Frong POV -
I threw my bag down and groaned in frustration. The doctor was so confusing! One minute, it feels like he likes me then the next he says things like 'We are brothers right'.
Everything was going great. We shared a tent, he helped me find my necklace and we even exchanged numbers.
Is it Duen all over again? Have I got the wrong idea? Is he like this with everyone?
I sighed and rubbed my face before heading for a shower. Hopefully, the hot water can help clear my head.
When I emerged I was still just as confused and frustrated as ever. My phone pinged and I smiled when P'Thara's name flashed on the screen. It instantly turned into a frown as I chided myself.
"He thinks of you like a brother!" I told myself as I reached for the phone.
He'd sent photos from the trip and I hated that it made my heart flutter. His arm around me had felt so good.
'Thank you for going with me. I had a great time.'
Delete!
'It was a great trip. Thank you for finding my father's necklace.''
Delete!
'What would you say if I said that I like you?'
Delete!
'Thank you for sending the pictures.'
The message was instantly read but there was no reply. I groaned again and collapsed on the bed. My head pounded so I decided to try and sleep it off.
---
The next day, my head and heart still ached. At school, I sat staring into space at lunchtime.
"P'Frong!"
I jumped as a smiling Duen sat across the space while his boyfriend scowled behind him.
"You ok P'?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm fine," I forced a smile.
"Really? You sure about that?"
"Yeah, why do you ask?"
"Well, I called your name, like, four times and you didn't answer. It was like you were thinking too hard about something," he looked worried.
"No, it's nothing …" I paused. "Well actually … I wanted to ask you about your cousin."
Duen's smirk made my cheeks heat up but I bit down the butterflies, I needed to know.
"What about him?"
"Well, is he seeing … I mean does he have a …" I couldn't get my words out.
"A lover, you mean?" I nodded. "P' the thing you need to know about my cousin is that he is clueless. He is very smart but not when it comes to that sort of thing."
My heart fell.
"Look, as far as I know, he's not seeing anyone and if you want to be with my cousin, you gotta make it clear to him. Let him know you're interested," he suggested.
I nodded, I knew he was right I just had to take the plunge. If I don't I'll be waiting forever for him to figure it out.
---
The following Saturday, I nervously paced near his bike, outside his hospital. I'd called ahead to find out when he finished his shift. My legs shook as I nervously looked at my watch. P'Thara was half an hour late.
"This is a nice surprise."
I jumped and almost dropped my phone. P'Thara smiled as he approached. My heart skipped at that sweet smile of his.
"P'!" I called. "I was waiting for you."
"Oh? Is everything okay? Is your mother …"
"Oh no! Everything's great, she's great," I reassured him. "She constantly talks about how amazing you were with her … No, I wanted to erm … I mean I was hoping that …"
Again, I couldn't get the words out. It was like all my confidence left me. I'm always nervous when I'm around him. A part of me wished that Bohn was here. I'd be able to act like I was confident to save face in front of him.
"What is it?" P'Thara asked patiently.
"Have you had a long shift? Would you like to have dinner with me?" I rushed out.
"Yeah sure," he agreed. "Can I go home and change first? Shall I meet you?"
I nodded, "Yeah ok, it's a date, I'll text you the address."
Quickly, I rushed off home and changed myself. An hour later I was, once again, nervously waiting for P'Thara. I was wearing my best dark blue shirt and black slacks, I just hoped he liked it.
Every time the door opened, my heart skipped, and then it dropped when it wasn't him. It seemed like he was taking forever to get here.
I was about to call him when the door finally opened and he walked in, looking gorgeous. He had a pale green shirt on that really made him look sexy as sin. My smile widened as he waved at me, but it dropped when he motioned behind him.
At first, I wasn't sure if he wanted me to go somewhere else with him, but then Duen and Bohn walked in. All three came to sit with me. Bohn as usual looked annoyed whilst Duen just smiled just like P'Thara did.
"Sorry I'm late, have you ordered?" P'Thara asked.
I shook my head and he grabbed a menu, oblivious to my annoyance.
"You order, I need the bathroom," I grumbled.
"I'll go too," Bohn called after me.
I was rubbing water on my face when he walked in. Bohn crossed his arms as he leaned against the counter.
"This was supposed to be a date, wasn't it?" he asked.
