Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
"Why do you come here every morning? Your house has a gym too."
"It's not wrong for me to want to see my 'romantic partner's' face before going to work."
"It's not wrong, but it wastes money, damn it!"
At seven in the morning, when many people are just waking up or getting ready for work, Khun Khaen Kirakorn arrives at his workplace and finds his dearest romantic partner sitting there with a haughty demeanor at the center of a famous fitness center, fully ready to exercise... just like every other day.
That is correct. Since graduating, Khun Kirakorn pursues what he has studied and now works as a fitness trainer.
He has been working for over a year now. Over a year in which Ai Khun-chai Tinn has come to exercise here nearly every morning, except on days when work keeps him up late to the point he cannot wake up or when he has to travel out of town or abroad. But overall, Ai Khun-chai Tinn shows up almost every morning.
Of course, Ai Khun-chai makes it very clear who he is, to the point that Kirakorn's coworkers all know by now that Ai Khaen has a romantic partner. However, that is not the reason for Khaen's annoyance.
Truthfully, he just regrets the money on behalf of the other man, who is essentially throwing it away for no reason since Tinn's house has a private gym, with every piece of equipment imaginable—possibly even better than here—and also a swimming pool. Yet he still wastes money. And the most infuriating part... he even buys exclusive trainer hours as well.
"Ai Tinn, if you want a trainer, just say so on the weekends when I go loafing around at your house. I'll train you for free! Why are you spending who knows how many tens of thousands for this?"
Naturally, the person who does not value money continues to not value money, saying this while the listener lets out a heavy sigh at the person who does not understand anything at all.
When Tinn learned what Khaen wanted to do for a living, he strongly opposed it, but Khaen insisted on his decision.
"Because I want to do it. It suits me well. Don't try to stop me."
Khaen was adamant that he would do it no matter what, so Tinn reluctantly gave in, even though Khaen could find a better-paying job, a less demanding one, and most importantly, one that doesn't involve physical contact with others. However, Khaen stubbornly insisted, so Tinn now solves the problem by showing up every morning to make it clear to everyone that this single-lidded-eyed guy already has a romantic partner.
"As I said, not only do I get to exercise by coming here, but I also get to see your face before work. It's totally worth the tens of thousands I'm spending," Tinn says with a shrug before getting up and heading to the treadmill to warm up without waiting for the trainer, Khaen, to say a word.
"How long can you stay today?" Seeing this, the Pheuak Monkey, now even paler since he no longer has to run around the football field, asks. The person just starting to jog replies casually.
"About forty minutes. I need to get to the office early today… How many appointments do you have today?" The last question is asked with slight irritation as the other person grins so broadly that his eyes nearly disappear, holding up his fingers for emphasis.
"Five today, including you. My next appointment is at eight. When you leave, P'Phrim will probably be arriving."
"P'Phrim?"
The name is unfamiliar, indicating that this is likely a new personal training client.
Tinn narrows his eyes slightly as he thinks about it. Naturally, he knows every one of his romantic partner's clients.
No, it isn't because he snoops like some kind of stalker—it's simply his good fortune that his romantic partner tends to... talk a lot.
"Yes, P'Phrim is an interior designer. She's already forty but still incredibly gorgeous, I swear. And she's funny too! She's been working out here for a while and just decided to buy a PT package. Today's her first session," Khaen explains, holding onto the machine while recounting the story of his latest client, making the listener frown even harder until his eyebrows practically tie into a bow.
Her first session today. Sure, her work and age might be on the registration form, but how does Khaen know she's funny?
"I've talked to her many times already. We always greet each other when we meet. See, this is the benefit of being talkative—you greet people constantly, and you end up earning more," Khaen says, without needing to be asked, spilling everything out, making Tinn even more frustrated.
"You don't think there's another reason why she hired you, do you?"
The young businessman mutters to himself in mild irritation, since just dealing with Khaen's clients already annoys him many times.
Khaen is a happy person and easy to get along with—Tinn knows this well. Back in university, Khaen already knew half of the people around, and wherever he went, people would call out to him, "P'Khaen!" So, it isn't surprising that when he started working, he made friends everywhere.
