He Makes Me Quiet

Chapter 6

The first time Dorian had met Gansey's parents had been... interesting. That was putting it politely, as the Ganseys did.

Helen had been ridiculously excited about the event. Both Gansey and Dorian knew she was well aware of the fact that the whole evening would be utter insanity, and that said awareness was the reason for her excitement. But Gansey was trying to stay positive.

He'd picked Dorian up from the train station downtown, and they went back to his apartment so that Dorian could freshen up and drop his things before dinner.

•••

"Jack?" Gansey called softly when Dorian still hadn't emerged from the bathroom half an hour later.

Dorian opened the door and leaned against the frame in what Gansey could tell was a forced semblance of nonchalance.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just trying to tame my hair."

"I like your hair," Gansey gave him a genuine smile.

Dorian frowned. "Your parents won't."

"Jack, they're going to love you."

"They are not. Don't be so naïve just because they handled you being with another man semi-decently. They're hoping this is just a late phase in your life. They still want you to get over it and settle down with some equally white, equally rich woman from some equally important family."

"They want me to be happy. And so they will love you because I love you."

Dorian reluctantly met his eyes, which he knew were wide and concerned behind his glasses.

"I don't believe you."

"I know."

Gansey held out a hand and pulled him away from the bathroom door frame and into his arms. Dorian melted against his chest.

"I don't know why I even care. I never care if people like me," he mumbled into Gansey's shirt.

"They're my parents. It's different."

"I guess." Dorian looked up at him. "What do I even call them? Mr. and Mrs. Gansey?"

"I suppose," Gansey replied. "I would say that whatever they introduce themselves to you as is what would be best for you to go with."

"I know who they are, why would they introduce themselves?"

"Because that's how the Ganseys do things, Jack."

Dorian finally smiled and Gansey leaned down to kiss his forehead. Mission accomplished.

"It's going to be alright. I promise."

•••

Helen was already waiting at the restaurant when Gansey and Dorian arrived. She gave them a skeptical once-over before deciding that they passed whatever test she'd mentally set up for them.

Dorian was dressed in a beautiful pink blouse that Gansey was almost sure he had bought from a store and not cut up at all— though he wasn't certain— and a pair of white shorts with mostly opaque pink stockings beneath. He'd briefly considered wearing shoes that actually matched, but had ultimately favoured his typical rainbow platform boots. Gansey felt rather underdressed in a shirt and tie, by comparison.

"Mom and Dad are running late," she said as they slid into their chairs. "Mom said five minutes, so it'll be fifteen. Good to see you, Dorian."

"Hi, Helen. How are things?"