Pond looked solemn after ending the call when Joong went back to their table.
"Mi alai reu bpao (Is something wrong)? You don't look too happy after that call." His brother, Pond had always been a happy go lucky kind of guy, nothing fazes him.
"Phi Bai said that the Japan branch needs me back." Phuwin was just walking to their table when Pond spoke. Pond was surprised by Phuwin's appearance. He had not thought of telling Phuwin as he was planning on how to reject his brother, Bright. Joong could see the dilemma running through Pond's face. He had just started his relationship with Phuwin and had every intention of living the rest of his life with him. He can see why he was troubled.
"I can go with you. It's been a long time since I've been to Japan" Pond and Joong were shocked by Phuwin's response. Pond reached out and squeezed him in appreciation. Joong couldn't be more happy for his brother. When Dunk joined them, Pond had asked him out of courtesy if it's okay for Phuwin to follow him to Japan. He had assured him that he would take good care of him. Dunk had nodded with a smile. Joong noticed something off about Dunk after knowing that Phuwin will be leaving with Pond. He had slung his arm across Phuwin's shoulder as he listened to him speak. It was as if he was trying to memorize his brother's facial expression but Joong didn't know why.
***
Phuwin was clinging on to Dunk when Dunk and Joong were sending him and Pond off at the airport. Dunk had hugged, comforted and reassured him that he'll be fine. When Dunk left for the washroom, Pond couldn't help but ask if he was really okay to leave with him.
"Gu (I'm) okay. It's just that Gem and Fot had also left for Japan two days ago, so hia is all alone." Phuwin looked towards where Dunk had left. The Chivaaree brothers began to understand his concern.
"Don't worry, Phu. Joong will take care of him, shai ba (right)?" Joong nodded. Dunk had been nothing but kind to him since he stepped foot on Thai soil. He won't admit that he would do it because he likes him as well. He won't even dare admit that to himself.
Dunk hugged Phuwin when it was time. "Ki o tsukete ne (Be safe)" Dunk whispered.
"Shinanaide (Don't die on me)" Phuwin whispered back and started to tear but Dunk warned him that Pond will start to suspect something. Dunk gave him one last pat on the back before letting him go. He waved towards them as they went beyond the gate. Dunk lets out a heavy sigh.
"My brother will take good care of him. It's in the Chivaaree genes to take good care of their partner." Joong tried to assure Dunk.
"Hmm... that's good to know. So, you'll take good care of your partner too? You're the only single one left among the Chivaaree brothers. Should I find someone for you too?" Dunk teased Joong as he slung his arm on his shoulder. Joong rolled his eyes even though his heart was thumping. He was surprised when Dunk snapped his fingers.
"I know just the place to end our day" Dunk said excitedly. He had brought him to a bar called Hex bar. Joong was perplexed, for a person who has low alcohol tolerance, he sure knew a lot of bars. Joong felt like he had walked into the wizarding world of Harry Potter with the interior design of the bar.
True enough, the menu looked like a spell book and all the drinks had a weird like portion name to it. The bartender had introduced them to the signature menu of 8 to which Dunk agreed on.
"we'll share so we don't get as drunk as the last round. except maybe the last two, we'll bottoms up to your new found freedom." Dunk beamed to which Joong could only agree on.
All the drinks had interesting names and a little gimmick to it- be it whirling in glitter or a cloud of smoke coming out of it. The alcohol level increasing as they went but they were having fun with the novelty of it. When the bartender mentioned that the most customers said the fourth drink tastes delicious, Joong didn't know how the both of them aimed to sip from the glass at the same time.
Joong's heart was pounding loudly in his chest that he decided to let Dunk have the first sip.
Dunk agreed with the bartender that it was delicious and urged Joong to try it out.
When the bartender passed them the drink called El Diablo, Joong couldn't help but laughed at Dunk's reaction after his first sip. He shook his head and passed the rest of it to Joong.
When they came to the final two drinks, the bartender said that he will be mixing the drink according to their wishes.
"Do you want a potion for your love, success, wealth, health or good luck?" He asked.
"I want everything but love." Dunk answered without a thought. Joong couldn't help the sinking feeling within him when he heard those words. It didn't stop him from asking why. He wondered if Dunk was a little tipsy when he answered in a sing song manner, "pror wa... phom rak khun (because... I love you)" he proceeded to chuckle as if it was some inside joke. It was a dead give away that Dunk didn't really mean it when Dunk used phom khun instead of gu meung. He had not been this formal since they first met. Sometimes, he can never know when to take him seriously. Dunk let him try his drink first before finishing it off.
"moot gaew (bottoms up)! Sathu gao gao (may my wishes come true)!" he proudly announced that he finished it a go. Joong had laughed at his antics. The bartender proceeded to look at Joong expectedly.
" I wish for good health and love" His gaze had searched for Dunk unknowingly but he was busy munching on the tidbit provided. It was then that Joong realized that he hadn't stop munching since they arrived.
When the bartender passed him the drink, Dunk said that he will surely fall in love by tomorrow but Joong's heart seemed to think that he already did. He let Dunk have the taste first. Dunk huffed saying that the alcohol in it wasn't as much as his. It would be easy-peasy for him. Joong had drank a little before taking the plunge.
"Do you want to share this love with me?" Joong said to Dunk in a light and teasing way.
"ohoo~ will you fall in love with me if I drink this?" Dunk teased back.
"Maybe, you'll never know." Joong wore a confident grin that he was feeling none of it inside. Dunk shook his head and laughed with a word of caution on his lips, "You better not". But yet he took three big gulps before passing back to him.
They continued their friendly banter through the night. The tension and uncertainty confusing Joong deep within, as the push pull between him and Dunk continued.
~Please vote if you like this EP. It drives me forward. Khoorp khun na kha~
Do comment to let me know your thoughts. 😊😊
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A/N: At first I thought of attaching the song feel fan since it through fitted Joong and Dunk's scene in this EP but then it might be a bit raw for a lot of people since the recent announcement so I left it out. Feel free to search it out on youtube for those of you who are okay with it. But yup, they are somewhat closer but just not there... still slow burning...🤭🤭