Chapter 29

Jes moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, grabbing a container and filling it with some leftover snacks, neatly slicing some fruit on the side. He wasn't sure why he was doing it—Ngern had plenty of food at home, and Jes wasn't his caretaker—but something about letting him leave empty-handed felt...wrong.

Maybe it was because of all the things Ngern had brought back for him from Japan. Maybe it was because Jes had gotten used to the way Ngern lingered, always acting like he had more to say but never quite saying it.

Or maybe Jes just wanted an excuse to take care of him, in his own way.

"This should last you until lunch tomorrow," Jes said, snapping the lid onto the container before slipping it into a paper bag. "Breakfast or lunch—your choice."

Ngern, who had been sitting on the couch with one leg propped up, grinned as Jes handed the bag over. "So, I get options now? You must really like me."

Jes scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're just the type who forgets to eat properly, aren't you?"

Ngern shrugged, accepting the bag without argument. "Maybe."

Jes rolled his eyes but didn't refute it.

Ngern looked down at the bag for a second, his fingers tightening around the handles. Then, quieter, he said, "No one's ever done this for me before."

Jes blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Packed me something to take home," Ngern clarified, looking up at Jes with something unreadable in his gaze. "Not since I was a kid, anyway."

Jes didn't know what to do with that information, so he just clicked his tongue. "Well, now you have something."

Ngern smiled, softer this time. "Yeah. Now I do."

Jes cleared his throat, feeling an odd warmth settle in his chest. "Hurry up and go before you make me regret it."

Ngern chuckled, standing up. "Alright, alright. I'm going." He slung his bag over his shoulder, then hesitated for a second before reaching out and ruffling Jes's hair.

Jes flinched back immediately. "What the hell—"

"Good night, Jes," Ngern said, laughing as he dodged Jes's half-hearted swat. "See you soon?"

Jes huffed but didn't deny it. "Yeah. See you."

And with that, Ngern slipped out the door, leaving Jes standing there, staring at the closed entrance longer than he should have.

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

Jes exhaled, running a hand through his hair to smooth it back down, though the warmth lingering from Ngern's touch wouldn't go away so easily.

He shook his head, scolding himself for standing there like some lovesick fool. You're just being weird because he's thoughtful, that's all. But even as he thought that, his heart betrayed him, still racing slightly from their exchange.

Sighing, Jes turned off the kitchen lights and padded towards his bedroom, telling himself he'd stop thinking about it. About Ngern's lingering gaze. About the way he had admitted, so casually yet meaningfully, that no one had ever done something like that for him before.

But of course, Jes failed miserably.

Meanwhile, in his car, Ngern glanced at the passenger seat where the paper bag sat, filled with Jes's carefully packed snacks. He grinned to himself, shaking his head in disbelief.

Jes acted tough, but the way he paid attention to the smallest details—the way he cared, even when he didn't want to—was so distinctly him.

Ngern tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, debating whether to send a message. It was late, and Jes would probably scold him for texting while driving, but...

In the end, he gave in and typed quickly before driving off.

Ngern: Thanks for dinner. And for this. I'll make sure to eat it all.

A minute later, his phone buzzed with a response.

Jes: You better. If not, don't bother coming back.

Ngern chuckled, already able to picture Jes's grumpy face as he typed that.

Ngern: Guess that means I have no choice but to see you again soon, huh?

This time, Jes didn't reply right away.

Ngern didn't mind. He already knew the answer.

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

Jes stared at the message longer than he should have, his thumb hovering over the keyboard. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck, an entirely annoying reaction to Ngern's words.

He could just ignore it. Pretend he didn't see it until tomorrow.

But that would be weird.

So, after taking a deep breath, he finally typed back.

Jes: You're dramatic. Just eat the food.

Ngern's reply came almost instantly.

Ngern: Of course, P'Jes. Wouldn't want to get banned from seeing you, right?

Jes scowled at the screen, his heart definitely doing something stupid again. He tossed his phone aside, face buried in his pillow.

What is his problem?!