Chem Chey: English Translation.
"I know you're tired, both in your body and your soul, right? Right~?"
"..."
"But I know you're strong, and you can handle it, right? Right~?"
"Not right," the one lying face-down, totally spent, turned his face to look at the one spooning him from behind. Akara let out a moan as the hardness that had been inside him finally softened and slipped out. His half-lidded eyes wandered around the room. Everything looked the same, except the bed was a total wreck. The pillow was soaked with tears. Maybe this was the scene of Princess Eung-eung's assassination!
"One more round."
"You tryin' to kill me? Enough, Hia, I'm beggin' you. My ass hurts so bad." He gathered his last bit of strength to push Intha to the side and rolled onto his back to face him. Everything around him looked yellow and blue. His body was sticky with sweat and love stains... He really wanted a shower. He was so tired he felt like he was about to die, but the temple boy still looked super energetic.
"I know you're strong and you can handle it~"
"Eung-eung isn't respondin' to this, right? Right~?" He sang along to the same tune Intha had just sung, clapping in time. Right? Right? Right? Right.. Enough already!
"Next time, don't go looking for trouble."
"That's just an excuse you use to ravish me," Akara shot back, knowing full well that the angry face and harsh words weren't real. He'd seen Intha really mad before, like when he fought Bomb. When Intha was truly angry, he wouldn't say a word. So this tough act, the threats, the serious face right now, totally fake!!!
"You're so annoying for seeing right through me. Yeah, it's an excuse. It's because you're so cute, I can't control myself. I just want to fuck you again and again." Once he was caught, Intha dropped the tough act and flopped down on Akara, nuzzling his nose into the sweet-smelling crook of Akara's neck, then kissing his cheek, his lips, and his forehead. It was a good thing Akara was so exhausted, or he'd have gotten up and kicked him by now.
"Sod off. I'm all sticky."
"Okay, I'll stop." He switched from being a pest to just cuddling, wrapping his arms around Akara's waist and throwing a leg over him.
"I wanna shower."
"You can shower in the morning."
"I stink. You won't sleep well."
"No, you still smell good."
"Really..? The repair guys are comin' to work on the bar tomorrow morning," Akara said, trying to pry Intha's arms off so he could get up and shower. But he was held tight, and he definitely didn't have the strength to fight the temple boy anymore.
Havin' sex with this guy was like runnin' twenty kilometres. If he says I smell good, then I guess I do... I'll believe him.
"It's almost morning anyway."
"I'm not gonna be able to wake up when the workers come."
"I'll go deal with them. For now, just sleep, princess."
"Hia..."
"Hmm?... What?" Because Akara turned to face him, Intha furrowed his brows together. It was clear the princess was totally wiped out, mumbling with his eyes barely open. Looking at Akara's sharp features, he actually looked pretty cute, like a cat, when they cuddled together. Just like a little princess. Snow White, Rapunzel, Elsa-they couldn't compare.
"Hia, don't leave me, please."
He dropped that soft line and started to fall asleep. Intha just shook his head and reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Once the whole room was pitch dark, a whisper sounded close to Akara's white ear. Even though there was still music playing outside, it wasn't loud enough for Akara to hear.
"I'm not leaving you. I'm settled in this deep. I'm telling you, I'm not here to fool around."
BANG, BANG, THUD, THUD, BANG, BANG.
Son... Or..A... Bitch!!!!! What the... FUCK.. is that noise?!!
"Aaargh!" Akara grabbed a pillow to cover his ears and face. He wasn't fully awake, but he couldn't go back to sleep because of the banging and thudding echoing through the house. Poor Akara had no choice but to wake up. He got up on all fours, hands covering his ears, whining. The room was still dark when he opened his eyes, but he could tell it was late because bright sunlight was streaming in under the curtains.
At that moment, Intha wasn't beside him. That's when Akara realised the banging and shaking must be from the workers downstairs renovating the shop, just like they'd planned. Is it already eleven? Guess I'd better get up. He mustered his energy to sit up, shaking his head.
Akara stretched out, then reached down beside the bed to grab his sleep shorts. He couldn't find his shirt, but whatever, he just wouldn't wear one. He slipped on his slippers, which he rarely used, then opened the bedroom door and headed out. He shuffled downstairs and heard Intha laughing, along with some unfamiliar shouting. Are those the workers? Didn't sound like it.
"Hia, who are you talking to?" He asked as soon as his feet hit the last step. Still half-asleep, he looked around. The workers were bringing in new furniture, and the house was a mess. But what caught his attention was the special guests who'd suddenly shown up. Thon-hon and Chonlatee. How did they get here? "Whoa, you're wrecked."
