“Not even close,” Stark muttered. “I don’t know what their problem is. They’re acting likewe’rethe ones who’ve done something horrible.” He shoved his fists into his pockets, muttering. “Self centred, high and mighty…”
Kyle’s brows were etched together and he stared out blankly as if deep in thought.
“What is it?” Stark prodded.
“Well,” Kyle began, pressing the curve of his finger against his lip. “There’s nothing we can do about my, um, background.”
Stark winced, thinking again of his mother’s reaction to hearing Kyle was from the facility - even though it was no fault of his own.
“But there is something else we can do that might put her at ease,” Kyle went on. He met Stark’s eyes. “She seemed pretty upset about us having a baby out of wedlock, so… We could get married?”
For a moment Stark forgot how to blink. He stared at his mate, surprised that Kyle was willing to go through all this trouble just to prevent tension with his in-laws. From all the human movies Stark watched, that always seemed to be the last thing on the new mate’s mind. He was reminded once again of how truly amazing Kyle was. He strode over to him, looped his arms under Kyle’s armpits and picked him up.
“Whoa!”
Stark planted a big kiss right on Kyle’s lips. “You are… Really something, Kyle.”
Kyle blushed. “Come on, put me down.”
“Mmm,” Stark said, pretending to think about it. “Not yet.”
He pushed his lips against Kyle’s once more, but this time slower and more passionately. Kyle sighed and kissed him back.
“Now I can put you down,” Stark said. He plopped Kyle back onto the couch.
“Are we really doing this?” Kyle asked, as if suddenly aware of what he had suggested. “I mean… seriously?”
“What, get married?” Stark asked.
Kyle gave him a tiny nod.
“Only if you want to,” Stark said. “I don’t want you to rush into anything just because it’ll please my parents, alright? They’re grown up. They can deal with their own crap by themselves.”
“No, I know,” Kyle said. He fumbled with his fingers, suddenly looking shy. “But… Idowant to get married. Hell, what omega doesn’t? It’s just that… for my whole life, I never thought it would be possible. Especially when I lived at the breeding facility. I thought any marriage I’d have would be one to look good on paper, not actually based on love.”
He glanced up and met Stark’s eye with a smile. “But things are so,sodifferent now.”
“They are,” Stark agreed. He wrapped his arms around Kyle’s waist. “Now you’re mine and I’m never letting you go.” He pressed a flurry of kisses into Kyle’s hair.
“Well? Should we call them and let them know the news?” Kyle asked.
Stark smirked. “Just a minute. I’m not done kissing you yet.”
* * *
“You’re getting married!?”
Stark had to hold the phone away from his ear as Scout all but shrieked.
“Yeah,” Stark said, both happy and slightly embarrassed at how excited his friend’s response was. “We decided to tell you and Killian first, since you guys have done so much for us.”
“Oh my god, I can’t believe this - Killian! Come here! They’re getting married!”
Stark couldn’t help but smile when he noticed the parallels between Scout and his mother when they spoke over the phone - except Scout was a lot less judgmental.
“Put me on speaker, I want to hear Kyle, too!” Scout cried.
Stark did so and Kyle said, “Hi, Scout.”
