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Perspective - Third Person
Two more years have passed...
Today, the sky remains clear and cloudless, while a somewhat old but well-kept car that its owner invested in purchasing the year before is making its way to the large house. As soon as the workers spot this car, the gates open, allowing the vehicle to drive up to the porch. The person inside the car glances over at the large bouquet of roses lying quietly beside them.
Bang.
"Here early, aren't you, Ae?" The moment he steps out, an elderly housekeeper comes out to greet him, prompting Inthach to raise his hands in a respectful wai.
"Good morning, Aunt Jeab. Where is Mother?"
"Waiting for you, as always... Haven't seen you in just a year, and you've grown so much more handsome."
"Hahaha, Auntie should say that I've just gotten a lot darker."
"Dark where? Young men with tan skin are in style right now," Aunt Jeab says with a wide smile, watching the young man who comes here every year—now marking the third year in a row.
The young man who, just a year ago, wore his student uniform, now appears in slacks and a light-colored shirt. His height, which should have stopped increasing, has added several centimeters, suiting his polished work attire. His sharp, masculine features seem more mature, his gaze more resolute, and his smile more magnetic, so much so that she can't help but reflect on the changes.
"But tell me, are you just getting back from work?"
"Yes, Auntie. I left four hours ago and drove straight here."
"Oh, but you did make a stop at the flower shop first," Aunt Jeab remarks with a chuckle, nodding toward the large bouquet of roses in his arms, making Ae smile widely.
"That means you must be exhausted. Come in, come in—I'll prepare breakfast for you." Her invitation prompts the young man to step inside without hesitation, though his sharp eyes scan the surroundings, hinting at how much he misses this place.
Has it really been an entire year since he was last here?
"Ae! Why did you come so early? Have you even slept, dear?" The warm greeting of the house's mistress pulls his gaze from the familiar surroundings. He turns to see the middle-aged woman, graceful and beautiful, smiling at him with delight.
"Hello, Mother. Happy birthday." The young man, with his tanned skin, respectfully raises his hands in a wai as he walks over to hand her the lovely bouquet of roses. Khun Patchara accepts them with a smile… tinged with sorrow.
"Ae, you don't have to do this every year," she says, repeating the words she speaks each year, prompting the same familiar response from him.
"Please let me, Mother. It brings peace knowing there's someone to bring you roses every year in his place."
"Ae…" Khun Patchara can only murmur the name of the young man, who now stands before her as a fully grown man.
The one who has taken on the role that her own son cannot.
Every year, the person who arranged roses in the vase was her beloved son. Then three years ago, an incident forced her son to leave, far from her reach. On her first birthday without him, however, a young man with tanned skin came to the house, carrying a single rose.
"I've come to fulfill his role, Mother."
At that moment, all she could do was cry, embracing this young man and apologizing for her helplessness. Yet, the one who should have felt the deepest sorrow reassured her in a firm voice.
"It's all right, Mother. He'll be back soon."
Though he did not speak the name, she knew she was not the only one awaiting her child's return. There was another person who waited just as eagerly. She saw him as a son—a young man who tried to visit her as often as he could. The past year was the only time he was absent, as he had graduated and chosen to work in a distant province, causing him to drift away somewhat. He continued to call though, asking about her well-being and, from time to time, sending large parcels as gifts.
The one who had taken on the role of her son.
"Thank you very much. You really went all out with the bouquet this year."
"Haha! Well, I'm working now. One flower felt as though I'd just plucked it from the backyard." Inthach, slightly embarrassed, explains as he follows her into the dining room, joining her for a meal, as he has done for many years.
The young man's demeanor may have changed in appearance over time, yet his eyes remain unchanged.
The way he gazes at the photo of the man on the wall is still the same… love… longing… yearning.
"Do you know, Ae, I actually have a gift to give you too," she suddenly speaks from the head of the table, causing him to pause.
"No need, really. I just wanted to give something to you."
"Well, calling it a gift might not be exactly right. I have a small favor to ask of you."
At this, he raises an eyebrow but readily agrees.
"Of course. What do you need help with?"
"Are you free on the third of next month?"
"I'm not certain, but as long as I know in advance, it shouldn't be a problem." Ae agrees, making her smile broadly as she explains.
"It's just that I'll be busy next month. A large group of VIP guests will be arriving at the hotel, so I won't be free. On that day though, I need to pick up someone very important at the airport around 3 PM… If you could go in my place, it would help me a great deal."
All at once, Ae freezes, turning to look at Khun Patchara in disbelief. She smiles and gently repeats,
"He's coming back, Ae. He's coming back to us."
