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MOK POV
Duty.
For as long as he’d worked for the Lee’s Mok has known and understood his duty. He was meant to protect Thee. If in danger, Mok would have to sacrifice himself for Thee’s safety. If Thee needed anything, no matter what it was, Mok was to get it for him. Even as a child he knew what his role was for the Lee family.
When he was younger, Mok naively thought he could balance his duty with an offer of friendship. He believed it would be easier and more pleasant if the two went through life as friends. Best friends.
And for a while, this was enough. It was their own little secret. When they were around the Master and Mistress, they were boss and employee. Once they were alone, however, they would drop all pretenses immediately. Joking with each other, playing games, getting up to mischief. And Mok was happy. He was so happy. He lived in a mansion the size of a castle, he got to sneak gourmet food, and he had a friend. A good friend.
Mok never accounted for Rome. No one could ever prepare for Rome. He was a storm inside a glass house. Even from a young age, he always knew what he wanted and would stop at nothing to get it. As the youngest in the family, Rome was used to being spoiled and it showed up in his actions. Whatever Rome wanted, he got. And Rome? Rome wanted Mok.
When they were all younger, Thee and Rome would fight over who’s turn it was to play with Mok. Rome would whine that it wasn’t fair. He would say that Thee gets Mok all the time so he should get a turn sometimes too. Thee would argue back, more to annoy Rome than anything else, that Mok was his bodyguard and that if he wanted someone to play with so badly he should get one himself. At this point, usually Rome’s eyes would well with tears and Mok would feel so guilty over it that he would immediately tell the other that he could play with him for a while. Thee would roll his eyes and say “He only does this because he knows you will give into him every time.” Mok wouldn’t ever deny it because it was true. Mok would give into Rome every time.
Rome was his weak spot. He tried to deny it to himself for a while, then he tried to push it to the side as he got older and couldn’t lie to himself anymore. However, it was an unspoken secret that if there was one person who could get Mok to soften, it was Rome. Always Rome. If Mok thought it was tough to resist Rome when they were kids, it was nothing compared to the whirlwind that was Rome as a fully grown adult. With muscles and dark, pleading eyes and a completely-unable-to-resist smile. He grew up beautiful and he knew it. As he grew up, Rome only learned more how to weaponize those eyes and that smile to get what he wanted from Mok.
And Mok? Mok knew what his duty was, he’d been doing it since he was a kid, and he was damn good at it too, but his heart was not as easily convinced.
However, if there was one thing Mok did not give into, it was his desire to kiss Rome. Because deep down Mok knew, if he let their lips even brush, he would not be able to stop. If he gave into his desires, pulling himself back out would be impossible and would probably break his heart in the process.
So instead of giving in, he hovered just close enough. He made sure that when Rome came to visit, that he was the only one in charge of the other, because a part of him twisted at the thought of anyone else taking care of the youngest Lee. He planned everything out to Rome’s exact liking. He stood just out of reach but in grabbing distance, in case danger tried to take Rome from him. He covered up his jaw clenches and deep tortured breaths with comments about space and not crossing a line. And cracks would grow in his heart every time he saw a little more hope drain from Rome’s eyes.
Rome’s birthday was the closest Mok has ever gotten to crossing the unspoken line. Maybe it was the distance apart or maybe it was seeing Thee all in-love and sweet with Peach. Or maybe it was just Mok’s walls slowly retreating. Whatever the case, when Rome tackled Mok to the bed on his first morning back in the mansion, there was a moment suspended in time where Mok wished he could grab Rome by the back of the neck and kiss him till he couldn’t breathe. When Rome gave him his already drank-from wine glass, Mok placed his lips just where Rome’s had been and imagined what the wine would taste like on Rome’s tongue. When Rome’s face fell after Mok explained they would have to choose another destination this year for his birthday, Mok wished he could pull that face towards him and place soft kisses all over until Rome was smiling again. The smile he saved just for Mok and no-one else. He was running down the stairs and grabbing the keys from the driver before he even realized his feet were moving.
Rome’s birthday at the beach was a lesson in Mok’s quietly built self-control. Rome was glowing like never before. Something about seeing Thee with Peach seemed to renew the hope that had been dying in Rome’s eyes.
