Page 115 of Love Limits

Zhong’s deadlines were loose enough that he could shift almost all of his projects to coincide with Ash’s schedule, which meant that they now had two days off together.

As usual, Ash had gotten home an hour late last night. Their nurse supervisor had taken a different job and the new hire wasn’t doing the scheduling right or filling empty positions so they were understaffed.

It seemed that ten-hour work days often drifted into eleven or twelve hours as Ash finished up with patients and then recorded everything in their charts. Even though Zhong’s place was much closer to their work, by the time they drove home they were ready to eat anything in sight and then fall asleep.

They were still sleeping now, but Zhong had already been awake for a couple hours, gone down to the gym, and had some peanut butter toast. He had a smoothie waiting for Ash in the fridge, since they didn’t like anything too heavy in the morning and he wanted them to start the day with something healthy. He’d been sending them off to work each morning with one, and he wasn’t sure which of them was more pleased about it.

Zhong wasn’t quite sure when he had turned into a Daddy, but Ash had definitely called it. Once he knew what he was looking for, that jolt of satisfaction every time he took care of Ash, it was easy to see that it was where his interests lay.

He pulled his notebook from his pocket and looked at Ash’s list again, even though he already had it memorized. The drawings were evocative, lifelike portrayals captured in a few loose lines, because Ash was ridiculously fucking talented. He especially loved the one of the two of them sleeping, messy hair puddled together, and the puppy wagging its tail.

It was a love letter and a checklist, all in one. It was possibly the most valuable thing that he owned. He read down the list, nodding as he recalled each one. He could do all of those things, and Ash was visibly ecstatic about all of them.

The only one that was left was bath time. He wasn’t sure why it had a question mark by it, except possibly that it was the only thing that they weren’t already doing together.

He had to admit that he was a little nervous about it, both because it seemed to have a lot of significance in Caregiver relationships by what he had read, and because, well… There was a lot of nudity involved, which could be awkward for both of them in different ways.

He had a plan, though. It more or less amounted to lots and lots of bubbles, just like Ash had drawn. Good shampoo and conditioner, too. He didn’t really understand curly hair care, but he’d taken a picture of all the bottles in Ash’s shower, and bought them when he went shopping.

He reached into the tub to check the water, his whole arm getting lost in the suds before he reached the surface. He dried his arm and shut off the tap.

Maybe he had overdone it a little bit. Or maybe Ash would just be excited.

He crawled onto the bed beside Ash and ran a gentle hand over their cheek and down their chest. He still couldn’t quite believe his good fortune. This precious, amazing, adorable human was all his. His to take care of. His to love. His to keep.

He stroked down Ash’s face again and received a sleepy nuzzle in reply. He traced over their nose and across their lips. They blinked up sleepy eyes at him.

Good morning, he smiled down at them.

Ash lifted a half-hearted arm in a gesture that could charitably have been the sign for morning. Or maybe they were just stretching. They gave a wide yawn, and then finally seemed to focus. What time is it?

Almost ten. I let you sleep in. You looked like you needed it.

Thank you, Daddy, Ash replied sweetly.

Zhong felt like his heart would explode. I was thinking we could do something special this morning.

Ash bounced up. Do I get to be a puppy? You like puppies, right?

Zhong laughed. I like puppies. But there isn’t enough space in either of our apartments.

Ash’s lips formed a startled O. Is that why we haven’t been playing?

Yeah. I told you that I’d check with Dustin about his yard. Or inside his house, maybe. Though he wasn’t sure he really needed to check. He was pretty sure Dustin wouldn’t care. It was actually Landon he was more worried about. He didn’t want to intrude.

But you like it, right? Ash asked shyly.

I do. It was amazing. I can’t wait to do it again. He couldn’t get enough of saying it. This was important to Ash, and it was finally something that he could share, too.

It was the key that unlocked the puzzle of everything else.

Ash bounced on the bed. So what are we doing?

I was thinking I could give you a bath.

Ash beamed. Yes, please. With lots of bubbles. But maybe after breakfast? I’m starving.

Oops. Zhong hadn’t thought of that. If they ate first and took a while, the water would get cold. But he didn’t want them to be hungry, either.