Chapter Text
Pat will always be an advocate for Pran’s comfort and happiness and if that means talking to both their parents to make sure his boyfriend gets the apology he deserves then that’s exactly what he’ll do.
It starts when they arrive back from the zero waste village. Pran made them discuss all the possibilities of what they were going to do. The pros, the cons and other options they had. Pat had considered a fake break up again, like he had once before but Pran had once again immediately shut the idea down.
They were together now, had been for a good while, and Pran was tired of hiding. Pat was secretly worried that all his nagging about wanting to tell people back during the architecture play times was the reason Pran was doing this. However, his boyfriend had assured him that it wasn’t that, but the happiness he felt with Pat was bigger than his fear of their parents now.
(Apparently having a honeymoon in a zero waste village had turned his baby into mush and Pat is very outwardly pleased about that. Pran has threatened to leave him every time Pat brings it up but Pat knows he would never.)
So they head back after a week of hiding, Pran’s head resting tiredly on his shoulder again on the bus back, hands linked together tightly. The plan, tell their parents they will, in fact be staying a couple and they will just have to get used to it, because they aren’t breaking up any time soon. Pat is hoping a week of no contact has soften them up a bit, and that having their children back will be enough for them to accept their demands.
They stand either side of the pink painted line separating their properties, holding hands across it. Pran wanted them to go into their own houses and deal with their parents individually but Pat wasn’t going to let that happen. They were a couple and couples deal with issues together as a united front. So now they were choosing which house to start with.
“My pa is stubborn, but your mae is also the biggest victim in the beginning of the feud so is probably angrier that I’m going to be her son-in-law.” Pat says and the comment is supposed to be some light teasing to loosen Pran up. Pran just nods a little, not really listening but chewing at his lip anxiously. Pat watches as his boyfriend deliberates the choices they have.
“If we go to my mae first, it might calm her down a bit and maybe she’d be more open to it. Your father might relax a little if he thinks my mae is willing to listen.” Pran suggests, finally turning to look at Pat. Pat doesn’t care either way who they start with. Pat would happily book them another bus ticket, switch their courses to solely online and live in Uncle Tongs zero waste village for the rest of his life with Pran.
Deep down he knows that he wants to see his family again. In the darkest corners of his heart he wants to make his parents (especially his pa) proud with his achievements, but he also wants them to accept the love of his life. Pran is the only person for him, and probably always has been the only one. So Pat will come back and pretend that playing happy families is for his boyfriends sake, but they both know that Pat wants the same acceptance as Pran does.
“Let’s start with your parents then.” Pat decides, stepping over the line to Pran’s side and tugging his boyfriend towards the gate, ignoring the iron tight grip his stomach is in. When the gate begins to open Pran takes the lead and walks them up to the front door and quietly into the house. Pat can hear the television on in the main room and smell the leftover tang of a home cooked meal from the kitchen.
It’s odd being in a house with the exact layout as your own only mirrored but having never stepped through the front door before. Pat glances around a little bit as he follows with his boyfriend to the entrance of the main room. Pran’s mother and father are sitting on the couch pressed close together watching the television but their eyes both immediately snap to the figures in the doorway once they are in sight.
Pran’s hand tightens like a vice around his own when his parents just look at them for a second and relaxes a touch when they both shoot up from the couch and dart towards them with expressions of relief and happiness. Pat can see tears in his boyfriends eyes already as they greet him. What he doesn’t expect, but maybe he should have, was the tiniest flinch from Pran when his mother raises her hands to cup her sons face.
Pran had told him about the slap and at the time he had been completely livid, even if Pran had tried to brush it off, because Pat had gone through so much worse that evening in Pran’s eyes. Never the less, Pat had unforgivably forgotten about the incident, having not been there to witness it, while they were on their honeymoon.
Now he feels the slight jolt up their joined hands as Pran tilts his head back a touch before letting his mother touch his face and hug him tightly. Pat isn’t sure if Pran has even noticed that he did it, the look Pat sees in her eyes though means that Pran’s mae did.
