The evening was supposed to be peaceful, a rare night where Save didn't have to deal with his family's expectations or the looming wedding. He had planned to spend the evening in front of the TV, watching whatever random movie he could find to distract himself. But, as fate would have it, peace was not on the agenda.
Save settled comfortably on the couch, his feet propped up, the remote in hand, and a bag of chips by his side. He was finally ready to enjoy the evening. But as he flipped through the channels, the sound of soft giggling caught his attention.
He turned his head to find his older brother Por and Teetee, his husband, sitting on the love seat across the room. The two of them were practically glued to each other, whispering and laughing like they were the only two people in the world. Por leaned in, planting a quick kiss on Teetee's cheek, and Teetee responded with a playful nudge.
Save clenched his teeth. He wasn't the biggest fan of their constant display of affection. In fact, it annoyed the hell out of him.
"Seriously? You two?" Save called out from his spot on the couch, clearly irritated.
Teetee didn't even look up. "What's wrong, Save? Don't you like seeing us happy?"
Save shot him a look, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I love it. Really. It's just that I'm trying to watch a movie here, not your personal love drama."
Por smirked, adjusting his position so that he was practically lying, his head on Teetee's lap. "You're just jealous. Admit it."
Save rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Jealous? Yeah, sure. I'm totally jealous of you two practically eating each other's faces off."
"Aw, you know you love us," Teetee teased, flashing him a bright smile. "Come on, Save, it's not every day you get to witness true love."
Save groaned, picking up the remote and turning the volume up on the TV. "I just wanted a quiet night. Why do you two have to be so extra?"
Por chuckled, clearly enjoying getting under Save's skin. "We're just trying to add a little romance to the atmosphere. You should try it sometime."
"Yeah, right," Save muttered, now focused entirely on the movie, trying to tune them out. But the giggling and the occasional whispers between Por and Teetee were becoming more and more distracting. Save found his eyes flicking over at them despite his best efforts to stay focused.
Por kissed Teetee's cheek again, leaning in close to whisper something in his ear. Save's eyes twitched, a deep sigh escaping his lips.
"Seriously, could you not?" he snapped.
Teetee just laughed. "What's wrong, Save? You've got to get used to this. We're practically family now."
"Just because we're stuck with each other doesn't mean I have to watch you two act like teenagers," Save shot back, rolling his eyes.
Por grinned mischievously. "If you don't like it, maybe you should join in. Let loose a little. You know, show us some affection."
Save froze, staring at his brother in disbelief. "Are you seriously trying to get me to hug you or something? What are we, five?"
Teetee laughed even harder. "Maybe not a hug, but something. You'd feel a lot better if you just let go of that chip on your shoulder."
Save narrowed his eyes, exasperated, but despite his irritation, he found himself involuntarily watching them. Por and Teetee's easy chemistry, the way they interacted so naturally, without any of the awkwardness Save was used to, made him feel... strangely out of place. It wasn't that he was jealous. It was just that the whole situation felt too foreign to him.
He shook his head. "I'm fine, thanks. I'll just stick to my movie. You two enjoy your... whatever this is."
Por leaned back, his head resting on Teetee's shoulder. "You know, you're just grumpy because you don't get any attention."
"Please, don't start with that," Save muttered, sinking further into the couch, his eyes glued to the screen, though he wasn't really watching.
Teetee glanced at Save and grinned. "One day, you'll get it, Save. You'll understand why we do this. It's all about sharing the love."
Save gave him a deadpan look. "Don't hold your breath."
Despite his sarcastic tone, he couldn't help but feel the faintest stir of curiosity. Was that really it? Was it just about... love? Or was there something more to it?
_________________________
The night had stretched on, and the movie had long since ended, its credits rolling quietly in the background. Save, however, hadn't moved much. He had eventually succumbed to the comfort of the couch, the warmth of the blanket, and the soothing sounds of the room around him. His head had lulled to one side, and before long, he was sound asleep, his soft breathing the only sign of life left in him.
Teetee and Por, still snuggled together on the love seat, had been quietly talking between themselves, their conversation muffled by the sound of the room's quiet ambience. But Teetee's gaze kept drifting to Save, concern slowly creasing his brow.
"Por..." Teetee murmured, nudging his husband gently.
Por, who had been lazily playing with his phone, looked up with a slight frown. "Hmm? What's up?"
Teetee's eyes followed Save's sleeping form. "Do you think... Do you think Auau will take care of him?"
Por raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. "What do you mean?"
Teetee shifted in his seat, his tone soft but laced with worry. "Save... he's not like us. He's stubborn, yes, but he's also... vulnerable in his own way. I just worry that Auau might not understand him the way we do."
Por sat up straighter, his expression serious now as he glanced over at Save. The younger man was curled up on the couch, his face relaxed in sleep, the subtle rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was okay.
"He'll be fine, Tee," Por said, his voice steady. "Auau is not a bad guy. He's patient, he's got that calm thing going for him. I think he'll take care of Save."
"I know Auau's patient," Teetee replied, glancing at his husband with a frown. "But Save... he's so used to being coddled. He's kind of like a baby, you know? Always taken care of by us, always having someone to look out for him. I just don't want him to get hurt. I want to be sure that Auau will understand how to handle him, especially with the wedding coming up."
Por's lips curved into a slight smile, though his eyes held a touch of empathy. "I get it, Tee. You're just looking out for him. But you can't protect him forever. Auau seems like the type who'd try his best, and I don't think Save will let him mess up. Save's a little stubborn, but he's smart enough to know when someone's really there for him."
Teetee sighed, leaning back into the couch. "It's just hard. He's always been the one we look after. I don't want him to feel... abandoned, I guess."
Por reached over, giving Teetee's hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's natural to worry. But I think Auau will be good for him. Save may not admit it, but he needs someone like Auau. Maybe not now, but he'll come to appreciate it. He just has to get used to it."
Teetee stayed silent for a moment, his eyes still on Save. His worry was palpable, but as Por spoke, he felt some of the tension in his chest ease. Still, he couldn't shake the thought that Save's carefree, spoiled nature might cause a few bumps along the way, especially with someone like Auau, who was calm and structured.
After a long pause, Teetee smiled faintly. "You're probably right. I just hope that Save doesn't push Auau away too much. It'll be hard for him if he feels like no one's on his side."
Por chuckled softly, his thumb gently rubbing Teetee's face. "Trust me. Save might act tough, but he doesn't want to be alone. He'll figure things out in his own way, and Auau will be there when he does. Just let them work it out. They'll get there."
Teetee finally nodded, his worry still lingering but softened by Por's words. He glanced once more at Save, who remained peacefully asleep, curled into the blanket. The sight of his brother in law, always so full of fire and defiance, now so vulnerable in sleep, tugged at Teetee's heart.
"Okay, I'll let it go for now. I just want him to be happy. And I want to make sure he doesn't get hurt. He deserves someone who truly understands him."
Por leaned in and kissed Teetee's temple, his voice low and comforting. "He'll have that. And he'll learn to trust Auau. It just might take some time."
Teetee smiled, still looking at Save, but this time with a sense of quiet hope. "I hope so. I really do."
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