You(r) Tuber Vol 1.

19 Chop-khun Thinks He Likes Him

 

"Does this look ridiculous?"

 

Chop-khun mumbled to himself uncertainly as he stared into the mirror in the restroom of a shopping mall. He was at Siam in a semi-formal look because he had a morning meeting with a client in Sukhumvit. He was dressed in a black shirt with one button undone, tucked into cropped brown trousers, paired with black loafers he didn't wear often. But what made Chop-khun feel unsure wasn't his outfit. It was his freshly cut hairstyle from the day before.

 

The story went like this: he and Teerak had gone to the barbershop together, and his younger brother had encouraged him to try a new hairstyle. Chop-khun agreed, realising he hadn't changed his hairstyle in years. He picked a style he liked and showed it to the barber, who informed him it was called a Two Block cut.

 

He sat still, letting the barber work on his hair with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation about his first new look in years. But when it was done, he didn't recognise himself. Even though Teerak kept complimenting the style's cuteness, he still wasn't confident. Whatever, it's already done.

 

Chop-khun sighed softly and glanced at his watch. Seeing that there was less than an hour until his meeting with Intouch, he quickly stepped out of the restroom to buy something before meeting him. 

 

He went to Siam early for this very reason. The thing was, even though the embarrassing drunken incident from nearly two weeks ago had passed, he'd only recently discovered another mishap. Two days ago, his younger brother had sent him a video as a joke. The twenty-second clip was nothing short of mortifying. In it, Chop-khun was slumped against his front door, completely out of it, vomiting into a backpack repeatedly. To make matters worse, Intouch was right beside him, rubbing his back and holding his forehead to keep him from falling face-first into the bag. It was utterly humiliating. 

 

But nothing shocked him more than realising the black backpack in his hands belonged to Intouch! His eyes widened in horror as he immediately searched online for the bag's price. Luckily, it turned out the bag cost around eight thousand baht, which was relatively inexpensive compared to the other bags he'd seen Intouch use.

 

And that's how Chop-khun found himself standing in the brand's store, showing the sales associate a screenshot of the bag on Google.

 

"We still have this model in stock, sir. However, we've just released a limited edition version. Would you like to take a look?" the sales associate offered.

 

Chop-khun nodded in response to the courteous suggestion. After hearing that the limited-edition bag had better materials, more features, and was designed to better support his back and shoulders than the older one, he couldn't resist spending an additional 4 or 5,000 baht to ensure Intouch had something even better for his health.

 

Now, Chop-khun was holding a backpack worth over ten thousand baht. After paying, he headed straight to the famous shabu-shabu restaurant where he'd arranged to meet his cameraman.

 

It'd been almost two weeks since they last saw each other. Both had been swamped with work. Chop-khun had taken on an on-site painting job, working to finish a mural for a new café in time for its opening. Meanwhile, Intouch had been on an out-of-town commercial shoot during a storm. During their hectic weeks, their communication had mostly been through text messages, with brief phone calls before bed each night. That's just how adult life was. They both understood and didn't feel upset about it, wanting the other to rest as much as possible.

 

It didn't take long for Chop-khun to reach the meeting spot in front of the shabu-shabu restaurant. With less than ten minutes until their meeting time, the closer it got, the faster Chop-khun's heart raced. Why am I so nervous?

 

His phone buzzed a few times in his pocket. At first, he thought it was a message from Intouch, but when he checked, it was from Khim, whom he hadn't spoken to in a while. 

 

The last time they talked was when she replied to his story, teasing him about the drunken clip he'd posted. During their chat, Khim had become another person who knew he was talking to Intouch.

 

P'Khim: Te and Pluem broke up! They even made a video about it for their channel, but Te made me cut out all the parts where Pluem cried. I'm so confused. They still go everywhere together. Pluem is so whipped for Te, always giving in to him.

 

Reading the last line, which seemed to carry Khim's voice, Chop-khun furrowed his brows slightly.

 

They broke up? How did that happen? The last time I saw them at the karaoke room, they seemed so in love.

 

The message stayed open on his screen for a moment before he sent back a confused Jerry the Mouse sticker. There was no further conversation after that.

 

Anyway, this wasn't his business anymore.

