Chapter Text
Ohm groans as he stirs from his slumber. You instinctively freeze with panic. (You couldn't resist staring at his scrunched up face, either. You're ready to bet that you look like a deer caught in headlights right now, who couldn't help but watch the speeding car as it hurtles down the road towards you, so to speak.)
Your freezing up might've hastened Ohm's return to wakefulness, because soon after your whole upper body stiffened his eyes flew open. He blinks rapidly and lets his eyes roam around the room. You watch with morbid fascination as his pupils widen, his expressive eyes showing you the exact moment when he registers just where he is right now.
It's almost adorable, how blown his eyes are with panic and embarrassment when he finally looks at you.
"Oh...P'Nanon. Good morning…?"
"Yeah, good morning," you mumble before averting your eyes. You subtly move the arm that his head is currently lying on - thankfully he gets the memo, because he immediately sits up with a curse under his breath. "I'm gonna go make breakfast. Unless you're going home now?"
"Uhh. Um. I would love to stay for breakfast, if possible…?"
"Okay," you answer flatly while sluggishly getting up and out of bed, stifling a yawn as you clumsily fit your feet into your house slippers. Somehow, your sleepy brain manages to pretend that you didn't just make out with (and ground your erection against) the young man on your bed right now. Probably best to act unbothered if he insists on staying. "Would fried rice and some crispy pork with egg be okay with you?"
"Yes, Phi. I'll eat anything you serve. Thank you."
"Do you want coffee or something else?"
"Um. Hot chocolate if you have some…?"
Hot chocolate, huh? He really is a youngster.
"Okay. You can sleep in while I cook."
"No, I want to help," he answers hastily while also scrambling to his feet. The action makes him flinch and you instinctively reach out with one hand as he sways, even if you know that the bed in between would keep you from actually catching him. "Well...if my hangover allows me to, that is."
"You should just rest in bed, Nong," you say firmly while walking over to where he is and putting both of your hands on his shoulders. "You drank waaaay too much last night. Seriously, I better not see you walking around till the food's ready."
Ohm flashes a pleased grin as you push him gently back down on the bed, tilting his head up to keep gazing fondly at you as he sits obediently on the mattress. "Oh...to be babied by you, Phi. Don't be mad if I'm enjoying it, na? "
You're sure that your cheeks redden against your will then. Goddamn it. Where the hell does this kid get all his charm? You let go as if burnt and step away. "You know what? I change my mind. You go out there and cook your own breakfast."
"I bet you won't actually make me," he retorts in a singsong, slightly smug voice and ugh, one should apparently not indulge this boy too much. Otherwise he becomes insufferable. "I legit want to help, though. I'll be fine. Let me na, Phi? "
"And if you get too dizzy and fall down, then what?"
"I really won't. Just give me some water and aspirin and I'll be as good as new."
"Ohm-"
" Naaaa? "
In the end, his puppy eyes win, and after popping down some hangover meds and getting hydrated he proceeds to help you in the kitchen, cutting up basil and garlic and beating the egg yolk for you, because apparently you both prefer scrambled eggs over sunny side up. He even makes coffee for you when he runs out of things to do, coaxing you into taking a sip while you're busy working your magic on the stove.
" Nong, you're the guest, you don't have to-"
"Sshhh. Drink your coffee, Phi. I put two teaspoons of sugar and creamer each as you requested."
"Ohm-"
"Just drink it for me, please?"
With a long-suffering sigh, you leave your spatula on the frying pan to take the steaming mug. You bring it up to your lips and blow for a few seconds before taking a careful sip.
"There we go!! Did I get the formula right?"
"...yeah."
"Whew. Okay. Now, my turn. Where's your hot choco?" Shamelessly, Ohm starts rummaging through your cupboard as if he owns the place, and what do you know - he actually manages to find the glass jar containing your cocoa powder. "Found ya. Don't mind if I help myself."
Eventually, you manage to finish cooking and serving breakfast. You sit across each other and the silence is slightly heavy as you both dig in, the quiet only punctuated by the clinking of cutlery and the sounds of your eating.
It is Ohm who breaks the silence.
