Work Text:
1.
It had been a long and exhausting day at work. An important project came to a close, so now everyone had to stay overdue.
He hopes Pat hadn't waited up on him. At work he’d just had time for a short message, informing Pat that it would get late and Pat should eat without him. He hadn't anticipated it would get this late. At some point, he had been so immersed in the project that he’d completely lost track of time.
He is glad he can finally go home. He longs for his bed and can’t wait to finally snuggle up to Pat. There is nothing more calming and relaxing after such a long day.
When he steps through the door, he is welcomed by the cutest picture. Pat is sleeping on their couch, one arm stretched over the edge, dangling above the floor, while the other arm cradles Nong Nao close to his chest. Pat’s mouth is slightly open and Pran can only hope that no drool got on the couch.
“This idiot” he says lovingly and can't stop himself from smiling, dimples becoming visible. He should have known Pat would wait for him. But seeing Nong Nao, he is glad he hadn't waited alone.
The strange doll just exudes a feeling of comfort. He understands why Pat is so attached to it; as he can’t help himself getting more and more attached to it as well.
Sometimes it makes him wonder; wonder, what the story behind Nong Nao might be.
Maybe someday he will ask Pat, but today is not that day.
2.
20 years earlier
His pa once told him that people come and go in life and that its best not to rely on others. Others – especially the people next door – could not be trusted. That’s the lesson he was taught ever since he was young.
So, when he encountered Nong Nao he clung to it and never let go. His pa had only told him not to rely on people, so Nong Nao was safe. Nong Nao became his first friend, his source of comfort in times of need. In times, when he had no one, but himself.
He had been 5, almost 6, years old, when he found Nong Nao. He remembers it quite well. It happened during Songkran. It was the first Songkran they had visited his mother’s side of the family to celebrate. It was the first time he remembers leaving Bangkok and traveling somewhere far from home. So of course, he had been utterly excited. Being home was fun, but there is only so much you can explore when you’re merely 5 years old. And he had always been a curious child. His ma later used to joke that she just had to blink and he was gone and out of her sight. “Our little troublemaker.” she used to call him.
It probably wasn’t far from the truth.
On said day they had visited a temple nearby. It was crowded. Lots of families came here to make merit. His parents had told him about some attractions nearby, they would visit after they had asked for their blessings.
In retrospect they probably told him, so he would stay put and not wander off. But all it did, was make Pat even more curious.
Somewhere further away he could make out some people splashing others with water. It made him think of back home, where his new water gun was waiting for him to be used. After last year’s Songkran, where he had gotten in a life and death water fight with the boy next door, he had convinced his pa that he was in dire need of a water gun. He had relented as soon as he mentioned the neighbor boy. This always seemed to work. He’d been particularly loud about it afterwards, making sure Pran’s parents got to know about it too. After all it was only a real win, if Pran had a water gun on his own, and using the rivalry seemed like the only surefire way their parents could be swayed. And sure thing, it did work.
Gleefully he had noticed that his gun was slightly bigger than Pran’s!
He was a little sad that he couldn’t use it against him this year. He had looked forward to winning against him, had looked forward to seeing Pran’s losing face.
He could really use a water fight, as getting soaked sounded really tempting right now. It was an especially hot day and he could feel his shirt sticking to his skin, all sweaty.
So, before he even realized what he was doing, he was already making his way towards the crowd.
Everything around him was just so exciting! So exciting, that he didn’t notice when his parents weren’t in front of him anymore.
Suddenly he was all alone, surrounded by unknown people and no sign of his parents. Which direction had he even come from?
He looked frantically around. They had to be somewhere.
The heat suddenly felt ten times more oppressive than before, making breathing a lot harder. The shirt that was sticking to his skin, now felt like a straightjacket, tying his stomach up in knots.
As he sped up and started looking around, his heart rapidly started beating faster.
It was scary, but he was a strong boy. He could handle this, after all he would soon turn 6 years old. This was nothing.
He followed the mass of people. But no pa, no ma, no aunty Pim.