Mok barely kept his voice from catching when he explained to Peach that Rome’s future was written in stone (or maybe blood). Rome, when he came of-age, would be shipped off somewhere far away. Away from the Lee’s. Away from Mok. Based on the look in his eye, Peach could see right through Mok’s attempts at nonchalance. Something about Peach made Mok want to tell the truth about everything. About his love for Rome, about his disappointment that his relationship with Thee had changed so much, about his frustrations with having to remain so formal all the time. He didn’t completely give into this desire. He had to keep some things for himself, but he did allow himself to share just enough for Peach to understand what life could be like for the Lees. He was rooting for Thee and Peach. Not only for them, but because a small, selfish part thought if they were able to make it all work, that maybe sometime in the future Rome and Mok could give things a try as well.
When Rome went after Peach, Mok felt a small pang in his chest. He knew, realistically, that Rome was just wanting time alone with Peach to see if he was worthy of Thee’s love and affection. However, Mok wasn’t used to Rome paying anyone else any attention when he was in the room. He also couldn’t help but compare himself to Peach either. Peach was kind and easy to talk to. And Mok wasn’t blind to the fact that Peach was attractive. Mok had always been quietly possessive of Rome, something that only Rome seemed to notice. Which was always a blessing and a curse.
Mok also felt his own pang of worry for Peach. The expression on his face, Mok could tell the other was feeling unsettled and after looking at his file, upon Thee’s request, he could understand where his feelings might’ve come from.
All in all, Mok didn’t feel completely settled again until Peach and Rome had both returned and the birthday cake surprise went off without a hitch. He was so relieved, in fact, that when Rome pulled him up to dance with him, he didn’t resist nearly as much as he would have any other time. The joy on Rome’s face made Mok swallow hard. Mok felt Rome’s eyes on him the majority of the night and he internally preened that he was still able to hold the other’s attention. He knew that it wasn’t fair to both want Rome’s attention but also needing to keep the other at arms length, but Mok had been living with this dichotomy all his life. It was getting easier to ignore. He knew his attention was just as focused on the other, even if he tried to hide it more.
When they all collapsed, more drunk than they should’ve been but just as happy as they deserved to be, Mok felt Rome’s foot land in his lap and instead of pushing it away, he let his hand rest against the bare skin of the other’s ankle. Even a touch that simple made Mok’s heart race and stomach tremble.
And before Mok even had time to realize it, Rome and Mok were standing in front of Rome’s van getting ready to leave for the airport. The days flew by, like they always do when Rome is around, and Mok was already mourning the distance between them prior to the other even leaving. The bracelet he’d made for Rome was practically burning a hole in his pocket. The entire time Rome had been home, Mok had been trying to build up the courage and find the moment to give it to the younger Lee brother. Part of him felt ridiculous for even entertaining the idea of giving it to Rome. The guy could buy anything he wanted for himself five times over and still have money left. But a smaller part of Mok wanted Rome to have something that Mok made for him. Maybe something a little childish, but it was formed from a piece of his heart.
Which is why when Rome gave him the order to stay home, to not drive him to the airport like he usually does, Mok felt a punch to the stomach. All of his years of training were put to use to keep his true emotions from showing on his face. Part of him understood though, it was always hard for Mok to watch Rome walk through the airport doors, and Mok wasn’t naive enough to think Rome wouldn’t also be affected. However, it also felt like his chance was slipping rough his fingers. That was until Rome grabbed him by the arm and declared his intention to come back and love Mok as soon as he was able. At the words, Mok felt full body chills run through his body. The conviction in Rome’s words was unlike anything Mok had ever heard before.
Before Rome pulled away, Mok managed to slide the bracelet into Rome’s pocket, knowing Rome would be able to feel the motion even with something so small. Mok’s heart beat faster at knowing the bracelet was officially out of his hands and in the other’s possession. Rome gave Mok one last look, that Mok felt all the way down to his toes, before stepping into the car. Mok watched the car until it was out of his sight. He told himself when he tracked Rome’s plane later that it was just as a part of his duty to the Lee family, but he was barely able to convince himself of the fact.
While Rome was back in Hong Kong, Mok threw himself back into his work for Thee. The other finally being able to officially court Peach meant Mok’s schedule was filled with all Peach-related tasks while also making sure no word had slipped back to the master that Thee was in-love and dating someone.
For some reason, Mok was struggling even more than usual to bounce back from Rome leaving this time. He thought throwing himself back into work would make it easier to push things off, as that was his normal tactic, but the ache in his heart wasn’t fading. Watching Thee’s puppy dog eyes and hearing him whine about missing Peach at all hours of the day was hitting at a place inside Mok that he was usually able to shake off. Luckily Thee seemed to distracted by Peach actually wanting him back to realize Mok was off in any way.
