Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
Perspective - Third Person
While one couple has just reconciled, another couple is developing... in a strange direction.
Even though it is the end of the year, the weather when the sun is overhead is still very hot. The sunlight is so intense that no one risks getting heatstroke by running in the scorching sun. Similarly, the university football team members take a break from practice until late afternoon.
The question is, what does footballer Kirakorn do with this free time?
The answer is... run to the IC department to meet the person who messages saying... "Come get some snacks to eat."
However, anyone who thinks this is a casual statement that you could either go or not would be completely wrong, because... This is an order.
"If you don't come, I'll throw it in the trash."
For someone who doesn't care about money (but cares deeply about food), they can't stand to let good food go in the trash, since it could be given to friends or kids. Still the best option... is to donate it to Ai'Khaen.
That is the best.
So when Khaen sees the arrogant Khun-chai sitting cross-legged on a chair in the corner of the building, sipping coffee and reading a thick English book as if watching leaves fall in the suburbs of London, Khaen can only pout. Yet he still runs over and opens his hand, which, upon looking closely, is not unlike Ai'Gucci.
"Today, what have you brought me again?"
"Macarons... Do you want some?"
"Food! Where did you buy this? The box is nice," Khaen excitedly exclaims at the free snack placed on the table. He quickly pulls out the box of snacks, his eyes gleaming, unaware of the few English words printed on the box.
Ladurée
"What does it say? Laduree? Is it expensive?" He tries to read it, prompting Tinn to correct him.
"Ladurée. It's not expensive." As soon as the Khun-chai says that, Khaen stuffs the entire piece into his mouth, nodding eagerly.
"It's delicious." Then, eight macarons are shoved into his mouth almost at once, as if they were snacks bought from a street vendor. If Khaen knew that those eight pieces equaled his monthly phone payment, he would probably...
...vomit them right back up.
However no one thinks of telling him that.
Someone like Ai'Kirakorn cannot be bought with money. This slogan is still his guiding motto. But why does he eat everything Tinn treats him to? The simple reason... "Food isn't expensive, is it? Food, man, not a bag, not shoes."
It's just like when P'No took him to eat grilled pork at the market, only ten baht per stick.
These are the thoughts of someone who convinces himself that enjoying food doesn't mean he's after money. But Khaen might have forgotten that when he used to ask his Phii to buy him meals or have his friends treat him, the meals were only a few tens of baht. The people treating him weren't thinking of taking Ai'Pheuak Monkey out for pricey meals, and Khaen has forgotten who's treating him now.
A full-course Italian meal... Well, that's just cooked by their family chef. Not a single penny spent.
Market food... Oh, nothing much, it's just a market, right?
All the snacks he's been getting... just snacks, how expensive can they be?
But Khaen-ta-lup has no idea that for someone like Tinn Metthanun, all the snacks he devoured, which he thinks cost just a few baht, might be worth more than designer bags or shoes. Again… Of course... Tinn wouldn't say a word.
"This is really good, you. Next time, I'll ask you to buy some for me. Ai'Le will probably like it too," Khaen says enthusiastically after finishing his snack. The person expecting some change in behavior after their marathon kissing session in the private cinema is left slightly disappointed, but that's just typical of Khaen.
"I'll bring some for you next time."
If Khaen knew the price, he'd start ranting again about how he can't be bought with money.
Tinn shrugs at the thought, watching as Khaen, still in his football gear, crushes the empty box and stuffs it into a bag. Khaen stands up, glancing left and right.
"You, you, there are so many people around here. Come over here," Khaen calls while beckoning with his hand, leading them toward a narrow alley between buildings. Tinn sighs, annoyed but resigned, bookmarking his spot in the book and setting his things down before following Khaen without much protest until he's standing beside Ai'Kirakorn.
Grab.
Khaen grabs Tinn by the collar and pulls him in for a kiss. This time, it's not just a light peck. The Pheuak Monkey parts his lips and slides his tongue inside, sharing the lingering sweetness of the French pastry with Tinn.