Chop-khun put his phone back in his pocket, looked up, and scanned the bustling Friday afternoon mall crowd. His thoughts inevitably drifted back to what he'd just learned. Even though Khim hadn't said much, he could tell that Pluem was likely enduring another toxic relationship, just like in the past.

 

"Chop-khun," a deep voice whispered near his ear, accompanied by a light tap on his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

 

He turned toward the voice and saw a tall figure smiling widely, dimples on full display. Today, Intouch hadn't styled his hair. He wore a white T-shirt with 'CELINE' printed across the chest, the front tucked into perfectly fitted jeans, paired with simple white sneakers.

 

"Have you been waiting long?"

 

"Not at all. I just got here," Chop-khun replied with a wide smile, which made Intouch's heart race.

 

Similarly, Chop-khun's heart pounded as the familiar scent of Creed Aventus cologne wafted toward him. It was a fresh, addictive scent, not overpowering, and it smelled even better on Intouch. He'd realised this clearly during their almost-kiss moment that day. Even though that moment had passed, for Chop-khun, it felt like it'd happened just yesterday. 

 

Seeing Intouch's smile and smelling the cologne that made his face heat up whenever he thought about it left him unexpectedly flustered.

 

"Did you get a haircut?"

 

"Yeah. Does it look silly? I'm still not used to it," Chop-khun said, nervously running a hand through his bangs and glancing down at the floor.

 

"Let me see. Look up." Intouch brushed Chop-khun's hair out of his eyes casually as he tilted his head to get a better look at Chop-khun, who obediently lifted his face, his clear eyes meeting Intouch's.

 

Intouch's dark eyes scanned the face he'd missed seeing for over a week. His gaze lingered briefly on Chop-khun's soft-looking lips before noticing the faint blush spreading across his cheeks. Intouch smiled slightly and said what he'd been thinking since the moment he saw him.

 

"Not silly at all. It's really cute. This style suits you perfectly."

 

The compliment lifted Chop-khun's spirits, but it also made him even more nervous. The atmosphere between them felt so charged that he didn't know how to act. But when he glanced at the shopping bag in his hand, he remembered what he wanted to say.

 

"Here, I got this for you," he said, handing the bag to Intouch.

 

"What's this?" Intouch raised an eyebrow, took the bag, but didn't open it since it was sealed.

 

"It's the backpack from.. you know, that night. I'm sorry. I just found out it was yours," Chop-khun said, too embarrassed to explain further. Just thinking about how Intouch had seen him in such a disgraceful state made him want to disappear into the wall.

 

"You didn't have to buy me a new one. It wasn't your fault. I handed it to you myself," Intouch said softly.

 

"I wanted to. Don't overthink it. Consider it a thank-you and an apology. It's nothing compared to what you've done for me," Chop-khun said with a small smile, hoping to ease Intouch's discomfort.

 

Seeing Chop-khun's sincerity, Intouch nodded. He hadn't been bothered by the incident at all and didn't want Chop-khun to spend money because of him. "Thank you. In that case, let me treat you to this meal."

 

"Sure, Mr In," Chop-khun agreed more easily than usual, knowing Intouch would insist otherwise if he refused.

 

"I found a hotel I want to visit," Chop-khun said brightly, placing his favourite wagyu beef into the pot. "Do you remember the hotel where you shot that ad in Phuket? I read the reviews, and they said it's beautiful, clean, and perfect for relaxing. You wouldn't get bored even if you stayed in the hotel the whole time. What do you think? Is it worth visiting?"

 

Intouch paused briefly upon hearing that Chop-khun was interested in his father's hotel. Ultimately, he decided to provide honest information about the place without saying too much.

 

"It's a great choice. The hotel is very private, with a variety of room types to choose from. The atmosphere is fantastic, and every spot is photogenic, especially during sunset. There are plenty of activities to do, which fit the theme of your video perfectly."

 

"Right?! That's what I like about it. Based on my research, the hotel offers a wide range of activities. Kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, spa treatments, and even boat trips. In the evening, there's a beachfront area where you can have drinks while watching the sunset. So many options!"

 

"Have you looked at the rooms yet? Any particular type you're interested in?" Intouch asked, placing the piece of meat Chop-khun had forgotten in the pot back onto his plate.

 

"I have. That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I want to swim, so I was thinking of staying in a pool villa. I feel like having a private villa with its own pool would be more convenient for filming. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about other people being in the background. It's more private, too." Chop-khun paused, biting his lip slightly before continuing. 

