Cherry Breeze

13. A GooseA Girl?

Chapter thirteen

A Goose Or A Girl?

As they lay there in the aftermath of lovemaking, Sebastian carded his fingers through Asher’s hair and smoothed the back of his knuckles over the side of his face as the alpha kissed along his temple and cheekbone.

Asher could so easily imagine Sebastian as a father. He knew somehow, perhaps it was a deep instinctual sense because he was an omega, but he knew that Sebastian would be a wonderful dad, far better than any of the plethora of so-called father figures who had come and gone through Asher's life, and much much better than his actual father, who he hadn't talked to in many years. He could picture himself, for the first time in his life, as a papa.

He could see himself as someone who could give life to the pups of the alpha that he loved. It felt odd to picture himself that way, but it also felt right, like a puzzle piece sliding into a space that Asher had mistaken for a simple ragged edge, but now that the piece had slid home, he could no longer dismiss the desire. He was an only child but he loved children and he could imagine himself as the papa to a brood of pups all with Sebastian’s big dark eyes.

“What are you thinking so hard about, Cherry?”

Asher rolled over to face Sebastian directly and looked up into his handsome countenance.

“I was thinking that you would make a very wonderful father.” Asher said and Sebastian looked at him with mild surprise, brows raising.

“You really think so?”

“I do think so. I think... you are a very gentle kind of alpha, and I think that any child would be lucky to have someone like you to look up to. I never really had that, so I didn't expect that I would know what it was if I ever did find it, but I can feel it from you. You give me this feeling of security... and I know that you would never give up on your child even if you fell out of love with your partner.”

Sebastian looked at Asher, his pretty honey eyes looking up at him with so much trust, and he wondered what his childhood had been like to give him feelings like that. He leaned closer and kissed the omega’s forehead, then his nose, his cheeks, and then his lips in many tiny presses. He kissed him over and over, just small pecks on his lips as he petted his skin that had cooled now that they had finished making love. Pulling back, Sebastian turned Asher’s face to look up at him.

“If I ever were to have pups with someone, it would be someone I love, and once I love someone, I wouldn’t give them up. I don’t believe in ‘falling out’ of love. Love is like… a business.”

“A… a business?” Asher asked, confusion clear on his face.

“Yes. If you begin a business and you mess about, not doing any work, not paying your taxes or striving for growth and success, it will all collapse around you. Love is just like that. Love is work, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful. There is nothing in this world worth having that doesn’t require a sacrifice on your part. If you want a love that will last and grow, then you have to put in the effort.” Sebastian looked deeply into his eyes and Asher felt like his next words were directed straight at his heart. “I’m ready to put that effort in, and keep working on something to get the best and strongest version of it.”

“Me too.” Asher whispered.

They spent the rest of their afternoon watching movies in Sebastian's home theater. The alpha offered to let Asher choose, but he just picked the next Iron Man movie, which Sebastian seemed excited about. They cuddled together back in that same seat where Asher had fallen asleep in the alpha's lap the previous night, this time with the added heft of Princess in Asher’s lap. But now Asher was more awake, and though he did pay partial attention to the movie, most of his focus was on the alpha. After the second Iron Man, they watched number three, and by the time that was over, it was already dinnertime.

Sebastian cooked for him again. He made him chicken parmesan while Asher used a cat toy, a stick with a long string that had a mouse on the end to play with Princess, who pounced on the mouse again and again. They talked a little more, still about light-hearted subjects, such as Asher's art, Sebastian's company, as well as Sebastian's former occupation as a makeup artist, which he really didn't get the opportunity to practice much anymore, now that he had the responsibilities of running his company.

As the alpha stirred the sauce, adding a large sprig of basil for flavor, the subject came around to Sebastian's vacation home, which the alpha told him was on the beach, and was private and secluded. He offered to take Asher there on another weekend when they could spend more time together. Asher liked the picture that Sebastian painted with his words, describing the view of the ocean from his beach house and smiling as he told him that Asher was more than welcome to bring his supplies and paint there.

