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“You guys used your skills last night to save lives. Specifically, mine and Poppy’s. I saw how intent the Oshiro men were on killing us. They had no care whatsoever for our lives, which begs the question of why we should show concern for theirs.” He frowned, searching for words, and Gunner waited him out.
Finally, Chas said, “I guess I had to experience a situation where it was a choice between you guys killing or Poppy and me dying for it to really register why you do what you do.”
Never in a million years did he think he would ever hear those words come out of Chas’s mouth. But then, he’d never in a million years thought he and Chas would find their way back to each other again either. “You sure about that? You’re not going to change your mind in a few months when I have to go on a dangerous job?”
“I have so much to live for now,” Chas replied, squeezing Gunner’s hand. “In the end, I didn’t want to die. I want to see Poppy grow up, I want to live a long, happy life with you”—he smiled at Gunner—“and I want to have a family of my own. With you.”
Gunner stared back, his heart so full he wasn’t sure he could speak past the lump it made in his throat. He choked out, “I want all of that too.”
Kenji laughed. “There you have it. I’m building you two a house. Your happily ever after home. Oh, this is going to be fun. I can’t wait to get started.”
Gunner smiled at Chas, so happy his heart hurt with joy. They leaned in simultaneously on the sofa to kiss each other. He murmured against Chas’s lips, “I can’t wait to get started either.”
Chas mumbled back, smiling and still kissing him, “Count me in, big guy. Count me in.”