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The night was hot and humid. It whispered warnings of a coming storm. A crescent moon emerged from the gathering clouds and peeked through limp curtains into a spartan room. Only one picture frame sat on the dresser. From the glossy photo a guy with chestnut hair smiled, hugging the shoulders of the room’s blushing occupant. The overworked air conditioning blasted tepid air, swooshing furiously through all the vents.
On the bed a Regular tossed in fitful sleep. His blanket has been kicked to the side, unwanted. Messy blue hair curled on his pillow. Thick blue lashes quivered as he frowned in his sleep.
In his dream he found a worn little notebook. He brushed dust off the stained cover. Words were scrawled on the first page in a child’s messy handwriting.
This
DiaryJournal is the personal property of Aguero and should under no circumstance be read by anyone.
P.S. Kisea if you so much as touch this, I will hide all your knives.
P.P.S. Hachuling if you find this, return it or I will never let you buy me ice cream again.
P.P.P.S Dad, if you’re reading this... Hello, I am Khun Aguero Agnis. We met once at a dinner party.
Strange, he doesn’t remember ever keeping a diary. He turned the page, curious to see what it would hold.
Dear Diary,
Three years ago, I met an angel. Well, I'm not sure what actual angels look like or if they even exist. But if one did, then he would have a messy mop of brown hair and gorgeous golden eyes.
His name is Bam.
Bam smiles a lot. He's very shy but he seems to enjoy being with people. And everyone seems to be drawn to him. Including me.
I still remember the first day we met...
The vision shifted. Just like all dreams do. And Khun found himself in a strange place. He looked down to see small pudgy hands. Knobby little knees emerged from navy blue shorts and culminated in white socks and a cute little pair of shoes.
"Good morning kids!" Vice Principal Yu Han Sung clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. The students of Evankhell's Nursery School quieted down immediately and greeted him back. Some more enthusiastically than the rest. Even so, Han Sung nodded with satisfaction. "Today, I will introduce your new teacher. Meet Mr. Lero-Ro."
The students greeted him in turn. Han Sung nodded again. He hummed as he left for his office. Probably making himself another cup of that instant coffee.
Lero Ro. What a weird name. Then again, little Aguero didn't care. It's time for free play and his eyes were all on the new kid. But now Aguero could barely see the top of his head among the kids gathered around him, poking and inundating him with questions.
He looked like a lost rabbit with his wide eyes and slight build.
Aguero sighed. He should mind his own business as usual but there's something in that kid's eyes that begged to be protected.
"Hey, hey! Give him some space, will you?" Aguero grinned as all eyes were turned to him. He did know how to control a crowd from a young age. "Look at him. You're making him cry."
The press of little bodies parted and gave way to Aguero. The new kid clutched a stuffed toy to his chest. Aguero extended his hand and proudly introduced himself, "I'm Khun Aguero Agnis. Call me Khun. What's your name?"
The tiny chestnut haired boy tentatively shook his hand. "I'm the Twenty-fifth Bam."
Aguero's eyebrows shot up. This was turning out more amusing than he thought. And his eyes. Up close they were really pretty. Like they held small suns. "That's an interesting name. I'll call you Bam." He pulled the startled boy to his side. "Come on! The teacher will call us soon."
The new teacher gathered everyone round and taught them a new song. It was quite catchy. They sat beside each other during snack time and again during crafts. Bam was fascinated with the crayons and how they smeared colorful lines on paper.
Aguero figured out early on that he was different. While the other kids were drawing squiggles and sticks, he was trying to solve Hachuling's Math homework. Numbers were intriguing.
Soon it was nap time. Aguero grudgingly shoved his papers back in his backpack and joined the rest who were helping drag mats and pillows from the closet.
Aside from making a new friend, nothing remarkable happened that day and soon it was time to go home.
Ha Jinsung was waiting outside the classroom before the class was even dismissed.
"My dad is here!" Bam chirped.
