"Are you sure this is fine?" Lux asked again. He stared up at Rhys, gaze shifting away from him the moment they made eye contact. Rhys noticed the nervous energy that seemed to cling to Lux and he reassured him, once again,

"I want to do the things you're interested in, Lux. So yeah, going to the outdoor market and the bookstore is fine." Rhys sat on the arm of the couch, watching Lux with a small smile as he flitted in and out of his bedroom every five minutes, it seemed, to ask Rhys about the plans.

That Lux made.

The fourth time he came out, he had his hairbrush in hand and a shirt halfway buttoned up. Lux gestured with the brush but before he was able to speak, Rhys cut across him.

"You're adorable when you're nervous."

"I'm not nervous," Lux denied. "I was simply coming out to let you know it would be fine if you uh," he hedged briefly, a pop of color creeping into his cheeks before he continued, "if you sat in my room. It's just really inconvenient to run back and forth every few seconds so..." he trailed off, turning his back to Rhys and disappearing without waiting for a response.

Rhys followed behind him, his snicker inaudible. He crossed the threshold, slowly coming to a pause as he took in Lux's room. To be honest, Rhys didn't know what to anticipate, but the custom built shelves that held action figures, funko pops, and nendoroids from various anime—most he was familiar with—and video games were definitely a pleasant surprise. Several mid-height bookshelves lined the wall opposite Lux's bed, complete with scores of manga, all in alphabetical order. Over the bookshelves was a television that had been mounted to the wall. Prints of manga panels and art work surrounded the television, but interspersed throughout was fanart from Lux's books.

Rhys took it all in with a slow growing smile. When Lux returned from the in suite bathroom, his hair tamed into a voluminous high ponytail, his steps stuttered, his speech mimicking his movements as he asked Rhys,

"What? Why are you smiling?"

Rhys picked up on the air of defensiveness, and although he felt the immediate need to squash whatever fear was popping up for Lux, he couldn't help but to tease, "You're a big ass weeb."

Lux huffed a breath through his nostrils, lifting his chin and turning his face away from Rhys. Color flooded his cheeks, tinting his skin a soft raspberry. "And?"

Rhys crossed the room, stopping in front of Lux to lean against the door jamb. "Personally? I think it's pretty fucking cool, but that's me."

Lux visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping from beneath his ears. He turned his face, slowly, to look up at Rhys, uncertainty causing his eyes to resemble the skies before an impending storm. "You're not making fun?"

"Why would I when I can name nearly every character on your shelves, own at least half of your manga collection, and—," Rhys hedged, slightly embarrassed about the depth and intensity of his fanboying for Lux. He was familiar with the fan artwork, having spent the past few years becoming acquainted with the artists in online spaces.

"And?" Lux gently prodded.

"And," Rhys continued, his cheeks warming as he did, "I know that PeachyTree drew several of the pictures on your wall. They're one of my favorite fandom artists."

Lux blinked up at him, silent. Rhys was beginning to question if he had said something wrong, but with a small shake of his head, the storm clouds in Lux's eyes were blown away and a small, warm smile resided in its place. Lux's tone was playful as he poked at Rhys' chest. "Fanboy." He didn't leave room for Rhys to reply. "Come on, our car is here." Confidently, he grabbed hold of Rhys' hand, intertwining their fingers together to lead him out of the house.

***

The bookstore they went to happened to be the same one Lux had his signing at a few months ago. As they entered, Lux explained, "This bookstore is known for carrying stories by queer BIPOC's. There's an audience for the stories we have to tell, but there's not too many stores willing to stock them."

As they walked through the store, Rhys couldn't help but chuckle at the way the employees looked absolutely awestruck to see Lux. It made him think about how he must have looked the first time they met one another in person. Rhys wasn't, and would never be, embarrassed at fanboying in front of Lux for those few seconds. When one meets someone they're a fan of, how else are they supposed to behave?

Lux looked over his shoulder, his eyes curving and cheek dimpling as he inquired, "What are you giggling about?"

Rhys lowered his head close to Lux's ear, speaking softly so as to not embarrass any of the employees that were doing their best to remain calm. "I don't know if you notice, but the staff are really going through it right now. Did I look like that when we first met?" He straightened up again, glancing down at Lux.

Lux's fingers skimmed along the tip of his ear, moving down to the lobe, before a small shiver coursed through him. He looked around, his eyebrows twitching as he suddenly noticed the employees that lingered in the aisle. Lux turned his head to look up at Rhys. "Somewhat. Except you also looked like you won a considerable amount of money on a gas station scratcher," he teased.

Rhys was doing his best to listen to what Lux was saying, yet his attention was pulled to the red tipped ears.

God he's so cute. I really want to kiss him. I wonder if that would be okay? I mean, probably not here? I'm not sure how he feels about public displays of affection. I should have asked him that instead of just asking if he was okay with me kissing him hello and goodbye.

"Rhysend?"

Rhys shook his head, clearing his thoughts and looking over at Lux, who was standing at the other end of the aisle, several books in his arms. Rhys didn't answer him right away; he allowed himself the great pleasure of taking in Lux's facial expression. Rhys noticed the small flush that barely colored the apples of his cheeks, the color beginning to deepen the longer they maintained eye contact. A few weeks ago, he noticed Lux had a habit of biting on his bottom lip when he was in deep thought. It was a behavior that Rhys found endearing and quite adorable, but now? It makes his stomach tighten and his blood run hot. Lux's throat bobbed as he swallowed, his voice just barely cracking as he called again,

"Rhysend? Are you okay?"

