Celeste stood in front of the mirror, hands on her hips, examining her outfit with a quiet nod of approval.
Simple sleeveless beige top, tucked into high-waisted denim shorts. Hair loosely tied in a clip, lips with a soft pink tint. Casual but cute.
She turned slightly, checking her side profile.
"Okay," she mumbled. "Not too much. Just… girlfriend cute."
She grabbed her tote bag, placed the small box she had prepared for Ash inside, and headed out.
She'd barely taken two steps into the hallway when a voice rang out.
"Stop right there."
Her whole body stilled.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Rowan stood in the hallway, still in his oversized tee and basketball shorts, hair a mess, holding a mug with a cartoon wolf on it. His eyes squinted at her over the rim.
"Are you really going to Ash dressed like that?"
Celeste blinked. "Yup!"
Rowan's eyes dragged down to her bare legs, then back up to her top.
"Nope. Go change."
Celeste let out a soft sigh, already turning back toward her room. "Alright."
She didn't argue. Didn't complain. Just quietly shuffled back, voice barely above a murmur.
"I liked this one though…"
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "You'll like it more when it's replaced with pajamas and a jacket."
Celeste didn't even look back. "Fine, fine…"
Moments later, she re-emerged—wearing long pajama pants and a zip-up hoodie. One Rowan recognized instantly.
"…Is that Ash's hoodie?" he asked, deadpan.
Celeste just smiled a little, innocent as a kitten. "Better than shorts, right?"
He narrowed his eyes at her.
"Respectable," he muttered, and walked off.
Celeste watched him disappear into the kitchen, then tugged Ash's hoodie closer around her, hiding the soft smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
.
.
.
9:26 AM
Celeste stood outside Ash's apartment, tote bag slung on her shoulder and gift box clutched gently in one hand.
She knocked.
No answer.
Knocked again, a bit louder.
Still nothing.
Her brows twitched. "Ash?"
No response.
With a soft sigh, she reached into her bag, pulled out the spare key and let herself in.
The apartment was quiet.
"Ash?" she called, stepping in and closing the door behind her.
"Where is he…?" she mumbled, glancing around.
Then she heard it.
The faint sound of water running behind the bathroom door.
She smiled.
"Oh… so you're taking a bath, huh?" she whispered to herself.
Padding over to the couch, she curled up with her legs folded beneath her, pulling Ash's hoodie tighter around her body. The scent of him lingered faintly on the fabric—warm and clean and… him.
She rested her head against the sofa arm, eyes fluttering closed as her fingers gently played with the hem of the sleeve.
Minutes later... the bathroom door creaked open.
Ash stepped out, towel draped over his shoulders, his hair damp and tousled. Shirtless, only wearing his dark joggers, water still clinging to his skin. His toned abs caught the light as he rubbed his hair dry.
And then—he froze.
There, curled peacefully on the couch, was Celeste.
Wearing his hoodie.
His heart did a full flip.
"…You seriously broke in again?" he muttered to himself, stunned.
He walked over, crouching beside her, towel now resting around his neck. Her breathing was soft. Her lips slightly parted in sleep.
Ash smiled faintly. "You didn't even wait ten minutes before knocking out…"
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
"…You're really dangerous like this, Celeste."
Her lashes fluttered.
"…Ash?" she murmured, voice still laced with sleep.
"I'm here," he replied softly. "Sorry I took long."
She stretched lazily, pulling the hoodie closer around herself. "Mmm… You're all wet."
Her gaze drifted down—and stopped on his abs.
A slow, playful smirk curled on her lips. "And hot."
Ash's ears turned red instantly. "I-I just finished showering…"
She patted the space beside her. "Come here. Sit."
Still embarrassed, Ash obeyed, dropping beside her on the couch. "What's this about…?"
Celeste turned to face him. Without a word, she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on the lips—light, quick, affectionate.
Ash blinked.
"W-What now?" he mumbled, redder than ever.
Celeste giggled. "Close your eyes."
"Huh?"
She tilted her head, giving him that smile.
"Ash. Close your eyes."
"…Okay," he muttered, slowly closing them.
His heart pounded.
W-What is she doing? Is she going to kiss me again? Wait—she could do that without needing me to close my eyes…
W-Wait. Is she going to grab my—?!
His thoughts spiraled as he sat there, completely stiff.
While Ash was busy mentally combusting,
Meanwhile, Celeste rummaged through her tote bag, pulled out a small velvet box, and carefully opened it.