I sighed and grabbed the counter.
"It doesn't matter," I told him. "Let's get back out there."
"Did you say it was a date?"
"Of course, I did, he must not have heard," I grumbled before moving around him.
I'd never wanted a meal to end as badly as I did then. When it finally did, I bid my goodbyes and left.
"Wait!" P'Thara called out. "Is everything okay?"
"You've been quiet, I mean you don't speak much but you were quieter than normal," he told me and I wanted to scream.
"So you notice that but nothing else," I muttered before taking a deep breath. "P', did you know what this was supposed to be?"
As he stared, I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.
"Why did you invite Duen and Bohn?" I asked.
"Well, I thought you would want them to be with us. I know you are sweet on Duen and you don't know me that well," he shrugged.
"I don't want Duen, at least not anymore," I demanded. "I want you!"
His wide eyes told me he hadn't been expecting that.
"I like you, and this was supposed to be a date. I asked you on a date," I started. "When you asked if you could change first, I said it's a date. I guess you didn't hear or just didn't notice, like always."
His mouth opened and closed and he looked confused.
"It doesn't matter anymore," I sighed. "I've got to go, see you around."
Without waiting for his reply, I left. My heart thumped harder against my chest with each step. Heat filled my cheeks at how stupid I'd been. Duen said he's oblivious but I think it's just that he doesn't care for me that way and I need to accept that.
Thara POV -
Frong's retreating back faded as he went but I was still staring after him.
'A date? Was this supposed to be a date? He likes me? Since when?' I thought over and over.
"P'? Is everything okay?" Duen asked as he shook my shoulder.
"Frong said he likes me," I blurted in a stunned voice.
"And?" he asked.
My eyebrows raised as I stared wide-eyed at my cousin.
"You knew?"
"Well, yeah of course I did. It's obvious to everyone but you," he chastised.
"Did you know he thought this was a date?" I whispered.
"What!" he shouted. "This was a date?"
His reaction told me he hadn't known either and I felt like the biggest jerk in the world. I'd honestly not heard him say it was a date if I had I ….
What would I have done? Would I have still agreed to go or still have invited Duen and his boyfriend? I had no idea.
"Why did you invite us if it was a date!" he yelled.
"Maybe he didn't know it was a date," Bohn soothed Duen as I continued to stare after Frong.
"What do I do?" I asked.
"You don't know!" Duen scoffed, making me feel like a child with no clue about the real world. "I know you're family but sometimes I really want to hit you ... Fix this with Frong. Either return his feelings or tell him you aren't interested in him like that."
Duen left me on the street alone. Frong was long gone but I still stared off into the distance. Fix it? How was I supposed to fix it?
----
A week passed and I needed clarification. My life consisted of work, class and studying. I didn't have time to stop and figure out anything with Frong, I needed someone to tell me what to do. That would make life easier.
Frong stood outside his family's flower shop when I stopped by to get the flowers I ordered. His face looked haunted when he noticed me. He turned to leave but I grabbed his arm. Without thinking, I pulled him along.
He let me lead him to my condo. Once inside I released him and then froze, I had no idea what to do now. I'd acted on impulse - no real plan in place.
"P'?" he spoke with a weak voice.
"I'm sorry …" I started but couldn't continue.
"For what? Dragging me here, don't worry about it."
"No! Not for that, for …"
"For having no clue that I liked you or knowing and not telling me straight that you didn't feel the same?"
He sounded so hurt, that I was afraid to look at his face. I was sure it would show the pain I caused. After taking a deep breath I resolved to face him.
"Frong, I honestly had no idea you liked me or that you had asked me on a date," I told him, taking a step closer. "My exes have said I'm oblivious to the important stuff. I don't mean to be."
I moved to take a seat on the small dining table I had. Frong eventually joined me.
"They said I worked or studied too much, so I never noticed how sad I made them. They said that I took more care of my lizard than them. I tried to pay attention but I guess it was never enough."
"Do you …" he paused and took a deep breath. "Do you like me?"
"You mean as a lover?" I asked and he nodded. "Honestly, I have no idea."
His whole body sagged.
"I just mean that I've never thought of you that way before, or anyone. My previous partners came up to me and I agreed on a date out of politeness."
"So if I ask you on a date you'll just say yes to stop me from feeling bad?" he asked weakly.