For anyone who thinks Tinn would be satisfied with this kiss... they're wrong again.
Right now, Tinn wears an expression of exasperation.
It's not that Khaen isn't a good kisser. It's not that the taste of his mouth has changed. It's not that Khaen acts disgusted. On the contrary, his kisses are much better than before, and the taste is fantastic, especially after the sweets. He's completely absorbed in swirling his tongue against Tinn's, leaving it wet and slick. No, the reason Tinn doesn't feel anything is... Khaen doesn't even realize that this kiss holds a special meaning!
Khaen kisses him simply because he enjoyed it when they kissed the other day... and that's all.
"Yeah, if you wanna kiss me, just kiss. I like it. It's... intoxicating."
Yes, even now, Khaen still doesn't know why it's so intoxicating...
"Heh."
"Are you done with those kisses in return or what?" Khaen pulls back, his voice demanding after Tinn sighs.
In the past, there used to be a faint blush of red on his cheeks and ears that gave Tinn hope, but now Khaen only glares at him, eyes wide, demanding answers, making Tinn sigh once more.
Was it right or wrong to teach him how to kiss?
"Yeah." But Tinn still gives a one-word response, making Khaen grin wide, showing every tooth, and pulling him in for another kiss. Tinn has to keep up with how fast Khaen is learning, not understanding how Khaen's body could be so quick to pick up on this while his emotions lag so far behind!
"Mmmmmm... damn, you're such a great kisser. I feel so freakin' high every time we kiss. My whole body just floats. My blood is pumping even more than when I run across the football field. If I'd known kissing you felt this bloody amazing, I wouldn't have hesitated so long. I would've been locking tongues with you ages ago…"
Tinn grits his teeth as he watches Khaen wipe saliva off his mouth with the back of his hand, then continues to ramble, showing no sign of emotional reaction, no sign of how he truly feels about him. Khaen simply pulls him in for one more light kiss on the lips, then waves him off.
"Okay, I'm off. I'll text you when I get home." Then he runs off like nothing happened, leaving Tinn to stifle his emotions.
"When is he going to stop being so painfully obtuse?!" Tinn growls to himself, rubbing his temples softly.
Sometimes, dealing with family matters seems easier than getting this clueless guy to realize their relationship status.
In truth, Khun-chai Tinn… might just be the one most deserving of pity.
~~~
Thus, the school break came to an end, with some relationships moving in the right direction and others quite off course. Yet regardless of who was right or wrong, there was still one girl out there—completely mistaken—who was lurking around the International College, searching for inspiration.
"I don't expect to see them right away, but if I do, that's great."
Lemon mutters to herself as she walks past the beautiful buildings, paying no attention to her best friend's suggestion to go out for some stress-eating. She doesn't know what's bothering Chomphu, but fangirling is way more important than her friend's sour mood.
"This term, Le must have accumulated some serious merit!" Who would've thought she'd be this lucky though? As she rounds the second corridor, she sees two men she never expected to run into so soon walking out of the building.
Two men... equally handsome.
One, coldly aloof and hard to approach... the other, polite and approachable. And their heights? Absolutely perfect.
Yes, yes, yes! Oh my god, this is the perfect seme and uke combo!
Lemon thinks as she quickly pulls out her phone, sneaking a picture of their backs as they walk side by side.
"Oh, about the work I sent you last night, I edited it a little here..." The shorter one suddenly stops, flipping through his documents until he finds the right page, then hands it to the other, who turns to look. Then at that moment...
Click.
Who cares about angles when their faces are this close? Le is in absolute bliss.
"I was going to mention that this part seemed off. Good you fixed it," the taller one says, taking the stack of documents in a way that makes it seem like he's holding them for the other.
"Are you heading back now?"
"No, I'm staying at my dorm tonight."