Clink.
The spoon slips from his hand, clattering against the fine porcelain, as he raises a hand to cover his face, murmuring softly…
"He's really coming back... He's coming back." Ae's voice wavers as though he might cry, but when he raises his head, the elder's eyes are met with a wide smile, and the morning sunlight catches the ring on his right ring finger.
"Make sure to pick him up."
"Thank you, Ma… Thank you!" Inthach can only whisper, though his heart leaps with joy.
The one he's been waiting for is finally coming back into his embrace.
~~~
"Please adjust your seat upright."
"I've already done so."
"Oh, my apologies. I thought it was still reclined."
At this moment, the flight attendants can't help but steal glances at the man seated in business class—a strikingly handsome young man, tall and commanding, with an air of nobility as though he stepped straight out of a drama. Each attendant finds themselves circling back to offer any service they can manage.
It's no wonder then that one young woman feels bold enough to try to flirt. Yet, the charming man simply smiles at her, causing a blush to bloom on her cheeks.
As the flight attendants return to their positions for landing, his sharp eyes drift out the window, taking in the familiar sight of the homeland he left over three years ago.
He misses it with all his heart. He has spent two years studying at university in Germany and a full year for his MBA in London. Now… he's about to set foot on the soil he calls home.
Pitchaya closes his eyes slowly, reflecting on the past three years and the reason he hadn't returned to Thailand immediately after his undergraduate degree.
Fear.
It is the single word he has used to explain it to himself over and over.
Fear… of change.
Fear… that things won't be the same.
Fear… that he'll return too late.
Fear… that someone else might have entered Ae's life.
This overwhelming fear led Pitchaya to extend his stay for another full year, pursuing a master's degree.
Even though, in those three years, he has seen over a thousand photos on social media.
Even though, each year, he has heard beautiful melodies shared with him.
Even though so much seems to say that Ae remains the same, he can't shake the fear. Yet now, the time has come for him to face reality.
If Ae has found someone else, then he is prepared to offer his congratulations, even if the world has stopped spinning.
Pete tells himself this because he has been trying to prepare his heart for it all along. Although Ae has shared countless pictures, Pete still sees the photos on Pond's Facebook, on Chae-em's, on his old friends'. Then he sees that Ae and Nong Chomphu remain close, that Ae is close with female colleagues at work, and that Ae... has allowed many people to step into his life.
"All right, it's time," the handsome young man tells himself one last time as he pulls down his bag and steps off the plane.
It doesn't take long. After clearing immigration, he retrieves his luggage from the conveyor belt, as most of his belongings had already been shipped back a month earlier. His sharp eyes scan the area, searching for familiar faces—either his mother or Aunt Jeab, who will likely burst into tears the moment she sees him.
But—
Pete's attention shifts to a man holding a large bouquet of white roses in front of his face, seeming oblivious to the glances from others. Before Pete even has a chance to wonder what he should do, his feet begin moving toward him, step by step... until he stops in front of the man, who slowly lowers the bouquet.
"Welcome home."
"Ae!!!"
All Pete can do in his long coat is softly whisper Ae's name, his vision blurring as he gazes at the man approaching him. Ae looks different from the photos he's seen—those pictures couldn't capture everything that makes him Ae.
Ae is taller.
Ae is more handsome.
Ae's skin has darkened.
Ae has grown bigger.
But Ae... still looks at me with the same gaze as three years ago.
"You once made me promise, didn't you, Pete, that if I found someone, I would give myself a chance. But in these three years, I have never once taken this ring off my finger. I've worn it every day. Even though I tried to do what you told me, it turned out I kept looking for your shadow in others. Do you remember this line from our song?"
"If, in the end, you don't change your mind, it's all right. My heart won't give up. Even if I stop my heart and wait for you, only for you to turn away and disappear. Do you hear me?" Inthach softly sings the lyrics they both know by heart.
And at that moment, both of them finish the line together. "We'll have to wait until the world stops spinning."
The man with the darkened skin stares at the fair face of the one he missed so deeply, his lips lifting into a smile, and then his low voice speaks with conviction.
"Even if the world stops spinning... I've never stopped loving you."
The listener lets tears fall, two hands gripping the bouquet tightly as Inthach asks...
"Let's get back together, Pete. This time, I will never let go of your hand again."
In response, Pitchaya throws himself into a tight embrace with the other party, as his handsome face rests on the shoulder that brings him strength. He lets tears flow, but they are tears of joy and fullness in his heart as he speaks.
"I... have never stopped loving you, Ae, not even for a second."
