Noah stared at them with an unreadable expression on his face, but when Aspen shot him a wink, he smiled back.
“I would love to talk more about that, but I need to do some final cleanup,” Charlie said.
After a bit of project management from Noah, who clearly excelled at it, they divided the inside and outside tasks. Aspen and Charlie were happy to turn over the financial tallying and consolidation to Noah. They orbited around each other, chatting easily and working together to get the shelter back to the way it was before—except almost ten thousand dollars richer and much cleaner.
As the sun disappeared behind the trees, Charlie led them out the back door and locked it tightly behind them.
He turned to Aspen with a thoughtful furrow in his brow. “I have ingredients for pork chops, potatoes, and salad. Does that work for your new protein goals? We can add some seeds and cheese to the salad if you’d like.”
“I’m happy to help cook as well,” Noah said, and Aspen pressed the back of their hand to their forehead.
“Oh my god, am I really going to have two men cook for me? The only way this could get better is if someone carries me there.”
Not expecting either of them to take them up on their bullshit, they let out a very undignified squeal as Charlie scooped them up bridal style.
“Charlie! You don’t have to! I don’t want you to hurt?—”
“Asp, both of us are very capable and very happy to throw you around. Just enjoy it,” Noah said, affection and exasperation dripping from his voice in equal measure.
Aspen glanced up to see Charlie’s cheeks turning pink, but his dimples were firmly in place. “I lift heavier than you every day in my home gym. I promise, this is no hardship. I could even carry Noah on my back at the same time.”
“Oh, no, thank you,” Noah said, falling into step next to Charlie as they began walking down the path leading away from the shelter. “While I have spent many years getting my masculinity intact, I don’t think I’m quite up for that tonight.”
Aspen burst out laughing, the butterfly tickling their lungs until they were gasping around giggles, pressing their face happily to the lapel of Charlie’s work jacket.
“You have a very nice laugh,” he said
“So do you. It’s so warm and inviting. It makes me want to curl up in your lap like a cat. Just ask Noah—I do it all the time.”
“They do,” Noah said easily.
Aspen’s butterfly flapped its wings, urging them to hold out their hand to him. When Noah hesitated to take it, they made grabby hands until he accepted. They didn’t have far to go, but they held Noah’s hand the entire way.
Charlie’s caretaker's house was more like a cabin, and although that wasn’t Aspen’s usual aesthetic, they immediately felt at home. The place was well lived in, with shoes and boots lined up near the door and a jacket hung on the banister. Thekitchen was immaculately clean, and the open concept living room had a well-loved leather couch with enough throw blankets and pillows to almost satisfy Aspen’s needs.
Noah had clearly been here before, because he immediately washed his hands and set to work, pulling out cutting boards and a large salad bowl.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” Charlie offered, opening a cabinet with well-stocked, if a bit mismatched, wine and beer glasses.
“Are we drinking? Or do we think there might be some fun to be had tonight?” Aspen asked, settling in at one of the barstools on the other side of the island from Noah.
“I think we should definitely talk first, so if a little wine or beer would help, I’d be down for that. But…maybe we hold off on the hard stuff for now?” Charlie asked.
“Okay!”
Aspen smiled and tipped forward in their chair, bouncing excitedly in their seat. This time, when Charlie glanced down at their tits, Aspen grinned wickedly at him.
“Asp–”
“I know, I know. Talk first,” Aspen said, waving their hand in the air to dispel Noah’s concern. “To kick that off, I’d love some white wine if you have it.”
Charlie nodded, his cheeks a little flushed as he opened the fridge and stuck his head inside for several seconds.
Aspen smiled sweetly at Noah, and he rolled his eyes but reached across the counter to cup their cheek. Aspen pressed as far forward as they could, and they were able to smack a quick kiss on his lips.
“You look really good today, Asp,” Noah said, and Aspen preened.
Once they all had wine glasses in hand, or in Noah and Charlie’s case, resting in front of them as they began to prepare dinner, Aspen decided to take the lead on the conversation.
