His Cheeks Are Rosier Than Anyone Else's

Chapter 2

It had been on a school day when it was Phupha's turn to stand guard when Tian had decided to test his beloved. The morning had been peaceful, with everyone busy with their work, accompanied by ambient noise provided by the remote sound of the villagers and the chirping birds. The children were working on their writing assignment, Tian had been going over the previous day's homework, and Phupha had been buried in the paperwork he had started bringing along to the school so that he could be free to spend time with Tian in the evening.

His radio had crackled around mid-morning with Rang's request to help move a fallen tree on one of the main paths up the mountain. Phupha kneeled by Tian's desk to let him know he would be back soon and to use his own device to reach them in case there was an emergency. An extra portable radio had been provided to the unit for the village's teacher at the request of Tian's father.

Tian smiled and, this time, deliberately reached over to stroke Phupha's cheek, reassuring him and telling him to get home safely. The children had a full view of the scene play out and burst into giggles, with Meejoo and Inta shoving each other with secondhand embarrassment. It was obvious Phupha had been startled. He hushed the laughing children while sporting a bright red across his face before rushing out of the school. The normally stoic ranger had nearly stumbled on his own boots in his hurry, which had just led to another round of laughter.

Nearly a week later, when Tian had been washing their laundry at the river, Phupha had come by to tell him he was going to the city and to ask if he wanted something.

Some of the villagers had been present, doing their own laundry.

"Aow, wouldn't it be nice if my husband bothered to think about asking me if I need anything? He even forgets the list when I put it in his pocket," one of the women commented, and her husband and Phupha both scowled.

Tian just laughed before going over to Phu to write out what they were running low on at home. Then, he thanked him before standing on his tip-toes to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you at the base when you get back," he said, smiling sweetly as he dismissed the tall man who stood looking stunned, his cheeks tinged with pink, while Tian returned to his task.

"If you treated me sweetly like that, maybe I'd remember your list," the man who had scowled earlier said, and his wife splashed him with water while the other villagers laughed at them and the Chief, who was now robotically walking away. Tian had just smiled to himself, but he didn't turn around.

Phupha had looked at him curiously that evening, so Tian had allowed some time to pass by before continuing his antics.

A month later, Phupha and Nam had been invited, along with other leaders from the Royal Forest Department and all the departments under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, to a gala being thrown by a private environmental non-profit. To no one's surprise, Tian's mother was one of the board members, so both his parents were in attendance. While Tian's presence was expected because of his parents, he was attending as Phupha's plus one, as the invites had included. Dr. Nam's wife had also come up from Bangkok to accompany him.

Tian's mother had fussed over Tian and then Phupha when they first walked in. Then, Lalita and Teerayut had taken turns monopolizing the ranger, who had stood by politely greeting their friends. Tian had grown bored and irritable, being left to his own devices. It wasn't like he could get drunk as he used to at these things. Nam and Jaeb were there but were also off socializing.

"Tian! Why are you standing here all by yourself? Come, they are going to do the presentation now," his mother called and he walked over to where the rest of his family, old and new, all stood together.

Phupha came to stand beside him as the lights dimmed and the video started on the large screen set up behind the stage. He leaned down and whispered, "Are you feeling okay? You seem quiet today."

"I've always hated these things," Tian sighed. "And you left me alone! You owe me, Huana."

Phupha's eye glinted, and he asked softly enough that no one would hear over the blaring speakers, "What do I owe you?"

There was a challenge, and Tian took it. Leaning up to Phupha's ear, he whispered, "More than you imagine." And just as he moved back down, his hand squeezed Phupha's bottom. The man jumped, calling the attention of the people around them. He apologized quickly and grasped Tian's wrist firmly, holding it still. They heard a snort from behind them and turned to see Nam and Jaeb hiding their grins behind their drinks. Tian had grinned openly at the sight of Phupha's blush he had come to recognize even in the low light, finally enjoying his night.