Chapter 31

Jes was half-asleep when his phone rang.

He barely registered the name on the screen before picking up.

"Hello?" His voice was hoarse.

"Jes."

The moment he heard Ngern's voice, he fully woke up.

There was something off about it. The usual teasing lilt wasn't there. He sounded tired.

Jes immediately sat up. "What happened?"

Ngern sighed on the other end. "Don't freak out."

Jes's stomach dropped.

"Too late," he said flatly.

There was a small chuckle, but it was weak. "I got a little banged up during a stunt today. Just a bruise, nothing serious."

Jes gripped his phone tighter. "Where are you?"

"Still at the set. They just patched me up."

"Why didn't you text me earlier?"

"Didn't want to bother you."

Jes closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ngern."

"I know, I know," Ngern sighed again. "But I'm really okay."

Jes exhaled, trying to calm himself.

"Are you going home soon?"

"Yeah, waiting for my ride now."

Jes hesitated for only half a second before he threw off his blanket and stood up.

"I'll meet you."

Ngern sounded surprised. "Huh?"

"Send me the location. I'll come pick you up."

"Jes, you don't have to—"

"I want to."

Silence.

Then, softly:

"...Okay."

Jes grabbed his jacket and keys, heart pounding.

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

Jes pulled up outside the filming location, scanning the dimly lit area until he spotted Ngern sitting on a bench near the entrance, his head tilted back against the wall, eyes closed.

Jes's chest tightened.

He parked and got out, walking briskly toward him. "Ngern."

Ngern cracked an eye open, smiling a little. "That was fast."

Jes ignored the comment. His gaze immediately went to Ngern's arm, which was wrapped in a bandage, and the faint bruise peeking from under his sleeve.

Jes clenched his jaw. "I thought you said it was just a bruise."

Ngern chuckled, sitting up straighter. "It is. The medic just wrapped it for precaution."

Jes didn't look convinced.

"Come on," Jes muttered, reaching out. "I'll take you home."

Ngern let himself be pulled up, but as soon as he stood, he swayed slightly.

Jes instinctively reached out, grabbing his arm. "Ngern."

Ngern winced but chuckled. "Guess I'm more tired than I thought."

Jes huffed, wrapping an arm around his waist for support. "You're an idiot."

Ngern grinned despite the pain. "But your idiot."

Jes rolled his eyes but didn't let go.

"Let's get you home."

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

Jes made sure Ngern got inside his apartment safely before locking the door behind them.

"Sit," Jes instructed, pointing to the couch. "I'll get you some water."

Ngern plopped down with a small, tired laugh. "You're really fussing over me."

Jes ignored him, disappearing into the kitchen. When he returned, he had a glass of water in one hand and a small first-aid kit in the other.

Ngern raised an eyebrow. "I already got patched up—"

"Doesn't mean I trust it," Jes cut in, setting the glass down before kneeling beside him. He carefully rolled up Ngern's sleeve, inspecting the bandaged arm.

His fingers brushed lightly over the injury, gentler than Ngern had ever expected Jes to be.

Jes frowned. "You're lucky it's not worse."

Ngern smiled. "I have nine lives."

Jes shot him a look. "Try not to waste them all, genius."

Still, he took the time to carefully press a fresh cold pack against the forming bruise, his touch lingering.

Ngern watched him quietly, taking in the way Jes's brows furrowed in focus, how his lips pressed into a thin line.

He cared.

Ngern exhaled softly. "Are you staying?"

Jes hesitated, but only for a second. Then he sighed, shifting to sit beside Ngern on the couch.

"Yeah," he muttered, crossing his arms. "Just for a bit."

Ngern smiled. "Good."

And Jes didn't correct him.

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

Jes sighed as he got up from the couch. "You should change out of those clothes before you rest."

Ngern raised an eyebrow. "Are you offering to help me change?" He smirked despite his exhaustion.

Jes rolled his eyes. "You're injured, dumbass. Just take off your shirt."

Ngern grinned but did as he was told, wincing slightly as he moved his arm. Jes clicked his tongue, stepping in without hesitation to carefully help him pull it over his head.

His fingers brushed against Ngern's bare skin—warm, firm, familiar. Jes swallowed, shaking off the thought as he grabbed a fresh oversized t-shirt from Ngern's drawer and helped him slip it on.

"There. Not so hard, was it?" Jes muttered, taking a step back.

Ngern just watched him, something unreadable in his gaze.

Jes, however, ignored it and walked off to the kitchen, rummaging through Ngern's fridge. "What have you even eaten today?"

"Uh..."

Jes sighed. "Exactly."

A few minutes later, he came back with a simple bowl of congee, a side of warm tea, and some painkillers. He set them down on the coffee table, grabbing a spoon and scooping up a small bite.

"Eat," Jes ordered.

Ngern blinked. "Are you... feeding me?"

Jes didn't respond—he just pushed the spoon towards Ngern's lips.

Ngern huffed a small laugh but opened his mouth, accepting the food.

It was warm, soft, comforting.

Jes kept feeding him, his movements automatic, like he wasn't even thinking about it—just doing it because he wanted to.

By the time the bowl was empty, Ngern was full and drowsy.

Jes handed him the painkillers, which he swallowed down with the tea before swaying slightly where he sat.

Jes sighed, setting the empty dishes aside before helping Ngern up. "Come on, you need sleep."

He guided Ngern to his bedroom, pulling the covers over him.

Jes hesitated for a moment, watching as Ngern curled into the blanket, blinking up at him sleepily.

"Thanks, Jes," Ngern murmured.

Jes exhaled softly. "Yeah. Sleep."

And for once, Ngern actually listened.

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

Jes sat on the edge of Ngern's bed, arms loosely crossed as he watched over him. He'd told himself he would only stay for a little while, just to make sure Ngern fell asleep.

But that had been hours ago.

Now, Jes was still there, perched in the dim light of the bedside lamp, staring at the steady rise and fall of Ngern's chest.

Ngern had knocked out almost immediately, his body exhausted from the day. But Jes—Jes couldn't bring himself to leave.

Maybe it was the way Ngern had looked so small and tired beneath the blankets. Maybe it was the way his fingers had weakly curled around Jes's wrist when he'd adjusted the pillow earlier—as if asking him to stay without words.

Jes exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face. What was he even doing?

He wasn't Ngern's babysitter. He wasn't his boyfriend.

And yet... here he was. Staying.

He sighed, glancing at the clock. 3:14 AM.

"Idiot," Jes muttered under his breath.

Still, he stayed.

At some point, Ngern shifted in his sleep, brow furrowing slightly. Jes instinctively reached out, smoothing a hand over his forehead the way he used to do with his little cousins whenever they had bad dreams.

Ngern settled again, breathing slow and deep.

Jes hesitated. Then, without thinking, he let his hand linger just a little longer.

Just until morning. Just until Ngern woke up.