Pat tucks it away for later because Pran’s dad is offering a firm handshake, like they are doing business but Pat understands that this is the nonverbal acceptance he’s getting from at least one parent.
“Pat’s my boyfriend and I love him. We are staying together, so I need you to accept that mae.” Pat hears the watery confession from Pran next to him and squeezes his hand. Pran is still in his mothers hold, both crying and Pat thinks he might cry as well when she nods.
Pat knows it won’t be this easy all the time. He knows there will be fights and arguments between their parents which they will try to push on them, but for now there is some form of acceptance and Pat won’t make waves.
———
Pran’s parents offer them dinner but they politely decline. They still have one other set of parents to talk to and then they are going back to Pran’s dorm to sleep. There is some hesitance where Pran’s mother looks like she wants to protest, to insist that Pran spend the night at home but Pran’s father placed a hand on hers and she lets them go.
Pat wipes the tear tracks from his boyfriends face gently as they stand outside Pat’s front gate and gets a bright smile in return. This is the reason they come back here, Pat wasn’t going to be the person to make him choose between his boyfriend and his parents. Pat’s glad that the adults in this situation hadn’t made Pran make that decision either, because Pat would let him go if it made his boyfriend happy, even if it broke his own heart in the process.
Pat leads the way, this time, into his house where they find his parents and his sister all sitting together. Pa jumped up from the couch and wrangles with both around the neck to hug them together and they both give her a one armed hug back, still holding hands.
Pat can see his mae standing to greet them as well but his father looks indifferent. Pat wants to be annoyed at him, wants to shout at him for being petty and weak but he ignored it and lets his mae take Pa’s place and squeeze him tightly in a hug.
His mae also takes their joined hands for a moment and pats them, smiling at Pran too, who smiles back slightly. “Look Pa the boys are back. Aren’t you going to say anything?” It’s a warning of Pat’s ever heard one, his mother doesn’t push but he knows the tone.
Pat watches his father stand and make his way over to Pran specifically and when he gets in arms length Pran takes a half step back, making his pa stop. Pat can see regret on his fathers face and Pat can feel his own sadness and anger showing on his own as he looks at his boyfriend covering up the reflex with a polite wai that takes Pat’s joined hand with it.
Pat wants to point at Pran and say to his father ‘look what you did, you shoved and hurt my boyfriend now he is scared of you’ but he doesn’t because it’s not the time. Pran wouldn’t appreciate it being brought up, he would continue to say it was nothing and that they can just brush past it.
Times like these Pat realises just how much Pran puts up with to make others comfortable and happy. Pat is going to make sure that he’s that person for Pran because he won’t let him be pushed around anymore, not on Pat’s watch.
“We’re back. We’re staying but we’re also staying together. What happened in high school between you and his mae isn’t our burden to carry. He’s my boyfriend and I want you to accept him because he’s unbelievably kind and selfless and he makes me happy. If you don’t like it then, I don’t know what to tell you because you can’t change my mind.” Pat says, firmly to his father.
Pa and his mae look expectantly at his pa who looks conflicted but takes another step forward to Pran. Pran hold his ground this time and it’s Pat who steps forward so he can stand in front of Pran this time if needed. Pat and his father have a staring contest until Pran tugs him back a step so they are shoulder to shoulder and Pran can look at his father.
“Your mother never told you the real reason for our feud, what did she tell you?” Ming asks and Pat looks confused at the question and Pran looks unsure of whatever he should answer.
“She mentioned a lot of things about you being a cheater and being disrespectful people but mostly it was because of business.” Pran answered softly, squeezing Pat’s hand tighter and Pat squeezes back. It’s hard to hear but Pat has also been hearing about how his neighbours were snobs and vengeful all his life, like two sides of the same coin.
“You believed this to be true, yes?” He asks and Pran hesitantly nods in reply, his eyes flickering briefly to Pat, who also has no idea where his pa is going with this. “You knew this, and you believed it to be truth because your mother told you it was. Just as I told Pat bad things about your family. Yet, Pa says you saved her from drowning without a second thought about what you had been told.”
