The short hand of the clock pointed to nearly eleven. Tul only just drove the car into the garage because he had to stop to drop Wadi off on the opposite side of Bangkok.
The young man stepped out of the car, his thoughts turning to the events of just a few hours prior.
Tul had arranged to meet Napawadi and two other friends at a famous restaurant. Each person had arrived separately, but when it was time to leave, Wadi's friends nudged and pushed her towards him, entrusting him to take the young woman home. They paid no heed to her bashful refusals, not even slightly, leaving him amused internally.
No way.
It was not just Tul who could see that Wadi liked him; everyone around her could see it too. Today, Tul realized that all sides were supportive as well—not only her friends. When he dropped her off at her house, Wadi’s mother came out to welcome them, inviting him inside for a chat. Most of the conversation consisted of her praising her daughter to him. It was quite late by the time he managed to excuse himself.
But Tul had to admit he was rather pleased.
His sharp eyes gleamed as he thought of the old noble lineage on her side.
In Tul's eyes, Napawadi was no different from the other high-society ladies surrounding him, but there was something distinct about her. One of those things was that when she was near, he did not feel nauseated or disgusted. Furthermore, her actions seemed pure and genuine, not contrived. A clear example was none other than her two close friends.
Wadi probably did not even realize how her two friends looked at him.
They were happy if she succeeded, but if they could have him for themselves, they would be even happier.
The young man was not flattering himself; it was simply because he had encountered so much of it... so much that he was utterly weary.
Tul thought this as he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs. The scent of soil and grass was far more pleasant than the overpowering perfumes worn by countless women, which often left him dizzy.
Once he felt better, the young man entered the house, heading straight to the place where he felt he could truly breathe.
It was not his own bedroom but rather wherever Kon Hin was.
At this time, Kon Hin was sitting on the floor beside the sofa, resting his cheek against the back of his hand, which lay on the cushion. He had already fallen fast asleep. This sight brought Tul closer, a smile curling on his lips in a way even he could not quite describe. He then took a deep breath.
It was not only the clean, fragrant scent of freshly washed linens that he noticed, but also the unique scent of someone who always applied powder after bathing. Without hesitation, he knelt down beside him.
His sharp eyes softened as he gazed at the tired face, his expression gradually becoming... gentle.
Tul stared at Kon Hin for a long moment before reaching out to lightly touch his close companion’s cheek. Compared to Napawadi, this cheek was worlds apart, as different as heaven and abyss.
Kon Hin’s cheek was not smooth or soft to the touch, yet Tul chose to trace the outline of his companion’s face with his fingertips, someone who had been by his side for nearly twenty years. His sharp gaze traveled from the hair falling across the face, to the dark eyebrows, the faint scar above the brow, the high nose, and the thin lips, before he broke into a wide smile.
"Is this all it takes to wear you out? How are you going to help me in the future?" Tul remarked with an amused tone, void of any sharpness. Yet, imagining how Kon Hin might cower if he heard this made him chuckle.
Still, when the thought Should I find someone more capable to assist me? crossed his mind, Tul instantly dismissed it.
He knew Kon Hin had not been born talented. He was not smarter or more skilled than anyone else around him, perhaps even less so than Nakrob. But one thing set him apart from everyone else—his determination.
Though others in their circle might see Kon Hin as merely the loyal follower trailing behind Tul, no one could deny his academic aptitude, his ability to manage assignments with excellence, and the trust he had earned from the faculty. Only Tul truly understood the sheer effort Kon Hin put into achieving all of that.
Tul paid no mind to those with innate talent, as he valued perseverance above all else. Kon Hin never rested, never stopped running, because he knew that if he stopped, he would fall behind Tul.
Having just finished the exams, Hin was now sprawled out in utter exhaustion.
The young man laughed softly, amused and fond, withdrawing his hand but not leaving his companion to sleep where he was. Tul did something that would have made Kon Hin cry out in protest had he been awake.
With utmost care, Tul pulled Kon Hin into his arms, sliding his hands beneath the other’s shoulders and head to lift him. Despite being slightly shorter than Tul, Kon Hin wasn’t a small man, and his weight was greater than Tul had anticipated. Yet, the mixed-heritage man made sure not to disturb his sleeping friend.