Asher thought that Sebastian was a very special alpha as he watched him prepare food and listened to him talk. He’d realized that, though Sebastian did have a lot of money, he didn't really behave like the typical rich guy. He wasn't sure why the alpha seemed almost... like a college student who merely found himself living in a 30 million dollar mansion. He wondered if perhaps Sebastian had always been this way, and he liked the picture of the alpha that was unfolding, the more and more time they spent together. As they talked, Asher simply stared at the man who had come to be a lover, but already felt like more than that, despite the short period of time that they had known each other.

Dinner was fabulous, just as it had been the previous night and Asher ate his food happily, praising Sebastian's skill in the kitchen, which seemed to please the alpha. He actually blushed for the first time that Asher had seen and the omega softened. Apparently his sweet suitor liked praise for taking care of him. Asher liked that very much, it made him feel like he was important to the alpha.

After they finished eating, they cleaned the kitchen together, Asher washing dishes as Sebastian rinsed. Once they were done, Sebastian turned to him with an air of almost boyish anticipation and excitement.

“Can I do your makeup?”

Asher giggled at how excited he seemed.

“If you want to, but we aren’t going anywhere, are we?”

“No. It's just been such a long time since I've had someone around who doesn't mind me doing their makeup. Though I do love my company, I do miss actually doing makeup for clients. There is a magic in makeup, the anticipation for a big event, or even just a single person’s reaction. I miss that.” Sebastian said, a faraway look in his eyes.

Asher could imagine what that must feel like, being an artist himself. He knew that if he were to give up on his art to focus on a larger scale job like running a company, he would miss the feel of a brush in his hand and the satisfaction of watching as color bloomed across a blank white canvas.

“Paint me!” Asher said dramatically and threw himself into his arms as Sebastian laughed.

He took the alpha’s hand and pulled him along, this time the couple allowed Princess to follow them as they entered his room. The big, fluffy cat jumped up onto the counter where Sebastian's makeup was all piled up in semi-organized piles. The alpha pulled the very chair that Asher had sat in that morning while he painted him in the early dawn light and settled it next to the rolling stool that was placed in front of his makeup station. Asher happily took up a place in the blue chair, sitting with his legs criss-crossed underneath him, ready to let the alpha play with his makeup.

Sebastian removed the makeup that he'd applied to him that morning and then very carefully, and with consummate skill applied new makeup, not allowing Asher to see what he was doing, but Asher was still and quiet as he watched the expression of concentration on the alpha’s face and the small wrinkle that formed between his brows, tongue barely peeking out the side of his mouth as he carefully traced on winged eyeliner.

“You have a beautiful bone structure.” Sebastian commented as he reached for a contour palette. “You are so versatile, I could do any look on you and you’d pull it off.”

“I love to do really avant garde makeup, but it’s rare I have the time, plus I don’t have your skill or access to high quality makeup and I’d end up with it half melted off my face by the end of the day.”

“That would be a tragedy, but I think you underestimate your own skill. Your makeup was what caught my attention the first time I saw you.”

“Really?”

“Well… that and the fact that I could totally see the strap of your thong when you bent forward in those loose overalls.” Sebastian joked and Asher smacked his chest.

“Pervert!”

“Says the one with the daddy kink.”

“You liked that too!”

“But you still said it first.”

“Fine, I won’t ever say it again!”

“Oh come on… Okay, okay. I also liked it.” Asher puffed out his lip and Sebastian sighed. “I loved it.”

“I knew it! Dirty old man!”

“And you are clearly in need of another spanking!”

“Oh no, a spanking? I already had to change my panties once today because of you.”

“And you call me a pervert. Now, be still for a minute and let me put your lashes on.”