"About last night, Phi -" he pauses awkwardly then clears his throat, seemingly to steel himself before continuing. "I want you to know that I'm not gonna apologize for any of it."
One, two, three seconds pass without a response from you. But could anybody blame you for being caught off guard? How do you even respond to that?
"I was...ah...a little inebriated. That's true. But I meant everything that I said and did. I was rash, but I was sincere. And call me presumptuous, but you kissed me back, so... you're attracted to me too, aren't you, Phi?" You hastily open your mouth to protest, but he plows on before you could interject.
"However - I do think that I spoke out of turn when I asked you to date me. Because why would you, right? You're Nanon Korapat Kirdpan. Our ambitious prodigy who will likely become Play Director or Artistic Director a few years from now. How dare I think you'd be so easy?" He chuckles self-deprecatingly. "You can ignore that part and count on me trying to be friends with you first, see if I get lucky that way."
It takes you a few moments to stop gaping and shut your mouth. But instead of replying you choose to resume eating, slowly, to buy yourself more time to chew on his statement.
"P'Nanon, do you hate me for what I did?" Ohm asks in a small voice, and that makes you look up and pause your chewing. This is your first time hearing him sound so uncertain. "Are you disgusted with me deep inside, but still feeding me breakfast and letting me stay because it's your duty as a good Phi?"
"No," you answer instantly. You've gotten so accustomed to Ohm sounding and acting like a ray of sunshine that you immediately hate the gloom that's taken over his face. "No, I don't hate you. I'm not disgusted by you either. Just...in shock and in disbelief over last night, that's all."
"Oh. The shock part, I understand. But disbelief? Why?"
You shoot him a pointed look. "Nong, you always seemed distant or uncomfortable around me. Even Chimon thinks you're intimidated by me or something. What happened last night was the last thing I ever expected."
His expression immediately sours at the mention of Chimon. You cringe when you remember what he thinks is "going on" between you two. "Oh. So I wasn't obvious at all? I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed."
"Have you been plotting this for a while now?" you ask. His expression immediately turns guilty. "Hey, not judging you or anything. Just curious."
"Well, I only planned on talking to you last night," he answers in a slightly defensive tone. "I didn't mean to get you to take me home and... you know. But the opportunity came up, so I took it."
"You moved really quickly too."
"Yeah. Still not sorry about kissing you."
"You're incorrigible."
Ohm winks. "Admit it, Phi. You enjoyed kissing me."
True, but you roll your eyes and refuse to indulge him anyway. "Why should I feed your ego, Nong?"
"Phiiii," he whines with a pout. "I already retracted the 'Date me' statement. The least you could do now is boost my confidence a little."
"You're probably used to getting worshipped by men and women alike, right? You don't need me for that."
"Uhh, not true. You're overestimating my appeal." Then Ohm gasps dramatically. "Wait. If you're overestimating my appeal, then that means...wow. So you actually think this highly of me. I need a moment."
"Flatter yourself if that's what makes you happy, then."
"No need to flatter myself, you already did that for me." Then he shoots you a wide smile that makes him look, for lack of a better term, whipped as all hell. You brush it off mentally, even as you feel your face redden. "Also: to me, your opinion matters the most, so even if what you said were true - which it isn't by the way - I'd still need your validation." He leans forward. "You liked kissing me, didn't you? It sure felt like you did. No use in denying it, Phi."
You turn back to your food with renewed gusto and stuff your mouth full instead of answering him. He chuckles and shakes his head. "Okay, understandable. How dare I think you'd be easy, right?"
"Damn straight," you mutter under your breath.
"Watch me break your walls down and win you over, though. Just you wait."
Once you're both done eating, and after a little argument over washing the dishes ("I know I'm a guest, but I hate being useless. Please let me wash the dishes, Phi. " "I'm not so shameless that I'd let you wash the dishes, come on." "I knowwww. But consider this as a favor to your Nong who can't stand being coddled." "... you're not going to let this go, are you?" "Never." "God, fine. "), post-breakfast cleanup ends and it's finally time to see Ohm out.
