Ned was surprisingly quite romantic and needy. He had some form of childishness in him that Ari found admirable, yet simultaneously presented itself with a lot of doubts. It was as if he was trying to overcompensate for something, and after a few weeks of being together, Ari confronted him about it. It turns out he had a fully booked schedule ahead of him and was doing his best to leave parts of himself with Ari. From gifts to dinner outs and mini road trips from time to time, there was no doubt he was making an admirable effort, to say the least.
After repetitive cycles of the same, Ari warned him of having a burnout, but as always, Ned would laugh it off and go about making plans as if it were second nature to him.
"Just weeks ago, I couldn't decide where to travel to upon my resignation, but here you are, one plan after another. Where do you get the time and energy?"
"Well, my secretaries do all the planning on any work-related appointments, and since that part of me is the most strenuous one, I have spare time to scan activities for couples. If you'd like, we can go to any you recommend now that you are harbouring thoughts of joining the employment industry despite my reservations against the matter."
"I'm not going to be dependent on you. In fact, I've never had to depend on anyone in my life except Mun."
"What about your parents or siblings?"
"I'm a foster child. I'm not close to my foster family, either. They never accepted me when I came out, so I lived with them for years, waiting to be an adult, and on my eighteenth birthday, I left and never looked back."
"Didn't they look for you?"
"I heard a word from mutual relations that they've been asking about my whereabouts, but they only did that to ensure I was far away. Please don't pity me, though. On the contrary, I'm grateful they allowed me to realize families are as divided and broken as can be. It's only relevant when they want something from you, and if that is not the care, they find you a bother."
"Well, I beg to differ. I was accepted when I came out. To date, I've never heard any slur against people like us until recently from your former secretary."
"Rey?" Ari's eyes grew wide in shock. Somehow, to hear Ned say that hurt him a little. He may be able to take insults hurled at him, for he'd lived a life being considered a mistake, but Ned wasn't familiar with such an experience. "What did he say?"
"I become uncomfortable when his name brings some light into your eyes. I understand you may harbour feelings for him, but I'm still the one in front of you right now."
"Don't misunderstand me. I was merely shocked because I'm well conversant with his temper, and sometimes he can say things he doesn't mean. I apologize on his behalf since I'm the one who brought him as my assistant on the trip."
"You don't have to take responsibility for his actions, neither should you make excuses for him. He is an adult, an educated one at that. I've conversed with him during our stay together, and yes, I did notice him first giving me the cold shoulder until I witnessed the one he was giving you. Perhaps I shouldn't have meddled, but despite my efforts to coax him into telling me whatever transpired between you two, he refused to utter a single word."
"Well, that's a relief."
"Relief...?" Ned squinted his eyes. "I wonder why you would say that."
"You are overly sensitive these days." Ari tried to brush off the topic. "Is there anything bothering you at work? I have a lot of time on my hands; therefore, I'm at your disposal."
"The only thing that can make me very happy and forget about this discussion is if I were to top you at least once."
"You know that is not going to happen."
"Why?"
"Just because..." Ari stopped midway, remembering his witty talk with Mun. "It hasn't occurred to me to be bottomed by anyone."
"I don't mind either position, but the infamous Ari is someone I've wished to pin down for years."
Ari seemed amused, laying his head leisurely on Ned's lap. "You've been enjoying being bottomed from where I stand. If anything, I'd say you make a great one."
"It hurts my pride one way or another. Do you have any idea how famous a player you were back then? My previous lovers would think otherwise, though admittedly, I enjoy the passionate thrusting you give daily. Still, I wonder how your face would look if the tables were turned. How about we equalize everything? You were my first top, and I'd like to be yours too. If you accept, I will even give you a big token."
"I'm not taking money from you."
"It has nothing to do with monetary value but information."
"What information?"
"Nah-ah." Ned shook his finger just inches away from Ari's face, his expression seeming amused. "You need to agree first."
"I've had lovers too, you know, and they loved my ass being on top."
"I couldn't agree more. Nonetheless, I wish you'd compromise a little. You never know what you are missing."
'Perhaps it's time I reciprocate and grant you your wish. After all, of the two of us, you are the one who seems to be compromising the most. What do I have to lose anyway if I try something new? It's just sex.' Ari thought to herself, following a brief silence. He watched Ned's nonchalant expression turn into anticipation as if he were looking forward to his response. "I have but one question. There was a time I picked up a call from one of your family members. She was quite lovely and lively. I could tell from how fondly she'd refer to you as Neddy."
"That has to be my mother. She'd love you when you meet her in person."
"I have a feeling I'd like her a lot. We chatted for some time then she mentioned an upcoming engagement."
"Oh..." Ned's head fell back, his gesture sending Ari to sit up.
"Apparently, she wanted to know if you'd already ordered a presumed tuxedo for a wedding. Gay marriages are not legalized in our country, and if you were planning a wedding, don't you think you should have informed me beforehand? Besides, I'm quite traditional since Mun is my only family. I want him to have the honour of my immediate family."
"About that... Well... That is the information I wanted to share with you." Ned hesitated for a moment before adding. "I'm supposed to have a political wedding, a temporary one on a contract basis and once a mutual goal has been achieved, it shall be called off."
"What are you talking about?" Ari asked, seeming confused yet unable to shake off the uneasy feeling of not wanting to learn more about the matter.
"It's purely and exclusively a political union to strengthen business relations. My presumed partner knows I have no desire in women, and she equally has her love interest in waiting until our contract marriage is called off."
"I... I thought it was our wedding..."
Ned immediately faced Ari, his heart sinking at the sudden realization of the misunderstanding. Clearly, they were not on the same page about the matter. "Ari, my dear... I-I apologize for the misunderstanding, and yes, I intend to make you mine in whichever country will allow us wed, but this is a duty I must fulfil. I have tried to delay it as much as possible and made it a last resort, but everything else failed. Unfortunately, some contracts have to be done this way."
"Are you seriously considering asking me to accept this?"
"Ari..."
"Darn! I'm so embarrassed!" Ari exclaimed, pushing Ned's attempt to soothe him. Finally, he stood up and covered his face briefly and mumbled under his breath, words which Ned concluded were curses against him.
"I'm genuinely sorry, but this was planned for me long before I began working with your former company. Unfortunately, it's a part I have to act in on behalf of my family."
"I'm not okay with this." Ari shook his head after dropping his hands from his face.
"I suspected you wouldn't; that's why I felt apprehensive about breaking the news to you."
"So that means I should thank your mother."
"I'm deeply sorry." Ned stood up, feeling defeated. "If it makes you uncomfortable, at least come meet my family. I'd like to formally introduce you to them as the love of my life, and while at it, I will make it clear to them that you are the one I want to be with.
I will do anything for you, Ari."