If kael had learned anything in the last twenty-four hours, it was this: rich people never just had lunch.
They hosted it.
Staged it.
Weaponized it.
The dining room looked like it belonged in a museum that charged admission. The table alone could've seated a small army or at least several generations of people who didn't talk to each other anymore. Everything gleamed. Everything matched. Everything felt like it was silently daring Kael to touch it wrong.
He hovered at the doorway for half a second too long.
Jaxen noticed immediately.
"Don't freeze," Jaxen said under his breath. "Sit."
That tone. Calm. Controlled. The same tone he used when issuing orders to people who absolutely obeyed them.
Kael resisted the urge to turn around and sprint back to the library.
At the head of the table sat Silas.
He didn't look intimidating in an obvious way. No scowl. No theatrics. Just a man in an impeccably tailored suit, silver hair neatly combed, posture relaxed in the way of someone who had never needed to prove anything to anyone.
That somehow made him worse.
To Silas's right lounged a man who looked like he did not belong to this level of seriousness at all. He was leaned back in his chair, one arm draped casually over the back, expression amused like he'd shown up expecting entertainment and had not been disappointed.
This had to be Logan.
He looked up as Kael approached, eyes sharp and curious.
"Oh," Logan said, smiling slowly. "So you're real."
Kael faltered. "I—"
"This is Kael," Jaxen cut in smoothly. Too smoothly. "My partner."
Partner.
Kael's spine went rigid.
Silas's gaze shifted to him, assessing without being obvious. "Sit, Kael. I'm glad you could make time today."
Make time, Kael thought faintly. As if he'd penciled this in between errands.
He sat carefully, hands folding in his lap like that might stop him from accidentally knocking over something worth more than his entire life.
Logan leaned forward immediately, interest lighting his face. "Logan," he said cheerfully. "Cousin. I was summoned."
"You were invited," Silas corrected mildly.
Logan waved a hand. "Same thing. When he calls, you show up."
Kael glanced at Jaxen.
Jaxen stared straight ahead.
"So," Logan continued, eyes back on Kael, "how long have you been putting up with him?"
Kael opened his mouth.
"We've been together six months," Jaxen said flatly.
Kael's brain short-circuited.
Six.
Months.
Logan blinked. Slowly. Then his smile spread into something sharp and delighted. "Six months?" he repeated. "Wow. That's longer than his last three combined."
Jaxen shot him a look that could've shattered glass.
Silas nodded, apparently unfazed. "I suspected as much."
Kael swallowed. Hard.
Six months meant memories. History. Intimacy. Six months meant expectations. It meant he was supposed to know things—favorite foods, habits, moods. It meant he couldn't just play the role of reluctant employee dragged into proximity.
He was supposed to be the boyfriend.
Logan tilted his head. "You don't look how I imagined."
Kael frowned. "How did you imagine?"
"Shorter fuse," Logan said lightly. "More fear."
Kael snorted before he could stop himself.
Jaxen's head snapped toward him.
Logan laughed. "Oh, I like you."
"You don't get to," Jaxen said.
Silas cleared his throat. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried.
"Logan," Silas said calmly. "Mind your manners."
"Yes, sir," Logan replied, unbothered. He reached for his glass, then glanced back at Kael. "So. Six months. What's the worst part?"
Kael hesitated.
Jaxen's hand slid onto his knee beneath the table.
The contact was deliberate. Heavy. A reminder.
Kael chose violence.
"He alphabetizes the fridge," Kael said.
Logan burst out laughing. "No."
Jaxen's jaw tightened. "It's efficient."
"You labeled the condiments," Kael added.
"They were disorganized."
Silas hummed, amused. "Attention to detail."
Logan wiped his eyes. "I cannot believe this is how I find out my cousin has domestic habits."
The food arrived, arranged beautifully on pristine plates. Kael stared at the utensils again. There were too many. One of them looked unnecessary out of spite.
Logan leaned over, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Outside fork first. Trust me."
Jaxen leaned in instantly. "You don't need to guide him."
"I'm helping."
"You're hovering."
"I'm charming."
"You're flirting."
Kael paused mid-reach. "Is he flirting?"
"Yes," Jaxen said.
"No," Logan said.
"Yes," Jaxen repeated, sharper.
Logan smiled innocently. "I compliment everyone."
"You don't compliment him."
Silas watched this exchange with visible interest, eyes flicking between them. "You're very attentive, Jaxen."
Jaxen straightened slightly. "I take care of what's mine."
Kael choked on his food.
Actually choked.
Logan was on him immediately, thumping his back too hard. "Breathe, boyfriend."
"I'm fine," Kael wheezed.
Jaxen shoved his water closer. "Drink."
"You're the one who—"
"Drink," Jaxen repeated.
Silas nodded approvingly. "Protective of your partner. Very good."
Kael stared at Silas, coughing.
Partner.
This was happening far too fast.
Logan leaned back, grinning like he'd just been handed the best seat in a theater. "This is incredible. I show up out of obligation and get front-row seats to emotional repression unraveling."
Jaxen glared. "You're enjoying this."
"Immensely."
Kael finally recovered, wiping his mouth. "So… this meeting," he said cautiously. "Was it… planned?"
Silas folded his hands. "I wanted to meet you."
Kael stiffened.
"You've been a significant presence in my son's life for six months," Silas continued evenly. "I felt it appropriate."
Logan snorted. "That's corporate speak for 'I wanted to see if you were real.'"
Silas smiled faintly. "Correct."
Kael glanced at Jaxen. "And he didn't tell me?"
Jaxen met his eyes. "You didn't ask."
Logan laughed again. "Oh, they're perfect."
The rest of lunch continued like a surreal performance. Logan kept asking harmless but suspiciously pointed questions. Jaxen answered with clipped precision. Kael improvised, occasionally throwing in truths disguised as jokes.
Somewhere between dessert and coffee, Logan leaned back and stretched. "Well. I've fulfilled my family duty."
"You didn't have to come," Jaxen said.
"I know," Logan replied cheerfully. "That's why it was fun."
He stood, then leaned down toward Kael. "Good luck," he said softly. "You're going to need it."
Jaxen stood immediately. "We're done here."
Silas rose last, adjusting his jacket. "Kael," he said, meeting his gaze. "Thank you for indulging us."
Kael nodded. "Of course."
Silas paused, then added, "You suit him."
Jaxen froze.
Kael blinked.
Logan snickered all the way out of the room.
When they were finally alone, Kael exhaled shakily. "Six months?"
Jaxen turned to him, expression unreadable. "You did well."
"That wasn't an answer."
"We'll discuss it later."
Kael crossed his arms. "You owe me details. And emotional hazard pay."
Jaxen's lips twitched.
Just barely.
"You're learning fast," he said.
Kael didn't know whether to be proud or terrified.
Probably both.