He looks reluctant to leave, but of course he has to. Things are already awkward as it is.
"Promise that you won't avoid me during rehearsals?" Ohm turns around and pleads right after you walk him to the front door. He's dressed in one of the largest shirts that you own and in one of your comfiest jogging pants, the paper bag containing his clothes from last night clutched in his right hand. "And that you'll talk to me if I talk to you? I don't get embarrassed easily, but if I come up to you and get ignored in full sight of everybody...I might cry. I'm serious, Phi."
"I won't ignore you, I promise," you mumble, and Ohm responds to that with a bright grin. "Anyway, you'll still have to return my clothes. Obviously I'd have to talk to you for that."
"And even after that, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'll be going, then."
"Take care."
"Can I kiss you again?" Ohm asks breathlessly, and for a moment you're tempted to let him…
...but you're not easy, are you?
So instead of being weak, you roll your eyes at him and turn him around by the shoulders, pushing him forward and even opening the door for him. "Bye, Ohm."
Ohm turns around again and shoots you a kicked-puppy sort of look. Nope, it's not making you rethink your decision. Not at all. "Okay, fine. No more kisses. See ya, Phi. "
He exits your apartment, then pivots around one last time to grin and wave enthusiastically before turning back to the main road and focusing on hailing a cab.
You shut the door and immediately lean back against it, holding a hand up to your heart and willing it to slow down because it has no business getting this worked up over a smile, goddamnit.
What a weekend.
You call Chimon immediately after sending Ohm off. He's going to tease you to death, yes, but you have no one else to turn to, and you need advice.
Stat.
Your anxious energy causes you to speak as soon as Chimon picks up, not even allowing your friend to get a word in edgewise. "Hello? Mon? Oh god. You wouldn't believe what I'm about to tell you."
"What. Good morning to you too, I guess?" Chimon greets sarcastically, but underneath that tone of someone who's obviously rolling their eyes while speaking, you hear his concern anyway. "What have you gotten yourself into? I'm actually nervous, Non. Getting oneself into weird shit is typically my style, not yours."
"Right? I'm still in shock, myself." You take a deep breath and exhale slowly, the static your dramatic whoosh of air is creating probably annoying Chimon, but you complete your breathing ritual anyway. "So...listen. Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee apparently has a secret crush on me, and last night he got me to take his drunk ass home, and he-" You almost choke on air as you verbalize it. Disbelief over last night being actually real kicks in again - wasn't it just surreal? "He kissed me, I let him, we slept together on my bed and I woke up to us cuddling, holy shit. Mon, what the fuck?"
Silence. You feel flustered at the lack of reaction.
"Being clingy or touchy with someone I'm not close to is not my style, you know that. I guess I drank too much, because otherwise I wouldn't have let him get this close. Should I count this as harassment? Was it harassment? Oh shit."
More silence. You start feeling disturbed at how quiet Chimon is being. Where's the teasing that you expected and so valiantly prepared for? "...Mon? You can hear me, right? Did my audio cut out?"
"No," Chimon replies, and the unexpected blankness in his tone unsettles you. "But say that again. Ohm likes you, kissed you, and you guys slept together?"
" Literally slept together," you correct hastily. "Not...you know. We both woke up with clothes on so I'm sure."
"He initiated it all?"
"He did, yeah."
"Did you resist?"
"I--" That gives you pause. A torturously clear memory of you chasing after Ohm's lips as he pulls away, after he caught you unawares and kissed you for the first time flits through your mind, and goddamnit -
You wanted it too, didn't you?
"I... honestly? I didn't."
"Because he was pressuring you, or…?"
Was there pressure? Oh, hell yes. But was it the pressure that made you give in?
Not necessarily, you conclude with resignation. Unsolicited heat flows through you as you remember the taste of his plump lips and the feeling of his hard cock against yours and shit, you shouldn't think about that. Not while you're on the phone with your best friend.
"No, Chimon," you whisper shakily as the weight of what happened last night crashes on you more fully. "I actually liked it. All of it."
For the first time since you've known Chimon, the vibe between the two of you grows solemn. Your gut, which had already been filled with anxiety (and butterflies, cheesy as that may sound), roils even more with dread. Why is Chimon being so deathly silent? Why does it feel like you did something wrong?
