Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
On any weekend, if the clock had not yet struck noon, Phra Phai would never wake, because on Fridays, if there was no race, this fun-loving man would usually seek life’s excitement at pubs and bars until late into the night, returning only to collapse into a deep sleep. But today, everything was shockingly outside the norm. The dark-skinned young man rose from bed before nine o’clock. His eyes were bright and clear, free of any workday sleepiness. His lips curved upward in an extremely good-humored smile.
If Phra Phai still found joy in seeking his own excitement, he would not have gone to trick someone into giving him another young man’s number.
For some time now, the tall figure had felt that nothing was as fun as usual. His mind kept dwelling on that intensely passionate night with that coldly-aloof little one. Since yesterday there was no race, and furthermore no appointments, he was too lazy to go night-prowling. He went straight home, ate with his family, and went to bed before midnight, all to… wake up and ambush his prey.
Since his current idea of fun had the appearance of a tall, slender young man with cold eyes and red lips—who by now had likely thrown the bouquet of flowers into the trash the day he received it—shouldn’t he hurry, wake up, and go tease and coax to earn points? If asked whether he liked him, of course he did; otherwise, he would not waste so much time. But what kind of liking was it? He had no answer for that either.
The young man only knew he was fascinated. And once something was stuck in his heart, why try to pry it out? Wouldn’t it be better to make it come and stick to him instead?
These were the thoughts of the man who hummed a tune as he quickly showered and dressed. He swapped his work shirt and slacks for jeans and a dark t-shirt that highlighted his manly physique, slicked back his short-cropped hair, glanced in the mirror, and flashed a wide, confident smile, pleased with his own appearance.
Phra Phai never thought he was not handsome.
It was not that he was conceited, but this conclusion came from the reactions of those around him, whether women or men, who all willingly yielded to him. He might not be breathtakingly, stunningly handsome like his close friend Payu at the racing circuit, but the young man was confident that his strong build and sharp, striking face were no less than any other man’s.
Moreover, his foundational assets were quite good.
It was not just his appearance. His family’s financial status never faced money troubles; in fact, they had more than enough to live comfortably. Though his career was not as grand as being a company chairman like his Phô, as the eldest son and heir, his prospects were considerable. Add to that his education, having completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees abroad, which was another assurance. Thus, Phra Phai was one who never lacked people to share his bed.
Yet… he was now not interested in them even a bit.
That youth, Sky, the one who looked at him with ice cold eyes as if his outward appearance held no appeal whatsoever. But it did not make the young man lose confidence. On the contrary, he was inexplicably intrigued. It was not that no one had rejected him before; they had. But not with that kind of disgusted, disdainful look.
It made him even more curious about what that youth was thinking.
“I want to know, so I have to go find out, right?” Phra Phai said with a smile, then grabbed his trusty helmet and walked downstairs.
On days when he did not “bring” anyone along, Phra Phai typically returned home rather than to the condominium he had bought specifically for that purpose.
“Hey, Phra Phai, you’re up early today,” Praiphan said.
“When those words come from the mouth of a real early riser, it feels like you’re mocking me,” Phra Phai replied.
Just stepping downstairs, his younger sister’s voice rang out from the living room, prompting him to turn and look.
Praiphan… the only young woman among the three siblings.
A young woman with a beautiful face and the tall, long-legged figure of a magazine cover model. Her skin was flawlessly white, unlike his. Her long, jet-black hair was usually tied up simply. Even in shorts and a t-shirt at home, she could not conceal the beauty she was born with. But who would have thought this beautiful young woman had a personality identical to her Phîi’s in every way?
What personality? Wanting something and making sure to get it, of course.
In high school, this one had conquered half the school. Oh! An all-girls school, at that.
“You’re overthinking, Phra Phai. So, where are you off to? Hey! Dressed like that, is it a young man or a young woman this time?” Praiphan asked with twinkling eyes, knowingly. The listener laughed, finding it amusing, and countered with a question.
“And you? You’ve been acting so calm and proper lately,” Phra Phai said.
“I just started freshman year; I don’t want to show my true colors yet,” Praiphan shrugged, stating plainly. Having just become a first-year student at a prestigious university, with classes starting only a few days ago, it would not do to go chasing young women right away. She would wait to adjust to everything first. After that, they would see.
“Oh! But when I was a freshman, I scored on the first day!” Phrae Phleng said.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind. Phra Phai grinned widely and turned to look at the person yawning as he descended from the second floor, still not fully awake, with amusement.
“Odd that you’re back home in the first week of the semester,” Phra Phai said.
“I forgot something, so I came back to get it,” replied the young man with a slender build and a seductively charming face.
