Dayonna sat quietly across from her son, her sharp eyes observing him with a mixture of fondness and exasperation.
She knew this conversation was a landmine waiting to go off, but it had to be said.
"Jayvaughn," she began gently, her tone the calm before a storm. "I know you're not going to like what I'm about to say, but I'm saying it anyway."
Jayvaughn raised an eyebrow, already bracing himself.
"Can you at least consider marriage?" she said quickly, like ripping off a bandage. "Even if it's just for Jaimie's sake. The boy needs someone at his side when you're too busy to be around."
Jayvaughn didn't flinch, but the air seemed to cool around him. His voice was clipped as he replied, "Mom, I'm not planning on getting married right now. I'll get married when I'm absolutely ready."
His expression remained stoic, but in his mind, a completely different thought echoed: "And when that stubborn mule finally opens up." Axel.
Dayonna stood up, hands on her hips. Her voice was more forceful now, brimming with frustration. "Why won't you get married now? You're twenty-six! You're not getting any younger. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were—"
She paused for dramatic effect, narrowing her eyes. "—into guys."
Jayvaughn didn't say a word. He didn't correct her. He didn't roll his eyes. He just… stared.
That silence alone made Dayonna freeze.
She blinked at him, her voice rising with excitement. "Wait. Wait. Don't tell me… you really are into guys?"
Jayvaughn rubbed the bridge of his nose. He knew where this was heading. His mother was already spiraling.
"Oh my goodness," she gasped, clasping her chest like she was about to faint. "My BL heart! Who knew I'd get to witness this in real life?!"
Then she grabbed his arm like a fangirl meeting her favorite couple. "Tell me who it is! Is he cute? Handsome? I bet he is—my son would never settle for less than a ten out of ten!"
Jayvaughn looked at her like she'd grown two heads. If he were more expressive, his jaw might've dropped. Instead, he remained cool, despite the internal chaos.
"Do you really have to be this excited?" he thought. "You look like someone whose lifelong dream just came true."
Still, he replied evenly, "I haven't gotten the boy yet. Hopefully soon. I'll introduce him to you once I do."
"What?" Dayonna cried. "You haven't even secured him yet? What have you been doing all this time? Do you plan to be single forever?! You couldn't even win over the guy you like? Do you want me to lose my son-in-law before I even meet him?!"
Jayvaughn sighed internally. Was she truly concerned about his love life… or was she more afraid her real-life BL fantasy would crumble if he failed to land Axel?
He'd never really know. But outwardly, he stayed calm.
"I'm confident I can win your future son-in-law," he said coolly. "So there's no need for you to panic."
Then, an idea struck him. "But… when I do, you'll be in charge of dealing with Dad and Grandma. They've already introduced me to more women than I can count."
Dayonna scoffed. "Leave it to me. Your father will be easy. He follows my lead, anyway. But your grandmother…" She groaned and threw her hands up. "Well, she can be ignored. It's not like she'll be living with you two."
Then she paused, her eyes narrowing in realization. "Wait a minute. Is that why you told me about your love interest?" A sly smile curled on her lips. "You're using me to clear the path for him, aren't you? Making sure I soften the battlefield before your boyfriend ever steps into the arena."
She placed a hand over her chest, dramatically touched. "So scheming. I love it. Anything for my son-in-law."
Her enthusiasm took a nosedive into interrogation territory.
"Okay, now spill. What's his name? How long have you liked him? Is he older? Younger? What's his star sign?"
Jayvaughn's lips were sealed tighter than a vault. No matter how she pried, he gave her nothing.
"Are you seriously going to act like this?" she huffed. "You can't even give your poor mother a name? That's too much. You're being stingy!"
When it became clear he wouldn't budge, she gave up with an exaggerated groan. She began climbing the stairs, muttering dramatically about ungrateful sons.
But halfway up, she turned back. "Stay here tonight. Let Jaimie sleep in your room. Spend some time with your son. Bond with him."
Jayvaughn nodded silently.
________________________
Axel lounged on the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling. He glanced at the clock for what had to be the tenth time that night.
Jayvaughn still wasn't back.
That man had made it his life mission to stick around lately—nagging, teasing, hovering. And now, suddenly, he was gone. No message. No explanation.
Axel frowned.
What if he went to see his girlfriend?
The thought made something twist in his chest. He immediately scowled, brushing it off.
Why do I care? I'm only pissed because he didn't even bother calling.
That had to be it. Right?
He looked around the empty apartment, feeling strangely restless. It was already late, but he wasn't even remotely sleepy. With nothing better to do, his mind drifted to something—or rather, someone—he had been meaning to deal with.
"Dessie," he muttered, standing up.
On his way to his computer room, he chuckled. "These days, I'm always stuck with Jayvaughn after rehearsals… Now that he's not here, I'm actually bored."
He considered doing something productive. Maybe handling business?
"No way," he immediately rejected the thought aloud. "I'm not sitting behind a desk reading proposals for five hours. I'd rather go fight a gang."
He stepped into his dimly lit computer room, fingers already itching to type.
"Let's save that for another day," he murmured, cracking his knuckles. "Tonight, I've got a rat to catch."
The monitors lit up around him as he began typing at lightning speed, digging into Dessie's digital life. His voice was calm but laced with mischief.
"Well, well… my dear sister Dessie. Let's see what secrets you've been hiding."