moody in the background.

He checked his mirror. Re-checked the back seat. Took a breath and fluffed his dreads once. Then checked his phone.

Still no response.

He opened the camera and snapped a shameless photo-angled just right, jawline sharp, chains glinting.

He added a smirking emoji and hit send:

> Outside 😏

6:01 PM

He leaned against the hood of the car, trying to look casually cool. His heartbeat thumped behind his ribs.

Then he saw them.

Remi in mesh and thigh. Ash in black and broody. Together, they looked like trouble-and exactly what he wanted.

Théodore grinned slowly.

Let the night begin.

-A date night with the upcoming throuples

-Vote, comment and Share if you like 🥰

Teaser ≈ “I get it,” he said quietly. “Whatever pace you need, I’ll match it. No pressure. But I’m not backing off either. I want to show you I’m serious. I want to earn my space—earn you. Both of you.”