"Huh," Chimon answers simply in that chillingly blank tone. "Interesting."
"Isn't it?" you ask desperately, silently willing Chimon to keep talking, anything to save you from the frenzied headspace that you are suddenly in. Fragments of what Ohm said last night run through your head, and it's all you can do not to bonk your head against the nearest wall from how much you want those thoughts out of your head.
You mean, you don't realize it?
But I've seen the way they look at you, Phi.
Oh my god. So you didn't know. I don't know how you don't, but...just...wow.
He can't be right about Chimon, you tell yourself firmly, nevermind how compelled you feel to verify Ohm's statements. It's not possible. I'm overthinking this.
"Chimon," you try again, almost pleadingly. "Say something. Where's your smartass mouth? You're scaring me here."
"Congratulations, I guess?" Chimon indulges you, but his tone is so off that you almost wish he hadn't said anything at all. "I'm a little surprised, though. All this talk about not being interested in romance and not letting anything distract you...but, well. Nong Ohm is hot, after all. I kind of get why you ate your own words in the end."
"Are you mad at me, Chi?" you finally dare to ask. A few beats of icy quiet, then Chimon chuckles. It sounds forced and wrong and panic builds up in your throat again.
"Huh? Why would I be mad at you? I should thank you for adding to my list of ships for the betting pool...oh, wait. I should probably keep this a secret. Unless you guys don't mind it not being private."
"Do not spread rumors about me and Ohm, I swear to god, if you do--"
"Fine, fine."
"Anyway. Wanna hang out today?" you ask abruptly, with forced cheer of your own. Maybe bribing him with quality time would soothe the tension, wherever the hell that's coming from. "Lunch outside? Movie binge at my place?"
"Wouldn't you rather spend today making out with Ohm or something?"
" Chimon! "
" Ahem. Dating him, I mean. Sorry for implying that you're not wholesome."
"I already sent him home. Too awkward."
"So you're gonna use me as a distraction."
"Why are you being passive aggressive?" you grumble. "You're making me feel like I should apologize, but I don't know for what."
Chimon just makes a tutting sound. "What's making you think that? And why should you apologize? You just got a rude awakening about how desirable you are and I'm shook at how it happened, that's all. I should be congratulating you - and I already did, by the way."
He's obviously glossing over... whatever the hell this weird air between you is. You want to confront him about it, but knowing your best friend's stubborn streak? You're unlikely to get anything out of him if he doesn't want you to.
"Well, anyway. Hang out later?” you insist instead.
"Yes, yes, as if I can say no to your needy ass. Takeout and Netflix binge starting at noon?"
"Let's do it. What food and genre do you want?"
"Chicken curry, please. And as for the genre..." Somehow, you hear how he smirks mischievously over the line. "I'm in the mood for movies about secret admirers loving the main character from afar. Aren't you?"
As a matter of fact, you are, and you ignore the niggling feeling that Chimon chose that genre for himself, and not just to tease you.
Ohm can't be right. He just can't.
Chimon arrives at your apartment fashionably late, despite being the one who suggested meeting at noon. (Not that that's anything new. The day Chimon arrives on time when you're scheduled to meet is the day hell freezes over.) "Good afternoon, pet," he greets haughtily as soon as you open the door. "Is my lunch ready? Is your living room in home theater mode now? It better be."
You roll your eyes and turn your back as soon as Chimon has crossed the threshold, not even bothering to help him with the duffel bag that's clutched in his hand.
But wait. Why does he have a duffel bag? You stop walking and turn around to stare. Chimon's expression remains unbothered as he closes the front door behind him. You almost forget his odd behavior from earlier.
"We're having a sleepover?" you ask in mild surprise. Not that you mind it - it just catches you off guard, because that wasn't part of the conversation earlier.
"Sorry I'm not Ohm, but yes, we're having a sleepover," Chimon deadpans. He makes a beeline for your room, presumably to unpack his stuff and make himself at home. You huff.
"Can't wait for me to spill the tea, huh?"
