(Ball is doing pretty well as the only dog but was too lazy to look at the camera today. Pepper went to live with my old roommate recently because of my bad allergies and is having quite a good time in Oklahoma.)

His heart was racing so loudly in his chest that Ash wasn't sure the music in the car would even drown it out. He wasn't used to trying to win someone's affection and when Ru had joked to him about possibly going out with his friends anyways, he'd just gotten so frustrated and worried that he'd grabbed his hand and stormed out!

Glancing sideways at Ru for the third time since they'd started their drive, Ash couldn't really see any stress on his features from his previous actions.

Maybe he didn't mind?

Licking his lips, Ash fought himself not to lift his free hand and rub at the back of his neck.

My palms are getting sweaty.

Part of that was nerves, but the other part was the fact that he'd actually turned on the heater in his car for Ru. It was the first time he'd ever used it and was honestly a bit surprised that it had even worked.

The man seemed grateful for the added warmth, though, so it was definitely a good thing that he'd thought about it.

"Hey Ash?"

Internally flinching a tiny bit, Ash looked to the side for a moment and smiled before returning his attention to the road.

"Yeah, Ruru?"

"What are your future plans?"

Err, that was a pretty deep question to start out with!

"I'm not entirely sure? I really enjoy cooking and I make good money at the resort..."

Ru nodded.

"You are a very good cook. Fantastic, even."

Ash would have dissolved into a mush of happiness right that second if he didn't have to drive!

"Thank you, that means a lot," he eventually said as his face burned with an obvious blush.

"I'd love to learn how you made those gluten free pancakes and bread sometime, if you don't mind sharing your recipes?" Ru replied happily.

Cooking with my baby...

"O-of course! I'll show you whatever you want!"

And he meant that, quite literally. Anything the guy wanted to see was his for the looking. And touching, if he so wished.

Ru seemed to catch onto what he meant, because before he'd even finished speaking the man was laughing quietly beneath the scarf he still had wrapped around his neck and chin.

So cute!

Unable to help but keep smiling, Ash asked Ru if he had any plans for the future.

The man's response wasn't nearly as enthusiastic as his own, as it was just a shrug and a mumbled "same old desk job."

He seemed to think that his response was lacking almost immediately, however, and quickly straightened and lifted his tucked chin out of the scarf.

"I-I mean, I make good money and I'm one of the head bosses for my company, but I... I don't know. I'm having second thoughts all of a sudden and I'm not really sure why."

This... beco... —fused.

Ash tilted his head slightly as he picked up another little snippet of thought from his babe. He'd first heard, or at least felt him the other night when Ruru had been taking a shower.

That was how he'd known to make himself scarce for a bit.

"It's never too late to change course," Ash said after a few moments of calm silence.

Ru gave him a look, then sighed and leaned his head back against the headrest.

"I'm thirty, Ash. Heck, almost thirty-one. I'm past my time to change careers," Ru said, making Ash's heart return to hammering in his chest... but for a different reason, this time.

"Nonsense! You are amazing and heck, already a top dog at a well-paying company? Who wouldn't look at that information on your resume and think that they'd be blessed just to get the chance to have you on their team?" Ash said, his enthusiasm seemingly startling Ru into another little bout of laughter.

He's so, darn, adorable. And amazing! Head of a company and only thirty years old!

He honestly felt like he was reaching a little bit out of his league just trying to court him, but he couldn't help himself!

I want him in my arms, and my bed, and my life.

Well, he already had him in his bed, and he intended to get his arms around him quite a bit in the next few days. That just left his life...

"Ah, we're here," he said as he noticed the buildings of the nearby town begin to pop up beyond the tree line of the forest.

Ru's attention immediately turned toward the beautiful historical buildings as Ash slowed down in order to obey the town's speed limit.

Most of the snow had actually melted since they were now at a lower elevation, so when they finally parked and got out, it wasn't too terribly cold.

I wonder what he would want to do fir—?! before he could even finish his thought Ru had grabbed his hand and was tugging him toward old Mandy's soap shop!

I've never actually been in there without my mum dragging me...

He didn't really care for specialty self-care products. Heck, he used one bottle for his entire shower!

The moment they stepped inside his nose was assaulted with all sorts of scents. Thankfully they weren't overpowering, but he still wasn't really a fan.

"Excuse me, ma'am? Where can I find your shampoo and conditioner bars?" Ru asked as he eagerly led him up to the old lady behind the counter.