 

"This time, let's just book one room, okay?"

 

"I don't have a problem with that, but are you sure you won't feel uncomfortable?" Intouch asked, meeting his gaze.

 

"Not at all! We've shared a room before, remember? At Suan Phueng," Chop-khun replied, trying to sound casual.

 

In truth, he knew well that the Suan Phueng trip and the upcoming Phuket trip were entirely different. Back then, they were just colleagues. But now, after spending so much time together at home, sharing a room didn't feel awkward at all. Besides, he saw this trip as an opportunity to spend more time together and see how well they truly got along.

 

"If you're okay with it, then I'm okay with it," Intouch said.

 

"Alright, I'll book it for three nights as we discussed," Chop-khun confirmed.

 

"Sounds good."

 

"I'll email you the trip details and flight info later. Is there anything specific you want to do on this trip?"

 

"Not really. I'm fine with whatever you've planned."

 

"Nothing at all? Well, we can figure it out when we get there," Chop-khun said, popping a piece of tamago into his mouth. 

 

His eyes widened in delight at the taste. "You have to try this, it's so good!" He used his chopsticks to pick up another piece of tamago, intending to place it on Intouch's plate. But when he saw Intouch looking at him, mouth open, waiting, he chuckled softly. He redirected the tamago straight into Intouch's mouth.

 

"How is it? Good, right?"

 

"Iť's delicious," Intouch replied.

 

"Right? It's really good," Chop-khun said with a wide smile, placing another piece of tamago on Intouch's plate. "I haven't been to the Andaman Sea in ages. I kind of want to go island hopping and snorkelling. Do you like snorkelling?"

 

"I do. I love underwater photography."

 

If this were his younger days, Chop-khun would've definitely added snorkelling to his travel plan. 

 

He used to love it so much that he even took serious diving lessons. But now, with work taking up most of his time, the thought of spending hours under the sun and at sea seemed exhausting. Initially, he was hesitant, but knowing Intouch enjoyed it, he decided to include it in the plan. It'd be nice to do something they both liked.

 

The conversation at the table continued to revolve around their upcoming beach trip, though nothing too serious. Chop-khun shared his tentative plans with Intouch, his excitement evident in his voice and eyes, which Intouch couldn't help but notice.

 

The topics shifted back and forth until they had only twenty minutes left to eat, as per the restaurant's time limit. Chop-khun quickly ordered dessert, worried they wouldn't finish in time.

 

Intouch rested his chin on his hand, watching as Chop-khun devoured his third scoop of chocolate ice cream. The first two scoops had different flavours because Chop-khun couldn't decide.

 

"Do you want another scoop, Khun?"

 

"I want to, but I can't. I'm too stuffed," Chop-khun said, setting his spoon down and wiping his mouth with a tissue. He then pulled out a berry-scented lip balm and applied it to his lips, replacing what had been wiped away. Intouch's eyes lingered on the now slightly glossy lips before he smiled at what Chop-khun said next.

 

"I feel like unbuttoning my pants. My stomach's about to burst."

 

By 4 in the evening, the two decided to take the escalator down and stroll around Siam Square, exploring the various alleys. It was a place Chop-khun used to frequent as a teenager, but since starting his career, he hadn't set foot there in ages. He found it particularly enjoyable to browse the shops along the way, though he wasn't sure if Intouch felt the same about aimlessly wandering around. 

 

After a while, with bubble tea in one hand and a bag containing a new phone case in the other, Chop-khun couldn't help but ask the person beside him. After all, he'd been the only one stopping to look at things.

 

"Are you bored, In?"

 

"Not at all. Are you?"

 

"No, not at all. Is there anything you're interested in?"

 

"There is."

 

"But I haven't seen you stop to look at anything. If you want to check something out, just let me know," Chop-khun said, glancing at Intouch, who was walking beside him.

 

"I've been stopping for things I like this whole time. Maybe you just didn't notice."

 

"Huh? What have you been looking at? When?" Chop-khun quirked an eyebrow, sipping his bubble tea.

 

"You."

 

Chop-khun nearly choked on his drink at the unexpected response. Unsure of how to reply, he chewed on the tapioca pearls, his cheeks puffing out, and quickly walked ahead, leaving Intouch to follow with a small smile.

