Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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“Not tonight, Om. I have to wake up early tomorrow.”
On the balcony of a luxury condo, Hurin was sitting on a wooden chair. In one hand was an open beer can, more than half gone. The other hand held his beloved phone, as he told his close friend who was inviting him out to get drunk outside.
“Don't 'Âi Pu' me. Tomorrow's Sunday. Your dad won't drag you to work. Come out to eat and drink with us. You can just sit there looking handsome to attract girls,” his close friend from high school, whom they had separated to study in different countries, said loudly, the sound intermingling with the booming music, indicating he was definitely sitting and drinking somewhere. However, the one who was usually easy to persuade immediately refused.
“Can’t, man. Not free. I don’t know what time nong will arrive tomorrow.”
“Nong…. Which nong…. What, are you bringing some kid to your room? You’re single these days.”
The question, which showed no small amount of surprise, made Hurin laugh loudly. His sharp eyes sparkled as he thought of the said nong.
“You don’t need to know which kid. Just know that they’re small and fair, with red lips.”
“Hey! Seriously? The Nai Hurin I know isn’t into kids! Thai girls, foreign girls, I’ve only ever seen you with beautiful, full-figured, bara-im types.”
Well, the one I’m talking about isn’t a girl, but my junior childhood neighbor, you see.
Hurin just shrugged slightly, not thinking to elaborate for his close friend to understand correctly. If he said his junior childhood neighbor was coming to stay with him, his friend would definitely insist on dragging him out to drink. It was just with one nong, but for him, Jae Dear wasn’t just a childhood neighbor.
They’d known each other since Nong Dear was a red infant until he grew to a full 168 centimeters…
“Heh heh.”
“What the hell are you laughing at?”
“Nothing. That’s all for now. Good luck tonight.”
Hurin, who was amused thinking about the little one’s demeanor this afternoon, brushed off his friend and hung up immediately. His other hand lifted the beer to drink, while thinking of the person who said they were “a full” almost 170. And when he said this was a kid, it wasn’t just because he was a nong; perhaps it was because he viewed Dear as part of his family, that’s all.
“Well, it’s good. Sometimes it gets lonely living alone. Having that little one come stay as company will probably be better.” Hurin said this to himself while downing the last mouthful of beer.
He crushed the can flat before stepping back into the room, thinking about whether his life from now on would become more colorful or more chaotic with that little childhood junior neighbor. He didn’t know.
Phîi Porsche... I’ll grow up. I’ll be as good as Phîi Porsche, just you wait!!!
The image of the ten-year-old boy who had excitedly told him this after he won a high school project competition made Hurin chuckle with amusement.
Thinking about when he was little, I really can’t help but feel fond of him.
***
That damn Jae Dream is so wicked, how could she do this to me, her nong!!!
Dear was muttering complaints, utterly fed up. Less than two minutes ago, his beloved eldest sister had dropped him off in front of the skyscraper condo he’d been dragged to punch the clock at just yesterday, and she really did drop him. She pulled up in front of the building, told him to open the car door, hauled his bags out, and then simply said…
"Go up by yourself, nong rak. You knew the room yesterday. Jae is going back home to sleep some more. Bye. See you on Friday."
And then Jae immediately drove the car away, not waiting to hear his voice which was about to erupt in protest that it was… seven in the morning.
Seven in the morning on a Sunday, Jae Dream! What kind of crazy person wakes up this early on a day off, huh? And you want me to sit around waiting here until later to go up to the room or what? I really want to ask Máa what she ate when she gave birth, for my sister to be this inconsiderate.
“So what should I do, Dear? Call San and tell him to pick me up to stay at the dorm first, then come back later in the day, maybe?” the young man muttered to himself, also pulling out his phone ready to call his close friend who was in the same faculty. Last night when they talked, he said he’d moved his stuff into the dorm since yesterday.
And for sure, if he wasn’t held back by Jae Dream offering to find him a place, he’d probably have rented a dorm room with his friend already.
“Ahem, uh, nong ka.” But before he could dial, a call from behind made Dear pause, then he turned to look at the beautiful woman in a staff uniform who was probably stationed at the condo counter, before realizing his own condition… was utterly pathetic.
He was carrying one backpack, dragging another suitcase, not to mention a large plastic bag stuffed with food from home—looking every bit like someone moving house. And importantly, he was just standing there dumbfounded in the middle of the building entrance like this.
Are they going to kick me out or something?
