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Peach was never one to read books. Life has always been busy. But, a perk that came with marrying Theerakit was a huge library with collections dating back almost centuries.
Over the three years of their marriage, Peach slowly has picked up the habit of reading. Thee has given it numerous tries, but reading is just not his thing. He now just reads bedtime stories whenever their kids have a demand.
The clock on the dresser read 10:15 PM.
Thee has not come home yet. His hours lately have been gruelling. Peach doesn’t know the specifics of it yet. His husband will tell him if anything is up. They have carefully built that trust over the years.
Peach finished the kids bedtime and went to get in a few pages of reading before he could dose off to wonderland.
10:45 PM. The bedroom door creaked open.
“Kian, you are back.” Peach looked up and finally put his book down.
Always a beautiful sight to see. Thee wondered to himself.
“Mmm.” Thee didn’t say much, though he had a small smile on his face. Seeing his husband only bought him joy. He just moved around the room, quietly and went ahead to refresh.
“I hope you had dinner, Kian.” Peach put the book on the night stand as he welcomed Thee into his arms, who now smelled like their shared body wash.
“Yes, I had a few sandwiches.” Thee responded. He adjusted himself until he rested his head against Peach’s chest.
Peach took the opportunity to slowly pat Thee’s shoulder. There was visible tension in them. Only Thee knows what he has been carrying.
“Okay, that’s good. But, ensure you have balanced meals as well. I will ask the kitchen to pack some cut fruits for you starting tomorrow.” Peach said as he pressed a kiss to Thee’s hair.
“Thank you!”
“Oh, what did you and the kids eat?” Thee asked after a brief moment of silence.
“Chicken Piccata and side salad.”
“You made it? Or the chef did?” Thee questioned and looked up. Wanting to know more about his husband’s day.
“I did make it, but with the help of the chef.” Peach smiled recalling his successful attempt at the dinner.
Thee continued to stare at his husband. Peach ducked down and pressed a soft kiss to Thee’s lips. Thee slowly responded back, adjusting himself once again to feel comfortable. The exhaustion of the past few weeks was clearly visible on his demeanour. Breaths caught between them. Thee’s finger grabbed the cotton in Peach’s pajama. Peach bought his hands to rub circles along Thee’s neck. Thee finally relaxed a little into the kiss.
A kiss that wasn’t designed to cause butterflies in the stomach. A kiss that wasn’t designed to convey desire and lust. A kiss that was designed to just say I’m here, with you. A kiss that is familiar and grounding. A kiss to convey I love you when words couldn’t cut it.
Peach broke the kiss, pressed a soft peck to Thee’s nose. He rested his head against the pillow. His hands on Thee’s back, drawing gentle patterns. Thee settled back into Peach’s chest, arms around his waist.
A tremor visible in Thee.
Peach knew better than to demand for answers to his questions. He closed his eyes. Pulling Thee closer than the possibilities of the realm. Switching between slow pats on the back to scratches in the head, Peach did his best to comfort Thee through his feelings.
Peach moved a bit to reach out and turn off the night lamp.
11:15 PM. The last thing he saw before the moonlight took over the room. Thee fidgeted around a bit. Trying to find a comforting position. But, what can be done when it is your mind that wants warmth and comfort rather than your body?
“Rome and Mok will be here tomorrow.” Thee started. Peach was not surprised. They got engaged 4 months ago and mutually decided that they are going to have a wedding in Thailand.
“Oh, they are starting to plan the wedding?” Peach asked with the intention to let his Kian know that he is listening.
“No.”
“Oh, then?” Peach’s curiosity spoke before he did.
Thee settled back into Peach’s chest, drawing patterns over Peach’s heart. Thee did not speak immediately.
“Security details keep throwing red flags. It has been almost a week now.”
“I am scared. I am worried about our kid’s safety. I am worried about you. I don’t want to take any risk, but I don’t want to disrupt everyone’s daily life. Scared that something might happen to one of us.” Thee finally confessed.
“I just went over a few changes that can be made to our security protocol with Rome and Mok. Mok said that he wanted to investigate further and close this for good. Rome is following along.” Thee finished, succeeding in being articulate.
“Oh, I see.” Peach finally spoke up.
Thee waited for Peach to say something. Peach tried to form coherent sentences to express his feelings without causing more panic.
“I think I would be scared too. I don’t know the severity of the situation. I think you don’t either, seeing how fidgety you are right now. But, I trust you. I trust Rome, I trust Mok. And I trust myself too. To protect the kids. And best of all, to protect you too. I will definitely be part of the conversations from now on, no protests there. But, I promise to step back and let you guys do your thing as well. I am definitely no expert. It would put both of us at ease if we knew what we are facing here.” Peach said.
“Thank you!” Thee added.
“Why are you thanking me, Mr. Handsome?” Peach added a nickname to lighten the mood a bit before they face reality tomorrow.
Thee blushed at the name. He hit Peach’s chest playfully.
“Peachayarat, don’t call me that! My heart can’t handle it.” The plan worked just fine.
“You have been married for almost 3 years now, Mr. Handsome. You call me honey, sugar, rainbow, love, sunshine, husband, baby, sweetie and Lookpeach. And you ask me not to give you a nickname? Unfair.” Peach added with a laugh in his voice.
Thee just giggled.
“Lookpeach. Lookpeach. Lookpeach.” Thee said as he moved around to pepper kisses on Peach’s face. Truly the best thing he gets to in this lifetime. Also a wish to continue this beyond the realm of mortality.
Thee settled back with his ears right above Peach’s heart. Listening to the very faint sound of heartbeat. Finally feeling content and prepared enough to face.
What wonders your few sentences does to me that a week’s worth of discussions couldn’t. Thee thought to himself.
“I hope Rome and Mok get to have a drama-free wedding. They deserve that, after what all they have been through to get here.” Thee recalled the way his younger brother looked the day Mok initially said no to him, right around the time Peach decided to move in with Thee. Truly something devastating.
“They will. Plum will definitely be planning some sort of party for Rome and he is going to enjoy so much of it. And you are also going to throw a party for Mok. Some bachelor party at least. We will enjoy the wedding to the fullest. Nothing is going to happen to us. I promise.”
Peach did not know what he was promising against. He just promised. And that was more than enough at this moment. They are smart enough to figure out the specifics of safety and security. And this was enough for Thee to calm down and be level headed to face anything.
Thee kissed Peach over his heart, murmuring “I love you, Lookpeach.”
Ah, Lookpeach, the nickname that Peach has been dying to hear for a week, but he will never admit to.
A smile for the silly thought in his mind. A prayer for what is to come ahead. Peach and Thee drifted off to wonderland.
Best believe that Thee slept that night with no anxiety lingering around anymore.