6. the end #3
Rion blinks in surprise, then looks at Aaron with an expression that clearly says ‘ You didn’t tell her, did you?’ He sighs and straightens up. "I'm 25 years older than Aaron, Mrs Williams," he says. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I care about him a great deal."
Even Aaron hadn’t known Rion’s actual age. He’s only three years older than Aaron’s mother. Surprise registers on Laura’s face and Aaron sees her school her features.
"I see," she says. "You can take a seat in the dining room. The food is almost ready. Aaron, come help me out with that."
Aaron gives Rion an apologetic look and follows his mother to the kitchen. "What the hell, Aaron?" she asks, closing the door, and placing the flowers on the counter.
Even though Aaron expected it, his heart sinks. "What?" he asks defiantly.
She gives him an annoyed glare. "You said he works with Xander, right? From the way he’s dressed, he seems like a respectable person. So what is he doing with someone so young? What could you possibly have in common with him? That man is old enough to be your father!"
Something in Aaron snaps. "What do we have in common? He takes care of me which is more than I can say for my actual father. Sorry, Mum, but I don’t really think I can take advice on men from you."
She falters, and her eyes fill with sorrow. "Aaron, your father did his best. Things overwhelmed him, and he tried to hold on but-"
"He should have tried harder. The burdens he ran away from, I carried them.
I held this family in my tiny little hands when Xander went his way, and when you shut down, I held on, Mum.
I had it much worse than Charles Williams and you don't see me gambling my life away or setting my house on fire to kill myself.
My burdens make me stronger," Aaron says.
"When I thought I was going to lose you, lose everything, Rion was there for me.
He took my hands and relieved me of my worries.
I got through it all because he was there. "
She looks both stricken and sorry, and he doesn’t want her to blame herself for being too sick to be by his side.
"There's nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you, Mum. I love you, and I want you to like the person who makes me happy," he says, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But even if you don’t, it doesn’t change how I feel about him; I’m not letting Rion go."
She takes his hand in hers. Her eyes are a little cloudy as she says, "I would never ask you to let go of someone you love, honey. I just… You were just a teenage boy when I got admitted to the hospital, and you’re my baby.
It feels like I’ve missed your transition from a boy to a man.
I don’t like it, but of course, I want you to be happy. "
"Mum," Aaron says, touched.
"Oh no, the food’s going to get cold. Let’s go back in, hmm?" she says with a wet smile.
They dish up for everyone, and it’s a little awkward with Xander and James carrying on conversations about nothing in particular.
Rion gives Aaron a pointed look, and he shifts uncomfortably in his seat, feeling the awkwardness. "I'm sorry," he whispers. "I was just nervous about how Mum would react."
Laura sighs, her gaze softening as she looks at her son. "So, Rion, Xander tells me you work together. What kind of work do you do?"
Rion hastily swallows a spoonful of rice.
"My job is a bit complicated. I do a little bit of everything.
Sometimes I hold seminars where people can come and pitch their business ideas.
Then I connect up-and-coming businesses with high-end investors in order to get them the starting capital they need. "
Laura nods, impressed. "Oh," she says in delight. "I think it's wonderful that you help less fortunate people with opportunities. You did the same for Xander when he was a student, right?"
Xander shrugs. "For me it was more of a scholarship and internship, really."
"Well, I don’t do it for free. ASHI also buys into the company, or we hire the students we sponsor," Rion says when he sees Aaron looking at him warmly. "This is delicious, Mrs Williams. The chicken is quite good. You really outdid yourself."
Laura smiles. "Aaron made that."
"Oh." Rion blushes, and Aaron laughs.
Xander uncharacteristically saves Rion. "He’s right. This is some seriously good food, Laura, Aaron. I might need to take some leftovers home with me if you have them."
From then on, they talk about the food, and the tension slowly disappears.
Aaron nervously fiddles with his napkin, stealing glances at his mother, then staring intently at his boyfriend (his heart jumps at the fact that Rion is his boyfriend).
The tension eases a bit as they talk about other things, like Aaron starting school, Riko coming to visit, and James struggling to find a place to do the case studies for his Law Degree.
"You should come by the ASHI offices. If you are interested in Financial Law, I’m sure our lawyers would be glad to take you in for a little part-time office work," Rion offers.
"Oh. I couldn’t possibly!" James stammers. "I mean, I have a lot to... I have the coffee shop too."
"Nonsense!" Laura says sternly. "I’m here now. I’ll take care of things. You need to go learn from other people in your profession, okay?"
James looks at Aaron, who shrugs. "Alright. Thank you, Mr. Asano. I mean it."
The rest of the dinner proceeds jovially, with James, Xander, and Laura all deciding to gang up on Aaron and tell Rion the most embarrassing stories about his childhood. He is pouting by the end of it, but Rion seems to have enjoyed himself, so that makes everything better.
By the time the night ends, Laura hands Rion and Aaron an armful of leftovers. Her expression calms as she looks at Rion, and then at Aaron. "Thank you for taking care of my Aaron. Please continue making him happy. He's all that matters to me."
Rion nods. "I promise I will take good care of him."
Aaron lets out a sigh of relief; it went well. It was a strange dinner, but in truth, having all his favourite people in the same place had been great. Aaron cannot decide if that had been Rion’s most awkward introduction to the family or an absolutely perfect one.
*
"Do you think your mother liked me?" Rion asks once the two of them get to his house.
They are lying on the couch watching an actual romantic comedy this time, and Aaron snuggles closer to him. "Of course she did. You’re awesome," he says.
As he lies on that couch with Rion, Aaron is content with his life for the first time in years.
Ever since Rion came into his life, things have fallen into place.
He’s not suffering alone on the inside anymore; his mother is no longer at death’s door; he has a decent relationship with his brother.
One day, he might even forgive his father.
"I think you’re the best thing that's ever happened to me," Rion says. He kissed Aaron’s forehead softly. "My beautiful boy."
Aaron nestles closer, feeling the steady rise and fall of Rion’s chest next to him.
The steady rhythm of his heartbeat reminds Aaron of the stability Rion gives him.
He traces circles over his shirt, content.
The beautiful silence between them is full of everything they have endured and the beauty of finding their way to each other.
Both of them are two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly and cover for each other’s weaknesses and fulfil each other’s desires.
"You’re more awesome. That’s why I love you so much." Aaron closes his eyes. Whatever lies ahead, he doesn’t need to know. For now, he is just happy to be held by someone who loves and takes care of him.