Just lots of young people, splashing each other with water. What had seemed like fun and a good refresher 10 minutes ago, didn’t feel all that fun anymore, didn’t feel refreshing at all. Especially not, when out of nothing a huge splash of water hit him directly from above, leaving him wet from head to toe.
No, it felt more like an ice bucket, freezing him to the core.
He felt wet. Alone. Helpless.
He could feel his eyes well up.
No! He couldn't cry. He was a big boy now. Not a crybaby like his little sister.
Stupid tears! So annoying!
He hadn’t even cried when he had fallen from his friend’s bicycle. It had been his first time on a bike. He had done good. When he had told his pa, he had been so proud, had even promised Pat that he would soon get his own bike.
His pa would be so disappointed if he could see him now.
He felt like hiding.
So that’s what he did. Not far away there was a small alley apart from all the hustle. Somewhere more quiet. Somewhere away from the masses and all the water.
A place to collect himself. A place of unexpected comfort.
Comfort in form of a strange doll, disregarded on the side of the street, all wet and dirty. Pat felt a sense of connectedness. He picked it up. He knew his ma probably wouldn’t approve, neither would the boy next door, who was always so tidy. But what did he care for the opinion of the boy that couldn’t be trusted, the boy he couldn’t be friends with.
Pat strengthened his hold on the doll.
It gave him comfort. It made him feel warm again. Safe.
That’s why nothing would ever get him to abandon Nong Nao. Nong Nao was his friend, his confidant, his protector. Nong Nao was his! And Pat didn’t give up on anything or anyone he considered his.
So, when his parents finally found him, completely wet, and tightly holding on to a strange and dirty doll, he refused to leave it behind, not even when his parents reprimanded him.
No, forsaking a friend was simply not an option.
3.
When Pat turns 12, Ming decides he is too old for this strange doll he possesses. Nong Nao is what he calls it, a childish name. Pat will soon start his secondary education, so there’s no reason for him to still need a stuffed toy to sleep.
He might not even notice that it is gone, too exhausted from playing sports and learning for school.
So, one day, while Pat is playing outside with his sister, he goes into his room and takes the doll with him.
He doesn't throw it away - his wife would scold him if he did, the doll being a childhood keepsake - but he does put it somewhere Pat won’t find it.
Nothing happens at first, or so he thinks. Maybe Pat really hadn’t noticed the absence of his doll. He had probably just been too lazy to put the doll away himself anyway. His room was always rather messy.
But then three days later he overhears a conversation between his son and his wife.
“Pat, what’s wrong? Did something happen?” she asks.
“No, no. Nothing happened” he instantly dismisses, like he is trying to hide something. He’s quiet for a short while before he says “Well, maybe yes. There’s something. Ma, have you seen Nong Nao? It’s been gone for a few days and I can’t sleep without it.”
Poutingly, he adds “and I told you not to wash it! Nong Nao doesn't like that!”
“No, dear. I didn’t take it. But maybe it’s finally time you clean up your room. It’s a mess in there. No wonder you can’t find it.”
Pat mumbles something incomprehensible and retreats to his room.
There’s a gnawing feeling in Ming’s stomach.
It’s nothing. Pat will get over it. It just takes a little while and it will be for the better in the end.
Sometimes you just have to endure a little discomfort, to get somewhere in life. Pat will be thankful for it one day.
But with each passing day Pat starts to look more and more worn out. At breakfast he’s less energetic, doesn't talk much. Doesn't even annoy his little sister. He seems glum.
He doesn’t understand. School hasn’t even started, why does his son look like he hasn’t had a free day in months. This cant all be because of that silly doll?
The tightness in his body grows.
Work had been stressful after all. He should relax a little.
Just when he’s gotten comfortable, nurturing a glass of his favorite whiskey, a loving presence sits down next to him.
His wife looks at him contemplating, before she asked with a soft voice “Love, did you take Pat’s doll?”
He stays silent for a while, until his silence is answer enough.
“I know it was probably well-intentioned, but look at our boy. He’s only a shadow of himself.”
When he continues to stay silent, she adds “And I know you still keep that good luck charm your grandma gifted you with. There’s nothing wrong with holding on to some things.”
