"Do you like it?"
Jasyn gently places his firm, rough hands on his face, staring deeply into his eyes.
Christopher goes to repeat his question until Jasyn takes the initiative and kisses Christopher on the lips. It went on for a fair few seconds, and when he pulled away, it stunned the boy to silence. Christopher laughs as he feels his lips with his fingers, his cheeks flushing red.
"I. Love you, Christopher." Jasyn admits.
"I-I love you too." Christopher replies.
In the background, Heather whispers, "Awe, that was adorable. How have we never seen him like this before?" She asks Haider. As she looks towards him, she notices that he's flat on his back, eyes staring at the simulated sky inside the dimension.
"Are you ok?" Heather asks her twin.
"How did Jasyn, fall for Christopher, when his fashion sense was so abysmal? He could clearly have done better." Haider says.
"I don't think he cares about that." Heather replies.
"But he's WAY hotter than anyone I've ever seen." Haider's face shows so much confusion. "What the fuck!" He continues, flailing his arms around randomly.
"Get up." Heather commands.
"Fine." Haider says with a strop.
Christopher approaches his siblings with Jasyn next to him, holding hands.
"Guys, even though it's only been a few days since we met." Christopher starts to say.
(Narrator) If he says they're getting married I will literally never write again.
"We both knew we had deep feelings for one another from the moment we met. So, we're officially saying we're boyfriends." Christopher says.
…
"That was a little dramatic. But I gotta tell you Christopher. You said he was hot, but I never imagined he'd be this hot." Haider says bluntly.
"I'm right here ya know." Jasyn says.
"Shush pretty boy, family talk is happening." Haider scolds.
"Is he always this pushy?" Jasyn asks Christopher.
"If I'm passionate about something, yes." Haider answers.
Heather comes up behind her twin and smacks him across the head. "Shut up, idiot."
"Ouch! Like you can talk!" Haider bites back.
The argument between the two continues as Christopher drags Jasyn off towards the fields. "Let's leave them to shout that out."
"Your brother and sister have some, strong personalities." Jasyn comments.
"Tell me about it." Christopher giggles. "Oh. You'll have to watch out." Christopher remembers.
"Watch out for what?" Jasyn asks, slightly worried.
"You'll need to watch out for my dad. He specifically told us that when we get into relationships, he'll need to 'test them'." Christopher says, stopping their walk and looking directly at him.
"Test me how?" Jasyn asks nervously.
"It's a test to see if you can protect me. And if he doesn't approve, we can't be together. So a ton is riding on you passing my fathers test." Christopher says, patting Jasyn's wrist.
"Oh. Who exactly is your father?" Jasyn asks as their walk resumes.
"You've seen him before. Our last names are different, but he's the first and only person to have won The Dragon Festival Tournament, twice. Heddwyn Bastet Longstaff. A retired Gold-plated Stocaean Adventurer. Oh, and he turned down being platinum too…so yeah." Christopher says.
(Narrator) A full ass title and everything.
(Nebulon) Christopher thinks highly of Heddwyn. It's only fair to assume he would do this.
(Narrator) Why do you always feel the need to comment on what I say!?
"If you're trying to scare me, it's working." Jasyn says, tightening his grip on Christopher's hand.
"I'm just preparing you for the inevitable. My dad won't hold anything back." Christopher says, placing his head on Jasyn's shoulder.
(Dime) Speaking of your father, sir. He is requesting to enter.
Christopher sighs and turns to his beloved. "I was hoping to prepare you a little. But I don't think that's an option anymore." "Let him in Dime."
In the distance we hear, "Intruder!"
"Oh god." Christopher mumbles.
"What was that?" Jasyn asks.
"My dad's boyfriend. He's a Wolfman, so I assume he just caught a whiff of your scent." Christopher answers.
"How can you say that so casually?" Jasyn asks.
"This shit is just normal to me at this point. Prepare for a good sniffing." Christopher says.
In the distance, we see a trail of dust being lifted from the ground, not long after the image of Beluf sprinting on all fours comes into view.
(Nebulon) Why does it look so cute yet intimidating, bahahaha!
(Narrator) Ah! When did you decide to watch in person?
(Nebulon) About five minutes ago.
Jasyn tries to back away from the charging Wolfman, but Christopher holds him firmly where he stands. It didn't take long for Beluf to come to a sharp stop and start sniffing Jasyn.