"Frong …" I paused unsure of what to say.
My hesitation seemed to say something to him anyway. Frong sighed and started to stand. I grabbed his arm.
"Wait!"
For some reason, I didn't want him to go, at least not upset.
"Frong, I want to be able to tell you I have feelings for you too but I just don't know. I like spending time with you, but that could be because of familiarity since we've both lost our fathers and we know Duen or it could be more."
I waited with bated breath as Frong spent too long thinking over my words.
"Frong?" I asked after too much time had passed.
"What do you want me to say P'?"
"I don't know either but …"
"But what?" he demanded angrily. "There's no point if you don't feel something for me. You need to figure out what you feel and then talk to me! Accept or reject me, either way, so I can move on."
With that, he stormed out and I was left alone. My heart screamed at me to go after him but my body wouldn't move.
After a few minutes, my body trudged over to the sofa and I sighed into it. God did I need a drink. I picked up my phone and messaged my friend. He'd responded right away and I quickly left to meet him.
"Well, if it isn't the good ole doctor finally coming out for some fun!" he teased. "Don't you have to be at the hospital tomorrow? Or at Uni?"
"No I have the next three days off," I grumbled, downing the drink he'd offered me.
"Woah! Slow down, what's wrong?" he asked, grabbing my arm.
I ignored him and downed another shot of whatever it was. It took several more shots before I finally started talking. Everything spilled out, how I didn't know once again that someone like me, how I had no idea how I really felt for them and how I'd, unknowingly, brought my cousin and his boyfriend on a date.
My friend chuckled as he patted my shoulder. He'd been there through all of my previous relationships so he knew precisely how pathetic I was when it came to love.
"Buddy, you're hopeless," he chuckled, enjoying himself.
"What do I do? I don't want to hurt him but I have no idea what to do now."
"Can I make a suggestion?" he offered and I nodded. "If you don't know then find out. Go on a date with him, hold his hold, or better yet just kiss him. Doing something is better than doing nothing."
I stared at him as if he'd grown another head. How could I do that? If I didn't feel anything then it could hurt him.
"Tell him beforehand, so he knows. If you don't do something, or take too long someone else might take him away and it will be too late."
He was looking behind me and I couldn't help but turn. Frong was sitting with a guy I didn't know. They were drinking and the other guy had his arm over Frong's shoulders.
A strange feeling swept over me and before I knew it I was up and heading straight over to him. Without a thought, I grabbed his arm and pulled him up. His wide eyes stared at me.
"Come with me," was all I said as I pulled him towards the exit.
Frong POV -
P'Thara said nothing as we headed to his place. His hand never let my wrist go, not until he slammed the door shut to his condo. Then P'Thara paced back and forth in front of me.
"Why did you do that?" I demanded after the silence continued on too long.
"Well, I … I …" he stammered.
I yelled in frustration and he turned to me surprised.
"What the hell P'Thara! Why did you drag me out of there? I was drinking with my friend."
"Your friend? Are you sure he was just your friend? The way he was clinging off of you and plying you with alcohol tells me he wanted to get you drunk to take advantage."
"So what!" I demanded. "Maybe I wanted that to happen, maybe I wanted to get drunk and have a one-night stand with someone."
I had no idea what I was saying. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think about having a one-night stand. Especially not with Ton, an old friend of mine, who is straight and has a long-term girlfriend.
P'Thara flinched at my raised voice. I felt like a jerk but I couldn't stop. I had to get over this somehow, so if being a jerk helps with that then so be it.
"You had no right to pull me away from my friend, no right to look angry as if you caught me cheating or to be even jealous! Just because I like you doesn't mean that you can behave like this and give me hope."
"I didn't mean to," he whispered.
Angrily, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him against me. The few glasses Ton had bought me were starting to make me reckless. If I wasn't careful I might do something I regret, or not!
"You never mean to, everything you do you never mean to! I'm tired of getting my hopes up only to have you blow them up with your words."
His dark eyes were staring at me intently as I drew his face closer. I could smell his cologne and a deeper scent, one that was earthy and medicinal at the same time. It was purely him.
"Frong?" he breathed.
It might have been my imagination but I could have sworn his eyes flicked to my lips. That was all the incentive I needed. My face closed that tiny gap and I kissed him.
