In the Farm near the mountain side. The sheep looks at them as few lambs rushes towards Ares.
"Who's my cute little bebes!" said Ares as they come closer and cuddle. So are the sheep dogs.
"My nephew will love to see this, he loves animals a lot." Said Mars. "Bring him here, my farm animals are very tame, they love human company too." Said Ares as
Mars laughs as he looks at the verdant plains, looking down, he sees the cabin. "Oh, come to think of it, it is nearby..." said Mars. "It is." Said Ares.
Later on the Cabin.
Mars was half naked as Ares applies ointment on his skin. "You're not like Jesse who's a pacific islander, or was he Latino? Asian?" asked Ares to himself. "Aw! That hurts! Careful!" said Mars.
"Why? Is your skin…virgin?" teased Ares as he slathers cold ointment on it. He rubs his back, "You sure do work out..." fascinated Ares as he massages it too.
"Wow your good at this… I have a stiff back for weeks now." Replied Mars. "Learned from the best," said Ares as Mars groans. Ares stopped and weirded out."Don't stop. Geez, and I thought my skin is the only virgin here." Replied Mars.
Ares blushes and add, "Shut up, I do had, sex… or two before," replied Ares. Ares stops and looks down. Mars looks back. "I'm just kidding dude… is, are you okay?" asked Mars. "Nothing." Said Ares as he massages Mars' back, noticing an injury. "Just, don't touch that part. It never fully healed, that…" Said Mars.
Ares stops as he adds, "I might be a dad. But, I don't know where she went or what happened." Replied Ares. Mars goes to his back and massages his neck muscles. "Damn that felt good." Said Mars. "I know. Sometimes, you need to, unburden yourself." Said Mars as he massages his whole back. Ares giggles, Making Mars giggle as he tickles him. They laugh. They stop. Ares starts massaging Mars' arms and shoulder.
"Give me your hands…" said Ares as he massages Mars's biceps. "Impressive, you don't even do farm work" Said Ares as Mars feels a little bit pain. "Aw!" exclaimed Mars. Ares notices Mars' long streak scar. Ares touches it.
"Please… don't" said Mars as he looks away taking out his hand.
"I'm sorry." replied Ares.
"You don't have too, I'm but a fool." shared Mars.
"It's okay." Replied Ares as he stands up, "How about we swim. Like you said, maybe, you need to unburden a little." Ares gleams at the now gloomy sea. "It's very cold." Ares looks back, take of his shirt and pants, living only his white boxerbriefs; "Eh, To sharpen the mind, one must sharpen the body too."
Mars smiles as he does the same. They started to swim and frolic on the waters while the clouds dissipates, shinning a beam of sunlight towards the waters. Mars and Ares looks at the distant waters.
"It's beautiful" said Mars, smiling. Ares splashes water on him as the started to splash more water. Later they are in the Bench with the lamppost nearby. The weather seems gloomy again. Mars was looking at Selene's grave. In a sad manner from a distance.
"Are…you okay?" asked Ares as he sits near him.
"I just imagined, Selene. Me. Having children before too. She had a miscarriage. We fought because of that grief about baby Juno so I stopped the car near the cliff, in our favorite spot. The truck, the ocean…" said Mars as tears falls down his eyes. Ares hugs him. Mars looks at Ares.
"Just, let me. You need this." Said Ares as Mars hugs him back as it started to rain they hugged for few minutes
On the Sunset of Peach,Red and Violet. Mars and Ares sits on the bench, near the lamp post. The golden yellow light glitters around them. Mars smiles softly. "Ah... I never taught that farm life is tiring, but good work out." said Mars.
"Of course... It even makes my core strong..." said Ares. "I don't believe you..." said Mars. Ares shows his abs, he flexes his muscle.
"Touch it" said Ares showing his 6 packed abs.
"Nice..."said Mars as his pinches it.
"Aw! Hey!" said Ares. "Let me show you, how real men has good set of abs..." said Mars as he flexes his a bit hairy, he has 6 abs but bigger.
Ares inspects it, "Pretty neat." says Ares as they wear there shirts.