"Of course. I love my tea when it's still boiling hot," he calls from over his shoulder while taking out his toiletries. Then he exits your bedroom to go to the bathroom, obviously to mix his stuff in with yours. "Don't you for a second think that I'm letting you off the hook. I want to hear everything. "
After much ado, you and Chimon finally sit down at the dining table for lunch, the scene giving you a slight sense of déjà vu... except this time, your companion is sitting beside you instead of on the other side of the table. Your elbows bump occasionally as you both dig into your favorite restaurant's signature curry.
After several moments of wolfing down your food, with barely a word exchanged in between, and after taking deep, hearty gulps of water, Chimon puts his glass back down on the table with more force than necessary. You jolt at the loud sound that that causes."So. Korapat Kirdpan. Tell me - how in the world did we go from speculating about Ohm and Tu to you getting the rookie heartthrob in your bed?"
To your dismay, you splutter reflexively at that statement. "You're making it sound like we got hot and heavy and did the deed or something."
"I mean, you were probably just inches away from actually doing that. Let me guess - your prude ass cockblocked the both of you, didn't it?"
You roll your eyes and try not to further show how flustered you are. "What, would you be happier if we had a romp in the sack after all?"
"That would make for a more interesting story, actually."
"Fair enough."
"Now stop delaying and start spilling, or so help me."
And so you tell Chimon everything. When you reach the end of your retelling, your best friend merely gazes at you with sharp eyes, looking like he's contemplating something. You shift uncomfortably in your chair.
"The hell you looking at me like that for?"
"I've always thought that you were aro-ace, did you know that?" he answers casually. (He's never told you that before, but you're not surprised.) "Just imagine my shock right now. In our 10 plus years of friendship, this is my first time seeing you flustered and affected by somebody. Ohm is really something."
"Honestly?" you reply ruefully. "I thought I was too. If you're shocked, just imagine how I'm feeling right now."
"So what are you gonna do next?" Chimon asks. His tone is suddenly low and quiet and you feel dread at his odd vibe again. "Are you gonna make him work for it? Or - maybe you can't help yourself anymore, carpe fucking diem and just go for it, right?
"Mon, you speak as if Ohm's being legit right now," you retort with a roll of your eyes. "For all we know, he might be the type who gets infatuated easily, and loses interest fast. Or maybe he's a fuckboy who just likes the thrill of the chase. Maybe I'm the next target because I'm... I don't know… challenging."
Chimon snorts. "Good. Glad I didn't have to lecture you on being careful and not trusting too easily." Then that shrewd look crops up in his eyes again. "You like him, though. I'm worried that you'd be all talk right now, but fall right into his arms anyway. Just like you did last night."
"Ugh, don't remind me," you grumble. "I hate how last night played out, to be honest. I felt so out of my depth."
"You haven't answered my question yet, though. What are you going to do now?" he insists. "Assuming that he continues to pursue you. I guess I don't know him well enough to predict how he's going to behave, but still."
"I'll shake him off. Treat him like normal. I'm sure he'd get tired of me in no time."
"Or he might not. Maybe you playing hard to get fires him up more. Challenges him to keep going."
"I think as long as I stay sober, I'll be fine."
"Ah. You're right. It was probably the alcohol, wasn't it?" Then Chimon leans closer, eyes squinted. "That's still not a relief, though. When you're inebriated, you're at your most honest. What does that say about you?"
You feel your face flush from that statement. You're reminded again of how much you enjoyed Ohm's touch and his kiss and his attention and-- how do you even defend yourself here?
So you sigh and decide to come clean. "Okay. You got me. I don't think I can be completely immune to this kid. Might need some help."
"Some help, huh?" Chimon answers with glee suddenly sparkling in his eyes. "What kind of help?"
"I guess just a constant reminder not to play into Ohm's hands."
"Oh," he says in a very pleased voice. "No problem. I got you."
To your dismay, Chimon continues to be weird even during your movie binge session.
Because he cuddles up and clings to you, as if the choice of cheesy romantic movies (which aren't even his thing) wasn't suspicious enough.