Phrae Phleng… the middle brother among the three siblings.
If Phra Phai inherited his tall, large build and skin tone from his Phô, and Praiphan got her height from their Phô and complexion from their Mâe, then the middle one was practically a copy of their Mâe. From his small, slender frame despite being a young man, to his impeccably flawless face—especially framed by reddish-brown hair that radiated an aura of attractiveness—combined with naturally perfect skin that he meticulously cared for, he practically glowed in the dark. All this made the middle brother… even more beautiful than the youngest sister.
Praiphan might not obviously favor young women, but one glance at Phrae Phleng, and it was clear he was born to be with young men. Moreover, he never once hid his “desires.”
The eldest, like him, lived by the motto “audacity brings rewards”—if you want it all, why be shy? As for Phleng, he declared outright: he would take it all if it was refreshing. So, was it surprising that this brother, now a third-year student at a renowned university, had been hunting prey since his first day at university?
Phra Phai, Phrae Phleng, Praiphan—three siblings with identical personalities!
“Coming home today means no one caught your eye, right?” Praiphan teased, making the sleepy one roll his eyes.
“There was, but he didn’t want me,” Phrae Phleng replied.
Then Phleng puffed out his cheeks at his sister and turned to the eldest.
“And you, Phra Phai? Up so early. Young man or young woman this time?” Phrae Phleng asked.
No concealment.
If Phrae Phleng did not hide that he liked young men, and Praiphan did not hide that she liked young women, Phra Phai likewise did not hide that he was open to both young men and young women. So Phra Phai laughed, lightly ruffled his brother’s hair, and said without hesitation, “A young man.”
“Is he more attractive than me?” Phrae Phleng asked eagerly, until the listener tilted his head.
“Hard to say. I’ve never thought you were attractive,” Phra Phai said.
“Whoa! Having a brother of universal-level attractiveness and you dare say that!” Phrae Phleng widened his eyes.
“More like I’m supremely confident,” Praiphan chimed in.
“Or do you not think you’re good-looking?” Phra Phai asked.
“I didn’t say a word,” Praiphan said with a smile, her eyes gleaming with self-confidence matching her two brothers.
Their demeanor suggested that without an answer, the argument would never end, prompting Phra Phai to say with amusement, “Seriously, this young man isn’t one you fall for at first glance. But the more you look, the more attractive he gets. Those shiny eyes, pouty lips, tense face when he looks at me… you two are seriously the most attractive.”
As he spoke, he recalled those black eyes gleaming with coldness, those bright red lips he knew were sweetly fragrant when they said they were not interested in him, and that expression showing neither pleasure nor displeasure—it made him want to see that face right now.
Will he make that attractive face at me again today? Phra Phai thought.
“Phra Phai’s a bit bizarre, huh,” Praiphan commented.
“Not as much as you two,” Phra Phai replied.
“Our personalities come from you,” Phrae Phleng retorted. The listener laughed, knowing he had helped raise these two siblings himself. It was no surprise their personalities aligned, to the point their Mâe was tired of complaining. But before turning to leave the house, too lazy to continue, he remembered something.
“Phleng,” Phra Phai said.
“Hmm?” The owner of the name, sprawled on the sofa and leaning on his sister’s shoulder, raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Nong Phleng,” Phra Phai changed his address, making Phrae Phleng widen his eyes.
“Why suddenly call me that?” Phrae Phleng narrowed his eyes.
“Are you embarrassed?” Phra Phai asked.
“Not with Phra Phai, but if someone else called me that…” Phrae Phleng licked his lips, eyes sparkling, stating clearly, “I’d love it.”
Then he added, “Oh, it’d be even better if a handsome, fit young man with thrilling, spicy moves in every way called me that. I’d be utterly thrilled.”
“Uh-huh, thanks,” Phra Phai said.
Phra Phai nodded, then waved as a sign he was leaving, his sharp, handsome face breaking into a wide smile, eyes twinkling no differently from his siblings’. If his brother’s words were not a jest, then he should make that youth feel thrilled too.
Not conceited, but handsome, fit, with thrilling, spicy moves in every way… isn’t that me, Phai? Phra Phai thought.
Heh, if I said that to Nong Sky, I’d get a disdainful look for sure. But I really want to see it, Phra Phai thought.
These were the thoughts of the man who smiled broadly in high spirits, took his beloved big bike from the garage, and revved toward his destination.
It did not take long for the Italian big bike, customized to be worth no less than two million baht, to park under a medium-sized student dorm, drawing curious glances from residents. True to his sociable nature, Phra Phai removed his helmet and flashed a playful smile, making several young women blush and shy away. But today, he had no intention of teasing just any young woman. He had one target. First, though, he had a stop to make.
