Breakfast had come and gone. The sun hung lazily outside the window, casting a warm glow across the couch where Celeste now lay, her head tilted back, hair spilling across the cushion like a rose-colored waterfall.
"A-Ash—"
Celeste's breath hitched as her head fell back against the armrest of the couch, one hand gripping the edge of the cushion. Her other hand was buried in Ash's hair, fingers curling tighter with every shaky exhale.
"Ah—ngh… Ash—there..."
Her voice cracked on his name, airy and desperate, as his movements below stayed steady—earnest and focused, like he was giving it everything he had. He was red-faced, nervous, but determined, licking her like she was some sort of delicate ice cream he didn't want to melt too fast.
Celeste's legs trembled as the heat in her stomach curled tighter, spiraling upward.
"Ash—!"
The sound left her in a gasp, her whole body arching with a sudden, helpless cry. Her back lifted from the couch for just a second before falling again, Celeste's breath was still uneven, her chest rising and falling gently as the aftershocks rolled through her.
Her hand slowly loosened in Ash's hair, fingers slipping down to rest against his cheek.
Ash, completely red in the face, let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. And then—without a word—he flopped right on top of her, collapsing like all the tension in his body had snapped at once.
"Mmgh," he muttered into her shoulder, burying his face deep into the crook of her neck, too flustered to lift his head. "I can't believe I just did that," he mumbled, muffled. "What is happening to me…"
Celeste gave a light laugh, still breathless.
"You licked me like a dessert and then turned into a tomato."
Ash groaned and pulled a pillow over his face.
"Please don't say it like that."
They stayed like that for a moment—tangled on the couch in the quiet living area, sunlight painting soft shadows across the walls.
Then, after a soft hum, Celeste broke the silence.
"So…"
Ash peeked up just a little. "So?"
She smirked. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Um… recovering from this?"
Celeste rolled her eyes, grinning.
"I meant… wanna go on a date?"
Ash blinked.
"Like… a real date?"
She nodded.
"You've already seen me like this, so we might as well do the whole thing properly. Maybe lunch? Somewhere sunny. No couches involved."
He gave a shy smile, his head still resting against her.
"Yeah… I'd like that."
"Good," she whispered, curling her arm around him. "But I still might call you ice cream boy."
Ash let out a dramatic groan and buried his face again.
__________
[SUNDAY – 1:34 PM]
Celeste's Apartment
Celeste sat in front of her mirror, a soft sigh leaving her lips as she dusted a light shimmer across her cheekbones. Natural light bathed the room in gold, highlighting the faint flush that still lingered on her skin from the night before.
She wore a cream-colored, high-waisted skirt with a soft pleated design that ended just above her knees. It paired perfectly with a sleeveless lavender blouse, its silky fabric catching the light whenever she shifted. The top framed her collarbones and hugged her figure in all the right places. Her makeup was minimal—just a light blush, soft eyeliner, and a pale tint on her lips.
As she leaned forward to fix a tiny smudge on her lower lash line, she winced.
"Haa… my back hurts from last night," she mumbled to herself, resting an elbow on the table.
"We've been doing it—or was it just me doing him?"
She narrowed her eyes at her reflection with a lopsided grin.
"Ash keeps resisting… but once we start, he turns into a beast."
Celeste capped her lip tint and reached for the final touch: a delicate perfume vial. She dabbed it behind her ears, then across her wrists, humming softly. The scent was sweet, fresh, and undeniably hers.
She stood and smoothed her skirt, giving herself a once-over in the mirror.
Then, she grabbed her bag—small, simple, elegant.
Inside: a folded handkerchief, her perfume, a compact mirror, and tucked into the inner pocket—a single silver-foiled condom, discreet and deliberate.
She'd taken it from Ash's drawer while he was distracted last night.
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"He thinks it's just lunch. How cute," she whispered to herself.
With a flip of her hair, she slung the bag over her shoulder and turned toward the door.
___________
Ash stood outside her apartment door, shifting from foot to foot as he adjusted the sleeves of his charcoal-gray button-up, which fit just a little too perfectly. His black slacks were neatly pressed, and a silver watch glinted faintly at his wrist.
But the real highlight?
His new haircut and those thin, silver-rimmed glasses.
They framed his face perfectly, making his already soft, handsome features look unfairly attractive.
Ash knocked on the door and waited, his heart thudding a little harder than usual.
The door opened with a soft click.
Ash blinked as he saw what Celeste was wearing. and her makeup was light—just enough to highlight her already striking features. A hint of perfume drifted toward him, floral and warm.
Ash blinked again.
And again.
Oh… oh no…
His thoughts scattered like birds.
His eyes widened just a little, and he instantly looked away, flustered. But then he peeked again, unable to stop himself. His face flushed pink, then red, then even redder.
"Wha— I mean—uhh…"
He tried to find a normal reaction. A sentence. A word. But all he could manage was:
"You… look… wow."
