A Portrait Worth a Thousand Memories✅

[Pt2: EP1] The Beginning

(A/N: just to let you know we are moving to the prequel, even though I'm doing it in the same book. So we are now back to the time were World War II was still ongoing. We are starting off with TayNew and how Dunk & Phuwin were born. warning, this is angsty na) 

It was dead in the middle of the night, he made sure that no one followed him before he searched for the keys. He looked once again that no one was outside before he quickly locks it. He quietly opens the door to the bedroom. He smiled at the figure lying in bed before he quietly slid in with him. He laid a quiet kiss on his lips. He couldn't keep the smile away as he chased his lips to deepen his kiss. Even in his sleep, he could recognize his kiss.

"Te?" New asked with his voice groggy from sleep. He didn't even need to open his eyes to know it was him. 

"Hin..." Tay whispered before giving him another peck.

"I'm leaving tomorrow at 7am. Won't you leave with me?" Tay pleaded once more. 

"It will be the talk of the town if I do. You are going with your family, Te. I'll be going with Namtan and Mook at a later time. It's safer for all of us." Tay knew it was a logical move but with the war they were in and danger lurking so close to home, he didn't want New to be out of his sight. New kissed his sigh away but it became more passionate and desperate. Tay's hand slid underneath New's pajamas and had New moaning as he peppered kisses down his throat. New was writhing under Tay's ministration. Their twin moans echoed through the room as Tay sank into New.   

One last night of passion before they part...

***

New couldn't believe the news that he heard when they reached the new town. Their new neighbour, Off had told them that the morning train had blown up. Namtan tried to support New as he collapsed to the ground. He should have followed Tay when he insisted. How was he supposed to live without him? Tears unwillingly rolled down his face. 

Why was fate so cruel to them? 

Namtan cried with him. She had lost Mook when she left with her family without good-bye. Now, Tay had unwillingly left without saying goodbye to New. Nothing had gone according to plan. She could only try to comfort the devastated New to her best ability.    

***

None of them expected what happened that night, they were drowning their sorrow with alcohol. Both of them didn't expect that it would result in a pregnancy. New took great care of her as he remembered how fond Tay was of kids. When a set of twins were born, he chose the names that Tay had mentioned many times when they thought about building a family. He wanted everyone to know how much they love each other. He wanted to shout it out loud on top of the tallest mountain and as far as the wind would carry his words. Since they could never really do it, their children will be a testament of what he really wanted to do- Dunk and Phuwin. It was only right, Namtan agreed. 

The day they were born was the day New felt alive again. It was the first time New had smiled since he learnt of Tay's death and it was to the sight of baby Phuwin gurgling at him. There was nothing short of magical when he felt Dunk's tiny fingers wrap around his pinky. He couldn't describe the feeling within him. He now had two precious lives dependent on him. He swore that he will take good care of them as he laid a kiss on their head, sealing his promise to them. 

Each time he looked into their eyes, he felt that Tay was with him. But the war was relentless. He tried to keep the four of them safe to the best of his abilities. He had learnt to use a gun. He had learnt to fight. But he could no longer deny the calling in his blood when he made his first kill. The soldiers that not only invaded their land but their neighbourhood. They were now too close to their home and they were asking for it. Namtan could see in his eyes, he needed and wanted to avenge Tay. But the moment he looked at Dunk and Phuwin, he pushed those thoughts away. The twins were perceptive though. Their thoughts mature beyond their age.