Mason stared down at his computer’s glaringly bright screen. For the past hour, he had been online finding textbooks and items he would need when he attended university that fall. But something about the entire task drained his energy and soon he was pulling away from his desk and grabbing his phone.

Although Mason was a high school graduate and, to most of his teachers and peers, responsible, he couldn’t seem to focus on what was needed of him. His mind continued to stray to his friends and what they were doing. Opening his phone, he saw several notifications for their group chat and smiled softly. He knew that they would be talking about something. There was rarely a time when they weren’t.

Shortly after opening the messages, Mason was pulled into a world that he would not be able to leave. Imagining that every word sent by his friends, sent by Mark, was them speaking to him gave him the illusion of being included.

Mason paid extra close attention to what Mark sent. Mason would never admit this to his friends, despite how much they pestered, but he was still head over heels for the man. Mason would never get over how effortlessly perfect the younger boy was. Yes, being born three months before makes him older.

Mark was always nice, always sweet, always handsome, always sexy.

Mason’s thoughts quickly departed from sweet and innocent to “do not mention around your parents,” He took a moment to bless whatever controlled thoughts and allowed for them to be private. He would have never been able to leave his house again if someone could hear them.

After texting with his friends for another half hour, Mason saw more than heard his phone ring. He raised a single brow at the sight of his mother’s name but didn’t make a verbal comment.

Ever since his family had moved into a bigger place 2 years ago, his parents had taken to calling him on his phone before they tried yelling to get him downstairs. In their old house, they barely blinked at the sound of someone’s name being yelled at from the first floor so they would attend dinner or get the trash.

Now, there was a chance that they still wouldn’t be heard even if they screeched at the top of their lungs because the sound just wouldn’t travel. It was an unspoken, but generally accepted, idea that they would simply call each other.

Answering the phone, Mason brought the thin device up to his ear and kept his wince at bay when his mother yelled through it.

“Mason!” She boomed, presumably smiling through the phone because she didn’t know of the pain she put her son through. “Come downstairs. Your Dad and I need to tell you something.”

Mason softly mumbled his agreement and climbed off of his bed to leave his room. The soft carpet flooring made his feet sound silent as we walked through the top level of his home.

As Mason softly descended the warm wooden steps, he heard his parents talking in the living room. Mason entered the living room and raised his eyebrows when he noticed the two talking excitedly.

They shot up to look at Mason before the tan boy could open his mouth.

“Hey, Mason,” his Dad grinned, gesturing towards one of the seats on the couch near him. “Come sit down.”

Mason slowly walked over to the living room, still suspicious of his parents’ odd behavior. Mason didn’t even need to ask before they were explaining.

“We’re all going out to dinner at a nice new restaurant downtown!” His mother blurted, her hands moving around as she spoke. “Aiden will be joining us and treating us to dessert!”

Mason smiled and was soon chattering excitedly. His older brother, Aiden had gotten married some time back and has been living outside of their home since college. But, their parents loved him and jumped at any chance to see him.

Mr. and Mrs. Moore had adopted Aiden when he was 4 and Mason when he was 2 so they knew them as their parents, period. Despite being adopted and clearly showing Yemen heritage, he was his parents’ child and was clearly a product of their love and affection.

Mason laughed as his mother described all of the food she would eat before he did the same.

Certainly his parents' child.

—————

The warmly lit restaurant wrapped around Mason’s senses like a hug, bringing a smile onto his lips. His eyes raked over the colorful decor and tall ceilings, widening as they did when he was shaken out of his state. His brother had thrown an arm over his shoulder, pulling him into the shorter man’s side. Mason looked back at Aiden to find him grinning up at him.

Aiden's long brown hair was kept out of his face with a hairpin, giving him a relaxed look that hardly fit his personality. A prominent nose was complemented by his clear skin and permanently flushed cheeks. His face was clean shaven and the lines at the sides of his mouth that were supposed to indicate age simply showed how happy he was. Aiden rarely stopped smiling ever since he had met Aaron.

Mason was more dressed up than his brother. He had curly hair kept short, resembling natural curls against his scalp. His sharp jaw and pointed chin were the focal points of his heart-shaped face, but the dark shadow of stubble right on his chin was a nice added addition. Yet the features that stole all of the attention were his bright eyes. Primarily green in color with hints of brown and gold, Mason’s large eyes often drew attention and were the crown jewel on his already beautiful face.

Their parents watched them joke around and interact with contented smiles. When they realized they would never be able to have their old children, they were sad at first and worried about whether their dreams of having a close family would pass. Now, they knew it was truly meant to be. Their boys were perfect and they would always be grateful for them.

