The car drove farther, turning onto a quiet, deserted road. Its headlights cut through the darkness, and the steady hum of the engine was the only sound in the wind.
When the car stopped, they both got out. The cold air hit Mok's face. He looked at the open field, where many flowers bloomed under the night sky, making the place feel peaceful and calm.
He stepped onto the grass, catching Kao's smile. Mok tracked his gaze up to the vast sky and pale moonlight.
"How did you find this place?" He asked. "I can't believe my eyes. I feel... relieved."
"It's Artit's place," Kao replied. "I've been here with him a few times."
"Kao..." Mok called softly. "Come here."
Kao rounded the driver's side and stood beside him. "What's wrong? Are you cold?" He unzipped his black jacket. Mok reached out to stop him, but Kao ignored the protest, draping the warm fabric over Mok's shoulders anyway.
Mok's ears burned red as he turned away. He tried to avoid Kao's eyes, but Kao's fingers accidentally brushed against the flushing tips.
Feeling the warmth, Kao quickly pulled his hand back, trying to calm himself.
Bracing his back against the car, Mok dropped his eyes from the sky to Kao, who was quietly watching him.
"Can I ask you something?" His voice mixed with the sound of the crickets. "You asked why I've been avoiding you. Actually... I'm scared. I'm scared of being used again. I didn't mean to overhear your conversation."
He lowered his head. "I heard you were going on a date with a girl. It's just... I don't want to come between you two."
Before he could finish, Kao pulled him into a tight hug, cutting off his words. "It's not what you think," Kao said, his voice shaking. "Really."
He gently held Mok's face and lifted it up. "My family arranged it. I don't want it..."
The fear on Kao's face surprised Mok.
"Kao... why are you sweating? I only wanted to ask. Nothing more." Mok took Kao's trembling hands. "Stop squeezing them so hard. You'll hurt yourself."
"Mok..." Kao hesitated. "My family and I aren't on good terms, but Artit already handled everything, so I don't have to go on that date." His grip tightened. "Please... don't leave me, Mok."
Mok held Kao's damp hand a little tighter. "Kao... do you like me? We only slept together..."
The question came out before he could stop it.
Biting his lip, Mok tried to pull his hand away, but Kao locked his fingers in place. "Do you really think I'd sleep with just anyone?" Kao asked, fighting to control his emotions. "You're not just anyone. If I say I like you... you won't run away from me, right?"
"Mok... can I start courting you?"
Silence fell between them again. Even the insects seemed quieter.
"I'm not easy to win over," Mok huffed, tilting his head into the dark to hide his blush, though their hands remained intertwined.
"Then that means I can start chasing you." Kao leaned in closer. "Mok... your ears are red."
Covering his ear, Mok lightly punched Kao's shoulder. "Are you a fool? You did that on purpose. Kao, don't laugh..."
He raised his fist again, but Kao caught his hand and kissed the back of it.
Startled, Mok quickly got into the car and shut the door.
Kao stood outside for a moment, then knocked on the window. "I'm taking that as a yes."
Pretending not to hear, Mok kept his focus straight ahead on the steering wheel.
Smiling, Kao got into the car.
Inside, Mok had hidden his face in the jacket. "I can smell his perfume..." He buried his face into it again, breathing in the scent.
The sound of the door closing startled him.
He quickly sat up straight as Kao got into the driver's seat. "Is something wrong?"
"N-No... It's hot." Embarrassed, Mok tried to take the jacket off. His movements became clumsy as the sleeve caught on the seat, making it hard to remove.
A faint smile playing on his lips, Kao crowded closer. "You need to relax, Mok."
As Mok turned, their lips accidentally met. Kao stripped the jacket from Mok's shoulders, tossing it into the back seat. Cupping Mok's face, he gently bit his lower lip.
Mok's heart pounded. Without resisting, he opened his mouth. They kissed again, deeper this time, their tongues meeting in a slow, gentle rhythm inside the quiet car.
"It's sweet..." Kao whispered, licking his lips. "Mok..." He paused, locking eyes with him as his thumb caressed Mok's lower lip.
Overwhelmed, Mok stole one more taste, their lingering embrace slowly fogging up the car windows.
Mok parted his breath, exhaling heavily as a strand of saliva broke between them. Kao instantly buried his face in his neck, tangling his fingers deep in Mok's hair.
"Aren't you uncomfortable?" Mok murmured, his voice weak. Taking a deep breath, Kao softly chuckled. Both of them glanced toward the back seat at the same time, laughing quietly at the sudden tension.
"I wasn't thinking anything..." Mok complained, gripping Kao's shirt. "You're the one..."
"Okay, okay... I'm the only one thinking it," Kao teased.
