Chapter Text
Yei wouldn’t be exaggerating if he said he was addicted to Cher.
He craved for him, day and night… like he was under a spell to think about Cher 24x7. His voice, his lips, his touch, his entire being. Their fingers intertwined effortlessly, a silent language spoken only by their skin. It would drive him insane to be in the same room, in front of people, and not acknowledge him
Because the world outside their stolen moments was a minefield.
All thanks to Earth blabbering about his date in the gym, It was getting increasingly hard to dodge the questions about his rumored ‘faen’ [Thai word for romantic partner; genderless] who everyone automatically assumed to be a woman. Whenever someone mentioned this, Yei could feel Cher's gaze on him. His only response was a helpless look, a silent plea for understanding him still trying how not to go under the weight of societal expectations. And Cher did understand, always replying with a smile.
There were times he envied Cher's freedom, his ability to walk tall and express himself openly. Everyone knew Cher, respected him for who he was. There were no layers to peel back, no secrets to hide. He could see how different his upbringing might have been from his own. He could see it in his friends, Ice and Lita and so many others. Cher had an entire community ready to stand up for him under any circumstance. Sadly, he couldn’t say the same about himself.
He grew up in a world where masculinity was a rigid code, with a father who boasted being a dominating man. He was brought up in an environment where being ‘manly’ was the only way to get respect. He vividly recalled the sour glances his father would cast at couples holding hands in public, the disgust on his face whenever he saw protests advocating for equal rights.
So he did what he thought he had to do; hid himself under layers and layers of denial and silence. His desires; the very essence of who he was, were only fulfilled under the guise of nights, at places he wasn’t known. Faces blurred in the haze of alcohol, forgotten names, every moment a desperate attempt to fill the void within him. But with every sunrise, the emptiness returned, heavier and more profound than before.
—/—/—
Lazy days with him tucked under Cher’s embrace were now Yei’s favorite way to wake up. Yei nestled deeper into the comfortable embrace, relishing the feeling of Cher's arm possessively draped across his back.
Cher had a habit to coil into him while asleep, cradling Yei’s head in his arms and tucking him under his chin. All these months of him training to box might not be seen in his slender figure, but his strength had increased enough for him to pin down Yei as he wished. Yei wasn’t used to being treated like this, to be on the receiving end of dominion, to be addressed as "cute,” and the constant physical affection being showered on him by Cher.
This was, of course, something he never complained about.
"Cher," Yei murmured, his voice husky with sleep, "duty calls." He glanced up at Cher, a playful smile tugging at his lips. They were both sprawled across the bed in Cher’s bedroom, the only barrier between them the thin covers, "I can't exactly pick up Yak from school while you hold me hostage in bed all day."
“Hmm… five more minutes.” Cher grumbled, tightening his hold on Yei.
He chuckled, hoisting himself on his elbows as he witnessed his boyfriend’s stubbornness, “as much as I would love to stay here, I really do have to go.”
Cher pouted, his stubbornness momentarily overriding his sleepiness. "Fine," he grumbled, turning his back to Yei with a dramatic sigh.
Yei leaned forward and pressed a kiss on Cher's back, his lips trailing up his neck and shoulder. "Okay," he mumbled against Cher's skin, the word laced with a playful promise, “five more minutes.” saying so, he held his frame, settling down beside him as Cher giggled.
"Cher," Yei says after a while, his voice low and hesitant, "If… you’re okay with it, I was thinking about telling Yak about us."
Cher turned to face him, his eyes searching Yei's. A gentle hand reached out to caress Yei's cheek, tilting his face, "Are you sure?" He asked, his voice laced with a concern that warmed Yei's heart.
"I am," Yei replied, his gaze unwavering. "I think it's time people knew the truth about me. I've hidden myself away for far too long. I don't want to live like this anymore." He offered Cher a lopsided grin.
"There's another reason," Yei continued, a teasing glint returning to his eyes. "I can't stand to be in the same room with you and not hold your hand, or kiss you, or..." He trailed off playfully, nipping at the skin behind Cher's ear.
Cher, swatted at him with a playful groan, and with a mischievous grin, he pulled the covers over both of them.
—/—/—
Few Days Later
Earlier that day Yak had barged into the office at the gym and loudly announced that he will be preparing today’s dinner, and if anyone refused he would feed them against their will. Watching the bewildered faces of Yei and Cher staring back at him, he left with a smirk on his face.
