“It’s hot today and I’m glad you wore comfortable shoes.” Steven shut the door and sat up in front.
Ashton immediately turned to look at me as I buckled myself in.
“Doing okay, today? How are you feeling?” he asked.
“It’s a trash panda day. Not knowing where I was going was a lot. I hope I’m dressed okay.” I gave him an anxious look.
The two scents in the car were nice. One was woodsy, the other more like grass. I liked that a lot. I hadn’t really noticed last night in the bar.Yum.
His expression softened. “You’re dressed perfectly. We’re going to the arboretum.”
“We thought you’d like that. Sorry I wasn’t trying to make things worse. I was trying to surprise you.” Steven buckled himself in.
“It’s incredible. I’d been hoping since you said comfortable shoes we’d be doing something in nature.” I loved being outside.
“They have a tropical flower area that I thought you might enjoy,” Steven added. “Is atrash pandaa racoon, opossum, or badger?”
“It's a raccoon. But yeah, sometimes I do feel more like a honey badger or twelve mice in a trench coat,” I confessed. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to say things like that to the two of them.
“Let us know if we need to do anything or change anything so that you’re more comfortable,” Ashton said.
Oh, my heart.A charming Midwestern boy and a Pacific Northwest lumbersnack. Not doctors, but I did plan on enjoying myself.
“Thank you, just knowing I’m dressed fine makes me feel loads better. I’m excited.” Though I absolutely should have brought a hat. At least I had sunglasses.
“So, tell me about the hockey finals? Exciting? Terrifying? I don’t even know how it works,” I confessed.
As we drove to the arboretum, the two of them explained more about the playoffs, along with their hopes and fears for finals. It seemed like they were trying to balance this desire to prove everyone wrong and win the whole thing, with just being excited to get further than they’ve ever had before.
Finally, we arrived and they scanned our tickets on Steven’s phone.
“How much do I owe you?” I asked. I didn’t see a sign with ticket prices.
“Our treat. We’re supposed to show you a good time, so take advantage of us.” Steven tweaked my bun and gave me a boyish look.
“Thank you.” I got a text.
Auntie Kiki
Are you okay? Did you bring your pepper spray?
“I have to send Auntie a proof of life shot.” I held up my phone and took a picture of the three of us in front of the sign and sent it to her.
Me
I’m fine. Pepper spray is not needed.
“Pepper spray?” Steven asked.
“I’m an omega going off with two alphas that I met in a bar, safety first,” I replied. Not that I felt unsafe with them.
“Smart.” Ashton took Steven’s hand.
We wandered through the gardens taking everything in. While it was warm, we were also having a very goodtime. Especially since the two of them let me geek out with plants.
The tropical flower exhibit was especially beautiful, and we posed for a selfie for me to post.
Steven looked at Ashton and then he glanced over at me. “The two of you match with your buns today.”
