Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, I am."
Sigh "You can still turn the car around."
"Ae, I am truly ready. Absolutely ready."
During a four-day holiday, most people escape the bustling city to breathe fresh air outside or travel abroad to explore new horizons. As it is not peak tourist season, Khun Pitchaya received special permission from his mother to take leave, allowing him to spend time with Khun Inthach, who also has time off.
Now, the two have arrived at a certain place—a bright-colored two-unit shophouse. Ae turns to confirm once again, just as he has been doing all week over the phone.
"Are you sure you want to visit my home?"
The concerned demeanor earns a smile from Pete, who nods firmly to confirm his readiness to meet his romantic partner’s family. Judging by Ae's expression, however, it seems he would rather turn the car around. Having made up his mind, the young engineer exhales deeply.
"Alright, let’s just do this," he says finally, stepping out of the car first. He walks around to grab his romantic partner’s luggage, just as Pete himself steps out of the car at the same moment that—
"Pete! Pete, you’re here, my dear!"
A sharp, high-pitched squeal cuts through the air as a missile of affection and overwhelming energy launches herself at the tall, slender figure, hugging him tightly. Pete nearly stumbles, but Ae moves quickly to steady his romantic partner before they both collapse under the force of... Ae's own mother.
Grab!
"Pete! Pete, how have you been, my dear? It’s been weeks since I last saw you. Ae never brings you around. Have you been overworking yourself? You look thinner!" With that, her chubby hands cup Pete’s handsome face, turning it left and right to inspect him closely, all while bombarding him with worried questions and throwing a jab at her own son. Pete, under her warm touch, chuckles softly.
"I’m doing well, Khun Mother. How about you? It’s been so long. I’ve missed you," Pete replies sincerely, his voice filled with genuine warmth, earning a deeply affectionate gaze from the older woman.
Of course, getting such a moment from Ae? Dream on.
"Oh, Pete brought something for you, Khun Mother. Remember the famous sweets we talked about? I brought them for you."
"My goodness, what a sweet and thoughtful child you are! Who raised such a gem? So considerate of elders. Unlike a certain son of mine, who his own parents might forget the face of."
Despite her wide smile, Khun Mother sneaks another jab at her son, clearly pleased to see her son’s romantic partner visiting their home.
"But I’ve been working, Mother," Ae sighs, prompting her to whip her head around and glare at him.
"Oh, don’t give me that! As if you don’t get any days off. At least show your face around here once in a while!"
The mother and son begin their familiar bickering, prompting Pete to step in as a peacemaker.
"Khun Mother, please don’t be upset with Ae. It’s my fault. On his days off, Ae comes to see me."
However, the older woman waves her hand dismissively. "Oh no, it’s not Pete’s fault at all. Back when Pete wasn’t back in Thailand yet, this dark-headed one barely came home, always buried in work. I hate to gossip, but let me tell you, after three or four months of being away, when he finally showed up, little Yaem burst into tears because he didn’t even recognize his uncle!" Khun Mother, in high spirits, wastes no time teasing her son, whose embarrassed face betrays the truth of her words.
"Looks like you’ll have plenty of fun gossiping about me these next two days," Ae mutters.
“Of course! When the favorite son comes home, I’ll roast you to ashes, Ae!” Khun Mother declares, prompting Inthach to sigh deeply, grab his romantic partner’s arm, and drag him into the house.
“Let Pete freshen up first. It looks like he’ll have a tough time ahead,” Ae says before pulling Pete upstairs, while his mother shouts after them.
“Pete, have you eaten anything yet? I’ll make you something to eat!”
“Yes, Khun Mother, thank you—whoa!” Pete calls back but yelps softly in surprise when Ae pulls his arm harder, nearly causing him to stumble. He can only glance at Ae’s broad back as they ascend.
“You don’t have to indulge her too much. I can already see your fate—you’re going to be stuck with her for the next two or three days,” Ae mutters with an exasperated tone, though his voice carries a hint of concern, making Pete smile.
