Chapter Text
First year of high school.
Mark was still the short, chubby cousin of War — shy, awkward, and always hiding behind his senior’s shadow. He admired his P’War deeply: an athlete, smart, confident, and effortlessly charming. Mark wanted to be just like him, but no matter how much he trained, he could never catch up.
Living without a dad made things even harder. His mom was always busy, and he didn’t want to burden her with his insecurities. So he kept everything to himself.
During a family gathering one summer, P’War brought along his best friend — P’Beam. Mark had heard his name before, War’s doubles partner in tennis, one of the seniors everyone seemed to like. But this was the first time he saw him up close.
His first impression wasn’t exactly great. Beam was surrounded by people, loud, smiling, and too close with many girls for Mark’s liking. His outgoing personality made Mark uncomfortable. Maybe it was jealousy. Maybe it was the fact that Beam had everything he didn’t — charm, confidence, and attention.
After lunch, Mark slipped away from the noise and wandered down the beach alone, picking up clam shells by the shore. He found peace there — until a familiar voice startled him.
“What are you doing here, nong?”
Beam crouched beside him, knees drawn up, a curious smile on his face. Mark, startled, lost balance and fell on his butt.
“War’s looking for you,” Beam said, offering a hand. “He’s worried.”
Mark ignored the hand and stood on his own. Beam just chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Such an awkward kid,” he muttered — just loud enough for Mark to hear.
“You can go back and have your fun, phi. Please don’t mind this awkward kid,” Mark snapped quietly.
“Oh, you heard that?” Beam teased, but Mark just kept walking.
“Hey!” Beam called again. No response.
Then, suddenly — “Ah!” Mark hissed in pain. He looked down to see blood pooling around his right foot. A piece of glass must have been buried under the sand.
Beam rushed toward him. “That’s why I was calling you! This area’s dangerous, didn’t you see the warning sign?” His voice was sharp with worry.
Before Mark could reply, Beam crouched and gestured to his back. “Come on. I’ll carry you.”
“I… I can manage, phi. You don’t need to—”
“Damn. You really are like War,” Beam grumbled, sighing. “Stubborn as hell. Did he give birth to you or what?”
Before Mark could protest, Beam pulled him up and slung him over his back. Mark froze, feeling small and embarrassed, but Beam’s voice softened as he walked along the beach.
“Whatever it is you’re going through, don’t face it alone, okay? War’s really worried about you. I bet your mom is, too.”
Mark’s voice was small. “How… how do you know about that?”
Beam smiled slightly. “One look at that gloomy face, and I know. You’re making people worry.”
Mark tightened his hold on Beam’s shoulders.
“I saw you smiling earlier,” Beam added. “You look cute when you do.”
Beam meant it as brotherly comfort — but to Mark, those simple words meant the world. For the first time in a while, someone saw him.
After that day, Beam would tease him now and then, playfully calling him “nong chai” whenever they met. Those small gestures unknowingly helped Mark rebuild his confidence. But time passed, and life got busier. Beam and War were buried in studies and tennis tournaments, while Mark remained on the sidelines, watching his quiet crush from afar.
Five years later, Mark was no longer that shy, chubby boy. He’d grown into a confident young man, skilled in both business and fashion. So when his mother asked him to look for potential investors and partners, he already had one person in mind.
He knew Beam’s situation through War — and for Mark, it was the perfect chance to finally step closer to the man he’d admired for years.