Work Text:
It was time to go back to island life again for 6 months. This time Mahasamut had gone 3 weeks earlier than usual saying he had more tourist influx. His business had definitely grown bigger. He had two more assistants now excluding Palm. One small souvenir shop which was open round the year managed by Palm was also set up beside his small diving office. His old house had been converted into a full time diving gear storage place as he didn't live there anymore. It was convenient and resourceful as the location was near the villagers market, tourists nowadays were more interested in authentic places.
Tongrak knew his boyfriend was hard working but sometimes he hated him for that too. It's not like Mahasamut really needed the money he earned during the high season. His condo rent itself could cover their living expenses along with a lavish life. Royalty from his books was also enough to keep them fed for life but telling Mahasamut to stop working can hurt his self esteem so Tongrak would never do that. But he tried to put more and more effort, tiring himself more in the process of something he hated. He knew Mahasamut loved the sea but the unknown fear which came along with his job for Tongrak was something he wanted to talk about. Like it would be nice to have a boyfriend who didn't risk his life on a daily basis to earn money. He had once proposed to Mahasamut that he could open a diving school in the city as his profession but Mahasamut had laughed at his idea.
He tried to suggest swimming Instructor but Mahasamut said this paid more money, his current work so Rak stopped asking him after that. Months passed by, their love deepened and so did Rak’s fear. This time Mahasamut was more busy. He did not return home until almost midnight.
One night when Mahasamut returned and directly went into the bed his body smelled like perfumes.. perfumes which clearly belonged to females and Rak’s nose twitched. He did not like this smell. Other days he would take a bath before getting into bed but that night he didn’t. He was visibly tired. He has asked Mut about his late night returns but he said he was more busy this year and nothing else. He told Rak not to worry much. Even in his exhaustion Mut scooted into Rak's side and circled his waist pulling him into a cuddle before settling his head into Rak's neck, placing a few kisses before his breathing evened out.
He smelled like other people.. and alcohol. “Was he drunk?” Rak thought. He turned in Mut’s embrace and went closer to smell him. “Yes unknown cheap cologne mixed with alcohol” it was not the Versace Pour Homme Rak had gifted him on his last birthday a few weeks ago which he used almost everyday now. He didn't like the smell on his bed. He poked Mut to go take a bath but he didn't budge. Not even a sound came out of his mouth. He continued to sleep like a log. Rak sat up on the bed deep in his thoughts that he should just make a drama next morning and go back to the city? Maybe Mut will follow him back? But what if he doesn't? What will he do? It's not like he really can live without him. After a lot of contemplation he woke up from bed, went to the kitchen and brought some hot water in a vessel. He took out a hand towel from the fresh laundry he had folded that afternoon while watching some stupid show going on on the TV because he couldn’t write.
He sat by Mahasamut’s side and opened all his buttons. After a lot of struggle he was successfully able to take out the shirt, vest and pants he was wearing and threw them in the laundry. He took the wet towel out of the water and wringged it. The water was warm so that it didn't suddenly wake Mut from his sleep. Rak knew his man was tired and needed some care from him.
He cleaned his whole body with the towel, getting rid of the smell which made him ponder on things he never thought he would. Once he was done he went back to the blanket, beside Mut, and Mut immediately pulled him into embrace where he actually belonged. He kept thinking about why Mut possibly smelled like other people until exhaustion took him and the warmth in his boyfriend's arms lulled him to sleep.
Mut always smelled like sea whenever he came back home from work, with a slight hint of the cologne he used that morning before stepping out but nowadays he didn’t. It was almost 7 days after which Rak couldn't control himself so he finally asked Mut about it but he was met only with the vaguest answer possible. He practically ignored Rak’s question about his whereabouts. Told him it will be over in 2 days. After that his full attention would be for Rak only but he wasn’t satisfied. So he decided to grab Palm’s neck to find out his whereabouts. He took out Mahasamut’s Isuzu D-Max pickup truck to go to Mahasamut’s place. Mut had told him many times to learn 2 wheeler driving but he refused. He was scared of that shit even when Mut drove it, let alone him. So he had no other option than taking out the huge pickup truck to go find where his boyfriend was busy. It was not like he doubted infidelity but he hated him coming back home super tired every night. But when he found Palm at the souvenir shop he was so tight lipped he didn’t say anything. He told Rak to wait for a few more days and Mahasamut would tell himself.
