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The College of Music’s Grand Showcase event was worth a decent chunk of the students’ grades each year. Certainly Qin, Tong, and Pae had been working tirelessly for weeks to prepare for it.
Sometimes Duang would text Qin and not hear back for hours because his group was practicing. That was fine. Duang would send all his support in messages throughout the day and then he would be ready to continue that support in the evenings—by picking Qin up from practice or by having food ready for him when he got back to the apartment. Auntie Juu teased him every time he showed up at her restaurant to get stir-fried shrimp with garlic to go. He also ran Qin a bath on nights when he was too tired to shower, washing his hair the way Qin had done for him when he overworked himself.
Jamie teased him. “You’re not his boyfriend, you’re his stay-at-home wife!”
Pae shook his head, “I bet Qin says stuff like,” and his voice distorted, taking on Qin’s familiar tone as he continued, “I’m fine. Don’t tire yourself out over me.” Then he laughed in his usual voice.
Both made Duang shake his head and say, “Qin loves and appreciates me, and he thanks me for the help. You two are just jealous.”
That night, a text pinged on his phone.
Tong
- Duang
- Qin overworked his voice.
- Take care of him for us.
- Will do!
A quick internet search later, and Duang had plenty of ideas on how to care for Qin. Should he make Qin tea? Or maybe sit him at the table with a bowl of steaming water and a towel over his head, like a personal sauna! Did Qin have any pain medication? Duang’s family only kept some around for when Duang was sick, because he could just heal anyone el—
“Duh!” Duang said, smacking his own forehead. He’d just heal Qin’s throat with his gift!
Just then, the door opened and Qin appeared, rubbing his throat and frowning. Duang bounced over to gently take Qin’s arm and lead him to the couch.
“Tong said you hurt your throat,” Duang said, his words tumbling over themselves, “Do you want to have tea or a bath or a lozenge or—or can I try healing it?”
Qin stared at him for several moments, silently taking him in and processing the offer. Then, with a tiny smile, “You’re going to make me spoiled.” But he tilted his head to give Duang access.
After that, Duang offered to heal Qin’s throat each night—he usually declined. Their lives, and practices, continued that way until the Showcase finally arrived.
The other groups were fine, but didn’t move Duang. He was waiting for just one person. Jamie and Pae teased him about that too.
When Qin took the stage, he shown like the moon and Duang couldn’t look away. And then he sang. He sang a song about living life at an arm’s length, about people not meaning what they said—until you. You are genuine, no fabricated kindness. Your thoughts on the inside match your actions on the outside. With you, I don’t fear a touch. With you, I know what love truly is.
Qin met Duang’s eyes, so Duang would know the song was meant for him, and Duang instantly teared up. His boyfriend stood on stage, in front of hundreds of people, singing a song written just for him. Full of his love for Duang.
Duang couldn’t wait to show Qin how much he loved him too, with both his words and his mind.