Retrouvailles

Chapter Three

The rain seemed to only get worse the more Ashe thought about his secret lover. He grimaced at the thought. He remembered now that their relationship had been somewhat of a secret. Not even his parents knew why he had suddenly decided to stay in France.

His reflection reminded him of how much he had changed since meeting Simon. His eyes were once a bright pop of green, contrasting his pale skin and his silvery white hair. Now, for worse of luck, he looked older. Although his hair still shone like snow and his skin pale as ever, his eyes were much more calm than the playful years of his youth. He simply looked tired, bored. Miserable as they come. His reflection held the truth, even though he'd hate to admit it. Ashe couldn't help but remember how quickly he began acting like a giddy school girl. Everything happened so fast back then.

"Simon, are you going somewhere?"

Ashe managed to haul himself out of their now shared bed. He yawned loudly and rubbed his eyes, trying to wake up. Simon was quickly pulling on the same suit he wore on their first date. Ashe smiled at the thought. That had been almost six months ago.

"I'm sorry to wake you mon amour. I forgot I had a job interview today."

That woke Ashe up quickly.

"Simon? You're trying to get a job?" He smiled brightly and walked over to him, taking his tie from his fumbling hands and beginning to tie it.

"I know how silly it sounds. But my parents aren't going to pay for this place forever. And even though you continue to pay rent every month despite my protests, my sister keeps bothering me about 'growing up'."

Ashe finished the tie and tilted his head slightly.

"You have a sister?"

Simon's eyes widened at that. "Merde. You didn't hear anything, okay?"

Simon kissed his cheek softly before grabbing a small case and rushing to the front door.

"Simon, I'm not letting this go!" Ashe playfully glared at him and followed him to the door.

"Okay, okay. We'll talk when I get home alright?"

Ashe smirked to himself. "Alright. I hope everything goes well."

Simon smiled at that and leaned forward, kissed his forehead, and opened the door.

"Coming from you, amour, nothing can go wrong."

Ashe blushed lightly and nodded, shooing him out and watching him run down the hall to the elevator.

"Good luck!" Simon waved just as the doors shut, and Ashe stood there for a moment.

"I feel like a woman." Ashe shook his head, laughing to himself, and came back inside, shutting the door. Desperately awaiting Simon's return.

While waiting for his lover to come back Ashe decided it was time he took a shower. He loved the way water rolled off his body in Simon's luxurious bathroom. After spending almost too much time bathing, Ashe wrapped a large white towel around his waist and rummaged through his clothes.

He decided to just wear one of Simon's large button-up silk shirts. They were entirely too large for Ashe, but he adored how it hung off his skinny frame. His short, white briefs barely visible underneath the shirt. If Simon were here Ashe would be too shy to walk about the apartment without trousers on. But alone, he felt as if he should be able to do whatever he wished.

Soon enough, he was dancing all around the apartment to the radio, coffee in hand. He only spilt a bit here and there, and managed to clean it up despite his fits of giggles.

Several hours have passed and Ashe was still dancing along in the living room. He was having a grand time, especially without the embarrassment of seeing eyes. He didn't even notice the door being unlocked, and Simon walking in to see his lover of six months dancing around in only a shirt with a mug of coffee.

"Well, don't you look happy?" Simon chuckled as Ashe quickly turned around and his face turned red.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry you had to see that!" Ashe stuttered quickly as he sat his cup down and moved to turn the radio off.

Simon grabbed his hand and set his case down on the table.

"You look absolutely beautiful."

Ashe blinked up at him and was about to say something when Simon interrupted.

"May I have this dance, amour?" Simon chuckled as Ashe nodded and took his hands, starting to dance slowly across the room.

Ashe avoided looking Simon in the eyes, too embarrassed to speak. They danced for the duration of the song being played, and once over, Simon gently turned off the radio and held Ashe close to him.

"I see you're wearing my night shirt."

He nodded once again. "Yes I find them quite comfortable."

Simon chuckled and held him out at arm's length. "You should do this more often."

Ashe tilted his head, confused. "Why?"

He was pulled back into a gentle embrace and wrapped his arms around Simon's torso. "Because, it suits you."

Ashe made a face as he thought of those words. "It suits you." Simon had always said that about everything Ashe did. It all suited him. He supposed now that the statement was true, since everything he did was his own doing. Still, he never really understood why Simon said that to him. Yes, Ashe knew what he did suited him, but why Simon always told him was just as big of a mystery as he was.