Tia had gotten to work on everything that she needed, including the request from Ashton she got late into the night. She yawned as she finally crashed after two in the morning, long after Ashton told her that they were heading to bed.

》》》》》

Ryan snuggled under the covers with his fiancé, his arm around Ash's chest and the older man's arm behind his head. He yawned, lifting his leg higher on Ash's thigh and sighing as he burrowed into his side, resting his head over his heart. The calming rhythm made him relax, even as he shivered softly from the contact.

This engagement was lovely. Ryan had had many mornings of waking up alone, and he loved having his bubble of comfort, but he also yearned for more. He wanted a companion that didn't mind that he was an earlier raiser on some days and would be cranky on others. He needed someone who would hug him, be there and fawn over him when he was going through a mood, even make him meals if he didn't feel like cooking.

The dream of happy home life after working hard with his art seemed more fantasy than reality, but lying here with Ashton, those dreams felt like they could become real. He sighed, cuddling closer to him, wanting to enjoy every second of this before-God forbid that he lose this feeling of security and warmth.

"You're thinking too hard," Ashton said, groggy.

Ryan squealed in surprise, biting his lips as his eyes shot to Ashton's face. His eyes were closed, and his face relaxed as he spoke.

"You've been sighing for quite a few minutes. Please dispel whatever worrisome thoughts you're having." Ashton said. He peeked an eye open and caught the cute sleepy look on Ryan's face. "You're so cute in the mornings, even when you're cranky."

Ryan blushed. "Shush." Ryan covered his face by pressing it to Ash's chest. Ashton laughed, and he felt the vibration of it, shivering and making a moan leave his lips. Ashton was so freaking amazing that Ryan couldn't believe that Ash was real. Maybe he was in a coma, and this was all a dream. He pinched Ashton's bicep, and the older man yelped and caught his chin, bringing his face up to his own.

"What was that for?" Ashton asked. "That hurt. Do you want me to pinch you back?" He scolded, making Ryan puff out his cheeks and pout while shaking/tt/tt his head.

"I was just making sure that you're real," Ryan said.

Ashton scoffed and rolled his eyes playfully. "I am real, Ryan."

"That's exactly what a dream person would say! How am I sure?" Ryan asked in a funny tone.

Ashton laughed out loud. "I'll show you how real I am." He pulled Ryan up and crushed their lips together, then pushed him to his back as he deepened the kiss, pushing his tongue into Ryan's mouth and pinning him down by the wrist. Ryan mewled under him, shivering as he moaned and squirmed.

Ryan was caught off guard and fell into the pull of his fiancé's kiss, moaning. His hands were unavailable, so all he could do was kiss back and let Ashton take the lead. He broke the kiss, panting, and cried out when Ashton went for his neck. "Fuck, Ash..." He moaned, "let's go get tested. You're going to kill me." He hissed, arching off the bed as he felt Ashton's erection brushing against his own.

"Yes," Ashton growled, biting Ryan's neck again.

》》》》》

The men sat outside the doctor's office, Ryan's head leaning against Ashton's shoulder, bored out of his mind. He didn't want to use his phone and rather wait with Ashton to find out their results. "How much more time?"

"Seven minutes," Ashton replied. Ryan nodded, fiddling with the end of his light blue polo shirt. Ryan paired his shirt with short khakis and tan brand-name shoes. Ashton opted for a causal long-sleeved button-neck tee and long dark blue jeans with black loafers.

"That's too long." Ryan sighed.

"Would you rather it be days?" Ashton quipped, thankful that forty minutes was all it took to get the results back.

"No, I'm bored." Ryan crossed his legs and took Ashton's forearm to hug it to himself as he cuddled to his side. He was never as nervous about getting the results in a test back as he was now. He always cared to be safe, and condoms were always available whenever he planned sex. Ashton was relatively calm, but then the man could be having a silent panic as they sat waiting. He glanced up at him, his solid square jaw set as he gazed off in the distance. Ryan smiled, such a beautiful man, his beard had lightly grown back in, and he looked a little tired. "Ash?" The older one hummed in reply, then looked down at him when Ryan didn't speak.

"Yes, Ryan?" Ashton asked, meeting his eyes.

"What's your favorite color?" Ryan asked. He saw how the older one rose a brow and chuckled.

"Random question, but I like blue," Ashton said.

"I like gray," Ryan replied.

Ashton hummed at that. "Huh, I'd think of you more as a brighter colored man." He smiled. "It always seemed as if you'd like something more... lively."

Ryan laughed. "Yeah, I seem so fruity, but nah, I like gray. Blush pink is the only other color I like because it looks good on me." Ryan said.

"That's cute. No wonder you made me wear that yesterday." Ashton realized.

Ryan grinned at getting caught, then threaded their fingers together and squeezed Ashton's hand. "Yes, and you looked delicious in that color. Thank you for indulging me." He purred.

"Anytime." Ashton cooed, bending to kiss Ryan softly.

Someone cleared their throat, making the men part. Ashton saw the nurse infront of them with two enclosed documents in hand.