Inside was the same necklace she had chosen weeks ago—the minimalist silver chain with the deep-blue stone. The one she had engraved 'Baise-moi'
She gently reached forward and, without a word, clasped it around Ash's neck—her hands brushing against his warm skin, her breath brushing his jaw as she leaned in.
He tensed slightly, heart thudding like crazy.
The scent of her shampoo filled his nose. The warmth of her lingered around his neck.
His cheeks burned.
"Done," she whispered.
Ash slowly opened his eyes.
"H-Huh…?"
He looked down and saw the necklace resting against his skin.
"A necklace…?" he said, dazed.
Celeste covered her mouth with a small snicker.
"Wait… were you thinking I was gonna—?"
"N-No!" He looked away fast. "A-Ah… well… y-yeah."
She laughed. It wasn't mocking—it was full and warm, the kind that made his chest flutter.
Ash tried to shake off the embarrassment, fingers gently brushing the charm.
"W-Well, thank you… really. I-I mean it. I've never gotten something like this before."
Celeste's smile softened.
"You deserve it."
Ash blinked at her, eyes flicking to the necklace again. Then he turned the pendant over, curious.
His brows furrowed as he read the tiny engraving aloud.
"'Baise-moi'…?" He blinked. "Baise… wait—"
His eyes shot to hers in horror.
"Cel?!"
She tilted her head with a smirk.
"It means 'fuck me.'"
He nearly yanked the necklace off.
"W-WHAT?! Y-You—why would you—?! Cel!!"
His face turned red all the way to his ears. He clutched the pendant in both hands, like trying to hide it would undo the last ten seconds.
"Y-You engraved that on my necklace?! What if someone reads it?!"
Celeste shrugged, still calm.
"They won't. It's on the back. No one will see it unless…"
She leaned in a little.
"…you want them to."
Ash groaned and covered his face with one hand.
"You're insane…"
But even as he panicked, he couldn't help the tiny laugh that slipped out.
He peeked at the necklace again.
"I love it."
And without warning, she reached out, grabbed his chin, and kissed him again.
Deeper.
Slower.
Ash's breath hitched as her lips moved against his, soft and warm and certain. Her fingers rested on his jaw, thumb brushing his cheek.
Ash slowly kissed her back—tentative at first, then with growing confidence.
Her hands slid around his neck.
His found her waist, tugging her slightly closer.
The kiss deepened. Her lips parted just a little. Ash's heart raced. He felt dizzy, but in the best way.
Celeste broke the kiss for a second, just to whisper against his mouth, "You always smell good after showers…"
Ash's voice came out breathy.
"T-Then don't distract me right after I take one…"
She smirked and kissed him again, nipping softly at his bottom lip.
"Ash…" she whispered, voice lower now.
"Hm…?"
"I'm gonna keep doing this unless you stop me."
"…I'm not stopping you."
That was all she needed.
She leaned into him again, their lips tangled again—desperate, hungry, breathless.
And the gift around his neck wasn't the only thing heating up that morning.
Ash was already losing himself in the moment, the feel of her hands on him like fire against his skin.
Celeste's fingers curled behind his nape, pulling him deeper into the kiss.
Her other hand moved lower, trailing down his bare chest, pausing on each of his abs as if savoring the shape of him.
Ash's breath hitched as her hand slipped even lower…
Until it reached the very proof of his arousal.
"Ah—!" Ash gasped, jolting slightly.
He pulled back just enough to see her eyes.
"W-Wait, Cel…" he stammered, flushed and dazed. "A-Are we really… doing it here?"
Celeste tilted her head at him with a slow, wicked smirk.
"Of course," she said. "Right here. Right now."
Ash's mouth opened—but no words came out. His brain lagged behind his body.
Then, scrambling up, he started to step away.
"I-I'll go get a condom—!"
"No," Celeste's voice was calm but firm as she reached out and grabbed his wrist before he could take another step.
"I want it raw."
Ash froze.
Slowly, he turned to face her, wide-eyed.
"N-No, we should— we have to—" he stammered. "W-We can't just—"
"I said I want it raw," she repeated, her voice low but steady, her gaze locked on him.
His whole face burned.
"C-Cel?! What are you even—?"
She stood now, facing him squarely. No teasing smile this time—just certainty.
"Just don't shoot inside," she added, her tone sharp and unapologetic. "That's all."
Ash felt like his soul left his body.
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