Jason cast a sideways glance and then another. Something was up with Lein. Usually, he'd be chatting away about his day or something that caught his interest, especially if they had been apart for a while. They hadn't seen each other for some days, so the silence was definitely odd. "Rosalein, did something happen?"
The silent Lein finally looked at him "Nothing happened." He answered, emotionlessly. That's right, Lein was upset because nothing happened after Jason asked if he could steal him away. It made sense he had expectations, right? No one asks that type of question if they had no plans of taking person away, but he never brought it up again. He was currently holding his tease of a boyfriend in contempt.
Jason slowed the car until it came to a complete stop "Do you not want to go?" Today he had planned a visit to a friend's gallery, Lein said he was fine with it but maybe this really wasn't his thing "What do you want to do?"
"It's not that."
"Is... Is it something you can't tell me?"
He met the other's gaze with clear eyes "I thought you were going to ask me to move in with you."
"What?"
"I thought-"
"No, no I heard you. It's just..." He stifled a laugh. "…I wasn't really expecting that."
"What? Why are you laughing?"
"Rosalein…" he turned to him "…that's kind of adorable. I never imagined you would sulk over that."
"I'm not sulking. I just assumed you had asked me to move in with you and then, you never brought it up again. It made me feel a little upset."
"Babe, that's sulking."
"Fine! I'm sulking but you-" he shivered when he felt the tug on his ear.
"For a while now, I've been thinking about getting a new place. There's been a lot of work lately, so I haven't really had time to get into it. Sorry for not keeping you in the loop."
"No… no, I was overthinking it, I guess."
"No, it's fine. It's cute."
Lein shifted uncomfortably in his seat. It was kind of weird how Jason found everything funny or cute or adorable like he was a whole new person. they dated before, right? It wasn't his imagination?
"Have I addressed all your concerns?"
He shrunk in his seat "Don't look at me like that."
He leaned his head against the headrest "Like how?"
Lein dropped his head to his knees, the motion would have been far smoother if he had remembered to take off his seatbelt but, never mind that "This is so weird. Everything is so weird now."
"Rosalein, am I doing something that makes you uncomfortable?"
He shot up "What? NO! I'm just… it's weird." He wanted to pull out his hair.
"Don't overthink it." he reached out a hand again, this time to caress his neck, his thumb tracing the outline of his jaw.
He buried his face in his hands "FUCK! I like you so much." He huffed.
"Yea?" he asked with a laugh.
"Seriously, I'm losing my mind."
"I like you too."
He faced Jason squarely now, mirroring his position. The thumb that had tracing his chin brushed against his lips. He grazed it with the tip of his tongue, call it reflex.
"I should um… the drive… the gallery." Jason's breath hitched before he withdrew his hand. He took a deep breath "We should keep- we should get back on the road." He clenched and unclenched his hands before he started the car.
"We can do something else." Lein said, eyes boring into him "We could not go to the show."
He glanced at him "Yea?"
"Maybe go for a nice meal."
"Mm." he nodded "That doesn't sound too bad…" another glance "…you get to go home early for a change."
He clicked his tongue and turned away. Cursing internally when he heard Jason's laugh. It was too fucking infuriating.
"Rosalein…"
"I'm not upset." He redirected his gaze back to him from the window "Is it cause of Edwin, you've been busy lately?"
A tiny furrow formed on his brows "That's part of it. His disclosure set some things we weren't prepare for in motion."
He nodded slowly "Ma cried when she watched it."
"Are your parents okay? The details were very shocking."
"Yea, now Ma wants to adopt Edwin too so… my dad supports it, though. Said they should have taken them in earlier."
Jason chuckled.
"Can I ask something?"
The corner of his mouth lifted into small smile "Sure, anything."
"Why doesn't Alexei like omegas?"
His eyes darted to the person on his side for a brief second before returning to the road "You really shouldn't worry about Ethan, he's completely fine."
"I know he's fine."
"Did you hear something?"
"N-no, I was just curious."
"If you say so. By the way Rosalein, I guess you must have heard about Ethan's recovery by now."
He brightened "Yes! We were so happy and the party… Ma's so excited, she's been going on about it nonstop. I had to find a place that carves marbles too. She even brought out mine." She also dug up the pictures from his presentation ceremony, but Jason does not need to know that such a thing exists.
"My father will be there."
