Steps •asheiji•

•Chapter 7•

"How about you shower with me?"

Ash's eyes widened as he realized what he just said.

Eiji's body heats up at the thought.

Although they are very close, the most 'naked' that Ash would get around Eiji would be him without a shirt. Seriously. Ash never walked around in his boxers unlike Eiji who frequently did so. It made him feel vulnerable.

"Well d-do you really want me to shower w-with you?" Eiji muttered still confused.

"Well..." Ash trailed off. Nobody's ever seen him naked except his older brother Griffin because he raised Ash since he was young. Although other people that did didn't give Ash the best experience.

They made Ash feel like a whore. Made him lose his self worth and self respect.

"We don't have to!" The raven haired boy spoke up. "We're taking baby steps and if this makes you uncomfortable it's fine."

Ash was getting a little flustered. His stomach was twisting and turning in different ways. He new himself well and he knew that if he didn't at least try, they'd be in this baby steps phase forever.

"I-I want to do it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I can't keep hiding from this..."

                              //Later//

In the bathroom

Eiji was already striped down to his boxers, turning on the shower head and sticking his hand under to feel the water temperature.

It was cold.

"Well, we'll have to wait awhile for the water to heat up. " Eiji said while turning around only to be met with his boyfriend slowly taking off his own shirt with his back towards him.

Fuck. he takes his shirts off the hot way, Eiji thought. You know that way that guys pull their shirts over their heads with their arms crossed. So fucking hot.

Eiji's eyes burn holes into the muscles on Ash's back and he could trace every curve on the younger's slim body.

Ash stopped. His body looked hesitant as he reached for his jean zipper. He slowly zipped down and pulled his pants off...less hot? He almost tripped getting out of his skinny jeans. Eiji was glad that the running water drowned out his snickers.

Ash turned around and Eiji quickly turned back to the shower, burning his hand because now the water was too hot. He yelped in pain and turned around to see Ash staring at him with concerned eyes.

"Are you okay Ei!?" Ash said as he grabbed Eiji's hand and stuck it under the cold water of the sink.

"Yeah I'm okay. I just wasn't expecting it." the whimpering boy said as the cold water hit his hand.

They had both seemed to have completely forgotten the fact that they were just in their boxers. But that didn't last for long. Eiji soon remembered as Ash was rubbing circles into his hand to try and sooth the pain.

Eiji's hand was fine now but was he going to complain? No.

Eiji tried to avoid looking anywhere besides Ash's face which proved to be harder that he thought.

Ash then went to fix the water temperature. Not to cold but warm. Perfect.  

He felt surprisingly calm. It could be the rhythmic sound of water hitting the tiles of the shower floor. Or maybe the fact that Eiji has not looked anywhere near his crotch.

Once the water water was ready, the two men just waited in awkward silence for the other to make a move.

"How about we shower in our boxers?" Eiji suggested.

"What? In our boxers?"

"Yeah I mean unless you want to take yours off."

"Um I think I'm good." Ash laughed.

To be honest. Eiji was scared too. He's never gotten this far with any of his past relationships, which weren't many. He didn't want to freak Ash out. Hell, Lord knows how Ash would react.

"After you madam." Eiji said as he held the shower curtain open.

"Wow I feel so special." Ash giggled as he stepped into the shower.

Eiji was next and got in. The warm water causing him to hum softly and start rubbing up his torso.

Ash felt his breath hitch as he watched Eiji take some soap and lather it up his stomach. He had a nice build. Stomach toned with a hint of slight abs from pole vaulting.

The Japanese boy looked up with dark wet hair and hooded eyes. He looked stunning. He handed the blonde boy the soap and went back to washing himself.

Ash went to wash his own stomach. He couldn't help but notice the difference in his and Eiji's body. Eiji's was slightly muscular while his was toned and more slim.

Ash was soon met with hands in his hair massaging in some pineapple scented shampoo. He looked up to see his boyfriend on his tippy toes with his tongue sticking out in concentration.

"Stay sill," Eiji said. "I don't want to get any in your eyes."

Ash closed his eyes and he felt Eiji running his hands through his hair. A wave of tranquility rush over his body as his boyfriend now rinsed out his hair under the shower.

After their shower they dried off and Eiji went into the bedroom. To change out of his soaked boxers while Ash did the same in the bathroom.

Ash felt accomplished. He didn't back down and instead rose to the challenge. He doesn't know when he'll be willing to show himself fully to Eiji, but at least he's taken one more step.

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                               🍌x🐠
I'm really proud of this chapter I don't know why.