“Uh, khrap, khrap. Sorry khrap. I’ll move my stuff somewhere else, heh heh.” As he said this, he gave a dry laugh, raising his hand to scratch his head nervously, making the woman in front of him smile sweetly, pleased with the handsome, clear-faced young man before her.
“Why move it? You must be Nong Dear, right? Jae Dream called yesterday to say her younger brother would be moving into Khun Hurin’s room, ka. She asked me to help with the luggage when you arrived. And just now, Jae Dream called again to say if I see a clear-faced young boy with many bags, looking a bit startled like a country boy entering the city, that would definitely be you, ka.”
I was almost there, almost thanking Jae in my heart, if it weren't for what is it with Jae always selling out her nong like this, khrap!
“Come, ka. Phîi will help.” “Uh, it’s okay khrap. I can manage.” “No, you can’t, ka. Jae Dream instructed me. Oh, Phîi is named Phîi Fon, ka. You can call me if you need anything.” Phîi Fon said while moving to help carry several bags with an amused expression, but it only made the listener roll his eyes. He wasn’t the least bit surprised that his sister was acting like she owned the place again.
If Jae Dream sees that being chummy with someone is useful, Phîi will do anything.
“Thank you, khrap.” It didn’t hurt to politely say thank you first, while dragging his bag to follow the rather enthusiastic woman into the elevator together. But just as he was preparing to stress about whether it was okay to show up knocking on Phîi Porsche's door as early as seven-something, the beautiful woman turned to look at him with a glint in her eyes that made the one being looked at feel a slight chill down his spine.
“It’s no trouble at all, ka. Phîi is happy to. But, Nong Dear, you’re Jae Dream’s younger brother, right, ka? No wonder, just as cute. The older sister is beautiful, the younger brother is handsome. Ah, indeed, so handsome. Do you have a girlfriend yet?”
He didn’t think he was stupid, but this was clearly trick-questioning him.
Dear thought to himself, secretly a little startled. The way she was looking at him was practically devouring him whole. Do I like women? Of course, because let me confirm again, I’m not gay, I just like Phîi Porsche (?). But my type has to be small, cute-looking, proper girls, not an older sister who stares at young men like she wants to devour them.
Then, as if his startled demeanor made the other party realize, she just gave a slight smile.
“Don’t be afraid of Phîi, ka. Just asking for some info to decorate my head. Having another handsome guy in the building, so I just wanted to know, ka.” The reply made Dear nod vigorously, finally understanding why his sister was so chummy with the person in front of him. Betting Jae Dream’s head, Phîi Fon definitely knew everything about everyone in the building.
“No, I don’t, khrap.” “That’s all then. Aww, but I’m so jealous of Nong Dear. You get to stay in the same room as Khun Hurin, ka. Phîi has been secretly watching for a long time, really wanting to know if he has a girlfriend, but no matter how many times I subtly ask, he always sees right through it.”
If you were more subtle, Phîi, you’d probably know by now. With a face like that, who would want to answer? The thought was kept quietly in his heart before the elevator stopped at the desired floor. Soon, all the belongings were piled in front of the luxurious room, and Phîi Fon finally left him alone.
“Whatever, Dear. I’m here now. Whether he’s awake or not, I’m going in.” The young man said to himself before pressing the doorbell multiple times. But the only response was silence…. He waited until his shoulder started to hurt, but there was only silence. He could only look left and right, glancing down at his wristwatch.
Seven-twenty…. He’s definitely not awake.
The thought made him reach into his wallet for the spare key card to enter the room. He placed it against the door panel, his other hand keying in the entry code he’d gotten, no longer caring about manners. Right now, going in to sit sprawled in the middle of the room was better than standing here like a lost child. That was probably best.
Click
“I’m coming in, Phîi Porsche!” Dear murmured softly before pushing the door open into the room, dragging his belongings along in a rather disheveled state. Just as one door swung wide open, the person inside quickly stepped out.
“Hey Dear, wait, Phîi will help. Sorry, when the bell rang, Phîi was showering.”
Thud
The young man froze right at the doorframe upon seeing the room's owner emerge wearing only knee-length shorts, his hair soaking wet, indicating that just minutes before he must have been in the bathroom until it was damp against his neck, his upper body devoid of clothing, revealing toned muscles on his broad shoulders, with a small white towel draped over them. But above all else, it was the wide smile directed at him.
Phîi Porsche is just too damn handsome, too fit. Being near him makes me feel dull in comparison.