Mars looks above, there are lots of stars as the sun slowly goes down, he was mesmerized.
"Beautiful isn't it?" asked Ares as he goes to the shore and lay down.
Mars looked curiously as he lays down with him. "Let me guess, Selene told you how to look at the stars ,didn't she?" asked Mars.
"No, I taught her." said Ares.
"Oh...OH! She knows quite a lot to be honest... Cooking, Cleaning, Woodcrafting,Plumbing..." said Mars as he realizes.
"Fishing, even throwing axe,blades... Even Basketball." said Ares. Mars stands up a little. "What's wrong?" asked Ares.
Mars remembers Selene and him first met when she was teaching kids some basketball as the ball rolls towards Mars. Selene goes to Mars as he smugly smile and throw a 3 point shot.
In the Present
"I impressed her with a 3-point shot on the hoop." Says Mars as he smiles smugly. Mines, well,"Selly sure is a Tomboy, BUT she taught me baking and womanly things too, but, our father says no. I do love baking though. Especially making..." said Ares as he takes out…
In the Past "Medium rare Pork Belly Roast with Caramelized onions in the middle." said Selene.
"Wait... What is even caramelized onions?" asked Mars.
"Try it! A Family recipe." replied Selene.
Mars eyes bulges with happiness as his gloomy frown turned sunny side up.
In the Present
"Dude, you weird me out a little." said Mars seeing it. Now, this Pork Belly is delicious, my electric oven just cooked it to perfection." Implied Ares.
"Sorry. Selene just…" said Mars as he goes to him in the kitchen and eat some. "Tell me; do the Caramelized Pork belly Selene and I loved so much...." asked Mars.
"I made it when I was 13. Selly taught me how to cook, But this is, my experimental perfection! I made it for her birthday… she is skilled and teach me a lot. But, Selly, is either has hit or miss dishes, like she loves Ketchup on Cereal that I hate so much." they giggled and say in unison; "Ew." The look at each other and laugh.
"I cannot blame her though. Before my mother fostered her and Mene, they are abandoned orphans on the streets. While I was adopted when my biological mother died." said Ares as Mars stares at him; realizing, everything she loved about Selene, was thanks to Ares, at least part of it was Ares as Mars paused laughing ,and he just glances at Ares.
Ares looks at him with two eyebrows raised. They smiled and Mars adds, "Aight, let's get some full dinner."
They started to cook together, Making Cheesy Chili Garlic Bread, Oxtail Stew with potatoes and another round of Caramelized Onions Pork Belly Roast
Ares and Mars started to eat it. All of these are Selene's favorite dishes.
Mars eats, as tear slowly run down his left eye as he kept eating with a smile on his face.
"Oh, come on man," said Ares as he wipes the tear.. "I miss this, I miss Selene, It's been years, I'm sad, I'm cold, I can't even, say sorry to her.... She even saved me on her last moments." said Mars as Ares stands up and walks towards him.
"Come here... I miss Selly too." said Ares as he hugs Mars. Mars was just frozen in sadness and longing. "I'm so sorry... All these years, in my mind, I always blamed you as a faceless person, not realizing, you are a victim of this grief too. I guess, we all are." said Ares.
Mars hugs Ares back. "Hey, You should rest later." said Ares. Mars nods.
On Ares' room.
Mars and Ares lays next to each other. "I'm sorry, I should have not, be...like this." says Mars in a little happier manner now. Ares Taps his bed. Mars smiles a little and lay down, near him. He hugs him. "It's okay....It is okay." as Mars hugs him back. Ares hums a lullaby, Selene used to hum. Mars looks at him then he looks down and hum the lullaby too.
In the past of Ares,
Selene was Singing this song on a young Ares; having nightmares of the past.
Then in Mars' memories, Selene does the same on her husband on the hospital bed with an empty baby incubator next to her.
In the Present. Both Ares and Mars was still humming the same song as tears flows out both on their eyes, crying themselves to sleep.
In a dream. Selene looks at Ares and Mars, as they look at her, smiling as she laughs then fades in the wind.