"Who are you? Why are you here? Do you two know each other? You smell sweaty, have you been exercising?" Beluf rambles.
Heddwyn materialises into existence with his elbow on Jasyn's head, continuing the questioning. "Why are you holding my son's hand? When did you become acquaintances?"
Christopher pushes Heddwyn off him and shoves a stinky vial up one of Beluf's nostrils. Beluf starts to whine from the smell.
"Will you two take a fucking chill pill? If you give me a few seconds, I'll tell you who he is." Christopher says.
"Lord help me." Jasyn mutters.
"You basically asked to be part of this family, get used to it." Christopher answers. "Dad, Beluf, this is Jasyn, my boyfriend."
"No." Heddwyn says, crossing his arms.
"What do you mean no?" Beluf asks, rubbing his snout.
"Just no." Heddwyn says.
"Babe, you better start explaining or I'm gonna start biting during our fun time." Beluf threatens.
"He needs to be tested first." Heddwyn says, his spear appearing.
"It's already started, goodluck." Christopher whispers, backing far away from Jasyn.
Jasyn desperately reaches towards him, saying, "Help me." in a high pitched voice.
"Pay attention cub." Heddwyn says harshly, suddenly being directly in front of him. Heddwyn sharply drives the blunt end of his spear into his crotch.
The impact lifts Jasyn off the ground slightly and he tries to back away from the Nekojin, only for him to vanish before his eyes. Jasyn looks around frantically trying to find him.
"Oh, god. I'm so dead." Jasyn says.
Heddwyn's voice surrounds the young guardsmen, disorienting his senses further. "So you think you're worthy to date my son?"
"I do, sir." Jasyn says.
"Well. We'll see about that." Heddwyn says, materialising behind the boy, attempting to strike him in the back with his spear.
Jasyn predicts his attack and disarms the Nekojin from his signature weapon, trying to wield it for himself. Before Jasyn could attack back Heddwyn snaps his fingers and the spear returns to his hand.
"Whoever trained you did a good job. But they didn't do it hard enough. Why don't you have your blade?" Heddwyn says.
"Well I wasn't expecting to be attacked by my boyfriend's dad today alright, give me a break." Jasyn sasses.
"A soldier should always carry their weapon, all of my kids do. They are disciplined, refined warriors. You, are clumsy, slow. I don't see you protecting cattle." Heddwyn bullies. "All you are is a pretty face."
"Ok, that's just uncalled for." Jasyn says, going to punch Heddwyn. He makes impact, but Heddwyn doesn't budge, not even an inch.
"This, is discipline. You have a nasty punch. Now, what are you going to do? Your punch didn't hurt me." Heddwyn says.
"Oh come on. I know about the spell Damage Dispersion. It's literally basic defence magic." Jasyn says. "For goodness sake, I used it myself to weaken your low blow on me."
"Pretty and smart. I don't like that." Heddwyn says. "But knowledge can only get you so far, Christopher himself can contest that himself."
"You've yet to prove that." Jasyn says, readying himself once more.
Heddwyn sighs and takes a single step forward. That single step triggered a spell to activate on Jasyn, freezing him in time. "You can't protect my son. He needs someone that can aid him in battle. Physically and mentally."
A tear forms in Jasyn's eye. Not being able to move, unable to defend his honour, his pride, and his partner. Heddwyn walks past Jasyn's frozen body and strikes him hard in the back of the head. As soon as the hold of time on him breaks, Jasyn gets knocked to the ground, but he gets back up with renewed vigour, kicking Heddwyn in the stomach without his knowledge, winding the Nekojin.
"I am NOT going to lose him." Jasyn says, his expression angry, but also upset.
"There may still be hope for you yet, boy." Heddwyn says. Jasyn charges him, screaming. "Slow down." The Nekojin says, slowing the boy's movements to a crawl.
Jasyn breaks out of the spell with his pure determination, his commanding aura filling the entire realm. "I did not work myself to death my entire life, just to be shrugged off like a bug. Come at me!"
Heddwyn staggers back for a second before finally taking this seriously. "You asked for it, kid."
(Narrator) Heddwyn really doesn't approve at all. He isn't calling Jasyn a cub. I'm worried.
(Nebulon) So am I, let's have faith that he makes it through this.
(Narrator) Agreed.