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- Ugh, I don’t want to do this! - complained Aiden - I promised myself not to come there again!
- I know, love, but if you don’t do this, we won’t be able to take the rest of your stuff to my place… Or should I say our place? Haha - replied James, who was driving the car, trying to be humorous - Besides, we are almost there so I think it would be a good time to call her.
- Ughhhhhhhhhh…Fine – replied Aiden in the most annoyed voice possible.
Then he grabbed the phone and searched for his mom’s number on the list labeled as: “😑”
The phone started to ring for quite a long time. After the 4th beep, she finally picked up:
- Yes?
- Hey mom… It’s me!
- I know. What do you want?
- I’m in the car with James and…
- WHO? – asked her in a genuinely confused tone, cuz she still couldn't remember his name.
- WITH. JAMES! You know, “my new rich boyfriend?” – replied Aiden who was even more pis-sed off and annoyed because of this attitude.
James hearing this let out a brief chuckle.
- Oooh, yeah. Him.
- So I’m in his car, and we will be there soon for a reason.
- No, there is NO WAY he’ll move into MY HOUSE! Baring 1 freeloader manchild is enough for me I don’t need two! … Unless he pays rent. BUT remind him that it won’t be cheap!
- Nonononono, I promise the complete opposite will happen when we arrive.
- What do you mean by that?
- I mean that I WILL officially move in WITH HIM! He and I are going there one last time to take my stuff.
- …Are you for real???
- Yes, you heard it right: I’ll finally move out, and you won’t have to see my “manchild face” ever again! I’ll explain more details when we arrive. Bye… And he hung up.
James couldn’t believe what he just heard.
“Does she really think of her son more as a freeloader manchild than a family member?”
- Oh, umm, yeah. I'm sorry you had to hear this. I told you that she could be very ignorant.
- And I’m sorry that you had to deal with this kind of attitude for years.
- As I said, I got used to it. Besides I am moving in with you so I can finally have some peace again.
8 Minutes passed, and they arrived at Aiden’s soon-to-be old home. The back of the car was packed with empty boxes, in which they could put all of Aiden’s stuff. When they parked, Aiden noticed that his mom was sitting on a chair in the front yard with a cigarette in her hand. She noticed that they had arrived, she stood up and was just standing and staring at them… menacingly. (yes, this was supposed to be a Spongebob ref)
Aiden, of course, noticed her and her unbothered body language, so he took a deep breath, let it out, and got out of the car.
- I’ll be right back babe!
- Okay!
He then opened the trunk of the car and took the largest box out of it. When Adien closed it, James actually rolled down the window a bit to be able to listen to their conversation. He saw that when his mom opened the gate, they already started talking.
- So, is this true? You will finally move out?
- Yes, you heard it right.
- Took it 2 years, but whatever. Enjoy your new life!
- Don’t worry. I will enjoy every second of it! As soon as I am done packing up my things, you will never have to see me again.
But Aiden’s mom didn’t react to his comment. Since James was listening to their conversation, this kind of concerned him. When he saw Aiden entering the house to start packing his stuff, James also got out of the car, took out a big box, and started going his way to his lover’s ex-home. But before entering, he also wanted to speak a few words with her.
- Umm… Ah, am - cleared his throat - good afternoon Mrs. Brooks… I’m James, your son’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you! - extended his hand for a handshake while awkwardly smiling.
Aiden’s mom just took an unbothered look at it, and after 3 seconds of thinking, she shook hands with him but also rolled her eyes while doing so. Not saying anything.
“Well, this is awkward,” - said James to himself.
Then he continued:
- I promise I’ll take care of your son!
This broke the silence Aiden’s mom was having:
- Taking care of him? Pfft… Come on, he is a grownup, he can take care of himself!
- Oh, what I meant is… Is that I gonna be a good boyfriend for him… Making sure that he feels happy and safe living with me.
- Oh, cuz he didn’t feel “happy and safe” next to me, huh? Are you criticizing the way I parent?
- Oh, no, no, that’s not what I meant.
- Trust me, I know that he has been saying very bad things about me just to make me look bad. I know his generation; they’re always victimizing themselves, never taking accountability, seeking attention and the easy way out, and constantly saying that “the boomers” are all evil monsters.
- Oh, I’m sure that’s not what he was trying to say… You see, I indeed heard a lot… about… His home life, but but but! I’m not here to confront it with you! I’m just here to help him pack and to inform you that your son will be in a good place, NOT IMPLYING! That his life was terrible in here! Just want to inform you that you will have nothing to worry about, my place is in one of the safest parts of the city and…
- You can stop with your cheesy pity talk, I get it. I was a horrible monster who made my cry-baby son’s life a living hell by asking him to do things that are a bare minimum for an adult to do - tried to victimize herself - But since we are on this topic, I’d like to ask you about some things. Maybe you could put some sense into him since you are his man.
