Phana had always been good with words. Whether it was teasing Ming or chatting with friends, his sharp tongue and quick wit were often his weapons of choice. But there was one thing Phana struggled with more than anything: expressing his true feelings. He had no trouble making jokes, but when it came to saying something heartfelt, his usual sassy confidence faltered.
It was one rainy evening when Ming and Phana were curled up on the couch together. The storm outside was so loud that it drowned out the world, leaving them alone in a cozy bubble of warmth. Ming was leaning against the armrest, his head resting on a pillow, while Phana sat next to him, flipping through a magazine. Despite the comfortable silence, Phana could feel the weight of something unsaid between them.
"Ming," Phana began, his voice quieter than usual. Ming didn't respond at first, but when Phana repeated his name, Ming finally turned his attention to him, his gaze softening.
"What's on your mind?" Ming asked, his voice low and patient.
Phana hesitated, fiddling with the corner of the magazine nervously. This wasn't like him—he was the playful one, the one who deflected emotions with jokes. But tonight, something felt different. "I've been thinking a lot lately..." Phana started, then trailed off, unsure how to continue. His usual bravado was nowhere to be found.
Ming's hand moved to gently touch his, offering quiet reassurance. "You know you can tell me anything."
Phana's heart skipped a beat at the warmth in Ming's touch. It was as if the world had quieted down around them, leaving only the beating of his heart in his ears. Finally, after a long pause, Phana blurted out, "I never thought I'd end up here. With you. Married, in this life we're building together."
Ming's eyes softened, and he sat up, closing the distance between them. He cupped Phana's face with his hands, gently brushing away a stray lock of hair. "I never thought so either," Ming said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. "But I wouldn't change it for anything."
Phana's breath caught in his throat as he looked into Ming's eyes. The walls Phana had built around his emotions crumbled in that moment, and for the first time, he allowed himself to admit what he had been feeling all along. "I think I'm falling for you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Ming's lips curled into a soft smile, and he leaned forward to kiss Phana's forehead. "You've been falling for me for a while now," he murmured, and Phana realized he was right. Slowly, in all the little moments they had shared, he had fallen for Ming—not in a rush, but in a way that had snuck up on him.