The two men hold each other tightly, oblivious to anyone around them, while the afternoon sunlight reflects off the plain silver rings adorning the fourth finger of each. Despite dozens of pairs of eyes staring at them, they do not care. How anyone looks at them does not concern them, for they love each other deeply.
The love that has come together once again.
~~~
"Ae... hmm... Ae... pant... pant"
Inside the luxurious hotel room, the two men on the bed are tightly embracing each other, their moans echoing throughout the spacious room. However, their hands are firmly intertwined, as neither is willing to let go, as if fearing to release this connection once more.
At this moment, Pitchaya's fair body is straddling Inthach's, his long, white legs spread wide. His handsome face tilts back, and his two hands brace against the broad chest of the other. As he opens his mouth, sweet moans escape as his body takes in the hot length completely.
"Ae, do you like it... Do you like it..." the one on top asks, his voice trembling, prompting the one beneath to reach out and squeeze him tenderly, kneading heavily until Pete moans softly.
"I like it... no, I love it..." Ae growls low, gazing at the beautiful sight before him with all his heart.
This face, this heated body, this soft moan that permeates every atom of his heart.
Grab.
"Ae... oh... squeeze more..." the one who arches to receive gasps out in a trembling voice as two large hands lift to squeeze and knead his light-colored nipples softly, pressing down until they sink in, and then squeezing heavily, causing the passage behind to twitch even more, his pulse racing rapidly, prompting the one watching to speak in a low tone.
"Now... you dare to ask for it... or what..."
"Mmm... from now on, I will ask... ah... I will say… I will express every desire... to you, Ae... let you know... ah," Pete moans, his voice shaking as the heated length thrusts deeply inside, making him lift his hips higher, allowing Inthach to thrust into him fiercely, sending tremors through his entire body.
These words make Ae lift his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Good... tell me... tell me everything... I want you to tell me everything... ah..." the young man speaks in a short, hoarse voice before pulling the other into a grinding kiss.
In response, Pete's fair body presses tightly against the solid muscles, leaving no space between them, their hearts racing towards one another as their lips exchange tantalizing touches, neither willing to yield.
"Ah... Ae... oh... huhu..." Then, as their lips part, Pete gasps as Ae's hips thrust into him rhythmically, forcing him to bury his face against the broad shoulder, inhaling the scent of the body he has missed deeply, just as Ae grasps Pete's pale hips and pushes towards him with fervor, showing through his actions how much he longs for him.
"Ae... I love you... I love you so much..." The one on top rises slightly, caressing the rugged cheeks with deep affection as he allows the heated length to move inside at will and meets those sharp eyes, daring to gaze back at him as if wanting to devour him.
"I love you too... I love you very much..."
"Show me, Ae... tell me... aah... more than this... tell me again..."
Thump.
"Aah!!"
Pitchaya is startled when his body is flipped underneath, and the larger figure climbs on top, pushing his legs up high as that strong, handsome face gazes down with fiery eyes.
"I will show you... let you know how much I love you."
"Aah! Aah... Ae... Ae... uh... Huh..." The one receiving it moans as the large form thrusts inside repeatedly, quickening the rhythm until the body sways. Both of his hands can only grip the bed sheets, and his legs tense as they accept the burning heat that makes his body cry out with pleasure.
Thud.
The manner in which Inthach reaches out to intertwine one hand firmly, with the other gripping the smooth hip, demonstrates love through their bodies as the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoes throughout the spacious room.
Again and again, it seems to emphasize that they have each other in an embrace.
However, neither is willing to enter the realm of dreams easily, as both pull back the pace when they think they can no longer endure it, alternating between intense heat and slow moments. Meanwhile, their lips continue to share heated and sweet touches without pause.
"Uh... I can't take it anymore... Ae... I... can't take it anymore..." Until, when Pete pleads, the one on top takes hold of the hips and thrusts forcefully.
"Aah... Aah... Aah!!!" Not long after, he sends the pale figure to the shore of romantic emotion, while both hands still cling to the strong neck, allowing Ae to ride heavily into him and release his desires fully into the warm passage, causing both to shudder together.
Thud.
The muscular body withdraws and collapses beside the bed, drawing in the figure that, although appearing strong and masculine, feels fragile in emotion into his embrace. The well-shaped lips press a kiss to the sweaty cheek, while the other raises his hand to wrap around the back and pushes his body into the embrace, making Inthach whisper...
"You are still as charming as ever."
"Ae has gotten more handsome though," the listener laughs softly, rubbing the back and shoulders of the other, returning to breathe at a normal rhythm.
