FLAMMABLE, A YokTae Story

Homecoming

The sight of the familiar mountain range greeted Longtae as the off-road vehicle wound through the narrow dirt paths leading to Pha Phun Dao village. It had been months since he last set foot in the place he called home, months since he had seen his father and the other villagers. Yet, the serene beauty of the rolling hills and dense green forests made him feel like no time had passed.

Longtae smiled to himself, feeling the cool wind brush against his face. His grandfather had been insistent on flying him to the nearest airport, and now he was behind the wheel of his very own off-road vehicle, packed with goods his grandfather said were for the villagers. Longtae's heart was full of gratitude, not just for the car but for everything his grandfather had done to support him.

But amid the excitement of his return, there was a pang of sadness. He hadn't been able to say a proper goodbye to Yok before leaving. Yok had been called away on a mission, and all Longtae could do was send him a quick text before departing. It wasn't the goodbye he had wanted, and now, as the village came into view, he couldn't shake the longing that gnawed at him.

Still, there was a warmth that spread through him as he saw the familiar sight of the village ahead. The thatched roofs, the wooden stilted homes, the soft plumes of smoke rising from chimneys— it was all exactly as he remembered. As he pulled into the village, the first person to spot him was Chief Phupha, standing tall and vigilant at the edge of the village, as always.

"Longtae! You're finally back!" Chief Phupha called out, a wide smile breaking his usually stoic face.

Longtae grinned, stepping out of the vehicle and immediately feeling the welcome of home. "I've missed everyone so much," he replied as Chief Phupha came over, giving him a hearty pat on the back.

Tian appeared soon after, waving from a distance before hurrying over. "You look good, Longtae! City life must be treating you well," Tian teased, though his eyes were warm with genuine happiness to see his old friend.

Longtae laughed, shrugging. "It's good to be back, though. I've missed this place... and you guys."

Within minutes, word of Longtae's return had spread, and he found himself surrounded by familiar faces and enveloped in the warm embrace of his father. He was pulled into conversations, asked questions, and before he knew it, he was helping out with small village chores as if he had never left. The sense of belonging wrapped around him like a warm blanket, but as the sun dipped lower in the sky, he couldn't help but feel the sharp absence of Yok.

Days passed, and while Longtae busied himself taking pictures of the stunning landscapes and reconnecting with the villagers, there was a lingering worry in his chest. Yok hadn't replied to any of his messages. His phone had been off since the day Longtae arrived, and though Longtae tried to convince himself that it was just because Yok was busy, the silence weighed on him, especially at night.

Longtae found himself lying awake, staring at the ceiling of his childhood home, wondering what Yok was doing, where he was, and why there had been no word. He missed Yok more than he cared to admit, and the ache of it seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

It wasn't until a little over a week into his stay that everything changed.

Longtae was helping some of the villagers carry supplies when a young boy ran up to him, breathless and wide-eyed. "Longtae! Someone's looking for you!" the boy exclaimed.

Longtae furrowed his brow, wiping his hands on his pants. "Who is it?"

"I don't know," the boy replied, clearly confused. "He's... a tough-looking guy. Chief Phupha and Tian are wondering if you've gotten yourself into some trouble."

Longtae felt a jolt of curiosity and concern, quickly following the boy toward the edge of the village where Phupha and Tian stood, their eyes sharp and suspicious as they looked toward the intruder.

As Longtae approached, his heart skipped a beat.

There, standing at the entrance of the village, was Yok. He looked every bit the tough, rebellious figure he usually was, with his mountain climbing backpack slung over his shoulder, his tattoos fully on display thanks to the muscle shirt he wore. His skin glistened with sweat from the long trek, but his eyes—those eyes—lit up the moment they landed on Longtae.

Without thinking, Longtae broke into a run, his heart leaping in his chest. He didn't care that everyone in the village was watching, didn't care that Yok looked like someone who had just walked out of a street brawl. He only cared about the man standing in front of him, the man he had missed more than words could say.

Yok's smile was bright as he opened his arms, catching Longtae in a tight embrace as they collided. Longtae wrapped his arms around Yok's neck, burying his face in his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him, mixed with sweat and the earthiness of the mountains. For a long moment, they simply held each other, oblivious to the stunned silence of the villagers around them.

"I missed you," Longtae whispered, his voice muffled against Yok's skin.

"I missed you too," Yok replied, his voice equally soft, though there was a teasing lilt to it. "Sorry for not replying. The mission took longer than expected."

Longtae pulled back just enough to look up at Yok, his hands still gripping his shirt. "You could've at least sent a message."

Yok chuckled, leaning down to press a kiss to Longtae's forehead. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

But before Longtae could respond, he heard someone clear their throat behind him. He turned to see his father, the village chief, along with Chief Phupha and Tian, all standing there with crossed arms and suspicious expressions.

Longtae's father narrowed his eyes at Yok. "And who might this be?"

Longtae glanced back at Yok, whose grin had faded slightly under the scrutiny. But before any awkwardness could settle in, Longtae straightened up, still holding Yok's hand. "Dad, this is Yok... my boyfriend."

The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, it seemed like the entire village held its breath. Then, Chief Phupha gave a low, thoughtful hum, while Tian's eyes widened slightly. Longtae's father, however, looked far from convinced.

"A boyfriend, huh?" he said, eyeing Yok up and down.

Yok gave a small, respectful bow. "I understand I might look a bit... rough, but I'm here for Longtae. I care about him a lot."

The chief raised an eyebrow but said nothing. It was clear from the tension in the air that Yok would have a lot to prove before earning the villagers' trust. For now, however, they begrudgingly accepted his presence—if only because of Longtae.

As the villagers slowly dispersed, still casting curious glances toward Yok, Longtae turned to Yok with a soft smile. "Well, that went better than expected," he said, squeezing Yok's hand.

Yok smirked. "I guess I'll just have to charm them, won't I?"

Longtae laughed, leaning into Yok's side as they began to walk together through the village. "Good luck with that."