Tilting his head, Darcy considered the question before answering.“No, I guess it doesn’t.Everyone is different and so is everyone’s story.Besides, who’s going to care how long we knew each other before we made love?”
He snorted.“My mother for one, but that’s just because she’s still holding out hope that I’ll impregnate someone before giving up women altogether.It doesn’t matter how many times I tell her it’s not going to happen, she doesn’t believe me.It’s just wishful thinking, of course.”
“She wants you to help keep up the population of chameleon shifters, eh?”
“I really think it’s more a case of her wanting grandchildren.”
Darcy laughed outright at that, then he sobered up.“At least she hasn’t disowned you.”
“It sounds like you have experience with that.”
He thought Darcy’s shrug looked more practiced than anything else.
“No child of theirs was going to be gay.They tried to send me to conversion camp.Thank goodness I caught wind of it and ran away before their church cronies came to get me.Unfortunately, that means I left with little more than the clothes on my back.”
“Oh, man, I’m so sorry.How long have you been on your own?”
“Let’s see… I wasn’t quite sixteen yet and I’m twenty-six now, so over ten years.”
“I can’t imagine that,” Charma admitted.His family and friends were disappointed in his choice not to procreate, but they hadn’t disowned him at all.Leaving the compound had been his choice, and he could go back to visit anytime he wanted to.He could even go back to live if he wanted to; there would always be a place for him at home, no matter what.“And you haven’t spoken to them at all in all that time?”
“Nope.I’ve tried.I called several times the first year I was gone, but all that happened was they tried to find me to send me to the camp.I’ve only called twice since, and it was made clear I was dead to them.”
Charma wrapped Darcy in a hug, holding him close.“I’m so sorry.”
Darcy tried to shrug, but then his arms snuck around Charma and held on tight.“Thanks.People suck.”
“They sure do.You just don’t expect the sucky ones to be family.”
“I kind of do, actually.”
“Yeah, I get that you would.”Charma sighed and squeezed again.“I’ll be your family.”
Darcy nodded.“Yeah, found family is a real thing.”Then he took a deep breath and let go.“Okay, let’s order some supper.”
“Sounds good to me.You said you liked the Pad Thai, right?And I love Panang Curry, so that’s what I want.”
“Cool.”Darcy grabbed his phone.“You can totally order online instead of calling the number and it’s easier for them to not have to answer the phone if they’re busy.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.”
Darcy shrugged.“I delivered food for a take-out joint once upon a time, so I know a little about how things work.Just a very little.You want some spring rolls too?They’ve got an amazing dipping sauce.It’s spicy and sweet and yum.”
“If you’re sure, I’d love that.”
“Done.And we have two Cokes left, so we’re good on the drinks front.”
“Am I taking your last one?”Charma asked.He didn’t want to leave Darcy without any.
“I’m doing groceries tomorrow anyway, so that’s cool.”
“Perfect.Where do you do your groceries?”
“There’s a No Frills store a few blocks over.They’ve got the best prices on most stuff.”
“Oh, I’m not too far from there.We can go to my place first so I can get dressed and pay you back for dinner, then we can go to the store.”Charma closed his mouth hard, his teeth clacking together.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to invite myself on your shopping trip.”
“I can’t think of anything that would make doing groceries better.”Darcy was all grins so Charma figured he hadn’t been presumptuous.Or if he had, it was welcome.