“Here, Phîi will help.” “Hey, Phîi, no need. Phîi can go finish your shower. I can handle this.” Before he knew it, the smiling, handsome man had stepped forward, pushing the door open with one hand, his other hand snatching the bag from him and dragging it into the room, almost making him take another step back.
I didn’t know, was Dear thinking evil thoughts? In a moment, he might just wrestle me down and make me his mia (?).
The one thinking that, but secretly glancing slightly at the other’s abdominal muscles, made Hurin turn to follow his gaze before laughing loudly.
“What, shy of Phîi ? We used to bathe naked together before.” Hurin said jokingly to the little one who probably didn’t realize he was looking him over from head to toe, and that made the one with a guilty conscience start to feel strangely flustered.
Who’s shy? Not me. Would someone like me, Dear, be shy because Phîi took his shirt off? I’ve seen better, more enviable bodies than this before.
“Who’s shy? Not me, Phîi Porsche. I’m just thinking, Phîi stripping half-naked showing off to me like this, are you thinking something about me? First day and you’re already showing off like this.” He rattled off, but still put on a brave face, looking up to meet his eyes, making Hurin pause for a moment, not expecting that the quiet kid from yesterday who barely talked to him would suddenly become so bold.
Genuine. But it was good. Seeing Dear like yesterday was quite unfamiliar; we used to be quite close.
“Hmm, is that what you think?” So, the young man let go of everything and raised his hand to stroke his chin thoughtfully. His sharp eyes sparkled quite mischievously. His tall frame moved closer to the other until Dear could feel the dampness emanating from the other body. And those eyes scanned him from head to toe, making him feel hot and cold.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Phîi ?”
I swear my voice didn’t tremble. It really didn’t tremble!
“It’s nothing… just thinking this idea is quite interesting. Hmm. Interested in being Phîi Porsche’s mia, Nong Dear?”
Stunned silent.
As Hurin finished speaking, the listener stood rigid. His eyes showed a startled glint, meeting the cunning face that sent a mischievous smile his way. The other hand was still raised, stroking his chin, and he leaned in a bit more, making the one who wasn't thinking pure thoughts unable to stop his heart from racing. Really, who would have thought Phîi Porsche would say something like this!!!
Interested in being Phîi Porsche’s mia, Nong Dear?
Interested in being Phîi Porsche’s mia, Nong Dear?
Interested in being Phîi Porsche’s mia, Nong Dear?
What did Phîi just say?!
The one frozen in shock started yelling in his heart. His ears began to turn bright red. Thoughts in his head started colliding chaotically: should he deflect, treat it as a joke to cover up, or ask seriously what he meant? But before he could do anything he wanted, a large hand patted down on his head and rubbed it gently.
“Look at your face. Phîi was joking, man. Go on, go to your room.” “Phîi... Phîi, what kind of joke was that? My heart almost stopped, you scared the shit out of me, you know.” When Hurin gave a wide smile and said that what he said was a joke, it made the listener almost want to let out a huge sigh of relief mixed with a strange feeling in his chest. His two hands could only drag his belongings into the middle of the room, lower his head, and complain as if he wasn’t amused.
His demeanor made Hurin laugh softly and then gently pushed the head of his childhood neighbor.
“Overthinker. C’mon, follow me. I’ll show you your room.” Hurin said, leading the way to the bedroom without noticing the expression of the one looking after him, how immensely relieved he was, and even raising a hand to rub his chest gently.
You should think a little less, you know? Don’t you know I was seriously thinking just now that if Phîi asked for real... I would have actually said yes. And what was I thinking, Dear?
The thought made him sigh heavily again, questioning himself if it was right or wrong to indulge his sister and come stay here. Because it hadn’t even been ten minutes together and it already felt like riding a rollercoaster three and a half times. If we live together every day, will I really die before graduation?
And he couldn’t deny that the sentence asking... "Interested in being Phîi s mia, Nong Dear?" with that smile... Phîi Porsche is handsomely unforgivable, so handsome it’s aggravating, really.
Dear told himself before steeling himself and following the other with his belongings, not knowing that Hurin was making a strange face when he turned away from the young man, shaking his head in surprise at his own thoughts.
Just now, when Dear was stunned, why did I think he looked cute? So cute I wanted to tease him... What was I thinking, Porsche? Probably still drunk from last night’s beer.
“Dear, want to eat breakfast first?”
