Chapter 25

Ngern sat there for a long moment, staring at Jes's retreating figure. The weight of Jes's words settled over him—Think about it properly first. Then ask me again.

It wasn't a rejection. But it wasn't an acceptance either.

It was something in between.

Ngern ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. His mind was a mess, a chaotic blend of his own actions, Jes's reaction, and the realization that maybe, just maybe, this wasn't just some passing thought or impulse.

Because Jes was right—Ngern didn't think before acting when it came to him. He just... did. Like the way he kept coming up with excuses to meet him, the way he was always drawn into conversation with him, the way he found himself looking at Jes more than necessary.

And now, the way he had kissed him without thinking.

Ngern groaned under his breath, getting up and dusting off his pants before heading inside.

Jes was already in the living room, sitting on the couch as Mali crawled onto his lap, grabbing at the edge of his shirt with tiny, chubby fingers. Jes looked down at her, expression unreadable, before carefully adjusting her in his arms so she wouldn't slip.

Ngern stopped in his tracks, watching the scene unfold.

Jes had always been careful with Mali. He never seemed to know what to do with babies, but somehow, she always ended up curled against him like she belonged there.

Ngern's lips twitched.

Jes must have sensed his gaze because he finally looked up, raising a brow. "What?"

Ngern shook his head. "Nothing. Just never thought I'd see the day you willingly hold a baby."

Jes scoffed, glancing down at Mali, who was now sucking on her fist. "I had no choice. She climbed onto me."

Ngern smirked, walking over. "Sounds like she likes you."

Jes rolled his eyes, but he didn't push Mali away.

Ngern flopped onto the couch next to him, leaning back. "You sticking around for lunch?"

Jes glanced at him briefly before looking back at Mali. "Your grandma already told me to, so."

Ngern chuckled. "She likes you."

Jes didn't respond immediately. He just gently ran his fingers over Mali's tiny hands, lost in thought. Then, he muttered, "She reminds me of someone."

Ngern blinked. "Who?"

Jes hesitated, his fingers pausing against Mali's palm before he shook his head. "Forget it."

Ngern frowned slightly but didn't push.

They sat there in silence for a while, Mali shifting slightly as she settled against Jes's chest.

Eventually, Ngern spoke again, voice quieter this time. "Hey."

Jes hummed in acknowledgment, not looking up.

Ngern took a breath. "About earlier."

Jes finally met his gaze.

"I will think about it," Ngern said, voice firm despite the uncertainty in his chest. "So when I ask you again, I want you to give me a real answer."

Jes stared at him for a beat, searching his expression.

Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Alright."

.....................................................................

The weight in Ngern's chest eased a little at Jes's response, though it didn't disappear completely. He knew Jes wasn't one to take things lightly, and if Jes was telling him to think it through, then he had to—properly.

But that didn't mean things had to change between them just yet.

Lunch passed in a comfortable haze, with Ngern's grandmother fussing over Jes more than necessary, loading his plate with extra food and telling him to eat more because he was "too skinny." Ngern didn't miss the way Jes's ears turned pink, though he obediently ate everything placed in front of him.

Mali had taken a liking to Jes, refusing to let go of his sleeve even when it was time for her afternoon nap. Jes, clearly out of his element, just sat there with a half-exasperated, half-resigned expression as Ngern's sister pried Mali's tiny fingers away.

"She's going to miss you when you leave," Ngern teased, watching the way Jes's lips twitched in amusement.

"She'll forget me in a week," Jes replied, brushing invisible lint off his pants.

Ngern doubted that.

Jes wasn't the kind of person you forgot easily.

By the time afternoon rolled around, Jes stood to leave, brushing his palms against his jeans. "I should go. Thanks for the food."

Ngern followed him to the door, hands stuffed in his pockets. He wasn't sure why, but there was something about Jes leaving that made him uneasy.

Maybe because he wasn't sure when they'd see each other again.

Jes had already lingered longer than planned.

Maybe he was overthinking it, but Ngern still found himself blurting out, "Will you come by again?"

Jes turned back, blinking at him. "You mean your family's house?"

Ngern shrugged, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. "Here. Or my place. I mean... if you want to."

Jes tilted his head slightly, expression unreadable. "I'll think about it."

Ngern let out a small laugh. "Sounds familiar."

Jes smirked. "Yeah, well. We're both supposed to be thinking, aren't we?"

Ngern rolled his eyes but didn't argue.

Jes lingered for a second longer before finally giving a small wave. "See you, Ngern."

Ngern lifted a hand in return.

As he watched Jes walk away, something settled in his chest.

He wasn't going to let Jes go so easily.

Not when he was just starting to realize what he wanted.

............................................................

Ngern watched as Jes disappeared through the front gate, the faint sound of the latch clicking into place echoing in the quiet afternoon. He stayed there for a moment longer, hands still tucked in his pockets, before finally turning back toward the house.

His grandmother was already settling in for her nap, and his sister was busy with Mali, leaving Ngern alone with his thoughts. He wandered back into the garden, where they had taken photos just a few hours ago. His phone was still in his pocket, filled with the shots Jes had taken of him.

With a slow exhale, Ngern pulled out his phone and scrolled through the pictures.

Jes had a talent, that much was obvious. But it wasn't just the technical skill—his photos felt different. They captured something real, something Ngern wasn't used to seeing in images of himself.

He wasn't just an actor, a celebrity, a public figure in these photos.

He was just Ngern.

And Jes had been the one to see him that way.

Ngern ran a hand through his hair, biting back a smile. He knew Jes was keeping some distance, holding back, waiting to see how things played out.

But that didn't mean he had to wait too.

Pulling up their text conversation, Ngern typed out a message.

Ngern: You forgot something.

A minute passed before Jes responded.

Jes: ...What?

Ngern grinned, leaning back against the wooden railing of the porch.

Ngern: An excuse to see me again.

He imagined Jes rolling his eyes at the screen, maybe even sighing as he typed out his next response.

Jes: Are you always this full of yourself?

Ngern: Only when it works.

This time, Jes took a little longer to reply.

Jes: I'll let you know when I have time.

It wasn't a 'yes.'

But it wasn't a 'no' either.

Ngern stared at the message for a moment before locking his phone and slipping it back into his pocket.

Jes might be thinking things through.

But Ngern had already made up his mind.