After their double revelation at the Rivers siblings’ dinner, it is Will’s turn to accompany Johnathan when he makes the same announcements to his brother and Uncle Quentin in New York. Will is understandably nervous. But Johnathan is sure that his brother would be supportive. More explicitly supportive than Callum Rivers anyway.

Uncle Quentin…might need some time. 

They did not specifically plan a trip to New York since one of Will’s business trips takes them there in the next few weeks. He is still okay to travel, and it was Will himself who had suggested telling Henry and Uncle Quentin.

“John,” Will tugs cutely at his sleeve. “We have to tell Henry and your uncle, don’t we?” he asks when Johnathan is making dinner at Will’s apartment. Will looks at him with big eyes and a sweet smile. Johnathan privately admits that he enjoys it.

“Hm,” he answers as he turns the stove off. “When do you have to fly to New York again?”

Will thinks about it for a while. “Um, soon, I think? The last time was when, you know, that happened,” he muses with a blush. “I’ll probably have to make a trip soon. I’ll ask Lily.”

Johnathan picks the choicest morsels of food and places them on Will’s plate with his fork. “Eat, Will.”

Obediently, Will eats. And it settles some baser instinct that Johnathan doesn’t usually have to experience. That is until he had met Will, of course. 

Will comes home from work the next day with a new itinerary from Lily. One that Johnathan has also received, given that he is their pilot. 

“We could tell them when we are there? I’m sure I can extend my trip by a day or so. Callum and Charlotte won’t mind,” he says.

It is a good plan, Johnathan thinks. Too bad he still has to pilot and cannot spend the full flight with Will. And he will not trust anyone else in the cockpit with Will’s safety. Unless he is there. So, he still must fly the plane.

~

Will wraps up with work quite quickly in New York. A large part of that is just so he has more free time with his fiancé, Johnathan. And Johnathan has zero objections. He also tries to work as efficiently as he can so they can spend time together.

Henry is the first to find out. To be fair, it would have been weird if he didn’t. As Johnathan’s apartment in New York was shared with his brother. And Will didn’t bother booking a hotel room this time. Only Lily had opted to stay at the hotel. Johnathan had experienced an unspeakable level of satisfaction when Will spent the night in his bed. 

They had been met with Henry Saxe’s raised eyebrows when he had come home, and Will was typing at his laptop on their couch.

“Henry! You’re back! John is making dinner,” he greets cheerfully. 

“Ah, thank you, Mr Phantom,” says the CEO of Azure Airways, as unflappable as always. He goes to the kitchen for his baby brother’s explanation. “Johnathan.”

“Henry,” Johnathan says and nothing else. It is as he always does, except that the shells of his ears are red. 

Henry merely raises an eyebrow. “Is Mr Phantom staying with us?”

Johnathan nods. “Yes.”

“Johnathan,” Henry says when no more information is forthcoming. He doesn’t usually pry when Johnathan doesn’t want to talk but this time, he will. 

“Will and I are together,” Johnathan admits to his brother. His reluctance stems from wanting to avoid Henry’s teasing which he can see happening already. 

Henry pats his shoulder. “I am happy for you, Johnathan,” he smiles. “Although, it’s a bit fast, isn’t it? You just got together and he’s sharing your room.” And your bed, goes unsaid.

“Not that fast,” Johnathan says. He faces Henry. “Will and I are engaged.”

Henry Saxe is genuinely speechless for a second. “Johnathan, are you—” he cuts himself off when Johnathan’s face develops his most stubborn look. “I suppose congratulations are in order then. If you are happy, that’s all that matters.”

“I am happy,” Johnathan says quietly. Henry Saxe will take it.

He ends up going back into the living room where Will is not-so-surreptitiously trying to eavesdrop. 

“Mr Phantom,” he says.

Will laughs awkwardly. “Ah, Henry, please call me William.”

“Very well, William,” he says. After all, he is about to become part of the family. William’s cheeks are pink.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t break my brother’s heart,” he smiles politely backed with a steely look in his eyes. 

William nods with wide eyes. “I won’t. I know I’m lucky that John wants to marry someone like me. I won’t hurt him,” he promises. “Well, I’ll do my best not to, anyway. And if I do, you can throw me off one of your planes without a parachute! I’ll jump out myself!” he swears. “Scout’s honour.” 

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Henry Saxe says with an amused smile now. “I’m glad to know you love Johnathan as much as he does you.”

William nods fervently, and Henry Saxe is gratified to know his baby brother is truly loved. “I do. So much. Please let me marry John.”

Henry Saxe laughs. “You don’t need my permission, but you have my blessing.”

William beams tearily at him. “Thank you, Henry!”

