That we may not fall short of desire, but let us give way to the unspoken passion hidden in the closet of our discretion.

Usually my home smells like the fresh bread my dad bakes and Mama's mangoes, it smells like Circe's nail polish, Noelle's familiar perfume. Like TJ's shampoo and his boyfriend's muddy shoes. Like Eris's favorite hot chocolate.

It's always warm because we're always cold, it's small for how many people we usually have under one roof but it's home. The doors are too high and there's windows in weird places that my mom's cat loves so we haven't covered any up. It's loud and looks like chaos but it's comfortable -the people inside are annoyingly lovely.

There's always something baking in the oven and someone's cold coffee on the counter, there are too many books everywhere but some of them are the ones my uncle wrote and we're not getting rid of them.

My home usually has thick walls but small walkways that you have to brush against someone if you want out, it's full of corners you have to pull yourself around and random trinkets everywhere.

But every trinket has its place.

It looks a bit traditional from the outside but inside there's always something new happening, a picture being painted or someone visiting their home even after making a new one with a new family.

When I'm there I'm surrounded by pastries and smoothies and little siblings begging me to play with them or older siblings brushing me off or complaining to me.

It sounds like Papa grumbling under his breath as Mama giggles, only to end up laughing himself. Like Adonis and his kids goofing off and breaking something only for his wife to scold them. Like Atlas and Nemesis and their friends and partners creating chaos in every room, laughing when they shove each other before making fun of them for literally no reason at all.

Like Circe and her girlfriend reading to one another when they get tired, or them picking on Selene whenever she's home.

Selene's quiet like me but when you actually annoy her, she'll never shut up.

It sounds like the boys kicking balls around in the backyard, breaking the fence or splashing around in the pool. Like Eris and her friends riding bikes around the block, or if Uncle Jem is over, it's Eris and Jae playing basketball and losing every time.

I'm waiting for the day they can beat him.

But sometimes...

That's not enough for me.

Because sometimes my home smells like mint, lemon scented conditioner and silver instrument polish, and something so distinctly different it has to be completely naturally him.

Sometimes, my home sounds like the plucked strings of a guitar after a long day when we're both tired. Like the soft snores when he's curled up on the bean bag even though we have two couches and his bed is available.

And sometimes it sounds like chaos too, like when he's making a song and there's a hundred noises that sounds so weird until suddenly they just click into place, then it sounds beautiful.

But mostly, my home sounds like humming as a hand runs along my back as we fall asleep together.

My home feels like the gentle fingers that brush my wrists whenever Jasper wants attention but won't say anything, like warm lips kissing the corner of my jaw for no other reason than him just wanting to. Like a squeeze on my knee when we watch a horror movie.

Sometimes my home tastes like oranges, a shared smoothie and mint.

However little in comparison, however unimportant the taste of mint can be, it's enough for me.

So for the remaining holiday days, I invited Jasper over to my house so after all our time together my heart wouldn't start to feel empty again.

In other words I missed him.

But I didn't quite tell him that.

Also my family is loud and annoying, which is definitely a factor because I almost regret it -as soon as they knew I'm having someone over they went batshit crazy.

This year both my parents are home along with Triton and Eris, of course, me and Circe are here along with Noelle and stupid Max Mitch. But this year, Nemesis is the only other kid back, though she did bring her girlfriend- -or is it fiancé now?- -Kaia.

After one day, my social energy already burnt out so for the most part I've been staying in my room with Noodle.

Buttered Noodle, being the adorable three foot long banana ball python that she is, curled up in my hood.

Just as my family was starting to settle down and get less chaotic from simply being around each other, Cece let it spill that it's Jasper who is coming today, not Fly like a lot of them expected.

So everyone is making a fuss.

Apparently, so is my boyfriend, because he keeps calling me all anxious even though I've talked him through this three times on his drive down.

Jasper's constantly nervous and it's oddly endearing.

Even as he said he's parked in my driveway, I can hear the anxiety in his voice. "Castor, are you sure they're going to be okay with me staying here? What if they don't like me?"

"That's impossible, Jitterbug." I sigh, clicking my hand to make Noodle slither out of my hood to the warm spot on my pillow as I sit up. "They'll like you, I promise."

