I do not own Mushoku Tensei, only the characters Asher, Ruby, and Paula.

Asher's Perspective:

Jingle*

"Hey hey." I stepped into the workshop holding a bag of snacks I had nabbed from a food stall on the way there. I was sure Julie would be happy with something delicious to eat after a long day at work.

"Oh Asher. Teehee* Welcome back." Each time I heard her voice I could only feel like it was the cutest thing I've ever heard. That smile. It was that damned smile. Each time I saw it, I fell in love with her all over again. All the hours of training, and studying just melted away. All the fatigue was washed over by that warmth. It was a warmth that exuded what one could only call love.

"Ah my heart. You're just too much Julie. Auuggghhh I love you so much." Each time I saw her my heart ached in this elated queasiness that could only be described as "so happy you could die." I just wanted to kiss, and hold her. I wanted to grab her hands, and say I love you a million times. I just wanted to drown in the experience.

Ah… calm yourself Asher. Gotta stay cool, keep it cool. I just can't force my desires onto her. She's not ready, and frankly, neither am I.

Thinking that, I noticed Julie turned red.

"A-A-Asher-kun, love is a very strong w-word. I hope you know what that means? " She said, stuttering her words as she spoke.

Damn did I say all that out loud again? It's just so hard to control myself around her.

Cough* True, love is a strong word. I got ahead of myself already. "Sorry Julie, didn't mean to scare you. It's just that… you're very cute, and seeing you made me really happy." I said, making a quick bow as an apology.

Still red in the face,"it's-It's fine, I don't really mind." She began squirming a bit, "I-I uh… l-love you t-too."

Ah… my heart is about to break. Not in a sad way, but in a happy way.

"Julie-san… can I hug you?" Was the next thing that came out of my mouth.

"E-eh?! Already? Y-you just came in h-here and you already want a h-hug." She could no longer contain her embarrassment.

"Y-yeah… Y-Yes, your boyfriend commands it." I stood there, arms crossed, continuing the playful act of a spoiled Tyrant. It was a bit embarrassing finally asking her this type of thing, but most importantly, I wouldn't let my nervousness stop us from enjoying getting closer. I felt bolder than before. I felt as though I could take on anything. Of course it was still a bit scary opening up, and letting her know what I wanted.

Would she agree? Would she be happy? Or would she hate it? Would she reject me? A bit scared of seeing what her reaction would be, I kept my eyes closed, but occasionally took a small peak.

Julie paused for a second. I could sense a bit of nervousness still there, but I also saw her laugh. It was this slight puff of air. She was pleased with my antics. Leaving myself vulnerable, I felt a bit awkward, but now… that single laugh, and smile, that look in her eye, that nod… It felt like the ice that had momentarily made me tremble had broken.

"Alright. Then this humble girlfriend offers thee a hug. I hope my boyfriend is pleased?" She did a small curtsey, and let out another small giggle. It really made me smile.

This is it, this is my chance to hug that adorable little dwarf. "Very well, come here." I said as I opened my arms.

Julie shook her head, "no, y-you come here." As she said that, she pulled a stool from her desk and proceeded to stand on it. Now she was opening her arms, looking cute as ever. Guess I'm not the only one that has become bold.

I set the bag of snacks on the floor next to me. "V-very well my madam." I approached Julie.

I slowly approached her, feeling my heart beating furiously as I got closer. I could tell that Julie-san was still nervous. But nevertheless, she was willing to continue. In fact, not only was she willing, she was more than that, the look in her eyes told me this was something she was wishing for as well.

I walked forward like one of their prototype puppets. It was something akin to a march. It was this stiff step where my arms, and legs moved as if they lacked any middle joints. Finally, my advance halted in front of her. My hands felt all clammy, and the excited explosion of pixie dust, or whatever was causing a mess in the pit of my stomach, wouldn't stop.

I just stared at her face, and continued biting my lips. She too had this quivering look around her lips as well. I paused one more time, and settled my breathing. One deep breath, and then… -foooo*- a quick exhale to relieve the pressure. But it was still there.

"Uhh… A-Alright I'm gonna do it."

"Mhm" She nodded her head.

"I-I'm gonna hug you."