"…oh. That makes sense."
"If it's fine with you…" He started tentatively, eyes fixed on the road ahead, but he could feel Lein's gaze drilling into him "…I thought I could introduce you to him as my partner."
"I saw him at the wedding reception. Ethan says he's really nice."
"Mm."
"I mean if you're fine with it, why not?'
He glanced at him "Why wouldn't I be fine with it?"
He turned away with a grunt.
The car fell silent and that was the rest of the drive.
"Rosalein, explain to me why you think I would not be fine with it." he brought it up again when they got to the gallery.
"…let's go look at some pictures or whatever the fuck is on display." He grumbled.
"Rosalein."
"I just… it's nothing." He unbuckled his seatbelt "Let's-"
"Don't do that."
"You never…" he sighed "…I know I was really fucked up but when we were together you never even brought it up. Look, I get I'm being difficult so can we-"
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel "Father often knows more than he lets on. He knows a lot and he is not very fond about a particular lifestyle so-"
"He knows I was a junkie who constantly cheated on you during the first half of our relationship and kept acting like a crazy person the second half?"
"You know it's not as simple as y-"
"You always had your suspicions about what was going on so always had second thoughts about tak-"
"STOP!"
"I should have kept my fucking mouth shut, huh?" he asked with a bitter laugh.
"Rosalein, please, that's not what is happening here. We said we wouldn't dwell on that… you said you were confident. You can't… FUCK!"
He dug his fingernails into his thighs "I'm so sorry."
Jason pressed the heels of his palm to his eyes.
"Jay…"
"Father is not an unreasonable person, I believe he would not make things difficult for you." He lowered his hands "If you think it's too much for you then we can take things slower. I won't push for anything you don't want. I just thought it would be a good show of faith but perhaps, it was too soon."
"I am so sorry."
"I don't expect us to get it right on the first try…" he reached out to tap the back of his hand lightly "…don't do that. You'll get hurt."
It wasn't meant to be this way. Jason wasn't meant to comfort him. If it continued this way, nothing would change "I'll try harder. I swear I'll get my shit together, I promise. Just… just-"
"I know you're doing your best…" he tightened his hold on their interlocked fingers "…you're doing so great that sometimes, I feel you'll leave me behind."
"NO… no…" he leaned across the console "Never… I would never leave you."
"Yea?"
He nodded eagerly.
Jason covered the distance left between them, brushed his lips against Lein's and smiled "So, you're stuck me?"
Mari gazed at the flower bouquets with great fondness. She couldn't help but recall her lovely little flower boy. To think the angel from that day would become a carbon copy of her gruff husband. She threw a disdainful look at him; it was like her genes didn't even try.
"What's that look for?"
"I still don't understand how he looks just like you. It's unfair."
He sighed, unwilling to get into the issue again. There's only so many times a man can apologize for his kid looking like him.
She smiled to herself adjusting the bow wistfully "Rose was such a beautiful child."
"Ma…" Lein held the door open for her to make a dismount "...what are you thinking about so deeply?"
"Your own ceremony." She answered softly "I could stare at those pictures all day."
"Ma, please don't talk about that here."
"Are you embarrassed?" she took the hand that was held out to her "You were so pretty."
Hank laughed, rounding the vehicle to join her "He was."
"I am begging you two, please…" he pressed his hands together in supplication "…please, don't talk about that."
"What's so embarrassing about my little flower boy?"
"Ugh! Please..." Just remembering the event made him want to dig up the ground and hide. He wanted to make her happy, so he wore the flower crown, and the frilly dress shirt and the ribbons and... well, it was very obvious back then the kind of child she wanted, it was too bad he crushed her hopes.
"Don't forget the boxes." Hank reminded as he took Mari's hand to lead her to the hall.
He searched the backseat and retrieved the boxes of carved marbles. He briefly debated the option of taking their bags to check-in but decided against it. They had underestimated the drive down to the Glasshouse and were already a little late. He tucked the boxes under his arms and ran after his parents.
It was clearly an intimate affair. One could note all the attendees with a single sweep of the room. Including the family of three that had just arrived, there seemed to be seventeen people in the hall, twenty at most.
"Uncle! Aunty!" A beaming Ethan ran towards them.
"My precious darling…" she shoved the bouquets into Hank's arms and swept him up into a tight hug "…you look so wonderful." She pulled back and began to straighten his shirt "I've missed you so much." She dropped kisses on both of his cheeks.
