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By the time Pat arrives, the place is already packed. While he tends to prefer the casual vibe of a bar next door, his first impression of the venue is much more positive than he had expected. It seems a bit fancy, but not in a pretentious way.
It’s a rooftop bar and restaurant located on the 22nd floor of a hotel in central Bangkok.
Paa had discovered this place. She told him it was a really popular new restaurant, known for its fantastic vibe and delicious food. When she saw that they were hosting an event for New Year’s Eve, plans had soon been made.
Initially Pat hadn’t wanted to go. The thought of wearing fancy clothes and a mask—because, of course, it wasn’t just any party, but a masquerade—didn’t really seem like his ideal way of spending the night. But he could tell that Paa really wanted him to come. She seemed to think he’d become some sort of hermit. Which wasn’t true! He went out plenty…
Still, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
When he arrives all alone, he’s suddenly not as sure about this anymore. Ink and Paa would only get there a bit later, and while he’s never been one to feel awkward in social situations, right now being on his own does feel a bit strange. A bit lonely.
All other people - families, friends, lovers - seem to be having a fantastic time. There are several cozy seating niches on one side of the room where people are chatting and enjoying the restaurant’s food. Most others are standing together in groups however, with some already dancing animatedly to the music, which is currently being provided by a DJ situated in a booth right above the bar.
Maybe something to drink might make him feel more at ease, but, as if by instinct, his feet take him to the rooftop terrace instead.
There is just something about rooftops that always draws him in. Thankfully It’s not that crowded yet, though he can already tell that soon enough, when there will be live music on the small stage outside, this will definitely change.
Standing at the railing and looking at nighttime Bangkok feels so very familiar, while at the same time making it so very apparent what is desperately missing right now. Oh, how he misses -
Just as he is about to lose himself in his thoughts full of yearning, someone approaches him from behind. „A penny for your thoughts.“ A low voice purrs seductively into his left ear, while a hand lightly touches his lower back.
Startled, he spins around, and is faced with a vision so stunning, it makes him catch his breath. The man in front of him looks like sin itself. Underneath a deep black blazer he is wearing a sheer lace shirt with almost half of its buttons undone, revealing far more than it hides. Quite a contrast to the delicately made cat mask on the man’s face that keeps his identity safely hidden from unwanted eyes.
Pat can feel intense dark eyes stare at him through the slits of the cat mask, almost predatory like they are assessing prey. The man's lips are slightly parted, one side pulled up teasingly, revealing a dimple that has the power to drive people insane. Drive him insane. All thoughts from before suddenly gone.
„Did I startle you?“ The words once again no more than a whisper against his ear. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, clearly amused.
He is standing so very close, some might consider it provocative and pushy. For Pat, however, it’s just right. Still too far away even. The temptation to bury his nose in the other‘s neck, breathing in the most intoxicating scent, almost overwhelming. There is probably a reason his own mask resembles a dog.
To make it worse, as if able to read his thoughts, the man tilts his head slightly to the left and slowly traces his right hand along his neck to the necklace dangling in his cleavage, as if daring him to give in to his urges.
Oh, this is pure evil. Fuck this.
Like a dog starved, he forfeits and lunges at the other man.
„Pran, what the hell!“ Pat can’t help but whine, as he wraps himself around Pran’s whole body, finally able to deeply inhale his favorite scent, and therefore completely falling out of character.
„Not even one minute, Pat! This wasn’t even a competition,“ Pran utters in fond disbelief.
„You can’t blame me! Have you taken a look at yourself? How is one supposed to stay in character when faced with all this,“ he says defensively while making excessive hand movements in Pran‘s general direction. „This is foul play.“
“Aww, poor puppy,” with a sugarsweet voice Pran takes a jab at Pat's own dog-like mask, while teasingly pinching his cheeks slightly.
“You’re making fun of me,“ Pat says with a pout.
„Want a retry?“
„Deal.“ Pat says in an instant, holding out his fist.
Pran lets out a laugh, but entertains his shenanigans without hesitation.
„Deal.“
„But maybe not today?“
„Scared you will fail again?“ Pran can’t help but tease him some more.
„Don’t underestimate me, khun Pran. I’m a world class actor.“
Pran just gives him an affectionate, yet slightly amused look.
„It’s really not because of that.“ Pat adds. “We’re supposed to meet up with Ink and Pa soon.”
“We still have more than an hour.”
“Praaan…” Pat whines, before finally voicing out the real reason.
“It’s just…I missed this. Not having to hide in the open. I want this to be just us, not some roles. Not even if it is just for an hour. At least not today.” Pat doesn’t know why it feels so hard to voice this out, but it does.
But he didn’t have to be worried, because of course Pran - his Pran - understands better than anyone.
“Let’s go have some fun.”
*
Earlier that month
„You should come. You two always stay in. You shouldn’t have to feel this caged in.“ says Paa. She hates that Pran and her brother have to hide their relationship because of their parents. It’s not right.
