Chapter 19

The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter, movement, and camera clicks.

Jes had to admit—Ngern was improving. His initial clumsy framing had refined into something more natural, more intentional. There were still small errors here and there, but the way he adjusted quickly, taking Jes's corrections in stride, was impressive.

More than that, though, was the way Ngern's focus never wavered. Every time he lifted the camera, his expression softened, his lips curled just slightly in amusement as he captured Mali's tiny expressions. It was the kind of concentration Jes had seen in professional photographers before—the kind that only came when someone truly loved the subject in front of the lens.

Jes didn't say it out loud, but he felt it. Ngern's doing this because he cares. Because this matters to him.

"You're smiling," Ngern murmured suddenly, still looking through the viewfinder.

Jes blinked, startled. "What?"

"I saw it. Just now." Ngern lowered the camera, tilting his head. "You were smiling at me."

Jes scoffed, turning away to adjust his own lens. "You're seeing things."

"Am I?" Ngern teased. "I must be really improving if my teacher is proud of me."

Jes muttered something under his breath, pretending to focus on his camera settings. Why does he always have to be so annoyingly observant?

Before Jes could throw back a retort, a voice called out from the dining area.

"Cake time!"

The entire room stirred, relatives gathering around the table where a small but beautifully decorated cake sat waiting. Ngern scooped up Mali with ease, cradling her in one arm as he joined the group. Jes hesitated before following, staying slightly to the side.

He wasn't sure why, but something about this—this warmth, this closeness—made his chest feel tight.

"Jes."

He looked up. Ngern was holding Mali toward him slightly, one hand still supporting her securely. "Come here. Let's take a picture together."

Jes stiffened. "Me?"

"Yeah. You've been helping all day. It wouldn't be fair if you weren't in at least one shot."

Jes hesitated, glancing around at the others. Some were watching with amused expressions, but no one looked surprised. Like of course Ngern would insist on pulling him in.

Jes sighed. "Fine. Just one."

Ngern grinned. "That's all I need."

Jes stepped closer as one of Ngern's relatives took the camera. Mali squirmed slightly, so Jes instinctively reached out to steady her, and before he realized it, he was standing closer than he'd intended—his arm brushing against Ngern's, their hands nearly touching. Ngern's other hand lightly touched Jes's waist too.

Jes swallowed.

Ngern turned his head slightly, just enough to catch Jes's expression. His grin softened, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Click.

Jes barely registered the sound of the shutter.

But he did register the warmth of Ngern's smile.

And he definitely registered the way his own heart skipped in response.

..........................................................

The birthday party wound down after the cake was cut, the living room littered with wrapping paper, Mali dozing off in her grandmother's arms. Jes had tucked himself into a quiet corner, half-watching as Ngern moved around the room, thanking guests and sending them off one by one.

Jes told himself he should probably leave soon too, but he lingered.

It wasn't until the last of the guests left that Ngern finally approached him, running a hand through his hair with an exhale.

"You're still here," Ngern said, sounding oddly pleased.

Jes glanced at the clock. "Didn't want to leave in the middle of all that."

"Good. I was going to make you stay anyway."

Jes raised a brow. "Oh? And why's that?"

Ngern didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached over to the counter and grabbed his camera, flipping through the shots he'd taken throughout the day.

"I wanted to thank you properly," Ngern finally said, turning the camera so Jes could see.

The pictures were... good. No, better than good. Some had slight imperfections—his angles still needed work—but the emotion in them was unmistakable. Mali's sleepy grins, her chubby hands reaching for him, the quiet happiness in Ngern's face when he held her.

Jes swallowed, a strange feeling twisting in his chest.

"You really did all this?" he asked, his voice quieter than before.

Ngern nodded. "Because of you."

Jes looked at him.

Ngern held his gaze. "You taught me. And not just about cameras."

Jes frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Ngern hesitated, then let out a quiet chuckle. "I don't know. I guess... I've been in front of cameras my whole life, right? But today was the first time I really felt like I understood them. Like I finally got why people want to capture things. To keep them."

Jes blinked.

Ngern lowered the camera slightly. "You've been keeping your world small, Jes. But I think you see a lot more than you let on."

Jes's fingers curled slightly. "That's just how I am."

"I know," Ngern said. "And I'm glad I get to be part of it now."

Jes's breath caught.

Ngern didn't push further. He just smiled—soft, genuine—before putting the camera down and stretching.

"Anyway, you should stay for dinner," he said casually. "You helped with the party, so I owe you a meal."

Jes narrowed his eyes. "Are you just trying to trick me into babysitting again?"

Ngern grinned. "Maybe."

Jes sighed, but he didn't say no.

And maybe, just maybe, he didn't mind staying a little longer.