Forever His (Connor x Hank)

Chapter Twenty-Three

The day Lucian met Imani it had been a year into his new living situation. Dr. Robin thought it'd be good to have an afternoon activity during the week to give him more social interaction so he began volunteer work at a an animal rescue in town.

When Lucian told Hank and Connor about the pet rescue they happily told him about how that was where they spent their first date. They didn't know it was a date at the time, but it became one of their most cherished memories. That was the day they got their goldfish, Lucy.

It was also a pet shop at that time, but as soon as androids were granted the right to own businesses, Imani took over and made it into a pet rescue.

The couple always took care of Lucy even with their busy schedules. Lucian didn't know gold fish could even that big. Or be that old. A quick Cybersearch let Lucian know that she wouldn't be there for much longer. He decided to keep quiet about that because he figured they had to know that, even if they didn't want to admit it out loud.

Lucian had been on Testosterone for approximately three months at that point. His already raspy voice was just a tad bit deeper and that had been the only result he could really see at the time. He knew he'd see more later on so he didn't stress it. What he was stressing about, however, was how damn beautiful his new boss was.

Imani with her dark skin and tight coils of hair that had blond highlights within them. His eyes trailed down to her curves but he immediately brought his eyes back upwards, his face burning with the juvenile thoughts plaguing his mind.

She greeted him and her voice made him blush even harder. She taught him everything about the animals in her rescue, down to the smallest fish to the biggest dog. She gave him all of their stories and he took all of it in with an open mind.

Lucian had been working with her for over six months before he finally worked up the courage to ask her out on a date. He was beyond relieved when she said yes. Apparently she had been too shy to ask herself and that surprised him because she always seemed so sure of herself. He had to admit that he sort of liked that he could make someone so confident feel that way about him.

Lucian had never been on a date in his life. Hank and Connor helped him out the best they could. They were so happy for him and hoped it would work out for him. And it had. He and Imani had a great time. He adored the sound of her laugh.

They shared their first kiss on their second date. Lucian was scared at first, but the feel of her soft lips against his eased his anxiety. She was shorter than him and it felt nice wrapping his arms around her soft form. They fit together so nicely, a fact he learned well when they made love for the first time. That had been on their fourth date.

He knew he loved her when he caught her staring at him when she thought he was asleep. They were laying together in her bed, naked. She ran her fingers over his jaw and the facial hair that was starting to grow there, over his lips and then up to his hair.

"I love you." Imani had whispered before leaning down to kiss his cheek. His heart thudded in his chest and his eyes snapped open. She looked completely mortified and it was almost comical. He was too overwhelmed with emotions to laugh though.

He had never been in an actual relationship before. He wasn't used to being with someone who actually cared about him and his happiness. And that was exactly what Imani did for him. She filled him with a certain happiness that he could never just get from the love of a parent. He hadn't known how much he needed that until he met her.

"I love you, too." Lucian said with an urgency. He almost started to cry but he couldn't when he started being kissed by an equally as happy Imani.