"I do not speak, yet every glance I give him—
Tells more than words could."
—Kao Neptune
"I'm hungry..."
Achara pressed her palms together in front of her, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Brother, P'Nil, let's go eat."
Her eyes flicked to Than. "Than..."
Than caught the signal at once, patting his stomach with an exaggerated groan. "Hungry too!"
Nil's grip tightened suddenly around Kao's hand. His lips moved, low and uncertain,
"Stranger..." A breath. "Mn..."
Everyone pretended to be at ease, but the silence pressed down, fragile and heavy.
At last, Kao lowered his gaze, voice hushed. "Sorry... I never thought it would turn into this."
Nil answered softly, "It's fine."
A flicker of wry humor touched his lips.
"Back in Bangladesh, my mother used to chase me around the yard with a broomstick."
Achara blinked, startled, before laughter slipped out. Than joined, shaking his head.
"Truly?"
"Mn." Nil's eyes curved faintly. "After enough blows, the skin thickens."
Nil gave Kao's hand a firm tug, "Come. Let's eat."
And without waiting, he pulled him toward the table.
Achara and Than sat together, easy and casual. Kao slid into the seat beside Nil, their shoulders brushing slightly.
Steam rose from Jasmine rice and Tom Yum Goong, with the scent of lime and chili curling through the air. Than's eyes lit up.
"My favorite..."
Kapong Neung Manao gleamed with garlic, Phad Thai Goong Sod waiting for its first twirl. Desserts shimmered: golden mango with sticky rice, Tub Tim Grob bobbing gently.
For Nil, another world unfolded on the table. Shorshe Ilish, mustard bright against the silvered fish—he whispered, "Stranger..."
Pulao, fragrant with warm spices. Luchi, soft and pillowy. Khashi Bhuna, rich and deep. Payesh, thick and golden. Misti Doi, creamy and sweet.
Nil's eyes flicked to Kao. "It's too much...
He exhaled, voice dropping lower, edged with quiet panic.
"I've been on a week-long diet... I'm afraid it will ruin everything."
"Still on a diet."
Achara glanced at Kao and burst into laughter. "And brother prepared the menu... for two days!"
Nil's gaze lingered on Kao, shadowed and intense, lips pressing tight with regret, "I... shouldn't have said that..."
A pause, then louder, almost spilling out:
"I... I did crave this..."
Kao inclined his head slightly.
"Nil, it's completely healthy. Minimal oil... and gentle on the spices."
Servants moved quietly around the table, setting dishes with careful precision, the soft clatter of porcelain punctuating the air.
Achara, observing the exchange with a sly gleam, leaned forward. "P. Nil... you've made my brother Insane ."
Nil blinked, curiosity flickering in his eyes, "How?"
Kao's lips pressed into a line, cutting her off before mischief could spill.
"Achara... no."
But Nil's attention sharpened, leaning just enough to bridge the space between them, "Achara... don't keep things half."
His fingers tapped the table lightly, voice teasing. "...My stomach will start to bubble."
Achara's lips curved into a sly smile,
"Brother was in the kitchen all day today... guiding the chef."
Nil tilted his head, intrigued.
"The chef was... watchable," she continued, voice light. "He kept saying he could manage, but Brother didn't move."
She leaned back, "He stayed there until dinner was ready."
Nil glanced at Kao, admiration threading through the quiet weight in his chest. Kao looked away, brushing it off,
"Don't believe Achara. She's exaggerating..."
Nil's hand slid to Kao's under the table, fingers brushing firmly.
"I'll enjoy the food."
Kao pressed his palms together in a graceful wai, bowing his head slightly to honor the meal. The others followed.
As they began to eat, Nil's attention never wavered from Kao. Every deliberate motion—the careful lift of a spoon, the precise bite—held him spellbound. A soft smile curved his lips.
"Watching him... somehow satisfying..."
Kao caught the faint weight of Nil's gaze and tilted his head. "Want some?"
Nil choked on his words,
'GULP'
"N-no..."
