KIMCHAY TALES: BITTERSWEET EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 22

"Love changes us. It causes us to do things we wouldn't normally do."

—

"P'Big?! What happened to your face?" Chay exclaimed as he stared at Big flabbergasted. When Big entered the employee's common room, he was covered with dark purple bruises. His lips are bleeding and have one prominent black eye on his right eye. He groaned in pain as he sat across Chay.

"Wait here. I'll get the aid kit." Chay said and left to grab the aid kit. When he got back, he sat beside Big and examined his wounds. Chay winced as if he could feel the pain that Big was going through.

Big clucked his tongue, "Don't bother. I'll be fine." he grunted.

Chay sighed in quiet frustration, "No, it's not fine. You might get an infection." he said and started taking care of Big's wounds.

"I am not Khun Kim for you to take care of. Stop treating me like him." Big said grumpily. He kept wincing as Chay dressed his wounds and yelped out in pain as Chay pressed at the wound. "Ouch! What's that for?" he complained. He swore he could punch him right there and then.

"You don't have to be Khun Kim or anyone else to be taken care of, P'Big. You are wounded. It could have gotten worse if not treated." Chay reprimand. "What happened to you? You were fine a while ago."

Big clucked his tongue again, "I finally got it into the Beast's nerves." he answered.

Chay stopped. The Beast? He stared at Big with eyebrows furrowed, "Khun Kim did this to you? Why?" he asked curiously.

"I deserve it. I've been doing some things that Khun Kim doesn't like. Also, he is in a bad mood anyway." he said. He grunted again in pain.

Silently, Chay stood and grabbed some ice packs for Big. He is processing the words that Big said. He knows that Kim was a bit violent, but he never thought he could beat the shit out of Big's face. What did Big do to make Kim so mad?

Chay was fumbling with the aid kit's contents as he stared out into nothingness, his mind in deep thought. Big noticed it and scoffed which caught Chay's attention, "Don't worry. I don't think Khun Kim will do this to you." he said and looked directly at Chay, "Like ever." he added.

Chay suddenly felt nervous from Big's suspicious gaze. He gulped timidly, "What do you mean, Phi?" he asked in a small voice.

Big rolled his eyes, "Don't make me stupid, Porchay. I'm not blind. I know what I saw earlier." he said. Chay shook his head and was about to defend himself when Big spoke again, "Don't you dare deny it or I'll be the one to punch you in the face." he said that made Chay flinch. Chay played at the end of his shirt. He was speechless. "Is there something between you and Khun Kim?"

Chay instantly shook his head, "No! There's nothing between us!" he defended. He can feel his cheeks suddenly heated up. He avoided Big's doubtful stare.

"The truth, Porchay," Big said demandingly.

Chay looked directly at Big, "It is the truth, P'Big. There's nothing between me and Khun Kim." he said. He looked down at his hands which were trembling anxiously, "What happened earlier... It was a mistake... I mean, nothing really happened..." he mumbled.

Big raised an eyebrow, "Huh, really?" he said. He grunted as he sat straight. The pain is slowly subsiding, but it is still there. "You know what? I don't care." he dismissively said. He stood and tossed the ice pack on Chay's lap making the poor lad whine, "Whatever it is, you better stop before things get worse." he said and turned to leave but stopped when Chay spoke.

"Is it bad?" Chay asked in a soft tone. When Big turned to look at him, Chay already had his eyes on him. His doe eyes were begging for help. Big rolled his eyes despite the pain his eyes were in. Like he can help in this situation. "I can't control my feelings, you know," he added, almost to a whisper.

Big sighed, "I can't say yes, can't say no either. Maybe you should ask yourself first if the person you like is Khun Kim or Wik that you idolize the most." he said. With that, Big left him alone.

Chay was left bewildered by his own thoughts. Looking back, he felt so stupid closing his eyes. Also, Chay felt quite disappointed by the fact that nothing happened. Was he expecting a kiss? Kiss?! From his boss?! He was extremely ashamed of it. He buried his face in his hands as he remembered. "Stars... Chay, you are so stupid," he muttered to himself.

He tangled his fingers in his hair, slightly pulling it. Deep inside him, he knows there is something more to it. Kim won't act weirdly that way. What if something did happen? What if there's something more? And then what?

—

Chay hasn't got a chance to speak to Kim. Kim is already back to his regular schedule of being Wik. He's been gone for a couple of weeks due to his injuries–though, he didn't disclose it publicly–so the demand for his appearance is high. His gigs and events are left and right. If Kim even managed to come home, he would just have a wink of sleep and then leave again.

Chay is worried about Kim's health. He doesn't know if his sleep is enough. If he's eating well. If he is taking breaks in between work. As much as he is concerned for him, he is at ease knowing Kim is away from the danger of the mafia world. Maybe that's one of the perks of being Wik. There are clips where he is surrounded by bodyguards everywhere he goes. He can probably see a couple of Theerapanyakul bodyguards with Kim, the rest were perhaps provided by his agency.

They barely see each other eye to eye. The only time Chay could look at Kim longer than 5 minutes is when he scrolls through his phone, checking the hashtags and posts that Wik is in. Those were the only updates he could rely on about Kim.

These past few days, Chay had time to think about what Big told him that day. Does he like Kim as he is or does he like Wik that lies within Kim? He thought of it deeply. He can't deny he did like Wik even before he started working. His idol. He was his inspiration. Yet, it all changed when he met Kim. The more he gets to know him, the clearer are things for him. No matter what people call him, Kim is Kim.

Chay sighed as he leaned back to the backrest of the sofa he was sitting on. His heart is heavy once again. He was restless. His heart is restless. He was staring at the latest photo of Wik on his phone. He pouted, "He cut his hair." he mumbled. It is still long as usual, yet he knows it got shorter. Other people won't notice it, but he will.

"You noticed?" a voice spoke beside him that startled him.

Chay screamed and turned. "Khun Kim?! What are you doing here?" he asked, still flabbergasted.

Kim frowned, "Why not? This is my house." he said.

Chay stared at Kim for a moment. Why did he look so surprised to see him? Perhaps, because he hasn't seen him for a while. His heart is racing again, the thing that only Kim could make him feel. He can feel the heat rising up on his cheeks. He gulped down anxiously, "I-I know, Khun K-Kim. W-What I mean is why are you here? D-Didn't you have work?" he stuttered. Damn it. He looks so stupid.

Kim shrugged, "I want to go home, so I escaped from the studio. My producer has been eyeing my work closely, so haven't got a chance to do so." he said then looked at Chay. "Is that excuse okay with you? Stop asking more questions. I am fucking tired. I want to rest." he added, then leaned back on the sofa. Chay could almost feel the tiredness from Kim. He just said a soft "okay" and they sat in silence.

Chay jumped in surprise as Kim suddenly laid his head on his lap. He was about to speak, but Kim shushed him with his eyes closed. Chay remained silent as Kim exhaled a contented sigh and settled on his lap, giving him the rest that he'd been craving for a long time. 

-

all i can say is love does change people. wait, did i say love? :O

- migy <3