Ash sat comfortably between Elijah’s legs, leaning back against Elijah’s chest, while Elijah rested against the headboard of the bed.
They were both tucked under a soft, warm blanket, the cool night air outside making the cosiness of their bed feel even more inviting.
Elijah’s hands were resting on Ash’s stomach, lightly rubbing his belly. His hands were cold from washing dishes, making Ash shudder slightly but not move away.
"Your hands are freezing," Ash murmured, his voice soft and sleepy as he nuzzled further into Elijah’s warmth.
Elijah chuckled softly, pressing his lips to the back of Ash’s head. "Sorry, love. Just finished cleaning up the kitchen." His hands moved gently over Ash’s belly, the sensation both soothing and slightly ticklish.
Ash couldn’t help but sigh contentedly. It had been a week since they started living this quiet, comfortable life, and every day felt like a dream—a dream Ash never thought he could have after everything that had happened between them. It was peaceful, just the two of them and Grandpa. No business etings, no stress, just monts like this.
"So," Elijah began, his voice low and thoughtful, "what do you think about us...going back?"
Ash paused for a mont, considering the question. He felt Elijah’s fingers gently rubbing slow circles on his stomach, and he shivered slightly, though not entirely from the cold. The truth was, he hadn’t really thought about it. This new life had settled in so perfectly that going back to the way things were felt foreign now.
"I don’t know," Ash said softly. "I really like it here...taking care of Grandpa. I don’t want to leave unless he says it’s okay."
Elijah humd, his breath warm against Ash’s neck. "I’m sure Grandpa wouldn’t mind. He’s happy that we’re happy."
Ash smiled a little, his heart warming at the thought of Grandpa. "I know he is. But...I don’t want to ask him. If I do, he’ll say yes because he wants what’s best for us. But I don’t want him to feel like we’re abandoning him."
There was a quiet pause between them as Elijah’s hands stilled for a mont, simply resting against Ash’s skin. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, though. It was the kind of silence that spoke of understanding, the kind that allowed them to think, to feel without needing words.
"Whatever you decide," Elijah murmured, his voice soft, "I’m with you."
Ash’s heart fluttered at those words. Elijah had changed so much, had grown into the man Ash always believed he could be. He shifted slightly in Elijah’s embrace, looking up at him with a small smile.
Elijah t his eyes and then shifted, reaching to the side of the bed where his bag was lying. He pulled sothing out, holding it in his palm with a soft grin. "Here," Elijah said, offering it to Ash. "I got you sothing."
Ash blinked in surprise, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "What is it?"
"Open it," Elijah replied, his grin widening.
With excitent, Ash carefully unwrapped the small gift. His heart skipped a beat when he saw what was inside. It was a couple’s bracelet, a beautiful silver piece. Ash’s eyes widened as he looked up at Elijah, his throat tightening with emotion.
"Elijah..." Ash whispered slowly.
Elijah held up his own wrist, showing Ash the bracelet he was already wearing and different from the one he bought.
It was the sa one Ash had given him so long ago. Elijah said quietly, his thumb brushing over the bracelet. "I didn’t like that I was the only one wearing it. I feel like since you gave one I should also buy you one."
Ash’s mouth opened in shock, his heart pounding. He didn’t expect Elijah to rember the bracelet, let alone still be wearing it after everything they had been through. "You...you rember I gave this to you?" Ash’s voice was soft, filled with disbelief.
Elijah’s gaze softened as he looked at Ash. "Of course I rember," he said gently. "I’ve never taken it off."
Ash’s eyes welled up with emotion, and he quickly blinked the tears away. He felt an overwhelming sense of happiness wash over him as he clutched the bracelet in his hand. "Wait here," Ash said, his voice a little shaky. He got up from the bed and hurried over to his drawer.
Elijah watched him with curiosity, his brow furrowing slightly as Ash returned to the bed, holding sothing behind his back.
