The Nice Guy (Book 1)

Chapter 19

Pete groaned as he tried to sit up. Ae, with sympathy, wiped him down with damp towel. Carefully, he cleaned up all outward traces of what they did together. If you looked closely, you could still tell by Pete's swollen lips and the marks that would darken, over time, making him look like a leopard. 

Ae smiled inwardly. Pete was most definitely his. He'd never left marks on anyone before, never kissed anyone really, never wanted to kiss anyone. It had been purely physical. Pete was special.

"Ae, why are you smiling?" Pete asked, as he stood, pulling up his pants. He groaned again as his sore back complained. He stood there, feeling content but shy. 

"Why do most people smile, Pete? I'm happy, that's why." Ae stood up and hugged him. He had changed into loose shorts and another t-shirt. It was cooler in his hot bedroom, even with the fan going. 

Pete blushed furiously. He knew they had to leave the safety of Ae's room. How was he to face his parents knowing what they just did with a straight face? He couldn't do it. As if by magic, Ae whispered in his ear.

"Pete, stop overthinking. It's not like they were never young before. We only talked. And if we laid down, we took a nap. We're students. We study all the time, we're tired." Ae rocked him and held on tighter. "I'll be beside you the whole time. My family is nice."

Ae's ma yelled just then, "If you're not awake yet, boys, I suggest you get out of that bed now! It'll soon be time to eat!"

Pete started to giggle. "You do know your ma."

Pete felt the shrug, as Ae said, "Told you. Decent? If so, let's go down. You still have to meet my pa and the rest of the clan."

Pete was definitely out of his element here at Ae's dinner table. Ae's ma bustled bringing food, even pushing bowls of food into Pete's and Ae's hands as they passed by. The table was covered with side dishes. In front of each place, already sat a bowl of rice. 

Seated were Pa, No and Nat, who held on to a squirming little Yim. Yim squealed with delight when she spotted Ae, and frantically tried to break free of her mother's arms. 

Ae walked over and picked up his niece and gave her a hug. "Hey, N'Yim, I missed you. Have you been good?"

"Soon to be my birthday. I be three then." Little Yim squealed as she avoided Ae's kisses. Handing her back to Nat, he took the opportunity to quickly introduce Pete to the rest of his family since only Nat had met him earlier.

Oh only nodded, since he was usually very quiet but his Pa said a few words. Nat sighed. "Oh, you should be asking Pete about his skin care routine. Look at his face, he could be an idol! He is simply gorgeous!" 

Ae sighed, "Nat, stop drooling. You're married and have a baby."

"I'm not dead, Ae. I can look and dream, you know." she snapped back. "Besides, look at what I married. He cares more about how cars look than how he looks."

Oh gave a simple smile but said nothing, only raised an eyebrow. Yim giggled and repeated "gorgeous" several times, pointing her finger at Pete. They all laughed when Pete flushed. Ah, how could a two year old even embarrass him!

Finally, his ma brought the last dish and sat down. "So boys, have a good nap?" She sighed, "I worry about you Ae, every time you come home, all you do is sleep." Picking up her chopsticks, she looked around and said, "What are you all waiting for? Let's eat!"

Pete had never had a family style dinner before. It was chaotic but welcoming. The food was delicious and some he'd never tried before. He was urged to eat, Ma saying he was too skinny. Conversation flowed all the time. It was so different than the silent meals, especially when Yim was placed down and allowed to run free.

Yim would stop beside someone and open her mouth and whoever she was beside would pop some food in, and off she'd run. Then, she'd run to someone new, and the process would repeat. That way, every adult would have a chance to eat. Pete was surprised when she tugged at his shirt and said, "Gorgeous!", stood with her mouth open.

Pete took a piece of chicken, popped it in and watched as she flitted off and he smiled. Ae, under the table, took his hand and held it.  For the rest of the meal, Ae never let go. If Ae thought that this was missed, he was wrong.

Oh saw and nodded to Nat, Nat smiled back at Oh. Nat had figured out a few years back that Ae might be gay. They didn't want to out Ae to their parents, but had tested the waters to see how open they were. If Ae came clean, it wouldn't be easy but he would be accepted. More so, if he could prove that it was an equal, loving relationship.

It looked to Oh that Pete loved Ae. Had Ae grown up enough to make a commitment? Oh had known at Ae's age, that Nat was his one and only. Perhaps it was time for a small talk with Ae... 

After dinner, Nat went to put Yim to bed. Yim took to Pete and cried because he wasn't staying to put her down. Pete had to promise to come back. Pete hated making promises he didn't know if he could keep. Ae grabbed his hand and held it. "It's okay, little one. I'll bring him back for your birthday."

"How can you say that, Ae? Your family might not want me here?" Pete whispered.

"I don't have any issue with it." Oh finally spoke for the first time, half scaring Pete. "I'll see you two to your car." He walked them out the door. "Ae, could I have a moment?"

Pete, terrified, of the silent, husky man, hastily agreed and almost ran to the safety of car. Ae felt like hitting Oh. Turning, "Did you have to scare Pete that way?"

"Sorry, I didn't realize he was so skittish. When are you going to tell Ma and Pa you're dating?" Oh never beat around the bush, preferring to save his words.

Ae sighed, knowing he couldn't have hid it from Oh very long. "I wanted to today. Pete wouldn't let me." 

"Then do it without Pete here." Oh patted his shoulder. "Don't wait too long, Ae, or you may loose something very important. See you."

Ae felt a shudder go through his body as he walked to the car. Why did it feel like impending doom?