As Jonathan hastened downstairs, his mother's authoritative voice resonated through the hallway, "Jonathan!" His response, "Mum, I'm in a hurry!", was met with a firm rebuke, "I don't care! Now get back here and have breakfast with us!"
Jonathan's attempt to explain his situation was met with skepticism, "Mum, I'm meeting a friend. He promised to buy me breakfast. He's only in town for one day." Mrs. Jonas' reply was laced with sarcasm, "Oh, brilliant! Send me his location coordinates and Madison will go fetch him."
As Jonathan endeavored to reason with his mother, she remained resolute, her gaze fixed on the abundance of food on the table, "Look at this table, full of food that's going to go to waste." Jonathan's reassurance, "He is shy, mother. He wants to only meet me. He made that clear. I beg you, please, let me go", was met with a probing inquiry, "Is it a girl?"
Jonathan's response, "What?", was followed by a repetition of the question, "The person that you're rushing to. Is it a girl?" His clarification, "It's my friend. He's a big deal these days, and he's here to see me and only me", was met with a questioning gaze, "Is he worth ditching breakfast for?"
Jonathan's explanation, "He said it's urgent. He will be seeing me before he departs on his private jet", was met with a curious expression, "Why would he want to see you?" Jonathan's hesitation, "This is not going to be something that you want to hear", was met with a persistent request, "And that is?"
Jonathan revealed the nature of his relationship with his friend, "He had a crush on me throughout high school. I guess I'm guilty, because I didn't give him closure. So, if I don't do that now, I'll feel horrible." He pleaded, "Now, can I go?"
Mrs. Jonas remained resolute, "No! Sit down and have breakfast. And I'm not going to repeat myself! For heaven's sake, it's 8am and a holiday!" Jonathan countered, "That's exactly why I have to meet him early! Who knows? Maybe I'll get the chance to interview him."
Mrs. Jonas chided, "All this time that you've been wasting – standing and talking there – you could have eaten at least three slices of toast!" Jonathan's frustration was evident, "What's wrong with you, mother?"
Mrs. Jonas playfully mimicked her son's earlier behavior, "Oh, let me see! I woke up and rushed out? I am too excited to contain myself? My eyes are glassy? My cheeks look like ripe tomatoes? I am wearing my best clothes? I am going to see my 'friend'?"
Jonathan relented, "You know what? He can wait. I'm sure he can wait ten more minutes." Mrs. Jonas teased, "Oh really? I thought he was waiting for you and that his 'private jet' will depart soon?"
Jonathan reassured, "Don't worry, he can exercise patience." Mrs. Jonas' response was laced with humor, "That's just the kind of man I'm hoping to find for Madison! Is he handsome? Are his pockets deep?"
Jonathan's reply was barely audible, "No! He's my…(mutters under his breath) boyfriend."
Mrs. Jonas' inquiry, "What was that?", was met with Jonathan's clarification, "Friend." Her nonchalant response, "So what?", was followed by Jonathan's explanation, "Well, it would be awkward if she dated my friend. Their union would make me look like a matchmaker."
Mrs. Jonas acknowledged his point, "You're right." Madison interjected, "And I don't want a boyfriend, mother." Mrs. Jonas' maternal concern was evident, "You're not getting any younger, my darling. You'll die lonely if you don't start searching for Mr. Right now. You're in college, and only left with a few years before you graduate. Your skin will be wrinkling before you know it!"
Madison's reassurance, "Jonathan, you can go. Ignore mother. She doesn't value friendship that much", was met with Mrs. Jonas' stern warning, "If you leave now, Jonathan, don't ever come back." Madison's protest, "Mother!", was followed by Mrs. Jonas' relented consent, "Okay, you are excused, my baby boy."
Jonathan's grateful response, "Thank you! See you very, very late!", was followed by his hasty departure from the house. He promptly ordered a picnic basket over the phone and arranged to meet Joden at the neighborhood park. As he sat on an oak bench, awaiting Joden's arrival, the tranquility of the park provided a stark contrast to the lively exchange he had just experienced at home.
Jonathan's introspection was evident as he stood up and began to talk to himself, "What have I done? Will he like it? Maybe he doesn't like surprises. Maybe he doesn't like being spoilt, since he treats me like a girl. You know what? I'll just pretend that it was a prank if he doesn't like any of it!"
As he sat back down on the oak bench, his attention was diverted by a man approaching him with a basket in hand. Jonathan's smile was evident as he stood up to receive the delivery, "Oh hi! Thank you for bringing this at such short notice."
The man's reassurance, "It's no big deal. Please sign here", was followed by Jonathan's inquiry, "Do you think it's too much?" The man's response, "No. It's perfect. Good luck!", was met with Jonathan's gratitude, "Thank you. I'll need it!"