Tongrak had recently started cooking himself and he got to know Mahasamut was a fan of shrimps so he checked out a few dishes he could prepare for the next morning. It was a special day for them. It was the day they finally confessed to each other. He planned to do some surprise for Mahasamut the next morning as breakfast.
When he parked the car in the market parking lot it was already noon, the weather was hot so he took out the shades and cap from the glovebox before leaving the car. After 1 hour of roaming in the market he was fully satisfied with his shopping but he felt a bit hungry, so he went to the nearest eatery to have something before he went back to their house. The place was quite empty despite it being lunch time. Only 2 out of 10 tables were filled. One had a foreigner couple and another looked like 3 local ladies. He sat near the sea side table which had some shade and started scrolling his social media account checking for reviews on his recently launched book. He was engrossed in it until he heard “Mahasamut”. His ears immediately become alert. He tried to pry on the conversation between the 3 ladies to hear what they were saying.
“You know that boy Mahasamut he was all show off until last year for bagging that rich tourist acting as if he is gay?”
“Oh yes, he behaved as if he would be his partner or something.”
“Huh! Men are men, they will always be attracted to women. He had his fun with that guy and now he is again enjoying it with foreign tourists.”
“What? Really?”
“Yes, my husband was saying he is hanging at the bar late at night with girls.”
“I thought they were an actual couple now, they even live together.”
“He is having fun inside and outside the house both.”
“Oh my god I feel bad for the Bangkok guy.”
“It’s his fault that he thought with white skin and slim body he would be able to snag the Island Heartthrob.”
“Yes exactly, so many Japanese girls literally come back every year just for Mahasamut.”
It was a lot for Tongrak to hear, so he went to the billing counter, placed a 1000 Baht note and left without even eating anything. It was already past 2pm. He knew there were no ferries back to the mainland anymore. He called up the yacht guy but he was busy too. He had to stay on the island that night and he had no other option. He went back home. Parked the car outside their home and went directly inside to his closet. He took out important things he wanted back with himself and packed everything. He placed the bag inside the trolley and went to his bed. He cried until sunset then woke up from his bed. “Let me see my own love slipping through the knuckles one last time.” He murmured to himself.
Around 9pm when he went to the bar he saw what he knew he would see but one part of his heart said he wouldn’t. Mahasamut was leaning at the bar and a girl was leaning on him. He immediately left the bar.
That night again Mahasamut came home late and directly went to bed. But once Mahasamut’s breath evened out he got out of the bed and went to his desk.
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Mahasamut woke up in an empty bed. He spread his hands on Rak’s side but it was cold. Like no one ever slept there last night. He sat up frantically. Generally Tongrak was a late riser he should be still asleep, it was just 6:05am. He went out of the room on their balcony but no signs of Rak. he went back to the kitchen but found nothing. When he went to Rak’s study, and saw the empty desk his gut wrenched. He went near the table and found a Plate covered with mesh. There was food inside. And two envelopes beside it and their house keys. He opened the bigger one first and found the Legal documents for the house ownership transfer. It said the house was transferred from Rak’s name to Mahasamut. He was confused. He checked the date and it showed 3 weeks ago. Next he opened the smaller packet and found a handwritten letter from Rak.
To Mut
Thank you for giving me the best 2 years of my life. I have never been so happy in my life before but things which aren't ours we shouldn’t dream of them. I will never regret loving you but I would regret showing you that. I never imagined I would tell you this on the same day of our anniversary but I understand I am not enough for you. I wish you yourself would have come and told me about it rather than finding it out myself.