"What the fuck has gotten into you, Mon? Why are you being such a koala today?" you ask while half-heartedly attempting to get him to unlatch. He currently has his hands wrapped snugly around your right arm and his head resting against your shoulder.
He just rubs his head against you and snuggles even closer in response.
"Don't be unfair, Non. You slept with a near-stranger but won't even accept cuddles from your best friend?" he asks in a mock hurt tone. "The audacity."
"Huh. You've never been the jealous type, why now?" You stop trying to shake him off and try to refocus on the movie, but his warmth is distracting. Chimon laughs.
"Because I never had to be until now, that's why."
It's difficult, but you choose to let that slide and force yourself to keep your gaze on the TV screen instead.
Much later, after dinner and hours of conversation about the movies and how to interpret them into a theatre play (more for something to argue about than because you actually want to), both your eyes start to droop, so you suggest moving to the bedroom so you can safely pass out even while mid-discussion.
"Sorry I'm not Ohm, it's not our hot rookie whom you'll be cuddling with tonight," Chimon teases before heading to the bathroom with his night clothes. You throw a pillow at him and he cackles when it misses.
"Shut up, Chi."
Then, when you've both completed your nightly rituals and the lights are finally out, you lie on your usual side of the bed, arms stretched upwards and hands pillowed underneath your head, closing your eyes...then suddenly, you feel Chimon edging closer to you.
Your eyes fly open when you feel him resting his head on your left arm, placing his hand on your stomach, and throwing one of his legs over your thighs. You turn to him and splutter.
"Mon, what the fuck--"
"I'm feeling cuddly tonight," Chimon says drowsily, all nonchalant as if it's common for him to do things like this. He keeps his eyes closed and his expression is more unbothered than you think it ought to be. "I already apologized for not being Ohm. Deal with it."
"Uh, that's not it. You're not typically so clingy, are you okay??"
"Good night."
"Chimon, answer me."
"Love you, go to sleep."
You open your mouth to retort, but your words catch in your throat when you feel him breathing in, deeply like he's trying to inhale your scent, and after exhaling contentedly he snuggles closer and buries his nose into your neck.
He doesn't say anything further, and you listen to his breathing and turn the day's events over and over in your head for what feels like hours before finally falling asleep.
The morning after is almost as awkward for you as it was when it was Ohm in your arms yesterday, but the stark difference lies in how unflappable Chimon acts from the moment he opens his eyes. Whereas Ohm was uncertain and panicked, Chimon acts like you wake up together in bed daily, whining about getting up at first and tightening his hold and even daring to press a wet, sloppy smooch against your neck (he disregards your yelp of horror, of course) before getting up to go to the kitchen and presumably make breakfast.
After spending a few more minutes staring up at the ceiling in shock, you finally manage to collect yourself and rise, swinging your legs off the bed and dazedly making a beeline for the bathroom.
After completing your morning rituals, you trudge towards the kitchen where Chimon is cutting up green onions. A tray of eggs, two bowls with red chilis and cloves of garlic each, and a bottle of fish sauce stand in a neat line on the countertop. You draw closer with squinted eyes, trying to figure out what exactly he's cooking.
"I'm making kai jeow, in case you were wondering," Chimon answers absentmindedly. "Do you want chili fried rice or just plain rice?"
"Uh, chili fried rice sounds good," you mumble. Chimon nods approvingly.
"Great. Me too. Help me prep for that?"
You immediately get started on the rice, and once it's sitting in the rice cooker you join Chimon in fussing around to prepare the necessary ingredients.
Later, after tucking into breakfast, you hesitantly turn towards Chimon.
"Mon, aren't we going to talk about your odd behavior this weekend?" you ask cautiously. You feel dread in the pit of your stomach at the thought of potentially opening Pandora's box, but you can't help it anymore. The need to know is gnawing away at you. "You weren't 100% yourself. Does this have anything to do with...you know?"
"Of course it does," Chimon replies quickly and casually, as if his words didn't have a deeper implication. "It has everything to do with that, actually."
"Elaborate."
He finally looks back at you, one eyebrow raised and a coy grin on his lips. "If you have to ask, then you don't deserve an easy answer. Figure it out yourself."