"I missed you too."
"Hank, look at him." She squealed "Isn't he so precious."
"Yes, he is." He leaned in "Have you been well?"
He nodded energetically.
"That's good."
She took one of the bouquets and handed it to him "Congratulations on your presentation, my love. We hope you have many beautiful days ahead."
He accepted it shyly "Thank you." He never would have dreamed that his second gender would be a thing to celebrate.
"Oh… that was quick." Lein finally joined them.
"What took you so long?"
"An attendant said they would help us check in and send our bags to our rooms." He focused on Ethan "Congratulations."
"Give him the marbles."
"Right, right…" after a brief inspection of the boxes, he handed one box over to Hank and unclasped the latch revealing a collection of ten marble spheres with swirling colours embedded in velvet "Do you like them?"
He and Edwin had received something similar from Irene and Dawson, Jason, Kate, his father-in-law and Yul. And every time he did, there was this heavy inexplicable feeling in his chest he couldn't quite articulate.
"Ethan?" Hank probed.
"...thank you." He sniffled "Thank you so much, even though I caused you so much trouble..."
"Oh dear..." Mari hugged him again "…there's no such thing. Children should cause their parents trouble, right Hank?"
"Of course, look at Rose. He's a perpetual troublemaker. He's always up to something."
"Dad, really?"
Ethan laughed beside himself.
Mari brushed the corner of his eye with a thumb "Where's Edwin?"
He took her hand and led her and the rest of the family to Edwin where the entire sequence repeated itself.
"My lovely children…" she held on to the hands of the twins "…you did such a beautiful job growing up. Now you both have to be happy."
It was awkward. Very much so.
Mari was still pouring out her love on to the twins when Alexei made an appearance by their sides.
Hank straightened "Rose, why don't you three go get something to drink. Your ma has been talking your ears off."
"Thank you..." Alexei started, once they were gone "...I know Ethan would have had a very difficult time without your help. If you were not there to guide him, I can only imagine how disastrous the incident could have been."
The older couple was taken aback. Sincere gratitude was not what they had anticipated, maybe a rebuke for their actions but not this.
It was very awkward.
"Oh... Oh, that's quite alright..." Mari stared fondly at Ethan "... he is like another child of mine."
He nodded, following her gaze "Yes, he speaks very fondly of your family. I'm aware there are things that I cannot provide for him. So, I hope you continue to think of him as one of your own."
Since his arrival, he hadn't actually had the chance to speak with Jason. He had seen him around a few times but then the man just seemed to evaporate but the person he kept seeing at every turn was Xavier. That person was a presence that was just too hard to ignore. Their gazes met again and the older man showed a polite smile. He dropped his gaze, scratching the back of his neck. In a room of only twenty people, could he really act like he couldn't see him? He strengthened his resolve, straightened and marched down to Xavier's table.
"Good evening."
Xavier's smile deepened "It's a lovely evening, no?"
"…y-yes."
"Indeed."
"My name is Rosalein."
"I am aware."
He looked around the room, searching for something, he wasn't sure what but anything to undo this situation he marched into.
"Rosalein, perhaps, you would like to take a seat…" he gestured to the chair beside him "…and then, we can have a conversation."
"Yea…" he shuddered, gingerly lowering into the offered chair "Yes, yes…"
He gave the anxious person a once over "Now then, you have a matter you wish to discuss?"
"Jay and I-Jason and I are dating…" he met Xavier's warm gaze "…I know you know about my past, and you may not approve of me as his partner, but I am serious about him and… and…" for a second, the warmth fell away and he felt like he was being appraised. He could no longer produce the words he intended to say.
"You are right. I am aware of your past, and I do have my reservations about you, but I am in no position to make anecdotes about one's partners."
The warmth was back but he was no less unsettled "Sir, I-"
"Jason overthinks and has difficulties articulating certain things, it makes me protective of him." He watched as Lein seemed to grow smaller in the chair "I don't dislike you, merely concerned."
"I'm doing my best, I swear."
"I know. You have shown an unexpected level of commitment to your recovery…" he smiled now "…I was impressed. I do hope you give my child that same commitment."
"Yes, yes. I will." He almost jumped out of his chair "I'm very serious about Jay and I won't hurt him, I swear."
