The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the lamp casting long shadows across the walls. The air held a quiet stillness, interrupted only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the rhythmic sound of Phana's pacing. His socks made soft shuffling noises against the hardwood floor as he walked back and forth, chewing on his bottom lip.
Phana had been restless all evening. His mind raced with thoughts he'd been bottling up for weeks, and now, standing in the room he shared with Ming, he felt the weight of them pressing against his chest like a boulder.
He paused in front of the couch, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his oversized hoodie—Ming's hoodie, soft and faintly smelling of his cologne. Wearing it was meant to comfort him, but right now, it only reminded him of the butterflies fluttering wildly in his stomach.
"Phana?"
Ming's deep voice startled him out of his thoughts. Phana spun around to see Ming standing at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and a concerned look on his face. Dressed in sweatpants and a fitted black T-shirt, Ming exuded his usual calm confidence, but there was a flicker of worry in his dark eyes.
"What's going on?" Ming asked, his voice gentle as he stepped closer. "You've been pacing for twenty minutes. Did something happen?"
Phana swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. He opened his mouth to speak but found his words tangled in a knot of nerves. His cheeks flushed a deep pink, and he averted his gaze, staring at the floor instead of Ming's face.
"Phana," Ming said again, his tone soft but insistent. He closed the distance between them, his fingers brushing against Phana's arm. "Talk to me. You're scaring me a little."
That did it. Phana couldn't bear the thought of Ming being worried because of him. He took a deep breath, his eyes darting up to meet Ming's. "I— I need to tell you something," he blurted out.
Ming's eyebrows knitted together, his concern deepening. "Okay," he said cautiously. "I'm listening."
Phana's fingers tightened on the hoodie's hem, twisting the fabric as he tried to steady his racing heart. "I've been thinking a lot about us," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "And I realized... I mean, I've always known, but I didn't know how to say it, and now it's all stuck in my head, and I just—"
"Phana." Ming's voice cut through his rambling, steady and grounding. He reached out and cupped Phana's cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against his skin. "Breathe. Whatever it is, just say it."
Phana closed his eyes, leaning into Ming's touch for a moment before opening them again. His voice was barely above a whisper when he spoke. "I love you, Ming."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Phana felt his chest tighten, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Ming could hear it. "I know we started this as something arranged, and it was weird, and I didn't think I'd feel this way. But I do. I love you, and it's terrifying because I don't know if you feel the same, and—"
Ming didn't let him finish.
In one smooth motion, Ming pulled Phana closer, his other hand sliding around his waist as he leaned in. Their lips met in a kiss that was soft and slow, filled with all the unspoken words Ming hadn't said yet.
Phana's eyes fluttered shut as he melted into the kiss, his hands reaching up to clutch the front of Ming's shirt. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of Ming's embrace and the electric spark of their lips meeting.
When they finally broke apart, Ming rested his forehead against Phana's, his lips curling into a small, tender smile. "You talk too much," he murmured, his breath warm against Phana's cheek.
Phana let out a breathless laugh, his cheeks still flushed. "I was trying to be serious."
"I know," Ming replied, his voice soft. He pulled back just enough to look into Phana's eyes, his expression serious now. "And I need you to know something, too."
Phana tilted his head, his heart still racing.
"I love you, Phana," Ming said simply, his voice steady and sincere. "Not because of any arrangement, not because of anything our families wanted. I love you because you're you. The sassy, playful, infuriating person who makes my life better every single day."
Phana felt his eyes sting with tears, but he quickly blinked them away, a wide grin breaking across his face. "You're such a sap," he teased, though his voice was thick with emotion.
"Only for you," Ming said, leaning in to press another kiss to Phana's lips.
This time, Phana kissed back with all the pent-up emotions he'd been carrying, his arms winding around Ming's neck. It was messy and heartfelt, filled with the promise of something real and enduring.
When they finally pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Phana rested his head against Ming's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Well," Phana said, his voice muffled against Ming's shirt. "That went better than I expected."
Ming chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Phana's head. "Always expect the best with me, Phana."
And for the first time in a long time, Phana felt the weight in his chest lift, replaced by the warmth of love he knew was returned.