The woman seemed overjoyed to have a customer and eagerly showed them over to a massive display of different soaps!

My god, I've never seen so many bars of soap.

It was honestly a little bit overwhelming, but as soon as the woman dismissed herself and Ru got busy sorting through things with a big smile on his face, Ash couldn't help but reach forward and pick up a random bar.

He was sorely out of his element, but he wanted to make Ru happy, and the man clearly liked the different soaps.

"Do you like that one? It looks like it might be some sort of rose scent," Ru said, making Ash awkwardly lift it halfway to his nose, then hesitate for a second before finishing the action and cautiously smelling the bar.

Ah, he's right.

"It smells like roses."

It smelled pretty good, but it wasn't really something he liked so he put it back and picked up another one after glancing sideways at Ru.

The next bar he tried was a bit better.

Cinnamon and sandalwood.

He was just looking up to comment on it when Ru suddenly leaned in and brushed his nose against the spot right beneath his ear!

"Ah, citrus and cedar," Ru mumbled as he leaned away and redirected his attention up to one of the higher displays, clearly unbothered by his action.

"These look like they'd be similar."

Ash couldn't compute what he was saying. His mind was still trying to reboot from Ru having leaned so close to him in a public setting!

A lot of the people he'd taken an interest to in high school and culinary school had been very against any kind of PDA, so seeing Ru leaning over to check his scent in the middle of the store had taken him by complete surprise!

"How about this one?"

Before he could finish calming down an orange and green bar of soap was placed beneath his nose.

He sniffed obligingly, then raised his eyebrows.

"Not bad, right? It's very similar but made with much better ingredients," Ru said as he grabbed another of the same bar, then slid them into a paper bag that he got from the holder next to the display.

Ru then grabbed an orange and red bar and slid it into the bag before tugging him a few steps over to another display.

"Alright, let's just get the same scents for conditioner..." Ru mused as he looked through the shelves until he found his targets.

Those, too, went into the bag, then they were off to a third display.

Wait a second, those were shampoo and conditioner? But they were bars of soap...

Ash looked closer at the display signs and was surprised to see that they were, in fact, labeled as hair care products.

But mum always just bought me the three-in-one bottle and got regular soap bars from here...

"How about this one for body wash soap?" Ru asked, snapping Ash out of his thoughts as he hurried to lean forward and sniff the new bar presented to him.

Oh? Not bad.

"You like it? It's cucumber mint. It's pretty light but you don't seem to need anything heavier," Ruru said, making Ash nod as he took the bar from him and sniffed it again.

It really did smell good.

"I'll take it," he said, hoping to put a smile on Ru's face at his approval.

It did, and boy did the expression make his heart flutter like a butterfly!

"Great, I'll put that in the bag, too," Ru said as he was handed the soap back and did just as he'd said he would.

They continued browsing for a few more minute and picked out a couple more things, then finally headed over to the counter to pay for everything.

Ash tried to use his card, at first, but Ru wouldn't hear of it and quickly swiped his own as he thanked the sweet old lady and complimented her on her products.

By the time they were back outside Ash's belly was grumbling. He'd honestly forgotten the snacks he'd made when he'd rushed Ru out the door, so they'd have to eat them later and just buy something while they were out.

"Want to go put this stuff in the car, then get some breakfast?" Ru asked, reading his mind as they headed toward the parking lot.

They set their stuff in the trunk, then closed it and locked the car before heading back toward the groups of stores. There were quite a few restaurants available since it was already getting close to eleven, but they decided to settle on a breakfast diner that he highly recommended.

It was quite busy inside, but their luck managed to score them a little booth in the far back of the place within just a few minutes of waiting.

As soon as they sat down and ordered their drinks, a chocolate milk for Ash and a hot tea for Ru, they scooted closer to each other on the padded seat to browse the menu together.

They thankfully had plenty of gluten free options, and he'd actually tried quite a few while researching things for his own dishes back at the resort, so Ash gladly helped Ru pick out a few things.

By the time their waiter returned they were ready to order. Ru went first and decided on the gluten free waffles, bacon, sausage, and a side of fruit, while Ash got the gluten free pancakes, hash-browns, and cinnamon raise oatmeal.

Everything came out quickly and the two got busy savoring their own meals... and sharing bits and portions of them with each other once their initial hunger had been sated.