Pat gasps and looks at Pa who looks teary eyed. Pat and Pa never spoke about the incident explicitly, both of them very grateful for Pran’s presence that day. Pran had never brought it up either, it was just a common incident that all parties knew of and accepted as good fortune and bravery.
“I did sir. Any decent person would have helped someone in danger.” Pran replies honestly. “I’m sure Pat would have done the same if it was me or my sibling if the tables had been turned. Your son is a very kind person, who always helps others when they need it, even if they don’t always deserve it.” Pran answers turning to Pat.
Pat is sure Pran is thinking of many different times that he has helped Pran when he doesn’t think he deserves it. Pat always thinks his boyfriend deserves help if he needs it, even before they got together. Pat smiles at him softly and Pran smiles back, and Pat almost forgets that his parents are still in their presence but his father speaks again, making their attention turn back to him.
“You helped my daughter and my son in dire situations. If it wasn’t for you I may no longer have a daughter, or my son could be in jail for a gun that wasn’t his.” Ming explains, holding his hand out to Pran. “I don’t think there is any better qualities to have, than knowing my sons boyfriend cares so much about him and his family.”
Pat can feel the tension in his shoulders drop, when Pran takes his pa’s hand and shakes it. He can also feel Pran’s grip loosen on his hand as well. They decline dinner for a second time, saying they would be heading back to their dorms for the night. His mae started putting left over food in two tubs for them anyway and Pa offered to drive them back to the dorms, which they accepted.
The drive back home was silent and much like on the bus, Pran rested his head against Pat’s shoulder, this time closing his eyes and nodding off. Pat didn’t say anything to Pa about the incident and Pa didn’t say anything to him about where they had been for the last week. They would talk about it eventually but Pat was content to drop his own head down on top of Pran’s and doze lightly as well.
Pa woke them both up when she parked at the dorm complex. Pat and Pran shuffled up to the dorm, managed to put the food into the fridge and change into their boxers before landing on the bed and finally getting to sleep.
———
The rest of the week was hectic. Explaining to their friends where they had been and what had happened, catching up with school work and rugby practise that Pat had missed, and studying for exams that were now a lot closer than before.
They had a lot of support now and Pat knows that Pran was happy for the break but it now happy to be back. So is Pat, but there is a few things he still needs to straighten out first, which is why on the Saturday he tells Pran he’s heading home for the afternoon, just as Pran is heading out with Wai, Safe and Louis for lunch.
Pat gets a affirmative sound and a sweet kiss on the lips before Pran is out the door. It makes Pat feel tingly and pleased that Pran is still showing affection so openly after their trip.
Pat drives home and parks at his house and decides it’s better to start with his pa first before he goes over to his neighbours. Pat makes his way into the house to find his Pa sitting in his office looking over business papers and orders. Pat sits down in front of him and waits for him to finish reading the page he’s on before he speaks.
“I want you to apology to my boyfriend for pushing him and hurting him.” Pat says. Part one of his plan, state his demands clearly and firmly. His pa looks up at him in shock but his face quickly turns to regret.
“I want him to feel comfortable when I invite him for dinner and I don’t want him to feel like he needs to be scared of you or need to protect himself.” Pat explains. Part two, explain the reasons for his demand, make sure it is clear that this is to help them move forward.
Part three of the plan. “I know you regret it, I can see it, which is why I still want to bringing him over here. However, Pran would still insist on coming over even if you didn’t regret it if he thought it would make me happy. So I want to make sure he knows you’re sorry and that you take responsibility for your actions to him.” Acknowledge the action and show sympathy that it was a misjudgement, but explain why the apology is needed.
Pran’s old notes from his counselling sessions really did help Pat organise himself. Now he’ll wait for any counter arguments, which he knows there won’t be, and organise a time for Pran to come around.
Ming nods once and looks back down at his papers. “Bring him around for dinner tomorrow night. I’ll talk to him before we eat, I’m sure you can attempt not to burn the house down while helping your mae and sister cook for five minutes.”