Asher stilled and let the alpha apply the strip lashes and then the lipstick which was a dark velvety red so deep it was almost black, followed by a coat of gloss. He was quiet as Sebastian finished up, and he was finally allowed to look in the mirror. As he turned and saw himself, he appreciated once more the talent that Sebastian possessed. His skin was flawless, his makeup was dark, much darker than he would normally do it, but Asher loved it. He thought he looked like a demon, or some dark, powerful being, a succubus ready to lure in foolish men. His eyeshadow was glittering gold at the inner corners of his eyes, but as it moved toward the outer part of his eye, it was a deep, dark black with a thick, heavy wing and big, dramatic eyelashes. His highlighter was also gold, and his skin beamed like he was standing under a spotlight. His lips, already full, were slightly overdrawn in the center, by just the tiniest bit, but it made them look almost round, like a doll. His oversized t-shirt seemed out of place. He looked like he should be wearing sexy leather lingerie.

“Sebastian… it’s amazing.” Asher said as he stood and leaned closer to the mirror to inspect it in closer detail.

“You’re very beautiful. Doing your makeup is a pleasure.” Sebastian said, standing behind Asher and leaning forward to rest his chin on the omega’s shoulder.

“Speaking of pleasure… Is that a bottle of setting spray pressed against my ass or are you just happy to see me?” Asher sassed, arching his hips back to push against Sebastian’s hips where he found that the alpha was already hard for him. “Pervert.”

Sebastian chuckled as one of his hands slid up Asher’s chest to take his jaw into his hold, their eyes meeting in the mirror.

“Perhaps I am… but so are you. Because I know that you’d love it if I were to make you watch how very pretty you look in this makeup as I fuck you right in front of this mirror, so you can watch my cock bulge your pretty little tummy.” Sebastian growled as his hand spanned the place where his cock would bulge outward and Asher’s body quivered in his hold, a little sound of want passing his lips. Sebastian smirked and kissed his cheek. “Pervert.”

Sebastian woke up alone. He looked around, expecting to see Asher either in bed beside him, or else in the blue chair, using his watercolors again. However, the room was empty, save for Princess who was curled up on the end of the bed in a fluffy orange ball. He pushed himself up and rolled out of bed, quickly brushing his teeth and pulling on a pair of sweatpants before leaving the room and making his way downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, the coffee pot had already been used and there was evidence that Asher had made himself a cup. The alpha looked around, but still didn't see Asher anywhere.

He made his way around the first floor, but as he walked through the living room, he caught a glimpse of Asher through one of the back windows. He stared for a moment at the lean figure wearing Sebastian's own old T-shirt. Asher was beautiful there in the early morning light, his hair a mess atop his head, skin glowing and face serene. He was sitting on the ground and he could see that he was painting with his watercolors again. Sebastian turned and made his way down the hall and out through the back door, walking around the side of the house until he came to one of the more landscaped areas of the property. It was filled with flowery bushes, small trees, and a lovely little walking path. Asher was sitting just in front of a bush whose vibrant pink flowers the omega seemed to be painting with his watercolors. Though Asher didn't react at all to the sound of his approach, when he got close the omega spoke to him.

“Good morning.” The omega said as he made another flowing sweep, his brush leaving a trail of vibrant magenta color in its wake.

Sebastian lowered himself to the ground beside the omega, his body turned toward him, and returned the greeting as he leaned forward to kiss the side of his messy head.

“Good morning, Cherry.” Sebastian said, and Asher set aside his notebook and dropped his paintbrush into a little cup of water and turned his face toward Sebastian. The alpha took the opportunity to deliver a soft kiss to his lips. “You look very beautiful this morning.”

Asher laughed, knowing that he was probably a mess with his hair that hadn't been brushed after going to sleep with it wet after their shower the previous night.

“You're quite the flatterer, but I'll take the compliment anyway.”

“You should take the compliment, since you do look beautiful.”

Asher took Sebastian's chin in a gentle hand and stared at him assessingly.

“You're also quite handsome in the morning. It would be lovely to sketch you like this, but we’ll save that for another day, when I have all my good supplies with me.”