"Good for you," Aguero smiled. "I'll probably have to wait a while."
"Your dad isn't here yet?" Bam frowned as he turned back to his new friend.
"No, Father is busy. One of the maids will come," Aguero shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
Bam's frown deepened and you could almost see the cogs in his head turning as he stared hard at Aguero. "I'm not leaving until someone comes for you too."
"Why?" Aguero blinks.
"Because..."
"Oy, oy! Did you wait long, A.A.?" a blue haired guy waved at them. He was wearing the uniform of the adjoining high school.
"My brother is here," Aguero pointed to the family member he hated the least.
"Oh. Okay! See you tomorrow, Khun!" Bam's smile was dazzling. Aguero watched him run to his dad, his pack giggling on his back and his stuffed toy under an arm. Was it a dinosaur?
"Up you go! Did you have fun?" Hachuling lifted Aguero in his arms and placed him on his shoulders. They started walking home.
"Sort of," Aguero lifted an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"
"To bring you home," Hachuling grinned.
"You could have sent one of the maids or the butler."
"And miss the opportunity to walk back with my cutest little brother?" the high schooler laughed. "Family should pick up family."
Aguero let it go. Hachuling did behave a little differently from the rest of his family. Aguero looked at him as if deciding whether to share something important. Then, just as they rounded a corner, he whispered in his brother's ear, "I met an angel today."
Hachuling held back the laughter bubbling through his lips, "What? An angel?"
Aguero nodded gravely, "His name is Bam."
Aguero spent the next day mostly with Bam too. Isn't it so easy for kids to make best friends? They shared everything. Even the big brown plushie Bam always carried around.
"His name is Rak!" Bam said proudly and placed it between them on the sleeping mat as he sported one of his brilliant smiles, "and I'm going to put him right here. He wants to be your friend too."
"Who wants to be friends with a crocodile?"
Bam laughed. "He's a Wrathre- ...Wreath-... "
"A Wraithraiser, I know. I've seen them in the toy shop."
"Khun is so cool!"
"I'm not," but he looked pleased.
"Khun! Bam! Take a nap now. I don't want you both cranky later," Mr. Ro patted their heads.
So they did, their left arms around the plushie and their right hands clasped together over Rak's head. Aguero thought he slept better on the thin mat in school than on his huge four poster bed in his own room at home. Maybe because Bam was there. Bam felt very warm.
"Here!" Bam pushed the plushie into Aguero's hands before he went to his dad.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Because I don't want you to be lonely without me. We'll take turns bringing Rak home. Tomorrow you'll bring him to school and I'll bring him home. The day after that, I'll bring him to school and you bring him home. Isn't that neat? I have to go now. See you tomorrow, Khun!"
"But!" And Bam was already skipping away, leaving him to stare at the plushie in his hands. "Damn gator." Yet, Bam made him feel warm again.
"Let's go, A.A.!" Hachuling was as exuberant as ever. "We're having ice cream today. Ice cream!
"Don't you know too much sweets are bad for my teeth?" Aguero raised a perfectly arched brow.
"Haha! It's fine! Cute kids should have lots of sweets to have sweet tempers," Hachuling grinned.
"You're just making that up," Aguero pouted. "And I told you not to call me cute. How dare you!"
"Ahahah! Yes, yes my perfectly handsome little brother. To the Ice cream parlor we go!"
Days passed one like the other. Bam and Khun passed Rak back and forth between them.
"Time to go home, AA!!!" Hachuling was deliberately being obnoxious again.
"Go ahead. Make a scene will you," Aguero glared at his older brother. "Wait! Bam, your dad's not here yet?"
"No... he said he has something to take care of today so he will be late," Bam said softly. Tears shimmered at the edges of his pretty eyes.
Aguero stared at Bam's crestfallen face and made a decision. "Hachuling."
"Yes, your adorableness?"
Aguero sighed but let it go. There were more important matters to attend to. "I will allow you to buy Bam and me some ice cream today,” he ordered imperiously.
