Page 81 of Love Limits

Another evening of grown-up board games and cuddles. Another adorable lunch at work the next day. Memes and messages exchanged about everything and nothing.

So finally, Ash had worked up the courage this morning for a video call with Zhong. They needed to know. So they’d asked if they might, just possibly, get to do it again if they were feeling extremely stressed and really needed it.

Zhong had given them a searching look, like he was trying to figure something out. Then he’d told them that of course that would be fine. He seemed more puzzled than enthusiastic, though.

So, there it was. Zhong wasn’t their Daddy.

Which they knew. Maybe if they told themself twenty thousand billion more times they’d get it through their head.

Ash had also texted Josh to bring up their body stuff. It was easier to explain in writing, and honestly, if Josh had an issue with it they didn’t want to find out on a playdate.

Josh had taken it all in a stride. He claimed to be pansexual, though he’d mostly played with female littles in the past, which was typical for the community—there just weren’t that many males interested in that kind of play. And he said he’d be fine with however Ash’s body looked or however they wanted to be touched. So that was good.

Then he’d told them they were cute and sent a picture of a teddy bear. It was kind of a generic teddy bear, no real personality, but it was the thought that counted. Josh had bought them a stuffy.

And that was why they were here today, sitting awkwardly in Josh’s driveway.

If Zhong couldn’t be their Daddy, they needed someone who could.

Alright, time to do this. They pulled their keys out of the ignition and got out of the car.

Josh’s house was… expensive. That was really the best word for it.

It was in an even nicer suburb than Dustin’s place, which they hadn’t even known was possible. And for sheer affluence, it put Dustin’s place to shame. It had its own curved driveway and even a fountain.

Ash reminded themself that money didn’t determine kindness, even if it had at points in their past. They loved Dustin’s place now that they knew how cozy the old couch was on game nights and knew that Zhong did all the gardening. Planting the garden together with Zhong and Landon had actually been a lovely day.

This place was at least half a million more than the place Dustin had inherited from his aunt. Hopefully Josh’s personality wouldn’t change. He’d been kind and down to earth on their first date.

The front door opened and Josh stepped out of it, wearing a smile. Ash smiled back and finally walked toward him.

Josh was handsome and tall enough that Ash had to look up to meet his eyes when he stepped closer. His dark hair was starting to gray at the temples, showing the decade that he had on Ash, which only added to the attraction.

And there really was attraction there, a fluttery warm feeling when Josh reached out a hand. Ash just needed to lean into it and put Zhong out of their mind.

“Hey, glad you made it!”

“Yeah, um, me too.”

“I was worried you weren’t going to get out of the car.” He said it kindly, the gentle lines crinkling around his mouth.

“I just needed a moment.”

“It’s chilly out. Why don’t you come inside?”

While Josh opened the door, Ash took the opportunity to look him over. He was slender but still strong, his ass round and firm in his pressed slacks. He didn’t have anything like Zhong’s physique, of course. And his arms probably wouldn’t hold them like...

Nope. Not thinking about Zhong.

Ash slipped into the house. A grand piano, shiny and sleek, took up one whole room. Did Josh play or was it for show?

If it was for show, the idea of it made Ash uncomfortable. Their mother used to clean homes like that, where people bought impressive instruments to put on display.

And if it was important to Josh, if it was something he did for enjoyment, well… Ash would likely be able to hear the lower notes, like sound underwater. They had, perhaps, a memory of a memory of their kindergarten teacher playing a piano. If this was important to Josh, they could never share it with him without a pickup to amplify it for their hearing aids.

Actually, they were pretty sure that music was playing now. Something probably quiet in the background, though they couldn’t make it out. They caught hints of a bass line.

But they were getting ahead of themselves. They turned a little farther, taking in the grandiose kitchen. It was as nice as Dustin’s, but didn’t appear to get much use. Or maybe it did, and Josh just kept it spotless. Maybe he paid someone to both cook and do the cleaning.