-...Of course that… You can ask me anything - said James nervously.
- Will you make him get a job?
- Umm… I won’t force him to. Only if he wants to get one.
- Will you charge him rent?
- Of course, I won’t. I make enough to cover everything myself.
- Will you put him on housework duty?
- I’m not going to force him to do anything he doesn't want to. We’ll share the chores fairly.
- Good luck with that… - mumbled her.
- Excuse me?
- What do you do, for a living?
- Umm… I am currently a… Social media influencer and a model. But don’t worry, ma’am, they’re paying just well. I earn more than enough for the two of us to live comfortably.
- I knew it!
- …Knew what?
- I knew it… I knew it all along, this! This is what I was talking about! This young generation is so lazy and full of gold diggers. They just want everything handed to them. They look for the nearest rich guy to baby them and avoid responsibilities! Especially girls. Ugh, those gold-digging lazy chicks in their 20s can’t survive a day at a real job or do basic housework. Back in my day, these skills were essential, and if you couldn’t do it, you were shamed for it. But now, they get rewarded for it!
James couldn’t believe what he just heard. “This woman… Oh, poor Aiden.”
- Listen, I think it would be better if I go now and help Aiden to pack his stuff. Okay?
- Believe me, living with him gonna be a pain in your a…
- Oh, I guess Aiden is calling me it was nice to meet you Mrs. Brook but I gotta go help him now!
Then he left as fast as he could.
He and Aiden have been packing for hours at this point. After everything was done, and most of the stuff was packed, James went back to his car to wait for Aiden to bring the last one. Mrs. Brooks did, of course, absolutely nothing to help them. She continued just watching and staring at them.
When Aiden came with the last box, he wanted to make his way to the car as soon as possible but his mother interrupted him:
- Can we talk!?
“Ugh, omfg lord please save me” - he said to himself. Then he put down the box and slowly went to her.
- Yes? Do you have any last word to say to me before I leave for good?
His mom looked at him with the biggest annoyed face. The one he had never seen her having before.
- You are a fucking hyprocrite - she stated coldly.
- …HUH??? This is what are you saying to me, right now????
- You claim what you and your new man have is "pure love," but after hearing him, it's CLEAR you just chose the easy way out like all the other entitled youngsters from your generation!
- Ugh, here we go again! I'm this close to leaving, and the last thing you want to say to me is not goodbye but another rant about my generation???
- How could I not, when what Mr. Richman said just proves me right?
- What did he say, hmm?
- That you won’t have to contribute anything at his place. You're continuing to live like an unemployed couch potato, taking advantage and freeloading off him and his wealth!
- HOW DARE YOU SAY THIS! I DON’T FUCKING CARE ABOUT HIS MONEY! I… *sniff* I love him! Genuinely, for who he is!
- Also, another thing! There's another thing that bothers me. It's hilarious, but also hypocritically ridiculous from you.
- …What?
Then his mom stated the following sentence in the most ignorant and offensive tone possible:
(tw: transphobia)
- I just found it so funny that you wanted to become a man so badly yet ended up being the woman of the relationship. Not working, just living off of “rich boyfriend’s money.” Just like a typical Gen Z woman.
…
(Shit, this was painful to write down)
…
Aiden was speechless. Every time his mom insults him, he usually rolls his eyes and easily brushes it off, but this one. Oh god, this one hurt him badly… Like, really bad.
He didn’t have any energy to throw a snarky comeback at her, instead, he just grabbed the last box and left. Put it in the car and sat down in the maternity seat next to James, who immediately noticed that something was wrong, Aiden was upset but in a way that made him sad instead of angry.
- Baby! Are you okay?
- …Yeah *sniff* it’s just she said something that kind of hurt me… I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s just go… Home.
- Okay - replied James, but he also looked at Aiden in a way that showed that he was genuinely worried about him.
On their way home, James tried to start a conversation with him, but all of them ended up being small talk. That talk with his mom earlier still haunted his mind, which still made him very sad during the entire car ride. James noticed it but decided not to force any conversation with him.
When they arrived home, Aiden first went upstairs, opened the door, and just lay on the couch. He was still really sad; he didn’t even have the energy to help James take in the boxes with all his stuff inside. His boyfriend had to do this all by himself, but he didn’t mind it. He still felt really bad for Aiden, but he knew constantly asking him again, “What’s wrong? What’s wrong? What’s wrong?” wouldn’t help at all. He already told it that he doesn’t want to talk about it. But besides this, James still wanted to find a way to comfort him and bust up his mood again.