It definitely didn’t help that Rome would periodically reach out to Mok and ask how things were progressing between Thee and Peach. It always made the ache deeper so oftentimes, Mok would leave the messages unanswered, feeling the distance between the two like an open wound.
Mok found a brief distraction when Peach was almost scouted by another mafia family. Thee and Mok knew this was nothing to mess around about nor did they want to tell Peach before it was absolutely necessary. Thee wanted to keep that life as far away from his “precious thing”, as he liked to call it, as he could. Mok agreed without hesitation, while also evaluating the threat the other family might actually prove to be to everyone. Because beyond everything going on, Mok’s priority was still Thee’s safety more than anything else.
They never thought it would all come to a head because the son of the other family felt slighted that Thee rejected meeting with him and sent a tip to the Lee Master that his oldest heir was dating someone. Mok was with Thee when he got the call. He’d never seen the other’s face that pale before. He knew something was horribly wrong.
“They know.” Thee’s voice was practically a whisper. Mok was alert and ready for any threat that might be upon them.
“They know what, Khun Thee?” Mok needed to remain level headed in order to settle Thee again.
“Someone… someone told Pa about… Peach.” Mok had never seen Thee look so young, not since he was a kid at least. “He’s… coming to Thailand.” Mok felt his heart sink to his stomach. He thought he’d been so thorough. The thought had barely finished leaving Mok’s head before Thee’s phone buzzed in his hand where it was still frozen halfway to his ear. Mok watched as Thee’s eyes flicked to the phone and then as pure rage filled his face. The only other time Mok had seen Thee that angry was when that photographer had threatened Peach with the golf club.
“It was… that insignificant son.” This time, the whisper in Thee’s voice wasn’t from anxiety or fear, but from anger.
Thee showed his phone to Mok where a message sat like a deathwish.
It read “All’s fair…” Mok felt his own twinge of anger. He cared about Peach too and this had crossed a line that no sort of perceived slighting deserved.
“Handle it.” Was all Thee said to Mok before he left to room. Mok nodded to the already empty space. Mok knew he couldn’t kill the insignificant bug, if Peach found out he’d be upset which would upset Thee, but he could make sure the other never spoke out of turn again. He wanted to show the other exactly why he stood at Thee’s side all these years.
It was a brutal, efficient takedown. Based on how much trouble the guy caused, Mok almost wished it was more difficult. But once it was over, Mok returned to the Lee mansion expecting to come back to Thee heartbroken and the family in shambles. Based on everything the Master had ever indicated up until this point, he would not tolerate any sort of perceived relationship for either of his sons.
Imagine Mok’s surprise to have returned to the mansion only to walk in on a dinner between Master Lee, Thee… and Peach. All of his years of training were used to keep the surprise off his face. The master didn’t necessarily look entirely happy but he clearly wasn’t standing in the way and Mok wondered what exactly had done it finally.
When Mok and Peach got a moment together later he checked in with the other, knowing it was probably overwhelming to not only meet the father of your partner, but said father being a mafia boss who had notoriously been against this up until now.
“I’m… not even sure what did it.” Peach had a disbelieving tone to his voice, his eyes got a slight glint that Mok didn’t initially understand before the next words left his mouth. “But it sounds like it wasn’t just… Thee who convinced him.” Mok’s breath stuttered in his chest. He tried to ignore Peach’s knowing gaze, but he couldn’t keep the small smile off his face.
When Mok had finally retired to his room, he allowed himself one little thing to slip through the cracks of his heart for the first time… hope.
————— ♾—————
He came like a hurricane, much like he always does. For the first time ever, Mok wasn’t the one to arrange the flight or the transportation, which was why it caught Mok so off-guard.
When he was younger, Mok used to imagine finally kissing Rome in some magical destination, with lights and the air just the right side of crisp. He felt, given the fact the Lee’s practically lived in a castle, their kiss would be like something out of a fairytale. Rome dressed like a prince and Mok looking his best.
The reality? Well the reality was everything. Rome was still dressed like a prince, because he always is. The rest was nothing like he imagined.
It started with a hallway and his name.
Mok was on his way to Thee’s room, passing through one of the many hallways at the mansion when he heard it.
“Mok.” Mok didn’t realize how much feeling could fit in the shape of his name. He froze in his step, turning towards the voice. The one he’d know anywhere. Across lifetimes and through his dreams.
