Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter LXVII - Paths We Take

The streets pulsed with life, bathed in the warm glow of red lanterns swaying overhead. The aroma of grilled seafood, roasted chestnuts, and rich spices drifted from bustling food stalls, mingling with the faint bite of gunpowder from distant firecrackers. Laughter and hurried conversations wove through the steady hum of the crowd, adding to a vibrant excitement growing with each passing moment.

Jay leaned against the wooden column of the food stall, one foot crossed over the other, his posture effortlessly relaxed as he enjoyed tanghulu, its deep red coating catching the glow of the lanterns. Sean stood beside him, loosely holding his free hand as he waited for his snack to be ready – a skewer of mala-grilled pork with fiery Sichuan pepper oil and crushed chilli.

He bit into the next hawthorn slowly, teeth cracking through the sugar shell, while his lips parted just enough for the juice to glisten before his tongue flicked out to catch it. He hummed in appreciation, his gaze lazy and half-lidded as he pulled the skewer back with a slow, deliberate drag.

Sean exhaled, his fingers twitched before tightening around Jay's. "You keep eating like that, and I swear I'm dragging you back to bed."

Jay tilted his head, and without breaking eye contact, the tip of his tongue teased the edge of the next candied fruit. "Hmm? I'm just enjoying my snack. You're the one making it sound indecent."

"Right. And I suppose the way you're sucking that candy off the stick is just... coincidence?"

"Of course," he smiled innocently, then held out the tanghulu towards Sean. "Jealous? I can share."

Sean scoffed, both amused and exasperated. "Yeah... you actually made me jealous of a damn candy. Happy?"

Suddenly, his playful expression shifted into something much softer. "Yes, I am."

Just like before, Jay would swiftly shift the conversation away from something he found uncomfortable, now these moments seemed to settle in. Unguarded and disarmingly honest. It was only a few days, but they had already become Sean's favourite. He smiled faintly and leaned in, pressing a quick, barely noticeable kiss against Jay's lips.

"Sweet."

The stall owner placed the skewer onto a small paper tray and handed it to Sean, wafting a tingling aroma of Sichuan pepper and smouldering chilli oil. The pork was caramelised at the edges and dusted with crushed red pepper and toasted cumin. Wisps of heat curled upwards, announcing that slow-building, electric numbness that would creep across Sean's tongue before the fiery kick settled in.

Sean took a bite, looking incredibly satisfied. "I would share with you, but Phra Ajahn said you can't have anything spicy... even no alcohol on New Year's Eve while we meet friends to celebrate."

"It's still worth it."

Sean swallowed the food, his gaze flicking to Jay's covered forearms before meeting his eyes again. He could imagine that wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt, even made from light, breathable fabric, must have added to his discomfort in this heat. "How's it feeling? Does it bother you a lot?"

Jay shook his head. "Just a bit more than a regular tattoo. Not sure what's in this herbal balm Phra Ajahn gave us, but it's way better than usual aftercare stuff."

"It's probably some ancient trade secret, just like Phra Ajahn."

"Oh?" Jay chuckled teasingly, following him into the crowd. "Not afraid he will make you copy scriptures again?"

Sean glared at him. "Don't let his calm and peaceful expression trick you. He may look old and serene, but he could probably still kick my ass."

"I would love to see it."