"Mr. Ashton Fredrickson and Ryan Cyruson?" She asked.

"Yes, that's us." Ryan rushed before Ashton could speak. He stood, and Ashton followed as they towered over the short woman.

"Here you go." The nurse said. She handed the envelopes to the respective gentleman and walked off. "Have a good day, sirs."

"Thank you." They called out in unison.

Ryan yanked Ashton away from the medical office, rushing to the parking garage. "Let's go."

Ashton let himself get pulled long as Ryan guided them to the car. "Are you worried?" He asked.

Ryan scoffed at the ridiculous notion. "Fuck no. I just really wanna know, so we can finally stop dancing around the bedroom." Ashton's snickering reached his ears, and he couldn't help but smile.

Ryan stopped suddenly, making Ashton nearly bump into him.

"Keys," Ryan said.

Ashton rolled his eyes and got the keys, releasing the alarm.

Ryan tugged him along, then opened the passenger side door. "Get in. Let's check it together."

"Yes, boss," Ashton muttered. They sat in the car and opened the envelopes to see what the test said. Ashton looked up to Ryan at the same time he looked up at him. "Any worrisome detail?" He asked.

Ryan smiled, "no, all negative. You?"

"Same as you." Ashton extended his results towards him, and Ryan took it as he handed Ashton his own.

"So... do you want to schedule dinner and sex later, hold the dinner?" Ryan smirked, making the older man rolled his eyes.

Ashton couldn't believe that he was this excited. "You couldn't wait to use that corny line, could you?" Ryan only grinned back. Ashton sighed, buckling in as he took out his key. "Please strap in," he couldn't indulge Ryan so soon, but they'd have their time. "I need to look into some things for work, so I don't think we'd be able to do anything sexual yet. I hope you don't mind." Ryan's smile fell, and Ashton couldn't help the laugh that came out. "Oh, quit it. You should probably look into getting your art supplies while we're out. Would you like me to drop you off anywhere? I'm thinking of stopping off at my office to collect a few documents and see how things are doing. Would you mind?"

Ryan shrugged. "Us being seen together is better for our public image, especially with the announcement of our engagement." Ashton only hummed as he drove away from the parking garage. Ryan arched a brow. "Babe? What's the matter?"

Ashton didn't look away from the street as he exited. "This show of our engagement is troubling enough already. And you just reminded me of the morning show that wanted an interview with us."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Urgh, yeah. I wonder what I'll wear. Hey, about matching clothes?" He suggested with a bright smile.

"No," Ashton said. "That's a bit much, isn't it?"

"Oh, come on, Ash. We're practically a couple, what with the way he speaks, acts, lives, etc. What's wrong with matching our outfits?" Ryan folded his arms, huffing, and puffing.

Ashton chuckled, smirking at how cute he looked as he pouted. "Shut up. I just think that matching is-"

"Cute as hell!" Ryan said, cutting him off. The older one sighed as he turned down another street.

"Ryan, I don't want to match. It's not a personal objection to you. It's just a personal preference." Ashton explained.

"That's a stupid reason. I'm calling a few designers, and we're going for a fitting, and you better not miss it, or I'll be a very unpleasant fiancé." He said, poking Ashton's cheek. The older one's eyes were hard as he drove.

"You're persistence is exhausting. Can't you take no for an answer?" Ashton swatted Ryan's hand away. "Besides, you didn't answer me. Do you want to be dropped off anywhere to get art supplies?" Ryan hummed, thinking, then nodded.

"Yes, I have someplace in Soho that I used to go, last I heard was that they're still there. Would you mind heading there?" Ryan took out his phone as he looked up the address.

"Sure, would you mind if we had there after or before we go to my office?"

Ryan looked at where they were. "Actually, we're kinda close by. Would you mind going there now? It's where I order my canvases. It's excellent quality, and I do love using it for my paintings. I have the address."

Ashton turned to see and nodded. "Sure thing, hook it up to the car." Once Ryan did that, the directions led them down the streets. When they got there, the road was quiet, not a sign of traffic in sight. Ashton found parking without an issue. "What secret gold mine did you find here in this crazy city?" He asked, meeting Ryan's eyes as he turned off the engine.

"One of the best! Come on, let's go in." Ryan grinned, ignoring the skeptical look that Ash gave him. He climbed out of the car as his fiancé stepped out and came around to him.

"So... how do we get in?" Ashton asked, seeing the large garage door shut and seemingly closed for business.

"We knock," Ryan answered.

Ashton rose a brow at him as if he was trying to trick him. "You're honestly annoying." The younger man chuckled.

"I promise I won't try to be. But yeah, you knock." Ryan said. "They have a large warehouse space that extends back-knocking on the side door of your best bet. Plus, the owner knows me. Come on, fiancé." He turned to face Ash then yanked him by his shoulder to kiss him once before taking his hand, not giving the man a second to process it.

Ashton sighed. Ryan would surely be the one to welcome him into a new world while they were together.