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After Phum went with Peem to meet Peem’s parents, it was Peem’s turn to meet Phum’s parents.
Peem was surprised it was happening so early. Sure Phum already met his parents, but it was more in a ‘friendship’ context since all their friends came (even if Peem’s parents knew Phum was not just a friend).
He knew that Phum was not hiding their relationship, of course not, but because of Phum’s relationship with his father, he thought it would take at least a few months before meeting his parents.
Actually, Phum had explained to Peem, Phum and Fang were talking about Tan and Peem – Tan mentioned to Fang that he wanted to have a double date. Their mother came back home at this moment and joined her sons. She greeted them, sat next to them and asked them how their vacation had been.
Phum answered, “We went to Chiang Mai.”
“With your friends?”
“Yes, my boyfriend invited us to spend some time at his parents’ house,” Phum added and Fang nodded to confirm.
And soon, both parents wanted to meet the said boyfriend.
Phum was not that charmed by the idea. He wanted his mother to meet Peem, sure, but he was not enticed by a family dinner with his father. Still, he explained the situation to Peem. Peem asked if it was not a bit too early, but Phum wanted him to meet his mother at least. So, Peem agreed to have dinner with them.
Of course, he knew how things were in Phum’s family. Though he was a bit nervous about the idea, about whether they would like him or not since he was quite different from Phum, he also wanted to understand a bit more about the dynamics in the family. He did not think Phum was exaggerating whatsoever – it was his feelings, and they were valid. Still, Peem wanted to understand better – he hoped he would be able to better support Phum if an argument with his father happened again.
So, here they were, in front of Phum’s house. Phum had told him not to worry too much about what to wear or something to bring, but Peem still wanted to make a good impression. He was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a white shirt and a light jacket. He also brought pastries from his aunt’s coffee shop.
Right before entering, Phum looked at Peem, “Ready?”
“Yes, let’s go.” Peem had never really been the kind of feeling anxious when meeting new people, but they were his in-laws now, so it mattered.
They entered. Phum brought him to the sitting room, where the three people were waiting for them.
Phum introduced his boyfriends to his parents, more focused on his mother, “So, this is Peem.”
“Hello,” Peem smiled and politely wai’ed in front of them. Then he said hi to Fang with a friendlier tone.
They greeted him back.
“Come sit with us,” Phum’s mom warmly invited Peem to sit next to her on the sofa. But before Peem could move, Phum guided him to the other sofa, where Fang was the only one seated – Phum did not want them to sit close to his father.
Phum’s dad asked curiously to Peem and Fang, “Did you already know each other?” He knew Fang could be a bit nervous when meeting new people, but he noticed a complete lack of awkwardness in his introverted son.
Peem nodded, “Yes, Phum and Fang often spend time together, and know we’re basically in the same group of friends.” Fang nodded to confirm.
Peem finally thought again of the pastries. “I brought some pastries!”
“Oh, thank you Peem, you didn’t have to buy anything.” Phum’s mom said with a smile.
“I didn’t, it comes from my aunt’s coffee shop.”
She took the box of pastries, “Then thank her on our behalf as well. I’m going to store it in the kitchen. We’ll start dinner in a few minutes.”
Peem nodded, and she left.
Phum’s father had not said much. He seemed slightly tensed, but Peem guessed it was because of the usual atmosphere among the family members and not because of him. Peem had felt that Phum did not relax at all during the short conversation, and the atmosphere was even more strained now.
Phum’s father was about to talk, but he was cut by his ringtone. He took his phone out, “Excuse me a moment,” and left.
The three men suddenly relaxed, even Peem did not notice that his shoulders had become more tense too.
Fang said, “At least it was calm.” Though his relationship with his father was god, when Phum and their father were in the same room, he was always a bit anxious.
Peem looked at Phum, “Are you alright?”
“Yes, yes, don’t worry.”
Peem shook his head, “Of course, I do.”
Phum grabbed one of Peem’s hands, and even if they were not alone, Peem let him.
Shortly after, Peem looked at Fang, “Do they know about Tan?”
“Yes,” Fand replied.
“Ok, I was afraid of saying something I shouldn’t. Because I don’t remember Tan saying he met your parents yet?” If he had, he would have told everyone.
“Not yet, we didn’t have the occasion.”
“You should have invited him tonight,” Phum added.
“I did, but he already had something else planned with his parents tonight,” Fang explained.
“Right, he told me about it,” Peem added.
Phum chuckled, “Maybe you should’ve gone with him then.”
Fang lightly smiled, “I preferred to be here tonight.”
“Huh, do I look that weak?” Peem teased.