"Mon," you grumble. It's all you can do not to stomp your feet from how frustrated you are. "What are you playing at? Stop it."
Instead of answering, he draws closer while keeping his eyes on yours. You tamp down the urge to flinch away.
"Figure it out yourself," he whispers unhelpfully. His smirk stretches wider, and he draws back to escape to the sink with his plate before you could recover and bonk him on the head for being so goddamn cryptic.
"Hello to another morning wherein I hate you," you grumble again while standing up and beginning to clear the table. "Fine, be like that. See if I cover for your late ass during rehearsals this week."
"You will anyway, you love me too much," Chimon counters in a smug, singsong voice. You finally bop him over the head after depositing the dirty dishes in the sink, and he laughs instead of reacting to the pain.
After much ado, Chimon finally decides to end the sleepover and go home for the day.
"Thanks, Non," he says simply before wrapping you up in a tight hug. You return the gesture, embracing him just as tightly and even swaying him from side to side before letting go. He continues to grin brightly up at you as you step back.
"See you at rehearsals."
"See you," you shoot back with a warm smile of your own, waving before he turns and opens the door. He then lets himself out and turns once to wave again before hailing a cab.
You are reminded of Ohm's departure yesterday, except this time your heart no longer beats like it wants to leap out of your chest. Instead, all you feel is a calm sort of fondness. There's a little confusion and worry mixed in, yes, but you decide to wave it away.
(If Chimon doesn't want to talk about it, then why say it out loud and break this delicate balance between you two? As if walking on eggshells around Ohm isn't already challenging enough.)
Unfortunately (or fortunately, your traitorous brain dares think), Ohm happens to be one of the main characters in your new play - a chronic gambler who, due to his debts, is sold by loan sharks into slavery to a family of supernatural origin.
And it so happens that Ohm's character is sold to your fictional family, with your characters having an odd sort of master-servant dynamic. Or predator-prey, because said species feeds off of human emotions. It was borderline queerbait.
"Really?" you mutter resentfully to yourself while thumbing through the script, you and Chimon (who was miraculously punctual today) sitting cross-legged in a corner while waiting for the whole cast to arrive. "Why did I sign up for this role again?"
"Because it's morally gray?" Chimon answers despite knowing that it was rhetorical. You huff.
"You know what I mean."
He snickers. "I do. I was just trying not to bring him up. But if you want to think about him and feel even more awkward, be my guest."
"I can't really complain, though," you muse. "The script is so chef's kiss. The fact that my character likes having these… near-scandalous conversations to make his prey's emotions more flavorful? And all that emotional trauma he makes Ohm's character relive just for his own fun?" You shake your head, a pleased smile unfurling on your lips. "It's outrageous. I can't wait to watch the audience hate me."
"Look at you sounding like a sadomasochist," Chimon coos. You snort in response. "But I get what you mean. I love that I get to act as the seller - he's a sociopath hiding behind a customer service smile, basically. Imagine enjoying keeping humans caged while they wait to be sold to their deaths. Or close to it. I feel so challenged right now."
The two of you continue to read the script and run lines, until you feel another presence approach. You look up and see Ohm walking slowly towards you, as if afraid that you would spook if he makes any sudden movements.
"Hi P'Nanon, P'Chimon. May I sit with you?" he asks politely, waving his script in the air. Your eyes flicker down to the familiar paper bag in his free hand. "I was hoping to run some lines since we have scenes together. If that's alright."
You turn to Chimon and notice his slightly cold expression. Nevertheless, your best friend nods. "Sure, Nong. We've been running lines too, you might as well join."
Ohm seems to sigh in relief before sitting down, noticeably choosing the spot closer to you and subtly placing the paper bag within your reach. He probably meant to give that back without Chimon noticing - which is honestly impossible now, given how Chimon now knows pretty much everything.
"Which part of the script are you running lines for?" Ohm asks. You turn your script towards him and point to where you and Chimon stopped, just before he arrived.
"The part where I and my family visit the seller's - Chimon's - shop to look at the 'merchandise'," you answer, making air quotes with one hand. Ohm's eyes sparkle at that.