Carefully, he carried him to the large bed, gently setting him down, though the effort left Tul panting heavily.
"Making your boss carry you, huh?" Tul shook his head, rolling his shoulders with a faint chuckle at his own actions.
What was he even doing?
Golden-brown eyes gazed at the man who, as soon as his back hit the soft mattress, turned onto his side, burying his face into the pillow and quickly slipped into a peaceful slumber. Tul couldn’t help but tap Kon Hin’s forehead with his knuckle, torn between affection and exasperation.
"Mm..."
The man on the bed tilted his face away, scrunching his nose in sleepy irritation at being disturbed. Tul burst out laughing, his sharp eyes softening. The weariness of the past several weeks seemed to vanish as he watched the other man nuzzle into the pillow like a content child.
"Good thing you came back before I did. If you’d stayed overnight at Rob’s, I’d have killed you," Tul muttered, smiling.
From Kon Hin’s attire, it was clear he had returned long ago, fully prepared for bed but determined to wait up as ordered. That thought alone melted Tul’s cold exterior, prompting him to lean down and press his nose heavily to Kon Hin’s cheek before pulling back. One hand brushed lightly through his friend’s hair.
Tul gazed at Kon Hin for a while longer before finally getting up to take a quick shower, eager to return to the companion who still slumbered soundly on his bed.
Being with Napawadi might not be uncomfortable, but being with Kon Hin was true peace of mind.
Tul reflected on this as he moved about, turning off every light before climbing onto the soft mattress. Both hands reached out to pull his companion into his embrace. His sharp face nestled against the clean, fragrant crook of Kon Hin’s neck, deeply inhaling the scent that brought him the most serenity.
Kon Hin’s scent washed away the lingering sharpness of heavy perfumes, and the warmth of his skin prompted Tul to slip his hand under the t-shirt, running it familiarly along the smooth surface until it rested on his waist. At that moment, Tul felt he had come home.
This was peace of mind.
Outside this room, he might be a deceiver, but within these walls, with only the two of them, Tul could release the exhaustion he carried without shame.
"Good night," the mixed-heritage man whispered to the one in his arms, closing his eyes and readying himself for sleep. However, the deeply asleep Kon Hin stirred, raising a hand to embrace Tul’s waist in return. He shifted slightly, tucking his head closer to Tul’s neck, murmuring softly like a child disturbed in his sleep. Once he found a comfortable position and pressed into the warmth, Kon Hin settled back into stillness.
His endearing actions left Tul stunned for a moment before he laughed quietly to himself.
Right, he thought. This giant of a man, Kon Hin, is absurdly cute.
Hearing the steady rhythm of Kon Hin’s breathing, Tul pressed his face into the shampoo-scented hair once more. Both arms tightened around his companion, holding him as if to remind himself that he was here, in his embrace, belonging to him alone. Eventually, Tul fell asleep just like that.
Sometimes, it wasn’t that Tul didn’t know. He just refused to acknowledge it—that Kon Hin was more than someone important to him. He was like... the very air he breathed.
~~~
Kon Hin did not know when he fell asleep. All he remembered was that after taking a shower and heading upstairs to wait for his Chao-nai, his eyelids grew unbearably heavy. He tried to fight it, but a week of sleepless nights and relentless studying, combined with the cool air from the air conditioner, proved too much.
His consciousness simply blinked out.
The young man became aware again only a few hours before sunrise.
The first sensation Kon Hin noticed was the warmth wrapped snugly around his body, causing his eyelids to twitch lightly before opening. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, they widened in surprise. Any lingering drowsiness vanished completely when he saw who was in front of him—and what they were doing.
Khun Tul was embracing him.
Kon Hin panicked immediately, wondering when his Chao-nai had returned and how he had ended up on the bed. The more he thought about it, the more shocked he became. There was no way he had sleep-walked onto the bed by himself.
That could only mean Khun Tul had brought him there.
This realization filled Kon Hin with shame—not because his Chao-nai had lowered himself to carry him, but because his own heart swelled with joy at the care and attention he had received.