Fang laughed, “Well, my brother-in-law is introduced to the family, I wanted to be there as well.” And for now, Fang knew better how to calm the situation, at least to calm their father.
Suddenly, Phum’s stomach growled. Peem and Fang turned to Phum and the three of them burst into laughter.
***
Dinner went well, Phum was a bit tense sometimes, but there were no arguments. Peem’s presence helped to calm him. A few times Peem felt that they were close to arguing, but he and Fang managed to redirect the conversation.
Peem knew also that Phum did not want to show a bad side of himself in front of his boyfriend, and his father did not want to be disrespectful in front of a guest and near stranger. So, they did their best not to show their anger at each other. His father stayed nice and polite. Other than that, Peem and Phum’s mom went along well.
The dessert definitely settled everyone down for the evening, the pastries satisfied everyone. Phum’s mom even wanted Peem to tell her where his aunt’s coffee shop was.
Phum brought Peem outside after finishing their meal. There were some lights right outside the house, but walking further into the garden, it was darker. Phum grabbed Peem’s hand while walking.
“So…” Phum started.
“Hm?”
“What did you think of them?” Phum looked expectantly at his boyfriend.
Peem looked intently at Phum, who thought for an instant. “I think… I think I like your mother, but I’m feeling neutral about your father.”
Phum looked surprised.
Peem explained, “I think he’s nice, but…” he snorted when he saw Phum’s sad face. “Let me finish?”
“Hm.” They stopped walking and faced each other.
“I think he’s nice and respectful, but also I know your point of view, and I can’t help being annoyed by how he treats you, even though it doesn’t really concern me.” Peem pressed his lips in a thin line and looked away, thinking how to formulate his thoughts.
Phum was impatient to know what Peem wanted to say.
“And I don’t think you’re overreacting, or you’re being stupid even though he’s nice. The thing is, when he sent you abroad, you felt rejected, kind of unwanted, right? And when you came back, you were still freshly wounded by that. I don’t know if he ever explained to you why he did it, or if he apologised, but I feel like you wanted to feel loved, to feel wanted by him.”
Phum was still looking at Peem wide-eyed.
“I think that you know that he is nice and respectful to you. But it’s not what you want. Words won’t be enough to make you forget the hurt and the loneliness.”
Peem looked back at his boyfriend. Phum’s eyes were shiny. It was not that easy to make him cry, but the fact that Peem understood and supported him was so important to him.
Peem offered a warm smile to Phum. He raised his free hand to move Phum’s bang aside from his eyes. Phum finally pulled him into a hug.
Peem was slightly surprised at first but hugged him back. After a moment, he asked, “Were my words so divine?” He chuckled.
Phum let go of him, “It’s just, you’re so right, but I never managed to put the correct words on that, even with Fang.”
Peem’s smile widened. “It wasn’t that hard though.”
Phum pinched the side of his arm.
“Ouch!” Peem rubbed his arm.
“Don’t tease me.”
“Am I not allowed to tease you anymore? Do I need to be allowed to tease you now?? As if you’ve ever asked the permission to tease me.”
Phum laughed, “Cat’s right, it's a boyfriend’s privilege, so I can’t stop you I guess.” He sniff-kissed Peem’s cheeks.
Peem looked chiding but said nothing.
He then smiled softly, “Now that you have words to describe it, maybe you should explain it to your father?”
Phum’s lips turned down.
“You don’t have to, I’m not asking you to do it. I just feel it’s a pity that the situation is like that. But no matter what you decide, I’ll support you.”
“Thank you,” Phum was smiling again. He softly kissed Peem’s lips.
“Don’t, people will see us!”
“And? I want to kiss my boyfriend when I want to.”
Peem snorted.
“Let’s go to my room?” Phum asked.
“Hmmmm,” Peem pretended to think, “I think I should go back, it’s starting to get late.”
“What?? No, stay and sleep here.”
Peem chuckled, “You won’t let me leave anyway, right?”
“Naa~?”
Peem laughed and started walking towards the house again. “I don’t have any other clothes though.”
“No worries, you’ll borrow mine.”
“Hm, you really like that idea, right?”
Phum shrugged, not letting Phum see on his face that yes, he liked it.
When they passed by Fang’s bedroom, they could hear Tan’s voice on speaker through the slightly open door.
“Tee-rak! you should have told me Peem was meeting your parents tonight! I would have come too to meet them!”
“I invited you, but you were busy, it’s okay.”
“I would have postponed!”
“But I thought Peem told you he would meet our parents tonight?”
