CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118 TITANIC SHOW.

Xylander rushed in carrying a crate of popcorn, abruptly stopping whatever chaotic moment was happening at the dining table. He paused mid-step and blinked at the walking disasters sprawled before him—Daniel and his two loyal troublemakers.

Daniel was on the floor where the tea had spilled, slapping the butts of Draven and Alexander, who kept letting out sounds that—depending on interpretation—could either be cries of pain or very questionable moans. Xylander didn’t see it as discipline.

The heck??

Here he was thinking he was the childish one—but Alex had officially stolen the crown. Who, exactly, was the serious one here again?

"Have you all turned this place into a playground?" Xylander broke the embarrassment brawl with a snort, stopping Alex just in time from letting out another one of those dramatic, theatrical moans. Only Draven kept going, repeating the sound like some holy chant, until Alex finally slapped a hand over his mouth, giving Xylander an exhausted look.

"Thank God your fun side is back, Alexander McQueen. At least for now," Xylander teased with a wink. He didn’t bother asking how they ended up on the floor. Instead, he dropped the crate of popcorn like it was some treasure chest, then stood with arms akimbo.

"Movie night is today, people!" he announced cheerfully.

Daniel blinked cutely. Should he jump along with Xyle, who was already bouncing like a giddy frog? What was so special about movies again? Sure, he had seen a few interesting ones—Wednesday came to mind, though that was definitely overhyped. Most times, movies bored him.

"So exciting..." Daniel decided to play along, while Draven launched himself into Xylander’s arms. They jumped together like a pair of deranged frogs on sugar.

Alex, on the other hand, showed no emotion. He was still trying to gather whatever was left of his dignity, the same dignity Daniel had flung in the mud with that very public butt slap—right in front of Xylander.

Well, he supposed that was karma. Sweet, perfect revenge for all the times he’d terrorized Daniel.

Stone Man. Yes. That nickname was perfect for Alexander.

"So," Xylander said proudly, holding up a case like it was a prize. "I picked several movies I know you’ll love. First up—Titanic! A romance classic."

And just like that, the excitement on the boys’ faces died. Dramatically.

"Titanic? Are you for real?" Daniel stared. "That oldie where people freeze, drown, or both?"

Just picturing it sent a chill down his spine. Yes, it was dramatic. Tragic even. But seriously? This wasn’t the 90s. Could Xyle let it go—just like Frozen said?

Draven leaned over to check another box Xylander was holding and confirmed it—Titanic on a DVD.

The man was serious.

"Bro, this isn’t the 90s. You don’t know any other movies?" Draven scoffed. "Where’s the good stuff? The juicy stuff? BL dramas? A little queer romance wouldn’t kill anyone! These straight movies are ruining the vibe. This one’s old, dry, and tasteless!"

Daniel tilted his head. BL dramas? That existed? Considering the homophobia in some places, that was a pleasant surprise.

"Let’s just agree," Daniel sighed, placing a hand over Xylander’s, "that you, dear Xyle, should never—and I mean never—pick the movie again. Please. For our sanity. And the sake of tonight being a great night."

As the debate continued, Alex finally stepped forward and offered a solution.

"Well," he said, voice low and calm. "Let’s try Young Royals. Coming-of-age, coming out—it’s one of the best out there."

Daniel froze. Wait—he watched BL? He of all people? Sat through movies?

Shocking. More surprises.

"Young Royals is..." Draven began, clearly about to rave. The plan was sealed. It would be shown at 10 PM sharp.

With that settled, Xylander pushed the crate of popcorn forward with great pride.

Daniel just stared at it. The size. The sheer volume.

"All that popcorn... for tonight?" he asked, mildly horrified. His eye twitched.

Draven shrugged, smug. "The more the merrier. Gosh, imagine watching Titanic. Like girl—no. I was speechless." He laughed at his own sass.

Daniel smiled slightly, before remembering something important.

"My phone—help me with my device. I want to learn how to use it," Daniel requested, turning to Draven. But Alex immediately stepped in, blocking the view like a wall.

"No, no, no. We’re going for a swim at the spring. It’s a great spot—fresh breeze, cute animals. Perfect for clearing your head," Alex suggested, already grabbing Daniel’s hand.

Daniel snatched his hand back. "Before anything—like sightseeing—I need to eat. You two took away my morning food. So do something."

Then he suddenly remembered something.

"Oh! I ordered a pizza. Extra cheese," Draven announced proudly. "You can have it with some lemonade while I go change into my swimsuit. With this weather? Swimming is the vibe."

Just then, the speakers around the villa kicked on—and Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift began to play.

As Draven handed over the pizza, Alex watched Daniel tear into the box like it was a sacrificial offering to a deity. Draven, mid-change, caught sight of the carnage and winced.

"Poor thing..." Alex muttered under his breath, pitying the pizza’s fate.

But Daniel’s attention shifted the moment the song reached the chorus.

He froze.

"OMG... Taylor Swift?" he gasped. "You—YOU played Taylor Swift? You actually have Anti-Hero? I’ve missed this song so much!"

Newfound joy bloomed across his face.

Draven and Alex were stunned. Daniel liked music? Considering his strict upbringing, this was... unexpected.

He could cook—but rarely indulged. He loved reading—but didn’t talk about it. Now music—especially Taylor Swift? Wild.

"That’s surprising," Draven admitted. "With your past and the whole ’strict parenting’ thing, I couldn’t imagine you jamming to music."

Alex nodded, equally shocked.

But Daniel was already gone—figuratively. He jumped up and started swaying his hips to the rhythm.

"Yeah! Go queen!" he hyped himself, climbing up onto the dining table and shaking his ass with flair.

Alex’s eyes nearly popped out of his skull.

Draven’s jaw dropped so low, you could’ve parked a car in it.

Daniel’s moves were electric, wild, and completely unrecognizable. He looked nothing like the poised, elegant young man from before.

Xylander, walking back in after storing the popcorn, froze in the hallway. The music was blaring, the lights were bright—and there, right in front of him, was Daniel Morreti dancing like a man with zero fucks to give.

"Am I seeing right?? Dan... sweet hubby??" Xylander gasped.

But it was real. Daniel Morreti, the one and only, was on the table, body-rolling to Taylor Swift, as if this was his concert.

Finally, as the last verse dropped and the music faded out, Daniel struck a dramatic ending pose—then looked around.

Their jaws were still on the floor.

"What? You don’t have to be so shocked. I stunned myself too. I didn’t know I still had moves," Daniel said proudly, stepping down from the table like a true diva.

"Time for swimming!" Draven shouted, suddenly stripping his clothes and running out like he was being chased by wolves.

Daniel facepalmed.

"Not water again..." he muttered, but followed anyway, dragging Alexander along.

Just as they reached the spring, Draven leaped into the water with Olympic enthusiasm—splashing gallons of water onto Daniel and Alexander in the process.