"Don't look," Intha snapped at his friend, grabbing Thon-hon in a headlock and forcing him to turn around. He looked over at Akara, who was standing there scratching his cheek. Intha nearly fainted seeing his beloved wifey come downstairs looking like this. Eung-eung didn't even check the mirror, did he? Didn't notice all the hickeys and bite marks? I tried to keep them where clothes would cover, but nope! My sweet buttercup just waltzed down in nothing but sleep shorts.
"Be right back. Gotta deal with my wifey for a sec."
"We've been friends for ten years, and I'm just now realising how wild you are."
"Shut the fuck up, Thon," Intha snapped, letting go of his friend's neck. He strode over to Akara, grabbed his arm, and dragged him back upstairs. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thon-hon get smacked by Chonlatee's little hand before the big guy was warned not to tease anymore. Hah, got a lecture from the mafia princess, Thon-hon! And as for me... I'm about to lecture the Princess of the Tattoo Industry a little myself.
Intha slammed the door shut and tossed Akara onto the edge of the bed, dazed.
"Next time, next time-if you're not dressed properly, don't leave the room. No low-cut tops, no shorts shorter than two handspans, no this, no that... and no..." He trailed off, running out of things to say, especially as Akara stared back at him, eyes now clear and blinking fast, looking confused. Head tilted in perplexity... Damn, so cute.
"Don't blink at me like that when I'm lecturing you."
"..."
"And don't..."
"Okie, I'll do whatever you want."
"Alright then, just make sure you're dressed properly before going downstairs." Once Akara agreed, the lecture was over. Can I even call that a lecture? It was so short...
"Sorry. If I'd known your friends were comin", I'd have dressed better." Akara scratched his cheek and sighed in relief. "I thought you'd be mad and we'd end up fightin'."
"What?" Intha didn't get it, frowning as he sat down next to Akara.
"I dunno. Maybe I was just startled from bein' dragged up here. I thought you were gonna hit me."
"...'
"Can I get a hug? I got a little scared."
The hug came instantly. Intha pulled the one who said he was scared into his arms, his heart dropping when he saw Akara's expression.
"Did something bad happen to you before?"
"Hmm..."
"I'm sorry."
"No, don't apologise."
"I'd never hit you. I'm scared you'd hit me back, and I'd die... I want to live a long life."
"I'm this small, with a heart this soft. How could I hit you hard enough to kill you?" Akara argued heatedly, pulling away and glaring at Intha, ready to fight.
"Yes, my little muffin, with a heart this soft needs lots of cuddles." Intha hugged him even tighter and kissed his forehead. "But now, Eung-eung, go shower so we can go check on the bar downstairs."
"Alrighty." Akara finally let go and walked into the bathroom, still dazed, with Intha's voice following him.
"Shower quickly, I'll get your clothes ready, make sure they're proper and in an auspicious colour."
"You really are a good person." Akara smiled at the corner of his mouth and gently closed the door. He turned to the mirror, and his eyes went wide at what he saw. Is that a person or a gecko? Shit! I'm covered in hickeys. And I've just gone downstairs lookin' like this. Fuck...
"Hia!!!"
"What? Is there a cockroach?"
"No, but look at all these hickeys. Were you starvin' or somethin'?"
"Well, why'd you have to be so cute?"
"That's not an excuse."
"Of course it is. It's perfectly logical."
".." In the end, Akara couldn't argue back. He just sighed a few times, scratched his head, and picked up the toothbrush that was already set out. If the reason is just that I'm too cute, how am I supposed to yell at him? He's gentle.
He's adorable. He's my good man.
"Eung-eung.."
"Yeah?"
"Can I come in?"
"I want another round."
Goddamnit, I take back all the nice things I just said about my hubby!!!
"They're coming down now," a deep, raspy voice said as both Intha and Akara walked downstairs. Chonlatee smiled a little when he saw the latter looking more put together than before. Intha, on the other hand, seemed to be in an especially good mood, like a monk who just finished meditating so much that just seeing his face made you want to start chanting prayers.
"P'Thon, where's the thing I wanted to give Eung-eung?"
"Here it is. I brought it for you. If I forgot, you'd complain again," Thon-hon said, handing over a large paper bag to the smaller figure in front of him. Akara's ears perked up at the mention of his name. He blinked as the shorter man, at least twenty centimetres shorter, walked up to him, handed him the bag, and then turned to scold Thon-hon. Oh, and he stood with his hands on his hips, too.
"Why are you suddenly calling me a complainer?"
"I didn't say that."
"Mr Thon-hon."
"Well.."