"Speaking of dorms... I think I should get one myself soon."
Oh my god, I'm fangirling so hard right now!
"Tinn, are you moving into the dorm?" the other asks excitedly, stepping closer without realizing it, eager to hear Tinn's response.
Even though his face is out of sight, what comes next is enough to make any fujoshi squeal.
"Your dorm? Staying with you wouldn't be so bad."
Squeee! He's inviting him to stay in the same dorm!
Lemon can barely contain herself as she frantically snaps more photos, stepping even closer to catch every word of this enthralling conversation.
This is way better than any fanfiction I've read! Tinn and Pete, I ship it!
"So, why do you suddenly want to live in the dorm, Tinn?"
"It'll make things more convenient."
Convenient for what? Are they going to do that?!
Click.
Snap.
Gasp!
Then just as Lemon is in the middle of her secret photo spree, the taller one suddenly turns around sharply, his piercing gaze landing directly on her. She freezes, instinctively hiding her phone behind her back as fast as she can. She forces a nervous smile, trying to play it cool, but she can't shake the feeling that Tinn's look a moment ago... was terrifying.
However, it lasts only a second. When he realizes who's following them, his expression softens, and his lips curve into a slight greeting.
"Lemon."
"Ah, yes, P'Tinn. Hello. I'm so happy you remember me." As soon as he greets her, the girl with the pigtails quickly raises her hands in a respectful wai. She even includes Pete, who looks at her a bit confused before smiling warmly.
"You're Khaen's younger sister... right?"
"Yes, I'm P'Khaen's younger sister, P'Pete."
It's only today that she realizes how useful her older brother could be. Who would have believed that P'Khaen had such amazing friends?
"Do you know me too?"
Of course I do! I've been rooting for you guys!
Lemon can only think that, as the girl with pigtails merely smiles politely and responds with a well-behaved tone.
"Yes, well... um, P'Khaen has mentioned you before."
"Has he now... and did Khaen talk about Tinn too?" She's already thinking—no, really thinking—when P'Pete playfully glances at Tinn, teasing him slightly, which sends Lemon's imagination spiraling.
She nods enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! P'Khaen told me a lot about you and P'Tinn. Oh, but he didn't say anything bad! My brother just talks a lot, so whenever something happens, he shares it. That's how I know so much about both of you."
Not even close! That bird-brained P'Khaen rambles about everything, but never once has he mentioned these two! The more she thinks about it, the more it frustrates her.
"Is that so?"
There it is again—P'Pete giving that playful glance toward P'Tinn!
"Good thing we ran into you. Come along for a moment; I've been meaning to give you something, but I haven't been able to find it."
"Me?" This time, the listener is utterly confused, pointing at herself as if to ask, Are you talking to me? But curiosity gets the best of her, and she agrees to ride the IC shuttle with the two seniors, heading to the parking lot while secretly overhearing Tinn talking to Pete.
"Aren't you leaving?"
"I forgot something in the car."
Can he not tell that Pete is jealous of Tinn? Don't worry. I don't have any feelings for Tinn—none at all.
Hearing this makes the shipper smile even more as she follows the tall guys to the stylish car, making her even more impressed.
Handsome, rich, tall... Tinn looks perfect from every angle!
This thought passes through her mind as she stands by the car while Tinn opens the door and grabs something from the back seat, where it had been left for quite some time. Meanwhile, Pete watches, clearly intrigued.
"Can you take this to your mom for me?"
"What!!!"
At that moment, Lemon, who had been sitting and debating what to post on her fan page and which photo to show, suddenly jumps in surprise. She stares at the two branded gift bags in Tinn's hands. Afraid to make a scene and embarrass herself in case the contents aren't what she's imagining, she reluctantly accepts them and opens the bags.
However, once she sees what's inside...
"I really can't accept this," the girl says with an awkward smile, immediately handing the items back to Tinn, who raises an eyebrow.
"You sound just like Khaen."