Tan stayed silent for three seconds, “But it’s not up to Peem to invite me! YOU should have told me Peem was meeting your parents, so I would have come too! It would have been fun, and I want to meet them too, and…”
Peem and Phum had reached Phum’s bedroom, silently laughing at Tan’s antics. How unexpectedly this couple came to be, and yet they were so complementary.
“May I take a shower?” Peem asked.
Phum nodded, “Go ahead, I’ll grab some clothes for you. Towels are in the closet next to the sink.”
Peem went to the bathroom. He undressed, neatly set his clothes aside and went into the shower. He closed his eyes, letting the water soak his body. Water always had a soothing effect on him, so much that he could stay so long under the water (and often his aunt chided him for that). So much that he did not hear the door opening and the footsteps.
He jumped when he felt a body behind him. Phum grabbed him by his waist so he would not fall.
“Phum! What are you doing here??”
Phum laughed, “I thought you heard me coming, I didn’t try to be discreet.”
“… Anyways, get out of here, I’m showering!” Peem slowed the flow of water.
“I know, I want to shower too.” And he added before Peem could speak again, “With you.”
Peem opened his mouth, but he said nothing. Phum smiled and pecked his cheek.
“Let me shower with you, na?”
“Whatever, if I make you get out, you’ll wait outside like a wet puppy.” Peem snorted at the picture.
Phum was still holding his waist. He slightly bent down so he could kiss Peem’s shoulder. He pressed his hips against Peem’s butt, “Can you take a step forward, so I can be under the shower head?”
Peem said nothing but complied. Their body brushed against each other’s. They showered slowly.
“Cats got your tongue?” Phum teased after a while, helping Peem rinse his hair from behind.
“Huh,” Peem forced out a laugh, “I just have nothing to say.”
Phum smirked. Peem was not really feeling uneasy or shy. It’s just that he was not used to this kind of intimacy. It was not the first time they were naked close to each other, but it was the first time they just stayed calm and enjoyed the moment.
Once there was no soap anymore on their bodies, Phum’s arms circled Peem’s waist again. He kissed his shoulder again until Peem turned the water off.
“Get out, please,” Peem had to ask after a moment Phum stayed unmoving behind him.
Phum complied. He grabbed two towels, put one around his hips and waited for Peem to get out to give him one.
Peem followed Phum to his bedroom, and they dressed. Phum went back to grab to other towels. He quickly dried his hair with one and asked Phum to sit on the bed. Phum knelt behind him and started to gently dry his hair.
“I can do it myself,” Peem complained.
“Shh, let me take care of you,” Phum answered.
Peem snorted, a few months ago he would not have imagined Phum taking care of anyone beside himself.
Later, once Peem’s hair was dry, they laid down on the bed. Peem thought they were going to sleep, but Phum leant over him and kissed him. First a quick kiss, then he deepened the kiss.
Phum was happy that Peem had met his parents, and that he got to introduce him officially as his boyfriend. Peem did not introduce him the same way to his own parents, but he thought that Peem may not have wanted to make this kind of official introduction while all his friends were there. He was sure he would get to meet Peem’s parents again.
“Hm?” Peem interrupted the kiss, he felt that Phum was distracted. “Do you have something more interesting to think about?”
Phum chuckled, “No, I was just thinking about the next time I would meet your parents.”
“Already? You liked them so much?”
“Well, I want you to introduce me officially as your boyfriend. Not just as a part of your friend group, or as the handsome guy who’s taking you to places.” He smiled, teasingly.
Peem snorted but said nothing.
“Peeeem,” Phum whined.
Peem looked at him seriously, as if thinking about whether to tell him or not. Finally, he decided to tell him. “They already understood that I was interested in you before they met you. And even though I did not tell them we were already together, be sure they knew when they saw us.”
“So they do know about us??”
“They’re not stupid.”
Phum suddenly hugged him tight with a big smile. Peem laughed, “It is enough to make my puppy that happy? There, there,” he patted his head.
They stayed in this position for a while, until Peem heard that Phum fell asleep thanks to his breathing.
Of course, his parents knew. His mom had known he was interested in Phum and cheered for him. When Peem and the group went to see his parents, his parents saw how he and Phum interacted together, and how they looked at each other.
The next day, his mom had taken advantage of a few minutes Peem was alone to ask if it was official. “Of course, it is. Did you have doubts about your son’s skills?” Peem had answered with a smirk. “Of course not, but some men are so dense sometimes.” Peem had laughed, and his mom had added that he should come back only with Phum when their study year would be over.
Smiling while thinking of that again, Peem fell asleep a few minutes later with Phum in his arms.