Love is more than a name ✅

EP 9 getting to know Dunk

"Dunk!" Pond shouted when he saw Dunk flat on the floor trying to get up. 

"Can't even get out of bed to pee.." Dunk laughed at his predicament. He was a god damn vampire, how can he be this weak?! He didn't know why he was still void of strength when all his wounds has healed. Why trick him into believing that he is healed when he isn't? He would rather have the pain accompany him that this false hope. Pond could guess where his thoughts were heading cause Phuwin hated it as much as Dunk to be dependent on others. He didn't like to be an inconvenience to others.  

"This is just temporarily. Let me help you." He carried him in his arms princess style that surprised Dunk and he held on for dear life. Pond couldn't help but laugh. He really isn't used to being dependent on other. Dunk had blushed when he helped him in the toilet. 

"I'm sorry that you are reduced to helping me like this... Eldest Lertratkosum" Dunk said when Pond laid him back in bed.

" Aow, now I'm eldest Lertratkosum? what happen to calling me Pond?" Pond's eyes narrowed at Dunk.  He fed him blood spoon by spoon from the bowl. Dunk had wanted to drink by himself but his hands were still a little shaky and they couldn't waste the blood nor the moonflower dew in it.

"I just needed to remind myself of your status..." Pond shook his head  at Dunk's explanation. 

"Please, we are beyond that right now. You are Phu's brother. My brother-in-law. Forget the title, status and all. I'm here to take care of you on behalf of Phu. I'm your family." Dunk paused when he heard what Pond said. 

"Family..." Dunk muttered under his breath before he started laughing. It sounded hollow to Pond's ears. He was confused by Dunk's reaction until he remembered that his family had abandoned him in the Asoka forest. 

"I'm sorry, Dunk... I didn't mean-" Dunk shook his head.  

"What are you sorry for?  I should be sorry. It's just one of those moments that I have. Sorry to weird you out. Joong would usually remind me when I'm spiraling. I'm sorry you have to witness it." Dunk sighed. Pond stared. 

"Is that why you are this... extreme in your actions?" Pond didn't know how to word it better. He didn't want to admit it but Dunk was practically suicidal in Pond's eyes. P'Jimmy had hinted more than once that he needed to be careful with Dunk's mental health and now he really think he should take it to heart. 

"Maybe? I don't know. It's not just Joong's or nong's death. I've always been like this. Joong changed me along the way I guess but he's gone now..." Dunk had a faraway look. Pond didn't know how to comfort him. 

"I'm not Joong but I like to think that Joong and Phu wouldn't want you to meet them this way." Dunk chuckled at his response. 

"I think so too. I can imagine Joong reprimanding me. I don't think nong would be that far behind. I still remember when we were young, he wanted to know how the moon dew melon taste like. I took the risk of getting it for him but when he saw that I was back with cuts and bruises, he was crying and scolding me at the same time. Took a while for me to calm him down and finally take a bite. I don't remember what it taste like but I do remember how bright he smiled after. Must be sweet I guess." Dunk smiled at the memory. Pond smiled along with him. It spoke of the Phuwin he knew but yet it also spoke of Dunk, the loving brother that Phuwin remembered. He know now, why Phuwin could never let go of his vague memory of Dunk despite how young he was and how long ago it had been. It was the only love he knew before they met. A love so warm and selfless that Phuwin mourned the lost of it for centuries. Pond squeezed Dunk's hands. He'll make sure to protect what Phuwin treasured.  

"So value your life. Joong and Phu may be gone but I'm still here. I'm here for you." Dunk's eyes, which spoke of a person so lost and alone, met Pond's warm determined gaze. 

"Ohoo... is that how you court my nong? Paak waan (sweet/ smooth talker). I can see how nong fell for you. It's okay, Pond. I approve of you long ago, you don't have to prove yourself." Pond chuckled. He knew was a means of distraction but still he fell for it.    

"I'm more than that, Dunk or should I call you P'Dunk?" Pond teased.

"You are at least a few centuries older than me or is it a few milleniums, P'Pond? One can never tell with how vampire ages. So I'm guessing my nong fell for your good looks? warm, caring personality? or is it the strong leadership?" Dunk continued the light jest.

"ohoo... you are observant. Tell me more. How am I good looking?" Pond couldn't help but fish for compliments. 

"Maybe your sharp features... he would probably say you have a tall nose, beautiful eyes and a handsome face. Maybe because of your broad shoulders that he can lean on whenever he wants to? Or is it because of how shameless you are?" Pond couldn't believe how accurate Dunk was at pecking Phuwin, though he had not met Phuwin in centuries. He was uncannily accurate down to his last comment. He wanted to be offended but he truly had him. Dunk was laughing at his comical expression. It was musical to his ears. A genuine hearty laughter from Dunk was priceless. Pond couldn't help but smile.   

***

Elsewhere...

"Sire, Naravit Lertratkosum has not been sighted for over 3 months." Luke reported to Joss. Joss sighed. It was infuriating.  

"He is the eldest for the Lertratkosum clan, he will have to show up at some point. It gives us more time to set the trap." Joss' eyes narrowed as a plan start to form in his head.   

~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: Luckily there's still enough energy in me to update tonight.😅😅 Here we go with the usual 2 EP. A much easier pace for me compared to the last 2 days, though it is still longer than my usual writing🤣🤣

A slight change in the Pond Dunk dynamic, lighter moment. we can't have angst from start to end😅😅