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Ploy moved into the house.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Pete had said he wanted his sister to move back in. Make the house that their parents left them lively again. Niran had thought he should move out before that happens. He said as such to Pete a day after Pete had excitedly told him Ploy had finally agreed to move in once her lease expired at her apartment.
“I’ll move out before she comes then.” Niran said, not even looking up from his meal. He was going to sooner or later. No longer having the excuse of Qi Rong to stay there. Pete still hasn’t paid him back 4 million baht but he still had his own apartment. The apartment he was still paying rent for while not even visiting it.
The clink of utensils against the dining table caught Niran’s attention. His eyes flickered up, wondering what was wrong when he saw Pete’s expression.
It wasn’t an expression he was expecting. A look of disappointment. But also of sadness. Pete stood up from his chair, his plate still had food, not even a quarter of it was eaten. He placed his utensils on the plate and grabbed it, placing it in the kitchen sink before he went upstairs to his bedroom.
Niran watched.
Confusion etched on his face. It took a moment before he finally followed Pete to the bedroom, abandoning his own food. Luckily enough Pete hadn’t locked the door.
“What was that about?” Niran asked. He remembered seeing Pete sitting on the bed, blanket wrapped around him in a cocoon. Eyes watering as he stared down. “Pete.” Niran sighed. He sat down on the bed, unsure of what to do. “What’s wrong?”
Pete shook his head.
“Pete… talk to me.”
“Why do you want to leave me?”
“Huh?”
A sigh left Pete. He looked up at Niran, “you want to leave. Why? It’s not like I’m kicking you out of the house.”
“You don’t want me to leave…?”
Pete stared at him as if he grew two heads. “When did I ever say I wanted you to? I want you to stay.”
“What about your sister?”
“I can’t have both of you close to me?”
Niran felt his heart flutter. Being close to Pete… he didn’t think that was possible. Not when he believed his feelings were onesided. Pete’s words felt oddly romantic. But he knew deep down Pete only saw him as a friend. The soul bind must’ve made Pete overly attached to him… that’s all.
But even then, Niran couldn’t help but feel happy. “Okay. I’ll stay.”
Pete gave him a wide grin and pulled him into a tight hug.
When Ploy moved in, it was a little awkward at first.
Pete had said she was a bit iffy with strangers. And well, the only thing she knew about Niran was that he now technically owns their house. It’s not the best first impression.
Ploy and Niran didn’t necessarily talk much. Not at first at least. She kept to herself and he did the same. It was only when the topic was about Pete that they seemed to get along quite well.
“Pete changed a lot with you around.” Ploy said, staring at Niran from on the couch. The three of them were watching a movie on Ploy’s laptop. It laid on the coffee table. Some random flick Pete had chosen. Pete however was fast asleep, his head resting idly on Niran’s shoulder.
“Hm?” Niran glanced over at her. Pete was sitting between them.
“He doesn’t smoke anymore. Haven’t seen him gamble at all. There isn’t…” her voice trailed off as she stared at her brother. “He isn’t as angry anymore. Not depressed.”
“That was all Pete. I only offered him encouragement.”
Ploy smiled slightly. “Mhm, that’s true. But he wouldn’t have changed without your help. I’m glad you’re together.”
Niran simply hummed.
But her words stuck with him.
Together?
Like as friends?
That didn’t make much sense though. He can’t remember if he’s ever heard someone refer to being friends with some as ‘being together.’ Maybe romantically? But why would Ploy assume they had anything romantic going on?
Unless she could tell Niran had feelings for Pete.
Which apparently wasn’t hard to notice. Nearly everyone in their little group knew. Niran was honestly shocked Pete hadn’t figured it out if everyone else could. He wondered if he should confess but each time he tried to gain the courage his mind went blank.
Pete was always just… too pretty at times. He was handsome, yes but there were moments when he was pretty. So pretty it took his breath away. He’d become a stuttering mess or simply end up saying the wrong thing. He hasn’t tried again in over a month.
Especially now that Ploy was here. She wasn’t home all the time but she was certainly there at the times Niran wanted to confess. Just a mess. Except he soon learned that his idea of him and Pete just being ‘friends’ were all wrong.
“Niran,” Pete yawned.
“You’re up late.” Niran sat on the couch, Ploy eating lunch at the table. She didn’t have classes today and no club plans as well. The two of them only exchanged ‘good mornings’ before doing their own thing. A comfortable silence between them.
“Afternoon, P’Pete.” Ploy waved from the dining table.
Pete yawned again. His footsteps light as he stood behind Niran. “Hm.” He wrapped his arms around Niran’s neck, startling him. Niran moved to look back but was stopped when Pete pressed a soft kiss on his cheek, right where his dimple was. It was brief. So quick that Niran would’ve thought he imagined it if he didn’t feel a bit of Pete’s saliva on his skin.
“Morning.” Pete whispered into his ear as if he didn’t just cause Niran’s heart to burst. He walked away to the kitchen while Ploy laughed at him.
“Morning? It’s afternoon. Your hair looks like a bird nest by the way.”
Niran blinked.
What the hell was that?
And why was Ploy and Pete acting like nothing happened?!
It happened again just four hours later.
Ploy had asked Niran to show her something. He couldn’t really remember. Something to do with math. He wasn’t sure why she asked him but believed that Pete was probably the last person she’d ask for help on college homework.
He was trying his best to help even though he wasn’t exactly smart for the type of math Ploy was doing when Pete placed two plates of food in front of them.