In fact, Ru was nearly done with one of his huge waffles when Ash held up his fork with a few pieces of pancake on it.

"Mm?"

Ru looked to the side and gladly set his fork down, then opened his empty mouth to receive the treat. He could tell that Ru loved everything, and he'd made sure to only put a little bit of syrup on his pancakes since he'd noticed he hadn't added much the one time he'd made them for him before.

"Oh yeah, Ash? Why did you get gluten free pancakes when you can eat the regular ones? They're really good, but I'm just a bit surprised," Ru said after he'd finished chewing and swallowing the portion he'd just been given.

The answer to his question was easy.

"I wanted to be able to share everything I got with you and, maybe, get a kiss later since I haven't eaten any g—!"

He got his kiss. Right there in the restaurant and right as his mouth was opening to continue speaking! Ru even swiped his tongue over the ball of his piercing, having caught him completely off guard!

"You're a smart little dragon," Ru complimented before returning his attention to his meal as if nothing had happened.

Ash took a few moments to reset his mind, but then he was more than happy to return his attention his meal, too. And, of course, with an added blush on his face!

"Hey Ash!"

Blinking in surprise, Ash lifted his head a few minutes later as he heard a familiar voice call his name. Looking over his shoulder and behind Ru's head, Ash found a hesitant smile sliding onto his lips.

He waited until the two girls were at their table before greeting them.

"Hey Helen, hey Mary. How have you guys been?"

The two girls giggled a little as they looked at them, but then Mary actually looked Ru up and down with a hint of interest, making Ash bristle slightly.

"We're doing really well! We both work at Ringo's on the other side of the strip mall! I heard you're still working for your mum? You should come back and work in town, that way you'll be able to hang out with us again," Helen said, earning a distracted nod from Mary as she continued to glance at Ru.

Ash felt like he was just about to begin to blow steam out of his nose, and accidentally say something he shouldn't, when he felt Ru's left hand slip behind his back and slide partially down beneath the hem of his pants!

The silent, yet-award reassurance immediately had him relaxing and a smile returning to his face.

"Maybe someday, but I'm enjoying working for mum. She's raised my pay and it's really nice to meet so many new people," he finally replied.

Mary took that moment to ask what he'd expected to hear.

"Who's your friend, Ash? He's really handsome."

He wanted to growl.

Heck, even his dragon wanted to growl.

"A visitor and new friend. Ash said that he'd show me around town," Ru said calmly without missing a beat or faltering with his beautiful smile.

He's not getting defensive?

Ash wasn't sure what to think of their situation for a moment, but then he remembered something.

His hand is halfway down my pants. Of course he's not happy with them being here.

"Oh! Would you guys mind if we joined you?" Mary asked as her eyes finally turned and glued themselves to Ru.

Ash was really about to tell them to scram, which honestly wasn't like him, but he really didn't like seeing someone else ogling his man. Except, right before he could get a word in he felt Ru's fingers gently squeeze his backside through his boxers!

"I apologize, but we're out together right now. Perhaps another time?" Ru said with a gentlemanly, respectful tone and bright smile.

H-how can he be so calm when he's grabbing my ass?!

"Absolutely! Ashy still has our number so we'll be expecting a call later!" Helen said, sending him an expectant look that he just-barely managed to fake a smile for.

"Of course. I'll give you guys a call later," he said, grinding the words out through his teeth, forever grateful that the diner was so busy that they couldn't hear the rage behind them.

As soon as the girls left Ash straightened a bit and gave Ru an are you seriously doing what you're doing right now?! look.

Ru gave him a big grin and removed his hand after one final squeeze.

"You seemed like you were about to cause a scene so I figured that would get your mind off of them long enough to calm down," Ru said simply.

Ash had no words.

They could have gotten caught! All someone had to do was come out of the kitchen and look their way and they could have noticed something was a bit off! Booth or no booth!

"Besides, I didn't want you to agree to allow them to sit with us, either. So I took over the discussion... I hope that was okay?" he added at the end, now finally looking at least a tiny bit guilty.

Sighing, Ash shook his head slowly, then looked back up at Ru. He was about to tell him that he needed to be a little more cordial with their interactions in public, but then he realized something and his chastisement went right out the window as he lifted a hand and pointed at the man's chest.

"Were you jealous?!"

Ru suddenly blushed and looked away, but he couldn't hide the color as it crept all the way back to his ears!

He was jealous of them wanting to hang out with us! My Ruru was jealous over me!

