Chapter Text
Tan woke up with a strange sensation.
Not unpleasant. Just… overwhelming.
He blinked. Once. Twice. Then he realized.
Fang.
Fang was way too close.
One leg draped over his, an arm firmly wrapped around his chest, his face buried in Tan’s neck as if Tan might vanish if he let go for even a second. His breathing was slow, warm, steady. Peaceful.
Tan smiled despite himself.
“Seriously…” he murmured.
He tried to shift slightly. Bad idea.
Fang immediately tightened his grip, gave a soft growl, then rubbed his nose against Tan’s skin before sighing, completely oblivious.
Tan froze.
Oh.
This is the level we’re at this morning.
He glanced at the clock. Too early. And above all… Fang was never like this when he woke up.
Usually, there was always a tiny distance. A restraint. Control. Now, nothing. Zero filter.
Tan tried to gently free one arm.
“Fang…”
No response.
He pushed a little harder, which triggered an immediate reaction: Fang slid his fingers under Tan’s T-shirt, his warm palm against his skin.
Tan gasped.
“Okay, okay, I’ll stay.”
He let himself fall back against the pillow, defeated. Fang seemed satisfied, since he moved even closer, his forehead resting beneath Tan’s
chin.
“Are you doing this on purpose?” Tan whispered, amused.
Fang finally stirred.
“Mm… stay a little longer…”
His voice was slurred, almost childlike. Tan felt his heart twist.
“You know you’re clinging to me like a koala right now?”
“Mm. Lets koalaing.”
Tan burst out laughing, despite himself.
“You’re going to be late.”
“So what.”
Fang finally opened one eye. Then the other. He blinked slowly, as if he were only now realizing what was going on.
He looked at him. For a long time.
Then, without warning, he sat up halfway and planted a slow, clumsy kiss right at the corner of Tan’s mouth, just on his two moles.
Tan froze.
— …Wow.
Fang furrowed his brow, as if he’d just realized something.
— Did I do that?
— Yes.
— In broad daylight?
— Yes.
Silence.
Then Fang let himself fall back against him, his face hidden.
“I’m tired,” he mumbled. “Pretend you didn’t see anything.”
Tan wrapped an arm around him, smiling way too broadly.
“Impossible. I’m going to remember this all day.”
Fang grumbled, but didn’t protest when Tan kissed him gently on the hair.
Later
The kitchen was bathed in soft light. Fang sat on the countertop, barefoot, watching Tan make coffee as if it were the most fascinating event in
the world.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Tan asked without turning around.
“Like what?”
“Like I’m going to disappear if you blink.”
Fang shrugged.
“I’m checking.”
“Checking what?”
“That you’re still here.”
Tan turned around, surprised. Fang immediately looked away, embarrassed.
“It was a joke,” he added too quickly.
Tan set the cup down in front of him, stepped closer, and positioned himself between his legs.
“You’re acting weird today.”
“You say that every day.”
“No, today’s different.”
He placed his hands on Fang’s hips, without pressing. Just there.
“Do you want to explain?”
Fang thought for a few seconds.
“I… slept well,” he said finally.
Tan smiled.
“Is that all?”
“…and I feel good.”
Tan didn’t answer. He simply kissed Fang, slowly, without haste. Fang responded immediately, without thinking, his hands resting on Tan’s shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
When they pulled apart, Fang stayed close.
“Is it a big deal?” he asked softly.
“What?”
“Being like this.”
Tan rested his forehead against Fang’s.
“No.” He smiled. “It’s sweet.”
Fang nodded, reassured, then grabbed Tan’s cup instead of his own without realizing it.
“Hey,” Tan protested.
“Oops.”
They looked at each other for a second. Then burst out laughing.
It was silly. Simple. Perfect.
BONUS PHUM POV :
( I wanted to include my dear Phum in this chapter, even though I honestly have no logical reason to explain his presence )
There are mornings when you just know something’s off.
Not in a dramatic way.
More like… suspicious.
This was definitely one of those.
I knew it the moment I walked into the kitchen.
Tan was leaning against the counter, coffee in hand. Normal.
Fang was… glued to him. Not standing next to him. Glued.
Arm around his waist.
Head against his shoulder.
And most importantly: no attempt to escape.
I blinked.
Then again.
“...Fang,” I said calmly. “Do you realize you’re touching your boyfriend?”
Fang jumped as if he’d just been caught red-handed.
“I... what?”
He looked down. His arm was still around Tan.
He pulled it away immediately.
“Sorry.”
Tan, on the other hand, was smiling. Way too much.
“No, no, that was fine,” he said. “Keep going.”
I sighed.
“Tan, don’t encourage this.”
“Why?” he asked innocently. “He’s adorable this morning.”
Fang frowned.
“I’m not adorable.”
“You said ‘stay a little longer’ this morning,” Tan reminded him, taking a sip of coffee.
Silence.
I saw my brother’s brain short-circuit.
“I said that?” he asked, horrified.
“Word for word.”
“…in front of you?”
“Right in front of me.”
Fang put his hands over his face.
“Bury me.”
Tan burst out laughing and, as if he couldn’t help himself, put an arm around Fang’s shoulders and pulled him close.
Fang didn’t protest.
I repeated: “He’s not protesting.”
“Because he’s tired,” Tan replied very seriously.
“Because you’re taking advantage,” I retorted.
Tan shrugged.
“I’ve got a new power, apparently.”
He looked down at Fang.
“Tell him you want to stay here.”
Fang looked up at him, hesitating.
“Tan…”
“Say it.”
“…I want to stay here.”
I let out a disbelieving laugh.
“It’s over. He’s done for.”
Fang blushed all the way to his ears.
“Phum!”
“No, but look at yourself! Usually, you’d have already vanished out the window!”
Tan planted a kiss on his temple.
“Progress.”
“Abuse,” I corrected.
Tan looked at me, a smirk on his face.
“You’re just jealous that your brother has become touchy-feely.”
— I’m worried about his future, I clarified.
Fang sighed.
— I’m not touchy-feely.
Tan tightened his grip on his arm.
— He’s just mine.
Silence.
Then Fang, in a voice far too calm:
— Yes.
I nearly choked on my coffee.
— Pardon?
Fang stiffened. Then sighed.
“I said yes.”
Tan turned to him, surprised but delighted.
“Are you confirming it in front of a witness?”
Fang nodded, without looking at him.
“Don’t get too used to it.”
Tan smiled like a happy idiot.
“Too late.”
I raised my hands.
“All right. I’m leaving before you two decide to physically merge.”
As I left, I heard Tan whisper:
“See? Even your brother noticed you’ve softened up.”
And Fang reply, almost inaudibly:
“It’s your fault.”
I smiled.
Yeah. Definitely.