Sebastian felt his cheeks warm a little bit at the praise. He’d never really been praised much by a partner and having that praise come from Asher was something else. It made his wolf change from the frightening, growling beast inside him, to a docile little pup, with a wagging tail, happy that their omega was happy with things about them.

“Can I see what you painted?” Sebastian asked in an attempt to change the subject, nodding toward the notebook that Asher had been working on.

The omega reached for it and offered the incomplete painting of a flower to the alpha and Sebastian observed the beautiful, vibrant artwork as Asher watched him.

“Do you like it?”

“It's beautiful. I’m still so impressed by you every time I see your art.”

“This isn’t even my really impressive stuff.” Asher said, leaning toward him to kiss his cheek. “You should see the nude self-portrait I painted last year. It’s quite detailed.”

“Now that I’d love to see.”

Sebastian was just about to pull Asher in for another kiss when he heard the sound of his doorbell ringing, echoing out to them from inside the house. Sebastian looked toward the house confused.

“Are you expecting company?” Asher asked and Sebastian shook his head.

“No, I wasn't expecting anyone… but how did they get through the gate?” The alpha said. “I guess I should go see who it is.”

“And I should probably put on pants.”

They headed inside and Asher quickly jogged up the stairs as Sebastian headed for the front door. He opened the door to find his sister and his niece standing outside.

“Lara? Mia? What are you doing here?” Sebastian asked, surprised.

His sister punched him hard in the shoulder as hard as she could, a habit from their youth. Sebastian rubbed the spot.

“You jacka-” Lara started, but cut off, looking down at her daughter. “You… idiot! You had me scared to death! You haven't been answering your phone since yesterday!” His sister scolded, poking him in the chest. “We were worried that something happened to you! You're never out of touch for so long and you always tell me if you’re travelling out of the country.”

Sebastian pulled his phone out of the pocket of his sweats and realized that it had died. He'd forgotten to charge it, too focused on his visitor. He facepalmed himself and shook his head.

“Oh my gods, I can't believe it. It must have died yesterday and I just didn't notice. I've been busy this weekend.”

“Busy doing what? You're at home but too busy to keep from scaring your sister half to death?”

“I actually have company.” Sebastian said, just as he heard the pitter patter of Asher's feet on the stairs.

Sebastian turned to see the omega appear, trotting rapidly down the stairs now wearing black leggings with the oversized t-shirt.

"Alpha, who was it at the door?” Asher asked as he rounded the bottom banister and jogged over to him.

Sebastian paused for a moment as Asher's arm hooked with his. The omega looked at the pair standing on his doorstep and Sebastian indicated to his family, who looked shocked.

“Uh… right. This is my sister, Lara.” Sebastian said, indicating to the adult. “And my niece, Mia.” He added waving toward the little girl. “Lara, Mia, this is Asher… my um... “ Sebastian looked at Asher, as if for permission, but the omega looked as curious as everyone else as to how he’d be described. “...boyfriend.”

Asher smiled and Sebastian was relieved. Lara actually squealed in excitement and Mia was smiling, clearly happy to be a part of the adults’ conversation. His sister began to babble at a mile a minute.

“Oh my gods! I didn't know you were seeing anyone! It's been so long. Does Mom know? Oh my gosh she's going to be so excited when I tell her! Finally you can come to date nights and mom can bother you for more grandkids at holidays! Yes!” Lara said, and Sebastian laughed at her expression, thinking that if she were a cartoon there would be big sparkles in her eyes and wavy tear tracks running down her face.

“Lara.” Sebastian said, trying to pull her out of her spiral. “I haven't told Mom yet. This is kind of new and I was waiting a little longer before telling everyone.” Sebastian looked to Asher and added, “Not that I was ashamed or something, we just… barely started dating and-”

Asher interrupted him with soft fingers on his lips, small shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter, sensing Sebastian’s awkwardness.

“I know. Why don't you invite your sister and niece inside? There's no reason to stand on the doorstep.”

“Oh… Right. Come in.”

