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The ceramic gnome by the door was missing an ear. It stared up at james with a chipped, painted smile.
James shifted uncomfortably, despite the snowy weather he was SWEATING. Aiden has forgotten his coat (again) so James had given his coat to Aiden.
He looked at the small, warm glow of the porch light and then back at the doorbell, which felt less like a button and more like a trigger for a bomb. He had survived a season of Disventure Camp and won the million dollar prize but standing on his lover's parent's doormat made his knees feel like they were made of wet cardboard.
"You're shaking." Aiden said, his voice light and amused. He was leaning against the railing, looking entirely too comfortable for someone about to introduce their partner to their parents. He reached over and gave James’s shoulder a supportive squeeze. "They aren't sharks, James. They're just... people who really like gardening and early bird specials."
James let out a breath, glancing at the window where a soft light filtered through the curtains. "I just want them to like me. He smoothed down his shirt for the tenth time in three minutes. He felt like a fraud in his own skin, the polished version of himself that the cameras had captured feeling miles away from the shaking man on the porch.
Aiden stepped closer, his expression softening. He didn't try to push him toward the door or tell him to man up. Instead, he just stood there in the silence for a moment, letting the evening settle around them. "They already love the version of you that makes me this happy," Aiden whispered. "
James finally had the courage and reached out and pressed the buzzer. The sound echoed inside the house, followed by the muffled thumping of footsteps and a distant, cheerful shout of "They're here!" The door swung open to reveal Owen, a man who looked like a taller, more rugged version of Aiden, wearing a wrinkled button up shirt and worn down grey jeans. He has a smile that reaches all the way to his crinkled eyes.
Owen didn't wait for an introduction, He simply stepped forward and wrapped James in a hug, nearly lifting him off his feet.
"Careful, My god! Owen you're going to suffocate him!" Kelly said panicked, though her voice was laced with a laugh as she appeared behind her husband. She was smaller than Owen, with a bright, energy and eyes that seemed to take in everything at once. She didn't give James time to recover from the bear hug before she stepped in, pulling him into a warm embrace of her own that smelled faintly of cinnamon.
James felt the tension in his spine snap, replaced by a sudden, sense of relief. He had spent weeks on reality show anticipating a betrayal from every corner, but here, the air was thick with an uncomplicated kindness. As he stepped into the entryway, Owen kept a steady hand on his shoulder, guiding him toward the living room as if he had been a part of the family for years. "Aiden told us all about the finale," Owen boomed, his voice resonant and genuine.
Aiden who was trailing behind them had gone a very bright shade of red.
The living room was a cluttered sanctuary of knitted throws and bookshelves that leaned precariously under the weight of old encyclopedias. The walls are covered in family photos. The one just by the doorway was a recent photo of the three of them on vacation to Belgium for Owen's birthday.
Kelly led them toward the dining table, where a spread of pot roast and mashed potatoes steamed in heavy ceramic bowls. The conversation flowed easier than James had expected, shifting seamlessly from the chaotic excitement from when James arrived to the calm warm environment of a family dinner.
James found himself laughing really laughing as Kelly recounted the time when Aiden was a kid, he had tried to build a treehouse in the backyard and accidentally walled himself into the attic and Owen had to rescue him.
Aiden was NOT as amused as he sat there a bright shade of red trying to eat his dinner without dying of embarrassment.
As the meal progressed, James noticed how Owen watched him, not with judgment. but with a quiet, observant warmth. During a dip in the conversation, Owen leaned in, his expression turning serious but soft. "You know, James, the show is one thing, but seeing the way Aiden looks at you when you aren't paying attention... that's the real win. You've got a good heart, son. Thank you for taking care of him."
James felt a lump form in his throat, like he might cry. He was so glad to hear that, yet it didn't feel real somehow..
He looked across the table at Aiden, who was currently fighting a losing battle with a stubborn piece of carrot. Aiden caught his gaze and smiled, everything is as exactly as it should be and that fear that had felt like a lead weight in James's chest on the porch had completely evaporated.
Dessert arrived swiftly after the pot roast. Kelly had made a homemade apple crumble, served in mismatched bowls.
As dessert was going on James watched as Kelly fussed over the temperature of her tea, Aiden laughing at his dad's frustration "you're so picky, Kelly who knew tea was so specific?" He teased "
"It is specific!" Kelly shot back, though she was beaming, her eyes twinkling as she adjusted the coaster beneath her mug. "The steep time is the difference between a proper brew and hot leaf water.
" Anyways!" Owen said trying to pivot the conversation " James, you have to tell us the real story. The one the editors cut out. Which of those other contestants was the most infuriating to deal with?"
James laughed, the sound feeling natural and easy. He spent the next hour recounting the absolute chaos he had dealt with. the INSANE host, the bizarre challenges, the friends he has made like Lake, Rosa and hunter And the way he fell for Aiden. He found himself speaking with a level of openness he hadn't expected.
The conversation slowly drifted away and James noticed the way Owen and Kelly exchanged a knowing glance. James realised that this level of silent communication. Was made by decades of Marriage. He hopes that he and Aiden could have that one day. But that's a thought for later down the line.
before Owen stood up to clear the bowls. As he passed James, the older man paused, his large hand landing gently on James’s shoulder once more. It wasn't a gesture of greeting this time, but one of grounding. "You don't have to be the 'winner' in this house, James," Owen murmured, his voice low and steady. "You can just be you. That's more than enough."
The rest of the evening blurred. James helped Kelly dry the dishes, their conversation shifting to the small things. her secret for the apple crumble's topping and more embarrassing stories about Aiden. She didn't ask about the prize money or the fame.
she asked if he’d managed to get a full night's sleep since leaving the show For the first time in months, James didn't feel like a strategic asset or a public persona. He felt like a guest, and more than that, he felt like he was being seen.
When it finally came time to leave, the goodbye was lingering and warm. Kelly gave him a squeeze that nearly popped his ribs, and Owen’s handshake was firm, a silent seal of approval. As the door closed behind them James and Aiden stepped back out onto the porch next to the garden gnome and Kelly's flowers
the night air had turned crisp, turning their breaths into ghostly clouds. James paused for a second, The judgment he had feared earlier had been replaced by a sense of belonging.
The walk to the car was quiet, the silence between him and Aiden feeling thick but not awkward James unlocked the doors with a click, but as he slid into the driver's seat, he caught Aiden staring at him with a look of supreme satisfaction. Aiden didn't even wait for the engine to start before he leaned back into the headrest, a small, triumphant smirk playing on his lips. He looked like a man who had just won a bet he’d been certain of from the start.
"So," Aiden said, his voice dripping with playful smugness. "I believe the exact words you used on the porch were 'I just want them to like me.'" He shifted in his seat, glancing toward the house and then back to James, his eyes dancing. "Admit it. You’re absolutely crushed that I was right about them loving you."
James laughed, the sound echoing in the small space of the car. He reached over, grabbing Aiden's hand and squeezing it tight. "Yeah," James admitted, shifting the car into gear and slowly pulling away from the curb. "You were right."
"Of course I was" Aiden beamed.
And with that they drove home and cuddled in bed before falling asleep, content with their lives.