The next morning.
Oh, It's 1 pm, or afternoon.
They woke up. Mars and Ares started at each other as Mars hugs him closer to his chest, Ares hugs tightly. "I dreamnt about Selly, she smiles, looking at me." Said Ares. Mars giggles a little, "Same. I hope Selene is happy." Said Mars.
"I'm sorry that I needed this." Said Ares.
"Don't be. I, I need to too." Replied Mars as they cuddle closer.
Later in the Dinning table.
"Dude! This is gay... very gay!" said Mars. Ares looks down, hold his shoulder, looks at Mars. "It is..." as they chuckled. "But, I never slept passed 12noon. My goodness. I slept like a Baby!" said Mars.
They laugh again. "I... I like it this way... sorry." said Ares. "Don't be." said Mars as he stands up. "I better, look at my company..." said Mars. "I better tend my animals..."said Ares as they go there ways. Then Mars pauses.
"Hey! Let's have lunch or dinner together!" shouted Mars. Ares Thumbs up as they smile and go away.
In the Tavern
Mars looks around, The Inn keeper was talking to a younger person; seems to be a relative of sorts. "Hey! You're that birthday boy! How was the women? Are they good in bed?" asked Him. "Who starts a conversation like that!" said Mars.
The Old Inkeeper throws a slipper, hitting the younger man. "Aw! Tay(Dad)!" said by him. "Seriously Jesse, Why are you weird!" said by the Inn Keeper.
"Oh. You're friends with Ares?" asked Mars.
"Oh! Pretty Boy Ares! Rugged Blond Cowboy in the middle of the nowhere shore..." said Jesse as he serves him some pork stew, fried eggs and garlic rice. Mars was confused as he looks at the stew. He tastes it. He like it. "Humba. From my mother's recipe." as Mars keeps eating. Jesse looks at Mars. "Man, you sure are a looker. Esp. if you have a boxbeard." said Jesse. "Dude, stop it. I shave my beard because my wife doesn't like my beard... And, few more things." replied Mars.
"Eh..." said Jesse as he gives him a dessert. "Buko-Pandan." said Jesse. Mars recognizes it. "I ate this one before... well, in salad form." said by Mars. "Well, Ares sister cooks that for us when she left home for college, she worked here as barmaid and then cook." said Jesse as she points a picture.
Mars goes to the picture. It was a younger Jesse, Selene, Mene, Ares, and the Inn Keeper.
"Wait... wait...wait...wait! You are Selene's husband?" said by him as he goes to the kitchen.
"Tay! He's the one that saved the inn and few shops! Selene's husband!" said by Jesse as he goes out along with few cooks.
The Inn Keeper smiles.
The table is full of Desserts. "Sorry Man, I cannot eat so much." replied Mars. They sigh. "No worries though. I'm more curious, about My Wife and her siblings though..." said by him.
"Mene or Ares?" asked the Innkeeper.
"Both."
They are eating and laughing. Ares was staring at Mars being happy and talking at them. The innkeeper smiles a little.
"No, I mean...Mene is a manic pixie while Selly is bit tomboyish but lady like." said Jesse as he adds,
"Selene is like that. Thanks to Ares...they are very close. Selene is like the mother of their troupe... Including Jesse, Ares, Lily, that red haired girl... I forgot her name and another sset of twins from Hawaii. Both there parents are inprisoned. Anyways! I hate it when she uses ketchup on her cereal!"
"That sounds like Selene... She's a teacher and coach when we met." replied Mars as they ate. The barmaids kept looking at Mars. Mars giggled.
Mars notices Ares. "Come on dude, eat with me." Said Mars. "Okay fine."" said Ares as he sits close to Mars. They looked confused. "Why you guys seems to be weirded out?" asked Mars. They look at each other, they look at Ares. Ares clears his throat. "Anyways... It's a celebration. To the faceless generous man, who turned up to be handsome looker..." said Jesse.
"Jesse, just, tone down being too energetic." Said Ares. Replied Jesse as they laugh and continue eating.
They leave Ares and Mars talking.