As soon as they were inside, Mia immediately ran to her uncle, arms out for a hug and Sebastian intercepted her, lifting her up and setting her on his hip as if she were a baby, though Asher knew from their conversations that the little girl was five. She was absolutely adorable with her round face and long, dark pigtails that swung with her movements. She giggled and hugged the alpha, pressing a loud kiss to his cheek.

“Hi, Uncle Seb!”

“Hey, Goose. It’s good to see you.” The alpha said, kissing her forehead and Asher absolutely melted.

“I’m not a goose! I’m a girl!”

“You’re my Goose.” Sebastian said to the child in his arms before turning to his sister. “Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure.”

They moved to the kitchen and Sebastian set Mia down to pour coffee for the three adults before getting a purple sippy cup out of one of the cabinets and filling it with apple juice for the little girl, handing it to her and getting an adorable thanks. Lara leaned against the counter with a smile and stared at the new couple, sipping her coffee while they squirmed under her inspection of them.

“So… how did you two meet?”

“Uh…” Sebastian said, glancing at Asher. “Well, Asher recently modeled in one of my campaigns.”

“Oh, so you’re a model?” She asked Asher.

“Not really. I’m an art student. I just happened to model for this campaign. Sebastian actually casted me on the street.”

“Did he? I’ve never heard of him doing that before.” She said, giving the alpha a look full of secret knowledge. “He must have been very impressed.”

“I was.” Sebastian said quickly. “Super impressed.”

Lara snickered into her coffee and shared a smile with Asher. “Mm-hm.”

“Uncle Seb, where’s Princess Unicorn Dumpling?” Mia asked, looking around for the resident fluffball.

“I think she’s upstairs.” Sebastian said.

“I’ll go get her.” Asher volunteered, setting his coffee aside and walking toward the stairs.

He only made it a couple steps when he felt a tug on his shirt and looked down to see that Mia was holding a handful of the fabric, purple sippy cup held securely by her other arm.

“Can I come, Ass?”

“It’s Asher.”

“Assa.”

“Asher.”

“Asha.”

Asher laughed and patted her head gently.

“That will do. Let’s go get Princess Unicorn Dumpling.”

As soon as Asher was out of sight, Lara turned to Sebastian and set her coffee aside, giving Sebastian a look that said he was about to be forced to tell his deepest, darkest secrets. It was one of his sister’s special skills, extracting information from him. She’d always been able to get him to spill his guts.

“You little shit!” Lara stage-whispered, punching his shoulder again. “You offered him a job as a model to get into his pants, didn’t you?”

“No!” Sebastian defended, setting aside his coffee and as she gave him a look that said, ‘I don’t believe you’. “I mean, yes… okay I did offer him the job as an opening to get closer to him, but it wasn’t just about getting into his pants. Lara… you know me better than that. I’m not that kind of alpha. If I wanted a bedwarmer I’m rich and famous enough to have a whole host of them if I wanted, but I don’t, because that’s not who I am. Asher isn’t just… some...” Sebastian struggled to find a word, and came up empty. “I mean to say that he’s special and I really see a future with him.”

Lara’s face split into a wide smile and Sebastian mentally slapped himself. He’d just confessed his feelings. Gods, why was she so good at manipulating him?

“So… you think he’s the one. Interesting…” She picked up her coffee and took a smug sip. “Mom is gonna combust when I tell her.”

“I will tell mom and dad when I’m ready.”

“You can say that, but Mia tells her grandma everything, and she’s definitely gonna tell her about meeting your new friend. But why don’t you want to tell mom?”

“We only met like a few weeks ago. I can’t introduce him to mom and dad yet. He’s only 20…” Sebastian hesitated but as he looked at his big sister, he let one of his fears pass his lips. “What if he doesn’t want… all this?”

“All this? You mean like, mating, pups, and domestic life?”

“Yeah. What if I’m too old for him?”

This time when his sister put her hand on his shoulder it wasn’t to hit him, but to give him a gentle shake.