 

He's right, though. Every time I stopped to look at something, he was always right there beside me without me even needing to say anything.

 

They continued walking until they came across a men's clothing store with a casual, beachy vibe. Unable to resist, Chop-khun stepped inside to look for outfits for their upcoming trip.

 

"Which one do you think suits me better?" Chop-khun asked, holding up a light blue linen shirt against himself before switching to a pale yellow one.

 

"Which colour do you like, Khun?"

 

"I like both."

 

"They both suit you. The yellow is bright and cheerful, while the blue is calming and easy on the eyes."

 

"It's so hard to choose. I'll just get both," Chop-khun said, handing the shirts and 500 baht to the shopkeeper.

 

He was about to ask if Intouch wanted anything, but stopped himself, assuming Intouch would prefer shopping at high-end stores. He was proven wrong when Intouch began browsing the racks, eventually picked out two shirts, and handed over another 500 baht to the shopkeeper.

 

Each carrying a shopping bag, Chop-khun led Intouch through the alleys until they reached a building. As soon as they stepped inside, they found themselves in a sticker photo booth shop. Chop-khun stared at the booths with interest, noticing the variety of options. He'd never taken photos in one before and wanted to try.

 

Still, he hesitated, unsure if Intouch would be interested in something like this.

 

I wonder if In would even want to do something like this.

 

Meanwhile, Intouch noticed Chop-khun standing still in front of the booths and assumed he was reminiscing about his ex. Intouch vividly remembered the sticker photos Chop-khun had taken with someone named Tewit. Chop-khun had looked so adorable in those photos, showing a side Intouch had never seen before.

 

Though it was a part of the past that Intouch didn't dwell on, it still made his heart ache slightly whenever he thought about it. Perhaps it was because he'd seen how heartbroken Chop-khun had been over that person, someone Chop-khun had loved so much that they'd even planned to build a house together. But the past was the past. From now on, Intouch will create new memories with  Chop-khun.

 

"Want to take some photos?"

 

"Do you want to?" Chop-khun raised an eyebrow, looking up at him for confirmation.

 

"I do."

 

Hearing his firm answer, Chop-khun beamed and grabbed Intouch's wrist, pulling him toward the booths. They eventually chose one called the Box Booth because it looked fun. This booth required them to lie down for the photos. Both of them, being tall, found it a bit awkward to fit into the rectangular box. Once the staff drew the curtain, they had complete privacy. It was then that Chop-khun realised this would be their first photo together.

 

"We get four shots in total. Are you ready?" Intouch asked as he scanned the payment QR code on the screen.

 

"Ready," Chop-khun replied, though he wasn't ready at all. He hadn't even thought of any poses yet, but with people waiting in line, he didn't want to take too long.

 

As the staff had explained, the system would count down for about five seconds before automatically taking each photo and moving to the next shot.

 

"What pose should we do?" Chop-khun turned to Intouch.

 

When the countdown began, Chop-khun panicked, unable to think of anything. The booth's low ceiling made it difficult to sit up, so for the first shot, he lay on his stomach, propped his chin up with both hands, and smiled widely at the camera. Seeing this, Intouch immediately mimicked his pose. Chop-khun was holding his smile, but when he glanced at the screen and saw Intouch copying him, he burst into laughter, his eyes crinkling just as the camera clicked.

 

Click!

 

In is so freaking adorable.

 

There wasn't much time to think as the countdown for the next shot began.

 

"The lighting's dim over there. Sorry," Intouch said, pulling Chop-khun closer by the waist to bring him into better light. With only three seconds left, they both ended up propping themselves on their elbows, facing each other just as the camera clicked.

 

Click!

 

The second photo captured them in that exact moment, leaving them no choice. Our faces were so close, just like that day. Chop-khun's heart raced as he tried to push away inappropriate thoughts, quickly turning back to the screen.

 

The third shot was about to be taken in a few seconds, and he remembered a pose his younger brother had once taught him.

 

"Let's do a serious face, like a photoshoot," he suggested, channelling his inner model. He rested his left hand under his chin, tilted his head slightly upward, and gave the camera a sultry, half-lidded gaze. Intouch, seeing Chop-khun's suggestion, mirrored the pose, resting his right hand under his chin and trying to match his expression.

 

Click!