He was so happy that his cheeks flushed red.
The young man had to take deep breaths to calm his racing heart, fearing it might beat loudly enough to wake his Chao-nai. Yet, his sharp eyes could not tear themselves away from the refined face of the man sleeping beside him.
As his gaze lingered, his hand moved of its own accord. Fingertips lightly brushed against the corner of Tul's eye, circling gently before gliding over the fringe of eyelashes resting against his cheek. The unintentional touch brought an effortless smile to Kon Hin's lips.
He should have been accustomed to being embraced by his Chao-nai, but this was one of the rare occasions where their closeness involved no sexual undertones. It was simply a hug, conveying warmth from one body to the other. That alone made Kon Hin's smile widen further, his eyes brimming with emotion from the intimacy.
This is the best post-exam gift ever, he thought.
The young man whispered to himself as his hands, initially unsure of where to rest, slid up to firmly embrace Tul's broad back. He decided to press his face into the crook of Tul's neck, relaxing his body into the embrace and smiling to himself.
Khun Tul was his entire world. Kon Hin asked for nothing more than this man's happiness. Sometimes though, all he wanted was just a fragment of Tul's kindness. In this moment, the embrace felt like a divine elixir, soothing his weary heart. He tightened his arms around Tul.
May you find happiness. May nothing and no one harm you again.
“You’re being noisy, Ai Hin.”
“Sir!!”
The deep, groggy voice of someone just waking startled Kon Hin. He flinched and looked up to find his Chao-nai squinting at him.
"What’s that noise?"
“Your heart,” Tul replied. “It’s beating so loudly it woke me up.”
Scorching heat!
Kon Hin could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks as if his innermost feelings had just been laid bare. Panicking, he quickly pulled his hands away and pushed himself slightly backward, but—
“Where do you think you’re going?” Tul tugged his waist, pulling him closer.
“I… uh…” Kon Hin couldn’t force a smile. Since his heartbeat had been loud enough to wake his Chao-nai, he figured it was only right to remove himself from the bed. But—
“I said your heart woke me up, but I didn’t say it annoyed me.”
Kon Hin froze, staring at the man who slipped one hand behind his back to draw him into an embrace. Tul used his other hand to prop himself up against a soft pillow, raising his upper body slightly. His eyes, gleaming with the faint glow of the outdoor lights, fixed on Kon Hin’s face.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For falling asleep first.” Kon Hin’s apologetic smile was hesitant.
“Hmm. I told you to wait for me in the room, but I didn’t say to fall asleep while waiting,” his Chao-nai acknowledged with a nod.
“I’ll just—”
“But I’m not interested in hearing an apology.”
Once again, Kon Hin snapped his mouth shut, and it seemed Tul had no interest in further apologies. The large hand left his back and lightly caressed his cheek, stroking so gently that his fine hairs stood on end.
“Are you exhausted from following my whims, or from studying for your exams?”
This time, Kon Hin answered without hesitation.
“From studying, sir. I’ve never been tired because of your orders. I willingly take on every command… ahh!”
Kon Hin flinched as warm lips pressed against his soft ones, meeting with precision. The kiss was gentle but firm, the lips tugging lightly at Hin's until he shivered. At the same time, a strong hand slid to hold his neck, and Tul's broad frame lowered over him, leaving no space between their bodies. Then a warm tongue slipped into his mouth—not aggressive or frantic, but sweet and deliberate, causing his heart to tremble. It teased his own tongue, playfully tangling with it, exploring his palate and brushing over his teeth until the recipient… melted.
Mm… smooch… smooch…
The kiss was so tender that Kon Hin could do nothing but clutch Tul’s nightshirt tightly, letting out faint moans. He opened his mouth wider to receive the unrelenting passion, even responding with his own eagerness. He surrendered completely to the sensations his Chao-nai was bestowing.
He didn’t know why Tul kissed him, but it was one of the rare moments he wished it would last forever.
When the mixed-heritage man finally pulled back, Kon Hin instinctively leaned forward, nibbling at Tul’s lips and pulling him down for another kiss.
Tul was both surprised and amused. His sharp eyes took in Kon Hin’s flushed face, now soft and pliant beneath him, with tears glistening sweetly in his gaze—a sight Tul didn’t often witness.