Celeste smirked knowingly.
"Just wow?"
Ash opened his mouth, then closed it. He could feel his ears burning.
"You look beautiful," he said, quieter this time—almost like it slipped out before he could stop it.
Celeste raised a brow, pleased. She locked her door behind her and stepped beside him.
"You're drooling," she teased with a playful nudge.
Ash immediately wiped his lips.
"Wha— I'm not—!"
Then he saw her grin.
He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You really love doing that, don't you…"
Celeste walked past him, her skirt swaying, then turned with a wink.
"Hihi~ Let's go, lover boy."
Ash followed behind, blushing furiously, lips parting like he wanted to say something—but couldn't. He glanced down at himself, then back up at her again.
I'm supposed to be the guy, but why does she always make me feel like this?
Does she know what she's doing to me? Of course she does. She planned this. I'm doomed.
Meanwhile, behind Celeste's calm walk, her own cheeks were just slightly warm. Her heart fluttered too—but she kept her cool.
Damn it, Ash… That fresh haircut, those glasses, and that outfit? how is he so cute and hot at the same time? You're not making it easy to behave today.
__________
[Amusement Park]
They were at the Skycrest Amusement Fair—a lively sprawl of pastel tents, whirling rides, and the scent of popcorn and sugar in the air. Families bustled past, children screamed gleefully, and somewhere above, the giant ferris wheel turned slow and steady against the summer sky.
Ash and Celeste stood out—but they didn't care.
No one would've guessed their relationship was a secret by the way they acted.
Ash had a soft smile on his face as Celeste tugged him through the crowd, her fingers laced through his like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her skirt fluttered as she walked, cotton candy in the other hand, laughing as she tried to feed him a bite.
"C'mon, just one taste!"
"It's literally pure sugar"
"Exactly! That's the point."
He ended up with a pink puff to the cheek and a sticky kiss on the jaw a moment later. He groaned but didn't let go of her hand.
.
.
.
They stood at the edge of the carousel, pointing at the silly horses and arguing over which one looked cursed. Ash finally caved and rode one beside her, cheeks flushed as Celeste took a secret photo mid-spin.
.
.
.
They shared a giant soda with two straws while waiting in line for a ride that spun them in circles—Ash lowkey terrified, Celeste thrilled. She teased him the whole time, her head leaning against his shoulder after the ride ended and his legs were wobbly.
.
.
.
The ferris wheel.
The sky now dimmed into warm orange. Lights flickered on one by one.
They were alone in their little compartment, the city stretching far below.
Celeste leaned back, looking out with a soft hum.
"I love heights," she said. "It's like… you can see every path you could've taken. And yet—"
She turned to him with a small smile. "I'm glad I took this one."
Ash's eyes met hers, and for once, he didn't look away.
He smiled.
"Me too."
Their hands found each other again.
No words were needed as the wheel turned slowly above the world—where, just for now, nothing else mattered but them.
.
.
.
They stepped off the Ferris wheel, laughter bubbling between them. Ash was still visibly flustered, cheeks pink from how tightly Celeste had clung to him at the top. Her hand never left his, and their fingers were still laced.
Celeste gave the area a quick glance—her eyes landing on a modern public restroom building tucked to the side, past a cluster of food stalls and drink booths.
She smirked.
"Ash," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "I think I need to go to the restroom."
Ash blinked. "Oh, alright. Where is it—"
He turned to look around, but before he could finish, Celeste tugged his hand.
"There."
"O-Okay," he mumbled, letting her pull him along.
The restroom was one of those shared, unisex types—sleek, clean, with several private stalls and a long sink counter. Once they arrived just outside, Celeste turned to him.
"Wait here," she said sweetly.
Ash stood there, nodding like a kid, unsure of what to do with his hands.
"…Maybe her stomach's upset from all those rides," he muttered, glancing around, trying not to look awkward just standing outside a restroom.
A few minutes passed.
Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Celeste:
Come here.
I need some help.
Ash tilted his head, brows furrowed. He texted back.
Ash:
Ok, I'm coming.
He stepped through the automatic door cautiously. The restroom was empty—echoing softly with the faint hum of the air vents.
Still looking concerned.
"Cel?" he called.
"In here," her voice called from one of the closed stalls.
Ash stepped closer, still confused.
"I—uh, what kind of help?" he asked, peering toward the stalls.
The door creaked open.
Before he could say another word, Celeste's hand shot out, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him inside with surprising strength. The door shut behind him in a soft thud.
"W-Wha—?"
Ash barely got a word out before she gently pushed him down to sit on the closed toilet seat. He stumbled into it, blinking up at her in pure confusion—face already flushing pink.
Celeste stood in front of him with a smirk playing on her lips.
"You'll see," she whispered, her voice dripping with mischief.
Ash gulped.
He was definitely not ready for this kind of help.
___________