"Saint! Wake up! Breakfast is ready," Fighter called out from the kitchen. He had prepared four pieces of spam, egg, salad, and cheese sandwiches along with boiled coffee. Removing his apron, he headed to the bedroom to wake his sleeping boyfriend.
"Saaaaint. Wake up~" Fighter teased, pinching Saint's cheeks gently.
"Aaaaw Fiiighht," Saint groaned, trying to fend off Fighter's playful pinches.
"Get up~" Fighter continued, squeezing Saint's cheeks and giving him a quick peck on the lips.
Saint grabbed Fighter's face and pulled him closer, kissing him deeply before pulling him into a hug. Fighter stumbled and ended up lying on top of Saint.
"Saaaint~" Fighter whined softly, enjoying being held by his boyfriend.
"Five more minutes, Fight," Saint murmured, tightening his embrace.
Reluctantly, Fighter accepted, nuzzling his face into Saint's neck. He savored Saint's comforting morning scent, finding it both soothing and intoxicating. Fighter lightly kissed Saint's neck, and Saint responded by tightening his hold.
Suddenly, the loud, alarming whistle of the kettle startled Fighter, and he tried to get up, but Saint stopped him.
"Saaaint~ I have to turn it off," Fighter protested, laughing softly.
___
"Saint, can we stop at a grocery store?" Fighter requested.
They were en route to Saint's hometown to retrieve his father's hidden phone from a year ago. Fighter wanted to make a quick stop to buy something for Saint's mother.
"Sure, baby. What will you buy?"
"Are fruits alright?"
"Yeah. She—"
"Or I'll cook for your mom!" Fighter beamed at the idea.
"Up to you, baby." Saint smiled at his boyfriend's enthusiasm.
They arrived at the grocery store, and Fighter cheerfully gathered a basket of fruits and ingredients he needed, holding his boyfriend's hand the entire time. After paying, they left the store with Fighter humming along to a song playing on the radio.
Saint's heart was already full; he didn't want or need anything more. Fighter was everything to him, and he was certain of it. He swore to himself and to God that he would never let go of this angel again. One heartbreak was enough, and if it happened again, he wasn't sure he could handle it.
Two hours on the road had Fighter dozing off in his seat. Saint eased off the accelerator and turned off the radio to ensure Fighter could rest undisturbed.
Fifteen minutes before reaching their destination, Fighter woke up, rubbing his eyes.
"Saaaint~" Fighter moved closer and lazily kissed his boyfriend's cheek.
"We're almost there, baby. Did you sleep well?"
"Hmmm." Fighter kissed him again.
"What's wrong, Fight?" Saint asked, noticing his boyfriend's sudden clinginess.
"Can't I kiss you?" Fighter pouted.
"Of course you can, but I'm driving."
They finally arrived home. Saint parked the car on the side of the road, turned off the engine, and unbuckled his seatbelt.
Fight..."
Saint moved closer to his boyfriend. Fighter grinned, knowing what was coming next. He leaned in as Saint held his jaw and pressed their lips together. Saint began to suck gently on his boyfriend's lips, savoring the moment without any haste, just enjoying the intimacy of their kiss. Between kisses, Fighter started giggling, prompting Saint to lean back, with Fighter following suit.
"So needy," Saint teased with a snort. "Let's head inside; mom is waiting."
Fighter marveled at the sight of the house as it came into view—simple, calming, and cozy, with a small yet dainty garden of flowers at the entrance. Upon entering, he was greeted by an elegant and stylish receiving area, followed by a fashionable and inviting kitchen and dining area.
"Where's your mom?" Fighter asked, taking in the warmth of his boyfriend's home.
"Probably in the backyard. Let me call her," Saint replied.
Saint made his way to the backyard to find his mom, who was indeed there, trimming the Bermuda grass on the ground.
"Mom," Saint called out, and his mother turned towards him, stunned to see her son.
"Saint!" She exclaimed and quickly got up to hug him. Her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of someone sitting on the couch.
"Saint, we have company?" Her eyebrows furrowed in surprise, knowing her son rarely brought anyone home.
"Of course. Come here, I'll introduce him to you."
"Fight... This is—"
"Wait! I think I've seen you on TV," Saint's mom interrupted, trying to recall Fighter's name. "Oh! Panich, right?" She questioned.
"Yes, ma'am," Fighter replied politely, standing up and bowing slightly.
"Mom, this is Fighter, my boyfriend," Saint introduced, holding Fighter's hand.
"Oh... Is this the Fighter you were crying for?" Saint's mom asked with a teasing smile.
"Yeah, Mom—"
She took Fighter's hands in hers, causing Fighter to panic slightly. He looked to Saint for guidance, who assured him everything was fine.
"Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I caused so much pain to both of you. I should've introduced my son to anyone, but I had no idea he was in love already. I'm sorry, dear," Saint's mom sincerely apologized to Fighter.
"It... It's alright, ma'am," Fighter stuttered, feeling relieved that Saint's mom had apologized, though he knew it wasn't entirely her fault. She hadn't known about Saint's relationship. Fighter was grateful that she accepted him with a warm welcome and comforting hug. For Fighter, her approval and Saint's endless love were enough.
Fighter began to prepare the ingredients for Tom Yum Goong, a lemongrass shrimp soup, on the counter. He carefully rinsed the shrimp in a bowl at the sink. Meanwhile, Saint went to his old room to retrieve his dad's phone.
"Can I help?" Saint's mom asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Please," Fighter replied.
"Oh no dear. Call me mom instead," she insisted, as she took out the chilies, galangal, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves to wash them.
"Alright, Mom," Fighter shyly smiled at her.
Fighter poured water into a pot and added the washed ingredients. He brought it to a boil and they waited for the water to simmer for 3-4 minutes.
"How's my son as a boyfriend?" She questioned while sitting on a chair.
"He might not be the perfect boyfriend, but he loves everything about me," Fighter replied with a smile.
Then Saint appeared and went directly to Fighter, kissing his cheeks. Fighter shyly uncovered the lid of the pot as it was boiling already. Saint continued to sniff his boyfriend's neck.
"Saint... Your mother is watching," Fighter glared at him.
"Let her be," Saint said, planting a kiss on his lips.
"Stooppp~ I'm cooking," Fighter whined as he opened the lid.
"I can't believe that my son is this in love," she mumbled from her seat, watching the two gentlemen in front of her being so lovey-dovey.
"I love Fighter so much, Mom," Saint declared without taking his eyes off Fighter.
Fighter, who was adding oyster mushrooms, blushed at his boyfriend's straightforwardness.
"Your happiness is my happiness, Saint. Thank you, Fighter," his mom said warmly.
"By the way, the battery is out so I'm charging the phone first," Saint said, hugging Fighter from behind.
"Alright, thank you. You're so clingy," Fighter replied, finally putting the fresh shrimp in the pot. He closed the lid and waited for the soup to start bubbling again before turning to face his boyfriend.
"You're sexy when you're cooking," Saint whispered, then quickly pressed his lips against Fighter's.
"Shhht. Your mom is here!" Fighter hiss-whispered.
"She's not looking, baby."
"She's listening!"
Fighter added the remaining ingredients to the pot, and soon the dish was ready. Saint helped to prepare the cooked rice and set it on the table. Fighter, meanwhile, prepared a large bowl of Tom Yum Goong and three smaller bowls for each of them. Saint's mom placed the side dishes she had made earlier that morning, and soon lunch was ready to be enjoyed.
"Wow! Scrumptious, Fighter!" Saint's mom exclaimed, delighted with the taste.
