Missing spark

( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )

POV: Bible

"So, the results are out," the doctor said, his voice steady, yet it sent a tremble through Bible's chest. Bible sat there, clutching Jes' hand tightly, his palms clammy with sweat.

It had been two weeks since they'd gone for the DNA test. Two weeks where the little boy had stayed at their home, slowly becoming part of their everyday life.

Surprisingly, those days had gone better than anyone expected. Between trips to the playground with Mio and JJay, and afternoons spent buying new clothes and toys, Bible found himself settling into the rhythm of it all. Jes even let him clean out one of the rooms, transforming it into a cozy kid's space, complete with Superman cushions and scattered toys.

In the evenings, Jes came home just like before, warm, familiar, but now, he'd sometimes rush to the little boy first, scooping him up into his arms before kissing Bible hello.

Bible would never admit it—never, ever—but it stung a little. He wasn't used to being anyone's second priority. Jes used to come home, and Bible was his main focus, his brat, his everything.

But even so, Bible was happy. Jes and the little boy got along like soulmates, playing, watching movies, Jes even bathing him while Bible prepared dinner for the three of them. It felt strangely natural, like this life had always been waiting for them.

And now, Bible realized, he was scared.He wanted the child to be his.He wanted this family.

His breath caught as the doctor unfolded the results, reading through the lines that would change everything.

"So..." the doctor began, dragging it out painfully, making Job almost jump out of his chair. He clearly had no patience for suspense.

Bible couldn't even bring himself to glance at Bas, but part of him knew, if the boy turned out to be Bas's, Job would never handle it well.

Job liked the kid, sure, but his attention span was short. Every time he'd been asked to watch him, he'd end up staring at his phone while the boy tripped on the playground, crying, until some stranger would help him back.

Yeah—if it was Bas's kid, that would be the worst possible outcome.

"The test shows that the child is either yours or yours," the doctor said, raising an eyebrow, peering over his glasses at Bible and Bas.

Bible's heart stopped. "What?!" he practically yelled, leaning forward.

"But..." the doctor continued, "The DNA shows over 50% genetic similarity."

Jes, stunned, found his voice first. "What does that mean?"

"It means you're closely related. First-degree relatives," the doctor explained calmly.

Then he asked, "Do you perhaps have another brother?"

Bible and Bas looked at each other, and the answer clicked in unison.

"Father."

Bas's jaw dropped. Bible's mouth was hanging open, perfectly mirroring Jes and Job's shock.

"Could it be... our father's child?" Bas asked, disbelief all over his face.

"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "That's very possible. It would make him your half-brother. But we would need to test to be sure."

Bas was already pulling out his phone, probably to hunt down their father.Bible nervously gnawed on his fingernail until Jes quietly reached over and gently pulled his hand away, grounding him.

Bible was grateful they'd left the little boy with Mio and JJay. This wasn't something a child his age should have to hear. This wasn't a moment they were ready to explain—hell, Bible wasn't even sure he could explain it to himself yet.

"My dad..." Bible started, his legs nervously bouncing, the weight of the situation pressing on him. "He's retired now, living his grandpa life. He'd be way too tired to raise a child."

Jes's voice was calm, steady. "But do you think he'd be open to letting us raise him? After all... you're his half-brother."

Bible's eyes flicked up to Jes, his teeth sinking into his lip. "Would you really be okay with that? It's not just babysitting, it's forever. It's... it's a life-changing decision."

Jes's gaze softened, a quiet sadness settling in his voice. "In the past two weeks, he's already grown into my heart. I can't let him go now."

Without thinking, Bible leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Jes's cheek, then dropped his gaze again, his voice small but certain. "I think... he'd be the perfect missing piece in our family."

Jes gave him a tiny smile, brushing his thumb over Bible's knuckles. "Let's talk to your father first, okay? One step at a time."

Bible's heart squeezed. Damn, my husband's really the one with the working brain right now.That was so unfairly sexy.

( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )

The thing about Bible's and Bas's father?Yeah, he was a walking scandal.

This man went on a reality show called "Marry Off My Youngest Son to a CEO", a whole televised event. He married Bible off to a man, with a one-year contract, and didn't even bother inviting his oldest son, Bas, to the wedding. And now? Surprise. He had another child with a woman who completely vanished.

They tracked her down briefly, but she refused to talk, simply saying, "I can't raise a child," before disappearing to God knows where.

When Bible asked him about it, the man just scratched his head and laughed like it was some clumsy accident.

"Well... we were drinking after a chess tournament and, you know, one thing led to another," he said, chuckling to himself like this was a harmless little story.