“Eat.” Pete said, teasingly rubbing Ploy’s hair. Ploy huffed and rolled her eyes but gave him a smile as she reached out to eat.
Niran was about to say thank you when Pete leaned down and captured Niran’s lips into a kiss. Brief once more. But a kiss. Lips pressed together. Pete’s eyes were closed while Niran’s were wide open. Staring at Pete in pure shock. Pete pulled away and gave him a smug smirk at his expression.
“Make sure you eat too.” Was all he said before walking away.
Ploy let out a chuckle. “Ew.” She rolled her eyes, taking a bite of her food.
“You—?”
“What?”
“You aren’t…” Niran’s voice trailed off. Brain still trying to compute the fact Pete had kissed him. “Shocked… or anything?”
“Hm?” Ploy raised an eyebrow. “Why would I be? Haven’t you two been dating for some weeks already?”
“Hah?!”
Dating…
For weeks now?
When was this?
Why didn’t Niran know that he was apparently in a relationship with Pete Jiraphat Phruetchaianan?!
He needed to ask Pete.
Immediately.
His time to ask came rather quickly the next day. Ploy was out with some friends, leaving Niran and Pete alone in the house. The two sat outside on the porch. Tonight was supposed to have a meteor shower so Pete had wanted to see.
“Do shooting stars have any magic? Like do they come from the heavens?” Pete asked, glancing over at Niran.
“Hm. Not that I know of.” Niran shrugged.
“Hmph. I’m still gonna make a wish if a shooting star appears.”
“What will you wish for?”
“If I tell you then the wish won’t come true.”
Niran rolled his eyes.
A comfortable silence followed. Niran had almost forgotten about asking when Pete had reached over and grabbed his hand that rested on the small table between them. The touch was sudden, causing Niran to flinch. But Pete didn’t seem too shocked. Or even embarrassed.
He only gave Niran a smile. Properly entangling their hands together like he had done it many times before. It was different from when they held hands together before. This wasn’t like friends.
It was like a couple.
“Pete…”
“Yea?”
“What am I to you?”
Pete blinked. “My boyfriend.”
“Huh?!”
“Aow, why are you shocked? You asked me out.”
“I… did?!”
Pete squeezed Niran’s hand and let out a laugh. “Did you forget or something? You asked me out last month.”
“But only recently you’ve been kissing me.”
“Ah,” Pete’s cheeks felt a little warm. “Well I was a little nervous. You didn’t seem like the type to enjoy that sort of thing…” his voice trailed off. “I really wanted to kiss you but I didn’t want to look desperate if I asked so Ploy suggested I just kiss you. So I tried it yesterday. It worked.”
Niran stared at him. “This whole month you thought we were dating?”
“You asked me out! It’s not my fault you forgot.”
This was shocking. Niran felt like he was going to have a heart attack. But in the end, he was weirdly… happy. This whole time he believed his feelings were onesided. Here, Pete was thinking they’ve been a couple for a month now.
Pete smiled. “So, you should ask me out again.”
“Ah, uh,” Niran blinked. His eyes flickered to the jade necklace he gave Pete. The brief green glow. He stared at Pete before smiling softly. He reached over, hand gently grasping Pete’s neck as he pulled him close for a kiss.
When they pulled away, the meteor shower had begun.
But neither of them looked away.
Because the most important thing in their life was right in front of them.
A month ago…
Pete didn’t think Niran could actually get drunk. He and Niran were celebrating the defeat of Qi Rong and the Lieutenant General. A few beers in the living room. Few was an understatement. Pete believed he must’ve drunk at least five bottles by now.
Niran was tipsy. Maybe teetering more on being drunk. His face flushed as he stared at Pete. He kept his gaze on him even as Pete walked to the kitchen to grab some water and came back. Pete grinned, reaching over to wave his hand in front of Niran’s face.
“Oi, are you still there?”
“Hm?”
“You look like you’re gonna pass out. Here,” Pete placed the water bottle in Niran’s open hand. “Drink. Your hangover won’t hurt as much in the morning if you drink water.”
Niran simply hummed. His gaze still focused on Pete. He sat up, placing the water bottle on the coffee table. “Pete.”
“Hm?”
“I like you.”
“Hah, I like you too, bro.”
Niran stared at him. His face pulling into a frown as he moved to sit closer to Pete. So close that Pete subconsciously leaned back only for his back to hit the sofa’s arm rest. He was trapped. Niran’s eyes were sharp. Even though he was obviously drunk.
“Not as friends. I love you.”
“Love—?”
Lips smashed against his. Pete’s eyes widened. Niran, despite being drunk, somehow managed to grasp Pete’s face with a surprising amount of strength. Keeping him still as he kissed Pete like he was a man starving. Pete returned the kiss. He tried taking control but was beaten by Niran.
Their bodies pressed together. Soft moans left Pete that Niran hungrily swallowed in the kiss. His hands trailed down to grasp Pete’s waist, pulling him impossibly closer.
After a minute, Niran finally pulled away. His breathing heavy. “Let’s date.” He whispered.
Pete stared at him before nodding his head. “Okay…”
Niran let out a sigh. He hugged Pete, resting his head on his shoulder. Pete returned the hug. A giddy feeling building in his chest. He was planning on confessing to Niran in a few days. So to say he was happy that Niran bridged the gap for him was an understatement.
He was so excited to finally be Niran’s boyfriend.
While Niran fell fast asleep in Pete’s arms. Unknowing to the fact his feelings were no longer onesided.
Or truthfully, it never was in the first place.