Suddenly, Nil tilted his head. "Stranger... what's your favorite food?"
Kao's lips curved in a hesitant smile,
"Mn... Jok with pork belly."
"And mango sticky rice. Sometimes... Japanese sushi."
Achara's laugh rang out, bright and teasing,
"But you didn't mention your absolute favorite!"
Kao's glance flicked toward her, subtle and coaxing, as if to warn her off. Achara didn't notice, continuing unabated.
"Wagyu beef Massaman curry..."
"...and sometimes Wagyu steak."
"He loves those so much..." she added, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Nil's mouth opened slightly, a low murmur escaping,
"Beef..."
His gaze widened, sharp with surprise as it landed on Kao. "You... eat beef?"
Kao's gaze narrowed at Achara! And she turned to Nil, concern flickering.
"P. Nil... what happened?"
Than let out a chuckle. "Achara... Nil is Hindu."
"Beef is forbidden in his religion."
Achara bit her tongue, cheeks warming. "I'm... sorry," she murmured, stealing a glance at Kao.
Nil exhaled slowly, shoulders easing. "I have no problem..."
"But... why is there no Wagyu here?" His gaze found Kao again, softer now.
Kao's lashes lowered, and his fingers clenched his fork.
Nil's lips curved in a quiet smile.
"What I love... is seeing you enjoy your favorite food."
"Don't... do that next time."
Kao murmured, almost inaudible, "Mn..." his jaw relaxed slightly.
After the hearty meal, Kao guided Nil upstairs, and the door closed softly behind them. Kao's hand brushed Nil's ever so slightly as he led him into a room, the faint warmth lingering where they touched.
"Do you know where we are?" Kao's tone was light, but a spark of excitement shone in his expression.
Nil tilted his head, brow furrowed. "In your room?"
"Wrong."
"Then enlighten me."
"Our room."
Nil scrunched his nose, "Don't like it?" Kao asked.
"Stranger... your room is so plain," eyes sweeping over the space. "Just gray walls, one bed, a table, some books, musical instruments, a mirror... and a few essentials."
Kao shrugged, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly,
"Yeah... what else should a room have?"
Nil began pacing lightly, enthusiasm brightening his tone,
"Ammh... the south wall should be orange, the east wall purple, the west wall red, and—"
A laugh broke from Kao, low and amused.
"Nil, wait. If I follow your plan"
"Our room will look like a rainbow exploded, not a room."
Nil tilted his head, mock indignation creeping in. "Ah, Stranger..."
"I'm working hard to decorate, and you're just—"
His gaze landed on a bracelet resting by the mirror. Fingers hovering, he picked it up, tracing the silver chain lightly.
Kao's voice, soft and careful, "I wanted to give that to you, but..."
A playful spark lit Nil's expression. "But you didn't, Strangerrr," he interrupted.
Kao stepped closer, fingertips brushing Nil's hand as he held the bracelet between them. "This... gives me the feeling of being with you."
"Even when you're not around."
Nil's thumb traced the silver chain lightly, lingering over the small engraving. He leaned against the windowframe, caught between thought and memory, a quiet sigh escaping him.
Kao stepped close from behind, arms wrapping around Nil in a gentle embrace.
"What does 'L' stand for?"
Nil exhaled softly, "My mother... her name is Lata."
Kao's hand brushed along Nil's jaw toward his neck, fingers tentative. "Do you... miss her?"
"Every second," Nil whispered.
"She must be... the best mother in the world," he added, eyes unfocused, lost in thought.
A sudden pang of caution crossed Nil's mind. "I shouldn't talk to Stranger about my mother..."
Kao's grip tightened slightly. "Why stop?"
"Nothing..." he shook his head faintly.
Kao sensed why Nil had fallen silent. He leaned closer, warmth pressing gently against Nil's back.
"Nil..."
His fingers brushed along the curve of Nil's shoulder, tracing lightly as if to anchor the boy in the moment. He exhaled, slow, measured.
"I... I just saw my mother's photograph."
