Capítulo 43: Chapter 41
The next weekend, while they are out eating, Alex drops a bomb that leaves Daniel momentarily speechless.
"My mom's birthday is in two weeks. I would like for you to accompany me."
Alex seems oddly calm while saying this, despite it contradicting everything about his personality. Daniel just looks at him, slightly shocked. He takes a moment to gather his senses, then he slowly nods, searching for approval of Alex, searching for a confirmation that he really wants this.
"If you wish it, love." He allows, hesitantly. But Alex smiles. "Yes, I want to introduce you as my boyfriend." His gaze shifts down, showing a bit of embarrassment. "And I need you to give me courage since they don't allow Zero in the house."
Daniel feels equally hurt and happy. He is supposed to be the substitute for the dog? Well, whatever. But it also makes him happy to see that Alex places so much trust in him.
"Okay." He smiles reassuringly. In this moment, Daniel has an idea. "But before that, how about a test run, love?" Alex looks at him, unsure "What do you mean?"
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The next Saturday, Alex feels unimaginable nervous. How could he let himself be talked into this? But at the same time he feels grateful because if he can't survive this evening, how is he going to face his parents?
Daniel picks him up at 5 o'clock p.m., leaving them enough time for the last preparations. Alex spent the whole day changing his wardrobe, walking Zero (who has to stay at the apartment today), changing his wardrobe again and going over and over different scenarios in his head. He is already exhausted.
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Back at the mansion, Dana greets them wearing an apron "Daniel, teacher Alex. Welcome! I am nearly done preparing." She ushers them in. From the kitchen comes a heavenly smell. "Dana, it smells really good. Thank you for doing this for us."
"It is my pleasure. And I also want for my brother to be happy. So let's make this work out." She smiles reassuringly.
"Where is Peter?", Daniel asks.
"I left him with the Ackermanns. I will get him later tonight. I don't want him to be here if something goes sideways.", Dana shows a determined expression.
Daniel feels Alex flinch next to him. He leans close, whispering while slightly touching his lips to the top of his ear. "Don't worry, love. We will get through this."
"Gosh, you two lovebirds. Up with you in the living room. I have a dinner to prepare and a table to set.", Dana nearly shoves them along.
Daniel laughs happily while Alex blushes, but after the last two weeks he finally starts to accept (again) that Dana accepts them and that it is okay to show her that they are happy.
"Please, let us help out." Alex offers.
"Mmph, okay. You can set the table. Daniel, pick out a nice bottle of wine. I think, we will need it." Dana leaves first, leaving Daniel the opportunity to hug his nervous lover close and kissing him, before he lets him go. "We will be alright.", he assures a last time. Then they both part to do their duties.
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While Daniel is busy getting the wine bottle from the cellar, Dana uses the opportunity to talk with Alex alone.
"Teacher Alex.", she starts, waiting for him to look up. "I know, my brother already said this, but it will be alright. He already told me what happened two weeks ago. I can only imagine how it is to come out into this kind of family." She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "My parents were pretty open-minded. As long as Daniel developed into a strong person to survive in the business he was born into, they didn't really mind. And you know my brother. He acted so casually with his first boyfriend in high school even in front of my parents that they didn't dare to say anything against it. He made it seem totally natural for them." Dana smiles sadly. "It is a gift not everyone can possess."
"Yes, I know." Alex answers with a heavy heart. "My first instinct was always to apologize for it. Even when I moved out from home to freely live out my sexuality I couldn't have even imagined living it out in the open. It was always something that would happen behind closed doors and in dark alleys."
Dana grins at him, lightening the tension, and teases, "Oh and now you start flaunting your happiness in my face on a daily basis? That is some personal growth."
Alex blushes and starts stuttering "I ... I am so..."
But Dana interrupts him bruskely "Don't. Don't apologize. You know I was only teasing you." She looks at him meaningfully "And I am very glad you are comfortable enough around me to show it. I mean, we are in the process of becoming family."
Alex' eyes widen. Family. His heart fills with warmth. The thought sounds nice.
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Shortly before six o'clock Daniel and Alex wait anxiously on the sofa for the door bell to ring. Dana sits across from them on a chair.
"Guys, we will make this work. I will help as a buffer between you." Dana assures - mostly towards Alex - for the seemingly hundredth time. Alex just smiles sadly.
Daniel squeezes him tightly towards him. "Love, don't worry. We are both on your side. He is at least outnumbered."
"He is an aspiring lawyer, you know. That is when he gets the scariest."
Daniel shuts him up with a kiss, to Alex' horror right in front of Dana. But Daniel doesn't care. He leans in, deepens the kiss, pushing his tongue in. He feels Alex faintly protesting against his lips but Daniel just grabs his face, prolonging the kiss until Alex finally starts to also lean into it.
They separate, both with slightly heavy breathing. "Daniel, really? Was that necessary? Like this you are going to give your boyfriend a heart-attack before we even get to the serious part.", Dana scolds him mockingly, but shoots a wink at Alex. Daniel just chuckles only to turn serious once again looking at his boyfriend.
"Love. We will be fine."
While he looks Alex deep in the eyes, willing his own conviction to reach him, the doorbell rings.
"Come, love. Let us greet your brother." Daniel stands up, pulling Alex by the hand towards the door. He lets go of the hand as they reach the entrance, not pushing the open display of affection. Daniel lets Alex walk in front of him to open the door but makes sure he feels him close, knowing he is there.
Alex breathes in deep, then touches the door handle.
"Welcome, Christian.", he greets his brother bravely as he opens the door.
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