Charles froze, his jaw slackening in shock as he whipped around to stare at him. "Are you for real? You actually want to come with me?"
"If I'm allowed," Mark said with a warm, steady grin. "So, what do you say?"
"Allowed?" Charles let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Are you kidding me? Of course you're allowed. I'd love for you to come with me."
Mark's smile deepened, relief flickering across his features. "Really?"
Charles nodded eagerly. "Really. I've actually been trying to figure out how to ask you. I wanted you there… I just didn't know if you'd be comfortable meeting my parents."
Mark lifted a hand and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Charles's ear.
"If they're important to you, then they're important to me. Besides," he added with a teasing smile, "I should probably introduce myself to the people who raised the man I've decided to spend the rest of my life with."