"I'm going to embarrass myself." The musician declares. "I can feel it now, I'm going to do something stupid and my few braincells are just going to laugh at me without helping."

"Jasper, I hate to break this to you," I really don't. "But every time you've 'embarrassed' yourself, it's simply been cute and nothing else."

Seeing a guy built like him all blushy, stammering and tripping over himself just for almost accidentally bumping into someone- -yeah, almost, not actually doing it- -is just fucking cute.

"Okay," Jasper huffs. "Let's pretend that for a moment you don't think I'm cute-"

"Can't."

"Castor, my star, shush, you d-don't think I'm cute, or attractive or whatever you think, okay?"

It's not just 'what I think' it's a fact he's attractive.

Jasper Red is stunning.

Even in hypotheticals I can't ignore that.

"And I do something like trip over my own feet or accidentally start to stutter something out in Greek, what would you think? Would your parents think I'm weird? Oh snapadoodles, what if they don't think I'm good enough for you?"

Rolling my eyes, I'm quiet for a moment to slip past Nemesis undetected- -though Kaia does raise an eyebrow at me and I have to wave her off- -before trying to scold him.

"Jasper-"

"They're gonna think I'm bananas or something," But clearly that doesn't work. "Mumbling on like I am. It's the anxiety, I swear. I'll be more calm when I'm around them, I promise. I w-won't embarrass you."

My family has seen me throw myself face down in mud, slam my face into a wall, punch myself accidentally, bite my principal and lose a fight to tiny Noelle.

Also they've just met Nemesis in general.

I don't think me being embarrassed is in the question.

"Take deep breaths, Jitterbug," Trying to be as nice as possible, knowing he's making himself panic, I slip on my shoes as quietly as I can while listening to him follow my suggestion. "Good, now I'm going to come down and meet you at the door, okay? The people in my family... they're good people- -good, good, good- -who don't judge, okay? They'll like you, that I have no doubt in. If I thought you'd be uncomfortable or that they'd hurt you in some-" I growl. "-way, I would've never invited you to come."

Plus Atlas isn't here and Jasper doesn't like Atlas!

That's a bonus for him, right?

"I know," Jasper replies shakily. "I'm just not used to, I'm not -no one ever wanted me to meet someone who was important to them before. You're my boyfriend and, a-and Circe and Atlas and even Fly I met by accident. I know you're not afraid to show me off, you made that pretty clear, but showing me to parents is a whole new thing."

Well, meeting Noelle wasn't an accident.

And I've never invited someone over before, not a single friend, no one.

That being said, no matter what, they know how important he is.

On the other side of this, I met literally everyone in Jasper's family and before that, I met his siblings and his parents.

Then again that was because I punched myself in the face with a box and gave myself a bloody nose...

"I met your parents," Just like he's about to meet mine, though under less disturbing circumstances. "And not only is it fair for you to meet mine, but I want you to because I'm proud that you're my boyfriend."

Jumping past the three porch steps I'm not only able to hear the surprised noise that Jasper makes but am able to see him react past his front windshield.

He's bright red -and I didn't even make a suggestive comment, though I definitely could have.

"Why're you all blushy?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him. "I didn't even say something flirty."

Or touch him for that matter.

My boyfriend doesn't say anything in reply but a small whine sounds out from the phone as his head rests against the wheel and he uses a hand to cover his mouth -phone probably dropping into his lap due to the sound. I hang up.

Picking my pace up to get to the car, I knock on his window. "Jitterbug? What happened? Jasper, come on."

After a few tense moments he opens the car door for me, not saying anything or moving otherwise.

"Jasper?" Placing my hand on the back of his neck, I run my fingers through his black hair, watching as his tense shoulders relax a bit.

What did I do this time?

"I-I'm okay," The musician wipes his tears with his head still bows, and I don't mention it. "I'm just...you, you s-surprised me."

Oh shit, did I say something in a tic that I ignored- -I try to ignore it, most of the time unless it sounds annoying or my head moves, which I can't ignore- -but offended him somehow.

There are a few anime references I'm starting to say more since I'm re-watching a lot of series.

