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One of the most difficult things about fighting with your significant other was overcoming the silence that came after the fallout. When you're with someone for so long, you get used to the comfortable kind of silence - the one where you fall asleep to the sound of their heartbeat or the one that lulls you to a happy trance. With that already engraved in your routine, you forget that sometimes silence also comes with stewing in your own thoughts, mulling over the very thing that caused a slight rift in your otherwise happy relationship.
Frankly, both of them probably knew that it was stupid. They were both never the type to blow arguments out of proportion nor were they the type to pick fights over simple things. But right now, they were both under constant stress with the concert and their piling schedules that their days were starting to blur together and for one night he wanted to do something for himself. He just didn't realize that it would cause so much strain on both of them.
It would've been better if they had a few days to themselves, to let their tempers cool down so they could talk about why things went the way they did. Maybe then they would both realize what they did wrong or what they could have done better, it was just unfortunate that they had a family dinner tonight and family was always going to be one of their top priorities - even when they were fighting.
---
The car ride to the house was quiet, Yin's fingers drumming lightly over the steering wheel, eyes stealing glances at War from time to time to check up on him, unsure if it was okay for him to start a conversation. On the other hand, War had his arms wrapped around himself, head leaned on the window, pretending not to notice the stares directed his way.
"Are you cold?"
"I'm fine."
"You're shivering." Yin sighed, fussing over the buttons on the dashboard until he was satisfied that the temperature was just right. He looked over at War once more before focusing back on the road. "You should have said something. You hate getting cold."
He said nothing but he observed that War visibly deflated, sighing heavily and pointedly ignoring Yin's concerned gaze.
"I usually don't have to." It was said in a matter-of-fact tone, War curling in on himself as he continued to stare outside, watching as the houses passed by in a blur. The truth was, he was just too used to Yin taking care of him that sometimes he forgot to do it himself.
No one spoke after that, each of them lost in their own wandering thoughts. Atleast not until they stopped in front of Yin's house and he turned to speak to his sulking partner.
"We're here."
"Okay."
"You can go in, I'll park."
At those words and at the sound of the car doors unlocking, War spoke in a voice that sounded unsure. "We can go in together?"
"You go ahead, tell them I'll come in soon. I just need to get some things sorted. Unless you want me to come with you?"
War huffed, pushing his door open and hopping out of the car. "Don't take too long or they'll ask me questions."
Yin watched the smaller walk up to the house, shoulders immediately relaxing as soon as the door opened and his mother welcomed him with a hug. He couldn't make out what they were saying but War pointed to the car, to which his mom nodded in understanding, letting the former step inside before walking to where he was still parked.
He rolled his window down and schooled his face to a practiced smile, hoping that she wouldn't catch on to his inner turmoil. "Hey mom."
"Anan Wong, why are you still out here and not inside with War?"
"I'll just park and take care of something, entertain him for me?"
"Your baby cousins are inside, I'm sure they'll find ways to occupy him. And your son too, you know how much Zulu loves it when he's around."
The image of War with children and with Zulu immediately brought a smile on his face, he couldn't wait to get inside and see it for himself - War always lit up with pure joy whenever he was with them. Seeing his partner carefree, laughing and joking around with the kids, was something he knew would instantly make his day.
"Please make sure they don't get into too much trouble while I'm not around."
"You best be gone for only a few minutes, any longer than that and I can't promise War and Zulu won't find some sort of mischief to engage in."
"I'll be back before they start running around the house. I promise."
---
The first thing he heard upon entering the door was the unmistakable sound of his partner's laughter. It rang around the house like a melody and he felt compelled to follow it, leading him to a heartwarming sight - War with one child under each arm, playing some form of airplane game.
"They managed to talk him into spinning them around in the air." The amused voice of his brother spoke from behind him. "I honestly don't know how he can deal with all of them at once, I barely have enough energy to keep up with Zulu."
"He has energy to spare, trust me." Yin replied, glancing back at the happy bunch with fond eyes. "Besides, he needed a little break from all the work, being here would do him some good."
"You too. You've been working so hard these days."
"Never too early to plan for the future right?" He asked with a teasing lilt in his voice, though the way his eyes strayed to his partner gave away the fact that the future he was planning included the man currently giggling on the carpet as one of the kids tackled him.