Previously, Phra Phai had tricked Warain into giving him Sky’s room number. But lately, every call was answered by either Payu or Warain hanging up. The last time, Warain answered and bluntly said he would not share anything about his close friend to avoid angering Sky.
Unable to get information from someone close, Phra Phai was undeterred. A man like him never ran out of ways. So, instead of calling the room’s occupant (and being rebuffed), he grabbed his helmet and purchases and headed to the glass-walled office of the dorm owner.
“Hello, Khrap,” Phra Phai said.
Phra Phai entered with a friendly smile, though his sharp eyes spotted something prominent from afar.
The woman, about early thirties, started and turned to him with wide eyes, then quickly glanced at what Phra Phai was staring at.
“Uh, I didn’t secretly keep your flowers, you know. It’s just that…” Joy said.
“Nong Sky threw them away, right, Khrap?” Phra Phai asked.
“Well… yes,” Joy said with an awkward face but finally admitted.
Phra Phai gazed at the beautiful bouquet of sunflowers he had ordered, picked up, and delivered himself, despite being swamped with work on a weekday. Instead of gracing the recipient’s bedside table, they sat still in the dorm owner’s vase. But… he was not angry.
He was struggling to hold back laughter.
At first, I thought they’d be in the trash, but they’re still here, Phra Phai thought.
His calm demeanor misled the onlooker significantly.
“Sky didn’t throw them away, you know, Khrap,” Joy said.
“Khrap?” Phra Phai asked.
Phra Phai met her gaze, putting on a slightly pitiful look. This alone flustered her further.
Once again, he was confident his looks were unmatched.
“It’s just that Sky forbade me from telling you, but I felt uneasy. If you thought Sky threw them away, you’d think he was a bad youth again. I’ll just say it,” Joy said. The pitiful-looking handsome man softened her heart instantly. Any promise made to the other young man vanished from her mind that second.
“Not at all, Khrap. I’d never think Nong Sky is a bad youth. I’m just… sad,” Phra Phai said, adding a sorrowful head bow. This hooked the listener.
“Oh! Don’t be sad. Sky really didn’t throw them away. Sky just gave them to me, saying he had no place to keep them in his room, and it’d be a pity to throw the flowers away, so it was better to leave them here to brighten the room. But I don’t know why he told me to say Sky threw them away if you came again. I felt it was a waste, so I asked to keep them… Sky didn’t want to throw your flowers away, Khrap,” Joy blurted out in one breath, making Phra Phai turn his face away further.
“Are you okay, Nong?” Joy asked.
The handsome man’s shoulders shook, but not from sadness as the woman thought, but from desperately suppressing laughter.
Who’d think Nong Sky was a bad youth? Even hating my guts, he still protected those pitiful sunflowers. Such a bloody fucking good youth! Phra Phai thought.
He pictured Sky about to toss the flowers into the trash out of annoyance with him, but that coldly-aloof youth softened, finding a home for those beautiful sunflowers. And he chose well, since days later, they still looked vibrant.
Interesting. Passionate at times, coldly-aloof others, and soft-hearted too. What else is there? Phra Phai thought.
“I’m fine. Thank you again for your help last time, Khrap. Oh! This is a small gift. Thank you for saving those pitiful sunflowers, Khrap,” Phra Phai said, quickly adjusting his expression before being caught not truly grieving, then handed over the snacks bought en route.
“I’m flattered,” Joy said.
“But I feel more obliged, Khrap. Please take it,” Phra Phai said.
She hesitated slightly but accepted.
“Oh! I haven’t introduced myself, have I, Khrap? My name is Phai, Khrap. And you…” Phra Phai said.
“Joy, Khâ. Call me Phîi Joy. All the youths in the dorm do. Uh, can I ask, you and Sky…” Joy said, making circling hand gestures for the question. The tall man looked hesitant, then scratched his head awkwardly, ears reddening, giving a dry smile and saying in a faint voice, “Don’t tell anyone. I’m courting Nong Sky, Khrap.”
“Huh?” Joy said.
Phîi Joy’s eyes widened instantly, but the one confessing was confident it was not from disgust. Gays were common these days; managing a dorm like this, she had surely seen odd couples. Besides, being upfront was better than being roundabout. It made things easier. And, believe him, saying “don’t tell anyone” would spread through the entire building.
Moreover…
“If you want to send anything to Sky again, tell me, okay? I’m happy to help,” Joy said eagerly, prompting Phra Phai to give a sincere, delighted smile.