Khaen's trusting nature only makes Tinn worry even more.
A client lies about being heartbroken and asks him to go eat together, and he goes.
A client lies about losing their car keys and asks for help, and he goes.
A client says they are confused and unsure if they like men, and he goes to listen.
A client rubs their chest on him, and he argues it's an accident.
How can Tinn not worry about him?
"Dammit!" In the end, all he can do is mutter to himself, frustrated with the person who never seems to understand.
"What are you mumbling about? Alright, it's been fifteen minutes. What do you want to do today? Do you want to use the machine? Last time, you just did freestyle," Khaen says, not noticing the sigh from his partner.
He stops the machine and turns to ask, noticing the sweat starting to form on Tinn's temples. He reaches over to wipe it away with a small towel.
The gesture makes Tinn lower his gaze, meeting Khaen's squinted eyes, which are smiling up at him.
"Don't make that face, Ai Tinn. Didn't you say you wanted to see my face? Smile, damn it, smile," Khaen says while wiping off the sweat.
He doesn't wipe as roughly as before, having learned how to please his Khun-chai lover. Then Khaen's smile... makes the other person angry... but unable to stay angry.
"Today, I want to do freestyle," Tinn replies, but his sharp face leans forward, almost touching the face of the person with a wide smile.
"But can we do exercise on the bed?" the young man whispers in his ear, intentionally letting the tip of his nose brush against the cheek, so close that the heat from the person who has just exerted effort in running collides with the other's body, before pulling away to meet his eyes... the ones smiling like a fool.
"Okay. Tonight, I only have training until 7 PM. Come pick me up, then we'll go to your condo or your house?"
"Sigh."
Don't think that someone like Khaen would be shy, because not only is he not shy, but he also speaks with such eagerness, as though he is quite pleased with the invitation, causing Tinn to let out a heavy sigh. Because he meant now, not tonight.
"Huh? Then why did you sigh? Or are you working late? Well, you don't have to come pick me up. I'll go myself. Where is it, then? Home or the condo?" Khaen still doesn't understand why Tinn sighed, which makes him have to lightly push his lover's head.
"Clueless-Flirt."
"Hey! You're cursing me? Didn't we agree we wouldn't curse each other?" Khaen's eyes widen as he pretends to roll up his sleeves, but the handsome young man simply waves his hand dismissively.
"Expect me at 7 PM. Let's go to the condo instead. My mother is coming home today; it's annoying. However, I don't want any trouble," Tinn says curtly, pulling the towel from his partner's hand before striding towards the bathroom. This leaves Khaen wide-eyed, rushing to block his path—not to apologize, but merely to ask out of curiosity.
"Then you're not going to play anymore?"
"I'm not in the mood. I'd better go prepare for the meeting at the company," Tinn says, walking away to shower and change clothes, leaving Khaen standing still. However, Khaen quickly runs after him, looking left and right to make sure, before...
Grab.
Peck.
Khaen pulls the other person's neck down to plant a light kiss on the lips before pulling away.
"Good luck with your meeting today. If you have to face off with Ai'Phii Tul, I hope you win decisively," Khaen says, pressing his nose to Tinn's cheek once more, leaving Tinn stunned for a moment.
Tinn gazes at the person offering encouragement with a full heart. The one giving the kiss smiles wide before pulling his arm and leading him toward the bathroom.
"Go, go. Hurry up and shower so you have time to prepare for your meeting... Let's meet at 7 PM," Khaen says, not to chase him away but with genuine concern, causing Tinn, who was about to get angry, to break into a smile.
Khaen must be the only one who can make him both angry and laugh within just a few minutes.
Soon after, the man in slacks and a high-quality shirt steps out, heading straight for the pale-skinned trainer who is chatting and laughing with one of the clients, not paying attention to the gazes from both the women and the queer men who are staring in his direction.
"I'm leaving now."
"Mm, see you later," Khaen says, giving two or three light taps on Tinn's shoulder.
The person meeting his partner before work smiles faintly at the corner of his mouth, turns in the other direction, and feels confident that today's plans will go smoothly. This is because he has received encouragement from someone who somehow doesn't yet realize just how important they are to him.