She gives his hand a firm squeeze. “Its not too late to revert this, not too late to give it back.”
She gives his hand a last encouraging stroke, before she once again leaves him alone with his own thoughts.
The next day Nong Nao finds its way back to Pat's room.
And if one were to look into Pat’s room later that day, one would find a young boy cuddling a tattered plush doll tightly in his arms, a little drool on the doll's ears, from where a now deeply sleeping Pat had slightly bitten into them.
4.
As a mother you notice certain changes in your children. So, when Pat suddenly became more withdrawn and started to get into more fights at school, she couldn’t help but worry. Was her boy doing ok, or was this just normal teenage boy behavior. When she had first met Ming, he had been like that as well. Behaving all tough and manly. Later she got to know the more vulnerable side of him and fell in love.
On the outside he still showed this tough facade, but as his wife she knew better. Knew of the scared boy, afraid of his father’s disapproval. Knew of the love he had for his children, even though he couldn’t always show it in obvious ways.
She felt sad that now she couldn’t tell with her son. It was like there was a barrier, had been there for a while, without her even noticing. On the outside, he seemed fine. He still annoyed his little sister at the dinner table, laughed freely and joked around with his father. But there were times she didn’t get to see him at all. All withdrawn in his room. Moments where he looked a little lost, like he was searching for something.
One day he came home looking especially battered. He had been fighting again. As his mother, she had tended to his wounds while reprimanding him for the fighting. He had endured it without complaint, even made a light joke at the end, promising that he’d do better and that he was ok.
She hopes doing better didn’t just mean „not letting her notice“
In the evening she couldn’t help but take a look into his room, just to find him fallen asleep near the window, his beloved doll snuggled close to his chest as if he were going to drown without holding onto it. It hurt her heart to see him like this. It hurt even more to know, should she try talking to him, he would probably brush her off. Tell her, he was fine, she shouldn’t worry. So, she lets him be.
Years later it is one of her biggest regrets. She had failed her own son. She had left him alone when he had been just a child, desperate for comfort and warmth.
At least he had Nong Nao with him. She is thankful for the strange doll. She is glad she let Pat keep it and didn’t throw it away, when he found it, all dirty and wet. She’s glad he has something to give him comfort when she as his mother failed in this regard.
5.
Living with Pat had its pros and cons. Although she probably would never tell him the positive stuff. His ego was already big enough as it was.
What she definitely could have lived without though, was his constant messiness. It had already driven her insane before they lived together and now it had only gotten worse.
His bed unmade, old clothes lying on the floor, some almost empty packages of his favorite seaweed snack discarded on the kitchen counter and there, sitting in between all this mess was Nong Nao, looking like Pa felt when she saw this whole mess, way too done with everything.
Nong Nao was a kindred spirit. The things it had to endure. Paa didn’t envy it. She had always found it cute that her macho brother still slept with this doll. Though that’s something she would never tell him, for fear that knowing this would stop him from doing it, wanting to maintain a cool image.
So when shortly after she had moved in, Nong Nao suddenly seemed to be gone, she was worried and sad. Had it finally come to this? Had Pat really discarded Nong Nao?
But then it returned and everything seemed good.
Until one day she found Pat lying on his bed, eyes fixed somewhere on the wall above, filled with an expression she hadn’t seen on him in quite a while. It bothered Paa.
But what bothered her even more was Nong Nao not being in her brother's arms. It felt wrong.
So she picked it up and slowly pushed it into her brother’s arms, wrapping her short arms around him as well, so Nong Nao was now tightly snuggled between them.
„Everything alright?“
He just shook his head and murmured a no, but didn’t elaborate any further, instead just tightened his own arms around her, hugging her back, while squishing Nong Nao even more in the process.
„No, but it will be.“
+1
It’s the first Songkran they actively celebrate together.
Well, not counting the water fights they had as children, after all they were still "enemies" back then.
All the hiding, the family celebrations and Pran leaving for Singapore, had always prevented them from spending at least part of the holiday period together.