Maybe I said something really bad?

My Hero Academia might be getting to me, and the English dub of Haikyuu isn't too far behind.

"Surprised you?" Still caught in thought, I end up murmuring and crouching next to him. "Jasper, can you look at me?"

"No." The giant shakes his head. "It's lame."

I frown, "What is?"

"Me."

"C'mon, Jitterbug, you know that's not true," Putting my hand over his, I gently pull it away from his face along with the shirt he pulled up to hide his trembling lips behind. Seeing this, I pause for a moment before pressing an innocent kiss against his forehead. "What happened?"

Jasper looks away from me. "I...you said you were proud of me b-being yours."

Oh.

"And that upset you?"

Am I -am I not supposed to be, or at least show that? If he doesn't want to meet my family, he really doesn't have to. And if me showing him off or kissing him in public is just making his anxiety worse or annoying him, I'll stop that too.

"No, I um, no." He frowns like he doesn't know either. "I just didn't expect you to, to be..."

He didn't expect me to be proud of being his?

"I love you, Jasper." And I love being able to say that even though I tic afterwards.

Straightening out, I place a kiss on the tip of Jasper's nose, making a small smile tug at his lips.

"And I'll be damned if at the end of this week, my family doesn't love you too. There's nothing that can change that, I want to show you off in front of everyone constantly- -bit hot innit!- -I want you to meet the people I meet. I want anyone-" I squeak and the squeak is nearly cut off by a growl. "-who looks at me to know that I have a boyfriend, and he's you."

Knowing who he is...who wouldn't be proud?

A fucking idiot, that's who.

Now I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but I'm smart enough to know when someone like Jasper Red loves you, you let people know because it's amazing.

"Castor, I love you too." Despite his words, his head dips down again to hide against the wheel. "But you're going to make me cry again."

"These are happy tears, though," I say, running my fingers through his hair before dropping them to brush against his cheek. "And it's okay to cry if you need to. Besides, you're a cute crier."

This, thankfully, gets me a small chuckle and makes him look up, face and nose bright red from crying. "Do I look like Rudolf?"

Humming a yes in reply, I poke his nose. "It's Christmas all year around for me, with you blushing how you do."

Which is constantly, sometimes just due from a look.

"It's not fair," My boyfriend complains, narrowing his eyes at me but they have very little affect, unless he was trying to look more adorable. "You rarely blush, your ears just go a little red and that's it."

Thank god my ears are covered by my hair most of the time, because I actually blush a lot.

Not in my cheeks, my body just doesn't work that way unless I'm really flustered.

But I'm not gonna tell him that, he could have already guessed from the plane.

He can already tell everything I'm feeling.

"Okay but you can see my sunflowers or whatever," I remind him of this. "So we're even."

"Yeah that's fair," Jasper admits, rubbing his jaw as he leans into me. "Especially 'cause you can read me like an open book."

I'm not really all that observational, I just like watching him -which, in retrospect, does sound a little creepy.

Other times I just notice things because I'm quiet, so I catch what's going on in the world around me.

It's funny when people think I might be nice because I'm quiet, but I'm just listening to everyone's conversations and figuring what makes them tick, their weaknesses and I can and will use those against them if they piss me off.

Because I hate everyone.

"Yep," Ignoring my thoughts, I grin at him. "You're just a adorable puppy."

Jasper sticks his tongue out at me. "And you're a god."

Glaring at him and poking his nose, I grumble out, "I'm really not a fucking god."

"What was that?" The musician asks teasingly. "I don't speak strawberry."

"Yeah, yeah," I roll my eyes, because I'm not a strawberry either no matter how convincingly cute Jasper is. "Keep talking like that and-"

"Guys!" Noelle's familiar screech-like shout pierces through the air, followed quickly by her slamming my front door open and tumbling out. "Cassie's boyfriend is here!"

"No shit!" I hear Nemesis gasp.

Her and Kaia are the next out, followed by stupid Max fucking Mitch.

"Really?" Triton asks. "Hey -get out of the way!"

"Move, bitch," Circe growls at him. "I wanna see him!"

Mama's scolding voice comes next "Sweethearts, calm down!" but I bet that she's just as amped up as they are.