Pat smiles a little. He isn’t sure his relationship with his pa will ever been as strong as it once was. Too many cracks showing and too many pieces shattered but not completely destroyed, just to be handled with care.
“Will do. I need to go talk to Dissaya about Pran.” Pat says standing, making his pa’s head snap up again. “You aren’t the only one that needs to apologise.” Pat mutters softly, before leaving the study.
“Pat!” His father calls and Pat turns to see his pa at the door of the study. His nods towards the kitchen and Pat follows, only to be given a netted bag to hold while his pa puts a few mangos in it.
“Don’t arrive at someone’s house empty handed. She used to like mangos, I’m sure she still does.” He explains, before turning to leave the room immediately and Pat hears the study door shut.
———
Pat stands outside the gate to Pran’s house and wondered if he really should do this. On one hand he wants to make sure his boyfriend gets the apologies he deserves but on the other hand Pran’s mae is scary sometimes.
Pat shakes himself off and then heads up the path to the front door. He knocks and waits, and waits. Just as he is about to leave, thinking that nobody is home, the door opens and he finds Pran’s mae with her hair tied up and gardening gloves on. A strange sight, seeing the most put together women Pat has ever seen, with dirty gloves and her long hair tied up.
She looks shocked to see him and glances behind him to see if Pran is there and then looks confused. “Is my son alright?” She asks immediately, and Pat maybe should have thought about just showing up unannounced.
“Yes, he’s well. Sorry, I was actually looking to talk to you, if that’s alright?” Pat asks, holding up the bag of mangos to her as well. “I thought we could maybe have some fruit while I talk to you about something.”
Dissaya nods, opening the door a little more. “If you want to sit in the kitchen I’ll just be a second.” She says, nodding to the door before heading back out to the garden.
Pat feels a little awkward but he does as he’s told and goes to sit at the kitchen table with the bag of fruit in front of him. Dissaya comes back a moment later with clean hands but her hair still tied up out of the way.
She takes the fruit and begins to wash and cut it up while Pat watches her. “I wanted to talk to you about Pran. Specifically about before we disappeared, the argument you two had.” Pat says carefully, he’s not sure if she is aware that himself and Pran talk about most things together.
“You’re talking about how I unforgivably raised my hand to my own son.” Dissaya offers, not taking her eyes off the fruit she is cutting up for them. Pat hums, wondering how he should approach this. He doesn’t know her well, he doesn’t know the best way to talk to her, but she’s Pran’s mother and Pran prefers honest straight forward answers he can work with, so his mother may be similar.
“Yes, I wanted to come here because I think he deserves an apology and I wanted to talk to you about this. I’m sure you agree seeing him flinch away from you hurt both of you.” Pat explains, twisting his hands together.
Dissaya stops cutting up the fruit and turns to look at him leaning back against the counter. “While you were both gone, I sent many messages to Pran apologising for it. It did hurt me a great deal when he looked scared of me, even if it was just a second. I called him only two days ago and we spoke about it. He says I didn’t need to apologise but I made sure he listened to me and he accepted it.”
Pat tilted his head. Pran hadn’t told him about their conversation, though Pat and Pran had gone years avoiding topics like their parents around each other. Old habits die hard. Pat also knew that Pran didn’t like talking about what had happened so he isn’t surprised he didn’t mention it. Though Pat being here now redundant and he had trapped himself with no escape now.
“Pran says you both talk about everything together. I’m not surprised he didn’t mention it. He barely wanted to acknowledge it when I brought it up. He’s always been good at keeping his feelings to himself, a trait which he unfortunately gained from me, his father is much softer, though I’m sure you see that side of Pran as well.” She says, watching him carefully. Pat blushes a little at the statement, because Pran is soft and sweet with him when he wants to be.