Once Tinn walks out of sight, the person Khaen has been talking to speaks up.
"P'Khaen, is that your client?"
Khaen turns to look at the young client, remembering that the other person has never come this early. It isn't surprising that they haven't seen Ai Tinn, but since his own partner also buys training hours, it could technically be considered true. He nods in response.
"Wow, he's really handsome... Is he really a straight man?"
The question makes Kirakorn furrow his brows slightly before breaking into a smile.
Well, what do you know, Ai Tinn? Another person has fallen for you.
This thought makes Khaen laugh as he reflects on his handsome partner and realizes just how much Tinn has changed since their school days.
Now both he and Ai Tinn are 23 years old. Their physiques, mannerisms, and the sparkle in their eyes have naturally matured since they were 18 or 19. Especially for someone like Tinn, who has thrown himself into his father's business without worrying about the senior executives on the board.
As a result, Tinn has developed a more mature and serious demeanor. His once proud, indifferent attitude has shifted into a somber, focused expression that is difficult to read. As Ai'Le once said, Tinn is exactly the type women like.
But sorry, the type women like is already married.
Khaen laughs again and leans in to whisper in his client's ear.
"That's right... he's a gay man, actually, and he's already married."
"Huh!"
The listener gasps, and Khaen nods in affirmation, adding, "Moreover, he really loves his Mia a lot."
Khaen then excuses himself, almost bursting into laughter several times as he marvels at the charm of his own husband.
Still, he feels confident that Tinn knows exactly who he loves most.
I am someone who trusts easily. When Ai Tinn says he loves only me, I believe it with all my heart.
"The Mia I'm talking about is actually me. Ha ha ha."
Khaen mutters to himself and laughs heartily, knowing—as Tinn surely knows—that the Pheuak Monkey understands how deeply he is loved, enough to be certain that his partner would never look at anyone else.
~~~
"You are such a fun person to talk to, Khaen. I'm not disappointed at all for choosing you as my PT," says P'Phrim.
"Speaking like this, I'm embarrassed, P'Phrim," Khaen replies.
"I'm being serious."
"Haha, in that case, I'll have to find something fun to tell you often so you'll come back more frequently," Khaen says, fully embracing his role as a cheerful and engaging trainer.
His face, which might not be extraordinarily handsome, lights up with a wide smile that makes his almond eyes squint, adding an extra layer of charm to his overall cuteness. Combined with his tight workout clothes that highlight his well-toned physique—neither overly muscular nor bulky like a bodybuilder's—he becomes a captivating figure for a woman in her forties, who seems thoroughly impressed.
"At this point, I'm laughing so much that I've got crow's feet now," P'Phrim says with a grin.
"Oh, P'Phrim, you don't have crow's feet at all! There's not even a line!" Khaen exclaims jokingly, though he genuinely means it.
Despite being in her forties, her face remains tight and youthful. Khaen almost wants to ask, "Is that natural?" In his mind, hitting forty means starting to show some age, with rounded features and smile lines. But out of politeness, he refrains.
"I can guarantee you're so beautiful that any guy would look back at you," he says sincerely.
Her physique adds to the impression—her slim waist and the way her sleeveless workout top and pink sports bra accentuate her figure resemble those of someone who takes excellent care of themselves.
"What about you, Nong Khaen?" she asks, prompting Khaen to laugh immediately.
"I've been looking at P'Phrim, of course," he replies playfully, meaning, "I've been staring right at you."
P'Phrim beams with delight at the playful banter from the charming Khaen and lightly touches his strong arm.
"By the way, Nong Khaen, you're lucky, huh? No matter what you eat, you don't gain weight."
"I exercise, of course. I eat just enough and work out properly. I guarantee my body will stay in shape," Khaen replies confidently.
Secretly, though, he crosses his fingers behind his back because he definitely doesn't eat "just enough"—he stuffs himself, and his romantic partner often calls him out on it.
"Your stomach must be working abnormally," P'Phrim comments, and Khaen secretly agrees. Although he works as a trainer, he doesn't follow the strict healthy eating habits of his colleagues.