“You can’t know unless you talk to him, but you’re not old, Seb. Having a mate and a family isn’t the end of your youth, it’s just a new part of life. Don’t give up on this if you think he’s good for you, and maybe he’ll surprise you.”

They heard Asher and Mia coming back, the sounds of the little girl squealing and laughing as they came down the stairs and the siblings peeked out the kitchen door to see them come down. The little girl was still holding Asher’s shirt and Asher had the stick with the mouse, trailing it down the stairs as Princess tried to catch it. Mia was laughing wildly and tugging on Asher’s shirt. The omega had his hand on her back, steadying her so she wouldn’t fall down the stairs.

“Asha! Look at kitty!”

“I can see her, she wants the mouse!”

They made it to the bottom and the two spying adults ducked back into the kitchen to avoid detection. Asher and Mia entered the kitchen with Princess trailing after them. Asher handed the stick over to Mia and the little girl began to play with the cat, who was determined to catch the mouse. Asher went to step away, but the child didn’t release his shirt.

“No! Asha stay! Play with Mia and Princess Unicorn Dumpling!” She said, her childish milky scent souring momentarily until Asher stepped closer again.

The omega crouched down next to her and stroked his fingers through one of her bouncy pigtails.

“Okay, Goose.”

“I’m not a goose! I’m a girl!”

“Hmm… I don’t know…” Asher poked her side and she laughed, dropping her purple sippy cup as she wiggled. “You sure honk like a goose.”

“I’m not a goose!”

“Let’s see then. If you’re not a goose then show me your hands!”

Mia dropped the stick and Princess attacked the mouse and string as the little girl held her hands out to show Asher.

“No feathers… no wings. That’s not like a goose at all! Show me your feet!”

She kicked her foot out that was clad in cute sparkly pink sandals.

“Those aren’t goose feet! I think Uncle Seb was wrong! You look like a girl to me!”

Sebastian wasn't much more than a sentient pile of alpha goo as he watched Asher playing with Mia. The omega and his niece started to play with the cat, which somehow turned into the two of them trailing the mouse along and getting chased by Princess as they ran around the kitchen and living room. Lara gave him a look that clearly read, ‘You have nothing to worry about.’ and he knew she was right. Asher clearly loved kids and he was such a natural with Mia that he couldn't help but imagine how good the omega would be with his own pups... pups that belonged to him and to Sebastian. It pulled at that part of the alpha that longed for a family to take care of, a mate to love, and pups of his own.

He knew his mother and father were waiting, and had been for a very long time, for him to meet someone and start a family. He just hadn't met the right person, and he wondered if Asher could be the right person for him. He was so genuinely sweet, but Lara was right when she said that he needed to talk to Asher about those things. Asher had told him that he wanted a lot of children, but the question on Sebastian's mind was, if he wanted those children soon, or if he meant in some distant future of his life. He supposed that it didn't really matter in the larger picture. If he fell in love with Asher, he'd give him all the time that he needed to come around and be ready to have his pups. Mostly though, his mind was focused on how adorable his omega was playing with his niece and his cat.

Once Sebastian’s family left, the rest of the day seemed to disappear in minutes, as if the clock were determined to run at five times speed to sap away the last of their hours together, but they still enjoyed each other for as long as they could, and Sebastian made Asher dinner before driving the omega back to his loft. It was sad to part with him so soon. It felt like they’d barely had any time together, but as they sat in his car outside his place, Asher unbuckled his seatbelt and stretched over into Sebastian’s space, kissing his frown and gently smoothing away the furrow in his brow with patient thumbs.

“Now, now don’t pout.” Asher said, kissing the alpha again.

“I’m not pouting… I just don’t want you to go.”

“Did you have fun with me this weekend?” Asher asked and Sebastian pulled him close with an arm around his waist.

“Of course. You know I did.”

“Then you should be looking forward to the next time instead of being sad that this one is over.”

“Next time?” Sebastian asked hopefully, pout disappearing.

“Mm-hm.” Asher hummed and they kissed for a long, pleasurable time before Asher pulled back. “Next time.”