After that…
.
.
.
.
.
Their lips met softly—then hungrily.
What started as a gentle kiss quickly deepened, their breaths hitching between each shared pull. Celeste's fingers curled lightly at the hem of Ash's shirt, tugging him closer. Their mouths moved in sync, warm and feverish, tongues brushing, teasing, tasting.
Ash let out a soft sound against her lips, his hands gripping the back of her shirt like he was afraid she'd disappear.
"Ce–Cel…" he whispered breathlessly, but she silenced him with another kiss.
Her lips trailed down to his neck—soft kisses turning into slow, languid licks that made his knees wobble.
His breath hitched.
"C-Cel…"
She smiled against his skin, then kissed her way back up to his lips, where their mouths met again, this time more desperate—open-mouthed, deep, and messy. Her tongue slid past his lips again, dancing with his, slow and hot and unhurried, like they had all the time in the world.
Ash moaned quietly into her kiss, helpless under the way she moved—like she knew exactly what she was doing to him.
And then—
Her hand, previously pressed against his chest, slipped lower.
Down his stomach.
Feeling every faint dip of muscle through the fabric.
And lower still, until her palm cupped him over his shorts.
"Ha… Cel…"
His voice was a soft, ragged gasp. His cheeks were burning.
She was just about to slip her hand beneath the waistband—
*G R R R R R R R O W L.
A stomach-growl erupted—loud, echoing, and completely unforgivable.
They both froze.
Celeste blinked.
Ash blinked back, breath still uneven.
Silence.
Then Celeste stepped back an inch, her palm still awkwardly resting against his waistband as her eyes slowly, slowly dropped toward her own stomach.
"…Did I just—?"
Ash's lips trembled… trying not to laugh.
"Was that you?" he asked, voice shaking from the effort.
Celeste groaned, burying her face in his chest.
"I hate everything."
Ash finally burst out laughing, pulling her close.
"No, no, don't be mad—it was just… really loud."
"I was about to have my main course and my stomach went, 'No girl, dinner first.'" she mumbled against his shirt.
He laughed harder.
Celeste finally stepped back, dramatically wiping invisible tears from her eyes. "Well, that killed the mood."
Ash was still flushed, still breathless… but his grin was stupidly fond.
"You're adorable," he said, and kissed her forehead.
She looked up at him and sighed. "Can we rewind five minutes and try again?"
"I think your stomach would still interrupt."
"Rude."
He reached for her hand.
"Come on. I'll make you something. T-Then you can do… w-whatever you were planning."
She smirked.
"Oh, I'm really planning to."
Ash choked on air.
________
The scent of garlic rice, soy-glazed chicken, and sautéed vegetables lingered warmly through Ash's apartment.
Celeste sat cross-legged on one of the dining chairs, hair slightly tousled, eyes glinting like a girl who absolutely did not regret almost jumping someone five minutes ago.
Ash set two plates on the table with a sheepish smile.
"It's nothing fancy."
Celeste beamed.
"If you made it, I already know it's criminally good."
He scratched the back of his neck, cheeks pink behind his glasses.
"You're exaggerating."
"You fed me for, like, a whole semester, remember? I was basically a gremlin living off your cooking. If I flunked school, I was gonna blame you for keeping me too happy."
She took her first bite and moaned softly.
"Mmm. Still dangerous. You're wife material."
Ash turned bright red and looked away.
"P-Please don't say that while we're eating."
She grinned.
"Why not? This chicken's tender. That glaze? Amazing. I'm gonna marry your cooking."
He nearly tripped as he sat down.
"Wh-Why do you say stuff like that with a straight face?"
Celeste leaned on one hand, voice casual.
"Because I liked seeing you blush like a microwave-ready strawberry."
"I'm trying to eat," he muttered, stabbing at his rice.
"You can multitask, lover boy."
He avoided her eyes, chewing furiously. But her gaze followed him.
"You always do this," he said. "Say ridiculous stuff while I've got food in my mouth."
"Well," she said with another bite, "it's not my fault your reactions are so delicious."
Ash gave her a look.
"Celeste. We are literally in front of food. Behave."
She slowly licked her lips—intentionally.
"C-Celeste—please—don't do that in front of the garlic rice."
She smirked.
"You like it though."
He turned even redder.
"Th-that's not the point!"
Celeste leaned back, crossing her legs.
"Is your blush worse because of what I said… or because you're secretly proud of your rice?"
"…Both," he mumbled.
She laughed and nudged his ankle under the table.
"You're adorable when you're flustered."
"I'm not adorable."
"You are. Completely edible."
Ash nearly dropped his spoon.
"E-Eat. Please. Just eat." and grabbed a glass of water to drink.
"I am," she said sweetly. "And after this, I want dessert."
He blinked. "I don't think I have sweets—"
Celeste leaned in, voice low. "Who said I was talking about sweets?"
Ash choked on his water.
"Hihi," she giggled.
They continued eating—slower now. Playful glances were exchanged between bites, smiles lingering longer than necessary.
Under the table, her foot nudged his again.
Ash chuckled softly.
"You're impossible."
"Yet here I am."
"And I'm glad."
Celeste smiled.
"You'll be even more glad later."
Ash turned bright red and almost choked on his rice.
____________