"Honestly, I thought I was too old to get a woman pregnant with my dusty old sperm!" He roared at his own joke, thoroughly entertained.

Bible, horrified, immediately covered little Bob's ears, who Jes, by the way, now called Bobo, and hissed, "How unprofessional."

Jes glared at the old man, visibly grinding his teeth. "Unbelievable."

"So, Dad," Bible said, straightening up, trying to steer this circus back on track. "He's my brother, but we'd like to raise him. He can live with us."

His dad looked at him, all proud, and extended his hand. "Good boy. If I'd known getting married would turn you into such a responsible man, I would've married you off ages ago."

Bible deadpanned. Seriously. This man.

Jes snapped, his patience evaporating, "I hope you would've married him off to me."

Bible had to quickly grab Jes's wrist to calm him down. "Yeah, yeah, of course, to you. Definitely you." He forced an awkward smile as his father laughed again, completely unbothered.

"Well, it would've depended on how much you'd have paid," his father mused, stroking through Bible's hair like he was still ten years old. "Only the highest bidder can have my precious son."

Jes's glare could've set the whole room on fire. His mind was screaming, Bible could practically see the war playing out behind his eyes.

Without a word, Bible grabbed Jes's hand, then reached down for Bobo's little one. "Okay, time to go. Quickly."

They made their exit before Jes could explode.

What an idiot of a father I have, Bible thought, sighing.

But maybe... maybe that's just how his whole family was wired.

( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )

POV: Jes and Bible (one year later)

"Boboooo! Booobooo, where are you?" Jes sang through the house, playfully peeking behind doors and under tables.

They were deep in another round of hide and seek.

The days had flown by, just like everyone always said they would once you had kids. Jes never really believed that until now. Watching Bobo grow, now already four years old, felt like flipping through the pages of a book too quickly.

For Jes, being a father to this little whirlwind was a dream come true. Bobo was stubborn like Bible, funny like Bible, and honestly? Sometimes Jes forgot he wasn't technically his and Bible's child. They were inseparable, best friends, partners in crime.

And Bible?

Well, Bible was not home. After months of playing househusband, he decided he needed what he dramatically called "Me Time."

Just him, his long-forgotten motorbike (which had actually started to gather dust in the garage, who would've thought that day would come), and the race track. Today, he was back with Mio and JJay, sipping beer like the good old days.

"Man, you are so different now. I swear," JJay said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I'm still the same," Bible grumbled, not liking the accusation one bit.

Mio smirked knowingly. "Nah, bro. You've changed. And you know it."

Bible wanted to deny it, but maybe, yeah, there was some truth to that. He had changed. He was calmer now—for Bobo. More responsible—for Bobo.

"So, how's your hubby?" Mio leaned in, grinning. "Still that fiery spark?„

Bible rolled his eyes and shrugged, pretending like it was nothing. "Everything's fine."

"Oh, wow, 'everything's fine,' huh? Sounds so convincing!" Mio teased, nudging him.

"Well..." Bible hesitated.

Mio and JJay leaned in, eyes wide. "Weeell?"

Bible sighed. "Well, it's not really the same as before. You're kinda right."

Mio's grin faded into something more serious. "Why? What's going on?"

Bible bit his lip, then finally exploded:"You know in the beginning, he'd come home, and I WAS HIS DAMN FIRST MEAL!" He slammed his beer on the table, and the others nearly choked on their drinks.

"Damn, your cooking must've been good," JJay coughed out, laughing.

Bible glared. "No, I mean—he won't touch me like before! He says 'Shh, tomorrow, we don't want to wake Bobo.' He forgets to kiss me sometimes when he comes home. He's rushing to hug Bobo, plays with him, and just kinda waves at me from the side."

Bible slumped back in his chair, frustration and a little sadness flashing in his eyes. "I get it. I love Bobo too. But sometimes... sometimes I miss being Jes's everything."

"Woooooow, this sounds... so serious." JJay dragged out, his eyes wide with mock concern.

Bible slammed his hands on the table. "You guys told me to talk about it, and now what? You're useless."

Mio grinned, leaning back in his chair. "You need to find a way to bring back the spark."

Bible leaned in instantly, desperate. "Okay, how? Speak. I'm all ears."

"Well... there's gotta be some kind of kink Jes has," JJay said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Kink?" Bible blinked, completely lost.

"Yeah, like maybe he wants you to tie him up," Mio added, smirking.

"Or maybe he wants to tie you up," JJay jumped in, grinning wickedly. "Or maybe... maybe he just wants you to massage his feet."

"Feet? That's so weird. He's normal. He's not like you freaky bastards." Bible scowled, crossing his arms.