Later in the morning, after letting his childhood neighbor, who had now become his roommate, go organize his things, Hurin knocked lightly on the door and took the liberty of opening it to see the room filled with belongings scattered everywhere. The drawers were all pulled out while the little one was sitting on the floor by the bed.
“No, I ate from home already…” “But just now Dream called and said you hadn’t eaten anything.”
I hate my own sister!!!!
Dear could only scream inwardly in frustration. He had just fled into the room, closed the door, trying to calm his mind because of that damn question for a good long while. And what’s the deal with having to face the person who asked him… to be his mia?
I’m not a pervert, I’m not, but why do I want… to say yes.
“Phîi, you go ahead and eat first. I’m really not hungry.”
Grrroooowl
Ugh, I hate my own stomach.
Before he could fully refuse, his body seemed dissatisfied with its owner’s stubbornness. The sound of his stomach growling loudly sounded, making the large man leaning against the doorframe just go,
“Heh heh.”
I hate your laugh, Phîi Porsche!
The one starting to get annoyed turned to glare at his childhood neighbor brother with cloudy eyes. When Hurin laughed just two 'heh heh's, while his own face was so hot it felt like it would explode, he really didn’t understand. Where had his kind older brother gone? Why was there now only this annoying person he wanted to kick in the neck (if he could reach, that is).
Snap
“Come on, let’s go eat. Our stomach is protesting. Come on.” This time, Hurin moved to grab the arm of the clear-faced youth who now had a bright red face, fists clenched, looking like he wanted to punch his own stomach, and exerted force to pull him out of the room. Dear put up a slight resistance but eventually followed out.
Making a face like he wants to punch me is better than looking awkward like before.
Hurin thought amusingly. Ever since he encountered the question he’d teased him with, the little one had been silent, closed the door and disappeared for almost three hours, not showing his face at all. So he thought bothering him a bit would be good.
“Here, eat. Phîi just got back from Korea, so there’s nothing in the room. Just these fried eggs and sausages, and then instant mama noodles and packet porridge. But you’ll get sick if you eat that, you know.” Hurin said, nodding towards the dining table where an American-style breakfast was already set and ready, but couldn’t resist teasing the childhood neighbor who was mumbling softly.
“I’m not that easily sick, Phîi.” “Is that so? Heh heh.”
Again with that two-'heh' laugh! Can I buy it to stop? Stop laughing at me and just smile a little.
The thought made him go plop down on the dining chair. With the hunger from waking up, moving stuff, organizing things, and still having nothing in his stomach, he could only grab a fork, stab the food, and chew vigorously without any pretense to waste time.
“But, Phîi forgot to ask. Which engineering major did you get into?” “Om.” “Com?”
Nod nod
The one chewing a full mouthful answered, making the listener interpret again. Dear nodded vigorously before bowing his head to deal with his own food, determined to lock himself in his room after eating to avoid seeing those sparkling eyes and wide smile of the person sitting slumped on the other side of the table.
Every time I look, I feel like I have heart disease.
His demeanor made Hurin frown slightly. He admitted he was fond of the little one stabbing food into his mouth quickly, but the avoiding eye contact and monosyllabic answers didn’t please him much.
“Have you talked with Lex?” “Two or three times a week.” The young man continued answering when he heard the question about another close friend who had fled to study high school in America. And of course, the person mentioned was also the younger brother of the man in front of him. And don’t think the nickname ‘Lek’ (small) came from… Lexus.
It shows the parents in this house are all car-crazy.
“More than with Phîi, huh.” “I play DotA with him, so we voice chat.” The answer made Phîi Porsche nod in acceptance. Then, as if his demeanor of not continuing the conversation would make the large man give up, the tall figure quietly got up and left, making him unable to help but sigh in relief.
Don’t ask me anything, Phîi. That question is still stuck in my head.
The thought made him go back to stabbing the sausage, his movements noticeably slower than before. His ears heard the faint sound of a TV from the living room. Probably Phîi Porsche was watching a movie or something.
After finishing eating, politely washing the dishes and placing them upside down neatly, Dear prepared to return to his room to continue stuffing clothes into the closet. However, as he passed the living room, he got his answer about what Phîi Porsche was doing.
Oho, don’t say I look down on you, Phîi Porsche, but you’re really bad at this.
The thought made him stop standing at the doorframe, watching the famous RPG game displayed on the screen, along with the brand-new console placed neatly in the built-in cabinet whose doors were previously closed. His eyes glimmered with extreme desire to play, but he couldn’t help criticizing the person whose game character walked off a cliff and died.