His lips froze but I continued to press against him. My tongue snaked over his lips and he gasped, giving me the chance I wanted. My tongue darted inside and I moaned as his taste flooded my mouth.
Eventually, he pushed me back and I groaned at the loss of contact. His eyes were darker and his lips looked wet and swollen. His chest rose and fell rapidly. I desperately wanted to run my hands all over him.
P'Thara's stare went on too long and I started to sober up a little. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. I turned to leave but he still held me.
"Let go!" I grumbled avoiding his eyes.
"Don't regret this," he ordered.
I stared at him with wide eyes before he pulled me to him. His lips wrapped over mine and he groaned. As he devoured me, I felt us moving. P'Thara broke the kiss to turn me around and push me flush against the wall.
His full body burned into me from behind. The coolness of the wall didn't do much to quell the flames. I heard a door open and then we were moving again.
His bedroom was simple, a large king-size bed, a study desk, lined with books and a wardrobe. There weren't any personal items except for some pictures along the window ledge.
I was instantly distracted when I felt my t-shirt being lifted. His hot hands traced my skin and I moaned. The flames intensified once again.
P'Thara flipped me again and then instantly fell to his knees. My cock jerked at the sight. He tugged at the zipper and slipped my pants and underwear down in one go. My erection jumped out and pointed straight at him.
A small smirk flitted across his face before gently kissing the tip. I shuddered over him and my legs almost gave way.
Slowly, he stood and undressed in front of me. My eyes scanned over his slightly toned body. I loved that he looked hard and soft at the same time.
"Frong?" he moaned.
"What?" I asked, sounding equally as affected.
"It's been a while since I've slept with someone. To be honest, I've only slept with one man when I was in college. I was the bottom and I didn't like it," he blushed.
I took a step towards him and our dicks rubbed against each other, I had to force myself not to focus on the feeling.
"It's ok P'," I started before moving to his ear. "I want your cock inside me."
He shivered against me and I smirked. Quickly, I captured his mouth in mine and we landed on the bed together in a heap of limbs.
Our bodies writhed against each other as our hands explored every inch of skin we could reach. Eventually, he rolled us over and sat up. My legs were wide open but I didn't feel shy. Instead, I felt like I was on fire.
He reached over to a nightstand and pulled out a half-used bottle of lube. I raised an eyebrow at him and he blushed.
"I have needs you know," he tried to sound offended but the blush made him look too cute.
"I didn't say anything," I laughed.
He glared at me and it only made me laugh harder. However, my laughter soon faded as I heard the pop of the cap and felt the cold gel being swiped around my hole.
I moaned as he pressed a finger inside. He worked me over before adding another finger. I'd only ever slept with one person, it had taken some time for me to love the feeling of being stretched. Though, with P'Thara's fingers, I fucking loved it.
"Please P'!" I moaned. "I'm ready, I need to feel you."
His fingers pulled out and I heard the rip of a packet. I looked down to see him stretching the thin plastic over his thick erection. I bit my lip when I watched him lube up and then rub against my opening.
My heart hammered as my body shook. His thick head pushed through the opening and I could feel the pleasurable pain shoot sparks up and down my spine.
"Fuck!" he grunted.
It was arousing to hear this usually quiet and reserved man swear. His head was thrown back and his back was arched as his hips slowly moved.
Thara POV -
The tight feeling of being inside Frong was like nothing I'd known before or thought it would be like. I've only ever had female lovers and it never felt this intense. Maybe I care more for Frong than I realised.
Frong's head was thrown back as his hands gripped the pillow beside his head. His mouth hung open as he groaned with every thrust I made. I grabbed the back of his thighs and pushed them against his chest. The new angle allowed me to push against his prostate.
"Fuck! Yes!" he repeated.
Since it's been so long since I had sex, I knew I was going to reach my limit sooner than I would like. His cock was thick and red against his stomach. I poured a generous amount of lube and started to rub it in time with my thrust.
"I'm gonna …" he called out before his body was racked with shudders and shakes.
His cock jerked in my hand as it shot out three loads over his stomach, chest and neck. Not long after, I could feel my own orgasm start to rocket through me. As gently as I could, I pulled out and ripped the condom off. With a few jerks, I came over his cock.
I had enough sense to grab the tissues next to my bed to clean us up before I collapsed next to him. Frong instantly wrapped himself around me and sighed. I hugged him too as we both drifted off to sleep.