"I really can't accept it! It's way too expensive. My mom would scold me to death."
Besides, Why is Tinn giving something to her and her mom?
The question that Lemon doesn't dare to voice stays unspoken as she hands the bag back to him. Even though she wants it badly, her parents' teachings are ingrained in her mind—never accept anything from others, especially something expensive like this. Plus, being someone who overthinks things, Lemon already figures that accepting the gift might lead to trouble later.
Why would P'Tinn give them something like this? Is he expecting something in return? She's quite curious.
"I'm sorry, but I really can't accept it. I don't see why you need to give anything to me or my mother," she says, causing the young man to sigh heavily and glance at his friend, who's watching the scene unfold with amusement.
"Has Tinn already tried sending this with Khaen?" Pete asks.
"Yeah, but he refused. Help me out, please," Tinn replies, which makes Pitchaya smile faintly, as it's rare to see his friend like this.
"Why do you want to give it to her anyway?" Pete asks.
"I just want to," Tinn says bluntly, almost making Pete laugh, though he manages to hold it in. If Pete isn't mistaken, this might be Tinn's way of trying to win favor with the family. Personally, Pete doesn't agree with using money to build relationships, but seeing that Tinn genuinely wants to give it—especially since he's already bought the items—he decides to step in.
"Nong Le, just accept it. Tinn really wants to give it to you."
"I can't accept it, Phii. My mother will be upset," she insists, making Pete pause for a moment.
"But if you don't accept it, you'll be hurting the giver's feelings. Take it, and you can explain it to your mom later," Pete coaxes her, making her hesitate. Lemon's reasons are a bit different from her brother's. Khaen outright rejects gifts tied to money, but Lemon is more worried about getting scolded by her mom.
Both don't want to accept it, but for slightly different reasons.
"If you don't accept it, I'll just throw it away."
"What!!!" Lemon gasps, staring at the item in her hands, which is far from any flea-market purse. Tinn repeats his offer with a determined look.
"Treat this as a thank you for your mom treating me to dinner that day. If you don't take it, I'll just throw it away."
The som tam they shared between the four of them didn't even cost 500 baht, and P'Tinn barely touched his food. Yet here he is, offering two branded bags.
"Tinn really wants to give them to you. Just take them," Pete chimes in. Pressured by both men, Lemon can only hug the two bags tightly but still voices her uncertainty.
"If my mom gets upset, you'll have to take them back, okay?"
"Tinn wouldn't take them back," Pete laughs under his breath, clearly amused by the situation.
Tinn sighs but nods along to everything his friend says, which makes the observer... think even further.
Looking at these two, they really seem like a couple. I've got to tell P'Khaen about this!
~~~
"P'Kaaannn! Ai'P'Khaen, Ai'P'Khaen, Ai'P'Kaaannn!!!"
"Huh? What? What's up?"
Khaen, who's been lounging around watching cartoons on his phone, jolts when his sister suddenly barges into the room, leaping onto his bed. She's far too excited, completely unlike her usual bookish self.
"What's wrong with you? I'm watching something," he says, trying to roll away, only for her to grab his arm, forcing him to talk.
"P'Khaen, P'Tinn is totally dating P'Pete, right?!"
"Whaaat!!!" Khaen jumps up, staring at his sister in disbelief, wondering where she got this idea from. His sudden interest gives Lemon the perfect excuse to spill the tea she's been holding in.
"I saw them today, P'Khaen! They were all cutesy and sweet, talking like lovebirds. They're even planning to live in the same dorm! Oh, they were so close, practically cheek to cheek, like they were about to kiss. Here, here! I've got pictures! Wait…" She pulls out her phone, ready to show her brother, as she continues excitedly narrating every detail.
"It's not just that! P'Tinn sent gifts for mom, too. At first, I didn't want to accept them, but P'Pete convinced me. They kept looking at each other all lovey-dovey. Like, they understood each other just from a glance! P'Pete even spoke on P'Tinn's behalf a bunch of times. It made me give in and take the bags."