"But?" Bam looked worried.
"Hachuling will get some ice cream and bring it back for us here. It's just a couple of blocks from here anyway. We'll wait for your dad while we have snacks. That will be fine, right?" Aguero grinned.
"Okay! I want strawberry!"
"You can have all the flavors you like," Aguero declared, glad that his friend’s eyes were shining again. That’s right, smiles suit Bam best.
"Really?! I love you so much, Khun!" Bam's smile was enough to eclipse the sun. So blinding that Aguero felt his whole face suffuse with heat.
"What? Confessing already?" Hatchuling laughed, endeared by two cute little angels.
“Khun? You look like a strawberry! So pretty!” Bam gushed. “Khun really is the best! Khun? Khun…"
Khun…
Khun…
“Khun. Khun, wake up.”
Khun opened his eyes to twin suns staring at him with such warmth.
Khun rubbed his eyes as he sat up, “Bam?”
“It’s rare for you to get up so late. You look flushed. Are you alright?” Bam was sitting at the edge of his bed. A concerned frown creased his brows. He placed a cool hand on Khun’s forehead.
Khun’s inhale may have been too sharp. He could feel goosebumps prickling on his arms though the room was hot. Then, slivers of the dream came back to Khun. That little Bam was cute. And him saying that he loved Khun was absolutely adorable. Come to think of it, Bam hasn’t explicitly said that he loved him yet even though they’ve already gone on a date. To be fair, Khun has not said the L-word either. Ah well, there’s a time for everything. One at a time, right?
Khun’s heart was rapidly picking up the pace though. Bam with such an intense look on his dashingly handsome face and in such well fitted clothes showing off his perfectly sculpted body so close so early in the morning was rapidly hiking Khun’s blood pressure. Please, he doesn’t need a nosebleed right now. Even so, he smiled for Bam, “I’m okay. The room’s just too hot.” Yeah, you’re hot too.
“Hm, you don’t feel that warm either,” Bam’s shoulders relaxed. He seemed quite relieved. The intensity of his eyes did not waver, though. “I cooked some breakfast. Come and have some.”
“Sounds good. You go ahead. I’ll shower first.”
“Don’t be too long,” Bam gave his hand a squeeze before leaving for the kitchen.
Khun waited till the door closed. Damn, that was intense. He could feel electricity crackling in the air whenever he and Bam were in the same room. And when they touched? Khun was lucky if he didn’t get a shock. Khun groaned. He needs to do something about this sensitivity soon.
The cold water was a relief. It trickled over his body in cooling rivulets. He reached for his shampoo. The fresh scent of apples was calming. He should get another bottle soon.
His hand grasped air as he reached for his body wash. The empty bottle sat on the sink. The damn gator must have played with bubbles again. Khun hastily got a new one from a cupboard. The cleansing lather felt good on his skin.
Should he say it first? That word? Can he say it? He tried saying it out loud. And found himself mute. He raised a hand to his lips. There he was, a grown man blushing profusely as the shower rinsed fragrant suds off his body. How embarrassing.
Just the thought was sending his pulse racing. He loves Bam. He loves him ever so much. They say actions speak louder than words but Bam needs to know. Bam deserves to hear it straight from his lips.
They will have their second date that afternoon. The anticipation is making Khun’s skin tingle and his stomach fill with butterflies.
Khun shut off the water. He raised his head and ran his hands over his hair, slicking it back. He grabbed a towel and stepped out. He has made a decision. He will confess to Bam during their date tonight.
Then, thunder roared and split the heavens wide open.
---⁖⁘ ❄🌰❄ ⁖⁘---
"Rain rain go away~
Come again another day~
My Aguero wants to play~
Rain, rain go away~," Bam sang. He poked Khun's cheek and chuckled at the resulting pout.
"Bam!"
"Hmm?"