Usually, those tears stemmed from torment.
“Khun Tul…” And that yearning voice was no less remarkable.
Tul’s gentle gesture of wiping away the trace of saliva with his fingertip was accompanied by a question that snapped Kon Hin back to his senses.
“Regret my kiss that much?”
The teasing remark nearly made Kon Hin dive under the blanket in mortification.
“I… I… uh…” Completely flushed from head to toe, he was too stunned to answer, resorting only to pushing against Tul’s chest in extreme embarrassment.
“Well?” Tul prodded, his charming smile deepening as he leaned closer until their foreheads touched.
“Do you want me to kiss you again?”
Tul observed Kon Hin’s wide-eyed, red-faced hesitation before, to his surprise, the man who never asked for anything nodded shyly.
“Is that so? But tonight, I won’t kiss you again.”
Tul nearly chuckled at how the redness on Kon Hin’s face drained to pale disbelief. The trembling hands pressed against his chest betrayed just how flustered he was. An inexplicable tenderness surged in Tul’s heart—an urge to nibble those glossy lips, to nuzzle the warm cheeks, to press a kiss onto the inviting curve of his neck. But… it wasn’t the right moment.
And he didn’t want to torment his close companion any further.
“Because I don’t feel like exerting myself tonight. I need to wake up early tomorrow, and so do you. Sleep now,” Tul said as he lay down beside Kon Hin again, pulling him into his embrace before closing his eyes.
“What does that mean?” Kon Hin asked, confused, then tried to force a deep voice.
“Do you want to be taken right now?”
Though his eyes were closed, Tul could tell that Kon Hin’s jaw must have dropped, his body frozen. So, he tightened his grip around Kon Hin’s waist, slapping his buttocks firmly twice.
“I will kiss you, but not now.”
Kon Hin remained silent, so Tul opened one eye and smacked Kon Hin’s behind with full force, making him jump.
“Are you going to sleep or not?”
“Sleep,” Kon Hin replied.
He closed his eyes, and despite the broad, sun-kissed man beside him, Tul found it strangely endearing. He gently rubbed the reddened area on Kon Hin’s rear, feeling the tension in his body before the stiffness softened as he leaned in closer. Kon Hin must have been terribly embarrassed, trying to snuggle into his chest, which made Tul smile secretly.
“Sweet dreams,” he whispered, then closed his eyes.
Kon Hin, on the other hand, thought he would never fall asleep with his heart still racing from everything that had just happened. But as Tul held him close and rubbed his rear, the man who thought he couldn’t sleep soon felt his eyes flutter shut, sinking into a peaceful slumber filled with pleasant dreams.
Dreams that would never come true in the real world.
Dreams of walking hand-in-hand with his Chao-nai, Tul Metthanun.
~~~
“Wake up and pack your clothes.”
That morning, Kon Hin felt more refreshed than usual. He had managed to sleep well after a week of sleepless nights spent studying for exams. But his cheerful mood quickly turned to surprise when his Chao-nai gave a command, pulling out a small suitcase from the closet and spreading it on the bed before tossing several outfits inside.
“Why are we packing?”
Tul turned to meet his gaze, smiling, and gave another order.
“Clothes for three days and two nights. Hurry up, I’m giving you half an hour.”
Kon Hin immediately moved upon hearing his Chao-nai’s words. Not because he took his time carefully packing, but because he had to deal with changing the bed linens, just like every day. It would take time to change and get everything into the laundry, and although someone else could hang the laundry for him, it still left him very little time to pack. Plus, he had no idea where they were going.
The thought made him quickly grab the bed linens, but…
“I won’t die if I don’t change the sheets for one day. We won’t be back here tonight. As for you, go pack your clothes already.” The owner of the room said, his sharp eyes clearly indicating that if Kon Hin hesitated any longer, there would be no waiting.
Kon Hin hesitated for a moment but quickly stopped what he was doing.
“Are you going or not?”
Hearing his Chao-nai’s voice turn stern, Kon Hin hurriedly left the room, racing to the small house, his mind filled with questions.
