Joss pushed his glasses higher on his nose and turned the page of his book.
He sat on his sofa, his feet propped on his coffee table, with a small book resting on his lap. He thumbed the corner of a yellowing page absentmindedly as he took in the words.
Pressing a closed fist over his mouth, Joss stifled a yawn. He glanced at the digital clock, sitting just underneath the TV. It was almost 9:30, and his eyelids were starting to feel heavy. An artificial yellow-green glow illuminated the silent living room. Joss blinked a little too long. Just a few more pages till the end of the chapter and he’d head to bed.
A sudden ring took Joss out of his focus. Frowning, he bookmarked his page, sliding an old picture of his parents, his brother, and him smiling to the camera between the pages, and put his book down.
He walked barefoot to the intercom, pushing his glasses up to rub his tired eyes.
It was late, and he wasn’t expecting anyone. People rarely ever came unannounced at his place. All his friends knew he wasn’t a fan of impromptu visits. It was probably a mistake – a delivery guy looking for the right door. For a moment, Joss considered ignoring it and keeping reading.
Another ring.
Joss pressed the camera’s button, and the screen came to life, a familiar face facing him in the viewfinder.
Joss’ heart leaped into his throat.
With shaky fingers, he unlocked the building’s door and watched Gawin step inside.
Joss ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his mouth, shifting in place. He paced toward the door, then backed away. He froze when a knock rattled the front door.
Joss took a calming breath.
He opened the door.
Gawin was outside, a cap shadowing his face. He stood, motionless, long, thin, tired arms hanging at his side.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
Joss stepped to the side, and Gawin walked inside.
Gawin toed off his worn sneakers at their usual spot by the front door before heading to the living room with purposeful strides.
Joss followed him wordlessly, his eyes wide and his shoulders tense.
“Are you okay?” Joss scanned Gawin for any sign of distress. He didn’t find anything, but that wasn’t reassuring. “What brings you here? Do you need anything?”
Gawin took his hat off, letting it hang loosely at the tip of his fingers. In his other hand, clutched between his fingers, was a small green and brown object that Joss didn’t recognize.
“Nothing’s wrong. I was just in the neighborhood, and I thought I’d swing by.”
Joss frowned.
Why? Joss wanted to ask.
He didn’t.
He waited.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Gawin said, feet squared.
Joss’ pulse sped up, and he gestured for the sofa.
He didn’t want to hope – he didn’t – but the feeling still crept into his chest.
“Oh, okay. Alright. Let’s talk.”
Gawin’s brow was furrowed. He looked worn, and his skin was thin and patchy. Green veins moved on his eyelids when he looked down at the hat resting on his lap.
“I wanted to talk to you about what you told me last time.” As it often was, Gawin’s tone was low, but each word resonated into Joss’ body. He swallowed thickly. “I don’t think what you did was fair. I understand why- why you did…” Gawin cut himself off, frustrated. He pressed the hat flat on his lap with a shaky hand. Joss flinched when he stared at him dead in the eye. Hard and angry, “…but it wasn’t fair.”
Joss had expected everything but that. His muscles contracted as he listened expectantly, his stomach dropping the more Gawin talked. The air thickened with something hot and moist, but bits of ice stunted every breath. He leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees.
He breathed a shallow breath, then turned toward Gawin and squared his shoulders, ready to take the hit.
“I told you I wasn’t ready from the start – I told you that, didn’t I?” Gawin went on.
Gawin rarely raised his voice, and he wasn’t now either. Yet, Joss had rarely heard him sound like this. It wasn’t like that time he’d burst out in anger with Podd – agitated and volatile like a crackerfire. He was simmering, fuming, a volcano getting ready to destroy and create anew.
Joss wet his lips, blinking.
“You did.”
The hat was now nothing but a flat heap of fabric. Gawin threw it to the side, but he was still holding the little trinket, green spikes peeking through underneath his thumb.
“I told you I needed time. I’m sorry if that hurt you, but that’s all I can tell you. That was all I could tell you. But I don’t want our relationship to change. I don’t want things to end. You said we worked well, that we could be more. That we could build… things. Together.” Gawin’s lips wobbled. Up, then down. “I think so, too. But you’ve seen how I am with relationships. For me, that…” He gestured vaguely, his eyes vacant. “…never worked before. It’s always a disaster, Joss. Always. It’s not that I don’t want you. It’s not that I don’t see any future together. But it’s hard for me to believe it can happen. Do you understand?”
