Autumn is a second spring

51. Little things

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Fluke peeked at the green curry that Boun was making.

"Yes, Khrab" Boun turned to face the little guy, who still had a bandage around his forehead. "Do you see that couch over there?" He pointed at the couch in the living area. "Please go and sit there."

He was making breakfast for the two of them and Bew. Prem had already left for work early in the morning.

"But I don't want to" Fluke whined. He had been staying at BounPrem's residence ever since the day Prem brought him in. Neither Boun nor Prem would let him do anything and as a somewhat hyperactive person, it was really difficult for Fluke to sit tight and rest as he was told to.

"But you have to," Boun said imitating the whiny tone Fluke just used, before switching to his normal voice. "You are injured, and you need to rest."

Making Fluke rest turned out to be the most difficult task he had ever done. The little guy would always find something to do other than rest.

"This is just a small injury, Phi. I have already rested for the past two days, and I don't want to do it anymore. If I rest for a little longer, I am going to rust." Fluke huffed as he climbed on the high stool.

"Don't worry. Even if you rust, when my nong comes back, he will brush off the rust and repaint you up. Then you will be good as new," Boun said turning off the flame as the curry was done.

"Henpecked" Fluke pouted and miserably glared at Boun who was very strict in making him take rest.

"Call me whatever you want. I am not going to you let work. I have received orders from both sides, and I don't dare disobey," Both Prem and Ohm had told Boun to keep an eye on Fluke.  

Seeing that his pitiful act is not working on Boun, Fluke gave up.

Woof woof.

He heard the dogs bark in the inner garden. The two dogs, Latte and Oatmeal were having the time of their lives.

"At least you two are enjoying the stay here," Fluke sighed seeing two dogs play together.

He had brought Oatmeal over to BounPrem's residence as he would be staying there for a while. He didn't want the puppy to be left alone at home.

The cousins, Latte and Oatmeal got along quite well. Even Dona, the nonchalant young lady, got along with her cousin Oatmeal.

Oatmeal, despite being only five months old, was the same size as the three-year-old Latte. Their interactions were so cute that Fluke couldn't help but take pics and videos of the two.

Scrolling through the pics, Fluke sighed again. He was bored.

"Stop sighing like an old man. Come here and eat your breakfast before the food turns cold," Boun had plated the rice and the green curry and placed them on the dining table.

Fluke put away his phone and joined Boun on the dinner table, "Aren't you going to wake Bew up?"

"No. The kid was running a slight fever last night. Let him sleep," Boun said, digging into his breakfast.

"Okay, I will look after him" Fluke took on the responsibility of taking care of his sick nephew.

"No need. I am working from home today. I will look after both of you," Boun said stuffing his mouth with food.

"But I am not sick na. I don't need you to look after me," Fluke whined. He hated being watched over all the time.

"I don't need you to look after me," Boun imitated Fluke once again.

Fluke was thoroughly irritated with Boun constantly imitating him. "Stop imitating me!" He kicked the older guy under the table.

"Stop imitating me," Boun imitated, dodging the incoming kicks.

Boun's actions only irked Fluke further. "I said, stop it." 

"I said stop it"

The dinner table soon became a kicking fight arena with Fluke launching the attacks and Boun efficiently dodging them.

Boun and Fluke were very similar to each other. Both of them were clingy, emotionally attached creatures who loved to get attention and affection from the people around them. Both of them were very loving and caring towards their dear ones.

The only difference between them was that Boun was very easy to read while Fluke was not.

Boun's face was like a clean mirror, whatever was in his heart will clearly be depicted on his face. Be it his thoughts or emotions, he couldn't hide it well. One could easily understand what is going on inside his mind just by observing his face. This quality added a hint of innocence to his devilish charms.

Fluke on the other hand looked like an angel, cheerful and free-spirited. One who sees him would think of him as a ball of sunshine, born to fill the world with happiness. Nobody knew the real him, not even the people closest to him.

What he thought, what he wanted to do, no one could predict. Reading him was a very difficult task that even Ohm wasn't fully successful in, and the reason was that he was a good actor.

Fluke not only acted in front of the camera but also in real life. He had been acting his whole life. His acting was so flawless that everyone had thought that the version of Fluke they see in front of them was the real one. 

But little do they know that the act was just a cover up.  

Boun and Fluke had a special bond that was unique to itself. This bond had grown deeper and stronger with passing years.

"It's good that you are acting on it," Fluke said as he chewed on his food.

Both of them got exhausted from the fight and was taking a break for a while.

"What do you mean?" Boun looked up.

"You know, the way you were treating Prem. I will be honest na. I wasn't satisfied with how things were developing between you and Prem and I swear it wasn't just me who thought so."

"I know," Boun answered softly, hanging his head low.

"But now, seeing the way you have changed, I feel relieved. I really hope that you will keep this attitude going in the future as well." Fluke said, sounding more like an elder brother.

"It was not that I didn't want to treat him right. But I just don't know how to do it."

"There are times when I felt like that too, Phi. You know how P' Ohm is. He is really caring and considerate. He would do anything for me. When my boyfriend is putting in so many efforts and sacrifices for me, how can I not reciprocate and do my own adjustments? There were times that I had no idea what to do for him for all the things he does for me." Fluke had a soft look in his eyes as he spoke about his boyfriend.

"But one thing that being in relationship with him had taught me is that little things do matter. Those little things that we might ignore and think that they are not important. Yet, it has the ability to strengthen our relationships, Phi. Haven't you heard-  drop by drop fills the ocean?"