“I didn’t realise you had spoke to him. I just wanted to make sure that everything was cleared up between everyone. I don’t like seeing my boyfriend hurt and I know he would hold onto this even if he doesn’t mean to. He’s always going above and beyond what is expected of him, I just want to take some of the pressure off his shoulders if I can.” Pat explains, suddenly it feels like he’s trying to pass a test rather than stand up for his boyfriend.
“I’ll tell you something Pat. I didn’t want to think about you and Pran together, because I could see it from when you were both young and it scared me that something would happen to him that happened to me. I didn’t mean to blame you, but you’ve always treated him well, even if I didn’t want to see it.” She admits, turning back to the mango to finish putting it on a plate.
“The Christmas concert was the last straw for me at the time but something happened when you were both young that made me wonder. Your father and I had moved next to each other unknowingly which caused issues but when you both arrived we settled down for a period too busy with new babies to keep up the hostility for the first few months.” She explains, putting the fruit down in front of him and taking a seat and a slice of mango. Pat did the same listening to her.
“Your parents don’t even know the full story but when your mae was expecting your sister she got really quite sick. Your grandparents had passed at this point and your mothers parents didn’t live close at the time. One day she was really ill and she had to go to the hospital. Your father had to take her and they had nobody to babysit you. He comes banging on my door at two in the afternoon when I’m trying to nap with Pran, begging me to take care you you.”
Pat looks at her with wide eyes, his parents definitely wouldn’t have told him this. Pat was sure the first time he had come to Pran’s house was through the window just after the incident with Pa to return the watch. “You babysat me?!” Pat ask in disbelief.
“I did. I’m not so heartless to abandon a baby, even Ming’s. So I agreed and I took you in for the afternoon. Both you and Pran were just crawling at the time, you had managed to stand up but not for long where Pran was happy to sit and crawl. I hadn’t planned on having you anywhere near Pran but when he woke up from his nap and you wouldn’t settle in a new environment I had to sit you both in the nursery to play so I could keep an eye on you both.”
“I go away for two seconds to get you both bottles and I come back and you both are talking to each other. Obviously it was just baby babble but Pran was such a quiet baby and won’t make a sound around other children of my friends. Here he was chatting away and giving you some of his toys to play with.” Dissaya laughs a little, looking up front the plate of fruit at Pat.
“I thought there must be something special in you that my boy sees and you brought out the best in him that day, but I was scared of what might happen to him being with you.” She admits softly. “I can see I was wrong about you. I’m glad you’re with him, I’m glad you care about him so much to even come and talk to me about this.” Pat nods, finishing the food on his plate.
“I always want the best for Pran. I don’t mind doing things that seem a little scary if it’s for him.” Pat admits, standing from his seat. “Pran and I are going to my house for dinner tomorrow. We could come over for dessert after if you like?” Pat says and she nods, taking his plate and putting them in the sink.
“That would be lovely. Thank you for coming, and again, I’m glad you’re looking after my son so well.” She says as she leads him to the door. Pat finds himself pulled into a quick hug which is very odd but also comforting to know he’s made a good impression.
“We’ll see you tomorrow then.”
———
Pran petting his boyfriends hair gently as Pat lay on his chest, curled up cosy and full from dinner and dessert at their parents. Pran took a deep breath and kissed Pat’s head softly. “Thank you. I know what you did and I really appreciate it even if you didn’t have to.”
Pran feels Pat shift on his chest but can’t quite bring himself to look down at him lest he do something silly like cry. “I did have to.” Pat replies and Pran shakes his head a little.
“My hero, talking to your pa and my mae to make them apologise. How sweet of you.” Pran teases softly but squeezes his boyfriend tighter against his chest. “My mae approves of you. She told me…” Pran clears his throat a little so stop himself getting choked up. “She told me that you’ll make a good son-in-law some day.” Pran admits, this time looking down at Pat who looks ecstatic.
Pat stretches his neck and Pran leans down to kiss him softly. Pran opens his eyes again once he pulls away and smiles at Pat. “I always want to make sure your safe and happy. I’ll do anything for you.” Pat tells Pran and Pran nods as well.
“Me too babe. Me too.”