“Thank you so much, Phîi, Khrap,” Phra Phai said.
Women loved to… ahem! Know others’ romantic affairs. She was no exception. Thus, Phra Phai gained an ally who knew Sky’s movements well. How could that young man escape his grasp now?
When Joy was not looking, the sincerely handsome man flashed a cunning smile.
For the goal, I, Phai, never choose my methods. Heh, Phra Phai thought.
By the time Naphaton fully regained consciousness, it was nearly noon—early for an architecture student. But as it was only the first week of his second year, the overwhelming workload that would rob him of eating and sleeping had not yet arrived. Sky tried to live normally before becoming a wreck for months. Hunger, making his stomach growl rumblingly, fully woke him.
Last night, it was very late when he let the first-year youths go home. He had to stay for a meeting with seniors. Moreover, Phîi Som, a fifth-year senior uninvolved with freshman orientation and supposed to be preparing ther thesis, came to yell at the fourth-years to vent stress, giving everyone headaches. Only a few could guess why.
Phîi Som was heartbroken over Phîi Payu, so they took it out on them.
“He’s bloody fucking fierce. Seems He’s been eating too much sugar lately. Rain, tone down the sweetness with your romantic partner on IG, will you? Phîi Som’s ready to bite everyone’s heads off,” Chik said.
Though Sky said nothing, he agreed wholeheartedly.
It was nearly midnight when he returned to his room. Knowing he was not a fast worker, Sky chose to tackle some of this week’s assigned homework. His head hit the pillow at dawn. In sum: he had not eaten in over twelve hours.
“I’m so bloody fucking hungry,” Sky said.
Opening the fridge to find it empty, he sighed. Just the first week of the semester, and he was too busy to stock it. He dreaded imagining his state by semester’s end.
So, Sky went to the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth, grabbed his wallet and keys, and left his room.
Not showering was normal; he would eat first, then bathe.
But who would have thought that stepping out the door, he would encounter…
“Good morning, Nong Sky,” Phra Phai said.
The crazy man already waiting!
Snap!
Instantly, Sky turned to head back to his room, but the large man rushed to grab his arm first.
“What a heartless young man. You see my face and walk away,” Phra Phai said.
If that damned nuisance had spoken normally, it might not have been so bad. But he deliberately shouted loud enough for the whole dorm to hear, drawing curious glances from several dormmates. Worse, Phîi Joy poked her head out from the office and said eagerly, “Sky, he’s been waiting for you since before ten. Don’t be so heartless.”
Naphaton wanted to be the heartless young man his words claimed, but seeing Phîi Joy’s reproachful look and the smile of the man firmly holding his arm, he could only sigh.
“What business do you have, Phîi?” Sky asked. Once Sky turned back, signaling he would talk, Phîi Joy smiled broadly, winked playfully, and retreated to her office, making the young man want to sigh heavily. It seemed anything she was asked to help with, she had already sold him out.
Handsome men had an advantage, didn’t they? Even if handsomely dark-skinned.
“You see my face and sigh. Hey! Heartless young man,” Phra Phai teased with a smile, making Sky want to shake off his hand and escape.
“Yeah, I’m heartless. Can you let go now?” Sky said, not intending to prolong things, cutting it off there. But could that faze someone like Phra Phai?
“Not yet. I haven’t finished talking,” Phra Phai said.
“Then say it. Quick. I have things to do,” Sky said, trying to pull his hand free, but the large man held firm. If it were Warain, he would be flopping like a fish by now, but for Sky, failing to break free, he let it be, went along, knowing from Phra Phai’s eyes how much he enjoyed teasing him.
“Did you throw my flowers away, Nong Sky, Khrap?” Phra Phai asked.
“Yeah,” Sky said.
“That’s heartless,” Phra Phai said.
“Yeah, heartless,” Sky said.
“Don’t you feel sorry for this handsome single-lidded eyes young man at all?” Phra Phai asked.
“No. And your eyes aren’t black; they’re brown,” Sky said. Initially, he planned not to engage, but even a calm-tempered youth could not help being irritated by the man who put on a sad puppy dog face, spoke pitifully, yet whose eyes sparkled brightly, with a hand on Sky’s arm pressing a thumb to knead his skin playfully.
“You even know my eye color. Deep down, you’re interested in me, aren’t you?” Phra Phai asked.
Sky smiled coldly.
“Have you forgotten you’re standing right in front of me? Only a blind man wouldn’t know the color,” Sky said. Deep down, he wanted to call him a dim-wit, but as Phra Phai was Phîi Payu’s friend, and Sky disliked conflict, he cursed only with his eyes. That made that damned nuisance laugh loudly.