 

Chop-khun tried his best to stifle his laughter, but couldn't hold it in as soon as the camera clicked. He rolled onto his back, laughing so hard his shoulders shook. He never thought Intouch would agree to do something like this.

 

Click!

 

For the last photo, no one cared about the camera anymore. Intouch lay on his stomach, elbows propped on the booth floor, looking down at Chop-khun, who was laughing with his eyes squeezed shut.

 

Their first sticker photo session turned out to be more amusing than romantic, not quite what Intouch had imagined. But Intouch didn't mind. He loved seeing Chop-khun laugh like that.

 

"Which one do you want?" Chop-khun held out two different photos to Intouch.

 

"You pick first," Intouch replied.

 

"Alright, let's do it this way." Chop-khun flipped the photos face down and shuffled them in his hands before holding them out. "Pick one."

 

Intouch was a little hesitant before selecting the one on the left. When he flipped it over, it turned out to be the one he wanted. He actually liked all the photos, but this one had Chop-khun laughing with his chin propped up, eyes crinkled in joy, which made it his favourite. Meanwhile, Chop-khun got the photo he wanted too. It was the one where he was trying to stifle his laughter, his nose flaring-a shot he didn't want Intouch to see.

 

After wandering around until there was nothing else of interest, they left the booth and walked elsewhere. Soon, they heard a familiar song being sung from a corner down the street. Drawn by the sound, they headed toward it.

 

The song was 'Rely on Me’

It was the song Intouch had once sung for him.

 

Amid the bustling crowd, the two of them walked slowly, unhurried. The early evening air was cooler than the afternoon heat, making their stroll more comfortable as they listened to the music carried by the breeze. Neither knew who moved closer first, but the distance between them gradually shrank until their hands brushed against each other, sending their hearts racing.

 

They continued walking in silence, the music growing clearer with each step. Chop-khun's heart fluttered even more when he felt Intouch's fingers lightly hook around his own.

 

".."

 

Chop-khun stared at Intouch's sharp profile just as the larger hand slid over to fully hold his. At the same time, Intouch glanced down, meeting Chop-khun's brown eyes. They exchanged small smiles before turning their attention back to the path ahead, their faces still adorned with those smiles. In's hand is so warm.

 

Chop-khun tightened his grip on Intouch's hand, and they walked together toward the source of the music. They found a group of students performing in the middle of a plaza, surrounded by a lively crowd. People were filming with their phones, singing along, and waving their hands in the air as if it were a mini-concert.

 

Chop-khun observed the vibrant atmosphere from the outskirts of the crowd. It was too packed to get closer, so they stood and listened to two songs before moving on, still holding hands.

 

"It's great that these kids get to do something like this. When I was younger, I wanted to sing in a band too, but I didn't have the courage. If I could go back, I'd want to give it a try," Chop-khun said

 

"Do you regret it?" Intouch asked.

 

"A little. I feel like I missed out on a lot when I was younger because I wasn't confident in myself. Sometimes I wish I'd tried things back then... What about you, In? Did you do anything like this when you were younger?" Chop-khun asked, glancing around at the street vendors as they walked.

 

Noticing Intouch's prolonged silence, Chop-khun sensed his discomfort. He was about to change the subject when a voice called out from behind.

 

"Excuse me, are you P'Chop-khun?"

 

"Yes, that's me," Chop-khun replied, stopping in his tracks.

 

A schoolgirl in uniform ran up to them, panting. Seeing her face clearly, Chop-khun was certain he didn't know her.

 

"I saw you standing there listening to the music for a while, but I was too shy to approach. I'm a fan of yours! Um... can I take a picture with you?" she asked hesitantly, worried she might be intruding. 

 

When Chop-khun didn't respond immediately, she hurriedly added, "If it's not convenient, that's okay. I understand. I'm sorry for bothering you."

 

"No, no, it's fine! We can take a picture. What's your name?" Chop-khun asked, snapping out of his surprise and smiling at the girl. It was the first time someone had asked to take a picture with him, and he didn't know how to react.

 

"My name's Preaw. Thank you so much!" Preaw beamed with excitement, glancing briefly at Intouch. She recognised him as the cameraman who'd recently revealed his face in one of Chop-khun's videos. But Intouch seemed so quiet and serious that she didn't dare ask him to take the photo.