He eats whatever he wants—anything delicious. Still... his weight never increases.
Khaen wants to eat like others, but it's Tinn's fault. Tinn always finds the best food and insists on feeding it to him.
"Then, Nong Khaen, come have a meal with me sometime. You can tell me what's appropriate for a woman of my age," P'Phrim smoothly suggests. Since it isn't against gym rules, Khaen smiles widely.
"Sure, P'Phrim. When would be convenient for you?" Khaen agrees immediately, momentarily forgetting someone else.
Even when he remembers later, he reassures himself. It's just a meal with a client; Tinn won't get angry.
~~~
"Nong Khaen, I brought some snacks for you today. I just got back from Chiang Mai," P'Phrim announces a week later. Their familiarity has grown quickly, partly because of their conversations on LINE. Though trainers often use LINE to schedule sessions, with P'Phrim, the chats cover more, including Khaen's favorite topic: food.
"Hey, P'Phrim, I'm embarrassed. You don't have to bring me anything," Khaen says, declining out of obligation, not spontaneity. He remembers his promise to his partner.
"Don't accept things from anyone. Understand?" Tinn had insisted.
"If it weren't you asking, I wouldn't agree. Okay, okay, I won't accept anything from anyone except you."
So Khaen shakes his head, even though his eyes linger on the bag of snacks.
The clear rejection causes P'Phrim to pout.
"I'm not angry, okay? I just don't want other clients to misunderstand," Khaen explains, softening his tone.
"Then I'll give it to Nong Khaen's sister. I heard she's studying to be a doctor... please accept it. I bought so much; let's just share," she insists, bringing up his sister as a persuasive argument.
Taking it to Ai Le shouldn't be a problem... or should it?
"Is Nong Khaen feeling uncomfortable? It's just snacks," P'Phrim adds.
"Oh, no, no, I'm not. Thank you so much, P'Phrim. My sister will be thrilled. She's been complaining about her studies; this will help her relax," Khaen quickly agrees, unable to resist her disappointed expression.
He takes the large bag of snacks but suddenly feels a cold, unsettling sensation at the back of his neck.
Whoosh.
Too precise…
Khaen swallows as he notices someone in a full suit standing at the lounge area. The sharp eyes staring directly at him gleam, focusing on the bag in his hand. Khaen feels like returning the gift but knows it's too late. Instead, he mutters softly, "I'll be right back."
"Oh, are you busy with a client? No problem, no problem. I'll leave soon. I wasn't planning to play today—just dropping off a gift. See you on Monday," P'Phrim says sweetly before walking away.
She leaves, but the suffocating pressure of the sharp gaze lingers, making it difficult to breathe.
I didn't do anything wrong… right?
"Hey, Ai Tinn, we didn't have an appointment today. What are you doing here? Or are you planning to work out at 8 PM?" Khaen greets him with a smile.
But Tinn's indifferent gaze doesn't waver. The lack of expression unsettles Khaen, if only slightly.
"Don't look at me like that. This is something P'Phrim asked me to bring to Ai Le because she knows she's been studying hard lately. I haven't accepted anything from her," the young trainer explains with a smile that the other person doesn't return.
"Hey, I'm being honest here," Khaen adds quickly.
"I'm not saying anything. Never mind. I just happened to pass by... I'll be going now," Tinn replies coolly, turning to leave.
Damn it, he's really mad. Khaen thinks to himself while watching the person turn away with an icy expression. Even someone as clueless as him can tell that Tinn is angry, especially since he'd only just arrived.
Grab.
"Hey, hey, I'll come to see you at your condo tonight. I'll be on night duty until 10 PM, but I'll be at your place no later than 11," Khaen says, smiling slyly, knowing exactly how to make up with Tinn.
I'll serve him right to his doorstep, to his bed, and he'll be fine.
"I'm going back to my place today," Tinn says flatly, removing Khaen's hand from his arm, making Khaen's eyes widen.
Ai Tinn rejected me!
"Then I'll come to your place," the young trainer quickly seeks another solution.