Mok turned slowly, almost as if he was worried if he turned too fast, Rome would be an illusion or something he’d dreamed up.
But there he stood, looking like a dream. There was a pleading look on Rome’s face, one that Mok had seen before but never this intense. Mok felt it deep in his bones. Mok expected the other to close the distance immediately, it instead Rome stayed exactly where he was, drenched in sunlight behind him liked he’d been blessed by Apollo.
“ I told you I’d come back for you.” There was that familiar teasing tone in Rome’s voice, but mostly there was truth, and longing. Rome opened his mouth to say something else, but Mok didn’t wait to hear it.
He closed the distance between them in eight long steps, grabbed Rome gently by the face, and pressed their lips together before he could think more about it.
Mok felt Rome gasp against his mouth before completely melting into Mok, bringing his own hands up to cup Mok’s face and continuing to guide their lips together. The feeling rushing through Mok wasn’t liked you’d read about in a fairytale. There were no fireworks or explosions. Instead it felt like coming home, like comfort, like this is exactly where Mok should have always been.
Rome’s hands moved from Mok’s face down to his waist, pulling him in even closer than they already were, swallowing the gasp that left Mok’s lips at the motion. Mok’s own hands trailed up into Rome’s hair, grasping at the strands like he’d always secretly wished he could. Mok felt Rome’s shiver at the motion all through his body and let out his own soft moan at the feeling. Rome somehow melted even more into Mok’s arms at the sound, Mok wasn’t even sure how it was possible. It was like Rome wanted to fuse himself into Mok’s bones and live there. Mok might have let him if it was possible.
Breathing was becoming a necessity again, not that Rome seemed to be concerned by it, and when Mok tried to pull his mouth away from Rome’s to get a bit more breath in his lungs, the other just said “No.” against his lips, not giving an inch. Mok couldn’t help the smile that pulled at the corners of his mouth, Rome mirroring him at the feeling.
Mok finally rested his hand against Rome’s chest, putting just enough pressure for their lips to separate but not to go much further than that. A whine left Rome’s mouth, but Mok didn’t give into the noise no matter how much he wanted to. Instead he rested their foreheads together gently, feeling Rome’s breath brushing his own lips. He could feel Rome’s heart racing against his own.
When he spoke, there was a rasp to his voice that he had never heard before.
“I’m…” he started, not used to feeling shy around Rome anymore. “I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”
He knew it hadn’t been easy for the other. A fond smile crossed Rome’s lips. He gently brought his hands up to cup Mok’s face again.
“For you…” Rome pressed a soft kiss to Mok’s forehead. “… I would wait…” he pressed a second kiss to Mok’s left cheek “….A thousand lifetimes…” he pressed a third kiss to Mok’s right cheek. “…my love…” he finished his gentle ambush with a kiss to Mok’s lips that was so soft and gentle it almost brought tears to Mok’s eyes. Normally words like that from Rome would’ve made Mok roll his eyes, but combination of how tenderly he was being treated with the rain of kisses, Mok felt his knees weaken at Rome’s declaration. Rome clearly could tell as well and his eyes melted at the realization he’d finally gotten the reaction he’d wanted from Mok.
Mok cleared his throat, trying to recenter himself. He thought about the one thing he could say that would make Rome feel even half of what the other was making him feel. When it came to him, he couldn’t believe it took so long. He took in a deep breath and traced his finger along Rome’s sharp jawline, the one that looked like it could cut you if you weren’t careful, before pushing a single finger under his chin and looking into Rome’s eyes.
“Well, I’m yours now.” Mok topped the words off with a brush of his lips against Rome’s before pulling out of the other’s arms and starting to walk back down the hallway. Rome was clearly malfunctioning because he didn’t realize Mok was out of his arms until the bodyguard was a couple steps away from him.
“Wait a second.” Rome tried to reach out and grab Mok’s hand but Mok playfully pulled it out of reach at the last second, continuing to walk down the hallway pretending he hadn’t rearranged Rome’s brain with just a few words.
“Mok.” There was definitely a whine in Rome’s voice now as he continued to follow Mok down the hallway, Mok staying just out of his reach.
“Let me kiss you.” Rome was probably pouting now too. Mok let a small, teasing smile pull at the corner of his lips before sending a flirty look over his shoulder.
“Guess you’ll have to catch me first.”
Their laughter could be heard throughout the house, following them everywhere they went, until a door shut and they couldn’t hear anything at all after that.
FIN