“Don’t you worry. Pran and me, we like it caged in. It’s very cosy, if you know what I mean.”
Pat wiggles his eyebrows annoyingly.
“Pat…Be serious.”
„I am. I know you are worried. But it’s better this way. We are ok. I am ok. Really.”
Paa lets out a sigh. Ever since her brother’s and P‘Pran’s fake break up one year ago, Pat had pretended to be ok, as if having to hide again was different now and didn’t faze him at all. But even though he tries so hard not to show it, Paa can tell that it’s not always easy for him.
She can tell in the way he always gets a little quiet after she tells him about her dates with Ink, in the way he is trying extra hard to not make her feel bad because she and Ink can have what he and P‘Pran can’t.
So, when she read about the masquerade event for New Year’s eve, she thought it was perfect. A perfect opportunity for Pat and P’Pran to spend time in the open, to finally go on a date again.
She wants this for them, the opportunity to go out again, and not have to worry about their parents.
But of course her annoyingly stubborn brother has to make it difficult. She should have talked to P’Pran instead.
Just as she is about to change tactics, Pat thankfully gives in.
„But if it means this much to you, I will talk to Pran about it. With the masks it’s pretty safe after all.“
*
“May I ask for this dance?” a familiar voice purrs seductively into his right ear.
This time there’s no surprise, no pretense. Pat turns around, a huge smile on his face. “Lead away.”
Turns out they both are quite terrible at this. Initially, Pran tries to bring some kind of coordination into their dancing, but it only leads to lots of stumbling around, and stepping on each other’s toes. Pat’s approach is much more chaotic, including all kinds of dance moves he had once encountered on TikTok or other unreliable sources. “Korn showed me this one.”
Pat is awfully proud of his swirling skills, though the people around them probably aren’t.
It’s probably a blessing in disguise when a slow song turns up. An easy excuse to just hold each other tight, and do a bare minimum of dancing.
“You really missed this, didn’t you?”
“Dancing?” Pat jokes, getting only a light slap against his head as reply. Of course he knows what Pran really means.
“Haven’t you?” he returns.
“Yeah. It’s nice. Nice not to worry. Nice to feel like a normal couple who can just go on a date if they want.” Pran answers, voice softening. “We should do it more often.”
“Are you serious?” Pat says in awe.
“Yes, I am.” There’s a sincerity in Pran’s expression as he says it.
“We have to be cautious, of course. But Bangkok is such a big city. How will our parents even find out? Especially this time around, when we got help on our side.
When we decided to go back into hiding, I didn’t want it to go back to the way it was before.
But then everything was so busy and this never came up again, so I thought it was fine for now.
But just now I realized it wasn’t.”
Pat feels like the luckiest person alive. It doesn’t matter where they are.
“I do enjoy just staying in your room the whole night. Leaving for your room is already the best type of going out there is. Even if Paa doesn’t think it counts,” he adds the last part with a pout. “But you are right. This is nice. More than nice. It’s perfect.”
Everywhere with Pran is perfect.
*
“Ink and Paa should be here soon,” says Pran with a quick look on his worn-out casio watch.
“Thank god. I'm starving.”
“Am I not feeding you enough?” Pran raises his left eyebrow, his tone clearly teasing.
“Are you offering right now?” Pat – of course – instantly catches on to his implied meaning . Always so eager.
“What makes you think your performance earlier merits a reward?”
“Pran, how can you say this? Aren't I such a good boy?” Pat looks at him with his big brown eyes, the perfect imitation of a puppy. Pran is not charmed by that. Definitely not. Especially not when Pat puts his ridiculousness to a new level by letting out an excited “Woof!”
Most certainly not charmed by this, even as his mouth betrays him and lets out a fond laugh before he can help it. “A Menace. That is what you are.”
In that moment Ink arrives. “You two are really dressed true to your personalities.“
“Pat should have worn a pig mask then.” Paa comments, following closely behind Ink.
She looks like a princess, wearing an elegant white dress and a mask all bright and sparkling, just like the sun. Ink, standing next to her, contrasts her perfectly in a black blazer-like outfit and a half-mask with an earthy vibe. Seeing them all dressed up makes Pran feel a bit more at ease in his own, quite daring, outfit. It’s not something he would normally feel comfortable in, but remembering Pat’s reaction to it, he can’t quite regret his choice of outfit.
And Pat – the awful truth is, he could have probably shown up to this event in an Hawaiian shirt, and Pran would have still found it hot.
Even Pat’s annoyingly smug “Agreed, I am indeed very intelligent and cute.” in response to Paa’s comment, somehow manages to be attractive to him. The worst part? Pat has become way too aware of that fact lately. “Right, teerak?” Pat adds, sending an eager smile in his direction.
“Insufferable.” Pran mutters in reply.