The waiter came back with their bill at that exact moment, and before Ru could grab it, Ash reached over and snatched the little booklet!

"My turn," he said even as Ru tried to take it back.

"B-but I have a lot of money. It's really fine if I pay for everything. I want to," Ru said, still a bit shy but quickly overcoming his previous nerves.

Ash slid his debit card into the foldable booklet, then handed it directly back to the waiter. Once the man had walked away, his attention returned to Ru with a rather serious expression.

"No, it's not okay. I make plenty of money to be able to share the costs, and besides, I was the one who asked you out today."

Ru didn't seem to have a response for that, so he just gave a slight nod and looked down at his mostly-empty plate.

Shit, I might have said that too harshly.

He was just about to try and get his attention when his card was returned.

Not wanting to waste time inside, Ash quickly scrawled out a tip on the merchant copy of the receipt, then scooted out behind Ru.

The man calmly began heading for the exit, but Ash managed to grab his hand right before he got to the doors.

"Here, let me," he said as he held the one on their side open as a large group came in the other.

Ru nodded and ducked through as Ash followed, their hands still thankfully connected. They walked for a few minutes, passing random shops as they went, and it took everything Ash had not to say something first. He had a feeling that Ru was just trying to find the right words, so he bit his tongue every time something wanted to jump off of it.

Eventually, once they got to the end of that street, Ru finally slowed to a stop and moved to lean against the cold brick wall there. His dark hair was blowing in the chilly breeze and his cheeks had turned pale from it already.

I want to warm him up.

"I'm sorry about how I acted in there. Um, I'm just not used to someone telling me not to spend my money," he eventually said as a little shiver shook his shoulders.

Ash stayed standing where he was about two feet away, making sure that he was giving him enough space to not feel crowded when he was stressed.

"Not used to it? Ruru, do you let people take advantage of you often?"

He didn't like that idea one bit. Even if his man made twice as much as he did, he was still more than capable of paying his share of things.

Ru looked like he was going to deny it, but then he pursed his lips and lifted a hand up to rustle his hair... which currently had a good bit of feathers mixed into it.

"I guess they do, but my crow really likes giving things to people. I've gotten better at restraining it over the years, but um... it's really hard with you, I guess. I know that I should be splitting things, at least, but he was so excited to pay for your breakfast..."

Awww, baby...

With their misunderstanding cleared up, Ash stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his Ruru.

"I'm sorry I didn't understand. I'll let you pay for more things, but I still want to do a few, okay? We still haven't had lunch or dinner, but it's already heading towards one... So um, would you maybe want to go watch a movie with me, then your sweet bird can buy me an early dinner before we head back?" Ash said, trying his luck at extending their time together as well as making Ru feel better.

He knew that Ru's coworkers probably wanted to hang out with him at some point, too, but he honestly didn't want to share.

I'm not used to being this possessive over someone, but he's so sweet and cute... and the way he'd told Mary and Helen that they weren't welcome to join us for breakfast while he had his hand in my pants!

When Ru's arms finally lifted to wrap around him, Ash quickly snapped back to himself and nuzzled his face into the crook of Ru's neck where his scarf was loosely wrapped.

Ah.

Leaning back a little, he lifted his arms and grasped the fabric, then wrapped it more snuggly before securing it correctly.

There you go. Now you shouldn't be so cold.

It also made him look even more adorable since the scarf was now covering his face until about halfway up his nose, leaving only his beautiful expressive eyes visible.

"A-a movie sounds nice..." Ru eventually said, making Ash cheer inwardly as he slid his arm into Ruru's, then began guiding him down another sidewalk toward the town's main movie theater.

"Anything specific you want to see?" he asked as they took their time, staying close to the buildings so that most of the wind was blocked.

Ru was quiet for a moment, but then eventually just shook his head before looking over at him. It honestly seemed like his eyes were smiling.

"Anything is fine as long as it's with you."

Ash felt like he might self-combust, even though he knew that the man's words were cheesy and likely meant as a joke! Ru's quiet chuckle was proof enough of that, but they still meant a lot to him... even as he reached over and gently rustled his baby's hair, making Ru hurry forward, only to have his hand grabbed before he was pulled back into a strong hug!

They might have spent so much of their time messing around on their way to the theater that they missed the starting commercials...

They also might have missed the beginning of the movie, too.

But what they didn't miss a second of, at all, was simply enjoying each others' company.