As I closed my eyes, I waited for the realisation to hit me. For the panic to set in but it didn't come. I'd just slept with a man, with my cousin's friend.
Earlier I wasn't sure about my feelings for him and now here we were in bed together. It felt nice to have him here. His gentle snores filled the silence and for the first time, I liked it.
The few times I was physical with my past lovers, I preferred to sleep on my side away from them or either they or I went home after. Not romantic or gallant I know but I never felt like I wanted to sleep like this.
---
The next morning, I woke up before Frong. He'd moved over in the night and I was able to lean up and look at him. Frong looked calm and peaceful as he slept. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to lounge in bed.
Instead, my stomach rumbled forcing me to get up. So, I decided to make breakfast for us both.
When I was done cooking, I heard Frong moving around. He sleepily rubbed his eyes, as I was laying the food down on the table. He blinked a few times before shyly smiling at me. My stomach flipped and my heart raced.
I froze. My heart was racing, I knew I had no illness that would cause it. I felt hot, my stomach was jumping and my hands were clammy. Was I coming down with something?
"P'?" Frong called out, gripping my arm.
Heat from his hand shot up and down my arm and it hit me. I knew what I was feeling now. Knew what I felt for him.
Without responding, I pulled him to me and crashed my lips to his. He gasped but responded to the kiss eagerly. I could feel us both getting excited. Slowly, I pulled back and smiled. Frong was blushing and biting his lip.
"If you keep doing that I might not be able to control myself," I warned playfully.
Frong's cheeks blushed even harder and he pushed me away. I laughed when he sat down and started digging into the food, avoiding my eyes. We ate in silence, and I couldn't stop watching him.
As soon as we had finished, Frong helped me clear up. It felt so domestic and peaceful I didn't want it to end. However, once we had nothing left to do, he became too quiet. I could see him fidgeting and wanting to say something.
"Frong?" I urged.
"Yeah?"
I moved him to sit on my sofa and gripped his hand.
"Just say whatever you want to say," I insisted.
"I just… What was last night? And the kiss a moment ago? I mean … what does it mean for us?"
"Frong," I started tightening my grip on his hand. "I am in my last year of study, then it's the residency. I'm not going to have much free time. Also, as you are well aware, I'm oblivious to a lot of things. Unless you tell me outright, I don't get it. So knowing all that, do you still want to be in a relationship with me?"
"Yes!" he moved closer.
"I work long shifts and don't have a lot of days off, and sometimes I'm on call so I might have to leave quickly. Of course, I will try and make time for you but I might not be able to do it all the time. I might miss important things or forget."
"P'," he smiled. "I understand all that. After I graduate, I'll be going to work for my father's company. My Uncle is running it right now along with my older brother and I will be just as busy."
"So, we will both be too busy to flirt with each other? Can we actually call that dating then? If we lived together then we'd see each other more," I joked.
Frong was silent for a long time, he looked like he was really thinking it over. I had only meant it as a joke."
"Why don't we?"
"I was kidding Frong, we can't move it together," I insisted.
"Why not? We can be roommates who are dating. It will mean that we can see each other easier. Plus, when you are at home and too tired I can look after you, and vice versa."
I wanted to argue with him, wanted to say it was a bad idea but the reasons he gave were good. Sometimes when I'm studying I forget to eat, or I don't allow myself to sleep. Having someone there to make me do that would be good.
"P' I still have two years left of school. Right now, I live in a dorm which is okay but my neighbours are noisy, and it is really hard to concentrate. It would really help me to move. We can either live here or get somewhere new. If you're uncomfortable with sleeping in the same bed, we can get a place with two rooms."
"I wouldn't be uncomfortable sleeping in the same bed but …"
"But?" he asked.
"Well, sometimes I have a late shift and don't get home until late at night. I might wake you up," I explained.
Frong cupped my face and gave me a small kiss.
"Wake me up as often as you like, I like seeing your face after a long day," he smiled.
I felt my cheeks flush and his smile turned into a smirk.
"So? Shall we live together?" he asked me.
"Depends," I smirked back, feeling bolder.
"On what?" he asked, his eyebrows creasing.
"If you'll agree to be my boyfriend?"
His face widened as his smile grew. With a cry of happiness, he lunged at me.
"Yes!"