"What? Those two bags?!" Khaen exclaims, wide-eyed, as his sister nods eagerly.
"Yes, yes! P'Khaen, the bags are so gorgeous! I really want them. I haven't even shown them to mom yet. She'll probably make me return them, but P'Pete made me promise to convince her to keep the gifts because they don't want Tinn's things to go to waste. So, I agreed! See? They've got to be a couple!"
"Go return them right now, Ai'Le!" Khaen shouts, looking like he's about to storm into his sister's room where the bags are definitely stashed.
"Why? P'Tinn gave them to me!"
"Hey! Our family isn't bought with money!"
"And the phone you're using, wasn't it bought with money too?" Lemon snaps back immediately, shutting Khaen up. Everyone in the house knows he's paying off his phone in installments—to Ai'Tinn, no less. Still, he protests.
"But I'm paying for it!"
"So what? You're still using P'Tinn's money!" Lemon argues, explaining her reasons.
"I admit, I really want the bags. I did wonder why P'Tinn gave them to me, but he said it's to thank me for treating him to dinner. He even mentioned that he hadn't had a casual meal like that in a long time. I think P'Tinn's kind of sad. He's probably one of those rich kids raised with money, which is why he repays people this way. Then if he's just going to throw them away if I don't take them, isn't it better if I keep them?" Lemon's smart reasoning makes Khaen's fingers itch, wanting to argue back but unable to.
Le speaks as if she knows everything... Raised by money, repaying with money—how pitiful. She's nailed it. Ai'Le's got some kind of sixth sense; she sees right through Ai'Tinn…
Listening to that makes me feel so irritated I almost… Khaen thinks.
"Anyway, Le, figure out a way to get mom to accept the gifts first. But for sure, go find out whether P'Tinn is actually dating P'Pete or not! I'm so excited! Super excitedddd!! Awwwwww!" Le's squealing enthusiasm leaves Khaen so frustrated he taps "Delete" on the photos without her noticing as she leaves the room with her phone's album empty.
"Yeah, yeah, do whatever you want. Now get out. I want to watch my cartoons," he says, nudging her out before she can notice what he was doing. When she's gone, he locks the door and fumes silently.
What's Ai'Tinn got to do with Ai'Pete?!
The question gnaws at him so much that he... decides to call that fucking guy.
"What's up?"
The answer comes so quickly that Khaen's taken aback, not even ready with his questions. So, he just unleashes everything without any filter.
"Ai'Tinn! What the hell are you doing with Ai'Pete? Ai'Pete's already with Ai'Ae! My sister said you and Ai'Pete are dating. What kind of nonsense is that? You're with me almost all the time—when the hell do you have time to mess around with Ai'Pete? And damn it! Don't you dare tell me you kissed Ai'Pete! No way, I won't allow it! Didn't you say you were trying to win me over? Then why mess with Ai'Pete? If you've done anything with Ai'Pete, I swear I'll punch your face in! Ugh! I'm pissed!"
Believe it or not, Khaen rambles all of this without even taking a breath, causing the person on the other end to pull the phone away, thinking he must be breathing through his gills. When Khaen finally finishes, he's panting heavily, not realizing what he's just said.
You're with me almost all the time?
I won't let you kiss Ai'Pete?
If you mess with someone else, I'll punch you in the mouth until it breaks?
The speaker… does not really think that the feelings inside have slipped out for the world to know.
"What's up? Do you have any excuses? I'm really annoyed here. Come quickly. Don't take your time. Otherwise, I'll run over and stomp you right there. I know where you live...
"Is this jealousy?"
Hmm.
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm going to punch you in the mouth!" The person on this side immediately retorts against the flat question that seems... oddly self-satisfied.
"You don't want me to mess with Pete?"
"Yeah!" The person on this side answers confidently.
