“Yeah, I kind of hated that more than anything in the world,” Rusty said.
Thoroughly offended, Gem crossed several arms over his torso. “Well, I’ve never heard you complain when I give you upsies to my mouth.”
“Gross,” Oliver whined.
“I mean, you’re not wrong, I guess,” Rusty admitted grudgingly, and Gem wriggled in triumph, booping him on the nose.
Glyma clapped, her purple tail dancing behind her. “I’m so glad you guys are finally together.”
At that, Rusty stiffened, ears flattening against his head, and panic seized Gem’s chest. No, no, no, they couldn’t talk about commitment. That was when things fell apart, and Gem wasn’t ready to lose this. He didn’t think he’d ever be ready to lose Rusty, but that was what happened whenever talk about boyfriends and commitment came up. That was when people bailed, and Gem wasn’t ready!
“Oh, we’re not together,” he blurted quickly. “Like, we’re just being super chill and casual and chill, you know? Like, it’s not even that deep.”
Glyma frowned, and Zef’s wings buzzed in agitation. Oliver cocked his head in confusion, and Willow gasped softly, pressing a hand to her mouth. But it was Rusty’s reaction that threatened to shatter Gem’s twin hearts to pieces.
“What?” Rusty said so quietly Gem almost missed it. His tail drooped to drag over the floor, and his shoulders sagged, like he was curling in to make himself smaller, trying to disappear.
“Rus,” Gem whispered, reaching toward him, and the Pyclon flinched away. Hurt reflected in those pale eyes before they hardened into the guarded mask Gem hadn’t seen in months.
“Right,” he said flatly, jaw tight. “Casual.”
“No, wait, that’s not what I meant,” Gem choked out, taking another step toward him. He matched it with a step back of his own, and Gem’s chest squeezed painfully. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just… ’cause we said chill, right? And then we didn’t really talk about it again, and I didn’t want to bring it up and jinx it.
“Because I’m the boy you take home for a night, not the one you introduce to your parents.” Gem pressed several hands to his chest and stomach as Rusty’s expression softened. “I’m the fun guy for flings or no-strings-attached, but I’m not the boyfriend, you know? And every time I’ve ever tried, the other guy runs away at the earliest opportunity.
“Like, I’m not even exaggerating, either. This one time, I was friends-with-bennies with this guy named Chad—and don’t judge me, okay?” Gem glared wetly at the smile forming on Rusty’s mouth. “I should’ve known, just given his name, but I was young and he was very attractive. And we’d been fucking around for a while, and I was like, ‘Hey,do you wanna come to this super chill hangout and meet my friends?’ And he was like, ‘What? I think someone’s calling me.’ Then he literally sprinted away, and I never saw him again.
“Which I get, because I know I’m a lot, so I try not to be clingy or expect anything, because then I won’t be disappointed when they eventually leave. But you never left.” He was nearly crying now, and he swiped furiously at the stupid tears forming in his eyes as Rusty took a step toward him. “Even with the crazy cow closet and my ginormous, loud family and the fact that I talk twenty-four-seven about inappropriate things like watching porn with Toni and selling pictures of my asshole online.”
Rusty took another step, and Gem’s chest hitched. “But it’s never been casual, not to me. I’ve never wanted that. I just didn’t know how to say that without scaring you off or putting pressure on you.” Another step, and they were nearly toe-to-tarsal claw. “And I’m sorry. I know you hate attention, and now I’m pouring my heart out in a room full of people, and for some crazy reason, you’re still not running.”
Clawed hands framed his face as he panted for air, and Rusty was smiling up at him so fondly. “Why would I run from the best thing that’s ever happened to me?”
A fresh wave of tears spilled over and tracked down his cheeks, and he shook his head as Rusty brushed them away with his thumbs. “Don’t say that. You can’t say that.”
“You’re my gaiz,” Rusty said, eyes achingly tender. “You’re my anymkara. I love your crazy cow closet and your big, loud family. I love that you built me a pillow nap nest in your bed and held me while I cried about my mom. I love that you taught me how to swim for my birthday and read my graphic novel. I love our slumber parties and painting your nailsand listening while you talk about your asshole or jerking off with Toni or cow-furry-porn and…
“Gem, I never want you to be less; I like you exactly as you are. And I don’t want casual. I don’t think this has ever been casual or chill. I mean, we’re the least chill people ever.” At that, Gem laughed wetly, and Rusty smiled fully, bright and beautiful. “So I’m not going anywhere, okay? You asked me to stay, and I promised I would. I’m planning to stay as long as you want me.”
“I’m gonna want you forever,” Gem said, and Rusty’s tail puffed up with pleasure. He purred, and Gem’s fur vibrated in response.
“Then how about you give me upsies to your mouth so I can kiss you,” Rusty said, and Gem shrieked with laughter as he did exactly that.
Scooping Rusty up, Gem smashed their lips together exuberantly, and Rusty laughed into his mouth, kissing him back. Someone said, “aw,” and someone else sniffled. Then someone clapped, and it turned into the finale of a cheesy rom-com where people cheered, and Gem’s hearts were so full of love and joy he feared he’d explode.
When they parted, Rusty pressed their foreheads together, whiskers twitching in embarrassment as someone—Oliver, Gem thought—whooped. Gem rubbed their noses together, and Rusty purred again, deep and lovely as he rubbed his knuckles down the length of Gem’s throat.
“So, are we boyfriends now?” Gem asked carefully, and Rusty snorted.
“Pretty sure we’ve been boyfriends for a while, even if we were too stupid and insecure to admit it,” he said, and Gem beamed at him.
“When we get home later, I’m gonna suck your dick until you die,” he said with more intensity than he intended.
Rusty grimaced. “Your affection is very violent.”
“Get used to it, babes. You’re stuck with me now.”
“I can live with that,” he said, and Gem squealed and kissed him again.