Looking… funny. “How do you get past this?” The muttering of the large man frantically pressing the controller in his hand made him…
The handsome large man who was just laughing ‘heh heh’ at him was now making a serious face like he was in a meeting room, his hands pressing frantically. It made him unable to help feeling good.
Phîi Porsche right now is like a normal person, not the perfect man that girls want.
And he didn’t know if it was because of this thought that made Dear step closer to the sofa, simultaneously poking the other’s arm.
“Phîi Porsche, let me try.” “Hmm… Here. It’s hard. Phîi has been playing since yesterday and still can’t get past this part.” Hurin turned to look, handing over the controller without any objection, watching the young man move to sit cross-legged on the floor in front of the sofa, leaning his back against it. His round eyes stared intently at the screen, and then…
“Passed.” “Hey!!! How did you do that?!” With just a few presses, the character that kept climbing until exhausted and falling to its death easily passed to the other side of the cliff, making Hurin exclaim in amazement, bending down to look at the young man who immediately puffed out his chest this time.
“Well, I’m good.” And the face he made while saying “I’m good” almost made Hurin burst out laughing. His round eyes shone with pride, his white face tilting up to meet his eyes, something he had been avoiding all along, making him just put his hand on his head, tousling it gently.
“Yeah, good, good. Then play for Phîi, will you?” “You can count on Dear, Phîi Porsche. With Dear’s skills, it’ll pass for sure.”
Thud
The little one probably said it without thinking, but the older person noticeably froze at the self-reference he hadn’t heard in so long. And coupled with the clear face beaming a wide smile at him, after which the game-obsessed kid turned his attention back to the screen as if forgetting the previous eye-avoidance, made Hurin slowly lift the corners of his mouth.
I like it when he makes this happy face… It looks endearing.
After that, the person who intended to finish organizing his things became absorbed in the game in front of him. Occasionally, he got up from the sofa only to go to the bathroom, then returned to be engrossed in the game he had wanted for so long and finally had a chance to play. Meanwhile, the room owner didn’t mind, besides bringing a book to read quietly on the same sofa.
By the time Dear became aware again, it was when a warm touch landed on his head once more, pulling him back to reality.
“You should stop soon, it’s almost the save point.” "Guh..."
The sound he made wasn’t because he was told to stop playing, but because Daranpat was stunned stupid, since… how did I end up in this position?!
The situation where his back was leaning against Phîi Porsche’s sturdy thighs, one hand resting on Phîi Porsche’s knee to relieve stiffness, and when he looked up confusedly at the person looking down, they were only a little apart… so close he could see how high Phîi Porsche’s nose bridge was.
Snap
The moment he realized, he swiftly turned back to his original position. Without the game to distract him, he could feel that his back was extremely warm, confirming he had been leaning against this position for a very long time.
And why didn’t Phîi Porsche tell me?
“Sorry, Phîi Porsche. I’ve been leaning for so long. If you were stiff, you should’ve said something.” If you didn’t say, I’ll say it myself. While moving to put the game equipment away, he felt a sudden warmth on his back. His face was hot, especially with the relaxed voice of the person who shifted.
“Just lean on it. Phîi didn’t say anything. Having something to snuggle against is warm.” “Not snuggling, man! I’m not a dog, Phîi.” His mouth deflected to another topic, though his heart was beating frighteningly fast, expressed through his hands trembling while putting things away, making him want to kick himself. The listener frowned, confused about when he had called him a dog.
“Whatever. Finish putting your things away, go wash up. Phîi will take you out to eat.” “Hmm?” This time, Dear turned to look confusedly until he met the wide smile that he told himself he both loved and hated so much.
“To celebrate getting into university. Then I’ll drive you to see the lecture buildings. Okay?” The question made the listener nod vigorously, his round eyes noticeably widening.
Even Jae Dream hasn’t taken me out to celebrate.
“Then you can go wash your face now.” “Khrap phom! I’ll go right now, khaap!” Finished speaking, the person who closed the cabinet containing the console, the games, and the DVD player immediately ran back to his room, making the watcher raise his hands to cross them, still smiling widely.
I think I know what Dear resembles now… when he makes that happy face, I think I saw his tail wagging faintly, ears perked up, looking hopeful in an indescribably endearing way.
Turns out I didn’t get a roommate, but got a puppy to raise, heh heh.
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