Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Willow Creek's parks are filled with children playing together, pets running around, and families having picnics with colorful tablecloths.

But the hustle and bustle didn't put Travis at ease.

Travis stood before the public toilet sink and looked at himself in the mirror.

Malcolm was the son of a wealthy family and was unattainable because of his Landgraab name.

Malcolm's unabashedly hot temperament was a frightening experience for Travis.

You can imagine a nurse in a hospital who is socially inept and undeniably nerdy.

Travis is not a nursing graduate, as evidenced by his lack of skill in dressing wounds.

Malcolm's temperament is as he presents it.

At first, he didn't think he and Malcolm would get along.

Let alone a couple.

However, not only are they in love, but they're about to get married this autumn.

Travis gently patted his cheeks with water.

He looked at himself in the mirror again, still a little uncertain.

He had never been one to receive compliments about his appearance.

It all felt too dreamlike for him.

Travis had no idea that Malcolm would decide to spend the rest of his life with him.

Malcolm was an exceptionally handsome man in every sense of the word, and he had many options available to him.

I have never minded that my son is queer.

It does not matter to me what my son's sexual orientation is.

The same applies to my son's father.

All I care about is that he leads a perfect and elegant life.

That means I want my Malcolm to receive the best.

I arranged a fiancé for my son.

He was a handsome young doctor from a respectable and well-suited family.

I believed from the outset that he would be a good match for my son.

Nancy Landgraab is a blunt individual who does not shy away from expressing her thoughts.

More importantly, she was Malcolm's mother.

" I hear Mr. Groom-to-be is very nervous. " gentle voice came from behind Travis.

Travis turned his head.

Brent, standing not far away, was all smiles.

" I'm sure you're looking forward to getting the wedding over with and taking Landgraab on their honeymoon. " There was a hint of good-natured teasing, but Brent's tone was more soothing.

Brent's arrival was a real relief to Travis.

" It's been a long time, my friend. It's been a long time, my friend."

Chapter Text

( Travis Path )

Brent looked at his long-lost close friend in front of him, and a fleeting, indescribable thought crossed his mind.

Brent had not yet recovered from the shock he felt a few days ago when he received the email from Travis.

He had checked it several times.

"It's been a long time, Travis," he said.

Brent sat down on a bench, holding two cups of vanilla flavor he had just bought from Starbucks.

Travis looked at the Vanilla Latte in Brent's hand, feeling a bit moved inside.

Although both made it clear to each other, the relationship that developed between them was just a playful infatuation during their college years.

Travis has always been very clear that the man in front of him once saw him as a lover. 

However, their awkwardness and immaturity during college ultimately brought this relationship to an end. 

As a result, they haven't seen each other for a full three years. 

They occasionally kept in touch through Facebook and Gmail, and he also quietly followed Brent's Instagram.

Brent got engaged a year ago to a tall, strong fitness coach.

The two lived in a renovated farmhouse in Brindleton Bay and also had a dog.

"I didn't expect you to come," Travis said, raising his gaze.

The Brent in front of him was still as charming, handsome, and full of artistic flair as he had been in college.

Just like when he was still in love with Brent.

( Malcolm Path )

On the other side, in the Landgraab estate located in Oasis Springs, Malcolm had just finished lunch, his eyes fixed on his father and mother, who were still leisurely eating.

"Are you sure that shy boy from the countryside is right for you?"

His mother never hid her indifference and dissatisfaction toward Travis.

Her emerald green eyes stared directly at Malcolm, showing no fear in expressing her cold opinion in front of her son.

She did not stop her movements with the knife and fork in her hands.

Father, as always, maintained his silence at the dining table.

"I told you, Mother, Travis is a great choice. Travis will be another part of me in the tapestry."

Malcolm naturally defended the one he loved.

Just as he had anticipated.

Mother furrowed her brows.

Malcolm knew it.

What Mother was about to say would certainly not align with her dignified demeanor.

"Malcolm, you must realize..."

As soon as his mother spoke, Malcolm knew every word that would follow.

"A shy boy from the countryside cannot help your career..."

These were his mother's disparaging remarks about Travis.

"That boy lacks social skills; he cannot host the influential people you need for your career behind your back..."

His mother's tone was so certain, so self-evident.

"Even lacking all the ambition that all Landgraabs should need..."

Even this was enough to cool the mother-son relationship to freezing point.

"I don't need a man whom you label as qualified to be my husband, mother..."

In recent years, Malcolm has learned to respond to his mother with more mature words.

But that certainly doesn't apply now.

“I certainly know you expect Jeb to be my husband, Mother...”

Jeb is the person his mother has in mind.

Malcolm doesn't hate Jeb. 

On the contrary, if he hadn't met Travis, perhaps...

“Jeb is handsome, smart, and charming. Yeah... I do have good feelings for him, Mother...”

Perhaps he would agree with his mother's viewpoint of walking down the aisle with Jeb.

“But, just as the friends...”

Malcolm believes it was fate that allowed him to meet Travis.

“Mother, I know... in this moment...”

Clearly, his mother is not very understanding.

“One day... you will feel...”

She interrupted Malcolm without hesitation.

Malcolm didn't want to ruin the family gathering, but he had no choice.

Just as he was about to speak, a voice interrupted them.

"I'm full... If you don't mind, I have a seminar this afternoon..."

To Malcolm's surprise, his usually silent father spoke up.

"Before that, I hope to have a private conversation with my son..."

His mother's movements with the knife and fork came to a halt.