Sweetness

Chapter 35

After the visit, they went to buy dinner. The traffic back to Bangkok were jammed. Saturday night fever, people. A song played on the radio. Beam, who stay silent in the car, were surprised when he heard Forth sang along. He listened to the older man's smooth voice.

Wow.

"If one day you want to serenade me, I won't object, P'. Your voice's amazing."

Forth threw a wink at him. "That's how I win my title as Kanthapat's Moon twelve years ago. Not bad, huh?"

It were Beam's turn to smirk. "Oh ho, so you serenade the whole building then?"

"Yup. Worked like a charm." Beam only scoffed at hearing that. "Why, jealous?" Beam clucked his tounge. "As if."

Forth only chuckled at hearing that. "I'm okay if you are, though." Beam only made a duck face at him at hearing that.

They drove around the city before settle to have another take away. This time it were Yo's favourite. Sushi. It's been a long time for Beam since the last time he eat one. Forth also purchase bottles of shochu. Beam knew that man could drink. With his body proportion, his alcohol tolerance were quite high. They brought it all to Forth's apartment since his place were closer.

It were the second time Beam came inside. In the last few weeks, it seemed so little changed since the last time he went in. Forth strode inside and went ahead to the kitchen. He put the liquors inside a bucket full of ice and set in on the table where Beam already unpacked the food. Forth dimmed the light and opened his terrace doors. It's almost fullmoon. This high, Bangkok's night lights glittered like candles.

Beam sat on the floor so he could fully enjoyed the atmosphere. It's nice to do this; something simple. They started to eat their dinner. The sushi were delicious (Forth had to hand it to Yo to know a good sushi place, that kid had good palatte) and the drink were tasty. He saw Beam eyed his cup.

"Want some?" Forth's question intrigue Beam further more. "I never drank one. Was it good?" Forth could only smiled at hearing that. Sometimes he forgot how young Beam really were.

Whenever they went to black tie events, his manner were perfect, like a well groomed young master. Forth slightly remembered how Beam seldomly drank at those events; he usually sticked with orange juice or apple cider. Never touched the liquor at all.

"It was. Tell me, N'Beam. Could you even drink alcoholic beverage? I never saw you drink one when we attended galas."

Beam scoffed at hearing that. "I didn't want to embarrass you or myself by getting drunk at social occasions like that. Beside, I'm working at those event, didn't I? Being your arm candy." Beam ended it with a playful smile.

Forth frowned slightly at hearing that. It's true that Beam were his arm candy. A sugarbaby, if you want to be exact, but he never felt this level of.. attachtment towards his other arm candies. Forth's eyes roamed Beam's face.

He were not the most delicate nor the prettiest but Beam got a sweetness that Forth couldn't resist or escape. Beam were showing him his gentleness. He were attentive and caring, not to mention smart and most importantly, honest. Interacted frequently with snakes in suits, his interactions with Beam were refreshing.

Forth chuckled at himself, made Beam gave away a confused smile towards him. He saw Beam already finished his food so Forth poured a glass of shochu for Beam. "Only a little, okay? If you don't like the taste, don't drink anymore. Liqour better be appreciated by those who understand its taste."

Beam laughed at hearing that.

Didn't spirits taste the same anywhere? He sipped the drink and he were surprised. It tasted slightly sweet. He finished his glass and licked his lips. Yup, it was good. He tapped his glass while smiling at Forth, a sign for refill. Forth filled up Beam's glass. Maybe it's the right time to ask.

"N'Beam, did something happen when I'm not around?"

Hearing those words confused Beam. What did happen? Witnessing Beam's confused expression, Forth tried to elaborate his question.

"Earlier, when you talked to your parents, you asked protection for N'Pha and N'Kit. What's going on that you had to specificly ask?"

Beam licked his dry lips. He knew he already intrigued Forth with those words. But how did he come clean about something like this? That he got harrassed by unknown person?

Forth saw Beam's nervous tick and worried face. So, something indeed happened. Something that worried Beam and definitely stressful. He were surprised when Beam chose to come clean with him.

"I.. I've been.. Harrassed?"

Hearing that instantly boiled Forth's blood. "What do you mean you'd been harrassed?"

Beam bit his lowet lip. He's been doing a good job bottled it up by himself but receiving the broken bear yesterday put a heavy burden on his mind.

"I've recived SMS and letters. You know, one with cruel words made from cut out alphabet? And yesterday.. yesterday a package came. It contained a broken porcelain teddy bear. I stored it away from Kit, complete with everything. I just didn't know what to do with those."

Timidly, Beam glanced at Forth's face which grew colder and tighter with eyed burned with anger.

"Have you make a police report about this?"

Beam sighed slowly, resigned.

"Yes, I had. When the second lettter came, I immediately make one. Maybe it's just a prank. Maybe it's really not. But with no clue what so ever and no physical's harm, the police only could help so much. That's why I chose to keep it with myself. I already did what sane person can do. Now.. now I'm waiting."

If he told Kit and Pha, the reactions might be louder and fiercer. And more reckless. With no particular suspect in mind, he only could put on his guard and stay alert. Those were tiring.

Forth realized what Beam did and told were true. That didn't mean he had to like it. He gave Beam's hair a rough ruffle.

"N'Beam, next time, when something like this happened, don't keep it by yourself. Share it with your bestfriends, share it with me. If you didn't tell us, we couldn't help you. You still had people to lean on, you know."

Beam only nodded his head. They kept drank in silence then. Beam gazing outside, barely able to see the moon. It's tiring being this way. Suddenly his cheeks got wet. Oh, isn't he mellow tonight?

Beam felt something warm on his back. Forth were hugging him; steered his body gently so he could leaned on him for a cuddle. Beam snuggled closer. God, he's tired. Tonight, he allowed those tears to be free.

***

He could felt that he were being wiped down but Beam's eyelids were heavy; so so sleepy. Someone shushed him while gently caressed his hairs. Beam burrowed his head to the soft pillow, it smelled so good. He followed the beckoned of dreamland immediately.