Fraser City, October 2019

The moon shone bright amidst the cold, autumn sky of Fraser City, illuminating the glass of whisky Javier held in his hand as he sat in the empty living room of the condo he shared with Iñigo and his son. Iñigo had already gone to sleep, blissfully unaware of his son’s encounter with Kenji. The rain had since dissipated, but the showers in Javier’s mind continued to resonate. He took another sip, savouring the strong kick it made in the back of his throat, before setting it down on the table.

Javier had not calculated this. He had not expected Kenji to follow them in Fraser City. He thought Kenji was gone once and for all, especially when he had the family move across the ocean some years after Alexander’s birth.

He could remember the message he sent to Kenji that very day when Iñigo bought Kenji’s birthday present in San Ignacio many years ago. He could remember the photo of Iñigo’s little sleepover with Esther. He wasn’t proud of what he did. It seemed right at the time, but back then, he knew he was being manipulative for manipulation’s sake.

But now with the return of Kenji, a destructive force that could upend their lives as they knew it, Javier would have to work twice as hard to make sure Kenji and Iñigo never meet, even after years of separation. Something had to be done about that wallet. 

Displeased, he chugged the rest of his drink, letting out a guttural sound as he stood up. He was about to make his way back to his room, when he heard a soft whisper from behind.

“Tito Javier?” Alexander emerged, trudging his way into the kitchen. Javier saw the troubled look on Alexander’s face and the bags under his eyes. He felt he had to ask.

“Xander, what’s wrong?” Javier asked, handing Alexander a glass of water. 

Alexander hesitated. It was obvious to Javier that something was bothering Alexander, who was unable to sleep and deep in thought. But before he could do something, Alexander set the glass down on the table, before looking his uncle straight in the eye.

“Kenji Yamashita,” Alexander said, and Javier paled. “Did you know him?”

Javier balked at the mention of his name, but he held himself back from going on some tirade about the guy. All Alexander wanted was answers, and of course Javier would tell him all he needed to know. Or at least all he would like him to know.

Javier nodded, and the look on Alexander’s face soured.

“So you know about their relationship then!” Alexander said, grabbing his uncle’s arm and gripping it with all his might. Javier was caught by surprise. “How was he for dad?”

Then, Javier let out a laugh, and Alexander let go.

“Terrible.” Javier shook his head. “Your dad was far too good for him. I’m surprised he stuck it out for years without losing himself entirely.”

“How so?” Alexander asked, displeased and wanting Javier to spare no details. “Was he at least happy, being in such a relationship with him?” Javier furrowed his eyebrows. This was going to be a lot to explain. Perhaps the prospect, the mere idea, of his father loving someone other than his mom, was too much for him, especially if the person was a fellow guy. Javier heaved a sigh and continued.

“I have to admit, he was happy at first.” Javier said, explaining things as they were. “But more and more, Kenji wore your father down, and eventually they reached a breaking point. He was too clingy and possessive, and your father felt tied down. Soon after, he broke it off and married your mother.”

The more Javier rambled on about Kenji and Iñigo’s previous relationship, the more passionate he became. There was a sense of longing in his voice, Alexander noticed; a sense of longing that seemed too much for a bystander. He looked into Javier’s eyes once more.

“Did you like my dad as well?”

Javier felt his cheeks grow warm, his heart heavy. There were times when he had come close to letting his feelings be known to the world, which had until now always worked against him. Hell, he was about to tell Iñigo face to face before Esther swooped in first. But to have to confront these feelings many years after the fact, he couldn’t stand it.

But before he could say anything, Alexander chuckled.

“Just kidding,” Alexander said smiling, but Javier felt something was off. “You’re not like that, so of course you wouldn’t.” Javier felt his heart drop as Alexander made his way toward his bedroom, waving good night.

Making sure that Alexander was gone, Javier went straight for the bottle of whisky and poured himself another glass, taking it all in one go. He let out a sigh. Unbeknownst to Alexander, from then until now, he had always been in love with Iñigo, Alexander’s father, a man he swore to himself to protect until the day he would die.

“Damn it…” Javier said into the silence of the room.