He Makes Me Quiet

Chapter 4

In college, Dorian and Gansey had always been near each other, but never quite near enough.

Gansey drove to Charlottesville one weekend a month, but even then they would spend most of the weekend studying. Occasionally, Dorian took the Amtrak to Richmond, but he didn't have a car since he lived and worked on campus and didn't see the point. Plus: Driving. Ew.

They still talked on the phone every night they possibly could, as they had back in high school— when they were only across town from one another.

They had desperately wanted to spend summers together, but Dorian had to go back to Lexington to work and Gansey had to fulfill Gansey Family Obligations, including parties, internships, and travel.

But he always came to Lexington for Dorian— to spend at least two straight weeks with him, and any other weekend he could get away.

•••

Late in their freshman year, they had their worst fight yet. They had been playing phone tag for nearly a week and, when Gansey had finally picked up Dorian's call, he had proceeded only to prattle on about his family vacation plans.

"Did it ever occur to you to invite me to that?" Dorian finally interrupted, more snappish than he'd intended.

"What?"

He'd already snapped at Gansey. The damage was done. He might as well get it all off his chest.

"You keep going on and on about this vacation, and— and— Jesus, Dick, I haven't gotten to talk to you all week and that's the topic you're going with? And all I'm hearing is how great your time even further away from me than usual is going to be and not once have you asked me to come on vacation with your family or— or— Even meet them. So I'm asking. Did it ever occur to you?"

"Jack—"

"No! Don't 'Jack' me. I am asking you a question."

"Dorian," Gansey took a deep breath and it crackled down the line. "I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd want to come. It's time you'd normally see your family. And you'd have to call out of work, when I know you need the money."

"You still should have asked. I haven't even met your parents. Do you know how ridiculous that is?"

"I didn't think you wanted to. They're not the kind of people you generally seek out."

"Gansey," Dorian sighed. "It's not about the type of people your parents are. I know very well how they are and that they probably will not like me. Your mother has a collection of glass plates insured for more than your father's life insurance, for Christ's sake. That says enough. But they're your parents. That's what matters. I'm your boyfriend. I should meet your parents."

"I— I didn't think of it that way."

He sounded so genuinely hurt and, for a moment, Dorian wasn't sure if he should still say what he'd planned to. A silence descended over the line.

"Have you even told them you're not straight, Gansey? It feels like you're hiding me," Dorian said quietly.

"Dorian, no. I would never— That's not—"

"Gansey, I know. I'm just telling you how it feels."

"My— I'm sorry."

"Thank you."

"Do you want to come on vacation with us?"

Dorian laughed. "Let's start with dinner, alright? I don't think they're ready for two straight weeks of Dorian Reed."