“This kind of fate is just fine.”
“Hm?” Ae turns to look at him, catching sight of Pete’s wide, happiness-filled grin.
“I’m just glad Ae’s family accepts me. I’d do anything for that,” Pete replies sweetly, prompting Ae to raise a hand and ruffle Pete’s hair gently.
“Ah, I always end up losing to you.”
Indeed, Ae’s family now fully embraces Pete with all their hearts.
Months ago, when Pete had just returned to Thailand, he was filled with worries—not only about whether Ae still loved him but also about whether Ae’s family would accept him. Pete could never forget that he had once been the cause of trouble for Ae’s family in the past. The memories of his mistakes haunted him—the fear that they would see him as someone who dragged Ae down, the dread that they would hate him, reject him. However, when Ae brought him back to this house after three long years of absence, what happened was...
“Blessings upon you, child. May all misfortunes and sorrow be gone at last.”
It is a warm embrace that holds him close, paired with a voice filled with genuine care and concern. Questions are asked with sincerity, making the one who resolved not to cry easily clutch Ae's mother tightly in return and utter only: “I am sorry. Sorry for what my father has done. Sorry to everyone.”
And the most valuable thing he receives is… forgiveness.
No one holds a grudge against him. Everyone welcomes him, glad that he has returned. Furthermore, both Khun Mother and Khun Father tell him to call them “Mother” and “Father,” a gesture of acceptance that fills Pete’s heart with overwhelming gratitude.
So, if Khun Mother desires someone to chat with, it is a small thing, insignificant compared to what this family has given him—their acceptance.
Acceptance from the family.
“But I think my mom is just the first obstacle. Honestly, I think our original plan to visit Khao Kheow would have worked better,” Ae remarks as he opens the door to his old bedroom, which looks almost unchanged. Pete responds with a faint smile.
Clasp.
“But you wanted to come home, Ae. I know,” Pete says as he wraps his arms around Ae’s slim waist from behind, resting his chin on Ae’s shoulder as though pleading affectionately.
Pete knows Ae wants to return home sometimes but often chooses to visit him instead. They only get to see each other on weekends, so Ae prioritizes spending that time with Pete over returning home. Initially, Pete worried that he was monopolizing Ae’s time, but it turned out that Ae’s family supported him in doing what made him happy.
Khun Mother once said: “I’ve seen his face for over twenty years. Let that sun-darkened face go to Pete instead.”
Is it any wonder that Pete loves and reveres Ae’s family so deeply?
"How do you know?" Ae asks while glancing over, making the one who knows grin and rest his face a little more against Ae’s shoulder.
"Because Ae misses his niece and nephew—both Nong Yim and Nong Yaem."
Hearing that, Ae sighs. "On this point, I can't argue."
"Hahaha, Khun Ah Huang Lan," Pete teases, seizing the moment. The bigger man turns around, wrapping his arms around Pete's slim waist and bringing their foreheads together.
"Are you teasing me?"
Ae's stern face and sharp tone don’t intimidate Pete. Instead, his grin widens. "Yes, Khun Ah Stern-face. Who was it who made your little nephew cry?" Ae looks slightly troubled.
"Who else but you? Yaem may be shy with strangers, but one pat on the head from you, and he’s glued to you like sticky rice," Ae says, recalling the little nephew, shy and quiet, in stark contrast to his outgoing older sister. At three years old, Yim was already talking up a storm, but Yaem, now three, still runs to hide behind furniture. And to top it off, he’s scared of Ae’s stern face.
"Hahaha, feeling slighted? Are you jealous of your niece and nephew, Ae?" Pete seizes the opportunity to tease again, making Ae grit his teeth playfully.
Clasp.
Thud!
Without warning, Ae grabs Pete and throws him onto the bed before Pete can react. Then, the taller man follows, pinning him down with a mischievous expression. His knees press on either side of Pete’s body while he leans down, propping one arm beside Pete’s head, speaking in a low tone.