Joss listened, his mouth parted in surprise. He slowly nodded, letting the words sink in, his pulse leaping from time to time as Gawin went on. Right in front of his eyes, Gawin was peeling a layer of his armor, vulnerable and honest, even if it was hard, even if he stuttered and stumbled as he did so. Joss didn’t dare utter a word, too afraid to break the spell.
During his speech, he twirled the little objects – the keychain, Joss finally recognized, the one Joss had gifted him – between his fingertips. He was grasping it strongly, his thumb pressed on the palm tree. Seeing the souvenir between Gawin’s hands sent Joss into a burst of nervous sweating. He didn’t know Gawin still had it. Didn’t ever think he’d see him hold it like that, like it was something important, precious.
Joss licked his lips, his guts twisting.
“Sorry… I’m sorry. I’m sorry I hurt you,” Gawin said, with remorse shining bright in his eyes, and Joss shook his head, unable to find his voice. “I just- you know, before Podd. I dated other people. But that last relationship… It was hard to get over it. We stayed together for almost a year, and I know it’s not that much, but I thought that, maybe, he was the one.” Gawin laughed, self-deprecating. “I guess I’m too sentimental, because I was obviously wrong. We were young. It was before I moved back here to Thailand. I think he was the first person I truly loved. We were friends for a few years before we started dating. We were both part of the high school band, and we had a lot in common. Things were great at first, and then it all changed. He said that I was not… Enough,” Gawin grimaced, his eyes narrowing. “That he thought dating me would be different. I think he started seeing someone else behind my back before dumping me… I’m not sure… After him, all my other relationships went the same way: a downhill spiral. No one ever seems to be satisfied. I’m never…”
Gawin halted, and his thumb on the palm tree stilled. He stayed silent for a while, Joss hanging on his every word. The volcano inside Gawin hadn’t exploded, but it was still puffing dark, grey, suffocating smoke. He caved inward, another wall breaking. Then he lowered his eyes, his hair curtaining his face. He had never looked small to Joss, but at that precise moment, he did.
“If you and I… were together. Won’t it be the same?” Gawin wasn’t looking at him anymore, his fire dwindling to wet ashes.
Joss shook his head again, suddenly mute. He wanted to protest, to tell Gawin that he’d never be the same, that he was sure of himself. That they’d be good, and what they had, – his love – would last a lifetime. But, somehow, the words died in his throat.
Gawin smiled again, and this fragile thing, to Joss, was more deadly than his fury.
“I don’t want us to end up like that.”
Joss didn’t know what to say. Because he knew that Gawin wanted, and deserved, more than empty promises. And even though Joss longed to tell him that everything would be okay, he had no way of knowing what the future actually held for them.
He scooted closer to Gawin on the couch and pressed his palm on the back of Gawin’s neck.
“No matter what happens. I promise to be there for you,” he said, and that was a promise he was confident he could uphold. “No matter what we are. No matter what we were or what we become. I’ll be there for you, G. I got you. Always.”
Joss choked when Gawin enveloped him in a tight embrace, pressed his cheek against Joss’ chest, and his hair under Joss’ nose. His heart was trying to break out of his ribcage as he hugged Gawin back.
Gawin was there, and he was strong and solid in his arms.
And they were going to be okay.
They had to.
The photo studio’s lights were hot on his skin despite the steady flow of the AC.
Or, perhaps, he wasn’t hot, but rather heavily worked up with nerves. He shifted poses, lowering his chin, his hand loosely resting on his tie, showing his side profile to the camera.
The preparation for My Golden Blood was in full swing. Things had accelerated rapidly, and after this photoshoot, in the next few days, they’d be on set.
Joss shifted into another pose, his body tense with nerves.
What if things didn’t progress how he had hoped?
What if he and Gawin’s chemistry didn’t translate well on screen?