It has been almost a year since their mother passed, and Yei had to witness his younger brother go mute for days, when he was the one in his family who could never stop talking. He had tried his best to do whatever he can to bring him back from the darkness that had latched onto him.
The first time he saw Yak laugh out loud was when he was making posters with Cher, he became Yak’s friend… the person who not only brought him back to light, but somehow made him shine brighter.
Like right now… Yak stood on the kitchen doorway watching Yei singing off key to the radio, swaying slightly as he cooked dinner.
Yei cleared his throat as he entered the kitchen, “ahem.”
“Yep.” Yak says, his entire focus on the vegetables being fried on the stove.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” he says, standing straight.
“You have been saying that for days Phi,” Yak looks at him turning the stove off, “what is it.”
“Well,” Yei was suddenly very aware of Yak’s eyes boring into his, almost like he was staring at his soul. Yei took a deep breath, and blurted out, “I wanted you to meet my faen.”
“Oh!” Yak’s eyes lit up, “really Phi!” He smiled wide.
“Yeah.” Yei laughed nervously.
“You know what?” Yak came up to him, “I was planning on making egg curry tonight, let’s invite your faen to dinner!” he rushed to the living room to pick up his shirt, “I think we will be short on eggs… I’m going to the store okay!”
“About that.” Yei sighed, already puzzled at how excited Yak seemed at the idea of meeting his faen, “My faen… it’s Cher. Cher is my faen.”
Yak stopped in his tracks, turning to him, his face devoid of any emotion. He tilted his head as he looked at his brother.
Yei’s heart raced, thinking about the possibility of his brother hating him forever, “we have been dating for a while now.” he breathed out.
“Oh,” Yak nodded, looking at him, “okay, cool.” he nodded.
“Cool?” Yei asked, bewildered at how calm Yak looked.
“Yeah, I mean it’s great that you’re dating Cher, he kind of seems out of your league but, he’s really cool.” he says, rushing off to the main door of their house.
“Wait!” Yei called for him, “you’re not mad that I’m dating a man?”
Yak turned to look at him, “Would you be mad if I was dating a boy?” he asked Yei without missing a beat.
“No. Never.” Yei answered without hesitation.
“So why would I be mad?” Yak smiled, a genuine, happy smile.
And in that moment, Yei didn’t see the 19 year old boy standing in front of him, he was looking at the 5 year old kid standing between him and their father to save him from a beating; fearless of the bamboo stick in his hands.
It was at that moment it hit him; he was foolish to think Yak would ever resent him for his sexuality. He was his brother, he was his whole world. He saw how earnestly Yak looked at him, like he could do no wrong. Tears welled in his eyes as he made a sudden effort to hide them from him, “okay, okay, just… go wherever you were going then.”
“I was rushing to get more eggs dammit, you could have told me it was Cher.” he laughed, tapping Yei’s shoulder as he hastily wiped away his tears.
“Also, no offense, but I kind of knew.” he shouts, entering the kitchen.
That was enough to send Yei into a spiral, “What!”
“Everyone has seen you both sending heart eyes at each other right in the middle of the gym, I don’t know who you were fooling.” Yak laughed as Yei turned red with embarrassment.
—/—/—
Present Day
The night of their wedding was still young, the moonlight beaming through the tent of their wedding reception. The elders had already retired to their rooms, but the youngsters were still at it on the dance floor.
Earth was in charge of the DJ and Taemrak was drunk shouting at him to play some old retro song while Ter held her back. Sasaki was having a dance off with Plako all while Blue recorded them on his phone. Mai and Golf were busy dancing with the other guests… when the techno dance beats changed to a slow romantic song.
For some reason, Yei’s eyes immediately searched for Yak, and he saw his brother in the arms of his lover.
Wandee held on to Yak’s waist as they swayed to the slow music, his eyes sparkling as he looked at his brother. Yak was a bit shy at first, but one look at his lover’s smile… he wrapped his arms around his shoulders and danced. His brother in love was a different sight to look at. It made him glad that he finally found his person, his light at the end of the tunnel.
Yei felt Cher resting his head on his shoulder, and he shifted his gaze to his boyfriend, no.
He laughed, realizing that Cher is his husband. He was looking at him, a faint blush on his cheeks from the constant flow of champagne.
He was among his friends and family, in the arms of his love.
Yei relished in the promise of a lifetime to spend beside Cher. A life filled with laughter, shared dreams, and a love that had weathered every storm.
As he held Cher closer, kissing his forehead, Yei knew with a certainty that life was indeed good.