"Are you saying I’m jealous?"
Ae’s gruff voice might terrify his workers, but not Pete. Instead, Pete thinks Ae looks irresistibly sexy.
The sight of the tall man bracing himself over Pete with one arm, his sharp face both intimidating and devilishly handsome, and his lips set in a straight line, contrasts with the primal glint in his eyes. His broad, powerful frame cages Pete, radiating raw intensity. Then there’s the large hand that pinches Pete's chest through his fine shirt, like a playful punishment, making the moment even more charged.
"You can still change your words."
"What if I don’t?"
Clasp.
"Ah!" Pete startles slightly when fingertips twist his nipple, and the mischievous face leans closer to whisper by his ear.
"Then I’ll punish you until you change your mind."
"Ae... n-no... I have to go see your mother."
"Then I have even more reason to punish you. You think more of the mother-in-law than your own partner."
"Ah... wait... d-don’t..." The one who dared to challenge him can only utter faint protests, knowing full well he never stands a chance against his lover’s desires.
Ae as a student was already a handful, but Ae as a fully grown man is utterly irresistible. The allure radiating from Ae's body and gaze leaves Pete weak and pliant in his arms, unable to fight back.
"Then I’ll make you walk downstairs all flushed and wobbly. That would be cute," Ae whispers in a deep voice by Pete's ear, causing his face to burn red as he recalls the incident from the previous week.
They had been together in the bathroom at Pete's house that morning and later went down for breakfast. At first, Pete couldn’t understand why his mother and Aunt Jeab smiled so oddly—until he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.
His dreamy eyes, flushed cheeks, and swollen lips told the whole story, leaving him too embarrassed to look his mother in the face for days.
Meanwhile, Ae seemed very pleased with his handiwork.
"Ae, you’re such a sadist."
Ae buries his face in the white curve of Pete’s neck, planting heavy kisses that leave Pete murmuring, "Fine, I admit it, but who told you to be this adorable?" Without waiting for a reply, the big man buries his face deeper into Pete's neck.
"These days, Ae, you're so wicked."
"But I know you like me being wicked like this."
Of course—wicked for them means wicked in bed. Outside of it, Ae remains the same gentle and kind man.
"Tonight... is it not possible, Ae?"
"Just a little, and then I’ll let you go downstairs," Inthach whispers, looking ready to devour his lover whole. If it weren’t for—
"Uncle Ae!!"
Crash!!!
Bang!
If not for the cheerful voice of a young girl ringing loudly through the wall, startling the figure lying weakly on the bed, who then pushes the room's owner away with all his strength—just as the little girl, Yim, burst through the door with excitement—there could have been trouble.
She freezes mid-step.
"Uncle Ae, what are you doing on the floor?" she asks, her curious eyes darting to Ae, who cast a sharp glance at the man on the bed with a look that seemed to say, I’ll deal with you later. Pete, in turn, offers an awkward smile.
Well, it’s better than Nong Yim seeing anything else, Pete’s expression silently conveys, as Pitchaya's gaze shifts to Ae's nearly seven-year-old niece, who is holding a pair of red boxing gloves.
Now, Nong Yim has grown considerably. No longer the little girl with pigtails from years ago, she now sports short-cropped hair. While her large, bright eyes, sharp nose from her mother, and honey-colored skin from her father make her undeniably adorable, her tomboyish nature—fully inherited from both her father and uncle—is unmistakable.
Most six-year-old girls might want to learn piano or ballet, but Nong Yim wants to learn boxing.
"Uncle just tripped over the bed leg," Ae explains.
"Haha! Uncle Ae is so clumsy!" The little girl, still too young to grasp what just happened, reaches out to help pull her large, fortress-like uncle off the floor. She then turns and raises her hands in a respectful wai toward the man on the bed.