"Why?"
"Because you said you're courting me!"
"Heh."
Why is he laughing?
Khaen grinds his teeth, grips his phone tightly, but before he can curse at him, Tinn asks simply, which makes Khaen feel like he's dying right there.
"You stop asking if I'm messing with Thai Commoner, but you ask if I'm involved with Pete while I'm pursuing you... doesn't that mean jealousy?"
I'm not... Hey, it can't be true.
The listener is stunned, trying to process the scattered thoughts in different directions. Khaen also realizes... that he has stopped asking what Tinn intends to do to tease Ai'Ae, wondering when he started to interfere with others while pursuing him.
"I think... I'd better hang up," Khaen says, then he cuts the line, his face frowning. "Am I... jealous of him?"
"Ahhh! Ai'Brother Khaen! What have you done with my phone?!" Just then, the scream of his younger sister echoes in, prompting the person in the room to shout back.
"I don't know! I'm using my brain!!!"
In the end, Khaen lets his sister shout and pound on the door, wanting to ask her why she doesn't just recover it and be done with it. However, right now, the more important issue is his own feelings.
It's okay that Tinn courts him, he likes that Tinn kisses him, and he's annoyed that he messes around with other people.
I'm jealous of him... Damn it, I don't know, I'm too lazy to think.
Finally, he throws himself down to lie down, not watching cartoons anymore, because right now, he just wants to stop thinking about that damn Tinn.
"Huh, crazy."
At the same time, Tinn just lowers the phone, laughing quietly as he recalls the shouting that comes through the line. No matter how he listens, he can only interpret it one way... Khaen's jealous of him.
Tinn does not expect Khaen's sister to return the stuff, because just by looking into her eyes, he thinks she probably wants it. That doesn't make him look down on her or anything, because it's a normal reaction from a person. Khaen himself, on the other hand, is the strange one. Moreover, he intends to win over that family, even if he's accused of buying them with money.
However... he didn't expect there would be a side effect.
Today, he's in a good mood.
Just then though, a familiar voice makes Tinn turn sharply to look, seeing his half-brother leaning against the door frame, watching him. The sharp eyes shine brighter than before, and the smile from earlier fades, showing a vigilance that makes Tul chuckle.
"What are you doing?"
"Whatever I do is my business!" Tinn says with a fierce tone as he stands up. But before he steps away, the calm voice makes his two feet freeze.
"I heard you brought a friend home."
"Don't interfere with him!"
Since the incident, Tinn thinks he controls his emotions better than before. However, just hearing his brother talk about the person he likes makes the lump in his chest tremble with fear. He inadvertently shouts in a fierce voice, indicating how important the person mentioned is, causing the other side to raise an eyebrow and then smile.
"You sound possessive."
"Don't meddle in matters that don't concern you." After finishing his words, Tinn strides out immediately, while the older brother watches him leave, his eyes narrowing slightly.
~~~
"Dad's back!"
"What's up, little troublemaker?" Before thinking anything more, the voice of his son rings out, and the small, chubby body jumps to cling to Tul's leg, prompting him to look down and then lift the boy who hugs his father tightly.
"I miss you. Nong Phu misses you, Dad."
"What's with you? I put you to bed last night."
"Last night, for sure." The little one answers smartly, causing the father to smile at him before that smile turns mischievous.
"Did Nong Phu see Tinn's friend?"
Shrug.
The question makes the boy nod vigorously.
"I saw him! He talked about Dad too."
"Huh? About Dad?"
"Yeah! Tinn's friend said Dad has a bad character, but I am smart. I argued and won!" Then Phu smiles proudly, completely forgetting that he cried. Moreover, the other side conceded.
Tul maintains a serious face while murmuring softly, "Did you tell him, then?"
But that makes him think…
"...This person is important to you, Tinn."
Tul remarks to himself, but if Tinn had heard the words his older brother says, he would feel a chill run down his spine.
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