"It’s not like we had to go out today," Khun insisted as he took the mug of hot coco from Bam. Khun was slouched on their couch, blankets piled over his shoulder and around his waist, hugging a cushion as he scowled at the downpour like an outraged cat. Just looking at the torrential downpour made him feel cold. Thunder shook the residential building and made the fluorescent lights flicker. Khun scoffed as somebody shrieked.
"Okay," Bam grinned as he plopped down beside Khun. And Khun sighed as Bam joined him under the blankets and pulled the Khun nearer until he was leaning against Bam’s chest. Bam knew how Khun abhorred the rain like a bona fide feline. So staying home it was even though they finally had some time to themselves.
“I’m sorry.” Khun murmured. It was supposed to be our second date. So I wanted it to be perfect. I had it all planned out. A lovely day at that temple where they’re holding a lively festival. Watching fireworks as we sailed under a serene evening sky. Capped off with a romantic dinner at that restaurant overlooking the lake. But all that’s out the window.
"Marshmallow?" Bam opened the jar, releasing the sweet scent of vanilla.
"You know I'm not fond of sweets," Khun blew into his mug, the warmth in his hands and by his side taking the edge off the chill.
"Are you sure?" Bam held a plump marshmallow between his lips and offered it to Khun.
"You expect me to refuse that?" Khun couldn't help the fuzzy feeling tugging at the edges of his lips. He's still getting used to this Bam -sassy, attentive and sweet.
But Bam has always been adorable. Even more so now.
Bam beamed as Khun took the sweet, lips barely grazing his. Almost a kiss but not quite. "Yummy, right?"
"Just because you're cute..." Khun tried to affect a glare. And failed. Miserably. Because he's smiling again. Like a moon reflecting the sun's warmth. And blushing. Darn his pale skin.
"More?" Bam asked nonchalantly, as if he wasn't single-handedly raising Khun's temperature by the minute.
"Nope," Khun took a sip. The sharpness of the warm dark chocolate chased away the cloying sweetness. Bam really knows how he likes it. Is this how it feels to be loved? Bam is one dangerous addiction Khun knows he will never recover from.
The jar was put away on the coffee table. Then, Bam idly fiddled with Khun's earlobe as he planted his chin on Khun's shoulder. "Give me some?" He asked as he watched Khun sip his drink slowly.
Khun offered him the mug but Bam licked the wetness on Khun's lips instead.
"Mm, it's sweeter than I thought."
"Bam!" Well, Khun most definitely is warm now. Not even the deluge outside their home can challenge Bam's cheekiness.
Bam laughed softly, clearly enjoying himself. "Finish your coco before it gets cold."
"They're at it?" Hatz grumbled from the kitchen.
"Yup, they're at it,” Shibisu laughed.
---⁖⁘ ❄🌰❄ ⁖⁘---
The smell of cinder and ash assailed Khun's nose as soon as he entered the dining room.
"What is this?" He glared at the black fist sized lump sitting on lettuce greens. A perfect slice of lemon punctuated the otherwise pristine plate.
"Um.. lemon chicken?" Bam offered helpfully.
"Want some mashed potatoes with that?" Yeon held a bowl in one hand and a dripping serving spoon in another. The pale sodden mess swirled with bits of black and brown looked more liquid than it should be.
"Who let Yeon in the kitchen?" Khun prodded the dubious piece of meat with his fork.
"Hey!" The bowl caught fire in her indignation.
"Maybe it's not that bad?" Bam smiled.
"Ouch!" They heard something crack as Hatz bit into something resembling a length of coal.
Khun sighed, "Someone get me the directory."
"I want Chinese takeout!" Shibisu declared.
"An eel bowl!" Rak thumped the table.
"And sweet and sour pork!" Yeon insisted.
“Just choose food that we can have delivered from one restaurant,” Khun ordered.
"Bulgogi for me." Hatz cleared his throat.
"Isn't that Korean?" Khun frowned.