"Hello, Uncle Pete! I missed you so much!" she chirps while climbing up to hug her beloved Uncle Pete around the waist, making Pete laugh warmly.
"Uncle missed you too… but it seems like Uncle Ae missed you even more. He’s upset because Nong Yaem doesn’t remember him," Pete whispers conspiratorially to her, causing her eyes to widen.
"There, there, Uncle Ae. Even if Yaem doesn’t remember you, Nong Yim still does! I love Uncle Ae the most in the whole world!" The little girl, skilled at sweet-talking (but only with her family), moves to hug Ae’s waist, trying to cheer him up. After all, her favorite uncle is none other than Uncle Ae.
"It’s been years already! It’s not like Yaem doesn’t remember me at all anymore," Ae sighs heavily, annoyed that everyone keeps bringing this up.
Is it such a crime to disappear for almost four months for work without coming home? Is it really my fault my two-year-old nephew didn’t recognize his own uncle anymore? Ae grumbles inwardly. And then there’s that older brother of his, Oh—he’ll probably keep teasing him about this until his son becomes a monk.
"But Yaem is still scared of you because you always make this face," Nong Yim quips, pulling the corners of her eyes upward to imitate Ae’s intense expression, teasing her beloved uncle as Pete stifles his laughter until his face turns red.
Grab!
"Stop teasing me. Anyway, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be at boxing practice today?" Ae asks, eyeing the red children’s boxing gloves left on the bed.
"I've been, but the camp is closed today. Nong Yim Lim Fo says... that Nong Yim is... so small, always getting lost and confused, not even old yet... but Nong Yim argues that she’s not even seven years old, and her father is already over thirty. Why does he forget that today is a holiday?" That’s right, a child under seven is already arguing with her father so much that the adults are left speechless.
Swish, swish, swish!
"Ah! Don’t mess up my hair, Uncle Ae!" The expression on Ae's face, unable to resist ruffling his little niece’s hair, shows affection, love, and a little mischief, until the little girl screams and jumps toward Uncle Pete instead.
"Grandma says Uncle Pete is staying at our house, so tonight, you can sleep with Nong Yim, right, Uncle Pete?"
Thrilling.
Another living being ready to steal his Mia makes Ae furrow his brows, quickly changing the subject.
"You still haven’t told me why you came up here, Nong Yim."
"Oh, Grandma told me to come up. She made lunch and said Uncle Pete should go downstairs instead. Otherwise, the wolf might eat him... Is Uncle Ae the wolf?" The seven-year-old girl smiles brightly as she innocently speaks, causing Ae to freeze while Pete laughs and stands up, leading the girl by the hand.
"Come on, let’s go, Nong Yim. Leave the hungry wolf here."
"Is Uncle Ae really the wolf? Then Uncle Pete must be Little Red Riding Hood," Nong Yim immediately asks about her favorite story, and Pete nods with amusement.
"Yes, right now, I’m Little Red Riding Hood," he replies. However, the one left behind calls out, causing Pete to rush down the stairs with his niece barely in time.
"Tonight, I’ll make you wear only a red hood to sleep!"
Ah, it seems tonight will involve holding back noises again.
"Pete need not help, my child. Look, sweat is dripping all over you."
"It is fine, Mother. Pete wants to help."
At this moment, the hotel staff likely cannot believe that on the holiday of the young executive, who holds the title of the grandson of Pitchayawornchote, a person who has never had to use his hands for heavy work, he is now... washing dishes in the restaurant of his partner's mother.
Yes, right now, Pete rolls up his sleeves to the elbows while sitting on a small bench. In front of him are two large basins filled with used dishes, one hand holding a scouring pad covered in foam, and the other hand holding a plate, starting to wash with much more agility than before.
The sight of this handsome man, who should be walking around Central Embassy rather than a street-side restaurant, and should be sipping wine instead of washing dishes, attracts many young female customers to the restaurant. The news spread faster than wildfire that... the handsome older brother of the owner's son is helping out.
