part 10: cinnamon latte

                                    

                                          
I added more chapter than intended again lmao
I'm taking the slow in slow burn very seriously
Listen to Tur Ja Ruk Chun Dai Mai (Will You Love Me?) - Instinct for better experience~

Two weeks ago.
"...It's about what the heart wants!"
The words resonated in his head. Tankhun vaguely remembered that night. He had not been drinking irresponsibly for a long time. Poi had to throw him in the taxi and pay the fare back home. Luckily, he got sober in the end and could climb up to his room on his own.
When morning came, what lingered most from the previous night was those words.
Tankhun sipped his instant cappuccino while waiting for his phone to charge up at least 1%. Occasionally wincing at the overpowering bland taste of milk - the coffee as scarce as the phone battery level. Drinking good ones had spoiled his tongue from having lesser qualities.
Oh, he misses Non and his coffee.
His fuzzy morning brain spoke. Followed by a command to his hand, reaching to the phone and detached  the cable from the charging port. Nonsee... there he is. Found his name after scrolling through the mountain of messages from clients and co-workers. Tan internally sighed. He really has no time for social life anymore.
But then, beyond time and space, Nonsee is the source of his positive energy. He tapped on the icon with flowers as a profile picture and giggled to himself. How fitting.
"Honey~"
Tan gaped at the first word. Though, crappy as it is, the caffeine in his instant coffee did kick him awake. Oh. Oh, it's just the opening of a broadcast message.
Tankhun read the rest and his dry lips pulled into a smile. How cute. Definitely not written by Non himself. Not the shy and modest Non. But the fact that he forwarded it to Tan with his personal number, no caption or other message, is cute enough. If that even makes sense.
He'd like to think that it's an invitation to the shop. But invitation or not, he'd come anyway. To follow what his heart desires.
But reality often gets in the way of worldly desires. As expected, 1% isn't enough, so the screen turned black before he could type any reply. Tan sighed. He put the charger back on and got up, leaving his distasteful coffee behind and hopping in the bath. Little did he know, that was how disaster began.
Some lunatic was behind his door right after the shower, abusing the doorbell and banging like Tan owed them millions Baht. "What the fuck?" he muttered. Though after getting closer, he could finally hear the voice in between the other noises.
"P'Tan! Are you home?? Please open the door!"
He hurried and pulled the door open. "Lukdao? What's wrong??"
"Oh, thank god!" said the girl, visibly relaxed, but not for long. She tensed again and grabbed his arm, looking left and right. "Are you okay? Were you in an accident or something? Did you get hurt anywhere?"
"Huh?"
"Seems like you're fine... Where were you, P'?! Everyone's worried sick!"
Very much confused, Tan could only frown while Lukdao swayed him around. Then he remembered all the missed calls and unread messages. So as the older one here, and to cover his guilty feelings, he figured he should remain calm. And calm her down too, yes. "Wait, Luk! Calm down, breathe!" He raised a hand to help with the gesture.
Luk complied on his cue. Breathing in, breathing out, until she's calm enough to let him go. "Sorry, I got too worked up... I'm just relieved to see you're fine."