"No need. Go have dinner with your client," Tinn says, removing Khaen's hand immediately before quickly walking out of the gym.
Khaen stands frozen, eyes wide, looking left and right, realizing he doesn't have any clients left. Tonight, his shift is just cleaning and closing the gym, so the Pheuak Monkey quickly grabs his phone to call his important assistant while running to catch up with the person striding out.
Ring!
"What's up?"
"Ai Leee! Help me!"
Before the person on the other end can even finish speaking, Khaen yells out loudly, making his younger sibling, who's studying at the time, furrow her brow immediately.
"What did you do to make Ai Tinn mad this time?"
That Ai Le is really sharp.
"I don't know! Out of nowhere, he got mad today. I don't know if it's because I accepted the snacks the client gave me."
"That doesn't seem likely. Ai Tinn's not narrow-minded like that. He knows you work in service, and sometimes you can't refuse."
Lemon reasons calmly.
"Are you sure this client doesn't have any ulterior motives?"
"What ulterior motives? There's nothing. We just had lunch together a couple of times. She just wanted some advice about food. I didn't even tell Ai Tinn about it," the older brother says quickly, almost making his younger sibling want to slap her forehead, while also adding...
"Stupid! Idiot! Feather-brained! Soft-brained! He's jealous, idiot!"
Khaen furrows his brow immediately.
"Jealous? I'm not thinking anything about anyone else, damn it!"
"It's strange if he's not jealous. You went to eat with that girl who's clearly eyeing to drag you into bed, and you didn't even tell Tinn about it. It's not surprising that he's jealous when he sees it. I'm still surprised that you've been working for years, and Tinn has tolerated seeing you flirt with other people for so long!"
"Hey! I didn't flirt, okay? I was just talking to a customer."
"Sure, sure, you weren't flirting. Well, go make up with him then. If you figured it out, why are you calling me for advice?"
When the younger sibling says that, the one who just realizes his partner is really jealous quickly stops and speaks up.
"Hey, sorry, sorry, give me some advice. Damn, where is Tinn now?"
When Khaen says that, Lemon immediately replies with a mischievous tone.
"He's probably planning to make up with you in bed."
"Tinn already rejected me." Like, without any care at all.
"Oh, really? I even tried to find a way to win the male's heart for you. Normally, making up in bed always works. This time, it didn't work? Well, how about this method instead?"
"What method? Tell me everything. Hurry up, I don't like how Tinn was looking at me like that," Khaen says, his urgency obvious, causing the listener to smile mischievously, feeling like she's testing her own theory about how a method like this would work.
"Alright, listen carefully. What you need to do is..."
"Sigh."
~~~
Meanwhile, Tinn is also letting out a heavy sigh, trying to release the frustration building up inside him. Of course, he's upset... he's been upset for a long time about the closeness his partner has with others.
In the past, there was time spent hanging out with friends and juniors, but now, his partner has to spend free time responding to customer messages. Just thinking about it is annoying.
Then there's the issue of going out to eat with those who are clearly interested, wanting something from him.
They probably want to sleep with some young trainers.
Since starting his job, it isn't just women; even gay men have shown interest.
"Sigh." The sigh escapes once again as Tinn slams his fist onto the roof of his luxury car.
He had planned to visit after working tirelessly for over ten hours, but he ends up seeing his partner receiving something from someone else. Had Khaen forgotten that when they were courting, Tinn too had won him over with gifts? Was it so hard to remember that Tinn gave him gifts because he wanted something in return?
"He's always been this foolish, but I still haven't gotten used to it." The young man shakes his head as he throws his bag, which contains workout shoes, onto the backseat.
Then, he moves to the driver's seat, but just as he's about to sit down...
Thud.
"Ouch!" A small missile collides with his back, causing him to yelp in surprise.
Tinn is about to turn and shout out of annoyance, but the voice that comes before him stops him.
"I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me. I'm sorry, Tinn."
The listener immediately recognizes who is hugging him from behind and looks to see only the round head covered in brown hair swaying on his shoulder. His thick brows furrow immediately, and he can't help but feel... It seems like he's being pampered.
"What did you do wrong?" the handsome young man asks in a flat tone.