So he went to the couch and suggested him:
- Do you want to go to my bed and… cuddle? Just like last night?
- …Yeah - replied Aiden, still being in a bad mood.
- Okay, then c’mon! - said James confidently and held his hand out.
Aiden grabbed it and slowly stood up from the couch. James gently led him to his bedroom, where they took off their shoes and lay down.
James put one of his hands on Aiden’s back of his head and the other one on his waist and started spooning him gently. This felt really good for Aiden, he basically buried his face into James’ neck, hugging him behind his back.
- You feel better now, Aidy? - asked James smugly.
- Hmm?
- Oh umm… Sorry, if this nickname sounds too cheesy I just…
- No, it’s not at all. You can call me that…, but only if I can call you Jamey!
- Haha, okay, fair point. What else do you want to be called hmm? - continued James- let’s see… Aiden baby?
- Haha, that’s an interesting one. Where did you get that?
- From the fans haha!
- Haha, really? Are there fans out there who invent nicknames for us?
- Well, it seems like there are.
- Whatever you say, JayJay!
- Haha, okay now you just making things up which starts with “Ja_”
- And what if I do, hmm? - asked Aiden even more smugly than before - calling you James could be pretty boring sometimes!
- Hey! Haha, I do not have a boring name!
- I never said you have a boring name. James suits you well. I just said that calling my boyfriend with nothing, but his name could be boring! I want some creativity in this relationship!
- Okay, I get it… Sunshine!
- Oooh, I really like this one! - said Aiden, while blushing a little - how did you come up with that?
- Hanging out with you bust up my good mood, just like a sunny day!
- Awww, you are such a gentleman! - reacted Aiden, and gave him a soft kiss - I love you, babe!
- I love you too baby!
- Thanks for making my mood better. I really needed this after that talk… with her!
- You're welcome! But you don’t have to think about it ever again since you are living here now! All of your stuff is now here!
- Speaking of my stuff, where should we put it? Your room is already full with yours!
- *Gasp! * I know! Let’s turn that one spare room I have into YOUR bedroom!
- Huh, really?
- Yeah, I just need to take out all that stuff, thinking about where to put them, again… Then go to IKEA to buy some basic furniture for you, and that’s it. Your new bedroom is gonna wait for you soon!
- That sounds like a really great idea babe! I can’t believe you are willing to do all that for me!
- Of course, I would. Until your room is done! You can sleep with me on this bed!
- I would not complain at all! Haha - replied Aiden smugly. (for the 3rd time)
Their bedroom plan began the next morning because this move-in-move-out stuff made them pretty tired.
James began packing up the spare bedroom, removing all the unnecessary items that had accumulated over time. Although the room wasn’t dirty—with no mold, rotten leftovers, or dead bugs—it still needed a good sweep and cleaning. Both of the boys participated in doing that.
Now that the room was all clean and empty, it was ready to be filled with new furniture. Their next stop was IKEA. James said he’d buy anything Aiden wanted to have and that he didn’t have to worry about the cost. Aiden took the opportunity and basically speedran the whole store, looking for the perfect ones.
- Oh, look! This one looks so sick! But look at this one too! But it’s too big, oh how about this one! It has multiple drawers! - said Aiden, whose mind was all over the place.
- It’s okay, Aiden, take your time! You don’t have to choose now; you have plenty of time to decide which one you would like the most! - replied James.
- Oh okay then! Can I also pick some accessories and decorations?
- Of course, you can!
- Cool!
Their shopping cart soon overflowed with items Aiden deemed essential, including a lava lamp, LED and fairy lights, wall decoration stickers, picture frames (for the photos James took at the camp), easy-to-assemble shelves (lots of them), a big rug, a full-length mirror, cushions, and plushies. Lots of plushies. Eventually, Aiden selected the main furniture: a bed, drawers, a table, chairs, a night table, a big closet for his clothes, a large shelf, and a comfy sofa chair.
These items had to be ordered and would arrive in a few days. At home, Aiden's imagination ran wild as he planned where to place everything when it arrived. He also thought about where to put his belongings from his old home, like his posters, music albums, musical theater DVD collection, art supplies, other plushies, and his trans and gay flags.
Now everything was set up, Aiden felt a warm and welcoming sense of home. His boyfriend was right there with him, and his new room resembled his old one, the only place back there, where he always felt comfortable.
He truly felt at home. In his new home.