Sudden Engagement (Final Space. Garycato)

Chapter 2

Avocato took a moment to clear his head as he glanced around the luxury suite that Gary had pulled him into. Speaking of Gary... He turned to see the blond man staring at him with teary eyes.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry, Avocato," the human insisted. With a sigh, the little heir trudged over to the crimson-covered bed, and sat down on the end. "I didn't know he'd actually force us to get married."

What could he say to that? It was a very strange situation to be in, but at least they were still alive. The Ventrexian took a seat next to his new ally, cautiously wrapping a comforting arm around the younger man's shoulders. Gary looked up at him, astonished.

"Don't worry about it. If it wasn't for you, my son and I might be..." Avocato trailed off, unable to utter the words. "You saved our lives, Gary," the feline finally announced, giving the other man a quick side hug.

"It really wasn't that big a deal. Pops is pretty intense, but he'd never hurt family... Not too much, anyway," Gary admitted.

"Didn't you say he locked you on a ship for 5 years?" the Ventrexian asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Uh, well... I tried to run away too often, and that was my punishment. I mean, it wasn't the first time. I had H.U.E. looking after me, and my best friend, KVN." The human shrugged, lacing his fingers together in his lap.

"So... you were adopted?" Avocato guessed, suddenly overcome with curiosity.

"Pops was married to my dad, Captain John Goodspeed. They were both in the Infinity Guard once. But there was a mission that ended... badly. Dad never made it back, and when pops returned to Earth he was — different. He's been strange ever since," Gary sighed, leaning into Avocato's embrace.

The Ventrexian felt his cheeks heating under his fur as the rather adorable human cuddled closer for comfort. "Well, my son and I are grateful that you rescued us, Gary. Getting married to you isn't going to be an issue, I promise."

The human snorted at that. "Just wait until we're actually married. Then you won't be able to get away from my... the Lord Commander. And what if, a week from now, you realize that I'm a horrible husband? Pops killed the last guy I flirted with, because he didn't approve of him. And don't even get me started on the girl I liked back on Earth. I seem to be a walking death magnet," Gary sighed, his head flopping forward in self-misery.

"Hey now," Avocato said, lowering his voice to a soothing tenor. "I'm sure we'll get along fine. Out of all the people the Lord Commander could have forced me to marry — I'm glad it was someone as incorruptible as you. And I can guarantee that you, Gary Goodspeed, are not a walking death magnet."

The blond glanced up at him, his gaze so focused and intense that it was like his blue eyes were staring into Avocato's soul.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the feline asked, an uncertain chill creeping up his spine.

The human didn't answer. Instead, he reached up to grasp both sides of Avocato's face, and pressed their lips together. It was a single, spectacular moment that had the Ventrexian curling his tail around the young man's waist even as he drew him closer. They parted too soon for Avocato's liking. He was tempted to pull the young man back into his embrace, but he didn't want to startle him. "That was..."

"Oh my crap! I am so sorry, Avocato. You were just being so cool..." Gary babbled, his cheeks flaming a bright, adorable red.

"Gary." Avocato pressed a single finger to the man's pert lips. "It's okay. We're in this together now."