"Yeah." Her words ended off in this clear, but quiet high pitched voice that was just oozing, with excitement, and nervousness.

I took in one more long inhale, and then…

Heaven…

It felt like heaven.

It was like a part of me that I never knew was missing had finally returned, and I was complete. It was so warm. It was this truly satisfying embrace that filled me to my very core, and merged into this fusion of electric excitement, and caressing peace.

"Wow…"

"W-what?"

"You feel nice."

"Eh? Th-thank you. You feel nice too."

I don't wanna be that much of a pervert but…

"You smell nice too."

"O-oh… really? I don't think I do though. I've been working a lot today. I'm a little sweaty." She said nervously.

"Not really, it's actually quite comforting." I tightened my hold. I wonder if this is what father feels when he holds mom.

"I s-see." She whispered.

Holding her like this is a dream come true. Of course, this isn't the first time I've hugged her. But this one felt different than the previous ones we did. I'm hugging her more clearly.

I don't want this to end.

I slowly, but gently pushed myself away. I still had her within arms length. She looked confused when I did this.

"A-Asher? Is something wrong?"

Now that I look at her more closely and clearly, she's really pretty. She is way older than me, but she looks just as young as me.

Dwarfs do live longer, I guess they age slower too.

I looked deep into her orange eyes.

"Asher, having you staring at me is kinda embarrassing me. N-not that I mind but…"

Her eyes are beautiful, her nose, her face, her lips. Everything's just wonderful, I just wanna… I wanna…

"Asher-kun?" She looked at me worriedly.

Her lips look nice… I wonder what would happen if I…

I don't know what came over me but, the next thing I knew, I kissed her on the lips.

"Mmh?!"

We both drew away slowly, eyes in a daze. We sat there for a bit, minds still processing what just happened. Did I… Did we just… kiss?

When realization finally hit, we both turned the reddest red we had ever been. It was just the slightest peck, the smallest kiss, something so quick, and simple that one could miss it if they weren't paying too much attention, but that first kiss… It felt like an electric surge was exploding across my whole body as if a massive mana distortion was ready to send me on my way to a new world- Maybe, a place called heaven.

I slowly moved my face away from Julie's. She looked almost frightened.

"Julie… I…"

I felt speechless, I couldn't figure out what to say. I may have moved too fast, I just couldn't hold it anymore.

Julie lowered her head, not looking at me, not even saying a word to me.

Great… Why do I always move too fast? Ruby was right, I should've slowed it down. I've missed a very big step. Me and Julie have only been together for a month or two, all we did is hug and hold hands. But, this is…

"I'm sorry… I'm moving too fast again, aren't I?"

I wondered if she wanted to take a step back this early in the relationship. Honestly, I wouldn't blame her if she did.

I was ready to pull away from our embrace before… without warning, she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me in for another kiss.

Absolute surprise… This was the last thing I was expecting. I melted into her kiss like ice in a warm bath. Her lips were so soft. It felt like I was falling into a bed of clouds. It was like sweet nectar had touched my lips. Last time happened too fast for me to really savor it, but this time I could finally drown in the feeling of bliss.

Mind you, we had never dated anyone before, so these first few kisses, had this clumsiness to them, but that made it all the more endearing. We weren't really sure about what we were doing. We were just getting lost in the feelings. But that was absolutely perfect. We didn't have to know any of that stuff. We just had to know that we liked it, that we loved each other, and we wanted one another to like it as well.

Our lips stayed like that for a while, Each of us feeding into each other's warmth, Both of us disregarding our walls, and every fiber of our being letting ourselves loose into eachothers arms.

After what felt like an eternity of happy never ending dreams, we pulled our faces away from each other. Julie's face looked as if she was in a daze. The kiss had a bigger impact on her then I thought. She looked very cute, making me want to go in for another.

I was just about to do that before she put two fingers gently on my lips.

I was confused by this, "Julie? "

She slowly shook her head, "we… we can't g-go any further. I-I feel like this could escalate to something crazy."

Hearing, that doesn't sound too bad. Infact, It sounds kinda exciting.

Whoa, what's this feeling?

"That sounds kinda interesting. I'm sure it wouldn't be so bad." My heart was pumped up, I felt a chill of nervousness and excitement running through my body.

