The morning sunlight filters through the window. The Christmas party last night, along with the neat whiskey that Papa handed him, left his head feeling heavy. His broad arm swept over the bed, searching for the person he was sure had been lying there all night, but found nothing. Qin had disappeared from the bed, because once he was home, he became that little bird who always woke up early.
Duang opened his heavy eyelids, stretching lazily on a bed that still smelled like Qin. He looked around—past the musical instruments, photography books, and everything that had shaped Qin as he grew up. He smiled widely to himself... it wasn't a dream.
Having Qin...
"Are you awake?"
"You... why did you leave me?"
"Mom called me to make pancakes. You told her last night that you wanted to eat some."
"Really? I was drunk. I only remember you kissing me once before bed— that's it."
"Yeah, that's right. I wanted to try making some for you, so I got up early. Sorry."
Still in his pajamas, Qin pulled Duang up to take a shower. It was another morning where we showered together—nothing more than snuggling in the warm bathtub. The pale-skinned boy got out of the tub first, knowing if he didn't, Duang would keep clinging to him endlessly.
"You're so pale."
"Annoying."
"But you really are."
"Still not used to it?"
Duang watched as Qin, wrapped in a bathrobe, patted his face dry with a small towel and turned back to look at him with a curious expression. While stretching his legs in the tub, Duang answered,
"How could I be? I fall inlove with you every day."
"Cheesy."
"Someone's blushing—I know it... Hey, why are you walking away?"
Duang laughed to himself, finishing his shower, brushing his teeth quickly before stepping out to find Qin standing there, choosing his outfit for the day.
That evening, his parents and Qin's Pa and Ma had planned an important dinner together. Our relationship kept progressing. Steadily moving forward, never falling behind. It was something that grew when everything was ready, ready for every feeling, every understanding, always supporting each other and never pulling each other down.
Duang thought this relationship was filled with positive energy, and he felt incredibly lucky to have it. Lucky enough to not want anything more than this.
"What are you looking at?"
More than having Qin...
Having a family who understands...
A smooth life...And even on bad days, there's always a hand to hold.
"You."
"Hm?"
"My friend likes you."
Duang knew some people still thought this joke wasn't old yet. Because every time he played this dumb joke, someone couldn't hold back their smile.
He locked eyes with Qin through the large mirror built into the wardrobe. Qin's pale cheeks flushed a bright red. Duang would bet that Qin's heart was racing, and he loved that he could still make him feel like this—just like the first day they talked.
"My name is 'buddy.'"
Duang laughed because Qin's face was bright red. Soon after, he had to dodge a pillow Qin threw at him. They quietly finished dressing, with Qin handing Duang his own shirt to wear. Lately, he enjoyed dressing Duang like a doll.
"Qin, relax. We're just going to have dinner at EmQuartier."
"Wear this. I'll grab the ring for you."
"You're having fun, huh? You really enjoy dressing me up these days."
"Well, you have a nice body."
"We're the same size."
"You're bigger. your legs are longer."
"Good thing your torso is long. You've got a slim waist, I like that. I want to be your boyfriend."
"Aren't you already?"
"You cutieee!"
And Duang knew Qin hated that word—because he glared at him like he was about to punch him. He had picked it up from Jetana, who still hadn't revealed his real name. And who was still hopelessly single.
"Bangkok's not going to be cold anymore, huh?" Duang grumbled when he spotted a turtleneck in Qin's closet.
"Well, you already got to wear warm clothes when we went to Chiang Mai with Phi Nuea and Phi Prince."
"That trip was insane—we lived like a noble."
"Phi Prince is loaded."
"Can't argue with that. He's so rich I feel like a stray dog next to him."
"He's beyond rich. Come here. I'll roll up your sleeves."
The tall guy walked over to the person, who was technically the same height but looked smaller due to being thinner. Qin carefully rolled up his sleeves, adjusted his clothes, slipped a ring on his finger, and stepped back to admire his work. He always thought Duang looked good every time he wore a shirt.
It was a light blue shirt that fit loosely on Duang. Rolling the sleeves up made it less baggy. He paired it with beige straight-leg trousers and a thin silver ring Qin had bought during a trip to Korea last year but never wore because he thought it didn't suit him. Plain white sneakers completed the look.
A perfect outfit for dinner with the adults.
"Stay still. I'm taking a picture."
"Damn, are you making this a whole collection?"
"Well, it's nice."
Duang scrunched his nose and smiled at the camera. Qin had started using Instagram more often, mostly posting on Instagram Stories, but he blocked anyone from sending him teasing messages, even his friends. He said he was too lazy to reply.
"Did you tag me?"
"Of course."
"Wow, I'm so handsome."
"Don't check your hair. Leave it as it is, just a little messy looks better."
Duang watched as Qin uploaded the picture and tagged him. The hashtag everyone probably saw almost every day because they were on university break and spent their time wandering around while Qin dressed him up every day.
