Autumn is a second spring

159. Parents

Fluke stared at Ohm like he had finally lost his mind.

"P' Ohm," he said slowly, "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you out of your head?"

Ohm was laughing. Not softly, not quietly—but full-bodied laughter, shoulders shaking, breath hitching like he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

He stopped abruptly and looked at Fluke with innocent eyes. "No."

Then, tilting his head, he added lightly, "It might just be nerves. You know—meeting my in-laws for the first time after marriage."

Fluke froze.

The word marriage hung in the air like a loaded weapon.

His parents were coming to the country for Earth and Kao's wedding. They were coming over earlier so that they could meet with the Dechaphatthanakuns to finalize the details of the    They were Earth's family after all. 

But what they didn't know was that their eldest son had also gotten married, that too in private, with the same guy with whom he had allegedly broken up. 

The realization instantly terrified Fluke. He had no idea how his family would be reacting if they got to know that he had entered a contract marriage. 

But he knew one thing and that was that things would blow up if they found out about it and he might not be able to control the impending impact. He had to stop Ohm.

"You are not—" Fluke said carefully. He turned halfway in Ohm's arms. "—not going to do anything."

Ohm felt it immediately. The way Fluke's body went rigid. The sharp inhale. The tension spreading through him like a pulled wire.

Both of Ohm's arms were still wrapped around Fluke's waist from behind, his chin resting lazily near Fluke's shoulder. He couldn't see Fluke's face, but he didn't need to. He knew exactly how worked up Fluke was getting.

And, disturbingly, that was exactly what he wanted.

Ohm gasped dramatically. "Wait. Don't tell me—" He leaned closer. "You haven't told your family?"

He knew that Fluke wouldn't have and that was exactly the fact that he was going to use.

Fluke sucked in a breath.

"P' Ohm."

"How could you?" Ohm pressed on, voice laced with exaggerated disbelief. "What are we going to do when your dad sees my name on our children's birth certificates and has another stroke?"

"P' Ohm!" Fluke snapped, warning sharp and desperate.

Ohm chuckled. "Relax, babe. I am kidding."

Fluke pressed his lips together, fighting to steady himself. "Just—give me a few more days, Phi," he said, voice tight. "After Earth and P' Kao's wedding. I promise I will tell them. About the marriage. About everything."

He didn't want his parents, especially his dad to get upset at the news of his and Ohm's marriage and it would not attend Kao and Earth's wedding. He was willing to beg to Ohm if he had to. But he had to keep things under wrap for the time being and find the right timing to tell the truth.

Ohm hummed, pretending to consider it.

"A few days," he repeated thoughtfully. "I don't know. I might accidentally let it slip."

Fluke shut his eyes, jaw clenched.

"What we agreed on," Fluke said carefully, "was equal parenting rights on the babies. That was the deal. I am not backing out. By the time the babies are born, my parents will know. Arrangements will be made. Everything will be done according to our agreement. You don't need to worry."