As the man departed, Jonathan's anticipation was palpable. Shortly, Joden arrived at the park and walked towards Jonathan, who gestured towards the basket, "I thought we might spend the day together? You're okay with that, aren't you?"
Joden's enthusiasm was evident, "Oooh!" Jonathan's concerns were assuaged by Joden's reassurances, "I'm happy that you planned this. I'm grateful. And no, you didn't derail my plans for the day. I didn't have any plans. But…it's a little early."
Jonathan's apology, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't wait. I've been thinking about you lots", was met with Joden's understanding, "Well, it's nice to know that someone out there is thinking about me for a change."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, with Jonathan confessing, "I haven't stopped thinking about you since that dinner. You're head over heels in love with me, that's clear." Joden's playful response, "But guess what? It's been happening to me too, ever since I saw you at the supermarket pushing that trolley", was met with Jonathan's sincerity, "These feelings for you aren't like anything I've felt for people I've been with in the past. They are overwhelming!"
Joden's reassuring words, "Like I told you before, I'm a lover. You'll feel that way", were met with Jonathan's trust, "I believe what you're saying."
As Joden and Jonathan shared a passionate kiss, a distant observer, Mr. Jonas, struggled to reconcile the sight before him. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he instinctively wiped them, hoping to clear the illusion. However, the reality remained unchanged — his son, Jonathan, was embracing another man, Joden, in a public display of affection.
Joden's playful tease, "Thank you. Hey, aren't you going to twitch today?", was met with Jonathan's apologetic laugh, "Aaagh, I am sorry." Joden's reassurance, "It's fine — I was just teasing you!", was followed by Jonathan's query, "You! And why would I do that? You're an inch from me. You'll protect me."
Joden's confident response, "You're right! Superman got nothing on me", was met with Jonathan's enthusiasm, "Let's eat!" As they sat down to enjoy their meal, their banter continued, with Joden remarking, "I was worried I'd find someone to make me fat." Jonathan's reassurance, "You have me and I know your body is your source of confidence", was met with Joden's self-deprecating humor, "Am I such an open book?"
Jonathan's perceptive observation, "No, you allow me to ransack your thoughts through your eyes. You don't put up a barricade", was met with Joden's playful request, "If that's the case, don't ransack my dirty thoughts about you." Jonathan's flirtatious wink and promise, "I can't do that. I can only allow you to fulfil them", was met with Joden's appreciative laugh, "What a guy you are!"
As they basked in each other's company, a stranger, James, approached them, sitting down on the bench with a curious gaze, "Hello handsome! I'm James, and you?"
As James extended his hand in greeting, Jonathan instinctively intervened, swatting James' hand away before it could reach Joden's. "Hands off him! He's my boyfriend!" James' embarrassment was palpable as he swiftly retreated, his eyes fixed on the ground.
Joden's gaze was locked on Jonathan, a radiant smile spreading across his face. "You called me your boyfriend," he stated, his tone laced with wonder. Jonathan's smile mirrored Joden's, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, you are, aren't you?"
Joden's response was tinged with delight. "I can rest in eternal peace." Jonathan's playful retort, "You can't! There are lots of things I want to do to you!", was met with Joden's teasing remark, "Not only are you sweet, little Jonathan! You also have a mind of your own! Rugged Nathan!"
Jonathan's passion was evident in his words, "I can't keep my hands to myself! Your body and face activate every living cell in my body. You know it too!" Joden's confession, "Funny, that's also what's been giving me sleepless nights. You! I just want to do all sorts of unthinkable things with you", was met with Jonathan's assertive claim, "I'll be going first. It's fair that way!"
Joden's surrender was absolute, "I could never refuse you, Mr. Jonas!" As Jonathan beckoned him closer, their eyes locked in a fervent embrace, their love palpable in the air.
As Jonathan enveloped Joden in a tender embrace, his lips traced gentle kisses across Joden's face. Joden's playful protest, "Am I dating a puppy? You don't lick a human!", was met with Jonathan's sheepish grin, "I am not responsible for my actions."
Joden's humorous inquiry, "How do I kill the demon responsible for this then?", was met with Jonathan's lighthearted response, "If you could stop being so smoking hot, I am sure the demons would migrate from me." Joden's admiration was evident, "You're such a smooth talker, and your clothes are nice. I feel awful that I'm not dressed as nicely as you!"
Jonathan's chuckle was accompanied by a self-deprecating remark, "It's my fault that I'm a fashion officer these days!" As they basked in each other's company, their banter was a testament to the effortless ease of their relationship.