After Us

Bonus Chapter Three : Mended

"Your dad must be rejoicing," Tharn's half-sulking, half-complaining, and Type found himself rolling his eyes in answer. For some silly reason, Tharn was acting like a child, pouting and clinging to Type like he didn't want to let go either.

Type knew the feeling, of course, of course, but between the two of them, someone clearly needed to step up and act like a proper adult for once.

"I know he is. He's been smiling the whole time you were telling him that you're going to drop me off at the port. He's so mean, Type." Tharn added, leaning into Type's hand fixing the collar of Tharn's shirt.

Type took a moment to look Tharn over, chuckling under his breath and shaking his head. This separation, though expected, was temporary. They both knew that at one point, Tharn would have to go back to Singapore to, well, sort things out with his employer and maybe with Aaron too. They both knew this day would come, sooner rather than later, because as much as Type knew Tharn would readily drop everything just to be with him, he couldn't be so stupid as to waste everything he'd worked hard for in the last couple of years just because he couldn't bear the thought of the two of them being away from each other especially since they've just gotten back together recently.

Type hummed in affirmation, feigning indulgence. "Well, that's dad for you. Be glad he's just smiling and not complaining that you have been abusing his hospitality by overstaying. But you already know that so, tough luck. If you think he's going to act like he hates seeing you go, you're wasting your time."

The answer only prompted Tharn to pout even more. It's disgusting but equally charming that Type had to bite back the urge to smile or kiss that pout away just to make it stop. He couldn't. He had a reputation to uphold and not even Tharn acting like the world's biggest drama queen could change his mind otherwise.

Tharn's fingers wormed their way to his wrist, holding it between them before placing it against the front of Tharn's chest, over the spot where his heart was beating steadily underneath. The feel of it reminded Type of all the things he'd missed in the last years they weren't together, of all the things he was almost certain he wouldn't ever get to feel again because of his selfishness.

"But he doesn't hate me, right?" Tharn asked as he pressed closer. Type rolled his eyes again in answer, because really, such a drama queen. "Right?" Tharn repeated as if he needed to be sure.

Type bit his lips and nodded. Well, it's the truth. His dad could act like Tharn's existence irritated him, but Type knew better. The talk they had a few days ago about Tharn coming back here without Type knowing, that fondness he saw in his father's eyes when he talked about it told him exactly what his father wouldn't admit out loud.

"No," he said, feeling Tharn's arms circling around his waist from behind. The warmth of their bodies pressed together was familiar, but still intoxicating. Type couldn't help himself leaning to it, taking note of the fact that Tharn was doing the same.

"But I'm not saying he likes you, either. You know he's complicated like that." he added, grinning when Tharn groans defeatedly in answer. He was still smiling when Tharn leaned in closer to rest their foreheads together, their faces so close they could very well be breathing the same air leaving each other's lips.

"I can live with that," Tharn muttered a moment later, as one of his hands lifted to cup Type's jaw gently. Thumb smoothing soft touches across Type's cheek, he added, "But I can't live without you. I...I don't want to leave, Type. I just want to stay here with you." Tharn already sounded miserable, and Type knew for certain this wasn't acting anymore. It was more than enough to make him want to lean over to kiss Tharn, remind him of their promise to make things right this time around.