A Portrait Worth a Thousand Memories✅

EP 5 I'm not alone

"Ohoo~ Someone is in a good mood today? Did you have an good dream last night?" Pond asked as he wiggled his eyebrow.

"In fact I did, it was the best dream I had." Pond couldn't help but notice that dreamy smile on Joong's face...as if...

"Are you in love, puuean (friend)?" Pond looked at Joong curiously. He didn't hear of any rumours nor did he see Joong with anyone so he wondered if he was imagining things. 

"Jak bah loh (Are you crazy) I don't even have personal time, maybe in my dreams." Which was literally the truth- he was in love with a man from his dreams. Joong was trying to grapple with that fact. Joong stopped walking when he noticed more portraits of Dunk in the gallery. 

"There's more of him? I though the charity event was over?" Joong asked Pond.

"Phu thought of extending this series since there were many positive responses. It's selling really well so more money for the foundation. Better for the kids in need." He couldn't deny that Dunk was good looking and that people would like portraits of him. He marveled at how well preserved the portraits were. It would have been more than 50 odd years, maybe 55 years?   

Paaw Jack rushed him to his next schedule before he could contemplate further. 

***

He felt someone poking him in the face, waking him up in the process. He heard the sound of surprised from a child.

"FotFot, didn't I tell you not to wake up Khun Chai?" He heard Dunk spoke. It took a while for Joong to realize that he was in his dreams again. He shook the drowsiness away and realized that 3 pairs of eyes were looking at him. There was Dunk with 2 kids on his lap. Dunk was dressed in the exact shirt that he saw in the portrait but he looked extra beautiful in real life. He couldn't help but look at his chest area which was exposed. He gulped as he remembered his previous dream. 

"Why is he looking at you weirdly, P'Dunk?" Fourth asked Dunk innocently that had Joong blushing and Dunk chuckling.

"Khun Chai is not awake yet. Come greet Khun Chai politely." They did as they were told and wai-ed towards him. Joong mirrored back. It took a while for Joong's foggy brain to realize that they were basically kids version of Gemini and Fourth. 

"Why are there kids here?" Joong was confused as he clearly remembered P'Daou saying that Dunk's family had all died in the fire and he was practically a loner.

"I'm not a kid, I'm 13!" Fourth looked at him with defiance that Gemini mirrored. Dunk chuckled before giving both of them a sniff kiss asking them to call the others to eat.  

"I found them on the streets, no one was caring for them so I brought them home. It's time for you to meet the others. You sounded worried that I was alone so I asked the whole gang to come." He was surprised to see Pond, P'Force, and P'Book. Pond gave a nod while P'Force and P'Book greeted him with respect and he began to wonder what status he held in this era. It was stiff and awkward in the  beginning as they didn't know how to act around him until Dunk broke the ice and joked with them as usual. Joong had joined in. That set everyone at ease. 

Joong was surprised when Dunk clasped his hand in gratitude. Dunk wasn't someone who openly show affection especially not in front of others. It was still a taboo in this era. They must be really close for him to do so. Joong had wondered again where these information was coming from.  

"Gu wa leow. (I knew it) I was wondering who was whisking Dunk away most of the time. Now I know it's the infamous Joong Rarchen Veeraphakul. No time for your best friend anymore" Pond fake sulked. The rest had laughed. 

"Wait till Phu come back and I will make sure you eat your words at how lovey dovey the both of you will be." Dunk retorted. 

"Why are you so sure that I'll fall in love with your brother?" Pond had an amused smile. It wasn't the first time Dunk had hinted that he would fall madly and deeply in love with his twin brother. 

"Because I'm your best friend and I know your taste." Dunk wore a confident smile that was almost child like. Joong couldn't help but laugh along with the others. 

"We should go someone to celebrate when Phu, Pointer and Figo comes back. Where should we go? What do you think, Fot? Gem?" It was so like Dunk to include everyone. All of them were cracking their head. 

"To the beach" Fourth and Gem said together. 

"The beach?" Book asked.

"I heard people saying that it's beautiful and the water is endless. It's a lot of fun." The adults seemed intrigued. Joong was confused at their reaction.  

"Can't say anyone of us has been to one." Force said as he looked towards Book, even Pond and Dunk shook their head. 

" We should then. The beach in Hua Hin or Pattaya is beautiful." Joong said and that had Gemini and Fourth clapping.

"Pattaya then. I like the name of Pattaya, Phi." Gemini looked at Dunk hopefully. Dunk nodded while stroking his head. He looked towards the others with his eyebrow raised, wondering if any of them object. All of them agreed. Joong had shared with them what people usually do at the beach. It sparked their interest. All of them spoke of what they dreamed about doing at the beach that had the whole group cheering and laughing. Fourth and Gemini eyes beamed with joy when Dunk agreed to their request. Joong didn't think he had this much fun in ages.  

~Please vote if you like this EP. It drives me forward. Khoorp khun na kha~

Do comment to let me know your thoughts. 😊😊 

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A/N: a lil friends like family moment... so Dunk kinda suddenly became a single dad when he picked Gemini and Fourth off the streets and the whole gang takes care of them. They are like a mismatched family. I fall for this kind of moments somehow ...  

okay... just a lil warning before the next EP... the smut scene for the next EP is a lil more kinky than usual. Just a little bit... so be prepared... if you are not ready for it, u can skip it. I'll let u know where it starts.