His character, Mark, a century-old vampire, lived in a secluded vampire society. His only meaningful relationships were an older vampire, Aunt Wan, his adoptive mother, and turner Tara, and Tong, the human he’d been tasked to protect since Tong was just a baby. He was a protector, an immortal, emotionless being that operated in broad daylight but kept to the shadows. Mark didn’t sleep, couldn’t smell, couldn’t taste, couldn’t feel. Joss closed his eyes, trying to imagine a world without these basic senses, without emotions. It seemed like hell. Mark was merely surviving, battling a constant state of hunger, craving flesh and blood.
Yet, Mark also yearned for connection, for his lost humanity, and Tong, with his magical blood, slowly brought it all back. Tong encompassed all the deepest, previously unreachable desires of this lifeless creature; and from the moment Mark had tasted the boy’s blood, going against the oath he’d made to his mother, Mark had longed for more. Throughout the series, Mark battled between his desire to suck every last bit of Tong’s blood and to love him eternally.
To take or protect.
That choice, Joss was intimately familiar with.
“Now, Gawin, come stand next to Joss for the couple pictures,” the photographer said, beckoning Gawin over. “Joss, stand behind Gawin and hold him like you want to save him from danger. You’re his knight, his savior, and you, Gawin, are attracted but also terribly scared of him.”
Joss’ hand pressed on Gawin’s waist, pulling him closer, as his other one held Gawin tightly. Gawin came willingly, almost losing his balance, but Joss held him steady. Their eyes locked as flashes shuttered around them. Gawin, per the photograph’s instructions, looked shaken: his eyes wide, and his mouth open in a silent gasp. Under his thumb, Joss could feel Gawin’s veins drum rapidly. Gawin was warm. He smelled like the minty gum he’d chewed on earlier, and he felt nice against Joss, soft in places, hard in others. For a moment, Joss was reminded how it felt to embrace him, how it felt to dive into his mouth, grab his hair, and feel, and feel and feel…
Gawin’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Joss stared at it. Gawin’s throat also moved beautifully when Joss had his hands on Gawin’s waist and his mouth around him.
“Joss, you need to look colder. You’re too expressive right now. Try to tone it down, would you?”
Joss nodded at the director’s comment and steeled his face.
Gawin pressed his lips together, his eyelashes fluttering as they moved to another pose.
To protect or take.
To abdicate or resist.
Since Gawin had knocked on his door that day, Joss kept on replaying the conversation in his mind.
And every time he did, conflicting emotions wrangled inside his chest.
Gawin wanted to be with him. That’s what he had said. That thought alone sent flutters of happiness through his veins, beautiful and exhilarating. Yet when he remembered what came next, the fear and doubt that had made Gawin’s voice tremble as he told him about his past relationships washed this sweet feeling away.
Was he strong enough?
Would his love be able to withstand the highs and the lows? The push and the pull? The possible rejections?
Was he ready to go through this again?
Joss didn’t have to think much to know the answer.
A red, vibrant stop sign flashed in his brain.
No.
No, he wasn’t.
Sometimes, just like today, or on the balcony on Gawin’s birthday – when they lingered a bit too close or when Gawin glanced at him from afar- Joss doubted his instincts.
“What if everything goes right? What if Gawin realized you meant every word you ever said? What if he loved you as you love him?” The voice, the nasty, disgustingly hopeful voice in his head, rambled.
Joss glowered at the camera.
After all this time and shortcomings, he knew not to trust that damned voice.
“I’ve got everything I need. Good job. Let’s move on to the next outfit.”
In the next room, the stylists were waiting for them, ironed and labeled outfits hanging on a rack.
Gawin and Joss changed quietly, the air charged with something indescribable. Since they’d started working again, dealing with the proximity had become a lot harder. Thankfully, the awkward tension between them actually benefited their acting. After all, Mark the vampire and Tong the precious human were still getting to know each other, and their relationship was just like theirs, hectic, ambiguous, and electric.
The soft material of the white shirt, suit, and tie the stylists had prepared for him glided on Joss’ skin, the touch cool and soft. He bent forward, leaning so the shorter makeup artist could touch up his eyebrows with dark brown powder and blot his skin back to a smooth, unnatural, matte finish. His reflection in the mirror was flawless and pale, almost like a porcelain doll. They’d done a good job – he barely recognized himself.
“You really look like a vampire,” Gawin told him with a hint of shyness.
