Chapter Text
I was thrilled to spend the evening with my brother.
It was quiet but perfect, no fuss, just us. My mother was coming home the next day... I really love her.
But since P'Oat's wedding, she kept asking me how things were going on my side: why I had never introduced anyone, why I never talked about my relationships... I knew it was going to happen tomorrow, and I started to panic.
After an hour of anxiety, I called Tan.
I couldn't speak, so I just whispered,
“Come help me...”
He arrived in fifteen minutes, climbing through my window like we did in high school. He was panicked, almost like a little boy. He approached me and didn't even dare to touch me.
“My love, did you fall? Did you hit yourself? Can't you get up? Should I call an ambulance?”
It was stupid, but so far from my state of mind that I burst out laughing. Tan softened, visibly reassured by my reaction. I just whispered to him:
“Please... hold me.”
I felt him hesitate for a moment, then he pulled me close to him with infinite gentleness. Fifteen minutes may have passed... but for me, it was all I needed.
His warmth, his scent, his breath... everything surrounded me.
After a while, he loosened his grip slightly, looked at me with incredible tenderness, and ran his hand through my hair. We stayed there for a few minutes, looking at each other, until he broke the silence:
“My baby's panicking... do you want to talk about it or pretend nothing happened and go to bed?”
I smiled and, after thinking about it, said:
“I want your opinion. Because it's about you.”
“Whoa, Teerak... you're not dumping me, are you?”
I laughed. I could never dump Tan.
“Not at all... but first, Tan, can you get me some water downstairs, please?”
Without asking any questions, he kissed me on the forehead and went to get water. I lay down and waited for him... but it took far too long for water! Tan knows the house like the back of his hand.
I opened the door and, to my surprise, saw Phum talking to him. We chatted for a few moments, then Phum went back to bed and Tan and I returned to my room.
“I must have scared your brother. He wasn't expecting to see anyone... he must have thought I was a burglar.”
“Hahaha, poor Phum... I thought he was already asleep.”
Tan sat down on the bed and took my hands.
“So… what’s up? Missing your amazing boyfriend?”
“No.” I looked away. Tan’s eyes widened and he started to shout, “Teeeereak!”… but I stopped him by placing my hand over his mouth.
“Phum is sleeping. Don’t talk so loud.”
And you know Tan... he took my hand and kissed it.
I took a deep breath and blurted out:
“My mom's coming home tomorrow...”
He squeezed my hands, attentive as ever.
"I love my mom, you know that. But ever since my brother's wedding, she keeps asking me questions about my relationships. Tan... you know I love you more than anything, but I'm not ready to introduce you to my mother."
“I understand, my love... but why don't you want to talk about it?”
“Because she'll tell my father.”
There was a pause. I could see Tan searching for words without attacking me, just trying to understand.
“Would I be a problem for your father?”
I looked at him, feeling doubt creeping in. He moved away slightly, though still holding my hands. I sat on his lap and hugged him.
"My father is complicated... I love my parents, but my mother can't hide anything from him. If my father finds out about us, he'll want to know more, put you to a test... It's not that he's worried about me, but I'm one of the direct heirs. And I've never told them I'm dating a boy."
Tan looked surprised and concerned. He sighed, hugged me tightly, and looked down.
“Fang... I love you more than anything, you know that. I understand your limitations when it comes to your parents. You have the right to introduce me to them or not, I won't force you. But I fully intend to stay by your side. So if your mother becomes a problem, we'll deal with it together. For now, do as you wish. All you need to know is that I'm on your side. Always."
I looked at him and smiled. I hugged him tightly and whispered:
"Thank you for being so understanding, Tan. I'd rather keep things as they are. But know that the day I introduce you to my parents... if my father objects to you, I will be against him. Because you are the love of my life."
Red with embarrassment, I didn't even dare look at him anymore. His radiant smile warmed my heart. He kissed my neck, and I shifted to kiss him back. I didn't need anything else... I never wanted this moment to end.
Tan lifted me up and laid me down on the bed, before lying down next to me. He caressed me, held me tight, whispered words of love, and I could only return them. In this cocoon, I fell asleep as if in a dream.
The next morning, Tan was working in the garage. I felt bad for disturbing him when he had to get up early.
“Good morning, Teerak! I'm going to work. Call me whenever you want. Have a good day!”
With that, he kissed me on the cheek, stroked my hair, and left. With Tan, everything is different... I crave his touch. I don't want to be close to anyone but him. I fell back asleep, perhaps still dreaming of him.