Kao's hands flexed, tightening slightly around Nil before releasing, the motion hesitant yet deliberate.
"Sometimes I wonder... if she had never left... "
"Maybe I could have felt a mother's love, too."
He tilted his head, brushing a stray lock of Nil's hair aside, gaze tracing the line of his neck.
"But... when I hear you speak of your mother, I feel... something warm. Good. Like... maybe one day... I could meet your mother. And feel the same... same affection you had."
Nil exhaled slowly, every shiver sliding through him as he pressed his back fully against Kao's chest. Kao's arms curled around him from behind, strong and deliberate, holding him close.
"Strangerr... she will be too good to you—expect...!"
"Expect what?"
"I... I don't know how she would react... after knowing our relationship."
Kao drew him in, chin resting lightly on Nil's shoulder, breath brushing the nape of his neck.
"Let's leave those for later..."
"For the right time,"
Nil exhaled, pressing a little deeper into the warmth.
"Mnn..."
As the night deepened, Than shifted in his seat beside Achara,
"It's too late... tomorrow's shoot starts early."
"We should head back," he said softly.
Through Kao's large window, the moon hung low—full, flickering, pale as milk. Its light was cold, yet it seeped through the room, threading warmth straight to the bone.
"Beautiful..." Nil murmured.
Nil's head pressed to Kao's. Arms curled around his neck.
"Stranger..."
"Mn..."
Nil tilted his gaze, letting the light linger on his features.
"I've seen the moon before, countless nights, but tonight... it feels different. Alive somehow."
"You know, Stranger... sometimes I think the moon sees everything."
"Every triumph, every fall..."
A wry smile tugged at his lips. "Maybe... it laughs at me..."
" At my failures."
Kao's arms tightened around Nil's neck, pulling him closer., "Now... you have me."
"I hold you." Kao exhaled, heavy.
Voices—Than and Achara—drifted in from the doorway, breaking the cocoon around them.
Nil's lips pressed. "Stranger... I have to go...!"
Kao's grip was reluctant to release him. "Can't you... Stay here?"
Nil tilted his head away from Kao's chest, shoulders stiffening. "Your house... It's nearly an hour from my shooting location." A heavy sigh escaped him.
"Not possible..."
Moonlight gleamed across their faces, silver and hot. Kao's lips parted, brushing slowly against Nil's. His breath hitched, chest pressing closer. Eyes closed, their mouths met again—soft.
Nil pulled back slightly, gaze fixed on Kao's glistening lips, breath uneven, heart quickening. On tiptoe, he rose just enough to close the space between them again, fingers threading through the soft strands at Kao's nape. Their mouths met once more—slow, deliberate. No roughness, no force; only surrender, and respect.
"Love you..." Nil whispered husky, lips brushing against Kao's jaw.
"Never leave me," Kao returned.
Moonlight pooled around them, silver and warm, witnessing their kiss.
Than's voice drifted from the hallway. "Nil... Nill... It's late. Let's go."
After a moment, Nil and Kao entered the drawing room, fingers intertwined. Achara stepped forward, a small, pleading smile on her lips.
"Brother... may I borrow your Nil for a moment?" she asked softly.
Kao lowered his hand to brush lightly over her hair. "...Mn..."
Alone with Nil, Achara, "P. Nil... you know how much my brother loves you."
"Since meeting you, he's... changed. Don't ever leave him alone."
Nil's gaze found Kao's across the room,
"I won't."
"I promise."
Achara stepped forward, holding a small gift between her hands, eyes earnest. Nil hesitated, fingers brushing the delicate wrapping, but Achara's insistence was gentle yet unyielding. "Just open it..."
"I know you can't say no."
Nil slowly lifted the lid. Inside lay a 'Silver Eternal pendant', exquisitely crafted, delicate enough to rest between his fingers like a secret. His eyes fell on the fine engraving—Nil and Stranger.
A small smile curved his lips. "It's... beautiful."
Achara leaned slightly forward, "Do you like it?"
Nil drew her into a gentle hug,
"Thank you..."