First Or Last

CH.05

- I did not proof read so I apologise for any mistakes -

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4 months into their relationship.

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Mut strolled through the bustling farmers' market, eyes scanning the vibrant array of fruits and vegetables. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers. He reached out to pluck a ripe tomato from a stand, feeling the weight of it in his hand, before deciding against it. His thoughts were elsewhere.

The chime of a bell from a nearby bicycle grew closer, and a young woman with a wide smile approached him. She stopped her bike and leaned against the handlebars, catching her breath. "Hey, Mut! Long time no see," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Mut recognized her as a friend from his old gym, someone he hadn't seen in months.

They exchanged pleasantries, and she began to talk about her new job at the local art gallery. Mut nodded along, trying to listen intently despite the distraction. His gaze kept drifting back to the café at the market's edge, where Tongrak was waiting for him. It was their favorite spot to grab a cup of coffee before heading home.

Tongrak sat at their usual table, sipping an iced coffee, his eyes glued to the screen of his phone. He looked up as Mut approached, his expression unreadable. "You're late," he said, not looking up from his phone.

Mut felt a twinge of guilt. "I'm sorry," he began, "I just ran into an old friend..." But Tongrak's gaze had shifted past him, and Mut followed it to the young woman who was now walking away. The way she had touched his arm lingered in the air, a silent note of tension between them.

"Was she hitting on you?" Tongrak's voice was tight, his grip on the phone a little too firm.

Mut sat down, placing his hand gently on Tongrak's. "It was nothing, just catching up. She didn't even know I had someone."

Tongrak took a deep breath, his eyes still fixed on the retreating figure. "It just... it just seems like everyone is flirting with you these days," he said, the unspoken accusation hanging there.

Mut's heart sank. He had noticed Tongrak's growing insecurity but had hoped it was just a phase. "I'm with you," he said softly, trying to reassure him. "You know that."

The tension grew palpable as they sat in silence, the noise of the market a stark contrast to the quiet turmoil at their table. Mut wished he could take back the moment, wished he had arrived sooner, or that the girl had never approached. He reached out to Tongrak, his hand trembling slightly. "Let's talk about it," he suggested, hoping to bridge the gap.

Tongrak's phone buzzed, snapping him out of his trance. He picked it up, and his expression softened as he read the message. "It's my sister," he said, his voice a little less strained. "She's in town for the weekend. Maybe we should invite her over?"

Mut nodded eagerly, grasping at the opportunity to change the subject. "That's a great idea. She'll love our place."

The rest of the afternoon was spent in a forced cheerfulness as they finished their coffee and started walking home, hand in hand. But the shadow of doubt lingered, a subtle tightness in Tongrak's grip that hadn't been there before. As they approached their apartment, Mut couldn't help but wonder if this was the beginning of something bigger, a storm cloud on the horizon of their relationship that would only grow darker with time.

Once inside, Tongrak's mood didn't improve. He retreated to the bedroom, leaving Mut to prepare dinner alone. The sound of his footsteps on the hardwood floor echoed through the apartment, a reminder of the unspoken tension. Mut chopped vegetables with more force than necessary, the knife slicing through the air in a rhythm that matched his racing thoughts. What if Tongrak didn't trust him? What if he was pushing him away?

As he set the table, Mut made a decision. He couldn't let this fester. He had to talk to Tongrak, had to reassure him that his love was unwavering. He took a deep breath and knocked softly on the bedroom door. "Can we talk?" he called out.

Tongrak's footsteps paused before the door opened. His eyes searched Mut's, looking for something - an apology, a promise, a sign that everything was going to be okay. Mut stepped in, closing the door behind him. "I love you," he said simply, "and I'm not going anywhere."

The room was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the city outside their window. Tongrak looked down, then back up at Mut, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I love you too," he murmured, "I just... I don't want to lose you."

Mut wrapped his arms around Tongrak, holding him tight. "You won't," he whispered. "You never will."

Their embrace was a silent promise, a vow to face whatever the future held together. As they stood there, the weight of the moment pressing down on them, Mut knew that their relationship was about to be tested. He just hoped they would come out stronger on the other side.

They sat on the bed, their bodies still intertwined, and talked. Mut listened to Tongrak's fears and insecurities, the words tumbling out in a rush as if they had been bottled up for too long. He spoke of past relationships where trust had been shattered, of feeling like he was never enough. Mut felt a stab of pain in his chest, realizing just how much his actions had hurt the man he loved.

He held Tongrak's hand and spoke calmly, "I understand your fears, but I need you to understand something. I chose you. Every day, I choose to be with you. I love every part of you, even the parts that are scared and jealous."

Tongrak sniffed, his eyes never leaving Mut's. "But what if..."

Mut silenced him with a gentle kiss. "No 'buts'. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

The tension in the room began to dissolve like sugar in tea, the sweetness of their love seeping back into the cracks. They kissed again, this time with a fierce passion that seemed to banish the shadows of doubt. It was a kiss filled with the promise of forever, a declaration that no matter what the world threw at them, they would face it as one.

As the sun began to set, casting warm hues across the room, they lay down together, their hearts beating in sync. Tongrak's head rested on Mut's chest, the steady rhythm lulling him into a sense of peace. They had weathered the storm, for now, and the sweetness of their love washed over them like a gentle rain.

But the outside world didn't just disappear. The girl at the market was a stark reminder that life didn't always follow the neat script they had written for themselves. Mut knew that they would face challenges, that there would be moments of doubt and fear. But as he stroked Tongrak's hair, feeling the warmth of his breath against his skin, he also knew that they had something that could overcome it all: their unshakeable bond.

And so, they made a pact that evening, whispered into the twilight. They would communicate openly, share their fears and insecurities, and support each other through the highs and lows. It was a simple promise, but one that held the weight of their entire world.

The next day, they invited Tongrak's sister over for dinner. The three of them sat around the table, sharing stories and laughter, the air thick with the aroma of home-cooked food and the warmth of their love. It was a night filled with the kind of sweetness that could only come from a love that had been tested and found to be true.

As they cleared the dishes, Tongrak looked up at Mut, his eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you," he mouthed, the words unnecessary but heartfelt all the same. Mut smiled back, knowing that their love was stronger than any storm, ready to face whatever tomorrow brought.

[I do hope everyone likes this story, It took me a little while to do this chapter but I do hope it's okay. I'm going to make this the last chapter, sorry. Bye.]

< MIGHT BE A SPECIAL, JUST WAIT AND SEE  >