On the other hand, Gawin looked lively and cute, with a light brush of pink on his cheeks, a subtle shimmer under his eyes, and glossy lips. His outfit had a different, plainer vibe. In a simple tank top, overshirt, and jeans, he looked like a regular – though especially attractive – young, innocent guy. Human.
“Right,” Joss said, chuckling as the makeup artist preened. “It’s like they put a filter on my face.”
“True.”
Gawin kept looking at him from under his eyelashes, balancing on the balls of his feet.
Joss squared his chest and held eye contact, ignoring the current under his skin.
Gawin had something on the tip of his tongue; Joss had learned how to spot the cues by now. They weren’t blaring, just tiny habits: lips pressed a little too tight, a suspended breath, drifting eyes… And at that moment, Gawin showed all the signs, so Joss waited.
He waited.
He waited.
He waited.
How long would he be able to wait?
Finally, Gawin moved. He straightened, smoothed his collar, and made sure the buckle of his belt was centered before speaking.
“Do you want to go grab something to eat after? You know, to celebrate the filming and all…”
The stylists and makeup artists were a little further away, packing their tools neatly.
Joss arched an eyebrow.
The set was busy. Staff members talked animatedly around them, and music played in the distance. Gawin’s soft voice was nearly drowned out by the ambient noise, yet Joss heard every word.
“I need to watch my diet. You know, for the pool scene,” Joss said, but when Gawin seemed to deflate, Joss quickly added. “But I’m sure we can find something. I know a few places.”
Gawin brightened, grinning, small and sheepish. “Proteins and greens?”
Joss smiled back. “Proteins and greens.”
Protect or take.
Succumb or let go…
“Let’s go,” Joss said, patting Gawin’s back and leading him to their next photoshoot.
It was August 8, 2024, and on the day of his 27th summer, Gawin Caskey was positively glowing.
Hunched over a stack of paper, Joss nodded along with the director’s explanations as the director detailed the setting of the scenes, the motivations, and the inner struggles of their characters. He wasn’t completely set on Mark’s personality, still trying to find a space for the vampire to fit inside himself. But with the team’s encouraging guidance, he was slowly getting a better grasp of the vampire.
“Sir! Sir! There’s blood everywhere. Sir! What should I do? Didn’t you say you were immortal?” Gawin read on the other side of the table, looking distressed. “Blood…Blood,” He brought his index finger to his mouth and pretended to bite it. “Drink my blood. My blood can heal you, right?”
Mark, despite his seemingly indestructible nature, had been struck one too many times. He had tried and failed to protect Tong, and now he was dying in the boy’s arms.
Joss, as Mark, turned his head away, wincing.
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Even if I have to die, I’ll never drink your blood.”
Every word was a struggle. Mark was losing strength, but he couldn’t lose his resolve. The call of blood was strong, but he was stronger. He would uphold his promise and protect Tong.
“Why not?” Tong’s voice cracked as he fidgeted, lost and afraid. “Then, what am I supposed to do? Hey, Mark! Mark!”
Mark’s eyes were shut.
He’d stopped moving.
Stopped breathing.
And despite Tong’s shakes and calls, the man wasn’t waking up.
Tong swallowed a sob.
Mark, the immortal, all-so-powerful vampire, was dead because of him.
A tear rolled off Tong’s cheek. A single golden tear.
The glowing pearl fell off Tong’s face and crashed onto the vampire’s skin. A golden sheen spread over Mark’s body as the liquid seeped into his veins, glowing threads coming to life as every wound, every ailment, healed before Tong’s eyes.
Mark’s eyes snapped open, his irises blazing like molten gold.
His heart beating against his ribcage, Tong pushed Mark’s clothes aside to inspect his injuries, only to find pristine, healthy skin. “Your wounds are gone. Are you alright, sir?”
Mark’s vision was still blurry as he looked at the boy tearing up above him.
Mark had been dead. He was certain of it.
He had felt the cold and the emptiness of Death’s embrace as it took him away.
But then, Tong happened, and his tears, his grief, his life, had brought Mark back.
Mark tried to push himself upright only to fall right back into Tong’s arms, his head falling into the crook of Tong’s neck.
The vampire had never felt this vibrant, this warm – the memories of his miserable human life didn’t compare… He was alive.