"You'd better watch your back," Chonlatee warned, pointing a finger at his lover with a playful glare that looked more adorable than intimidating.
"Don't scold P'Thon. Don't scold P'Thon. Don't scold my P'Thon," Intha butted in, dramatically throwing himself onto Thon-hon's lap on the sofa. He crossed his legs, wrapped his arms around Thon-hon's neck, and tilted his head for a big kiss on the cheek. "There, there, there, Mr Thon."
Akara felt a chill run down his spine. Goosebumps rose on his arms as he watched the overly affectionate display.
"Thank you, my love. I was so scared when the mafia princess scolded me," Thon-hon said, planting a kiss on Intha's cheek. He spread his legs wider to make room for his friend to sit more comfortably, then wrapped his arms around Intha's waist from behind. Intha leaned his head against Thon-hon's neck, giving Akara a pointed look. With a kiss on Thon-hon's chin, Intha teased salaciously,
"Just so you know, Eung-eung, he's mine."
WHAT?! Then the mafia princess stepped in to save the day.
"Ignore them. Is there a place we can sit and talk?" Chonlatee asked.
"You can use my room. It's on the third floor," Akara offered.
"Perfect! I brought some stuffed animals. Let's go check them out. This way, right? Excuse me~>.<"
Chonlatee grabbed the other man's unmarked arm and led him away. Akara stopped paying attention to Intha's pointed looks. Processin'... Is my hubby actually someone else's wifey? Was his jealousy yesterday not about me? Maybe he was jealous of Sis Chon's hubby? Oh... relationships are so complicated. When Akara glanced back at Intha, he saw him mouthing the same words again.
"He's mine."
Ew, that's so cringeworthy.
"Fuck you talkin' 'bout? Whatever. I want kway chap. Go buy it for me... the kway chap from the stall at the end of the street. Extra crispy pork belly. Two bags, one for me and one for Sis Chon. But if you want some too, you gotta pay for it yourself. I only have a hundred baht on me."
For the first time, Intha saw Akara willingly spend money on someone. The tall man jumped off his friend's lap, looking at the hundred-baht note Akara pulled out. He pouted and asked, "Why don't you ever treat me?"
"Let your man of yours treat you," Akara replied, referring to Thon-hon.
"Eung-eung..."
Intha huffed, pouted, and sulked. But then, "While you're at it, fill up the motorcycle tank too, Hia."
"You're really taking advantage of me, huh? Where's the money?"
"I don't have any. If you don't fill it up by this evening, I'll take the BMW to the market," Akara said with a shrug, pulling Chonlatee along upstairs. He couldn't help but smile when he heard Intha singing loudly from downstairs. Intha always does the most unexpected things. :)
"The gas tank is empty. | might be late. But don't blame me. I am sorryyy-" [รถบ่มีน้ำมัน (The Gas Tank Is Empty) by Job Seksan]
"What the hell are you singing In?"
"It's my wifey's favourite song. I'm a loving hubby, so I learned it," Intha shouted back, emphasising the word loving hubby.' He chuckled and turned to Thon-hon, who was giving him a strange look.
"My friend has changed."
"None of your business. I need to head to the end of the street. My beloved wifey ordered two bags of extra crispy pork belly kway chap. He really wants it, so I have to hurry. Please watch the shop for me. I'll bring back some noodle soup for you, too."
"Yeah, yeah, hurry back," Thon-hon said, crossing his legs. Once Intha had left on his motorcycle, Thon-hon pulled out his expensive phone from his pocket and called another friend who'd practically forced him to investigate this bizarre situation.
"Hello, Nhai? It's me... Thon."
[Yeah, I know it's you. You're at Inha's love nest now, right? What's the scoop?] Nhai's voice sounded excited, barely able to hide his curiosity.
"Man, he calls the scary guy his beloved wifey every chance he gets. He stares at him like he's the only thing in the world. And the craziest part? When Akara came downstairs earlier, he was covered in marks from Intha."
[Holy crap! I think he's been bewitched. This can't go on. We need to help our friend.]
"How?"
(We need to find a way to break the spell. We need to find a renowned shaman.]
"Where?" Thon-hon scratched the back of his neck, glancing around at the workers moving furniture and checking the stairs for any sign of Akara or Chonlatee. He didn't believe in superstitions... but Intha always said, 'If you don't believe, at least be respectful.'
[We should ask In. He knows a lot about this stuff.]
"We can't just walk up to him and say, 'Hey, give us the name of a powerful shaman to break the spell on you."
[This is tough. I'm really worried about our bud. Thon, bestie... we have to do something. I saw in a movie once that people under a spell for too long would have too much sex and die.]