"I'd say that since you've been bringing him home for the holidays since you met, your planning is going really well." Jai laughed, patting his back before heading to the kitchen at their mother's call. "Tell me when I need to get ready for the speech."
"Not yet there."
"Yet. But soon maybe?"
As soon as his brother was out of sight, he felt someone's eyes on him and he turned just in time to catch War averting his gaze, a small quirk on his lips.
"Maybe." Yin whispered to himself, stealing one last look at his partner before walking away.
---
They acted as they usually would when they were around family but even with how good they acted, there were some watchful eyes that they couldn't fool.
War was sitting on the couch, catching his breath while his partner took his turn playing with the kids. He was so busy watching Yin zoom around the living room that he didn't notice grandma sitting next to him, nor did he notice the amused glint in her wizened eyes.
"You and my grandson are fighting?"
The quiet question shocked him, but what shocked him more was the absence of any accusation in her voice. It was said in a gentle manner, her tone fond and curious.
"Oh we-"
"You don't have to act for me, I know my grandson well. And I like to think that I know my grandson-in-law well enough to know if he's upset about something."
He bowed his head, hoping to hide the blush that bloomed on his cheeks when she called him her grandson-in-law. But he knew he failed when she laughed and lightly pat his head.
"You are a part of this family already. Tell grandma what worries you, I might be able to help." She took his hands in hers and smiled. "My grandson says that we are alike in some ways, a little stubborn and a little hardheaded."
War breathed a laugh, nodding slightly. "I'm more than a little stubborn."
"Aren't we all?"
"I think we just need to talk and we'll be fine. But I don't know how to begin."
"Start with telling him why you're upset. My grandson loves you a lot, he will understand." The elderly woman replied. "You know, he always talks so fondly about you. We often joke that you two should just go live together because you're all he can talk about whenever he comes home."
War looked at her, eyes wide in shock. "You would be okay with him moving away?"
"It will be odd not to have him home all the time but I think it will be good for both of you. Besides, going home together after a long day instead of separating every night sounds good, doesn't it?"
He nods, they've talked about moving in together since they started building homes for each of their families. Their homes are far apart and more often than not, they find themselves going home later than usual just so they can spend a few hours together after work. And while dates outside were always enjoyable, thinking about going home and curling up together in bed was something he could imagine himself doing for the rest of his life.
"Yai, I think I made a mistake."
She hummed. "Why is that?"
"I got upset over something small." He sighed heavily. "And I don't know why I got upset about it in the first place."
"What happened?"
"He just wanted to spend some time with his friends but at the time I felt like he'd rather spend time with them than with me. I should have understood, we already spend hours together but I was tired - even that sounds like a stupid excuse - and I just, I wanted to be with him."
War didn't know what reaction he was expecting from her, but it definitely wasn't her biting back an amused smile. "It looks like you want to be with my grandson as much as he wants to be with you."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because I got mad at Yin for a selfish reason. And I'm acting like a child by still not speaking to him about it."
"My dear grandson." She started, squeezing his hands lightly. "I know what it's like to want to spend as much time with someone as you can, to miss someone even when you just parted. More importantly, I know what love is like. Do I think that you could have dealt with it better? Yes. But we've all done things that we're not proud of, it doesn't mean that you love him any less."
War looked at Yin, whispering the thoughts that's been running in his head. "He takes care of me so well and I don't even need to ask him - he just always knows the right thing to do and the right things to say. He lets me do what I want, even if it means he stays up late or he has to drive all the way to where I am. But I got upset when he just wanted to spend some time to himself. I was being irrational and I feel terrible."
These were the things that's been eating him up since the day he woke up and realized that in the absence of his initial annoyance, it wasn't Yin's fault that he was upset. But by that time, he had already ignored his messages and cold shouldered him in the hallway.
"Do not fret, talk to him." Grandma said, ruffling his hair playfully. "Maybe you were being irrational at the time but you already thought about it right?"
War nods.
"Then just tell him everything you just told me. Maybe sweeten it a little with a hug or a kiss-" She winked. "You want me to ask someone to put up a mistletoe for you?"
"Yai!"
