Baran felt a flutter in his chest, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. “I’ve been thinking about it too. I really like being with you, Darien. It feels…right.”
Darien reached across the table, his hand covering Baran’s. “I feel the same way. But I want to make sure you’re comfortable with it.”
Baran nodded, feeling a sense of relief and joy. “I’m comfortable with you.”
“The reason lots of guys call me Daddy Darien is because I like Daddy/boy relationships. Do you know what those are?”
“I had a daddy in Turkey, but Daddy Emirhan moved to Germany. He worked in a high government office and his brother Furkan reported him as gay to the Turkish government, so he had to leave the country.” Losing his Daddy Emirhan had created a void.
“When did he move away?” Daddy Darien asked.
“Last year. I’ve been alone since.”
“If we have a relationship, I want to be your daddy. You need one.”
“I want you to be my Daddy Darien. I trust you.”
“After we decorate at the shelter, we’ll have dinner at home and talk more about what you want from a daddy, and I’ll talk about what I would like from my boy.”
“I can tell you one thing right now.”
“And what is that?” Daddy Darien’s eyes grew wide in surprise.
“I want to sleep with you.”
“That can be arranged, but I want you to have your own space for times you want to be alone.”
“I want to be like you. Help people.”
“You can help me anytime you want.”
Breakfast arrived with pancakes stacked high with fresh berries, scrambled eggs, and crispy bacon. They ate leisurely, savoring both the food, and the shared understanding blossoming between them.
Chapter Nine
Baran
After finishing breakfast, theymade their way to the shelter. The air was crisp, and the city was alive with the bustle of a new day. At Rainbow Haven boxes of decorations awaited them. The shelter was a hive of activity, with residents and staff alike eager to transform the space for the holidays.
Miss Archer met them when they walked inside.
“Can I speak to you, Baran?”
“Is there a problem?” Daddy Darien asked.
“No, I need him to fill out some college applications.”
“You’d better fill them out, Baran. That’s the first step to accessing a student visa,” Daddy Darien said.
“I’ll make sure he completes them. I’ll help him.”
Baran followed her to the office, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. She had a stack of applications on the desk and he was eager to take the next step towards his future. However, as they entered her office, he sensed an underlying tension.
The office was small but meticulously organized. Shelves lined with binders and files occupied one wall, while a neat desk stood in the center. The room was devoid of personal touches, reflecting Miss Archer’s no-nonsense approach to her work.
“Have a seat, Baran,” Miss Archer said, her tone clipped.
Miss Archer’s stern gaze stopped him from sitting. He wasn’t sure he wanted to stay in her office without Daddy Darien.
