Chapter 34

They started with a movie.

Jes had no idea what it was about because Ngern kept commenting on everything, from the ridiculous plot to the questionable CGI. Jes tried to tell him to shut up, but somehow, he ended up laughing too much to actually be mad.

They shared snacks—well, Jes ate, and Ngern kept stealing bites from Jes's hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Jes should've stopped him. He didn't.

Somewhere between movies, they got comfortable.

Jes didn't even realize he had slouched down until Ngern did the same. Their shoulders brushed, their arms pressed together. Neither of them moved away.

By the time the second movie rolled around, Jes felt warm, full from snacks and comfort. His eyelids got heavy.

He barely remembered when he gave in and closed them.

The next thing he knew—

He was waking up to the sound of the TV playing softly in the background.

To the feeling of something solid and warm pressed against him.

Jes blinked himself awake and—

Oh.

Somehow, in his sleep, he had shifted closer. His head rested against Ngern's shoulder, and Ngern's arm was draped lightly over his own.

The rise and fall of Ngern's chest was steady, the sound of his breathing soft.

He was still asleep.

Jes didn't move.

Didn't even breathe too hard.

He should get up.

He should.

But Ngern was warm, and Jes was too comfortable, and—

Maybe, just for a little longer.

Jes let his eyes flutter shut again.

Just for a little longer.

The warmth, the steady rhythm of Ngern's breathing, the scent of his soap—Jes let himself soak it in, let himself stay.

Until he felt a shift.

A small inhale.

And then—

"You awake?"

Ngern's voice was soft, a little husky from sleep.

Jes tensed, but he didn't move. He didn't want to move.

"...Maybe."

He felt the lightest huff of a laugh against his hair.

"Then sleep more," Ngern murmured.

Jes almost scoffed. "I can't now, idiot. You woke me up."

Another chuckle, sleepier this time. "My bad."

Neither of them moved.

Jes swallowed. His heart was too loud in the silence, but Ngern didn't seem in any rush to pull away.

If anything—

He settled in.

Jes felt it. The slight shift as Ngern got more comfortable, the way his arm rested a little more securely against Jes's own.

It felt...

Easy.

Comfortable.

Jes bit his lip.

"...You wanna watch something else?"

Ngern hummed. "Nah."

Jes turned his head slightly. "You wanna nap more?"

A pause.

Then—

"I wanna just—stay like this," Ngern admitted, barely above a whisper.

Jes's breath caught.

For a second, his mind screamed at him to pull away.

To not let this mean something.

But his body?

It stayed right where it was.

"...Okay."

Jes closed his eyes again.

And this time—

He really did stay.

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

Ngern groggily reached for his phone, barely cracking his eyes open as the vibration on the table finally pulled him from sleep.

Jes stirred beside him, mumbling something unintelligible before turning the other way.

Ngern blinked at the screen. Sister.

He exhaled through his nose before answering.

"Hello?" His voice was heavy with sleep.

"You sound half dead. Did I wake you?" His sister's amused tone came through the speaker.

"Mmm." He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the drowsiness. "What's up?"

"Dinner this weekend."

Ngern blinked slowly. Dinner?

"I just talked to Grandma, and we thought it'd be nice to have everyone together. You free?"

Ngern ran a hand through his hair, already nodding before realizing she couldn't see him. "Yeah, I should be."

"Great. Bring Jes."

Ngern froze mid-stretch. "What?"

"Jes. Bring him." His sister's tone was far too knowing. "Grandma likes him. Mali likes him. We all like him. It only makes sense."

Ngern opened his mouth. Closed it.

Somewhere behind him, Jes let out a sleepy sigh, still lost in sleep.

Ngern swallowed.

"You still there?"

"Yeah, I—" He glanced at Jes's sleeping form, something warm unfurling in his chest.

"...I'll ask him."

His sister hummed. "You do that. I'll see you both on Saturday."

And before he could protest, the call ended.

Ngern slowly set his phone down, staring at it for a second.

Bring Jes.

Bring Jes.

He inhaled deeply before shifting, turning his head toward Jes, who was still curled up, blissfully unaware of the conversation that just took place.

Ngern huffed a small smile.

Guess he had to ask now.

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

Ngern lay there for a moment, staring at Jes's peaceful face. He looked so at ease, so unlike his usual sharp-tongued, quick-witted self. His lips were slightly parted, his breath steady, his lashes fanned against his cheeks.

Bring Jes.

Ngern swallowed, suddenly feeling a little nervous. It wasn't a big deal... was it? Jes had already been to his family home before, spent time with his grandmother, held Mali, sat at their dinner table. But this—this felt different.

A deliberate invitation. A choice.

Still, there was no way Jes would say no. Right?

Ngern exhaled, steeling himself before reaching out and nudging Jes's shoulder lightly.

"Hey."

Jes groaned in protest. "Five more minutes."

Ngern grinned despite himself. "It's not morning anymore."

Jes peeked one eye open blearily. "Then five more minutes of post-lunch nap."

Ngern chuckled, nudging him again. "Come on, wake up. I need to ask you something."

Jes let out a dramatic sigh before finally shifting onto his back, blinking up at him. "What?"

Ngern hesitated for half a second, then forged ahead.

"My sister invited me back home for dinner this weekend," he said, voice casual. "She... asked me to bring you."

Jes's brows lifted slightly.

"Everyone likes you," Ngern added, scratching the back of his head. "Grandma, Mali, my parents... they want you there."

Jes stared at him, expression unreadable.

A beat of silence.

Then, "...Are you sure you want me to come?"

Ngern frowned. "What do you mean?"

Jes shrugged, looking away briefly. "I just... don't want to impose."

Ngern exhaled, reaching out to flick Jes's forehead lightly. "Idiot. If you were imposing, I wouldn't be asking."

Jes winced, rubbing the spot. "Rude."

Ngern smirked. "So, what's your answer?"

Jes let out a breath, eyes softening slightly. "I'll come."

Ngern blinked, caught off guard by how pleased he felt hearing that.

Jes smirked, propping himself up on one elbow. "But only if I get to bring dessert."

Ngern huffed a laugh, relief mixing with something deeper, something he wasn't ready to name just yet.

"Deal."