"Should we consult Naay? Maybe he can help us find a scientific explanation, like pheromones making him overly attached to his wifey."
[I just called him. He told me and you to stop meddling in Intha's business.]
"Then let's just Google it- how to break a spell. Footsteps and murmurs echoed from upstairs. Thon-hon straightened up, quickly speaking into the phone. "Nhai, Nhai! Chonlatee and N' Eung are coming downstairs. I'll call you back later."
[Alright. Give Chonlatee a kiss for me.]
"Oh, shut up, you dumbass," Thon-hon said, hanging up just in time before anyone could overhear. He remained seated, watching as the two came down, chatting softly. Akara was about the same size as him, while Cholate seemed to get smaller as he grew older.
"Sis Chon, sit and chat with P'Thon for a bit. I'll go check if the workers brought everything."
"Sure. Let me know if you need help."
"It's okay. I can handle it," Akara said, rolling up his sleeves and heading toward the pile of items the workers had brought in. He spoke briefly with them before diving into the pile, inspecting everything with a determined look. Thon-hon couldn't help but whistle softly, his brows furrowing in thought.
"P'Thon... what's wrong?" Chonlatee asked, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow and crossing his arms as he glanced at his partner, who still hadn't moved
"I was just talking to Nhai. He and I think Intha might be bewitched."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because someone like him shouldn't end up like this. Eung is too terrifying-not like anyone Intha's been with before," Thon-hon said, using the word "terrifying' as he watched Akara lift and spin chairs 360 degrees to inspect them before setting them down and grabbing another.
"Maybe they love each other for who they are," Chonlatee suggested.
"I don't know. I just don't see what makes him so special."
"I think he's kind of cute, especially when he talks with so much sass. His energy is great."
"Really? Maybe I should go talk to him," Thon-hon said, standing up and walking toward Akara with his usual tough-guy swagger. Akara noticed him approaching and locked eyes with him, unblinking. Even though they were about the same height, Thon-hon's athletic build gave him a slight edge in physical presence.
"Do you have somethin' to say to me?" Akara asked, tilting his head. Even though Thon-hon was somewhat his type, Akara knew better than to get involved with someone who was already taken.
"Yeah... I have something to ask." Thon-hon said.
"About?"
"Did you put a spell on my friend?"
"A spell? You mean like black magic or somethin'?" Akara was momentarily stunned but quickly clarified, grabbing a nearby thick stick for support, more out of awkwardness than intimidation. Thon-hon stood frozen. Whoa hey! Does he have to go that far?! Wow, this guy's got guts. Goddamn.
"Yeah, black magic. Like love potions or something."
"I didn't do anythin' like that."
"Then why is my friend so obsessed with you? He's never been like this with anyone else. He's insanely possessive."
"I really didn't do anything," Akara said, gripping the lumber tighter. Just how much does that guy love me for his friend to think I used black magic?!
"Come on, tell me where you got it from. Just in case Chonlatee stops loving me, I might need it."
"P'Thon, calm down and repeat after me," Akara said, stepping back slightly and pointing the plank at Thon-hon. The latter also stepped back, startled. Akara's sharp, dark eyes looked intense-almost scary. He wasn't angry; he was just deeply intrigued.
"Say this: Avada Kedavra."
"...You're so evil." >> Thon-hon.
"Uh...">> Chonlatee.
"Crucio," Intha, who'd just returned, pointed a chopstick from his noodle bag at Akara. Therefore, the stick immediately shifted its aim.
"Expecto Patronum! Why did you buy chicken noodle for yourself?"
"Accio! You ordered kway chap!"
"Now I want chicken noodle, too!"
"Fine, I'll give you one chicken foot."
Thon-hon rubbed the back of his neck, feeling ignored by both Intha and Akara. He turned to Cholatee, reaching out to hold his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Chon... I think I finally understand why my friend ended up with this dude. I need to tell Nhai about this."
'They look so cute and lively together." Chonlatee smiled at the couple. In his eyes, the love between Intha and Akara was oddly harmonious. He felt an instant fondness for Akara. When Thon-hon mentioned they'd stop by to see Intha before heading back to Chonburi, Chonlatee had even gone out of his way to pick up a stuffed animal as a gift.
Yesterday, Akara mentioned how much he adored stuffed animals, mumbling that a certain someone didn't like them, which was why he didn't have many. Chonlatee had quietly whispered to Intha about it earlier that morning... The good sir had nodded and promised to buy Akara plenty of stuffed animals. To Chonlatee, they were absolutely adorable together. As for Thon-hon, "Nah, I think they both look like a couple of lunatics..."