Chapter Text
Khun himself was the first person to get in the way of the two’s relationship. Khun considered himself a confident person, someone who knew what he wanted, but somehow with Bam all his resistance turned to jelly. Maybe it was his pure eyes, or sweet laugh, or kind smile, or....Khun could think of a million possibilities. He never felt this way for Maria, it was just simple curiosity that brought him to her, but Bam was different. Something in his chest pulled every time he talked to him.
Khun had never felt attracted to someone before. Sure, he had found some guys pretty, but not in the way he saw Bam. He felt empty without him, like a part of him had been torn away. Those 8 eight years apart were especially horrible. Every night he went to sleep, all he could think about was Bam and how he would get his revenge. When Bam came back, he hoped those sleepless nights would go away but they persisted. Different from his dreams of revenge, now they consisted of touching Bam in ways he wouldn’t in real life. It was painful, he could only have Bam in his dreams. He was touch starved and yearning to kiss him, but the past couldn’t be shook off that easily.
The idea that Bam could be taken away again, or worse, leave him was imbedded into his brain. No matter how irrational that notion was, it was something Khun didn’t want to take a chance on. Well, that was until he fell into a coma. Those few seconds before he froze his heart and lost consciousness, all he wished for was that he had confessed to Bam sooner. It hurt to think about dying, but to do it without at least telling Bam how he felt? That was worse. When he woke up, the thing he wanted most was to see Bam.
A few days later, he finally got to see him. And wow, he had grown up. What used to be a timid boy was now a confident young man. Hair tied up in a ponytail, casual way of speaking, and the air of confidence he gave off all surprised Khun, and reinforced his crush. However, much to his dismay, there was too much in the way to talk to Bam. The game in the cage, the coup, the Wall of Peaceful Coexistence, and then the assault on the Nest. Khun couldn’t share his feelings then, not when Bam was so preoccupied. It hurt, but knowing that Bam was safe and in reach made his chest a little lighter.
Finally when the battle at the Nest was over, Jinsung Ha saved, and they were a million miles from Jahad’s army, Khun felt safe enough to tell him. Though he hadn’t expected telling him in this environment. Shibisu and the others were always quick to party, but he hadn’t expected one of this scale. Even Bam, who didn’t drink often, was starting to slam back some cups. It was....annoying to say the least. Khun had resolved to telling Bam at a later date so he began drinking as well. He was a lightweight compared to the rest of the Khun family, but it still took him about 10 bottles to get drunk. When the world started to blur and shake a little, Bam came up close to him.
“Khun, can we....talk somewhere private?” His voice was gentle and his face was flushed red. Was he blushing? Or was it just trick of the eye? Either way, the idea of being alone with Bam, while drunk especially, was a bit hard to accept.
“Are you sure you don’t want to spend more time with your master? It’s been a long time since you’ve seen each other.” He couldn’t trust himself when he was drunk. What if he said the wrong thing? He didn’t want to ruin what they had, but if he never took the plunge he’d be stuck feeling empty forever.
“He said it was fine to talk to you, besides this is something I really wanted to do.” Bam sounded so sweet when he spoke. His gentle, yet confident voice sent a warm feeling inside Khun, even warmer than the Yeon flame. While it might have been more logical to refuse Bam, Khun didn’t want to. He agreed, and Bam took his hand, dragging him out of the party. Bam’s hands were smooth, unlike his own which had become calloused from using spears. He felt Bam’s thumb roll around in circles on Khun’s hand, which helped calm him down a little. Bam opened the door to a balcony and the cold air sobered Khun up a little. Bam leaned on the handrail and stared up at the fake night created by shinsu. Khun joined him, touching shoulders with the brown haired boy.
“It’s been a while since we’ve truly talked alone huh?” Bam laughed. Khun realized that that was true. It’s been a long time since it was just the two of them talking normally and not focusing on the impending war. He missed the late night talks the two of them used to share. How Bam could smile at anything Khun said, and how anything Bam said sounded like the sweetest melody.
“I missed you a lot during those two years. During my free time I always wondered if you were doing okay and-“ Khun placed his hand over Bam’s and leaned on him.
“Well, I’m here now. With you.” Despite how much he alcohol he drunk, Bam still smelled sweet to him. He felt Bam reach an arm around and pull him closer. His arms were comforting in a way Khun never experienced. If he could, Khun wanted to stay in Bam’s arms forever.
“Hey...Bam. Can I tell you something?” Khun’s voice was shaky. It was unlike him to be so nervous, and it seemed Bam caught onto it.
“You okay Khun? I’ll listen to anything you have to say.” Bam was too nice, too sweet for someone like him. He didn’t deserve to be with someone like him. For a second Khun thought about saying it was nothing, but he didn’t want to wait any longer. Bam gave him a soft squeeze on the shoulder, further boosting his resolve. “
Bam, I love you”
It was four simple words, but Khun felt like he’d been released from shackles. Bam’s face look surprised but then it turned into a gentle smile.
“Me too, I love you Khun.” Now it was his turn to be shocked. Khun couldn’t detect any dishonesty in Bam’s expression. Was it true? Was he dreaming? He wrapped his arms around Bam and pulled him into a tight embrace. Tears began to run down his cheeks and she nestled into his neck.
“Khun, are you crying?” Bam seemed worried. He felt Bam brush through his hair and pat his back. This was the happiest Khun had ever been, and here he was ruining it by crying.
“No. I’m not” he sniffled. Bam laughed and pulled Khun in closer. Bam’s warmth was overwhelming, but Khun just dug in further. He wanted time to stop and for the two of them to stay like this forever. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Khun pulled away and looked up at Bam’s face. His golden eyes were shining, prettier than any star could ever be. Then they both leaned into each other. Their lips brushed onto each other and then they deepened it. Bam ran his hands through Khun’s hair while Khun grasped on tightly to his shirt. Bam’s lips were sweet and left Khun wanting more. The two separated after a few seconds, but those seconds left Khun out of breath.
“Bam I....I want more.” It was probably selfish of Khun to think that but....he wanted Bam so badly. He wanted to let out all those years of pining.
“I want that too Khun but....aren’t we sharing a room with Rak?” Huh? Wait....were they? Khun’s brain froze for a moment. Aw shit, he forgot. That damn alligator.