The Line We Cross Together
Fah's heart wouldn't stop racing the whole walk to Tawan's apartment. The sun was dipping low, and Bangkok's streets were alive with traffic and neon, but all Fah could focus on was the warmth of Tawan's hand brushing against his every few steps. It was reckless—people could see them—but Tawan didn't care. He never cared.
By the time they reached the quiet hallway outside Tawan's unit, Fah's nerves were stretched thin. Tawan unlocked the door with an easy twist, then stepped aside with a teasing smile. "Come in, Engineer. Unless you've changed your mind?"
Fah swallowed hard and entered. The apartment was neat, smelling faintly of coffee and sandalwood. The moment the door shut behind them, silence wrapped around him. It was a silence heavy with expectation.
Tawan leaned against the door, watching him. "You're tense."
"I'm not—" Fah started, but his voice cracked. Tawan laughed softly and crossed the room, closing the space between them.
"Relax." He tilted Fah's chin up with one finger. "No one's here. Just you and me."
Fah's protest died as Tawan's lips pressed to his—slow, deliberate, coaxing. Unlike their rushed kisses before, this one unfolded with patience, Tawan guiding Fah into his rhythm. The taste of mint lingered on his tongue, and Fah melted despite himself.
The kiss deepened, heat rising quickly as Tawan's hand slipped to the back of Fah's neck, pulling him closer. Fah clutched at Tawan's shirt, breath hitching as their bodies aligned. Every careful wall Fah had built cracked under the weight of want.
"Still think this is a bad idea?" Tawan murmured against his mouth.
"Shut up," Fah muttered, kissing him again—harder this time.
They stumbled toward the couch, laughter breaking between kisses. Tawan pushed him down gently, straddling his lap. The contact made Fah's pulse thunder. Their mouths clashed again, hungry now, tongues brushing, breaths mingling in hot, uneven gasps.
Fah's hands found Tawan's waist, fingers digging in, pulling him closer as if afraid he might slip away. Tawan's lips trailed to his jaw, then his throat, the faint scrape of teeth making Fah shiver.
"Tawan…" Fah's voice was low, almost pleading.
"Say it again," Tawan whispered, kissing his collarbone, his voice rougher than usual.
"Tawan."
The sound seemed to undo him. He kissed Fah deeper, fiercer, like every moment they'd wasted in denial was being burned away now. Fah's head spun, every nerve alive, his rational mind dissolving into sensation.
Minutes blurred into each other, kisses stretching into endless heat, touches exploring without hesitation. They didn't go further—not yet—but the line had shifted. The safe distance they had clung to was gone, replaced by a dangerous, delicious closeness that neither wanted to escape.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Tawan rested his forehead against Fah's. "You can run tomorrow if you want," he said softly. "But tonight, you're mine."
Fah didn't run. He kissed him again.