Dare: A M/M Sci-Fi Romance (Mindset Duet Book 1)

27. Chapter 27

Dare returned to his schedule after his ”weekend” off. Jason regretfully watched him leave, making the younger man promise to return as soon as possible. Leaving the older man with a kiss and fierce hug, the empath knew he had more work to do regarding his relationship with the presumptive owner of the Gambit. He knew he did not trust easily and guarded his feelings more than most. His deliberately inaccurate Mindset rating made that necessary on Earth, and he wondered why he could not let his paranoia of being exposed go. He was as safe as he ever would be on this ship, despite Derek outing him to the Stravetta family. Jason had sworn to protect him, and the captain already was. He had friends, allies here. He was not alone. With that thought, an epiphany struck.

He had been dealing with his ”gift” alone, his parents disengaging as soon as his abilities manifested. He was close to no one else on Earth, and had walked there, constantly on guard. Dare gave a long, breathy sigh, then drew in fresh air. He was not alone anymore. He never would be. Between the crew, the colonists, and Jason, he had all the care he could ever use, or need. The weight of the fear he”d been carrying fell away, and Dare Munro, Mindset One, took in the knowledge that he could be who he was, and not be afraid.

Grinning to himself, the empath thought of his lover, remembering their time together, and knew their connection was one of love. He loved Jason and would cherish those feelings until light left the stars.

Dare climbed out of bed as quietly as he could, leaving Jason slumbering on. He still had his morning clients to see, no matter how his lover felt about him leaving so early. Taking a shower despite not ”needing” it, he washed quickly and dressed. He was meeting Riis and Mike for breakfast and looking forward to it. There were only about nine months to go before planetfall, and he wanted to spend as much time as he could with his friends.

As he bent to give Jason a chaste kiss, the empath saw his dark eyes blink open, giving him a sleepy look. ”You off to do good, my Mindset? Will I see you after lunch?”

Dare gave him a regretful shake of his head. ”I need to go to the colony deck. I”ve got an appointment with Vida and Chance. Since we”ve decided to remain together, I need to tell them I”m not going planet side with them. I feel like I”m reneging on my agreement with them, but I can”t leave you, Mr. Stravetta. You know that.”

Jason snorted. ”So, I”m Mr. Stravetta again.” He hauled the younger man into the bed, holding him on top of his chest. ”Tell me how much you love me, and I”ll let you go, my lovebug.”

The empath narrowed his eyes. ”Never call me ”lovebug” again, and I”ll let you live.” Jason”s smile didn”t falter as he held on tighter. Dare sighed, relaxing on the wonderfully firm chest underneath him. ”I love you more than I can tell you, more than there are words to describe. You give me so much joy, I feel like I am made of starlight, not flesh and bone.” He lifted his head to plant a kiss on his lover”s nose. ”Does that satisfy your need for validation?”

Jason”s smile softened before he gave the younger man a gentle kiss, then, groping his butt, he made Dare jump. ”That should hold me throughout the day, or until you get back here. Then you can validate me some more.”

Dare barked out a laugh. ”I thought I”d be the one with the insatiable libido, but that”s you, isn”t it, love? You know I can”t resist you.”

”You”re doing a pretty good job right now.”

”Because I have to work, you child of privilege. I”m also meeting Riis and Mike, so I”ve got to get going. Unhand me, knave.”

Jason reluctantly let go, stealing one more kiss. ”Early dinner tonight?”

”Works for me, J. See you around seventeen hundred.” He gave Jason a fond glance. ”I”ll think of you today.”

”As I will of you. Enjoy your day, D.”

Despite spending most of his free time with his lover, Dare made sure he saw his protégé, Chance, at least twice a week. The other man had completed his coursework, sat in on live therapy sessions with and without the Mindset, and was now practicing under Dare”s supervision. Of course, there was no way to formally license him, not that the colony cared about that level of bureaucracy. They cared about expertise, and Chance had plenty of that.

Chance met him at the ”front door” of the colony deck as he always did. He seemed to know when the empath would arrive without being given any warning. Dare was concerned about that at first, thinking he had inadvertently linked with the Mindset Two, but realized later that it was their tie as mentor and mentee. Once Chance”s training was completed, that tie would dissolve, though it was likely they would always be close.