#DailyLifeWithChiwin
That's what he called it.
And Duang just went along with it.
"What are you wearing?"
"I don't know yet. Want to go eat pancakes first? It'll probably take a while."
"Nope, I want to watch you get dressed."
"You're such a creep," Qin muttered as he took off his bathrobe. Duang almost lost it, good thing Qin was already wearing underwear and boxers... but those pale shoulders with his bite marks?
Absolutely killer.
"What a view."
"Stop being annoying."
"Take your time. I'm loving this."
"Shut up," Qin scolded the shameless pervert. Duang whistled softly while watching Qin hold up three or four shirts against himself, still undecided.
Having a fashionable boyfriend had its perks—especially when he only dressed up like this around Duang.
It was a delightful sight.
"You."
"Hmm?"
"You've got a hickey on the back of your thigh."
"..."
"Pancakes sound great. I won't bother you anymore. Let's go~~~"
Duang heard Qin cursing under his breath as he left—not because he was scared of getting smacked, but because he figured Qin would choose his outfit fasterwithout him around to distract him.
"Fluffy."
"Bark!"
"Where have you been playing? You're covered in grass."
"Duang, Ma can't keep up with your daughter. She ran off to roll in the gardener's cut grass."
"She's gonna get scolded by Pa for sure."
"Come here, Mama will brush it off. Otherwise, Qin will see and you'll lose your treat again."
"Morning, Ma."
"It's already late, son. But good morning. Pa went out for breakfast with hisfriends. We'll meet at EmQuartier this afternoon, okay? Can you drive me there?"
"Of course, no problem."
"And what's Qin doing? Go tell him to come down and eat pancakes."
"Getting dressed. He's also picking out clothes for me."
"Spends money like his dad. That boy's got four closets already."
Duang laughed. Hearing stories about Qin from his mom always made him smile—just like how Qin always smiled when his mom talked about him.
"I'll check on the kitchen for a bit."
"Okay, I'll take Fluffy to eat."
"Such a good boy."
Duang got a kiss on the cheek from Qin's mom before lifting Fluffy, who had grown much bigger, into his arms. Her little ears twitched as if she knew it was mealtime.
"Fluffy."
"Yip..."
"What mischief were you up to?"
Busted.
Duang had only just started brushing the grass off Fluffy when Qin came downstairs, wearing a turtleneck that matched Duang's outfit. He really shouldn't have mentioned the cold—of course, Qin had to go all out.
"Don't scold her."
"Get down, Fluffy."
"Qin, don't be mean to her."
"Fluffy?"
Duang reluctantly set Fluffy down. She sat quietly, whimpering softly under Qin's stern gaze and pointing finger. These dogs really understood everything—seriously, she was a pro at the puppy-dog eyes. And it didn't help that Duang could never say no to Qin either.
"Should you lose your treat today?"
"Bark!"
"No? Is that what you're saying?"
Duang sneakily recorded a video of Qin talking to their dog like she could answer him. One moment he was scolding her, the next he was giving her kisses and brushing the grass off. When Qin turned to give him a sharp look, Duang nearly dropped his phone. He was in deeper trouble than Fluffy.
"Don't post that."
"Come on, my boyfriend is cute. I gotta show off."
"You always look grumpy when I take photos."
"Not true, I'm super cute!" Duang plopped down beside Qin after they finished feeding Fluffy. In the end, the puppy didn't lose her meal—of course not, she was Papa's beloved. That scolding was just for show.
"See? Look at this."
"I'm only cute in your eyes."
"If that's the case, then good! I still haven't settled the matter about thatnight at the bar when someone asked for your LINE."
"I didn't give it to them. I even told them I already have a boyfriend."
"I don't know... I'm keeping count of everything."
"You're so sneaky."
"I'm just paying you back for making me so jealous all the time."
"I didn't even do anything!"
"Ohhh, are you trying to say you're naturally super cute?"
"You're the one saying all this." The tall guy pressed his nose against Qin's soft hair, glancing left and right to make sure no one was around before stealing a quick kiss on his cheek and wrapping his arms around him from behind. Duang rested his chin on Qin's shoulder, the scent of his cologne making Duang's heart race.
Honestly, everything about Qin did.
It was strange, Duang knew he wasn't the best, yet somehow, he still got the best person in the world.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"We've been together for ages. You think I don't know when you're lying?"
"It's just... I'm so ordinary, and you're the best. How did I end up with you? I feel lucky—but also like a total cheater."
"I already told you, Qin is special because you love me."
"..."
"And even if you really were just ordinary, I never wanted the best anyway."
It was a love confession without the word love.
Duang tightened his embrace, pressing a soft kiss on Qin's shoulder as the next words fell softly into the air.
"Just being you is enough. I don't want anything else."
"Same here."
It was another bright morning.
Simple.
But never the same.
"I don't want anything else in this world either, because I already have you." Ordinary, but still the most special thing for the two of them.
And it would always be that way.