TO SHOU WITH LOVE

104 - SERIOUS TALK

Sailub chuckled and glanced around the room. "Why is it just you here? Where are Sammy and Topten?"

"Sam has classes in the afternoon, so they left after rehearsal at three," Thanapon said. "They'll come back later in the evening to continue"

Nodding, Sailub asked again, "Have you discussed it with Pavel?"

"We discussed it a bit this morning. P'Pavel said that if he can't persuade you, he'll step in."

"I ran into him when I came back," Sailub smiled. "I gave him a talking-to. He's genuinely willing to help you with the backup vocals, so you can rest assured. Tomorrow, have a good chat with him about it."

"But I still want to ask you to do the backup vocals," Thanapon looked at him, and when he saw him shaking his head again, he continued, "Sai, tell me your concerns. Are you afraid of having another sudden onset of tinnitus like last time on stage? But now the director is Rose..."

"Alright, alright, alright" Sailub reached out his arms and hugged Thanapon's waist, resting his face on his shoulder.

Without letting him finish, he interrupted, "Let's not talk about work anymore, okay? We've been discussing work all afternoon, and I'm really exhausted..."

His tone was soft, with a hint of coquettishness, an uncommon, slightly vulnerable tone.

Thanapon had never seen him like this before, and corners of his mouth immediately softened with his tone, unable to continue.

Placing his palm on the back of Sailub neck, long fingers massaged it a few times.

"The people you met in the afternoon, difficult?'

"Not really difficult, it's just this band, everyone has very active thoughts, and it's a bit exhausting to discuss with everyone talking at once. I'm so tired that I don't even want to talk..." Sailub's slightly longer hair brushed against Thanapon's neck. "So let's not talk, just hug for a while, alright?"

Thanapon murmured in agreement, one arm wrapped around him while the other went to close the door.

"After a while, sing for me," Sailub said after a moment.

"What do you want to hear?"

""Light Peck," Sailub said. "I want to hear that."

Thanapon smiled and replied, "Okay, then softly song "Light Pack" in his car.

Sailub closed his eyes, listening to Thanapon's deep and clean voice singing this song written for him.

The room gradually grew darker with no lights turned on. They remained embraced in silence, one quietly listening while the other sang.

It wasn't until Topten and Sammy arrived that they separated, and Sailub returned to his own workspace.

Thanapon sighed inwardly as he picked up his guitar to continue rehearsing another missed opportunity to discuss.

But when Sailub mentioned being tired, Thanapon couldn't bear to continue the conversation.

"Let's wait until tonight," Thanapon thought to himself. "We'll have a good chat then."

Yet, they couldn't talk that night either.

As soon as Thanapon mentioned "backup vocals" and before he could continue, Sailub leaned in, his fingers touching Thanapon's waist.

At first, Thanapon tried to hold onto his shoulders, attempting to make him sit still.

But Sailub insisted on leaning closer, whispering temptingly in his ear, "Lie down. Tonight, I'll take the lead."