Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Yeah, mom, he’s right here,” Danny said into the phone, smiling over at Eliot.
It had been a nice surprise to learn that Danny and his mom were still on good terms, even now that he’d come out. Eliot had been afraid that Danny’s family would be more like his. Not violent or abusive, but quietly refusing to accept who he really was. That was why he’d wanted to get away in the first place.
As it turned out, that had worked out well for Eliot.
Danny had told him earlier that his mom had claimed they’d always known. Whether or not that was true, at least she was happy to accept her son for who he was.
“Well, he’s… maybe an inch shorter than I am. Dark hair, kinda needs a trim…”
“It does not,” Eliot said, tucking a stray lock behind his ear. Danny chuckled.
“Bluest eyes you’ve ever seen. You’re gonna want to feed him when you meet him.” Danny grinned, pacing the living room while Eliot pretended to work instead of watching him.
It was difficult not to watch Danny while he was in nothing but his underwear.
Besides that, it was good to see him up and about. His physical therapy was really working, and they’d gone on more walks together in the last week than Eliot had gone on in his entire life. It had been nice, though.
The commute into work was worth it to live out here, with access to stuff like parks and walking trails. Not that Eliot would ever admit that those were things he liked or wanted. He had an aloof urbanite image to keep up.
“Yeah, he’s a journalist,” Danny explained. “He works for a magazine.”
Eliot smirked as he waited for Danny to have to tell his motherwhichmagazine.
“Uh. It’s called, umm. Cocky,” he said quietly, a blush creeping up his cheeks. Eliot chuckled.
“No, he’s laughing at me,” Danny said. “You two are gonna get along great.”
Eliot laughed again. He liked the idea of meeting Danny’s mom.
He was happier right now than he ever had been.
“Fourth of July?” Danny looked to Eliot, one eyebrow raised. “You wanna know if we can come to you?” he asked, clearly directing the question at Eliot.
That seemed soon. Terrifyingly soon, for a moment.
But this was what Eliot wanted. And yeah, it would be nerve-wracking to meet Danny’s mom, especially because he got along well with her, but it would be okay. He knew he was important to Danny, too.
Eliot nodded, smiling at Danny even as his heart raced at the thought.
“That looked like a yes.” Danny grinned. Eliot knew immediately that it was the right answer, that going to see his mom would make Danny happy.
All he wanted in the world right now was to make Danny happy.
“Yeah, uh, he’s looking forward to meeting you, too,” Danny assured his mother. “Just, y’know, be gentle with him. I’d like to take him back home in one piece.”
“Mom,” Danny said after a pause, blushing bright red. “You can’t say things like that!”
Eliot laughed again, fear melting away. He already liked Danny’s mom based on what Danny had said about her, and he’d probably work up the courage to talk to her before they met in person, anyway. It’d be nice to get out of LA for a few days.
Not that Eliot hadn’t come to love it here, but sometimes it was a little much.
Although, less so now that he had someone else to share it with.
“Yeah, I love you too, mom,” Danny said, smiling fondly. “I’ll give your love to Eliot as well. Okay, bye.”
Danny hung up, then walked over to the couch and flopped down next to Eliot, spreading his arms out along the back with an exhausted sigh.
