Page 49 of Love Limits

Zhong: I bet it’s beautiful.

Zhong: And possibly messy.

Ash waited for a super long light and sent Zhong a picture of a hurricane and then sent Landon a picture of a little cartoon animal yelling “squeeeeeee!” It was like all of the best parts of their life coming together.

They loved their work and they loved living close to their mother. But they hadn’t had real Deaf community in years, and this seemed like a friend group that they could really be a part of. If Dustin and Landon worked out as a couple, and Zhong was always spending time with Ash… well, it would be a bit like a double date. In Ash’s mind only, of course.

Even if it wasn’t, ASL, board games, and good company were the ultimate draw.

Their phone kept buzzing all through the drive. When they finally made it home, they grabbed a slice of cold pizza from the fridge and flopped down on their bed, phone in hand. They had a lot of scrolling to do.

At some point, Zhong had apparently realized that they were having parallel conversations, with Ash messaging Zhong and Landon, and Zhong messaging Dustin and Ash, and Dustin and Landon showing each other their phones.

So Zhong had apparently created a group chat, and Ash got to share the GIF fun with everyone. They could just imagine Zhong’s wide smile and Landon’s amused grin. They ended up giggling on their bed at almost every post.

This was exactly what Ash had been looking for. They felt like a teenager staying up late gabbing with all of their friends on their phone. They didn’t want it to end.

But now they were planning to have regular game nights, and Zhong even set up a group calendar for Ash to put their crazy schedule in so everyone else could accommodate it. So now they could hang out with Landon and Zhong.

They figured that Dustin might be pretty OK, too, if Zhong and Landon appreciated him that much. He was still the most reserved one of the bunch, but Ash was slowly getting to know him. He was sincere and kind, making snarky jokes with Zhong but supporting Landon with a caring thoughtfulness.

Yeah, Ash could definitely see the four of them hanging out a lot. How had their life possibly gotten this good?

Eventually Dustin threatened—in the chat—to take Landon’s phone away if he didn’t stop messaging and go to bed. Ash had already admitted they were yawning, but they just had to write back.

Ash: don’t give in, landon! stay up with me!

Dustin: I didn’t think you were the naughty one, Ash.

Ash: who me?

Zhong: Yes, you.

Landon/Lena: I knew they were naughty. That’s why they need a Daddy.

Ash: i dooooo! but i was just helping out a friend.

Ash: (landon, this is how you get yourself a spanking.)

Dustin: That’s not the punishment we’re talking about here.

Ash gave an internal cheer when they read that. Dustin seemed like he was getting a lot less shy about his kinks, which would help Landon feel more comfortable, too.

Landon/Lena: OK, really gotta go, guys! Night!

Dustin: Night, all.

Zhong: Goodnight. Sleep well.

Ash: night! (landon, hold out for that spanking…)

Ash was about to put away their phone to brush their teeth, but it buzzed again.

Zhong: When are you free this week?

Zhong was writing to them in a private thread now. And wasn’t that sweet? It was like he just assumed they’d be hanging out.

Zhong: I feel like I need your schedule just for myself.