"Well, I did see you two that one time." She trailed off, pinching War's reddened cheeks. "Yai doesn't sleep as early as you think I do."
"I'm sorry-"
"It was sweet, my grandson doesn't let his guard down around most people, but he trusts you with his heart. And in there-" She points to his heart. "You already know what to say, just let it out."
"What if he gets mad at me?"
"Trust me, my grandson could never get mad at you."
"Thank you Yai." He said with a small smile, worries momentarily put at ease after their short talk. "Thank you for listening."
"Whenever you need someone to talk to, always remember that that's what family is for. Okay?"
"I will."
---
"You and War are fighting."
Yin almost jumped out of his bones when his mother spoke from behind him. "Mae you scared me. Please stop sneaking up on people like that."
"Well, it's not my fault your thoughts were on a certain someone on the living room rather than here with us."
"Sorry, I've been thinking."
"So I noticed. Move-" He moved to the side so she could join him on the kitchen counter, nimble hands running over their food with practiced ease. "You should talk to him."
"We're fine Mae. You don't have to worry about your favorite son-in-law."
"I never said you weren't." She huffed, pausing for a moment to look at him. "And you haven't married him Yin Anan Wong, I can't call him my son-in-law just yet."
"You are the second person to tease me about getting married today."
"Go online and you'll see that I'm probably the hundredth."
Yin laughed, handing her a ladle so she could check on the simmering soup. "Probably the thousandth."
"I also saw your Yai talking to him, he seemed worried about something."
"So you ambushed me to ask me what he was worried about?" Yin teased, wincing when she pinched his ears. "And here I thought I was your favorite son."
"That would be me." Jai popped in, winking at his little brother before getting something from the fridge. "Mae don't bother him about it, you know he can handle it."
"I know he can. But maybe I can help your brother a little bit."
"I'm convinced she wants to marry you off in the soonest day possible. Goodluck!"
As soon as Jai was out of the room, his mother turned to him with searching eyes, kind of like how she looked at him when he was younger and in trouble. "Not that I'm prying into your life but you look worried."
"It's just a little tiff Mae, we can talk about it when we're ready."
"Nothing serious?"
"No, nothing like that. I think he just got upset that I didn't want to spend time with him. Which is far from the truth, if I had it my way, we'd spend everyday together."
"And why would he think that?"
Yin shakes his head, going back to the thoughts he was mulling over before his mom came in. "I actually don't remember if we made plans that day. I'm usually not forgetful about those things but we've been stressed lately and we barely have enough time for just the two of us. We managed to sneak some time in between but you know how it is, sometimes we just fall asleep as soon as we're free."
"You forgot you had plans?"
"No. Atleast I don't think so since I also made plans to watch the game that night. He seemed upset when I said that I won't be going home with them but he didn't say anything more."
"And you haven't talked to him yet."
"I haven't."
"Why?"
"Because I want to give him some time to cool off, maybe we just need some time to think."
His mother pursed her lips in thought, continuing with her tasks as she mulled over what her son told her. "You know when Papa was away, I missed him everyday. Our setup wasn't ideal but it was needed. Sometimes I just want to have him next to me or have him there to talk to when I have worries."
"You never said anything about it but we knew how much you missed him. It must have been difficult for you, raising us here and having him far away."
"It was, there are days when I wish I could jump inside the phone when he called just so I can be next to him. Over the years I learned how to live with it." She smiled at him, bumping their shoulders playfully. "It's a good thing that my son is so good, he brought my love back to me."
"I always wished for us to be together here, I'm just happy I could do it."
"I'm so proud of you son. You worked so hard for what you have now and in the process you found your own love."
The way she spoke about them always made him feel warm inside, like their meeting was something written in the stars - destined to be.
"He was a spitfire, I didn't know what was coming."
"And you loved him."
"I loved him."
"I see War as my own son and I can see that he isn't the type to rely on other people. His mother and I talked, she said seeing you two together made her realize that her son was in good hands. You bring out the best in each other, I agree. You barely spend a day apart. Now, I think I know why War is upset-"
"Translation, you heard what he and Yai were talking about."
"Maybe." She said mysteriously. "But I'll let him tell you about it."
"Not even a clue for me?"
"Nope. But you should go find him and talk about it."
