Unmasked

Comfort

Spending the night in Can's embrace surpassed any other night they had spent together. It could be attributed to their newfound understanding and Tin's deepening affection for Can. Alternatively, it could be because they had made love until Tin felt utterly spent. Regardless of the cause, Tin enveloped himself around Can's body and peacefully closed his eyes.

His dreams transformed from haunting nightmares of eternal solitude to visions of strolling down an aisle adorned with the most exquisite blossoms. Each time Tin woke up during the night, it was to draw nearer to Can, to savor the sound of Can's gentle breaths, and to feel the rhythmic beat of Can's heart beneath his ear.

Tin was peacefully lulled back to sleep by happiness, only to be awakened again by the need to use the bathroom.

When morning arrived, Tin found himself awake before Can. He sat up in bed, observing the gentle rise and fall of Can's sleeping form. Tenderly, he ran his fingers along Can's chest, tracing a path over his pinkish nipples, reminiscing about the way they would respond to his touch.

Sitting there, admiring Can's attractive physique, was sparking all kinds of thoughts in Tin's mind, and he was certain that Can needed some rest after their night together. With a grin, he gently kissed Can's forehead before getting up from the bed.

He spent the initial hours at the cottage office, taking care of business matters. From updating his website to adding new properties for sale, Tin had a lot to catch up on. Even though he knew he would have to travel back and forth to the mainland for property showings, he didn't mind. The thought of returning to Can's embrace made him feel content.

With a smile on his face, he tried calling Chaem, but unfortunately, there was no answer. He left a message, took care of a few more listings, and then shut down the computer.

He leaned back in his chair, swiveling it to face the window. The view outside was breathtaking. A mist was rising from the water as the sun made its appearance over the horizon. Standing up, Tin walked over to the window and placed his hand on the glass. Memories of his time with Can flooded his mind, bringing a new perspective on their evolving relationship. He realized he needed to embrace the feelings he had been trying to suppress every time Can smiled at him. As long as he saw Can as just a friend, their connection would never deepen into something more. The moment Tin acknowledged the potential for a deeper bond, fear of losing it gripped him.

He had spent so long looking for someone who could make him feel like Can did. So why would he walk away from it now?

Good morning," greeted Can as he appeared behind Tin.

Tin grinned and faced him. Can leaned casually against the doorframe, his tousled dark hair adding to his charm.

Tin rested his back against the glass and placed his hands by his sides. "Good morning."

"You seem well-rested."

"After what you put me through last night? Definitely. I slept like a baby."

Can chuckled softly and lowered his head.

"You're quite handsome," Tin blurted out before he could stop himself. "By the way, do you mind if I head to the mainland for some appointments?"

"Are you running from me?"

Tin vigorously shook his head. "Absolutely not. I've got some new listings, and I'm positive the requests for showings will start pouring in."

"I see."

"Don't be angry. I didn't know I was staying."

"I'm not angry." Can took a step forward, paused, then walked a few strides to stand before Tin. "Not angry at all. It's tough having you leave."