I guess these simple feelings were everything to me

Oneshot

The scent of pad krapow always brought a smile to Pete's face. It was a Thursday ritual, hugging his Vegas from behind while he prepared the delicacy. Today, however, the air felt heavy, an evident contrast seen in Pete's furrowed brow as he stared blankly at the mixture.

"Oyster sauce, love?" Vegas, his husband, asked, placing a gentle touch over his lover's arms wrapped around him.

"Right," Pete mumbled, a glimpse of recognition returning to his eyes. "Oyster sauce," he poured a hesitant cup into the bowl, his hands now trembling slightly.

Vegas had noticed the subtle changes in Pete over the past year. The misplaced objects around their house, constantly forgetting their dates, the occasional repetition of day-out stories with Tankhun and Porsche. Pete was the next in line to be the head bodyguard of The Theerapanyakuls, the best of the best. Seeing a trained observer like him struggling with daily routine at times worried Vegas. He always shook it off with the excuse of old age, though somewhere he knew Pete was suffering. But this, the struggle with a simple recipe that had been their Thursday routine for the past 3 years of them being together alarmed Vegas about his lover's condition.

The doctor's confirmation a week later was a blow for both, the word "Alzheimer's" echoing in the now silent room like a death bell. Tears gathered in Pete's eyes, but Vegas held his hand, his own voice hiding his fear and pain, "We'll face it together, sweetheart. We always do."

The disease took its time, a slow thief stealing Pete's memories one by one. Navigation soon became a challenge. One afternoon, Pete wandered out of their house, confusion etched all over his face. Vegas found him a few blocks away, sitting on their usual park bench, feeding a kitten. Fear filled his eyes as he looked at him.

"Who are you?" the question, which felt more like a dagger to his heart, was the first time he didn't recognize him. His Pete knew his scent even from afar but today was staring at him as if looking for the first time. Vegas didn't find his love in those eyes and he felt scared.

Vegas knelt before him, his voice cracking a little, "It's me, Vegas, your love. Remember?"

A ghost of their shared past sparked in his eyes as he whispered, "Vegas," a small smile etching across his face. He guided him back home, his hand holding his lover firmly as he made a silent promise in his heart. He swore to be his Pete's anchor in this storm. That night, Pete sobbed in Vegas' arms, his legs strangled over Vegas' lap. "I'm scared, I don't want to let go of us Wegath." "I promise you, I will make it right. You Vegas is not going anywhere baby," he whispered in his ears, with his hands running across Pete's hair, trying his best to comfort him.

As the disease progressed, communication also started to become severe from Pete's end. Vegas resorted to their photos and videos recorded from their daily life over the past three years of them being together, their love being laid bare in those recordings. Pete's face would light up at times, when he would remember a random moment of teasing his Wegath at times while watching them, a mischievous grin usually accompanying. Such moments, fleeting glimpses of the only man he ever truly loved, the only man who looked past his mask, became his most treasured possession. Who knew, if Vegas would get a chance tomorrow to see that grin again? Each moment is thus captured by Vegas' eyes.

Tankhun would also find pleasure in telling Pete about his past adventures as his bodyguard once a week. Seeing his Pete so lost and confused at times, broke Tankhun way more than he imagined. Pete was practically like his younger brother. Pete made sure to always be patient and adore him and Tankhun reciprocated that love tenfold more. But seeing that composed ex-bodyguard of his so lost, a little part broke in his heart.

One morning, Pete woke up confused, fear etched on his face. He didn't seem to recognize anything, neither the room, the furniture nor the man beside him. Vegas hurriedly embraced him and tried humming their tune. The tune... the tune which Pete would hum for Vegas to calm him after a severe nightmare, on days when Vegas' ghosts would haunt him, the same tune which Vegas is now using to calm his lover down. Slowly, Pete gave in to his embrace and slept soundly in his arms. Vegas did not stop humming.

The days turned into months, then years. Pete's world shrunk more with each passing second, his memories now almost like a broken film. Yet, Vegas remained his constant.

One evening, as they sat by the window under the frozen sunset, Pete turned to him, his eyes blank for a second, "Who are you?" he asked, his voice raspy.

Vegas felt a tear roll down his cheek. "I'm Vegas," he whispered, taking his hand in his. "And I'll always be here with you my love, always."
Pete stared at him for a long moment, then a smile, the most beautiful one in years, bloomed on his face. It wasn't recognition, but rather a sense of peace, a connection that transcended words.

Vegas knew that this pain could be habitual or at least less hurtful, considering the years that have rolled by, but he knows that the feeling of hopelessness and lack of security in Pete's eyes was something that would break his heart each time. Moments like this, when Pete loses himself even for just a second, remind him of the time when a cuffed Pete pointed a knife at his neck threatening to kill himself. Somethings can never be prepared for, Vegas knew.
If he knew, it was going to end like this, he would have treasured their memories more.

Alzheimer's may have stolen Pete's memories, but it couldn't touch the essence of their love. Vegas continued to make pad krapow every Thursday, the kitchen no longer filled with their giggles but rather the quiet symphony of their love, a love that echoed loudly even in the face of loss. Pete's faint voices at times escape in the house, as Vegas wished to hear his name just one more time escaping his sweetheart's lips. Behind the faint smiles they passed with each other, remained a promise of being with each other.

🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙 

End Notes

i just know vegas wld stay with pete no matter what and vice versa

was listening to still with you and it just clicked in me to write smth like this ✌️

Tysm for reading and please feel free to drop any suggestion or prompt u wld wish to see <3