From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

59. Patch up

Boun woke up with a huge headache. He regretted drinking so much the previous night. The hangover was killing him.

Looking around, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. It didn’t look like a hotel room, but more like someone’s bedroom.

Boun noticed that someone had changed his clothes as well. He didn’t remember hooking up with anyone and he had no intention to do so either. But he didn’t trust the philander inside him. Maybe he had hooked up with someone to get Prem out of his head.

He facepalmed himself thinking that it might be Prem’s place seeing the yellow duvet that he was wrapped in. His suspicion was confirmed when he saw Prem’s family portrait on the nightstand. He couldn’t believe it though.

From the last argument they had, he never expected Prem to take him home. Maybe Prem must have taken him home because he was too drunk? He didn’t remember a thing. Either way, Boun was happy. At least he got to know that Prem still cared for him.   

He got off the bed and wore the slippers Prem had already prepared for him. He went to the living area room searching for Prem but failed to find him. He continued searching until he heard noises coming from one of the bedrooms.

He saw Prem throwing punches at the punching bag, while continuously bouncing on his feet. The red gloves and the red sleeveless slim-fit vest made Prem’s pale skin look sexier. He couldn’t take his eyes off Prem who was panting and full of sweat.

When Prem noticed Boun standing at the door, he decided to stop his training for the day.

“You are up?” Prem catching the sandbag that was in motion after being punched. “Go freshen up. We have to leave for a meeting in two hours. P’ Ton said that we have to attend it before meeting with the rest of the crew.” He took off his gloves and walked over to Boun. “You will have to wear my clothes for today.”

Boun blinked at Prem not knowing what to say.

‘What does this mean? Are we alright? Have we reconciled? Or am I dreaming?’ Boun wondered. He pinched himself for a reality check. The pinch hurt and he was sure that he was not dreaming.

“What are you doing? Come here.” Prem called out to Boun from the door of his bedroom upon seeing that the elder was just standing at his previous position with a funny expression.

“Oh?” Boun nodded and made his way to the room he woke up in.

“Here take this.” Prem handed Boun a towel and a change of clothes. “You take a bath and freshen up. I will go reheat the food for you.” He walked out of the room without waiting for Boun’s reply.

Even though he had planned to play it cool in front of Boun, it was not easy. He was still angry at the previous night’s incident and madder at himself for failing to notice that Boun was having a bad time. He didn’t know if could have a normal conversation with Boun in his current mood.

Boun who was left behind in the room, watched Prem walk away and looked at the clothes in his hand. Prem had picked out a hoodie sweatshirt along with a denim jacket and trousers for him. Though it was not his usual style, he liked what Prem chose for him.

He took a long, nice shower and changed into fresh clothes. By the time he came out of the room, the smell of Thai style breakfast assaulted his nostrils.

“Come and sit,” Prem said setting up the table.

Boun heeded the command and sat down. Prem placed a bowl of spicy Tom Yum in front of him. Seeing that Prem was not sitting down, Boun spoke for the first time in the day, “Aren’t you eating?”

“I already ate,” Prem said. “I am going to freshen up and change. Don’t forget to wash the dishes when you are done.”

Boun nodded in understanding. He had woken up late that morning. For a person like Prem, whose biological cycle was always punctual, it was not a surprise that the younger didn’t wait for him to have breakfast.

Finishing the table full of food, Boun felt his hangover going away. He stood up to wash the dishes and clean the table. He was done by the time Prem came out of the room wearing an oversized checked shirt and ripped jeans.

Not knowing what to say or do the duo stood there facing each other. After a few minutes, Prem spread his hands lightly. Boun took the signal and rushed to Prem and hugged him tightly.

“Hia, I can’t breathe.” Prem groaned reciprocating the hug.

Boun slowly loosened the hug and buried his face in the nape of Prem’s neck. He felt like a long war was over. “Let’s not fight ever again.” He whispered, his voice cracking.

“I agree. It’s awful.” Prem tilted his head to rest it on Boun’s shoulders.

“Don’t run away from me. Never ever.”

“The one that ran away was you, Hia. I was here. Always here.”

“I am sorry.” Boun held Prem closer.

“I am sorry too.” Prem’s lips curled up into a smile while his eyes turned glossy.

“I won’t run away anymore.”

“You can run if you want. Because I am going to chase you from behind even if you run to hell.” Prem could feel his neck and collar getting wet from Boun’s tears. “So, you better be prepared. I am a better runner than you. I will catch up with you in no time.”

Prem’s words made Boun chuckle. Pulling himself away from Prem, Boun kissed the younger’s forehead.

“I missed you, Pao.”

“I missed you too, Hia.” Prem used his fingers to rearrange Boun’s messy bangs.

“Do we have time?” Boun asked.

“No, we don’t.” Prem understood that the elder was having naughty thoughts at the moment. He pushed Boun away. “We need to leave now or else we will be late.”

Boun was somewhat disappointed but was internally satisfied knowing that the issues between him and his Pao were finally settled. A weird sense of relief washed over him.

“I better not see you touching alcohol for the next two months. You have already exceeded your quota.” Prem said grabbing his car keys.

“Why? Did I do something wrong yesterday?” Boun had no idea what happened last night and was extremely curious as to why Prem had agreed to reconcile with him. All he got as a reply was a glare the latter sent his way as they walked to the garage.

Prem threw the car keys at Boun and took the passenger seat. Boun ignited the car and they started their car ride to their destination.