Page 3 of Love Limits

I worry about you, too. Zhong gave him what he knew was a dopey grin. They really did worry about each other too much.

Or maybe they just cared a lot. Zhong debated putting worrying and caring on his checklist, but it seemed like less of a cause and more of an effect. Maybe he needed a different list for that.

Dustin got his attention. Are you sure you don’t want to move back in with me?

Zhong used to feel that question like a physical pain in his chest, but now it was more of a nostalgic twinge for his naive younger dreams.

When they’d lived together, Dustin cuddled him on the couch and cooked with him. It was kind of like this, but every day.

Zhong would have been happy doing it forever, but he could see the strain it put on Dustin’s relationships. He didn’t want to get in the way. He loved Dustin far too much for that.

So Zhong had quietly moved into a small apartment in the city.

He made sure to keep his expression light as he answered. I like my apartment. It’s close to work.

Dustin pinched his toe. You work from home.

Exactly.

Your office and bedroom are still set up here. Plus all of that exercise equipment taking up space, he complained good naturedly.

You don’t even use half the rooms in this place. And your bed is better. Until Dustin started dating someone else.

Dustin tickled the bottom of his foot and he pulled it back quickly. You’re just using me for my bed. And my storage space.

No, your bed is better because you’re a good cuddler. That was alright to say. For some reason, there was this line that Zhong could walk right up to, where they talked about cuddling and said they loved each other, but it never quite added up to a romantic relationship.

This was why Zhong wanted someone of his own. Someone asexual who wouldn’t put him aside when they started dating someone else. Someone who loved him the most.

Also, someone who liked to cuddle. That part was important. Usually at the top of every list he made.

Watching Dustin carefully to avoid further tickles, Zhong tentatively put his foot back. Time to change to a less painful subject. Want to play “whose family said the weirdest thing this week?”

Oh, man. Tell me. Was it your mother?

Nope. Mei-Lin is getting married. She was his youngest and most impulsive sibling.

What? Isn’t she nineteen or something? No, wait. She has to be...

Zhong laughed. She’s twenty-six now. Definitely legal even if she acts like she’s nineteen. She’s known this guy for maybe two months.

I bet your mother is ecstatic. Hang on… Is he Chinese?

Nope! He’s white, but he’s in med school so it’s alright. Zhong showed his skepticism as he signed. His mother had a complex point system of who was good enough to marry her children.

Mei-Lin’s marrying a doctor? She’s going to be miserable.

Yep. But at least my mother won’t be on my case to get married for another six months. I might try to stage an intervention, but not until I get a few months of freedom while they plan the wedding.

You better bring a plus one. You’re on Sunny, now, right?

Ugh. Don’t remind me. He’d tried explaining to his parents long ago that he was asexual, and now he just found it easier to mention a vague but possible string of short-term, and entirely fictional, girlfriends. He’d been giving them names in alphabetical order for the past six years because it amused him and made it easier to remember. He was on S now and they hadn’t even noticed. Maybe it’s time for Tsu or Theresa, he fingerspelled a few likely names.

How about Travis or Tom?

Totally not worth it. I mean, if I found someone I liked, I’d come out for him. I’m definitely panromantic. But since the whole purpose of this is not dealing with my parents, I’m not going to create any extra trouble.

Zhong mentally added another item to his checklist: He wanted to date someone who would get along with his family. He’d have to write that down later.