Julie shook her head slowly again, "M-maybe but, it's too e-early. I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I'm f-fine with kissing but it has to be when we are alone."

If you're fine with kissing now, then…

"Can I have another?"

I was hooked. I had to return to that piece of heaven we shared. Never had I ever felt this sense of connection, this sense of wholeness. It was like my eyes were opened, and I finally noticed that there was a part of me missing. When we kissed there was this indescribable satisfaction that couldn't be matched by anything I had ever felt before. I was more than addicted. I was obsessed.

Julie paused again. She stared at me with this look in her eyes. It was like an important decision was being made, a clash between one's desires, and one's sense of what is right, or proper. I could see the want in her eyes, but at the same time there were bits of nervousness there like layers of hesitation helping her keep her footing, and stopping her from diving head deep into a brand new unknown.

And then, a part of me knew that it wouldn't be right to advance unless we both were ready. But I still couldn't shake it- The desire to push further, to Increase this sense of connection, to fall completely into unity.

"Julie. I'm not going to lie. I really want this, and I can tell you want it too. But I don't want to force you into something you're not ready for. I want to make sure that we both enjoy this. So I'll wait. We won't go past kissing until we're both ready. And hopefully we'll be able to build this connection even stronger as we grow even closer in the future, and learn to trust each other even more."

Julie looked at me again, and then she looked down- her hair hiding her eyes.

"Mnnn… Honestly I am really nervous. This is just something I've never really had to deal with before. I was always focused on work, and enjoying life with my family here. It's all so new to me, and I'm not sure how to handle it. But, you're right. Despite how nervous I am, I want it too. It's really hard holding myself back."

She let her hand fall onto the side of my cheek, and leaned in for another kiss.

That feeling of desire was back. Maybe Julie was right, this could lead to something crazy if we continue. I must hold myself back, until we are ready, I must be pure as a saint, or like father when he becomes abstinent on his long business trips.

We slowly pulled back for the last time, still in each other's embrace. Julie had a look of happiness and desire. But I guess, just like me, she's holding back for now. I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

"It must be strange huh?", she said.

"What is?"

"The two of us kissing. It's strange because I'm so much older than you. I may not look like it most of the time but, I wonder if it's better if you were doing this with someone close to your age." Her face turned to a saddened look.

I quickly pecked her lips. "Age doesn't matter to me. I mean, look at Aunt Norn. She married someone who is centuries old. Hehehe. As long as we love each other, we'll be just fine. I promise you Julie."

"B-but Asher, are you sure about this? I am much older than you, wouldn't you prefer someone your age? Once again, I am a dwarf, shouldn't it be better to date someone close to h-home. If you know what I mean?" She said, sounding a bit doubtful.

I slowly pulled her towards me into an even bigger embrace. She was surprised at first but didn't resist. "I've known you for a long time, and in that time, you've shown me so much kindness. You're always thinking about others. I admire that about you. Honestly, sometimes I have doubts about myself, but when I'm with you you're always so caring towards me. That's something I rarely felt from people outside my family. Then there's this shop. You're so knowledgeable. Everytime I come here you show me something new. It's always so cool and exciting. You know the name of every single thing here, and I get to listen for hours about how they work, and how you built them with lily-nee. Hearing you talk about the things you enjoy doing and making, gives me a warm feeling inside. There's something about that passion I can't help but be drawn to. I don't know how to describe it, but I guess I get to see just how much you're living your life, and something about that just seems so beautiful. All the people you help, all the things you've made, all these experiences… That's something I want to be a part of. So, if you're ok with it, I would like to continue that."

Ah… I feel like my heart is about to burst. I'm surprised I didn't stutter my words.

She returned the hug back, "what m-made you feel this way about me in the first place?"

I hugged her a bit tighter, "I just told you. It's you being you."

Her grip tightened, "I would like t-to hear more."

I smiled, "of course."

With her head resting on my chest we continued our talk as the last lights of sunset were fading into the horizon, and the pink cotton candy clouds were transforming into a midnight blue.

That ends Asher's Perspective for now, on to the next perspective. Hope you enjoy, and as always; let me know what you think and criticism is always welcome. Have a good day or night.See you in the next chapter.-JJ