As Dare cleared the doorway, Chance met his eyes with a sunny smile, his default setting. ”Hi, Dare! As always, I”ve got questions I hope you have answers to. The other therapists have referred two more clients to me for some intensive work, and I”d like to run them by you.”

The empath smiled in return, feeling himself relax, as he always did when with Chance. ”That”s why I”m here, besides just checking in with you. I do have something to discuss with you, and Vida, too. Let”s get to your room and you can tell me more.”

Chance”s smile dimmed a little at the mention of a ”discussion”, but he deliberately put that aside. It was time for his bi-weekly supervision and that”s what he needed to concentrate on.

Dare approved the plan to treat the new clients, then checked in with the other Mindset regarding his sleep and overall well being. Chance reported that he was sleeping ”enough”, hated the dampers, but felt wonderful ninety-nine percent of the time. Grinning at Dare as he told him this, the young man radiated good health and stable emotions.

The Mindset One gave the other man a heartfelt glance. ”I don”t think you realized how relaxing it is to be near you. If I can feel that, with my almost impenetrable shields, then all of your clients can as well.” Chance looked concerned as the empath continued. ”No, you misunderstand me. This is a gift of inestimable price. You can calm others just by being in proximity and you don”t even have to try, you just do.”

The Mindset Two ducked his head. ”I”m not doing anything, Dare, I swear. It”s just me.”

The empath grinned. ”That”s the best part–it is just you. Having this gift is going to make your life as a Mindset so much easier. Much easier than mine.”

Chance blinked. ”I can”t hold people with the force of my mind or speak mind to mind like you can.”

Dare shrugged dismissively. ”There is not much call for either of those in therapy, Gaia be thanked.” He met the other man”s eyes. ”Any more questions today? We have an appointment with Vida in about fifteen minutes.”

”Should I be worried?”

”I don”t think you need to be. You”ve got this, even without my help.”

Vida was not amused to hear that Dare planned on staying on the ship when they reached the planet. Chance, who had ”felt” something from the other Mindset, was not very surprised. The empath met the colony administrator”s disapproving stare, then sighed. ”I am staying for a very good, and to me, wonderful, reason. I have entered a relationship with Jason Stravetta, and wish to remain with him because…I love him. I am not happy to renege on our agreement. However, Chance is a Mindset Two, and has gifts and talents I do not. He is far more suited to being the colony”s Mindset than I.”

He sighed, bowing his head, before looking up at them both. ”I am a weapon who has chosen not to be used in that way. Yes, I am a good therapist, and care for my clients. Chance”s abilities allow him to connect with others far more easily than I will ever be able to do. Believe me, Administrator, you are receiving a better Mindset in Chance than you would be in me.”

Vida shifted in her chair, and her expression softened. ”I appreciate your honesty, Mindset Dare, regarding Chance and Mr. Stravetta. While I am pleased you think so highly of Chance, I wonder at your choice of Jason Stravetta. His reputation is, to put it kindly, checkered.”

The Mindset One drew himself up, his posture almost rigid. ”I have seen Mr. Stravetta”s heart and have no concerns about his purported reputation. Our connection is strong and mutual. I am blessed to have found love, since many Mindsets do not.”

Vida lowered her eyes and nodded. ”I see my concern was misplaced. Happily so. May your lives together bring you joy and Gaia”s grace.”

Dare managed a smile. ”Thank you. I hope for both.” He turned to Chance. ”Have you any concerns in this regard?”

Change returned his glance, smiling. ”I know I can care for the colony, as you have taught me well. Otherwise, I wish you only happiness with your lover, and hope I, too, find someone who loves me as you do him.”

”I know you will. Not because I”ve ”seen” it, but because you are much more loveable than I.” His smile encompassed them both. ”I need to return to the ship proper. Thank you for your acceptance of my news, unwelcome as it was. I will help you get set up on the planet as that is the least I can do. Vida, if you want me to give this news to the others, let me know. Chance, walk me out, and I will see both of you again soon.”