"Uh, receiving something from someone else even though you told me not to."
"And..."
"Going out to eat with a customer and not telling you about it."
"And..."
"Um, chatting with a customer while I was with you... maybe?"
The person, who is sure the mistake is small, speaks uncertainly, which causes Tinn to sigh heavily and reach to hold the hand that's wrapped around his waist, though his words contradict his actions...
"It's not just that."
"Huh! Is there more? What else did I do wrong?" Khaen-ta-lup asks in a confused tone, not expecting there to be more mistakes.
Tinn turns to look at him, causing him to look up and meet his eyes, which are gleaming with irritation.
Then, in a deep voice, Tinn says… "You're wrong because you don't know... you don't know how much I care about you."
He knows how deeply he's loved, but when will he realize how possessive I am? The thought swirls in Tinn's mind as he almost turns to get into the car, but the one in sportswear grabs his shirt.
"But you don't need to be jealous, right? I've never thought about anyone except you. The reason I don't think you'd be jealous is because I trust you to trust me, just like I trust you, Ai Tinn."
Suddenly, the long sentence makes the listener pause mid-step.
Is he saying he doesn't know because he's sincere? Well, it's just like Khaen-ta-lup to be this way.
Thud.
As Tinn tries to calm down, a warm embrace, almost hot, presses against his back again. Then, a sentence that comes so rarely slips out.
"Tinn, Tinn, I'm sorry. Please don't be angry, Tinn. I truly only have you."
Double-take.
The listener can only stand in silence, his heart swelling with joy at the sweet words that are so hard to get out of Khaen. When Tinn finally decides to turn and look, he sees that Khaen is already making a pitiful face, waiting. It makes... his heart soften.
"You've gotten worse every day."
"I'm not, damn it... hey, hey, you're smiling. You've stopped being mad at me, right?" Khaen teases immediately when he sees the smile starting to form on Tinn's face.
Tinn tries to keep his mouth in a straight line. "Do you want me to stop being mad?"
"Yes!" The listener nods eagerly, making the angry person go silent for a moment.
"After work, come to the condo." Tinn says simply, as he frees his partner's arms and successfully gets into the car.
The listener smiles brightly because it means that Tinn has forgiven him and understood. It seems he likes the way Khaen refers to him as well.
"Yes, sir! After work, I, this Khaen, will go visit Tinn at his place. No wandering off anywhere," the Pheuak Monkey salutes, leaning forward to offer a charming smile.
The handsome Khun-chai glances at him briefly, sighs a little, and then presses his nose lightly against Khaen's cheek that is sweaty from chasing after him.
These days, he has stopped shouting, but now he knows how to make things right when he's angry.
Even though he can think about things like this, he still can't understand why, when it comes to the matter of him being jealous, Khaen can't figure it out on his own.
If Khaen heard this question, he would probably say... "Since I have a smart little sister, I let her think for me."
As they say, when you have an older brother with a name like that, you have to have a younger sister as your strategist to get through things. Then sure enough, after the luxury car drives off, Khaen follows everything his little sister said.
"Please forgive me, I only love you..."
"Trust me P'Khaen. Every time, the legions are always swayed by sweet words. Tonight, go ahead and be agreeable until your jaw is tired. Then P'Tinn will soften up. Also, stop being kind to others and getting into trouble!" The younger sister, who has been honing her mischief skills since she was young, makes her older brother follow her advice strictly.
At that moment, the phone chimes to signal a new message, and as soon as Khaen sees it, he smiles widely, just like that...
"I already love you this much, but you're stubborn. Oh my God."
Short and to the point, just like P'Tinn. This though is enough for Khaen to know...
Khaen-ta-lup chuckles softly, telling himself that no matter how tired he is tonight, he will service his Phua, the Khun-chai, and make sure to please him.
I need to make him love me so much that he doesn't even dare get angry with me like today. The more foolish and simple Tinn is, the lazier I get at trying to figure him out. It would be great if you never got angry with me again, Tinn.
Words Khaen doesn't know are completely impossible, considering how much Tinn loves and cherishes him. Not feeling protective would be strange!
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