The two allow time to pass quietly without conversation, even though there are many things they wish to discuss. Yet, they still choose to silently feel the warm skin of each other.
"I can't believe Ae has become more romantic."
"That dinner last night, huh?"
Then Pete speaks up first, making the listener laugh as he recalls the events after picking up his beloved from the airport. He took him to dine at a luxury hotel, even booking a room, which led them to this lodging. How could this not raise Pete's suspicions?
"I am working now, Ai'Pete, not a broke student who is afraid to buy soccer cleats anymore."
"Ae is an engineer, right?"
"Well, you should have seen it in the pictures," the dark-skinned one says with a chuckle, leaning down to meet the gaze of the person who is trying to look away.
"See, right?" Although feeling a bit shy, Pete nods in agreement as he elaborates.
"Ae's pictures have helped me through various times, even though sometimes I secretly think that Ae promised me, yet how come you tease me with images every day?" The question makes the listener raise an eyebrow slightly, as if deciding whether to recount the story or not, but the large hand reaches out to grasp the delicate white hand loosely.
"I keep my promises. I tried to give myself a chance."
Thud.
The listener goes still immediately. Although he does not wish to hear it, Pete listens intently, watching the person lean up slightly to explain how things have been recently.
"I dated Chomphu for a while, but it didn't work out. Chomphu knew immediately that I will never forget you. I know that Chomphu is just a younger sister, and now we are like siblings. Chomphu is a junior in my faculty too."
"After I started working, there was a time when I became close with the staff there, but I could not go any further than that, because every night before I sleep... I still see your face." Ae recounts while gently stroking his hair. Though he could have let it pass, he still wants to share everything and then asks...
"And you? Do you have anyone?"
He lowers his head to look.
"Yes."
Click.
The listener's eyes widen as the speaker reaches for his own phone and opens up a picture, causing the receiver to frown and scowl, appearing as if he wants to punch the person in the phone, but…
"He is a twelve-year-old boy who follows me everywhere, serving as my personal bodyguard."
Thud.
"You dare to make me jealous, huh? This is your younger sibling!!!" Upon hearing that, Ae tosses his phone aside and rushes to hug the laughing person, gripping his forearm firmly, then looking up to meet his gaze.
"How could I have anyone else, Ae? Every day, I just wait for someone to update new pictures." The words bring a smile to the listener's face, and the tight embrace loosens slightly, replaced by a sweet kiss that Pete willingly returns.
"Your father won't come to bother us again, right?" The one smiling widely gradually reduces his smile and shakes his head.
"He doesn't have time to meddle in our affairs anymore."
"Why?"
"Two months ago... my father was diagnosed with early-stage liver cancer." The shorter young man goes still immediately, meeting the gaze of the person in his embrace who smiles with slight worry, clearly showing that despite his father's harm to them and the severity of the situation, he still loves his father deeply, leading him to reach out and stroke his cheek.
"And you are okay, right?"
"I'm okay... really, we are okay, Ae. My father has Khun Su to take care of him. Besides, it was discovered when it was still in the early stage. He is receiving treatment now, and in a year, he should be able to resume things as usual." Ae wishes to forgive the one whom karma has struck, but he is still hurt enough to ask about another topic instead of inquiring about the other's health.
"Will you have to go back again?" The question makes the listener look up to meet his gaze.
"Ae, do you want me to go?"
"No!!! Even if you want to go, I will not let you." The firm tone brings a smile to Pete's face... a heartfelt smile after three years.
"Then I will not go. I will stay right here, next to Ae. I will not go anywhere and will not give Ae to anyone else."
Khun-chai, who looks even more handsome than before, says this in a firm voice, causing the listener to laugh as he pulls the fair figure into a tight embrace, allowing their cheeks to touch, then whispers,
"I told you I have no one else. I only have you, Pete... Ae loves you."
The sweet words whispered in his ear make Pete lean his head against Ae's shoulder and look up so that the other can gently kiss him.
"Sweet."
"Do you want it sweeter?"
"Hmm, what could be sweeter than this? Flowers, dinner, sweet words... What else do you have that is sweeter?" The listener's question brings a mischievous smile.
Flick.
"Then do you want to try tasting it?" Inthach moves to straddle the fair figure once again, while the person underneath wraps his arms around his neck, grinning more playfully than before, and responds,
"I really want to taste it. Let me taste it quickly."
Thus begins the feeding of the sweetest delicacy that surpasses anything in the world, as both convey their feelings accumulated over the years through body language, accompanied by spoken words that declare love... and just how much they love each other.
NEXT Epilogue
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