Chapter Text
This story takes place during the volunteer camp organized by Pun.Officially to help.
Unofficially to accomplish his secret mission: to set up Q and Toey.
There are some things you should never see.
For example:
Your big brother whispering “teerak” at 11:47 p.m.
Let me tell you.
It's been a shitty day.
I don't usually talk like this, I swear.
But Kluen? He drives me crazy. He's all over Peem. And the worst part is, it's not even him.
It's Peem who doesn't push him away.
Actually... I think the worst part is me.
I threw a fit.
I was hurtful to Peem.
Unfair.
I knew it was irrational, but my words got ahead of my thoughts.
And to top it all off, I left when I caught Q's eye.
Given his menacing look?
Yes. He had heard.
I still don't understand what Nong Toey, who is so adorable, sees in him.
Once again, it's probably me.
Blinded by my frustration.
By this unpleasant realization: I'm not Peem's priority.
Peem is kind.
Really.
He always cares about others.
And I thought I was different. Special.
But seeing Kluen...
maybe I'm just another boy that Peem is kind to.
I'm rambling.
I wanted to tell you something else.
After catching Q's eye, I decided to take a walk.
I didn't want to go back to the dorm.
I didn't want to see Kluen.
I didn't want to see anyone.
Didn't want to see anyone.
And of course... I saw worse.
On the wooden balcony of one of the buildings in the educational center: Tan and my brother.
And damn it.
That was exactly what I didn't want to see to end the day.
They're not very demonstrative in public.
Especially Fang.
But there...
Tan was leaning against the railing.
His legs slightly apart to make room for Fang, who was pressed up against him.
My brother's arms were around his neck.
Tan's hands were on his hips.
They were in their pajamas.
Tan's hair was messy.
He looked tired.
And that smile.
The kind of smile that makes you want to write poetry.
Or throw up, depending on your relationship with the person in front of you.
It was intimate.
I felt like I was intruding.
As if I had opened a door that wasn't meant for me.
I tried to sneak away without them seeing me.
I wasn't going to ruin their evening just because mine was a disaster.
“Are you tired?” Tan asked.
“Not yet,” Fang replied.
His voice was low. Calm. Almost fragile.
I didn't know this side of him.
“Liar. You breathe differently when you're tired.”
MY BROTHER ISN'T BREATHING DIFFERENTLY.
and then
"teerak..." He murmured, a little grumpy
To avoid a future meltdown, I left quickly.
I didn't want to disturb them.
I didn't want to see that.
Not when I felt lonelier than ever.
But despite myself...
I was happy.
When I saw them walking hand in hand back to the dorms.
My brother was tired.
But that wasn't all.
Love also made him vulnerable.