Jesse and the Barmaids kept looking at Ares and Mars as they talk a lot and casually. They glance at each other.
"Did, did Ares made a friend?"asked Jesse. "Shhhh, too nosy." Said one of the barmaids. " Ares was looking at Mars attentively as Mars explains the dishes to him.
"It's. something else." Replied the Innkeeper.
The inn keeper stands up as he signs a waving small pinkie. The staff goes back to the kitchen.
"Excuse us. We must prepare for the evening patrons." said Jesse as they smile and go away.
"If we get home. I want to tell you something." said Ares as Mars was piqued with curiosity. "Out of Respect... I will hear you out, it seems private too." said Mars. "Yes." replied Ares as they kept eating.
Jesse and the Barmaids was secretly hears them out.
"Weirdos... That is none of your business, get back to work!" said by the Innkeeper.
In the Cabin few hours later
Ares and Mars was in the living room, sitting on a new coach. "I'll stay here, for the night." said Ares.
"No. I said before... You'll be my human pillow or I will sleep on the coach." said Mars. Ares giggles. "You are something else." said Ares. "If what we are doing is gay, so be it... I never slept peacefully since my wife died. I mean, if you don't mind me being your cuddle buddy." said Mars.
Ares chuckles, so did Mars. "Damn man... This is very… huh, no comment, I admit. Me too. It's awkward,but, I don't dislike it." said Ares as they go inside the bedroom.
"This time, I be the big spoon. Then you tell me what you want to tell. Your turn." said Mars as he opens his bag and take a shorts and tank top. Okay. Let's turn around as the turn around, facing away. Ares changes his clothes to a white singlet and blue shorts. Mars goes to the middle of the bed.
"Come here..." said by him as he pat his hairy chest. Ares giggles as he goes to the bed.
"Mars?" asked Ares.
"Mhhh?" answered Mars.
"It was always Selly we are talking about...I want to know you too." said Ares as he looks up to Mars's eyes.
Mars giggles. Please don't stare at me like that." said Mars.
"Sorry." replied Ares as he sinks his face on Mars' chest. "I'm Mars de Leon, But It was formerly Mars Marche. Basically, My stepdad adopted me. Funnily, my stepsisters and half Brother are also named after Greek gods. I have a 5 year old nephew, a blond boy named Rex. He loves dinosaurs, so I call him T-rex, his very favorite animal of all time; oddly, he taught Thesaurus is a dinosaur. So, thatn became his favorite book beside science books." said Mars.
They giggled. "So, why not buy him a little farm?"asked Ares. "I will, I asked my sister...step-sister to buy one. She said it was a pasture near the mountain." replied Mars.
"That sounds cute." replied Ares. "It is what it is... besides." said Mars.
In the Past memory, he looks at the empty incubator.
In the Present he pauses and adds, "Anyhow. You know, Selene and I met when I am working on my first job 2 year grad." replied Mars. As he smiles happily and adds, "It was love at first sight. She asked me out, only to find out, our apartments are nearby... Then, love happened. That rainy evening." said Mars.
"Wow." said Ares as he looks up. Mars is smiling. Mars looks down to him.
"Now your turn." said Mars. "I am an orphan and I was adopted as a baby. My adopted mother love me so much, but, my adopted father…" said Ares as he starts to shiver.
"Hey, hey, it's fine if you don't want to remember." said Ares. "I can do this... Selene and Mene was fostered by mother, as we grow up, we grew closer. At least, I want to tell you this sooner rather than anyone..." said Ares.
"I know. You talk about it when you are sleeping. I'm sorry that it happened to you." said Mars as he holds him on the chin as Ares kisses him, he kisses him back.
Mars and Ares sits on the bed and remove their clothes.
They look at each other and smile then proceed to tongue each other.
"This feels wrong." Said Ares as he they paused/.
"I'm sorry." Said Mars as he stops as they lay down in bed. Ares lays his head on Mars' chest as Mars caress Ares' golden hair. Ares kisses Mars' hand and say, "I'm sorry." Mars smiles softly and hug Ares, embracing him firm but tender manneThe next Morning. Mars and Ares are hugging each other. Mars wakes up slowly as Mars kisses Ares in the forehead. Ares moves a little as he slowly wakes up as he carasses his chest hair.
