SOLD TO THE MAFIA | SAILUBPON

CHAPTER 10

The days after Pon's fever finally broke were slow but steady, he's still sick and weak but..

Sailub had been by his side the entire time, never leaving him alone, and as much as Pon appreciated it, he could feel the shift in Sailub's behavior, he's been much protective these days after Pon got hospitalized.

It was subtle at first a hand lingering on his shoulder a little longer than usual, a worried frown whenever Pon even slightly shifted in his sleep but it became more apparent with each passing day.

Sailub was becoming more protective, more possessive. And though Pon understood it was because Sailub cared deeply for him, a part of him began to feel a little suffocated by it.

It was late in the afternoon when Sailub finally allowed Pon to leave the confines of the mansion.

The doctors had given the green light for Pon to get some fresh air, and Sailub insisted on taking him for a walk outside.

Pon tried to argue that he was fine, that he could walk on his own, but Sailub wouldn't hear any of it and was much more stubborn.

"Pon," Sailub said firmly, his voice low but filled with an almost frantic edge. "You're still recovering. I'm not letting you out of my sight. Not for a second."

Pon smiled weakly, not knowing whether to be touched or slightly irritated by the overprotectiveness but in the end he was happy that Sailub was overprotective. "Sai, I'm fine. Really, I am."

Sailub's eyes darkened with that familiar intensity Pon had seen before. "You may feel fine, but you're still weak. You're not running off anywhere, and I'm not going to let you out of my reach."

Pon knew he couldn't argue with him, not when Sailub had that look in his eyes. So he let Sailub guide him through the garden, one hand firmly on his back as they walked through the quiet, serene grounds of the mansion.

Pon felt a small sense of peace settle over him as they strolled, his hand resting on Sailub's arm as they walked side by side.

But even with the peaceful surroundings, Pon couldn't shake the feeling that Sailub was more on edge than usual. His grip on Pon's arm never loosened.

Every time Pon tried to step ahead, Sailub's hand would subtly pull him back, keeping him close by him with a protective aura around them.

"Stop babying me, Sai," Pon teased Sailub while giggling, though the words were more affectionate than annoyed. "I can walk by myself, you know.. hm?" Pon said again while reassuring Sailub.

Sailub didn't smile, but his gaze softened slightly. "I know you can, but I don't care. I'm not taking any chances. Not with you, you're still weak my love and i don't want to be responsible because you got hurt.."

Pon looked up at him, seeing the raw sincerity in Sailub's eyes. He didn't push it further.

Sailub was trying to protect him, but there was something else there too something deeper that Pon couldn't ignore.

As much as he understood the reasons behind Sailub's actions, he couldn't help but wonder if it was something else that Sailub was holding back.

Sailub's possessiveness wasn't just a reaction to Pon's illness. It felt like something more. Like Sailub was afraid to lose him, really afraid just getting a bruise will make Sailub panic.

When they returned to the mansion, Sailub insisted on helping Pon to the couch, almost as if he feared Pon would collapse at any moment.

"You need to rest," he muttered, his voice soft but laced with a kind of desperation that Pon wasn't used to hearing from him.

Pon leaned back into the couch, watching Sailub's every move. He could see the tightness in his shoulders, the way his eyes constantly darted over to Pon as if making sure he was still breathing.

Pon hadn't missed the way Sailub's expression shifted when Pon had been sick, the quiet fear in his eyes that had never quite left, even now.

Sailub, for all his cool, calculated demeanor, had become consumed with the need to protect Pon. To keep him safe from everything physically and emotionally.

And while Pon appreciated the concern, part of him felt like he was being treated like glass.

"Are you okay?" Pon asked softly, his voice breaking the silence between them both feeling concerned and nervous.

Sailub froze for a moment, looking over at Pon with a blank expression that didn't fool him for a second. Sailub's jaw clenched, and for a moment, he didn't respond. Then, he nodded, but it wasn't convincing.

"I'm fine, my baby. I'm just tired." Sailub said quietly, but Pon saw the way his hands fidgeted. He was lying. There was more to it than Sailub was letting on.

Pon sat up a little straighter, concern flickering in his chest. "Sai... what's really going on? You've been different lately. You're so... protective of me. You're scaring me, you know?"

Sailub's gaze darkened at the word 'scaring,' and he immediately closed the distance between them.

His hand cupped Pon's cheek, lifting his face so their eyes met. "I don't want you to be scared, Pon," he whispered, his voice low and tender. "I just don't want to lose you."

Pon's breath caught in his throat, the weight of Sailub's confession settling between them.

His heart skipped a beat as he saw the vulnerability in Sailub's eyes a side of him he hadn't seen so clearly before.

The walls Sailub built around himself were slipping, and Pon could feel the raw emotion beneath it all.

"Lose me?" Pon whispered, his fingers lightly brushing against Sailub's hand that still rested on his cheek. "You won't lose me, Sai. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, I'm never gonna leave you okay? I love you a lot.."

Sailub's eyes softened, but there was still that edge to his gaze. "I know you say that, but it doesn't stop the fear. I've seen too many things, Pon. I've seen too many people get close to me only to leave, disappear, or worse.. I've experienced someone I love leave me.. I can't afford to lose you too.. someone I love."

Pon's heart sank, the weight of Sailub's past hitting him hard. He understood the depth of Sailub's fear, the way it clung to him like a second skin.

Sailub's world wasn't safe. It wasn't gentle. People came and went, and sometimes it was easier to push them away before they had a chance to hurt you.

"I'm not like them, Sailub," Pon said softly, his voice full of sincerity. "I'm not going anywhere. You're not going to lose me. Not unless you push me away."

Sailub's grip tightened, his eyes scanning Pon's face as if searching for any signs that Pon was lying, but there was nothing. Pon was being genuine he was committed, and Sailub could feel it.

"I'm not going to push you away," Sailub murmured, his voice breaking slightly. "But I will protect you. No matter what."

Pon smiled, reaching up to pull Sailub's hand down to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the palm. "I don't need you to protect me from everything, Sai. I just need you to trust me. Trust that I'm not going anywhere, no matter what happens."

Sailub's expression softened, and he leaned in, pressing his forehead against Pon's. "I trust you. But my love for you runs deeper than anything else. And I will fight for you. Always."

Pon's heart fluttered, warmth spreading through him at the weight of Sailub's words. He had never seen Sailub so open, so raw, and it made him feel something he hadn't expected a deep, undeniable connection that went beyond the boundaries of their complicated world.

"I'll fight for you too, Sai, I'll stay with you.. I promise.." Pon whispered back, his voice full of warmth and affection. "We're in this together. Always."

Sailub kissed the top of Pon's head, holding him tightly as if he never wanted to let go. "Together," he whispered, the weight of his promise heavy in the air.

And for the first time in a long while, Pon felt completely and utterly safe, knowing that Sailub was there protecting him, loving him, and never letting him go..