Now, the hands stir rapidly, and the pile of used dishes rises higher, forcing the dish-washer to speed up, resulting in sweat soaking his back.
Once this is confirmed, Mother Ae lets it be. But soon...
"Hey, Pete, why are you washing dishes here, my child? No need, no need, Father will do it!" Father Ae, walking by, exclaims loudly, pretending to take over the task. Pete smiles back.
"It is fine, Father. Pete can do it."
"It’s not good, come on, get up. Father will do it."
"No, please let Pete do it, Father. Didn’t Ae say your back hurts? Sitting like this will only make it worse. Let Pete do it; it’s better this way." The handsome man insists, and the elder can only sigh in resignation but still stays to rinse the dishes with water.
Until Pete finishes dealing with the large pile of dishes, instead of resting, he takes on the role of a waiter, wiping the tables. This causes Phii Nut, who just returned with her son, to be taken aback.
"Pete, how did you end up here? Why don’t you go upstairs? It’s hot here. Look, you’re covered in sweat... Nong Yim, where is Nong Yim? Mother said to help Grandma. Why is Uncle Pete doing it?"
The eldest daughter-in-law calls out, looking for her daughter, who is punching and boxing in front of the restaurant. The young girl runs back inside.
"Nong Yim is practicing, Mom."
"Practicing?" Phii Nut furrows her brow sharply.
"Yes, Nong Yim is practicing to fight the wolf."
Pause.
Pete stops wiping the table, turns to look at his niece with wide eyes, but he doesn’t stop the little girl’s chirping voice in time.
"Uncle Pete said the wolf will eat him tonight, so Nong Yim is practicing to fight the wolf. Here! Yaaaah!" Nong Yim even throws a punch for her mother to see, while Phii Nut turns to look at the little red-hooded girl and bursts into laughter.
"Ah, that wolf! Well then, Nong Yim doesn’t need to practice. Looks like someone is willing to be eaten by the wolf." The woman teases, unable to resist, which causes the one clutching the hem of his mother’s pants to pout immediately.
"Uncle Pete... Uncle Pete is going to die? No! I won’t allow it!" Yaem shouts.
The three-year-old boy, with his chubby cheeks, big eyes, and fair skin—lucky enough to inherit his mother’s good looks—pouts, about to cry. He runs to grab the hem of Pete’s pants, remembering him immediately, even though they haven’t seen each other for three weeks.
Nong Yaem is so happy that Uncle Pete is coming because Uncle Pete brings so many sweets.
"Uncle Pete is not going to die, don’t worry, Nong Yaem, don’t cry." Pete bends down and hugs the cute little boy, making Phii Nut laugh at the sweet scene.
"Hey, whose grandchild is this? He runs away from Ai'Ae but jumps into Uncle Pete’s arms," Pete looks up and makes eye contact, then speaks softly.
"Do not speak of this in front of Ai'Ae. It seems he will feel hurt by it."
This causes Phii Nut to laugh out loud.
"Is that so? When Nong Yim was younger, Nong Yim was more attached to Ai'Ae than anything. Ai Ae must have thought that with the second grandchild, it would be the same. Who knew that Nong Yaem would be frightened by his uncle’s stern face like that... Actually, Ai'Ae really did have a stern face back then. Especially during the time when Pete was absent—good heavens, no one could approach him. It is only recently that he returns to smiling like before..."
"Ahem, are you enjoying gossiping about me, Phii Nut?"
At that moment, the person who went out on errands with his brother speaks in a stern voice, causing everyone to turn and see Ai'Ae, with a stern face, standing with his arms crossed. Beside him is his real brother, who is about to burst into laughter.
"Come on, Ai'Ae, my Mia speaks the truth. You must admit how miserable you were when Pete was not here," Phii O says, not taking his brother's side, instead patting his younger brother’s shoulder hard, making the younger brother sigh deeply.