"Good." Xavier eyed him "Normally, I would have had a gift prepared but I was under the impression we would not be formally introduced tonight."
Right, he freaked out when Jason brought it up.
He gestured to a bottle that sat in the middle of the table "Could you get that for me?"
Lein rose and reached for it "Would you like me to fill your glass?"
"Yes, please." He watched as Lein deftly filled his tumbler with the brown liquid, set the bottle and handed him the glass "Thank you." He took a sip "I understand you spent your time reading while in rehabilitation."
"Yes."
"Maybe tomorrow, we can browse my library and pick out some books you may like."
"Th-thank you." He tugged on his ear lobe while suppressing a smile.
He took another sip "Is there any other matter you wish to discuss?"
"…no."
When Jason returned with Yul to the hall, he searched for Lein. The sight of him seated at Xavier's table almost sent his heart flying out from his chest. With very broad and very brisk steps, he left Yul behind and hurried to the table "Father." His eyes lingered on Lien before they settled on Xavier.
"I was acquainting myself with Rosalein in your absence, where have you been?"
"I stepped away to deal with some business."
"On such an important day?"
His frown deepened "It was a minor-"
"Have a seat, you seem a little anxious." He looked behind Jason to Yul "You as well, today is a day for family, not work. Rosalein and I were discussing the books he has read…" he continued after the two were seated, Jason next to Lein and Yul on his right "…isn't that right?"
Lein turned to him with a grin "Xavier invited me to his library."
His eyes widened "X… Xavier?"
"Yes. Will you come with me?"
He glanced at his father "Of course."
"Relax, have a drink." He reached for the bottle to pour out a drink for Yul.
She placed her hand over the glass "I can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm pregnant."
His eyes dropped from her face to her belly "I see." He returned the bottle to its place and picked a carton of juice and decanted a generous amount for her "Enjoy."
Jason leaned in close "I think we should leave them to talk." He whispered. "Father, Rosalein and I will be excusing ourselves for a moment, I haven't had the opportunity to speak with his parents yet." He rose and basically dragged Lein away.
He turned his attention to Yul "Shall we also excuse ourselves to discuss your latest endeavour?"
"Jay." He held the hand with a death grip on his wrist "Jay, it hurts."
He stopped, his grip loosened but he said nothing.
Lein surveyed the room, except his parents who were watching them with quiet interest, the rest of the hall were busy with their own things. Had they seen the whole thing? "Jay."
He spun around "How did you…" he took a deep breath "Did Father- what did Father say to you?"
He shuffled towards Jason with a wide smile "To come to his library."
"Rosalein…"
"That you overthink and he's impressed."
He inspected the person grinning widely at him. He looked genuinely happy "Is that all? Really?"
"Really." He watched as the tension left Jason's frame "Were you worried? He said he's impressed. Did I do good?"
He cupped his cheek "I was so worried but…"
Lein stepped forward to kiss him, a light graze against his lips before interlocking their fingers "Let's go greet my parents."
Kate was currently being accosted by Edwin and Jade. While the rest of the band approached her cautiously, they constantly threw themselves at her and Lillian still could not get over her first impression of the woman, Jade took to her like fish to water. Edwin was understandable, everyone couldn't help but be affectionate towards him. Right now, Jade was draped over her legs asking to be fed while Edwin and his twin seemed to have come into some alcohol and were causing a ruckus. Ethan kept pulling at his husband's arm demanding the glass that had just been taken away from him and Edwin was singing at the top of his lungs. Fred kept trying to coax Jade into proper posture and Zed and Joshua were singing along with Edwin, egging him on.
Lillian sighed, it wasn't that bad at all.
Alexei grabbed both Ethan's wrists and pinned them down to stop his endless pawing for the glass. "What were you saying? Jay did what with whom?"
Dawson leaned closer "He and Yul just spoke to Professor Masha."
"She's here?"
"Yes. She came in earlier today."
He clicked his tongue. Ethan had somehow wiggled free and was reaching for the glass again "Can we continue this later?" he asked wrestling the glass free "Baby, no. you can't."
"Whhhy?"
"Why? Remember that one time in the restaurant you demanded I sleep with you?"
Dawson snorted.
Alexei turned to him "You're still here?"
"I'll take my leave."
Alexei waved him away with one hand while the other was still wrestling with Ethan "You're going to regret this."