Ash sat back down, a bit shy now, his cheeks tinged pink. He pulled his hand from behind his back, revealing a matching bracelet—one that was part of the sa couple’s set Elijah wore. "I had the other one... the whole ti," Ash confessed quietly, his eyes lowering in slight embarrassnt.
Elijah’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the bracelet in Ash’s hand. "You never wore it?"
Ash shook his head slowly. "I didn’t think you cared about it. I thought...since you never ntioned it. So, I never wore it."
Elijah’s expression softened as he reached out, cupping Ash’s face gently with his hand. "I’m sorry, Ash," Elijah whispered, his thumb brushing over Ash’s lips in a tender, almost apologetic gesture. "I never ant to make you feel like that. I should’ve shown you how much it ant to ."
Ash smiled through the tears that were threatening to fall. He leaned into Elijah’s touch, feeling the warmth and sincerity in his words. "It’s okay," Ash whispered. "I’m just glad...we’re here now."
Elijah pulled him closer, their foreheads resting together as they both held onto their bracelets. "I promise you, from now on...I’ll never make you doubt my love again."
Ash’s heart swelled with warmth, and he could feel the sincerity radiating from Elijah’s words. He looked down at the bracelets in their hands, then back up at Elijah with a soft, happy smile.
"I believe you," Ash whispered, his voice filled with hope and love. He raised his wrist, and with a soft, shy smile, Elijah slipped the bracelet on Ash’s hand. Elijah watched him, his eyes glowing with happiness as Ash finally wore the piece that symbolised their connection.
Elijah wrapped his arms around Ash, pulling him close again, tucking them both under the blanket once more. They lay there for a long ti, holding each other in the warm cocoon of their bed. It felt like a new beginning, a fresh start for both of them.
The past was behind them now. What mattered was the future—the future they were going to build together.
Ash moved closer to Elijah, their lips connecting in a deep, lingering kiss that sent a wave of warmth through both of them. Elijah’s hand cupped Ash’s face as they lted into each other, the intensity of their emotions reflected in the way their bodies pressed together. Ash’s hips instinctively rolled forward, grinding against Elijah, and he could feel Elijah’s arousal growing beneath him. The sensation sent a spark of heat through Ash’s body, making him crave more.
With a soft groan, Ash pulled back slightly, his breath hot and ragged against Elijah’s lips. "Grandpa’s asleep," he whispered, a teasing smile playing on his lips as his hand began to move downward. His fingers brushed against Elijah’s waistband, slipping into the fabric of his pants, ready to take things further. He wanted Elijah—he needed him.
But just as Ash began to explore, Elijah’s hand caught his wrist, stopping him abruptly. Ash frowned, looking up into Elijah’s eyes, searching for answers.
Elijah offered a gentle smile, but there was a tension behind it. "I should shower before bed," he said quietly, pulling Ash’s hand away and stepping out of the bed before Ash could protest.
Ash sat there, puzzled, his body still buzzing with the desire Elijah had sparked within him. He watched as Elijah disappeared into the bathroom, the door clicking shut, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he flopped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. This wasn’t the first ti Elijah had pulled away. In fact, it had been happening for days—no, a week now.
They kissed every chance they got. Elijah would lean in, pressing soft kisses against his lips, against his skin, and each ti the kisses deepened, Ash’s heart would race, anticipating the mont when things would finally escalate.
But every ti it got close—when the heat between them was almost too much to bear—Elijah would pull away. He’d co up with so excuse, so reason to stop things before they could get too far.
Ash couldn’t help but wonder what was going on. They were together now, weren’t they? Elijah had made it clear how much he loved him, how much he wanted to be with him, so why did he keep pulling away when it mattered most?
Did Elijah not want him as much as Ash wanted him? The thought gnawed at Ash, the uncertainty settling like a heavy weight in his chest.
As the days passed, the pattern continued. They kissed often—sotis sweet, soft kisses shared in quiet monts, other tis heated and passionate, leaving Ash breathless.
But whenever Ash tried to take things further, Elijah would stop him. It was as if there was an invisible barrier between them, sothing that kept Elijah from fully letting go.
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦
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