"Ashley! No!"

Remi limped across the living room on shaky legs, arms flailing dramatically as if that would keep Ash at bay. His cheeks were flushed, his curls a little messy, and his lips twisted into a pout that only made him look more kissable.

Ash was relentless, though, closing in with long, easy strides. "Come on, baby," he drawled, voice low and teasing.

"No!" Remi backed up another step, pointing an accusing finger at him like he was banishing a demon. "We are not having sex for the rest of this year, got it?"

Ash just smirked, head tilting, all calm and smug. "We both know that's a lie."

Remi narrowed his eyes into tiny slits, his glare sharp but his wobbly knees undercutting the effect. "I'm serious!" he shot back. "Tell me-how did I let you seduce me into going at it for two straight days? Two! Days! I must be out of my mind!"

Ash kept advancing, hands sliding into his pockets like he had all the time in the world.

"I regret every single decision that led me to the bedroom with you and that... that stupid dick of yours!" Remi's voice cracked near the end, and he punctuated it by stomping a foot. Or, he tried to.

Instead, his foot caught the coffee table.

He yelped, flailed, and-

Thud.

Down he went, landing on his ass with a loud, defeated groan.

Ash finally broke into laughter, crouching in front of him, eyes sparkling. "Oh, baby. You really think you're scaring me with all this talk when you can't even walk straight?"

Remi sat there, flustered and glaring up at him, cheeks blazing. "Shut up."

Ash grinned wider, leaning down and cupping his chin gently. "You love it," he murmured, lips ghosting over his cheek before he planted a kiss on him anyway.

Remi let out a very undignified whimper but didn't push him away. "God, I hate you," he muttered weakly.

"No, you don't." Ash helped him up, steadying him by the hips as Remi struggled to stay upright.

When Remi was finally seated on the couch, Ash handed a glass of water and watched Remi gulp it all down.

"Asshole." Remi snarled, shoving the glass cup to Ash who grinned like that was the best complimentary words ever.

"Is that how to thank me properly for taking care of you?" he asked, Remi side eyed him.

"I think you mistook torture for care but okay." he scooter closer to Ash before resting his head on his chest, his boyfriend didn't say anything and just wrapped his arms around Remi, keeping him warm as he leaned back on the couch, pulling Remi's body flushed against his.

Remi moaned against his chest, "Hmm, feels good. Hold me tighter." he said and Ash obliged. They stayed like that, their little perfect world , quiet, safe for the sound of woods in the fireplace pulping softly. Remi had slowly slipped into the embrace of sleep when the door bell chimed.

At first Ash didn't want to get up but then it chimed again, he groaned mentally and gently peeled Remi off of him. Remi's brows furrowed unconsciously for a bit as he curled on the couch and hugged the pillow Ash shoved into his arms, tighter.

Ash walked up to the door, before twisting it open. Nothing could have prepared his for whose presence shook him to the core.

"Théodore."

Ash led Theodore to the garage where his car sat gleaming under the fluorescent lights. His footsteps echoed softly as he walked ahead, but he could feel it - that heavy, unrelenting stare burning into his back.

It was so intense it made his skin prickle, heat creeping up his neck despite how hard he tried to ignore it.

Finally, Ash snapped.

He spun on his heel and glared. "Could you not stare at me like I'm your next meal? And maybe, I don't know... walk faster?"

But Theodore didn't flinch. If anything, he leaned casually against the wall behind him, dark eyes dragging slowly - purposefully - back up Ash's frame until they locked eyes again.

"I wasn't staring," Theodore said coolly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Ash let out an incredulous laugh, crossing his arms. "Oh yeah? Then what would you call it? Eyeing me up like I'm about to end up on your dinner plate?"

Theodore finally pushed off the wall, sauntering closer with that easy swagger that annoyed and flustered Ash all at once. He stopped just shy of stepping into Ash's personal space and lowered his voice.

"Just... appreciating the view," he murmured, his grin widening.

Ash's breath hitched before he could stop himself, but he covered it quickly with an annoyed scoff. "You're unbelievable."

Theodore chuckled darkly and finally let Ash turn back to lead them the rest of the way. But even as Ash walked, he could still feel those eyes on him - and damn it if it didn't make his pulse quicken.

When they reached the car, Ash stopped and waved at it. "There. Satisfied? It's fine. Thanks again for-"

But Theodore cut him off, leaning against the hood with his arms folded.

"Why do you always get so worked up when I look at you?" he asked, voice calm but laced with something heavier, something Ash didn't want to name.

Ash blinked, caught off guard by the question.

"I... don't," he muttered defensively, averting his gaze.

Theodore tilted his head, still wearing that infuriatingly knowing expression. "You do. You're blushing right now."

Ash's cheeks burned hotter as he shot back a glare. "Shut up."

Theodore grinned wider.

"I'll stop when you admit you like it."

Ash froze, jaw tightening, and that silence was all Theodore needed to know he'd hit a nerve.

He let the moment hang before finally straightening, brushing past Ash deliberately close, and murmuring just loud enough for him to hear:

"I'll wait."

Then he strode toward the car like nothing had happened, like he hadn't just made Ash's heart stutter and his breath to seize.

"The key?" Theodore asked over his shoulder.

Ash turned, tossing the key. Theodore caught it effortlessly, which only annoyed him more.

Ash watched as Theodore popped the hood and started fiddling with whatever he claimed needed checking. Ash knew damn well it was just a pathetic excuse to come over. To torture him.

Not that he didn't... sort of like it.

He wasn't used to this - liking someone who wasn't Remi. He'd always loved Remi. And then this cocky mechanic barged into their lives. Ash wasn't ready to admit how much space Theodore already seemed to take up in his head-especially those goddamn eyes of his.

When Theodore finally finished with his pointless check-up, he closed the hood and turned around with a small smile.

"All good," he said.

Ash rolled his eyes, snatching the key from his hands.

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks. You can go now," he muttered, crossing his arms.

Theodore faked a hurt look. "Chasing me away already?"

Before Ash could snap back, a familiar voice called from the house.

"Who are you talking to, Ash?"

Ash looked over to see Remi standing barefoot on the porch, rubbing sleep from his eyes with his fists. His very short shorts clung to his thighs like a second skin, his caramel skin glowing in the sunlight - and Ash felt his chest ache just looking at him.

Remi's gaze landed on Ash, then drifted to the figure standing beside him. His eyes went wide as he gasped dramatically.

"Oh my God! Teddy!?" he squealed.