"So, do you want to play with Daddy today?"
"No need, Dad. Uncle Reed played with Arte yesterday. He let me use the princess castle!"
"... And he let me play with the water slides. He’s a lot of fun to play with," Hermes’s suddenly said.
"Yes, yes! Uncle Reed is the best!"
Clarke was so distraught after hearing that his kids looked so happy playing with Reed.
Of course, he was glad that Reed helped him during his tough times, especially when it involved the company’s life. But he was still upset because his kids didn’t seem to be so happy with him coming home.
"So you guys don’t want to play with Dad?" Clarke asked again to make sure.
Hermes didn’t answer, but he walked away and sat at the dining table, waiting for his Mom to finish cooking. Meanwhile, Artemis only stared at her dad and said, "Daddy, I’m tired... I want to nap instead...."
"Ah, sweetheart, you should have lunch first with us, okay?"
"Un..."
Clarkes carried Artemis and sat her at the chair. Gaius served their lunch in silence, and they ate together as a family of four after Clarke worked nonstop for 36 hours.
They ate in silence until Gaius couldn’t handle the silence any longer and asked, "So, how’s the problem in the company, is everything under control now?"
"Hm... yes, everything is under control now. The leak has been solved, but we still have to create the new concept of the project from scratch. It’s really an exhausting job," Clarke sighed.
"Nn... I see. Go take a shower first after lunch, and then you should go to sleep," Gaius said.
Clarke nodded, but his eyes still lingered at Gaius. He still remembered that moment when he saw Gaius feeding Reed with French fries. He didn’t know the intention of that, but one thing for sure, Clarke was jealous.
Thus, Clarke asked Gaius to wash his hair and scrub his back after lunch, which Gaius obliged.
Clarke closed his eyes as he was enjoying the massage from Gaius. But there was something that had been bothering him for a while. Thus, he took a deep breath and asked, "What happened between you and Reed just now? I saw you feeding him with French fries?"
Gaius sighed. Of course, he knew Clarke would ask about this, "He wants to snack, but he’s busy taking care of the kids, so he asked me if I could help him. It’s nothing more than that, Clarke."
"I see," Clarke knew that Gaius was probably telling the truth. But he was still annoyed because Gaius was obviously his. Everything about Gaius should be only for him, including that feeding moment.
He was jealous, even though he knew that his jealousy was unfounded.
"Come on, Clarke, why are you asking some useless question? Of course, it’s because of that moment—" Clarke suddenly grabbed Gaius’ wrist on his shoulder before Gaius finished his sentence.
"Wife, you’re mine, and I’m yours. I will not let anyone touch you," Clarke said seriously. "Stop calling me Clarke. Call me Husband. I don’t want to hear you calling me Clarke anymore."
Gaius gulped. He knew this side of Clarke from long ago, especially when they were newlywed. He just didn’t expect Clarke to snap at this point.
Gaius knew that Clarke was actually a very jealous person. He could make a scenario inside his head that was illogical. But Clarke would take that as his own truth and twist it that Gaius was cheating on him.
It had happened on a few occasions, but it was never dangerous. At most, Clarke would sulk for two or three days, thinking that he wasn’t good enough or that Gaius had grown bored of him. Both were untrue, of course.
Though Gaius realized what he did with Reed was far more than just ’feeding French fries,’ but he didn’t want to pour gas over a small fire. So he just nodded and replied, "You’re just overthinking it, Husband. Do you really think that I’ll cheat on you?"
[Pupa: Yes, isn’t that obvious?]
[Hehe.]
Clarke felt conflicted. He also realized that his jealousy was unfounded. Maybe he was just too exhausted, and he vented it out by lashing on his Wife, who was obviously a good spouse that took care of the kids and the house.
Clarke released Gaius’ wrist and sighed, "I’m sorry, Wife. I’ve been too tired. The company problem is draining me out of my strength."
"I know, that’s why I don’t want to yell at you...."
"But you’re still upset, right?"
"Of course, we’ve planned that weekend trip and this movie days for the whole week, and the kids are so happy that you will finally join us," Gaius replied. "Don’t you see the disappointment in Hermes’ face?"
"I saw it...."
"Yeah, I got upset because I can see how sad Hermes was when you’re not with us," Gaius explained. "You might have something else as your priority, but for me, it’s the kids...."
"I understand. I’m sorry for leaving the trip."
"Just... just don’t promise something if you can’t fulfill that promise in the future, okay? Hermes is such a good boy, don’t ruin his trust," Gaius gave more advice to his husband, whose relationship with his kids was a little estranged.
"I try to compensate Hermes’ disappointment later. Maybe I’ll buy him some toy," Clarke said.
"It’s not about toys, oh come on," Gaius rolled his eyes when he realized that Clarke didn’t understand the assignment. He was just like most of those dense, patriarchal working men who think that giving money and toys to the kids would magically make everything okay.
"Go and play with him! He needs you as a father figure!" Gaius pleaded with his husband to open his eyes because the issue wasn’t just a minor issue here.
"Hnn... okay, I’ll find a time to free my schedule and play with Hermes later on," Clarke said.
But Gaius knew that Clarke would be busy with his job and duty as Superbman and forgot about his family again.
And all he could do was only take a deep breath and try to compensate the kids.