Asher watched Asif pluck out a complex melody on his guitar. Asif was perched on the edge of the couch with his notebook, scribbling notes every few moments. His nimble fingers danced across the frets easily. He frowned at his notebook, scratching out a few lines. He closed his eyes and returned to the guitar, playing through the finished part of the melody again.
Asher loved watching Asif write music. It was so foreign to him. He wouldn't even know where to begin, yet Asif could sit down with an instrument and walk away with a completed song a few hours later.
"Sorry, am I bugging you?" Asif's hand hesitated over the frets, watching Asher. He had been caught staring.
Asher laughed from his seat on the other side of the couch. "Not even close," he smiled. "Can I hear what you have so far?"
Asif began playing, humming along lightly to whatever he ws planning for the verse. "I don't have lyrics for this part yet," he said apologetically as he played. His knee bounced slightly as he ramped up to the chorus, switching from plucking to strumming. He sang quietly when he did, keeping his eyes down on his notes. "Tell me that I'm different, tell me that you love me, tell me nothing matters cuz it's all the same, well baby I'll try..." He played a few more chords, running through the progression twice. "Good thing that I'm sober, good thing that I'm clean, there's puzzles in the paragraphs and lines in between, so baby goodnight..." He paused. "I don't like that." He set his guitar down on the coffee table and snatched up his notebook, frowning.
Asher didn't want the music to stop. Asif was taking more notes, scowling. He leaned over and guided Asif's hands to set the notepad down. "I love it," he said honestly.
Asif frowned, looking unsure. "It isn't done-"
He folded the notebook closed and set it on the coffee table. "You're overthinking it."
Asif nodded slowly. "That's probably true."
Asher's phone chimed from the table. He grabbed it, checking his new texts. It was a new message from Chava. Her phone was ancient, but at least she was finally texting with the rest of the world. "I'm visiting Ma and Dad tomorrow. PLEASE try to come by...". He sighed and tossed the phone back on the table.
Asif glanced over, noticing Asher's change in demeanor. "Everything okay, ya hayati?"
Asher sighed. "Chava wants me to come visit with her tomorrow." He pinched the bridge of his nose. His parents were getting older. Chava had become an adult and he barely knew her anymore. But how could he answer any question about his life? How could he share the person he was without risk?
"Maybe they've changed?" Asif offered softly.
Asher scoffed. "Why don't they see Lauren, then?"
Asif rested a hand on Asher's leg comfortingly. "You have a couple options here," Asif began in a reasonable tone. "But I'm afraid none of them are going to be very easy."
Asher looked at his boyfriend. He was so beautiful. He was thankful for Asif, he wished he knew how to tell him just how much he meant. Even if Asher got hurt in the process. Asher sighed. "I think I know what I want to do."