This year this would change though. Korn had insisted they all took part in the big water fight. Architecture vs. engineering. For old times' sake!
Pran also highly suspected that later on they‘d all be roped into helping out at the bar. The city was bursting with tourists eager for alcohol after all. Wai and Korn had decided not to go home this year and let their bar stay open during the holidays instead. It was a good opportunity for them.
So now Pat and him were at home getting ready to meet their friends later on.
Pat was standing in their living room, trying to imitate a fighting stance, while pointing his big water gun left and right. Pran could only hope it was not already filled with water, cause this was definitely not what he had meant when he told Pat that it was his turn to clean the dishes.
„Ha, look at this gun! I’m gonna get Korn so good!“
Pran can’t help but laugh a little at Pat shenanigans.
„Aren’t you supposed to be on the same team?“
„Who cares! Korn and Wai both deserve it! You know they are gonna rope us in at the bar later.“
He’s not wrong.
„Besides, while you are clearly the only real competition there, I wanna be on your team.“
Pat looks at him with his big eyes, practically begging him.
Well, Wai and the others will survive a little betrayal.
It’s almost time for them to go, when he catches Pat thoughtfully looking at Nong Nao.
„Don't tell me you consider taking Nong Nao with you?“
„Huh? No, why would I take Nong Nao with me? Especially when I have you instead, my Nong Noo!“
Pat coos at him, trying to poke his dimple. Pran half-heartedly pushes him away.
„Who’s your Nong Noo?“
Still, he’s curious. „Besides I wouldn’t be surprised, you take Nong Nao everywhere! Why else would you look at it right now?“
„Oh, I guess I never told you. It was during Songkran, when I found Nong Nao.“
„You found it?“ he says in an alarmed voice.
What did Pat mean with found? He knew Nong Nao wasn’t the tidiest, but found?
„Yep, just like you, all dirty and wet?“ Pat teases him, as if he had read Pran’s mind.
„Pat! Don't say such nasty words in front of poor Nong Nao.“
Pat is just grinning widely at him.
„I fear Nong Nao has already heard worse.“
And isn’t that the truth.
„Nong Nao‘s probably glad to get a break from us today.“ Pat says as he leaves the bedroom. Pran is just about to do the same, when, despite Pat‘s words, he takes Nong Nao in a sudden streak of impulsivity and puts it into his own waterproof backpack.
Taking part in the water fight tradition is fun.
The last time he had taken part in it had been in childhood, and only ever against Pat.
Therefore Wai‘s look of betrayal, when Pran stabs him in the back by attacking him instead of Pat, like they had initially planned, is priceless.
„You traitor! I told Korn splitting you two up was a mistake.“
Pran only gives him what Wai had once labeled the „Pran look“ and makes a run for it.
Pat is already waiting for him with a wide smile lightening up his whole face, one hand held out for him, while the other one is occupied with shooting water at Wai.
Pran takes his hand and together they dash away, laughing freely, as they go in search for a hiding place.
Out of breath they finally find a place that’s far enough away from the main party.
Sitting side by side, Pran feels happy.
Soon they’ll have to go back, face the consequences of their betrayal. But he wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Fighting with instead of against Pat or himself is exhilarating! They are a team now, partners.
And while he will never not love competing with Pat, this is something new. Something he loves just the same.
Together no one will stand a chance against them. And anyway, there’s only one person whom he wants to see his losing face.
Well, maybe there’s one exception.
Slowly he puts Nong Nao out of his backpack, hoping it won’t get too wet, and holds it in Pat's face.
„Look who wanted to come after all.“
Slightly hidden behind Nong Nao he can just see Pat's eyes tearing up, before he jumps Pran like an over enthusiastic puppy, pressing him to the ground, Nong Nao in between them, and showers him with kisses all over.
„Thank you. Thank you. I love you so much baby!“
Once Pat has calmed down a little, he draws him closer, gives him one lingering kiss on the mouth and whispers „I love you too.“
This is how they stay for a while, cuddled together, between them Nong Nao, until their little family peace abruptly gets destroyed by a big jet of water.
„See Wai, this is why we didn’t put them in a team together!“