Chapter 27

The trip to Japan was supposed to be exciting. Work trips like these usually were. New places, new experiences, new opportunities to expand his career.

But this time, Ngern found himself... distracted.

Whenever he wasn't filming, he caught himself scrolling through his chat with Jes. Their back-and-forth messages. Jes's blunt but oddly comforting responses. The way he never gave more than necessary but somehow still said all the right things.

He thought about sending a message.

Ngern: "It's colder than I expected. You'd probably hate it here."

Ngern: "I saw this huge camera store today. You'd go crazy in there."

Ngern: "Mali tried to FaceTime me, but she just stared at the screen for five minutes."

Jes's replies were always short but there.

Jes: "Wear a jacket."

Jes: "You should've gone in and bought something."

Jes: "That's because you and her have the same energy level."

That last one made Ngern chuckle.

Then somewhere along the way, he started buying things.

It wasn't intentional at first. He walked into a store and saw a small camera-shaped keychain. It reminded him of Jes.

Then, at another shop, there were film rolls on sale. He wasn't sure if Jes used those, but he bought some anyway.

Snacks? Jes liked coffee. So, he bought a variety of special coffee blends. Then matcha-flavored biscuits. Then a whole assortment of random Japanese snacks, just because.

By the end of the trip, half his suitcase was full of things for Jes.

When he landed back in Bangkok, he barely even thought about unpacking his own stuff. Instead, he sent Jes a text.

Ngern: "You free? I have something for you."

A few minutes later, Jes replied.

Jes: "What is it?"

Ngern: "You'll see."

He grinned at his phone before grabbing the bag he'd prepared and heading out.

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

Jes didn't know what to expect when Ngern told him he had something for him. He figured it was probably some small souvenir—maybe a keychain or some touristy trinket.

So when Ngern showed up at the café, hauling a large shopping bag stuffed to the brim, Jes just blinked at him in disbelief.

"What... is all that?" Jes asked, eyeing the bag suspiciously.

Ngern grinned, sliding into the seat across from him. "Stuff for you."

Jes frowned. "Why does it look like you robbed an entire store?"

"Hey, I didn't rob anything! I just—" Ngern hesitated before rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "—kept seeing things that reminded me of you. So I bought them."

Jes stared.

Ngern reached into the bag and started pulling things out one by one.

"Camera keychain. I saw it and thought it was cute."

Jes just blinked.

"Some film rolls. I wasn't sure if you used this kind, but the store owner said they were good, so I got a few."

Jes exhaled sharply through his nose. "A few?" he echoed, staring at the stack of film rolls in front of him.

"Okay, maybe more than a few." Ngern grinned unapologetically before continuing.

"Coffee blends. I know you like coffee, so I got a variety."

Jes picked up one of the packets. Imported Japanese coffee. High quality. He resisted the urge to say that Ngern spent too much on him.

"These are matcha biscuits," Ngern said, shaking another box. "And these are mochi. Oh, and these—" he pulled out another package "—are those fancy Tokyo banana cakes. Have you ever had them? They're really good."

Jes watched as more and more things appeared on the table.

"So... you just kept buying things?" he asked, voice unreadable.

Ngern faltered for a second. "I mean... yeah. I guess so."

Jes was silent for a long moment.

Then, without a word, he reached for one of the coffee packs, inspecting it before setting it aside.

"...Thanks," Jes finally said, his voice quieter than usual.

Ngern brightened, relieved. "You're welcome."

Jes shook his head, looking down at the growing pile of gifts. "You're ridiculous."

Ngern just laughed. "And yet, here you are, keeping everything."

Jes shot him a look, but there was no real annoyance behind it.

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

Jes crossed his arms, leveling Ngern with a stare that he hoped masked the ridiculous warmth spreading through his chest.

"You realize you didn't have to do all this, right?" he said, voice deliberately even. "I'm not some charity case in need of snacks and camera supplies."

Ngern, completely unaffected, just grinned. "I know." He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his palm. "But I wanted to."

Jes hated the way his stomach flipped at that. He clicked his tongue, reaching for the camera keychain and twirling it between his fingers to give himself something to focus on.

"Ridiculous," Jes muttered, still trying to act unfazed. "Who even thinks of someone this much while they're on a work trip?"

"You," Ngern answered without hesitation.

Jes blinked. "...Huh?"

Ngern tilted his head. "You would. If you went on a trip, you'd bring back something for me too."

Jes opened his mouth to argue—but found that he couldn't.

Because, well... he probably would.

Still, he refused to let Ngern win so easily. He scoffed, shaking his head as he picked up one of the snack boxes and flicked it lightly against Ngern's forehead.

"You're so annoying," Jes said, but there was no bite to it.

Ngern grinned wider. "And yet, here you are, keeping everything."

Jes groaned. "Stop saying that."

"Why?" Ngern leaned back, all smug and self-satisfied. "Is it because it's true?"

Jes huffed and started gathering the items into a neat pile, ignoring the way his fingers were trembling just slightly. He was too overwhelmed. Too full of something he didn't quite know how to name.

Ngern had thought of him.

Enough to fill an entire suitcase with things Jes might like.

It was ridiculous.

And it was also maybe the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for him.

Jes didn't look up when he spoke next, voice quiet but firm.

"...Thanks, Ngern."

Ngern blinked at the shift in his tone, then softened, his usual teasing smile turning into something gentler.

"You're welcome."

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

Ngern stretched his arms above his head, yawning exaggeratedly. "Alright, let's load these up in my car. No way you're carrying all this home by yourself."

Jes rolled his eyes but didn't argue. As much as he wanted to pretend otherwise, the sheer number of things Ngern had brought back for him was a little overwhelming. It would take at least two trips up to his apartment if he went alone.

As they stepped outside and started loading the trunk, Jes hesitated for a moment before glancing at Ngern. "You, uh... want to stay for dinner?"

Ngern froze mid-movement, a pack of matcha-flavored cookies in his hand. He looked up, eyes widening slightly. "What?"

Jes shrugged, trying to play it cool. "You're always feeding me when I come over to yours. Might as well return the favor."

Ngern's lips twitched, fighting a smile. "You're saying you can cook?"

Jes scoffed. "I literally work in a café, Ngern. Of course, I can cook."

Ngern shut the trunk with a smirk. "Alright then, Chef Jes. I'd love to."

Jes just huffed and headed towards the passenger seat, hoping the warmth creeping up his neck wasn't as obvious as it felt.

When they arrived at Jes's apartment, Ngern took in the space with quiet curiosity. It was cozy, minimalist but lived-in, with camera equipment neatly tucked in one corner and a small shelf stacked with books and film rolls.

"Make yourself comfortable," Jes said, toeing off his shoes and heading straight for the kitchen.

Ngern wandered in after him, leaning against the counter. "Need help?"

Jes snorted. "Absolutely not. You'll just get in the way."

Ngern clutched his chest dramatically. "Wow. Not even a little faith in me?"

Jes pulled out ingredients from his fridge and waved a knife at him. "Sit down before you make me regret inviting you."

Ngern chuckled but obediently backed off, plopping himself onto a stool by the counter. He watched as Jes worked, slicing vegetables with practiced ease, moving around his kitchen with natural efficiency.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Ngern spoke again. "You know, this is the first time you've invited me over."

Jes glanced up briefly, then went back to chopping. "And?"

"And... does that mean I'm special?" Ngern grinned.

Jes rolled his eyes so hard they nearly fell out of his skull. "Don't push your luck."

Ngern laughed, but the warmth in his chest was unmistakable.