As consciousness slowly left him, Mark got a whiff of a delicious scent. It was sweet and luminous, like bottled sunlight.
“You smell so nice…” Mark managed to utter before a veil of darkness washed over him once again.
Joss put the shoes back in the box neatly, making sure the wrapping paper inside lay flat, and put the box in a bag.
They were meeting at Kevin and Fai’s place for Gawin’s birthday.
Gawin had told him once that he’d envied their steak night tradition, but now, he was fully part of it as well. Blending in with Joss’ circle as if he were as much a family member as Joss was.
It was weird how things had progressed. Joss would have thought that, by now, their relationship would be different. The current status of their bond was still uncertain.
“What does he want? Did he change his mind?” Joss wondered as he reached his car.
All these questions led nowhere.
As long as Gawin didn’t come forward on his own, Joss would live one day at a time, focus on making My Golden Blood a success.
Gawin’s present securely resting on the passenger seat, Joss headed to his friend’s place.
Joss obeyed, parting his mouth expectantly. Gawin dropped a lamb chop right in it. The char stained Joss’s lips. Gawin removed his gloved hand with a satisfied smile.
“Good?” He asked, standing right in the middle of Kevin and Fai’s living room, brazen and handsome, like he owned the place. It was Gawin’s birthday, but he’d insisted on taking care of the cooking himself.
Joss nodded, his full cheeks blotched with red.
Fai, not far from them, had filmed the whole scene, her phone hovering above Gawin’s shoulder as Joss chewed contentedly.
Happy with Joss’ response, Gawin went to retrieve the rest of the meat and the group sat around the table.
Gawin had told them he didn’t want anything big for his birthday, that a meal with them, being part of the tradition, was special enough. The evening was casual, everyone dressed in soft, homey clothes, and Gawin looked happier than ever. He’d been glowing all day, and Joss didn’t think his heart could grow even fonder, that he could love Gawin any more than he already did, but somehow, he did.
They ate, played games, and when it was time for Gawin to blow out his candles – Joss, cursing himself for forgetting to buy a cake – Gawin had smiled, easy and lazy, and had joined Kevin in the kitchen. They’d come back a few minutes later with candles stabbed into a loaf of bread.
Gawin had this mischievous air about him, the one he wore when he was particularly proud of himself, and of a joke he just made. Joss’s self-beating melted away as he watched Gawin close his eyes, make a wish, and blow out his candles. Arabesques of thin grey smoke rose in the air, and Gawin caught his eye through the fumes.
It was a lovely night.
No frills, no expensive cake or meal. Just Gawin, him, and people he loved.
His family.
Joss’ chest felt tight.
“This is for you.”
Joss handed Gawin a white, thick paper bag.
Gawin’s smile – which had never left his lips the whole day – widened.
“Oh?” He said, feigning surprise.
Because, by now, he knew Joss, and he knew he’d never be left without some kind of a gift. Because gifts were important to Joss. More than the material aspect, gifts were a sentiment. They showed he cared.
And God, he cared.
“Thank you.” Gawin dug through the bag, his eyes lighting up when he pulled out the sneakers. He’d told Joss he liked them before.
Gawin thanked Joss and dapped up for the video.
Later, Gawin retreated to the balcony alone, looking pensively at the night view. Many windows were still lit up as other families were probably enjoying a night in behind their curtains.
Joss was filling up the dishwasher while Fai put the rest of the table away. The two cooks, Kevin and Gawin, were ordered to relax for this part of the evening.
“So, filming is starting soon, right?” Kevin asked, leaning over the kitchen island.
Joss rinsed his hands and toweled them dry.
“Yeah, next week.”
“That’s great.” Kevin’s posture was easy, but his eyes were sharp. He tilted his head and took a sip from his glass of wine. “What do you think? Will you be alright?”
Running a hand through his growing hair, Joss wet his lips.
“Yeah, I think so.” There were so many things that could go wrong, but just as many that could go right. When he thought about it for too long, his head spun. One day at a time, Joss reminded himself. “We had a great night tonight. Thank you.”
Kevin didn’t point out the not-so-very-subtle change of subject, but he and his wife exchanged a look.
“I think he really likes you two, likes it here,” Joss went on, turning his attention to the balcony, where Gawin was still enjoying the night skyline.
