Page 53 of Love Limits

I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. I mean… do asexual people even use them?

Ash pretended to look toward the heavens for help. Of course they do. There are whole dating sites just for ace relationships. And you can find ace folks on some of the mainstream dating sites, too. It’s an option you can check.

But some people don’t read it?

Apparently. Ash shrugged. Either way, let’s make you a profile.

This sounded like a lot less fun than playing a board game, but Ash seemed to be on a mission and Zhong didn’t mind going along with it. In the unlikely event that he found someone compatible, it was probably worth the effort.

Ash unearthed a laptop from beneath a pile of fabric and, indeed, found a surprising number of ace-specific apps with the first search. They started with OKCupid, though.

Here, they thrust the computer at Zhong but curled up next to him to look over his shoulder. This is going to be so much fun!

With a sigh, he poked around until it registered him with his Facebook account. A few clicks later, there were some choices about his gender identity and… there it was. A little box that said “Asexual.” He selected it. Ash recommended that he select “Queer” at the same time to get more partners who could then read his profile and figure out the ace part.

Or not read it? he asked with a smile.

Bingo square!

After that, there were questions. They were kind of fun, actually. The only one he had to type in was “how would your best friend describe you?”

Ash didn’t even pause. Here, I’ll tell you what to type.

Are you my best friend? he asked, only slightly joking but curious about the answer. His best friend was Dustin, but, well, it felt like Ash might be creeping into a close second place.

I’m your best friend who’s on the couch right now.

OK, fair. What do I type?

Caring. Intelligent. Geeky. Sexy shoulders. Makes tasty dinners. Charismatic.

Oh! Did Ash really see him that way? He didn’t usually look for compliments, but hearing it from Ash meant a lot. He typed all of it except the sexy shoulders part.

Hey! You skipped something.

I’m not writing that.

Come on. You have the sexiest shoulders ever. That was the first thing that I thought when I saw you—that I wanted to draw your shoulders.

Well, you can draw them any time.

Ash beamed.

But I’m not putting it in my profile.

Fine. Ash pouted. OK, go to the next question. Here’s where it gets fun.

They read it together. “How long do you want your next relationship to last?” That one was easy. “The rest of my life.”

Ash nuzzled against his shoulder. I want that, too.

You’ll find someone. Probably way before I do. Zhong dropped a kiss on their head. That was OK, right? After all, Ash had kissed his cheek earlier.

Then it asked the same question in reverse. “Your ideal person would say…” and he selected “The rest of my life” again. That was a nice thought.

The next was “Which describes you better? Carefree or Intense?”

He clicked carefree. Ash darted in and switched it.