---
Yin looked over the house for a good ten minutes before heading to his room, finding War asleep on the bed and snuggled to one of his pillows. The sight brought back that warm feeling that always seemed to be present when he was around his partner - the feeling of being home.
Since he didn't want to wake him and since he was just equally as exhausted, he decided that it would be better to let him sleep. He crouched near the bed, fondly noting that War's cheeks were squished against the pillow and lips were drawn to a pout.
"He was looking for you, I guess he fell asleep."
He turned to see his dad peeking in from the open door. "I was talking with Mae."
"I see. I'll tell them that you both had a long day, get some rest too son."
"But-"
"Don't worry about it, they'll understand. I'll wake you when it's time for dinner?"
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
Once his dad closed the door behind him, Yin quietly snuck under the covers, making sure that his partner was cozy under his blanket and that he was comfortably snuggled on the pillow between them. He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on War's forehead before resting against his pillow and closing his eyes.
"Sweet dreams love."
---
War panicked for all five second when he realized that he fell asleep before he could find Yin, that was before he realized that there was something warm cuddled up to him and someone snoozing right next to him. When he moved, so did the lump on his left side and he laughed quietly when a wet nose poked his cheek.
"Hey Zulu, when did you get here?" Of course he was only answered with a low whine. "Let's try not to wake your dad, he hasn't been getting enough sleep lately."
"Who hasn't been getting enough sleep?" Yin asked in a groggy voice, the sheets rustling when he sat up.
"You." War replied, pouting before leaning his head on Yin's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For getting upset at you." He sighed, running his hands through Zulu's fur. "I was being irrational and I should just have told you why I got upset when it happened."
"It's okay. I'm sorry too." Yin reached out for War's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Sorry for doing something that upset you."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, it was all me and my head." War protested quietly. "It was just - I just thought we'd watch the game together after work. I realized I was acting like a child and that maybe I should have asked if you had plans beforehand instead of assuming like that, you deserve to spend time with your friends and I shouldn't hog all your time."
"You can hog my time all the time and I won't complain." Yin comforted, glad that War was atleast able to tell him what was wrong. "Though I'd appreciate it if you talked to me whenever there's something I did that made you sad. I'm not saying you should tell me all the time, but I don't want you to worry a lot."
"Even now you're thinking about me." War whined in faux annoyance, throwing caution - and the pillow between them - in the wind and hugging Yin tight. "I don't deserve you, you're too nice."
"I disagree, I've been told that we bring out the best in each other."
"Who said that?"
"Your mom."
"You talked to my mom?" War asked with an amused smile.
"Your mom talked to my mom and my mom told me. I'm staring to think they're planning something with how much they chat." Yin mused, brows furrowing in thought.
"I don't know what else they can plan, we're already together."
"You underestimate the power of mothers."
The smaller laughed in reply, Zulu abandoning them when he realized that they were busy with each other and paying no attention to him. "Where's Zulu going?"
"Letting us make up in peace. He's been getting your attention all day, I think it's time that I get some of it."
"You tease him too much, that's why he likes me more."
"He likes you because he's takes after me."
"And what does that mean Anan Wong?"
"It means that I like a certain War Wanarat a little too much."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Not at all."
"So we're good?"
"We're good."
"Can I get the actual Yin Anan to cuddle with now? Your pillow was okay but I think I like you better."
"I like you the most." Yin teased, bursting out in laughter when War glared at him. "What? It's true."
"Just because it's true doesn't make it any less cheesy."
"And is cheesy that bad?"
"I will tolerate it. But just today and only because we just made up."
"You know what else they say about making up-"
"Your whole family is downstairs. Absolutely not." War deadpanned, moving away from Yin's hold and giggling when strong arms held him in place. "Anan Wong."
"What?" Yin said, inching closer until War could feel the ghost of his lips. "I was just going to say that making up means I can kiss you again."
War glared, unconsciously biting his own lips. "That's not what you were about to say."
"And what do you think I was about to say?"
"Why are you teasing me?"
"I missed it." Yin brushed their lips together, smirking as he pulled away. "I missed kissing you too."
"It was just for a day."
"Longer than I would have liked."
"You're right, you do love me a little too much."
"And I don't regret any second of it."
---
END.