Autumn is a second spring

95. Visit

The players, drenched in sweat and visibly fatigued, exchanged relieved smiles as they began to disperse. 

Prem jogged to the bleachers, grabbing a bottle of water from the assistant. As the cool liquid trickled down his throat, he wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead.

Chris, standing a few feet away, nudged him and nodded toward the far end of the training hall.

"Look," Chris said in a low voice, his tone hinting at something unusual.

Prem followed Chris's gaze and froze when he saw Boun standing there, looking out of place yet commanding his full attention. His heart skipped a beat, and his mind raced. 

Boun never showed up without a reason. Something must have happened.

With a quick glance at his teammates, Prem made an excuse to sneak away. 

Chris, perceptive as always, offered him a small nod of understanding. Without a word, Chris subtly drew the rest of the team toward the other exit, distracting them with casual banter.

Prem reached Boun, his breath uneven. "What are you doing here, Hia?" he asked in a whisper. "Why didn't you call me first?"

Before he could say more, Boun stepped forward and wrapped him in a firm hug. The suddenness of it startled Prem. 

Boun wasn't usually this forward in public, especially given that no one but Chris knew about their relationship.

"Hia?" Prem murmured, glancing nervously over his shoulder. He was relieved to see that Chris had successfully ushered the team out of sight. He relaxed slightly but frowned as he noticed how tightly Boun clung to him.

"What's wrong, Hia?" Prem asked, concern filling his voice.

Boun's answer came in a soft mutter, his breath warm against Prem's neck. "Fluke is back."

Prem pulled away, his eyes wide. "Fluke? Are you serious?" His tone was a mix of surprise and curiosity. "When? How? Where has he been? What happened?"

Boun's expression remained dark, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a storm of emotions. "He has been in Bangkok for a month now," Boun said, his voice low and tense.

Prem frowned, his excitement giving way to confusion. "A month? Then why hasn't he contacted any of us? How did you find out that he was here?

"He is now working at Sirene as the hospital director," Boun quietly replied. He recounted everything that had happened. 

 "Hospital Director? I can't believe this! Did you guys see him? Did you talk to him, Hia? What did he say?" Prem asked eagerly.

Boun nodded weakly, his lips pressed into a thin line. "P' Kao and I went to see him," he began, his words laced with anger. "We confronted him about everything—why he broke up with Ohm, why he disappeared without a word, and why he has suddenly reappeared. Do you know what he said?"

Prem shook his head, his brows knitted in concern.

"He said he had his reasons and didn't owe anyone an explanation," Boun said bitterly. "He said he is only in Bangkok for work and doesn't plan to get involved with any of us. He said he doesn't want anything to do with us."

Prem's heart sank. This didn't sound like the Fluke he knew. "That doesn't make sense," he said, shaking his head. "Fluke isn't like that. He is not selfish or uncaring. Something must have happened. There has to be a reason."

Boun's eyes blazed with frustration. "Why does everyone keep defending him?" he snapped. "Why can't anyone see what he has done? He left Ohm without a rhyme or reason. And now he is acting like none of us matter to him."

Prem opened his mouth to respond, but Boun wasn't done. "Do you know what else he said?" Boun continued, his voice trembling. "He said he is glad Ohm doesn't remember him. Can you believe that? He is glad!"

Prem's eyes widened in shock. "He said that?"

"Yes!" Boun's voice broke, his fists clenching at his sides. "And do you know what hurts the most? Ohm wouldn't have gotten into that accident if it weren't for Fluke. If Fluke hadn't left him, Ohm wouldn't have been in such a bad place. Fluke broke him, and now he acts like none of it matters."

Boun's anger gave way to despair, his shoulders slumping. "I don't even know if he ever loved Ohm. How could he be so cold? so indifferent?"

Prem placed a comforting hand on Boun's shoulder, trying to steady him. "Hia, I know you are upset, but we don't know the whole story. There might be more to this than we realize."

Boun looked at him with teary eyes. "I just can't understand it, Prem. I can't understand how someone who meant so much to Ohm could hurt him like this. And it scares me."

"Scares you?" Prem asked gently.

Boun nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love you, Prem. But if one day you left me the way Fluke left Ohm, I wouldn't be able to take it. It would destroy me."

Prem's heart ached at the raw vulnerability in Boun's voice. He pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "I love you," he said firmly. "And I am not going anywhere. I promise."

"I love you too," Boun whispered, his voice muffled against Prem's shoulder.

They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of Boun's emotions heavy in the air.

But Boun wasn't finished. "I still don't understand how Fluke can be so calm and unaffected after everything that has happened," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Ohm deserves better than this. He deserves someone who loves him and won't hurt him. I hate Fluke for what he has done to him."

Prem didn't respond immediately. He didn't know what to say. On one hand, he trusted Fluke and believed there was more to the story. On the other hand, he couldn't deny Boun's pain or the truth in his words.

"Maybe we will get answers someday," Prem said finally. "But for now, let's focus on being there for Ohm. He needs us more than ever."

Boun nodded, though the anger in his eyes remained. "You are right," he said. "Ohm comes first."

As they pulled away from each other, Prem glanced toward the exit, where Chris had discreetly waited to ensure no one interrupted them. 

Chris gave a small nod before walking away, his understanding of their relationship unspoken but deeply appreciated.

Prem turned back to Boun, squeezing his hand gently. " Do you want to stay over tonight?," he asked. "It's pretty late and driving back is going to be long."

Boun managed a small, shaky smile. "Can I?"

Prem nodded. "But we need to make arrangements for Bew. He might get scared with neither of us there."

"I will do it. Don't worry." Boun replies. 

As Prem watched Boun making calls, some unsettling feelings started blooming at the bottom of his heart, a feeling of deja vu, as if something bad was about to happen.