One thing I never expected was I will find you with someone else in a bar.
This house has been transferred to your name long back. Keep it as a payment for all the happiness you gave me. Just one request, never bring anyone else to our bed.
I am going back to Bangkok. DO NOT TRY TO FIND ME.
GoodBye
Rak
Mahasamut panicked. He looked at the clock. It was 6:14am. The first ferry leaves the pier at 7:00am. If he hurries up he can still catch him before he gets on the ferry. He ran his hands through his hair. Looked around the house and sighed deeply.
“This is not how I wanted to do this but Khun Tongrak you gave me no other chance.” He grabbed his phone, his bag and the keys and ran out of the house. He drove his pickup truck at the highest speed possible to reach the pier at 6:43am.
He saw Tongrak sitting on the edge of the pier with his heads down. Luckily the ferry wasn't at the pier yet. As it was an early morning ferry the pier was almost empty and there was still time. He ran to Tongrak and fell on his knees in front of him. He held Tongrak’s hands in a blink of a second before Rak could react.
“Khun Tongrak? How did you even think that I would do such a thing to you?”
“Why are you here Mahasamut? I clearly told you not to find me.”
“I had to.”
“I don’t want to listen to your excuse. It’s over between us.”
“It’s not. It’s not over until you hear my part of the story.”
“Ok tell me.” Rak said after a big sigh.
“Did you come to the bar last night?”
“Yes.”
“And you saw me with a girl?”
“Yes.”
“She was leaning on me?”
Tongrak looked at him with angry eyes but stayed silent.
“Then why didn’t you come inside the bar and slap me real hard?”
“How can I do that to you?”
“Do you remember when I found you with that Australian guy? Did I break up with you or….?”
“He was flirting with me, I did not do anything and you know that.”
“Did you, not even for a second, think that it could be the same case with me? Is this how much you trust me Khun?”
Rak opened his mouth but closed back again.
“Tell me!”
“I went to the market yesterday and people were talking about you.”
“What did they say?”
“That you are fucking tourists again.”
“And you believed?”
“I…. I…..”
“TELL ME! You really believed their words and left me? For forever?”
“I mean, you came home every night tired, smelling like alcohol and cheap cologne. Female cologne and then people saying all that suddenly…. I… I…”
“Then you should have asked me.”
“I DID. You ignored my question.”
“I did. I agree. But did I not ask for 2 days more time from you? Khun I don't know what to say. I am … I can’t find words to explain to you.”
“I am sorry for leaving without words.”
“OOK!” Mahasamut screamed suddenly shocking Rak. he fished into his side bag and took out a red velvet box.”
“Khun Tongrak, I am sorry for hiding this from you. I have been working in the bar for the last 4 weeks. I took an advance from them to buy you this. In return I was supposed to take care of the bar until the actual manager returned from his paternity leave. With my job it would have been never possible to buy this in the next 5 years. I know you would say you could have bought it for us but I wanted to do it. And the bar was the best option because of the crazy amount of tip the drunk foreigners left behind.” He opened the box.
“I did not want to do it like this but you did not leave me with any other option.”
“Will you marry me Khun Tongrak? Now that our country has legalized it I want to be the person responsible for you legally as well.”
Tongrak slipped down from the bench landing straight into Mahasamut’s lap. He hugged him tightly, sniffing in his neck.
“I am sorry for doubting you. I am sorry Mahasamut. I am so sorry.”
He pulled Rak out of his embrace and looked into his eyes. “I don’t want your sorry, I want the answer.”
“I will say yes but I have a condition.”
“What?” Mahasamut asked. A bit nervous from the question.
“I want you to change “Khun Tongrak” to something else.”
And Mahasamut started laughing loudly. “I will call you whatever you want, baby, honey, my heart or wifely?”
“How about all of them?”
And Mahasamut leaned into a kiss before saying “Please marry me baby.”