“Welcome to the family, William.” He pats William’s shoulder.

~

Telling Henry about their upcoming nuptials had been at their arrival in New York. Uncle Quentin would find out now, at the end of their trip. His brother had come for moral support. And also, because he probably wanted to spectate, Johnathan thought. Henry was annoying like that sometimes. 

Uncle Quentin was waiting for them at their townhouse where they would have lunch as a family whenever Johnathan was available. He had missed quite a few in the past year since he started flying Will. 

They held hands when Johnathan rang the doorbell. Henry had already arrived and was likely helping Uncle Quentin with lunch preparation. Still, Johnathan hoped it was Henry who opened the door. 

It was not.

“Johnathan,” Uncle Quentin said with a raised eyebrow. “And who is your friend?” To his credit, his uncle does not hesitate even when he sees their joined hands. 

“This is Will,” he says. Johnathan intends to tell Uncle Quentin everything only when he is sitting down. 

Uncle Quentin knows that he is not being completely truthful, but he does let it slide for the moment. They can discuss this after lunch.

Lunch is a mostly silent affair as it always is in the Saxe household. Even Will tries to behave. ‘Try’ being imperative here. He does achieve it most of the time, except when he starts to tell Johnathan something but cuts himself off when he remembers the ‘no speaking while eating’ rule. Johnathan can’t help thinking his fiancé’s effort is very sweet, of course. 

Finally, when lunch is cleared, they migrate to the living rooms. Johnathan and Will sit beside each other on the white leather sofa, across Uncle Quentin in his matching armchair. Henry sits adjacent with his tea in hand. Looking very much like a spectator, Johnathan thinks uncharitably. 

He speaks first. “Uncle Quentin, this is Will, my fiancé.”

“Hi! I’m William,” Will chirps brightly.

His uncle chokes on his tea. “Fiancé? Johnathan, when did this happen?”

“Last month,” he answers. It escapes no ones’ notice that last month was a couple of days ago. 

“Johnathan, this isn’t like you. What—what brought this on?” Uncle Quentin asks. 

Johnathan knows that his uncle asks out of concern. Nevertheless, he doesn’t enjoy the implication. “We have fallen in love,” he replies steadily, aware that he sounds like a teenage cliché. 

Will attempts to defuse the tension. “Mister Saxe, I really do love John!” he adds earnestly.

“And how long have you known each other? How did you meet?” Uncle Quentin shoots back in reply. 

Will lights up at questions he could answer. “A year. We met during a business meeting.” Close enough.

Though Uncle Quentin is taken aback by Will’s outgoing personality, he is slightly mollified that they didn’t rush into this. Henry says nothing about the little white lies they’ve told their uncle, but Johnathan eyes him warily anyway. 

“Hmph,” says Uncle Quentin.

But Will, who hasn’t yet learnt to read his uncle, attempts to further appease him. “If anything, I told John he didn’t have to, but he insisted on taking responsibility! Sir, you’ve raised John into such a responsible man!”

Henry is intrigued, attentively watching them like a tennis match. He is very bad moral support for this, Johnathan sighs internally. 

“What do you mean by ‘take responsibility’?” Uncle Quentin asks sternly. 

Will freezes. “Um,” he says, looking with panicked eyes at Johnathan. 

“Will is pregnant,” Johnathan answers for them. It’s awesome that he can answer as their representative now. Because they are a team. 

Henry is openly gaping. By that, it means Henry’s mouth is only slightly open, not enough for most people to recognise it as shock. Johnathan knows better though.

“You are a man!” Uncle Quentin says loudly. 

“And a carrier!” Will tells him earnestly. 

“Johnathan, is this true?” demands Uncle Quentin.

He nods. Uncle turns red. 

“Is this what you want?” his uncle asks.

“It is,” Johnathan answers, “exactly what I want.”

Uncle Quentin is struck silent then. “Very well,” he says eventually. The entire conversation proves too much for his uncle and he stands. “I expect to you two married before my grandnephew arrives,” are his parting words. It is an acceptance.

“Johnathan!” Henry exclaims when their uncle is out of earshot. “You didn’t tell me this?”

“Hm,” Johnathan says. “It was a surprise.”

“What a happy surprise,” Henry laughs. Will laughs with him. 

Johnathan is mostly happy that his family is accepting and that he doesn’t have to resort to eloping. He would have, if necessary, but he is glad it is not needed.

“I’m glad you told us,” Henry smiles at him. “Now I have time to get child-appropriate items as part of your wedding gifts.” 

That starts a whole new train of thought about what Johnathan can provide for his and Will’s child. Will only eyes him knowingly.