“But I don’t know Nong Sky’s eye color. Let me see,” Phra Phai said.
“Hey!” Sky exclaimed.
Suddenly, a warm palm touched his white cheek, making Sky jerk away in surprise. But could he escape this man? When he dodged, Phra Phai followed. Turning his head to the limit, he could not escape the hand that firmly cupped his cheek, shamelessly forcing him to meet Phra Phai’s gaze.
“Let me see, Khrap,” Phra Phai said.
But Sky kept a straight face, unmoved by their closeness or the fingertips playfully stroking his cheek. He stared back at the honey-colored eyes, listening to the soft, deep voice inches away.
“Aw! I still don’t know Nong Sky’s eye color. I must be blind already,” Phra Phai said.
Sky stayed silent, watching Phra Phai smile so widely it dazzled, then continue.
“Love’s made me blind,” Phra Phai said.
Thud!
Even Sky stood rigid, stunned, disbelieving what he heard. He knew a flirtatious man like this could say “love” without shame, but this was under a student dorm with people passing by, many still glancing curiously, leaving Sky speechless.
“I love you, Sky,” Phra Phai said.
But in that moment, someone else’s image overlaid the man before him, causing Sky’s cheeks, which should have flushed, to pale rapidly.
“Nong Sky?” Phra Phai asked, catching it with his not-so-blind eyes.
Clank! Gasp!
Just then, Sky snapped back, hearing the loud clank of the office’s glass door closing. Glancing at the sound’s source, he saw Phîi Joy’s back swiftly, signaling she had eavesdropped. Using that moment to steady his briefly wavering emotions, his gaze back at Phra Phai was coldly-aloof.
“Done saying what you wanted, Khrap?” Sky asked.
“Are you okay?” Phra Phai asked.
Sky was annoyed at himself for letting Phra Phai catch his emotions. And bloody fucking hell, the playful tone gone, replaced by concern, made his steady heart skip several beats. Those eyes were more serious than before, prompting the slender youth, who had stood still being held so long, to try pulling Phra Phai’s hand off.
“I am, if you let me go buy food,” Sky said.
But the hand on his arm gripped tighter, drawing Sky’s gaze upward again.
Sky felt Phra Phai scanning his face closely, before the handsome face smiled, eyes sparkling again. Then, Phra Phai grabbed Sky’s hand, trying to free itself, and pressed it against his own stomach.
“Nong Sky hasn’t eaten, right? What a coincidence. I haven’t either. Hear my stomach rumbling? It’s saying it wants to eat with Nong Sky,” Phra Phai said.
“I only hear rumbling,” Sky retorted, his unsteady emotions letting annoyance show clearly. The large man countered.
“That means you heard. Let’s eat together, okay?” Phra Phai said.
Phra Phai not only cornered him but pulled him along, making Sky frown and mutter to himself.
“Thick-skinned,” Sky thought.
“Khrap, I’m thick-handed,” Phra Phai said.
“Your face is thick-skinned!” Sky said loudly, making the leader turn with a delighted smile.
“Not just my face, Khrap. My chest is thick too. Want to rest on it?” Phra Phai asked.
Then Phra Phai grabbed Sky’s hand and placed it on his broad chest, making Sky snatch it back as if burned. This was not a private room but the dorm alley. Sky bit his lower lip hard, shooting an annoyed look, but the large man continued.
“I advertise: everyone who tries it gets hooked, wanting to rest and touch again,” Phra Phai said.
That damned nuisance raised his eyebrows, winking confidently, making Sky clench his teeth, both irritated and amused. His earlier wavering emotions steadied. He was unsure whether to feel exasperated at meeting such a man, but sent a cold look instead of words.
“Has no one called you thick-faced, Khrap?” Sky asked.
“Try touching to see if it’s really thick,” Phra Phai said, leaning his face in, puffing one cheek, looking utterly playful and handsome.
Sky stared at the face for a full minute, at the handsome man still offering his cheek, then turned and walked toward the alley’s mouth.
If I keep engaging, I won’t eat until sunset! Sky thought.
But the soft voice followed.
“Okay, Khrap, Khrap. Let me, Phai, be thick-faced. But ever heard ‘audacity brings rewards’? If I want Nong Sky this much, why be shy?” Phra Phai said. Sky quickened his pace to the alley’s mouth, letting the large man follow unhurriedly, his eyes twinkling with delight.
Though Phra Phai lingered on Sky’s earlier gloomy look, he was more drawn to those red lips twitching several times.
Today, just lip twitches, but believe me, Phai, I’ll make him smile wide next time. Wait and see, Phra Phai thought.
Comments
Post a Comment