For the past week, Tiwa hasn't known how he's survived after being separated from Pravat. Each second, his voice, his smile, and his eyes flood through him and become a part of his memory. That's when he realizes how much he misses Pravat and longs for the day they will be reunited. Usually, he hates to look in the mirror, but sometimes he runs over to check the mark on his neck, making sure it's there. The feeling is as warm as a thick blanket, like a cluster of fireflies buzzing inside his chest.
With that feeling, he approaches his brother to discuss his mate because there is no sense in hanging on to the past. He understands it and hopes Jaran will too, in order to pave the way for the future. However, Jaran's response is that he must wait until they reach home, as making emotional decisions doesn't do any good. Reminding him that his heart is where his home is, Jaran assures him that once they reach home, his heart will be back to normal.
Tiwa used to accept it if he didn't live with Pravat for two weeks, but now he can't. Each time his fingers brush over the mating mark, he feels like he has found a home he hasn't had in so long. He has also learned that home is where the heart is, and his heart belongs to Pravat.
His thoughts are interrupted when Decha slaps him on the shoulder to grab his attention and gestures for him to go backstage. It is another concert that he needs to concentrate on, so he nods and stops playing with his fingers while bringing all his focus to what is in front of him before fleeing back to Pravat, who is too good to him but sometimes bad at wishing him luck. Frowning, Tiwa stomps his foot and follows his bandmates.
As he is about to reach backstage, Pravat suddenly appears out of nowhere and pulls him into a corner to kiss him. The surprise kiss makes his heart race as he melts into the embrace. The moment is fleeting but intense, leaving him breathless and longing for more. They split apart, taking heaving breaths, their foreheads pressed together as they hold each other close.
"I miss you!" Pravat lifts his head and looks at Tiwa.
Tiwa's eyes fill with tears, but he manages to smile through them because he's probably not the only one. "I miss you too," he whispers, unable to tear his gaze away from Pravat's deep, soulful eyes. At that moment, everything else fades away as they lose themselves in each other's presence. The world around them seems to disappear, leaving only the two of them in their own little bubble of love and longing.
Pravat leans forward to kiss Tiwa's sweet smile and holds it for himself until Tiwa realizes he needs to go. Reluctantly, they pull away from each other, and Tiwa feels a pang of sadness in his heart. He wishes they could stay at this moment forever, but he knows reality is calling. He gives Pravat one last longing look before running in the stage direction until his name is called.
He turns back and raises an eyebrow.
"Don't forget that I'll be watching. Also, don't disappoint me," Pravat shouts from where Tiwa has left him and blows a kiss.
Tiwa nods with a twinkle in his eyes and turns back to continue running to the stage to make the fans drown in his concert. People can escape even from the waves of the ocean, but today no one can escape from the waves of his song. He doesn't want to disappoint not only the audience but also the love of his life.
With a sea of clapping and cheering, he starts and finishes the rap, then joins the famous singer Hwang Yi-jun on stage.
The crowd goes wild with excitement, screaming their names as they share a brotherly hug. However, Tiwa thinks he sees Pravat glaring at him and gritting his teeth from down on the stage. Is it true or just an illusion? It's probably just an illusion, as there is nothing for Pravat to be angry about, since he hasn't done anything wrong. Though he has to make sure Pravat enjoys it, he turns his gaze at him and finds him not there.
Frowning, he begins searching through the crowd, but Yi-jun puts a hand on his shoulder and encourages him with a smile to make the concert unforgettable for everyone. They move around the stage and sing a catchy pop tune together, causing the audience to erupt with loud cheers.
Tiwa gestures to his bandmates behind him, and the crowd roars again when they take one final bow before heading offstage. He hands his microphone off to a roadie, thanking her. Feeling exhausted but somehow satisfied, he follows his brother and bandmates to their dressing room until someone appears like the wind and takes him by surprise and pulls him down a flight of stairs to the mostly hidden landing below.
His heart pounds in his chest, feeling like he's almost having a minor heart attack. As he senses a musk scent around him, he starts to calm down. "P-Pravat!" He tries to talk to him, but the alpha just stares back at him with an intense gaze, sending shivers down his spine. Suddenly, he is pushed against the wall, and their lips meet. He hears babbles of 'mine' as Pravat's hands roam over his body, igniting a fire within him.
He doesn't know what makes Pravat this aggressive, so wanting to clear the tension, he shoves at his chest, dislodging himself between Pravat and the wall. "You know, you almost scared the shit out of me! What is wrong with you?"
Pravat raises an eyebrow. "Do you want the definitive list or the brief history?"
Tiwa can tell that Pravat is entering his lunatic mode again. He thought Pravat was upset with him about the concert, but his actions suggest otherwise. He doesn't know what he did to provoke this change in Pravat. The unsettling look in Pravat's eyes makes him uncomfortable, so he tries to ignore it as he says, "Pravat," avoiding eye contact.
Pravat hums thoughtfully before pushing Tiwa into a chair. Tiwa lets out an audible sigh, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. "You're a piece of sh*t, baby deer," Pravat snaps, his head snapping down to meet Tiwa's gaze.
Tiwa rubs his eyes and starts to rise. "I'm sorry."
Pravat pushes Tiwa back into the chair before he can get up. "You're a piece of sh*t, baby deer. You disappointed me," he repeats, arms on either side of Tiwa. "Did you know how much I controlled myself from putting my hands around Hwang Yi-jun's neck?"
"What?!" Tiwa feels his eyes widen, and his heart might be speeding up even more.
Instead of responding, Pravat comes in close, his head leaning toward Tiwa as he stares into the light brown eyes. "You're mine!" His lips touch Tiwa's again in a possessive and passionate kiss. The weight on the chair raises as Pravat puts his weight on top of Tiwa, and the chair tips over, sending them both crashing to the floor in a tangle of limbs.
Tiwa gasps as Pravat's hands roam under his shirt, and then those lips touch his heated skin. His heart races as he feels the intensity of Pravat's touch on a sensitive bud in his chest. "P-Pravat! What are you doing?" Tiwa tugs on the alpha's hair. "We're still in the arena!" He tries to make Pravat understand while his eyes are glued to the unlocked door, fearing anyone can invade.
"I don't care." Pravat hoarsely says, gnawing his way to bite Tiwa right on the nipple.
Tiwa balls his hands into fists, ready to strike. His strength may not be enough to take out a fly, but he tries it anyway. Pravat grabs both of Tiwa's wrists and puts them above his head before continuing what he's doing. Tiwa understands that fighting against Pravat is of no use when jealousy clouds his brain, so he waits for the right moment to escape.
As Pravat sits up to discard his shirt, Tiwa pushes him away and rushes out of the room in the blink of an eye while adjusting his clothes. From now on, he dares not make Pravat jealous, even unconsciously. Who knows what crazy idea he might come up with next?