Rhys got a hold of himself and walked over to Lux, nodding. "Yeah, I'm good. Let me hold those for you." He took the books from Lux's arms, reading the titles. "Sci-fi and fantasy?"

"Yup. There are a lot of amazing black authors in the genre that don't get nearly enough love."

After Rhys picked out a few books, they went to the counter to check out. Lux was very insistent about paying for Rhys' books, arguing, "I asked you out. It's only right I pay for them. Would you deny me the opportunity to pick up the check at a restaurant?" He crossed his arms over his chest, his chin jutted forward and a slight frown pulling down the corners of his mouth.

Not expecting Lux to be so candid about asking him on a date in front of strangers, Rhys was shocked into agreeing. However, he reached for the bag, standing firm in his resolve. "The least I can do is carry the bag."

"I wasn't going to argue with you." Lux shrugged, smiling over his shoulder as they left the bookstore.

Rhys feigned hurt, clutching at his heart with his free hand and swaying on his feet. "You only want for me body? Is that it?"

"Technically," Lux started, his voice low, the edges of his tone soft and slightly sensual, "I haven't seen your body. So, I couldn't answer that honestly."

Rhys' steps faltered. This was quite forward for Lux. Rhys had half a mind to pull back, but there was a part of him, a much larger part of him, that wanted to know just how far he could push the boundary. Of course, he could have always asked, but what would be the fun in that? "Hmm, sounds to me like you want to. See it that is."

Smooth Rhysend, smooth.

He fought the impending cringe, thankfully so, because Lux turned around to face him. He held Rhys' gaze as he responded, "I do, actually."

He wasn't expecting an honest answer. Rhys stumbled over his words, struggling to form an intelligent thought. "What—like do you mean—how? Ri–right now?"

"Well," Lux said slowly, "We don't exactly have to go to the flea market so..." he trailed off, staring up at Rhys.

"This is a surprise," Rhys admitted, still reeling from Lux's unbridled honesty. "I don't know what to do here, honestly," he half-joked.

A car pulled up to the curb and Lux opened the door, sliding in the backseat. "We can figure that out once we get back to my place." He flashed a wide grin up at Rhys, settling in the back as he buckled his seatbelt. "Are you joining me, Rhysend?"

Rhys nodded, his voice failing him. He climbed into the back, placing the bag between his feet. He fought the juvenile urge to pinch himself. He was still in a consistent state of disbelief that he was dating Lux, but the thought of...well... he doesn't know what was going to happen once they got back to Lux's place. They really hadn't spoken about any physical contact outside of kissing and that was a conversation Rhys was certain would happen before anything else did, given Lux's history of pretty firm boundaries.

When they arrived, he stopped Lux before he opened the front door. "Lux, I would be remiss if I didn't at least stop to ask about your boundaries surrounding physical intimacy and contact. I don't want to overstep and I think it would be a good idea to talk about it before...you know..." Rhys trailed off.

Lux sighed softly, nodding his head slowly. "You're right. Let's at least get inside first." He unlocked the door, stepping to the side so Rhys was able to enter first. He purposely stayed behind Rhys, his voice quiet as he expressed, "I–I'm not entirely sure if this is the right moment to say this and...I almost don't want to tell you because what if you..." his voice became impossibly soft, prompting Rhys to turn around.

He placed the bag on the floor, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "I didn't hear you, Lux."

Lux quietly repeated himself, "What if you...don't like me anymore?"

Confused, Rhys questioned, "Why would I not like you anymore?"

Lux began, "Because..." but trailed off, not quite certain how to proceed.

Rhys' phone vibrated in his pocket, the rhythm steady. He ignored it, focusing his attention on Lux. He gently urged Lux to continue, "Because...?"

Instead of continuing his explanation, Lux pulled his phone from his pocket, frowning before he swiped left to decline an incoming call. "I'm 29 years old," he finally responded.

Rhys' brows furrowed. "Okay," he slowly responded. His phone rang again and this time, he huffed a frustrated sigh as he went to answer.

Taking advantage of the situation, Lux sensed an opportunity to be honest in a moment where Rhys, more than likely, wouldn't be able to ask any additional questions. He could share the truth and immediately give Rhys privacy to have his phone call. Which in turn would give him the space to calm down and prepare himself for rejection.

"Hello?" Rhys answered.

"I'm a virgin," Lux finally admitted.

Nyx's deep voice sounded slightly amused. "Seeing as how you've called me your best friend, at the very least I thought I would have found out from you, and not from a trending hashtag on social media, that you and Lux Broussard are dating."

Rhys heard Lux and honestly, he was fine with it. He figured, given the fact that he was Lux's first kiss, that there was a high probability he hadn't explored sexually. That wasn't an issue for Rhys. He was fine with moving at whatever pace Lux wanted or needed. Had Nyx not started the conversation off with his ridiculous ass statement, Rhys would have told Lux that there was no pressure to do anything else until he was fully comfortable and sure he was ready. However, his incredulity kept him from responding to Lux. It was Nyx that he acknowledged. "What the hell are you talking about?"