"Yeah," My dad says almost teasingly, making Eris- -who's on his shoulders- -stick her tongue out at TJ. "Calm the fuck down."

"Castor," My boyfriend whispers out, tugging on my sleeve. "What do I call them?"

Smirking, more than amused, I simply say, "Whatever they tell you to when I introduce you."

"Smart, smart." He says, smiling nervously.

"Come on." I stand up from the car, the movement cueing my family to pile up on around the open door.

Somehow, not even making it to the standing part, Jasper lands flat on his back blinking up at us.

It happened so fast I didn't even get the chance to try and catch him.

"Never mind," Saying this, it takes a lot not to laugh. "That was embarrassing and cute."

My boyfriend seemed frozen everywhere but his mouth, "Um, I'm uh, I'm Jazz. L-like the music?"

Is that how he introduces himself every time?

That's kinda cute.

"Awh," Nemy, who apparently thought the same thing, grins down at Jasper before looking to Circe. "You're right, he's cute. Didn't have enough time to tell when I picked you up."

"Told you." My twin replies all too smugly. "He's a puppy."

They act like I'm not the one who told them everything they know about him...

"Circe." I scold, crossing my arms -not continuing as Jasper scrambles up beside me and tugs at my sleeve.

"Castor." He cuts in, slipping his hand down to hold mine. "Introductions?"

Nodding, I point up at Eris, who's on my papa's shoulders. "Introduce yourself, little E."

Eris grins, reminding me all too much of how Nemesis used to be when she was younger with her green eyes lighting up with mischief. "I'm Eris, you can call me E or The Amazing One. It all works."

We're all pretty used to doing instructions, something that you have to do pretty often when you have seven siblings, so Triton raises his hand next.

"I'm TJ," He says, grinning widely. "And you're definitely going to have to play snow hockey with me later."

"And you know Cece and Noel already." I say, completely skipping over Max even with his features twisted in a hopeful expression. Idiot.

Nemesis waves to him, "I'm Nemy but you can call me Nemo-" I know this is bullshit, she's just seeing what stupid things she can get other people to call her to make them look like the weird ones. "-I get lost a lot, don't ask. And this is my girlfriend-"

"Fiancé." Kaia interrupts, sending her a narrow-eyed look that just made Nemy roll her green eyes.

"Her name's Malakaia, you can call her Kaia or Nash, which is her last name."

Jasper nods, taking in all the information.

While Adonis is the only mini-me of my papa, Triton is a mini-me of Mama. Me, Atlas, Selene and Circe all have the classic grey-eyed, brown hair Rex sibling look but Nemesis and Eris are the outcasts with the green eyes and blonde hair.

For every single one of us, it's clear as day that we're related.

Mama, proud grey eyes taking Jasper in, holds her hand out to him -not for a hand shake, but to give him a mango smoothie which makes me and my papa share an exasperated look.

"I'm AJ, you can call me that, Cassie's mom, or Mango Queen, I respond to it all." Sadly, this was true. "This is Micah, Cassie's dad."

He stays silent, eyebrow raised as he continues to observe my boyfriend.

"Papa," I warn. "You look dumb."

Papa scoffs, giving me a just as playfully thoughtful look as he says, "That's where you get it from."

"Thanks." I reply dryly, not even denying it.

"It's nice to meet you all." Jasper smiles, as nice as ever like they're not already impressed with him. "And it's nice to see you three again."

The three being Circe, Noelle and Max, I kind of doubt that.

"Jazz!" Noel bounces up, pointing to my mom then Papa. "What's his parent's voices look like? I wanna know because they both look like orange mushes to me."

"Uh..." Jasper blinks at her, confused for a moment before answering. "Mango Queen's kinda looks like avocados, i-it's mostly green with brown dots and Mr. Rex's looks like mangoes."

Mama looks like an avocado and Papa looks like a mango?

That's fucked.

"Oh my fuck," My dad glares at Jasper and I wish he knew it's not a real glare especially when Papa turns to look at my mom, he would if I inherited his green eyes, but just from the way the musician tenses I know he doesn't. "Look what you did. This is so upsetting -I'm a mango!"