Phana had always been the center of attention wherever he went. His sassy personality, paired with a boyish charm, made it nearly impossible for anyone to resist him. Ming had learned early on that Phana wasn't trying to draw people in; it just came naturally to him. Most days, Ming found it endearing. Tonight, however, was not one of those days.
It was a lively party hosted by one of their mutual friends, and the room was buzzing with laughter, music, and chatter. Ming had initially stayed close to Phana, his hand resting lightly on the small of his husband's back—a subtle but clear message to anyone watching. Phana, however, had drifted into a conversation with a group of people who seemed particularly enraptured by his animated storytelling.
One person in particular—a tall, overly confident guy with a smirk that grated on Ming's nerves—had positioned himself a little too close to Phana for comfort. As Ming observed from a distance, he couldn't help but notice the way the guy's eyes lingered on Phana's lips every time he spoke, or how he leaned in just a bit too much under the guise of hearing him better.
Ming's fingers tightened around the glass in his hand, his jaw clenching as jealousy bubbled to the surface. Phana, completely oblivious, laughed at something the guy said, his hand briefly brushing the guy's arm. That was the final straw.
Ming set his drink down on the nearest table with a little too much force, the sound barely audible over the music. He strode across the room with a deliberate, almost predatory grace, his eyes locked on Phana like a hawk zeroing in on its prey.
"Phana," Ming called out, his voice calm but with an edge that only those who knew him well would recognize. Phana turned, his face lighting up when he saw Ming approaching.
"Ming! I was just telling them about—"
Ming didn't let him finish. His hand slid around Phana's waist, pulling him flush against his side. The possessive gesture was subtle to most, but to the guy who had been inching closer all evening, it was a loud and clear warning.
"Sorry to interrupt," Ming said smoothly, his voice polite but his eyes cold as they met the other guy's. "I just realized I haven't spent nearly enough time with my husband tonight." The emphasis on "husband" was unmistakable.
Phana blinked, glancing between Ming and the now-awkward admirer, a flicker of realization crossing his face. "Oh! Right. Everyone, this is Ming, my... um, my Husband."
Ming's lips twitched at the way Phana stumbled over his words, but his gaze never left the other man. He extended a hand for a handshake, his grip firm and just a touch too long. "It's nice to meet you," Ming said, his tone polite but with a chill that made it clear he wasn't interested in small talk.
The guy quickly excused himself, mumbling something about needing a drink. Ming watched him retreat before turning his attention back to Phana, his expression softening slightly.
"What was that about?" Phana asked, his tone teasing but with a hint of curiosity.
Ming raised an eyebrow. "What was what about?"
Phana smirked, leaning into Ming's side. "Don't think I didn't notice, Mr. Cool and Composed. You practically scared him off."
Ming's hand moved from Phana's waist to cup his cheek, his thumb brushing over his skin with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his earlier intensity. "Good," Ming murmured, his voice low and possessive. "Because no one gets to look at you like that. You're mine."
Phana's cheeks flushed, but he couldn't resist teasing. "Yours, huh? Didn't realize you were the jealous type."
Ming leaned in, his forehead resting against Phana's. "Only when it comes to you," he whispered. "I don't like sharing what's mine, Phana. Not even a little."
Phana's heart fluttered at the raw emotion in Ming's voice. He wrapped his arms around Ming's neck, a soft smile playing on his lips. "You're lucky I like it when you're possessive," he teased.
Ming chuckled, pressing a gentle kiss to Phana's forehead before pulling him closer. "I'm lucky because I have you," he said simply, his voice filled with quiet conviction.
For the rest of the evening, Ming stayed by Phana's side, his arm never straying far from his husband. The message was clear: Phana was his, and Ming wasn't afraid to remind the world of it.
