Building A (Strange) Family

Sexuality

"I am not asexual!" Mark fairly shouted.
Joel stopped grinning and just looked at him.

Then Mark realized he had shouted, and realized the rest in the kitchen were looking at him, too.

"Sorry..."

Lilly shook her head.
"Okay, no need to apologize... but I've got to ask what that was all about."

Instantly, Marks temper flared again.
"Joel keeps calling me asexual!"

"And... how did he come to that conclusion?" Robert asked, leaning on the counter.
He was switching to therapist mode and Lilly was grateful.

Joel shrugged.
"I was just wondering if he was straight, bi, whatever. He said the idea of sex didn't appeal to him."

"That doesn't mean I'm asexual!"
Mark insisted.

Robert sighed, "Mark, do you know what asexual is?"

Mark hesitated. He frowned, but now in confusion rather then just frustration.
"It means... doesn't it mean... maybe I don't... I want to be with someone, I just don't want sex..."

"That is exactly what it means," Robert explained gently.
"It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you.
It doesn't mean you can't be in a relationship.
That you don't want romance and closeness; that would be aromantic.
You are asexual..."

Marks frown lifted with ever word Robert said.

"... I never knew that," he finally admitted, not meeting anyone's eye.

David chuckled, "Learn somethin' new everyday."

And the mood in the kitchen righted itself, back to happy and playful.
Mark was thankful; he felt normal.