 

"Would you like me to take the picture?" Intouch offered.

 

Preaw quickly thanked him and handed over her phone. She internally squealed when Intouch smiled kindly, revealing his dimples. He wasn't as intimidating as she'd thought. 

 

Oh my gosh, he's even more handsome in person than in the videos! I can't look at him for too long, or I'll start melting!

 

Intouch focused the iPhone camera on Chop-khun, who stood straight with a peace sign, while Preaw hugged her tote bag and smiled brightly beside him.

 

"Alright, here we go. One, two, three."

 

Click!

 

After the first photo, Intouch suggested they change poses and took a few more shots. As he snapped the pictures, he couldn't help but smile. It wasn't just Preaw who looked nervous. Chop-khun, the one being asked for a photo, seemed just as flustered

 

"I'm in grade 11 now, and I'm planning to apply to study communication arts. Your video explaining art-related studies and careers really helped me," Preaw said after the photos were taken.

 

"Really? I hope you get in!" Chop-khun replied

 

"Thank you! I'll do my best. I want to be as good at drawing as you are. Did you know you're my inspiration for drawing? I've watched every video where you draw."

 

"Thank you so much. I'm.. uh, I'm really happy to hear that." Chop-khun rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed by the praise. He wanted to say more but didn't know how to express his feelings. He was overwhelmed, surprised, happy, and touched that someone would stand before him and call him their inspiration.

 

Reading comments online always made his heart swell, but hearing such words in person was beyond anything he'd imagined. It was the kind of encouragement that made him want to keep creating videos.

 

"Check the photos to see if they're okay," Intouch said, handing the phone back to Preaw. She looked through the pictures and then thanked him with a wai. "They're perfect, P'In. I won't bother you two anymore. Thank you so much!" 

 

She couldn't help but admire how well Chop-khun and Intouch looked together. They had to be a couple. She'd seen them holding hands the entire time they were listening to the music!

 

"Alright, take care, Preaw." Chop-khun waved goodbye as the girl ran back to her friends. Then he turned to Intouch. "I can't believe it. I have a fan!"

 

He'd never forget the schoolgirl with pigtails, chasing her dreams, who was the first person to ask for a photo with him.

 

The atmosphere grew quieter as they walked away from the music and toward the parking lot where Chop-khun had parked. Their hands found each other again, and Intouch glanced at Chop-khun, who hadn't stopped smiling since they parted ways with Preaw. Chop-khun looked genuinely happy, and Intouch felt truly glad for him. He knew how much effort Chop-khun put into each video.

 

Work born from dedication and met with appreciation, no matter how small, was a powerful motivator. Intouch understood that feeling well.

 

When they reached Chop-khun's silver Benz, the joy in his heart dimmed slightly. He realised they'd have to part ways soon. He wished time would slow down just a little because it'd be another week before they could see each other again.

 

"How did you get here, In?" Chop-khun asked

 

"I took the BTS. Traffic was bad."

 

"Want me to give you a ride?"

 

The past five or six hours hadn't been enough to make up for the time they hadn't seen each other. Intouch wanted to spend more time together. He didn't know if Chop-khun felt the same, but he decided to take a chance.

 

"Want to hang out at my place for a bit?"

 

And that's how Chop-khun found himself back on the 30th floor of Intouch's condo.

 

As soon as they entered, Chop-khun untucked his shirt from his pants, finally freeing himself from the discomfort he'd endured all day. After washing his hands and feet, he walked over to Fancy, who'd been staring at him since he stepped into the room. The now-chubbier kitten stayed close to her owner, being clingy.

 

"Do you remember me, Fancy? It's P'Khun." Chop-khun said, sitting on the carpet next to Intouch, who was scratching the kitten's neck.

 

"Do you want to wash your face or brush your teeth? I have new supplies in the bathroom. I'll grab some comfy pants for you," Intouch offered.

 

"That sounds good. Thanks," Chop-khun replied. He wanted to change out of his tight, uncomfortable pants.

 

"Alright, play with Fancy for a bit. I'll go get them."

 

"Okay."

 

Intouch placed Fancy on Chop-khun's lap before heading upstairs. Chop-khun wasn't as scared of Fancy as he used to be, especially now that the kitten was rubbing her head affectionately against his lap.