"Good Morning." said Mars. Ares giggles as he kisses him back. They laugh. Ares smiles and hold Mars' cheek and peck on his lips. As they hug closer.
A Blonde woman, looking like an older Selene with shorter hair. "Ares? I am here!" said by her. "Mene! Shhh. Maybe he's resting, Imma go now." Said by a nurse as they kiss. Then she drives her car to the town.
Mene goes inside. "Where is my baby bro?" asked her as she peeks on Ares room; "Rise and shine Cowboy!" shouted Mene.
She sees half naked men in bed. "Kyaaaah!" shouted Mene, Startling Mars and Ares. Her eyes bulges.
Later in the living room.
"ARES!!! I did not know you are gay... I mean technically...bi... But, why you did not share anything?! I mean, kinda obvious when we are younger... Damn, Selly was a lil' bit right... She will crawl out off, her grave and say "Told ya' bitch" said Mene. Mars and Ares laughs.
Mene realizes. Mars coves his face with Ares' singlet.
"HOLY COW! It's our sister's widower! ARES! BADDD! STAHHHP!" said Mene in a teasing semi-happy,semi laughing way.
"Howdy Mene-men." replied Mars. She laughs, puts her hand on her lips and say, "I don't know what to think about this, but... At least you have a boyfriend! Should I be happy about this? I mean, Oh well, I'm here to visit our sister..." said Mene.
In the Grave. She notice a sunflower. One is slightly red, one is slightly white. She smiles as she puts her bumble bee yellow sunflower bouquet. "You two are so sweet. Eh, let's go to Tatay's" said by her.
In the Inn
Jesse was talking to a woman. "Hey! Jesse! Is your dick big yet?" asked Mene. "Fuck you carpet-muncher!" said Jesse. "Fuck you Papa's boy!" shouted Mene as they The Inn Keeper goes outside. "Well,well well, isn't it our manic-pixie." said The Inn Keeper.
"Tatay(Daddy)!" said By Her as She hugs him. "Miss you too. Hey, say regards to your Mama.. Is she out of the hospital yet?" asked The Inn keeper. "Not yet. But. You can join me, My brother, his boyefriend ,and my Wife. Jesse is not invited for being too nosy." said Mene.
"I heard that bitch!' shouted Jesse. They sat down and prepared for breakfast. "Imma visit these mofos at the back." Said Mene as she goes at the back kitchen.
"Wait... you two.. Oh my! I mean, duh, Ares was talkative when we ask about a guy visiting his foster sister's grave... Tocilog for Mars and Tapsilog for Ares...with garlic Rice of course." said Jesse as he puts it down.
Mars looks at Ares. Ares glances at him. "Wait... what do you mean, he was talkative?" asked Mars. "This dude can survive a month without talking..." said Jesse as Mars giggles. Ares blushes. "Look how shy he is..." said Jesse.
Ares punches Jesse on the shoulder. "Aw! You are too violent! Geez! Imma go back to carpet-muncher." replied Jesse. "Damn, you're cute." said Mars.
"Don't call me cute." said Ares as he blushes. "You're ears are red." replied Mars. He flusters even more and scratches his head sheepishly. Mars hold Ares hand. Ares holds it and kisses it. Mars giggles.
Mene was away, looking at them. "Did anyone tell Mars?" asked Mene to Jesse and the Barmaids. "Shhhh, don't be a bitch...This is Ares' first relationship after being broken hearted by your sister." replied Jesse. "Bitch, of course! Ares is our baby... he maybe is handsome and not blood related, but he's still our baby brother." said Mene.
"I just imagine how many people wants to fuck Ares, women most, some men too even..." said Jesse. Mene glares at him. "Do not speak of that man! You know how many years Ares recovered from that!" replied Mene. "Sorry..." replied Jesse.