"Fine, I admit it."
Thud.
And who would believe that the man with the stern face would admit this openly, causing his Mia’s eyes to widen? Pete's cheeks, already red from the heat, turn even redder, but this time... it is because of embarrassment.
Did Ai'Ae forget that the entire family is here?
"Haha, the man who is infatuated with his Mia!" Ai'Ae’s mother speaks first, prompting Ai'Ae to retort.
"It is as if you are not infatuated with Ai Pete." Of course, Ai'Ae’s mother, being the former Nang Nopamas, does not relent when it comes to her son, confidently saying this.
"Well, this is my daughter-in-law."
"This is my Mia, mother," Ai'Ae says clearly, not even looking at his Mia, who now doesn't know what face to put on. Meanwhile, Phii Nut leans in and whispers.
"It seems Pete is the favorite daughter-in-law," she adds with a clearly teasing tone, which makes Pete mumble.
"Don't joke around, Phii Nut."
"I'm not joking, Pete. It’s the truth. Believe me, this family dotes on you more than anyone else," the woman whispers, leaving the listener unsure whether to feel happy or shy. So, Pete turns and takes the hands of the two children, one on each side, and speaks softly.
"Uncle Pete thinks we should go upstairs and play games, alright?" Then Pete leads the two children out, eager to avoid staying to listen to anyone argue.
Who would want to stay and listen to the debate over whether he is the favorite Mia or the favorite daughter-in-law? By now, everyone in the alley must already know he is Ai'Ae’s Mia. Sigh.
"Sigh, peace and quiet."
It isn’t until the end of the day that the loud sounds in the house are replaced by silence, allowing Inthach to flop exhausted onto the bed, completely worn out. He realizes that working all week didn’t tire him as much as arguing with his own mother, who is constantly trying to steal her daughter-in-law.
"Talking with mother is actually fun," Pete says, laughing, although he should be the most tired.
Of course, one person drags him in one direction, and then another pulls him in another.
"It’s not that it’s not fun, but it’s exhausting. You, yourself, will be the most tired. I’m asking if you’re sure you want to stay at my house," Ae looks up slightly, saying this with exhaustion, making the listener smile widely.
"I am more happy than tired, Ae," the speaker says while walking over with a jar of cream and sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"Close your eyes, Ae."
"You don't really need to use it. It doesn’t make a difference whether I apply it or not," Ai'Ae says, but still closes his eyes, letting his partner apply the skin cream to his face.
"Because Ae doesn't use it every day, that’s why. So on days off, I’ll apply it for you, and that’s good."
Pete smiles, knowing his partner doesn't take much care of himself, so he wants to do whatever he can.
"So, if I’m not handsome, you won’t love me, will you?" The big man opens one eye and asks, making the listener smile.
"This is enough handsomeness. What we’re doing isn’t to make Ae more handsome, I just want you to take care of yourself. Appearance is important for work, you know? If you go out looking all rough because of the sun and meet the boss, how will you look?" Pete leans down and gives his love a soft kiss on the nose, causing Ai'Ae to wrap his arms around Pete’s shoulders and pull him down to lie with him.
"I’ve always been this way, what about you? Why wash dishes until your hands are sore?"
"So if my hands are sore, will you love me less, Ae?" Pete counters, causing the listener to frown.
"I didn’t say that."
"We’re just comparing, that’s all. I want to help everyone. I like Ae's house, I like being here, and I also like that even though I don’t smell like Armani perfume, my body smells like dish soap, Ae still hugs me tightly and says I always smell good, even though I smell like sweat." Pete is about to say that for them, appearance has never mattered at all.
"Ai'Ae worries about me washing dishes, and I worry about Ae being out in the sun every day. That’s all." So, everything done is out of care, not because they want their partner to be more handsome or better-looking to show off to anyone. It’s all from concern.
The words cause the listener to shake their head, giving their partner a firm kiss to the temple.
Comments
Post a Comment