"It's my turn to choose!" Yeon pouted.
"Tandoori chicken?" Shibisu looked up hopefully.
"That's Indian," Khun pointed out.
"Katsudon!" Yeon clapped.
"That's Japanese," Khun snapped. "Bam, what would you like?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"Ahaha..."
The shouts rose to a crescendo.
"Enough!" A vein pounded on Khun's head. "I'm choosing!"
The sushi was pretty good. They got plenty of coupons too.
"Turtle, you forgot to buy bananas."
---⁖⁘ ❄🌰❄ ⁖⁘---
“Why are we playing this stupid game?” Khun grumbled.
“Because we’re bored,” Shibisu slapped a card on the coffe table. “And Bam wanted to play. Right Bam?”
“Ahaha…”
“Besides all tests have been suspended until further notice because of the torrential rains,” Isu shrugged as he grabbed another card from the deck.
“Can’t they just ask the administrator to make it stop?” Bam asked. He was out of the game but he leaned on Khun as he arranged his cards.
“They tried. Apparently this floor’s administrator likes the rain but the longest he’s made it rain nonstop so far is seven days and seven nights,” Isu tried his luck with another pull. "So far we're on the fifth day."
“What if they make it rain for a year?” Yeon gasped, hands to her mouth.
“There’s always a first time for everything,” Hatz quipped.
“Don’t jinx it!” Khun threw his cards down. “Royal flush. I win again.”
“No way! All my cookies are gone,” Isu cried.
“I’m not playing anymore,” Khun leaned back on the couch, snuggling against Bam. Khun was getting grumpier by the minute and he hated how the humidity was curling his hair. “But there’s no helping it then. Make sure to keep yourselves in shape and be ready at a moment’s notice.
The rain poured for days more. Still, nothing goes on forever. And when it stopped, a splash of color brightened the morning sky.
“Look, a rainbow!” Yeon gasped and proceeded to drag everyone outside.
“Take a look, Khun! What a rare sight!” Isu called.
“No, thanks.”
“Come on, Khun! Let’s take a look,” Bam smiled.
“Sure, Bam.”
“Hey, what was that about?” Shibisu grumbled.
Bam just laughed. Knowing he was special made his heart swell. “Khun! Let’s go!!”
Of course. How can I not take that hand? In my thoughts and in my heart, you will always be first. Khun took Bam’s hand and let him lead him out. They stood side by side. And Bam’s arm around Khun’s waist felt reassuring. It’s such a wonderful feeling. The closest Khun could describe it was that Bam felt like home. There were still sparks but sometimes Khun can tame them into a comfortable buzz.
Khun looked up to see two rainbows. They mirrored each other and brightened the sky. They were indeed very pretty. When was the last time he saw one? What was it they said about rainbows? That they were symbols of hope? He felt himself relaxing into an unbidden smile.
“Aguero,” Bam’s whisper startled him. The way Bam said his name made his heart flip. His breath tickled Khun’s ear. “I love you.” His voice was deep and warm and sure.
Khun whirled towards him. Bam’s soft and adoring smile was the most precious thing Khun has ever seen. Khun’s heart filled and overflowed. It felt like he was about to explode. And yeah, he was most likely as red as a beet. He swallowed once, twice, and found his voice. It was shaky but it was clear, “And I love you, Bam.”
At the end of rain is a rainbow. At the end of every rainbow is a treasure. And what better treasure, more precious than gems, is there than love reciprocated? You don’t really need someone to complete you. You only need someone to accept you completely. Love doesn’t have to be perfect. And in this Tower where the red flowers of death bloom as often as the seeds of betrayal are sown, it just needs to be true.
One rainbow is a promise. Two rainbows mean eternity. Isn’t it fitting that they pledge their love under them and then seal it with a kiss?
Yes, Khun laughs as he pulls away breathless. He could never have planned something as spontaneous and magical as this.
---⁖⁘ ❄🌰❄ ⁖⁘---