The incredibly happy family was quickly seated at a table in the Mexican restaurant. They were quick to pull open the menu and scan the array of items. The restaurant was mostly empty that evening and because of this, their family was able to order their food faster as well.

No longer distracted by the promise of food, the Moore family started to animatedly talk about their lives and the newest events. Mason never brought up his relationship worries, and Aiden never brought up how he was considering following his husband to LA in several months. Instead, the sons focused on easier subjects.

“Aaron is pretty busy with a project at the moment,” Aiden told his family, still smiling at the thought of his husband. “He also said something about letting us spend time together solely as a family.”

“Well, that is bull crap,” Their mother hissed, frowning simply at the thought of her son-in-law not being family. Aiden nodded while the rest of his family hummed in agreement.

“I agree, but I think he just wanted to try and make me feel better,” Aiden shrugged, grabbing his glass of raspberry lemonade and sipping it thoughtlessly.

“He did a terrible job,” their father muttered, smiling innocently when his son looked at him suspiciously. There was a short pause at the table and Mason took the opportunity to start speaking.

“So, college is going to be starting up in a few months,” Mason said nonchalantly, trying and failing to hide his excitement. His mother gave him a judging look.

“It is starting in September and it is barely February,” She stated, drawing a blush out of her youngest son.

“We interpret time differently,” Mason shrugged, smiling slightly. “Anyways, I was thinking about getting a place on campus to, you know, get the total college experience.”

Everyone at the table froze, and Mason heard Aiden’s loud gulp.

He just had to be drinking lemonade.

After another second, they all started speaking at the same time. Through the muddle of words and conversation, Mason was able to deduce one thing. They did not want him to move out. The idea practically enraged the man, and he struggled to keep the emotion back.

He was almost 18, would legally be an adult, and it was almost a right of university students to move onto campus or into their own apartment. The idea that the choice would be taken from him made him mad, pissed even. Mason doubted he would be convinced otherwise, at least not now.

“Wait- why not? Aiden moved out for college,” he argued indignantly, pointing at his now flustered older brother. “You guys can’t start showing your favoritism, it will reveal what you have been trying to hide for years.”

Aiden rolled his eyes at Mason’s comment but their parents did not even blink.

“Aiden was going with his friend and boyfriend to his university, Mason,” their father said, speaking calmly much to Mason’s dismay. “They were able to move in together and watch out for each other, you don’t have that same security with your university.”

“But, tons of college students get to live on their own in dorms their first year,” He argued, pouting deeply “Shouldn’t I be given the same chance?”

Mason looked at the faces of his family members around the table, hoping to see some understanding on their faces. But, as he continued to search, he could not find a single thing. They weren’t listening? Mason’s mother’s expression softened and she gave her son a sympathetic smile.

“Baby, I understand that you want independence, but we want safety,” She explained, grabbing Mason’s larger hands and holding them between her own. “We can’t let you get that independence completely until we are assured, alright?”

Mason still frowned but eventually nodded. He understood. He has to change their minds. Find a way to convince them otherwise. His mother seemed to completely relax and fall back into her chair.

“So, Mason, is there any development in your dating life then? Now that we mentioned Aiden’s from when he was your age,” Mr. Moore asked casually as if the topic was not important. Mason felt himself tense up before he forced himself to relax again.

“Nope, still single and not looking,” Mason replied with a shrug. Aiden looked at his younger brother with a raised brow, that was not the same situation he saw.

“Are you sure?” Aiden asked, peering at Mason critically. “Because I swear I see you looking at Mark any time he’s in the same room.”

Mason sent a dark glare his brother’s way, his heated cheeks giving away his feelings.

“Aiden,” Mason ground out, his eyes narrowed. Aiden smirked, completely ignoring Mason’s warning and continuing on.

“It is super cute, honestly,” Aiden teased evilly, leaning toward his younger brother. “You have been drooling over him since elementary school, right?”

Aiden jumped back when Mason suddenly moved out of his seat as if he were to attack his brother. He barely moved but it was enough to scare Aiden. Mason smirked triumphantly, thinking that he had won when his mother started to speak.

“Oh, he has,” She gasped, cooing at her son. “It is really adorable, you and Mark would make such a cute couple.”

Mason turned towards his mother, opening his mouth to argue when his father spoke.

“M&M,” He chuckled, moving to take a sip out of his drink. “Has a nice ring to it.” Mrs. Moore nodded excitedly, a smile on her lips.

“Yes, it does,” She agreed, winking at her now blushing son. “I ship it.”

Mason rolled his eyes, turning away from all of the teasing from his family. It doesn't really matter what they “ship.” Mark was not into him, and that was practically set in stone.