"Ehh," Mio waved him off. "The quiet ones are always the worst. You seriously don't know what makes him hot? Think—what used to light him up before?"

Bible tapped his fingers, thinking hard. "Well... he always liked when I wore my earrings... and when I put my hair up in a ponytail. He said it makes me look cute." He bit his lip, still trying to remember.

"He likes my skin... called it flawless. And... one time, I wore just his shirt—it was oversized—and he couldn't keep his hands off me. It was like seconds later, he was on me."

Mio and JJay exchanged glances, then JJay burst out laughing. "Sounds like he likes women."

Bible glared at him, deadpan. "Don't say that. That's my biggest insecurity."

"Oh please, he married you." Mio rolled his eyes.

"If you'd seen his ex, Natty, you'd shut up. She was gorgeous. Tall, silky hair, soft voice—like an angel. I'm telling you, next to her, I looked like a damn chihuahua."

Mio burst out laughing. "Oh my God, you're so dramatic."

Bible sulked, slumping in his chair. "I'm not wrong. I've thought about it a lot."

JJay shrugged. "Okay, so maybe... just maybe... you need to remind him that you're still the dangerous, flawless, oversized-shirt-wearing brat he fell for."

Mio snapped his fingers. "Exactly. Get your earrings on, tie up that hair, wear a shirt, and maybe—just maybe—add something new to shake him up."

Bible's eyes lit up slowly, a grin creeping across his face. "Something... new, huh?"

"Yup. Scare him. Excite him. Remind him why he's crazy about you," Mio said, raising his beer.

"O—M—G! How about you dress like a woman?" JJay said suddenly, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Bible scrunched his face in immediate disapproval. "Shut up. That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard."

"No, wait, listen!" Mio leaned in, fully invested now. "A dress. Long, beautiful hair. Flushed, blushing cheeks. Bible—Biblette—in stilettos." He practically sighed, dreamy eyes staring into space as he imagined it.

Bible threw a napkin at his face. "You're disgusting."

"But think about it!" JJay said, waving the napkin off. "He would definitely look at you. Like, no way he could ignore you walking around in that."

"Do you guys have a woman kink you wanna admit or what?" Bible deadpanned, unimpressed.

"I mean, the power move is undeniable." Mio shrugged. "Imagine—he comes home, you're standing there, heels, a tight little dress, hair up with just two strands loose—bam. He's dead. It's over."

Bible rolled his eyes, but a small, dangerous grin was forming. "You really think this would work?"

JJay smirked. "Oh, he'll combust on the spot."

"And besides, you'd look hot," Mio said, raising his beer in approval.

Bible sighed dramatically but his grin was undeniable now. "Okay. Okay. Let's say I maybe consider it. You two will help me make it perfect, right?"

JJay's eyes gleamed. "Oh, baby. We're going shopping."

( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )

They went to the shopping mall, and Mio and JJay, of course, chose the softest pink dress they could find—fitted at the waist, flowing down to his knees, with delicate puff sleeves and a rose stitched right at the chest.

Bible just stood there, stiff like a statue, regretting every life decision that had brought him to this moment.How did I get here? he thought. Shopping in the women's section to seduce my husband because he seems to have lost the spark? This wasn't supposed to be his life.

Meanwhile, Mio and JJay were practically drooling.

"Shiaaaa~ You look... cute? Sexy? Gorgeous? I think I'm gonna fall for you myself," JJay chimed, fanning his face dramatically.

"Motherrrrr~" Mio growled in approval, his hands posed like claws.

Bible rolled his eyes so hard he thought they'd get stuck. But they actually bought it. For real. Bag full of girly essentials: a wig, hair clips, heels, the dress, and a whole starter pack of makeup.

The chaos didn't stop there.

They threw a whole makeover party in Mio's and Jjay's living room—watching thousands of YouTube tutorials, practicing eyeliner wings like their lives depended on it, and going through an entire pack of makeup remover pads because JJay simply couldn't get it right.

"Bible, sit still!" Mio groaned, wiping off the third failed attempt.

"This is not what I signed up for!" Bible snapped back, but didn't move.

"Oh, you're signing up for this all the way now." JJay smirked, holding up a pair of soft pink stilettos. "We're gonna make Jes' brain implode."

( •̥́ ˍ •̀ू )

POV: Author

GUYS I'M STILL SCREAMING—HE LOOKS GORGEOUS IN THAT GIRLY DRESS, DANG!!!Like—HOW??? WHY DOES THIS MAN EAT IN A DRESS??? HELP— 💅🔥🩷

Jes isn't ready. I'm not ready.WE'RE ALL NOT READY.