 

"I missed you so much, Fancy. Has your dad been feeding you a lot? Your cheeks are so round now," Chop-khun said, scratching the kitten's neck as she stretched to make it easier for him. Fancy had such a naughty face, while Kati always looked so pitiful. He couldn't help but imagine the day the two would meet. Chop-khun wondered if they'd end up fighting. The thought worried him a little.

 

After scratching and petting Fancy for a while, Chop-khun set her down on the floor and grabbed a cat teaser to play with her. He laughed at her funny antics as she jumped and swatted at the feather toy. Not long after, Intouch returned, wearing long sweatpants, and handed Chop-khun a pair of grey drawstring shorts.

 

Chop-khun changed into shorts, washed his face, and brushed his teeth, feeling much more comfortable. He used the fresh towel Intouch had prepared to pat his face dry. Checking his watch, he saw it was already 8 PM. Chop-khun decided to send a message to Teerak.

 

Khunkhun: Babe, what are you and Kati up to? Have you eaten yet?

Teerak: Oh, you ungrateful creature! You've forgotten your roots! You don't even know your place anymore! Look at what you've done to my poor heart. You've abandoned your own home sweet home!

 

Chop-khun burst out laughing as he finished reading the message. Lately, Teerak had been obsessed with playing the role of a dramatic TikTok character whenever they talked.

 

Khunkhun: Rak, let's talk properly.

Teerak: Don't worry. Kati says you can take your time with his new dad. Kati likes him.

 

Chop-khun shook his head lightly, smiling to himself and thinking, The last time they met, it didn't seem like Kati was too fond of In, though.

 

Emerging from the bathroom in his black shirt and the comfortable grey shorts, Chop-khun returned to playing with Fancy. Intouch occasionally teased the kitten as well. They played until Fancy was exhausted, then she retreated to her cat condo to sleep. The two of them then moved to the living room sofa. On the table in front of them was a bottle of wine, and each held a glass.

 

As they sipped their wine, they chatted about various topics. Eventually, the conversation turned to something that surprised Chop-khun the most that day. Intouch shared his experience of following a photography professor to document fishermen in Ethiopia.

 

"While we were on a boat at Lake Chamo, I saw a hippo soaking in the water from a distance. I reached out of the boat to film the surroundings. I was so eager to get a good shot that I didn't notice a crocodile swimming next to the boat. I almost got bitten."

 

Chop-khun smiled at the way Intouch casually said 'almost got bitten,' as if it wasn't a big deal. No matter how thrilling the story, Intouch always narrated with a steady, monotone voice. Yet, his eyes betrayed a happiness he couldn't hide.

 

"Weren't you scared, in?"

 

"I was. My professor was, too. I got scolded a lot that day."

 

Chop-khun couldn't imagine Intouch being scolded at all.

 

Hearing about Intouch's photography training gave Chop-khun a glimpse into a side of him he'd never known. He hadn't realised how many rugged experiences Intouch had gone through. Intouch's dedication to photography was impressive, and it made Chop-khun admire him even more. It was no wonder Intouch was such a skilled photographer.

 

The conversation paused as Intouch poured himself more wine. Chop-khun took another sip from his glass. Then, Intouch spoke again.

 

"When I was a kid, I didn't get to do activities like that."

 

Chop-khun was momentarily confused by the seemingly random statement before 

remembering their earlier conversation.

 

"Back then, my dad was very strict about my studies. I spent all my time studying and attending extra classes."

 

"In high school, I wanted to learn guitar, but my dad only let me take lessons after I proved myself with good grades. Even then, I could only play after finishing my extra classes or late-night studying. If my grades dropped, I wasn't allowed to play. So, I didn't get to do much else."

 

"..." Chop-khun glanced at Intouch, who'd stopped speaking and was sipping his wine. He couldn't quite read Intouch's emotions, as his face remained neutral.

 

"When I got to university, I had a bit more freedom. I formed a casual band with friends. We performed at university events occasionally, but it wasn't serious," Intouch said, offering a small smile to Chop-khun, who struggled to hide the sadness in his expression.

 

"I'm okay now. Don't worry about it, Khun."

 

Chop-khun fell silent, processing what he'd heard. He'd never been forced into anything by his parents. Just imagining such restrictions made him feel uneasy. He couldn't fathom how difficult it must've been for Intouch to endure that. He understood why Intouch preferred sharing stories about his work instead.