"Well, excellent. That's where our first interaction is, right?"
"Yeah."
"Ours too," Chimon butts in, checking his nails nonchalantly, but the frosty aura suddenly surrounding him is unmistakable. "You've got excellent timing."
It takes Ohm a few seconds to react. He's obviously uncomfortable around Chimon and you almost want to smack your friend for being so prickly.
"I'm glad!" he finally manages to chirp after a few seconds, nevermind that his cheer is a little forced. "Shall we, then?"
And so the three of you rehearse that scene, until P'Gun finally moves to the center of the stage and claps his hands, motioning for everybody to come closer. "Okay, crew. I see that everybody's present. Come here so we can get started."
Rehearsal goes...well, as smoothly as one can expect the first rehearsal to go. Some stilted dialogue and unnatural acting here and there, but nothing too terrible.
You've been through worse, so all things considered you'd say that it was a pretty good first run.
"Milk, Non, great execution of the feeding scenes," P'Gun commends you as he pats you and your co-actor on the shoulder. "Loved the contrast of Milk's guilt against Nanon's lack of remorse. Just work on being less awkward with Nong Ohm then we should be golden." He turns to you with a strict expression. "Especially you, Non - you've done this before. Don't hold back just because he's young. Okay?" You both nod, your lips flattening into a thin line as P'Gun moves on to Chimon.
"Mon, excellent interpretation of your character. The way you spoke gave me goosebumps. Keep it up."
Then the director's eyes light up when he reaches Ohm. As with you and Milk, the smaller man tiptoes to pat the six-footer rookie on the shoulder, but with his commanding aura it doesn't look as amusing as it probably would've if done by a lesser man. "And you, Nong Ohm - I have no words. The anguish over being sold...over losing your life as you knew it...your panic at being consumed. Chef's kiss. Whatever's in your coffee, keep drinking it, kid."
"Wow. Thank you, P'Gun," he says shyly, one hand rising to rub his nape. "I appreciate it. Any points for improvement?"
Later, when rehearsal ends, you're not at all surprised when you notice Ohm approaching you.
Then you notice how his hopeful grin falters at the sight of Chimon's glower. You almost laugh out loud.
"Hey Nong," Chimon greets amiably, but years of knowing him tips you off on the hostility underneath. "What can we do for you?"
"Ah... nothing much. I was just-" Ohm clears his throat and shifts his weight uncomfortably. "I was just wondering if. Um. If P'Nanon is busy this evening."
"I'm not-" you begin, but Chimon beats you to it. "Actually," your best friend answers haughtily. "We are. We have somewhere to be after this. Why?"
The way Ohm's face falls reminds you of a kicked puppy. You also kick yourself mentally for thinking of it as cute. "Oh. Okay. I was just hoping to discuss the play. I want to improve our dynamics because I know it's a little awkward and...you know. Maybe some one-on-ones would help."
"Fair. Maybe next time? Just not today," Chimon asserts.
You feel absolutely torn between indulging the kid and letting Chimon "protect" you.
"Alrighty then," Ohm concedes sadly. He turns to you. "Phi, just let me know when you're free?"
"Yeah," you agree absentmindedly. Your junior's eyes sparkle with glee.
"'Kay. Looking forward to it then," he chirps, waving energetically before turning and walking away.
Chimon rounds on you the moment he's out of earshot. "What happened to not playing into the young fuckboy's hands??"
You splutter at Chimon's candor. "Oh shit. You really went there."
"Of course I did. It's the truth."
A part of you wants to defend him, but why should you? It's not like you know him. All you know is that he's charming and persistent, and not much else. Chimon might actually be onto something.
So you shut your mouth mid-retort and shrug instead. "It's not like I committed to anything."
Your (apparently overprotective) best friend rolls his eyes. "You didn't say no. You might as well have just said yes."
"It'll be fine."
"It won't. Oh god, I can't let you out of my sight now, can I?"
There it is again. His unnaturally possessive behavior that’s making your mind reel.
You'll really need to open Pandora’s box sooner or later, huh?