Paa just shakes her head, a look of fond disbelief on her face. „P’Pran, how can you stand this?“
Yeah, however can he possibly stand this…?
*
“How were things back home?”
Ink and Paa had been on a short visit to Pat and Paa’s parents beforehand. Pat had decided against it. ‘Western‘ New Year had never been of much importance in their family anyway, and as his relationship with his pa had been strained ever since last year, he avoided visiting if possible.
“It was nice. Ma misses you. She sends her well wishes, and hopes you will come visit her soon.”
There’s a hint of sadness in Paa’s expression, just like when she asked him to come to this New Year’s party. He knows she worries, though he wishes she wouldn’t feel the need to. He’s glad they came today. This night is for them, not their parents.
He gives Paa a firm, reassuring nod. “I will. But for now, let’s go get some food.”
The food is delicious. Not as good as Pran’s – obviously – but still quite tasty. But the best part is them all coming together. They hadn’t done this in a while. After his and Pran’s fake break up, all four of them having dinner in one of their dorm rooms had become somewhat of a regular thing. Lately however, university had been quite busy for all of them, especially for Pran though who would work late into the night for some of his projects. This is a much needed break.
Full of vigor, he takes another loud bite of his food, immediately leading to familiar complaints about his eating habits from his sister and Pran, while Ink just watches it all in fond amusement. Oh how he missed this – this feeling of home.
*
“It’s almost midnight.”
“Where are P’Pran and my useless brother?” Paa wonders impatiently.
“They’ve been here a moment ago. They will probably be back in a second.” Ink’s eyes wander around before finally coming to a stop. “...or maybe not.”
At the edge of the rooftop terrace, in a corner mostly hidden from sight—unless you are actively looking — two people, their masks long abandoned, are so wrapped up in each other, they might as well be in their own world.
Paa follows her eye movement.
“Urgh, of course. They are so annoying. You want to get them out one time and they just end up making out in some dark corner anyway.”
“It is a tradition in certain parts of the world.”
“A bit early, aren’t they?” Paa quips.
Ink laughs. “When do they ever do things the usual way?”
“You’re right. Common love just isn’t for them.” There’s a moment of hesitation before Paa continues, her voice softening. “Do you think I should have just let them be? Maybe they would have been happier at home…”
It’s so clear how much her brother and Pran mean to her, and Ink just falls a little bit more in love with her because of it.
“I think you did great. I saw them on the dance floor earlier, and despite both of them having left feet, their happiness lit up the whole place.”
“Thanks, P’Ink” Paa says, sending a smile in Ink’s direction that leaves her weakened, even more so when Paa steps closer, tilts her head upward, and fixes her gaze on her lips. “They might be onto something this time.”
Suddenly there’s movement all around them, people getting ready for the start of the new year. Then, the countdown begins.
10…9…8
Ink gently tucks a strand of hair that has fallen in front of Paa’s mask behind her ear, letting her hand linger, now lightly resting on Paa’s cheek and the edge of her mask.
7…6…5
Paa, already taller than usual due to her heels, tries to make herself even taller and almost loses her balance in the process. It’s adorable, and Ink is more than happy to provide the necessary support by letting Paa put her hands around her neck, bringing them even closer.
4…3…2
The excitement grows, more and more fireworks can be seen and heard, along with the cheering and people shouting Happy New Year, but for Ink there is only one light, one sun, on her radar.
With a whispered “Happy New Year, teerak!” she closes the small gap between them and finally presses her lips to Paa’s.
*
“You know, there’s a certain New Year’s tradition in some parts of the world.” There’s a wicked smile on Pat’s face, making it obvious which tradition he’s referring to.
“Did you forget that mess on the dance floor earlier? I think you almost broke my mask trying to kiss me.”
“They are a bit of a hindrance,” Pat says sheepishly, with a flick against Pran’s mask.
“I think I saw a slightly hidden corner on the rooftop back there.” Pran points to a place at the far right end of the rooftop terrace.
“Are you suggesting what I think you are?
“Why don’t you find out?” There is a challenge in Pran’s eyes as he slowly makes his way into the crowd, his eyes never leaving Pat’s.
It’s on.
*
Somewhere between kisses they become aware of the cheering and counting all around them.
“Shia…It’s almost time.” Pran gasps between kisses. “We should head back to the others…”
“What about my midnight kiss?” Pat pouts. “It’s supposed to bring luck.”
“I thought you were already my lucky charm?” he gets teased.
“Praaan. One can never have too much luck.” Or kisses, is what he really means. But with Pran, it’s basically the same thing anyway.
“I guess they will be fine if we are a bit late…” Pat only gets the words “Pran, It’s still too ea–” out before Pran once again pulls him closer, and all words get swallowed by another round of passionate kisses.
Who cares anyway…as long as they’re together.
“Happy New Year, Pat.” Pran whispers after a while, by now way past midnight. “Let’s head back.”