 

"All this time, you must've been so exhausted," Chop-khun uttered, moving closer to him. He reached out, holding Intouch's hand, gently stroking the back of it in a comforting gesture.

 

Intouch's heart skipped a beat as he caught the faint scent of Chop-khun. His chest tightened at the tender gesture, which made him feel like a child being comforted.

 

'Are you tired, In?'

 

'Have you been getting enough rest?'

 

Make sure you eat on time.'

 

These were the words Chop-khun had been saying over the phone for nearly two weeks. They always made Intouch feel good, but hearing them in person was incomparable. It'd been so long since he felt this way. In fact, no one had ever made him feel this much before.

 

"I missed you."

 

Hearing those unexpected words, Chop-khun froze for a moment. His hand, which had been stroking Intouch's, paused. Throughout their conversations, Intouch had never said anything like this. But as their eyes met, Chop-khun could clearly see Intouch's feelings. His heart trembled uncontrollably.

 

"When we're apart, do you miss me even a little?" Intouch asked. Chop-khun bit his lip lightly, glancing up at Intouch, who was waiting for his answer. Finally, he spoke softly, but Intouch heard every word clearly.

 

"If I didn't miss you, I wouldn't be here."

 

In the silence, with their hearts racing, Intouch set his wine glass down on the table, the soft clink of glass against wood breaking the quiet. The hand that had been stroking his earlier was now firmly held, their fingers interlocked. Their gazes locked, and the moment Chop-khun had been imagining replayed itself once more. Chop-khun could guess what was about to happen next. 

 

He glanced at Fancy, unable to help himself. Seeing that she was still sound asleep, he turned back to Intouch, whose face was now much closer. Meeting Intouch's deep, emotion-filled gaze, Chop-khun felt his face grow even hotter.

 

"Can I...?" Intouch's deep voice asked softly in English. Though he didn't finish the sentence, Chop-khun knew exactly what he meant.

 

When Chop-khun gave a small nod, Intouch's large hand gently cupped his face, drawing him closer. Intouch tilted his head slightly, brushing his nose against Chop-khun's cheek before pressing a soft kiss to the smooth skin. He pulled back slowly, meeting Chop-khun's beautiful brown eyes. A small smile played on his lips before he leaned in to kiss Chop-khun's full lips again.

 

Neither knew how fast a heart could beat, but at that moment, it felt like their hearts might explode.

 

Chop-khun unconsciously squeezed the hand intertwined with his as Intouch kept nibbling and gently tugging on his lower lip. The teasing touch moved to his upper lip, doing the same thing over and over, making Chop-khun's face flush deeper and deeper. A strong arm pulled his slender waist closer, leaving half of Chop-khun's body resting on Intouch's lap. His hands found their way to Intouch's broad shoulders as the kisses grew quicker.

 

This side of Intouch made Chop-khun feel like he might melt into the floor. When he felt Intouch's tongue trace along his lips, Chop-khun let him do as he pleased, parting his lips slightly to deepen the kiss. Intouch kissed him slowly and sweetly, his tongue gently exploring and coaxing Chop-khun's shy one.

 

The lingering taste of wine mixed with the flavour he was savouring from Chop-khun's lips. Just this much was enough to make Chop-khun tremble. Intouch didn't want to push too far. The slow, heart-fluttering kiss continued for a while. Sensing Chop-khun's hesitant attempts to respond, Intouch let him take the lead for a moment before reclaiming control, deepening the kiss. He lifted Chop-khun fully onto his lap, his large hand stroking up and down Chop-khun's slender back.

 

As Chop-khun grew more confident, their kiss became even more scalding. The wet sounds of their kiss filled the room, making Chop-khun's face burn. A wave of heat coursed through his body. The person in Intouch's strong embrace began to weaken. Chop-khun's slender hands clutched tightly at Intouch's white T-shirt, a soft moan escaping his throat. 

 

Intouch pulled back, giving him a moment to catch his breath. The scent of wine mixed with the faint fragrance of their colognes. Their ragged breaths filled the air, their eyes reflecting each other's emotions. The longing they felt was unmistakable.

 

"Just one more..." Intouch's husky voice murmured as he leaned in to brush against Chop-khun's lips again.

 

But his words were cut off when Chop-khun pressed his lips to his once more.