Tul didn’t need to explain himself to him, but this time everything felt so sudden, Kon Hin couldn’t keep up.
Kon Hin was still full of doubt, despite carrying a large backpack while walking alongside the mixed-heritage young man with a small yet ridiculously expensive suitcase. He was also confused when his mother wished him a safe trip, as he still had no idea where they were headed.
"Have fun, Hin. And thank Khun Tul as well."
What trip?
Kon Hin wanted to scratch his head to show his mother how confused he was, but all he could do was offer a dry smile as he dizzily walked to the car, which his Chao-nai would be driving. He glanced back at his mother, who was waving with a beaming smile. But... What was she so happy about?
“I’m not taking you out to kill you,” the driver said, laughing.
“I wasn’t thinking that, I’m just curious,” Kon Hin quickly defended himself.
“Well, keep your curiosity to yourself for now. You’ll find out when we get there.”
After that, the car was filled only with the sound of music playing in the background. Even though the atmosphere seemed relaxed, Kon Hin couldn’t help but tense up. He knew his Chao-nai wasn’t planning anything harmful, but based on his past experiences with staying away from home... It usually ended in suffering.
The last time was when his Chao-nai had tied him to the bed in a hotel.
Hopefully, it won't be like that again.
After driving for about two hours, Tul turned into a gas station.
They stopped to rest and buy coffee, and Kon Hin chose easy-to-eat hot dogs for both himself and his Chao-nai before continuing the journey. The tension slowly turned into relaxation as the driver tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in a cheerful mood.
Kon Hin quietly ate his hot dog, drenched in sauce.
"Can I have some water?"
After taking three bites of his hot dog, the driver—who was about to finish his—calmly instructed Kon Hin to grab the coffee cup from the cup holder and hand it over. However, Tul still had food in one hand and was steering the wheel with the other.
"What’s your problem? I’ve only got two hands. How can I hold it and drive?" Tul laughed, glancing at the cup he was handing over. This made Kon Hin pause. He had never been asked to feed his Chao-nai in the car before. The mixed-heritage young man usually did everything on his own. It wasn’t that they hadn’t eaten together in the car—quite often, actually—but he always ate and held things himself, never needing help.
The small change made the tips of Kon Hin's ears flush red little by little.
He was supposed to feed him, wasn’t he?
“After everything I’ve done for you, you get shy about feeding me water?”
The teasing words made Kon Hin flinch. He wanted to argue that it was different, but in the end, he shakily held out the straw to his Chao-nai’s lips.
“That’s all.”
Tul grinned, clearly pleased. He leaned down slightly to take a sip from the coffee Kon Hin was holding, his sharp eyes still fixed on the road. Kon Hin couldn’t help but notice the eyelashes resting against the handsome face and the dark hair reflecting the sunlight, turning brown.
It was an ordinary sight, but when it was Tul, Kon Hin’s heart raced uncontrollably.
The driver finished his drink to his satisfaction, straightened up, and ate the remaining hot dog in silence. Kon Hin couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh.
"Your hand is shaking."
Tul couldn’t resist teasing him with a smile, causing Kon Hin to freeze.
"Are you embarrassed by me?"
Not only that, but Tul laughed playfully, his sharp eyes sparkling.
Kon Hin quickly turned away, his hands trembling more with the smile he had just seen. It felt like he had seen an angel again—the person with happiness, someone who had no worries clouding his heart, the one who gave him that smile.
And believe it or not, for the rest of the journey, Kon Hin’s heart raced at a single word.
"Water."
The last time he had fed him water, his Chao-nai playfully nipped his fingers.
Kon Hin wasn’t sure if it was all in his head, but… Tul seemed gentler than ever before.
The young man still hadn’t found an answer, even as the large car rolled into a luxurious hotel with a sea view.
"You don’t have to do it."
As they got out of the car, Kon Hin still had no idea why they were there. He was about to grab his bag, but his Chao-nai stopped him before he could. Kon Hin looked confused, only to be shocked further when Tul gently took the bag from him.
"This is your birthday trip. I’ll spoil you for three days."
Kon Hin would never forget this birthday, because just at the start, it nearly caused his heart to stop.
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