“Not surprised. We are awesome,” Kevin said with a smug shrug. He grabbed his wife and planted a loud kiss on top of her head.
Fai chuckled. She pulled Joss toward them and trapped him in a tight hug. “We’re here whenever you need us,” she said, looking up at him with kind eyes. Then she pointed toward Gawin with her chin, her eyes sparkling. “And for him, too. As long as he keeps treating you right.”
A few minutes later, when Joss slid the glass door of the balcony open, Gawin turned toward him and smiled quietly, as if he had expected Joss to join him all along. He probably did.
Joss breath was oddly shallow as he stopped by Gawin’s side and bumped his shoulder against his.
The air was cool, and flickers of orange, red, and blue lights danced on the horizon.
Joss peeked behind them, and Fai and Kevin were observing them from their spot in the kitchen. When they noticed Joss watching, they hid away.
Joss shook his head.
He didn’t know what they were expecting of him. What they thought was going to happen. He had no idea what he wanted himself. Well, he knew what he wanted. But the how and the when escaped him.
“So, how did you like your birthday?” Joss asked finally.
Gawin turned his back from the view, focusing his attention on Joss.
“It was great. I had a good time. As always,” Gawin said, spreading his arms on the rail and letting his head fall back, his body just a hair away from the heights. He smirked. “Thank you.”
Joss grinned back at him.
“I hope you know they’re going to expect you to spend your birthday with them every year from now on.”
Joss pointed at Fai and Kevin, who were laughing in the kitchen.
Gawin chuckled, dipping his chin to his chest. He gazed at Joss from the corner of his eye.
“Them or you?”
Joss caught his bottom lip between his teeth, keeping his eyes on the flickering night lights.
A breeze slipped beneath his shirt and brushed his warm cheeks. He sniffed and rubbed his nose.
Gawin sighed, the ghost of a smile still lingering on his features, then he tilted his head toward Joss, just a fingertip apart.
“I don’t mind. I like it here. I like celebrating with you guys. It feels different… special.”
Joss found his eyes again, and he couldn’t look away. His heart leaped uncontrollably, his body tingled and buzzed, and he ached to reach out, to trap Gawin between his arms and bury his nose in his neck.
Joss didn’t move.
“I’m glad,” he said, putting some distance between them. “Happy birthday. It’s the first of a long line together.”
Gawin blinked, his mouth parted, a breath or words, or something hanging on his lips.
He didn’t say anything, instead, he raised a hand to Joss’ arm and squeezed.
Joss found a lighter and carefully brought the candle to life. Tala looked pleased, and for an unknown reason, Joss blushed. He pushed his glasses higher on his nose, grateful that the frame hid his reddening cheeks.
Tala looked like Gawin, a lot.
She was the short, softer, female version of her brother.
They had the same playful glint in their eyes and similar humors.
However, where Gawin was shy and reserved, Tala was way more assertive.
Joss had quickly taken a liking to her. She was kind and fun. Yet, he still felt a little intimidated. He knew how important she was to Gawin. Gawin had been thrilled when she told him she’d be visiting the family for his birthday. He hadn’t known she’d be in Thailand for his birthday, and Joss was just as surprised to see her arrive backstage out of the blue. He’d greeted her stiffly, a bit intimidated, but Tala had patted his shoulder warmly.
“One cake for you, and one cake for me,” Tala said. They had prepared two cakes for the occasion. Joss had helped the staff prepare the one he was carrying. It was gold and black, heavily decorated with cute pictures of Gawin and music-related things. Tala’s was simpler, a white dome that she’d told him Gawin particularly fancied. “Do you think he knows I’m here?” She asked as they waited near the curtains for the signal to go to the main room.
“I don’t think so, or at least he didn’t mention it. But you never know with him. He’s quite observant. Either way, he’s going to be happy you’re here. He missed you.”
“I’m glad I could make it for his birthday. Work has been killing me… I can’t wait to see his face!”
Joss smiled at her excitement. He swayed on his feet, cake in hand, as they waited patiently for the staff to cue them to bring the cake on stage.
“Did you have a nice trip? You live in California, right? Gawin has been talking about wanting to visit you there.”
Tala nodded.
“Yes. It’s hard to get time away from work, but I try to visit the family at least once a year. Have you ever been to the US?”