Suddenly, Mok froze. Kao's hand slipped down, gripping the firm ridge through his pants. "What is this?"
"That's... because your hand pressed there," Mok stammered, averting his face toward the window.
"I got it, I got it. Don't avoid me," Kao cooed. Even as he spoke, his fingers slowly slid down the zipper of Mok's pants. "I can help you out..."
Mok reached out to block him, but Kao dismissed the resistance, drawing him deep into his mouth. A quiet, choked noise escaped Kao's throat. Mok's mind went blank. He anchored his fingers in Kao's hair, urging his head closer. Pinned between the seat and the glass, Mok sat there, completely open and breathless.
"Ahh..."
His moans grew louder, but Mok quickly clamped his mouth shut. Reaching down, his fingers breached the gap in Kao's pants, driving deep inside. "It's so hot. I want him. I want to sink inside," Mok's mind raced as Kao's mouth made slick, wet sounds that echoed through the quiet car.
"Wait, Kao... lift your head," Mok gasped. He tried to pull away, but Kao held fast. "I'm going to come... you need to..."
Kao refused to back down. He fixed his eyes on Mok with a mischievous smile, showing he had no intention of stopping.
He was half-standing in the cramped space, his head resting on Mok's lap as his lower body leaned against the driver's seat. The sudden warmth of Mok's hand inside his pants made him shift his weight, crowding even closer against him.
"Really? You want to continue? As you wish," Mok muttered. His fingers plunged deep into Kao's tight opening, which was already slick and reacting to his touch.
"I'm coming... Damn it, Kao, take your..." Mok's words cut off as he forcibly pulled out. Seeing the fluid dripping from his lips, Kao just gave a sweet smile. Instead of pleasure, Mok felt a surge of irritated pride. Grabbing a handful of tissues, he began wiping the other's face. "Why did you do that?" Mok demanded.
"It's not bad," Kao replied. His tongue swept out, gathering the leftover fluid. That response left Mok completely speechless.
"But Mok, why did you pull your hand out? I like it..." Kao whined. He ran his tongue along the knuckles Mok had just used to stretch him.
Helpless against the teasing, Mok shielded his eyes with his arm. He stayed still in the quiet car, but Kao eagerly tried to nip at his neck again. Mok pushed him back, focusing first on finishing Kao's face and then on cleaning his own clothes.
"Let's go back," Mok insisted, trying to end it.
But Kao stayed clingy. His fingers quickly popped open Mok's buttons, burying his face beneath the fabric. Biting down gently on Mok's nipple, he grinned against the skin. "Can we have a second round?"
"No," came the instant rejection.
"Mok... Mok..." Kao started pestering him.
Mok brushed off the pleading. "Not gonna happen. I can't even handle you. Look at the mess you made."
Kao dropped his head and quietly returned to his seat, giving a silent nod. Seeing him sulk, Mok couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
"Kao..." he breathed. "Do you want to sleep with me?"
Kao's eyes immediately lit up.
"Not like what we were doing before," Mok quickly added. "Just sleep. That's all."
He opened his arms, waiting.
"So... you don't want to? Forget it, then." Before Mok could lower his embrace, Kao had already thrown himself into the open space.
"Why are you so clingy today?" Mok murmured, a small grin tugging at his mouth as he tightened his hold. "I'm letting you off because you look tired."
Kao relaxed against his chest.
"Come on. Let's move to the back seat. It'll be better than staying up front like this."
Together, they settled into the back.
Time quietly flowed by.
Moonlight streamed through the glass, casting a gentle glow inside the car.
The soft light woke Mok. He glanced down, tucking a few loose strands behind Kao's ear. Kao's head rested against Mok's bare chest, where the light teeth marks were still visible.
Mok buried his face in the soft locks and drew in a slow breath. "I'm becoming too conscious of him," the silent thought surfaced. "The more I ignore this attachment, the more it tortures me. Kao has already been honest about his feelings. But what about me?"
Removing his glasses, Mok ran a hand through his hair. "I like him..." His voice was barely a whisper. "So why is it so hard to admit?"
Kao moved uneasily in his sleep. Once again... another nightmare.
Mok gently wiped away the tears that had soaked his bare chest. "Just what happened to you...?" His thumb rested on Kao's damp cheek.
"I pretended not to notice... but I saw them from the very first day we spent together."
His eyes dropped to Kao's wrist, focusing on the scar that was barely visible beneath his watch.
"Does it still hurt?"
There was no reply. Kao stayed fast asleep.
"Sleep well... I'm here."
A quiet hum escaped Kao, and Mok's features relaxed into a warm smile.
That night, Kao's tears refused to stop. Even so, Mok gently cradled him close as the moon continued to shine through the glass.