Child of Fire

From the Ashes [M]

Saint is feeling naughty.  

Not that kind of naughty. 

Naughty in a way that would break that serious and aloof face Nine wears thinking he's being mysterious and shit. But Nine's actually being very transparent that Saint could read his feelings even if Saint had his eyes closed.  

It was a beautiful Sunday morning with clear blue skies. The wind ruffling Saint's hair is cool and carefree. He missed this, the wind, the speed. But it's not the same. There is no rumbling beast between his legs.

"Will you stop that?" Nine complained. "Are you a dog? Sit properly!"

Of course, Saint did not comply and even put his knees on the seat and hanged half his body out of the pick-up truck.

"What the fuck?! Saint!" Nine screeched as he slapped whatever body part he could reach.

Saint cackled loudly, unrepentant, but he settled back down in his seat and put on his seatbelt. Teasing Nine is always fun.

"I swear to god, Saint, I'm going to break your legs one of these days!"

"Hmmm... Saint doesn't like it. Saint is upset because Nine is being mean. Hmp! Hmp! Hmp!" Saint said in perfect imitation of Choi Aera's aegyo voice, lower lip jutting out childishly.

"Oh, god! Not that!" Nine groaned. "See what I have to with, Kay?"

The question was met with silence but Nine didn't look back so Saint turned around to see if Kao was still alive in the backseat. Nine finally decided to call him Kay instead of "NK" (I told you it was a stupid nickname!).

"Are you alright, P'Kao?" Saint asked with an innocent expression.

Kao gave Saint a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine, Nong Saint. I don't know how to respond to Nine's question. Sorry if I was rude. I am still thinking of an answer."

Saint looked at Nine, who was biting his lips and whose eyes had almost disappeared. Saint faced the front and clamped a hand over his mouth. It would probably be rude to giggle but Kao's straitlaced and formal demeanor is the shit. Nine and Saint find it super hilarious. It's not considered laughing behind someone's back if you're in front of the person, right? 

Nine let out a sound that was half a snort and half a laugh. This made Saint shake even harder as he silently laughed behind his mouth. 

"We're here," Nine cleared his throat as he put the vehicle on park.

Saint wiped the tears that escaped his eyes but his smile stayed. He gave the guard a wai before signing his name on the logbook. The guard is already familiar with Saint after the numerous times that he visited.

"Is P'Amaleem in his office?" Saint asked while Nine and Kao wrote down their names.

"Yes, he is and he said to please drop by there first before going to Poon," the guard said.

"Sure, thanks!" Saint smiled and led Nine and Kao through the cluster of structures that made up BKK Boys' Home.

"Sawadee krub, P'Amaleem," Saint greeted as he stepped inside the facility director's office. He introduced Nine and Kao to P'Amaleem and they engaged some small talk. P'Amaleem offered tea but they declined.

"So, I have a favor to ask," P'Amaleem finally got to the point. "I know you will be transferring Poon today. Do you still have space for one more kid? We just got him and a bunch of other kids last night but we're already at full capacity. And I honestly worry about this kid, I think it would be better if he goes with you. I have his papers ready. I'll just change the receiving facility from BKK to H.O.P.E. Is that okay?"