“Not yet, my brother lives in the States, though. So, I really need to go visit him, too.”
“You and Gawin should plan a trip together.”
Joss flushed under Tala’s teasing stare. He had no idea how much Gawin had told her, but it seemed that she was aware of more than Joss would have thought.
“Yeah, that’d be great.”
Tala elbowed him teasingly. On stage, Gawin was rambling; he obviously had run out of things to talk about, but the MC wasn’t helping, and his fans sounded endeared by the whole situation.
“You know, I’ve rarely seen Gawin this excited for a project before. He really wants your series to be a success.”
Joss’ chest warmed with satisfaction.
“Me too.”
“He talks about you a lot. It’s always Joss this, Joss that… I’m glad you two found each other. I think Gawin had given up on finding a good partner, and seeing how well you two mesh together, I hope you can keep working together for a long time. I know Gawin wants this too.”
There was nothing but sincerity in Tala’s tone.
“We’ll work to make it happen,” Joss said, his throat tight with emotion.
“You better!”
They exchanged a smile.
“It’s time,” a staff member told them with a beckoning hand.
When they both arrived, walking side by side, with the lit-up birthday cakes and the crowd singing, Gawin’s smile was blinding.
Later, back home, as he was getting ready to go to bed, his phone pinged with a notification. After the event, they’d gone for a drink. Tala, already comfortable with Joss, told him gems about Gawin’s past, which he was sure he’d be able to make good use of if Gawin got a little too cocky.
“You know, I’m very glad he could find someone like you,” Tala had said at the end of the night, watching her brother leave for a quick trip to the bathroom before a long drive home. “He’s had tough luck with partners before, and I think he gave up for a while. But since he met you, it seems like he’s found hope again. Even if things don’t work out between you two, I think you’ve done him a lot of good. He looks happy.”
Something inside of Joss had stirred, swelled, then contracted.
He didn’t know what Tala knew about them, about him, but there was an undeniable conviction in the way she looked at him.
Joss dropped the towel he was drying his hair with around his neck and grabbed his phone.
A picture flashed, blue light illuminating the dark room. On the screen, Joss, Tala, and Gawin smiled shyly at the camera – a selfie taken right after Gawin’s birthday event. In the middle, white cursive read, “Happy to finally have met my brother-in-law.”
Joss’ breath caught. His pulse stuttered.
He turned his phone off and put it face down on his nightstand.
He went back to the bathroom to put his towel away, slipped under his bed covers, and pulled them to his nose.
He grabbed the phone again and opened the story. Pressing his thumb on the screen to freeze it in place, he read the caption again and again.
So happy to finally meet my brother-in-law.
Brother-in-law.
Joss tapped the heart button, then put his phone down for good.
It took him a while to fall asleep that night. Longer than usual. He kept blinking in the darkness. The picture and Tala’s words kept swimming in his mind as if imprinted behind his eyelids.
*Crawls out of a hole*
Hey guys, how are you doing? I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Truthfully, I don’t even know if it’s good or not lol. I’ve been battling jet lag for the past few days, and I don’t know if the Eclipse played a part in my fatigue, but I couldn’t focus at all today. I’ve taken a grand total of three naps today, and I usually don’t take naps (thank God for remote work). It’s during times like these that I wonder if I should find a beta. I needed help today… I’ll probably go back to this chapter later, because at this moment I’m incapable of doing better ^^’, but a promise is a promise, and I said I would update by Thursday. It is currently Wednesday at 11 PM for me, so it’s a win for me!
Coming back to the chapter, what did you think of it? Did you expect Gawin’s sudden shift? How would you react if you were Joss? Tell me all about it in the comments, please. Your thoughts and theorizing are my life and joy!
Another thing I’d like to discuss with you is all the content and nuggets of lore we’re getting these days! JG living together, the joint account, Baker!Joss… Wtf? And oh, I can’t forget about the concert and our baby Gawin officially becoming a Riser artist! I’m so proud!!
Thank you to my long-time readers for staying along with me on this journey, and welcome to the new ones!
In the next chapter, we’re diving into the MGB days for real!
If you want to find me in the meantime, my pseud is the same on all platforms (X, TikTok, etc.).
See you!🫶
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