"I'm glad that...he has, someone for him. Heartbroken from Selly coz, babybro... we only see him as our foster baby brother. Look how happy he is" said Mene.
Ares and Mars are laughing and talking sweetly. "Who do you think has the bigger dick?" asked the barmaid. They look at her. "You're too nosy. Let Ares be happy! Look how unlucky he is... Selly (ew), then that girl without a label between them that runs away after 6 years... damn, he doesn't really have much going... huh?" asked Mene.
In the Port
Ares and Mars was roaming around the stalls as Mars moves closer to the docks then the lighthouse. Mars looked amazed. Until he looks down the ocean. Remembering the car falling off the cliff to the Sea. He falls down as Ares catches him. "Are you okay?" asked Ares. "I'm fine." said Mars.
Then they went down, buy hot dogs on the beach. "Are you afraid of the sea?" asked Ares. "No. Definitely not... Just high places plus the sea. It's..." said Mars.
"I know, you don't need to remember it okay, if you don't want too, don't remember it." replied Ares as he holds Mars' hand. "Geez... this is embarrassing..." said Mars as he looks away and pull his hand. "Okay, no worries..." said Ares as he puts his hand on the bench. Mars grabs it as they hold hands while looking away.
In the Cabin on sunset
Mars and Ares was cooking together in shorts and tank tops. Mene was listening to music. "Knock knock!" said Jesse. "Come in!" said Ares as Jesse bring out a pineapple.
Mars looks at it. "I got this." replied Ares as Mars observes him slicing the skin, coring it, remove the crown and slices it then add salt,chili and garlic powder. Then he puts it in the air fryer. Mars looked to curious.
"Here..." said Ares as Mars opens his mouth, then Ares gives it to him slowly. They giggled. Mars goes back to grilling burgers and steaks as he looks at the pink twilight.
He smiled. He looks at some people on the beach nearby. It was the barmaids and some other people having a picnic. They wave at him. He waves back. Ares goes to him and hug him from the back. "Howdy pardner... Hey, The buns almost ready." The oven timer rings. "They are." replied Ares as he goes back to the kitchen.
Mene smiles looking at Ares.
"That's odd? You are usually emotionally distant towards people since then. I kind of like the new you. Just don't care too much okay?"asked Mene.
"I know. Eh. The first time I saw him, I kind of, feel like Selly is nearby...weirdly. I saw the sunflower, so might be a close friend, or her husband." replied Ares as he get the loaf of bread and Mars puts down the burger on the table.
Jesse looks at Mars. Jesse glances at Mene. Mene raises her pinkie and look at Mars. "Hey Mars! Let me introduce you to the port neighbors!" said Jesse as they go to the beach as they go outside. Mene sighs and goes to Ares.
"Okay, we are alone. Ares! Why did you sell your hard earned lands? The pasture, the Farmlands, this Cabin?" asked her. "It's for mom." replied Ares. "Look, I can save up for her operation. It's not your fault on what happened to her…, and what happened to dad, okay? At least, visit her, even just once. Mom was crying herself out." replied Mene.
"I can't. I'm sorry." replied Ares. "Promise me, okay? Mom lost Dad and Selly already, she don't want to lose you too. I will be going back later, okay?" said Mene as he hugs Ares.
"I'm thankful of having a baby bro like you, and you are happy with Mars. But. Mom needs you too. Bring Mars also." said Mene as she goes out and take a burger. "Bye-ie!" said Mene.
Mars and Jesse goes back.
Few shop owners goes inside with them. Mars was laughing.
Ares takes out his phone. Mars realizes it. "Hey! We did not exchange numbers yet!" said Mars. Ares and Mars goes next to each other and Mars calls on his phone.
Back in the Cabin
Ares was alone on the porch playing guitar. Seeing Mars from a distance going to him. Ares smiles and waves at him. Mars uses his phone as a message pop up saying "Hey there cowboy" Ares laughs as he replies, "Sup Bossman." Mars giggles as he sits close to him as Ares continues to play the guitar and rest his head on Mars' shoulder, while they look at the distant lights of the port town. "I like it here." Said Mars.