“Five more chapters, and I’ll wrap it up.”
“Really? Ah, I’m not ready to let them go.” Mhok whined.
Day chuckled, “It’s about time. I’ll miss them too, but I think the time pacing is perfect.”
“If you say so,” Mhok muttered, gently closing the laptop, “Does that mean you’re publishing your book soon?”
Day slowly nodded, “If everything goes well, I can do that.”
Mhok smiled cheerily, “God, I’m so excited!”
“You seem happier than me,” Day noted.
“Of course, I’m happy. It’s my book. I wrote it.” Mhok said.
Day scoffed, “Yeah, sure. I’ll just sue you for plagiarism then.”
Mhok laughed, “Oh my! I wouldn’t dare then.”
Day laughed along. He felt comfortable and worthy when he was around Mhok. He had never experienced such feelings with anyone before.
Day decided that P’Mhok was special.
“Ah, not again.”
“What happened, P’Mhok?”
“The power went out. It has happened thrice this day.”
Day looked sad. Mhok faced problems that Day didn’t. Their lives were so different.
“I should’ve bought candles and torches. I never thought- “
“It’s okay, Day. It’s not that bad. I can manage.”
Day was quiet for a moment, “Is it too dark?”
“Honestly, it is.” Mhok admitted, “But it’s nothing I can’t bear with.”
Day thought for some time, “Is it bright outside?”
Mhok glanced outside, “It’s a full moon night. There’s enough light outside.”
Day smiled, “Perfect! Let’s go out then.”
“Right now? This late?”
“P’Mhok, I meant we can stay in our lawn. There’s plenty of space there.”
Mhok’s heart fluttered whenever Day used the term ‘our’ – our home, our pet, our lawn.
“Let’s go then,” Mhok breathed out.
Day grabbed Mhok’s arm even though he knew the directions like the back of his hand. Maybe he did it for P’Mhok, who couldn’t see in the dark. Day decided that the latter was the case.
Opening the front door, they stepped out.
The cold air engulfed them, making them feel a little chilly.
“Should we grab a jacket or something?”
“A duvet will be better.” Day suggested.
Mhok was confused, but they went inside and brought a huge blue colored duvet.
Mhok led Day to a comfortable spot in their huge yard. The grass was artificial, so they didn’t have to worry about bugs or weeds.
“Let’s sit here,” Mhok gently pulled Day to sit beside him.
They settled comfortably.
“P’Mhok, wrap the duvet around yourself,” Day told.
Mhok put the blanket over his shoulder, “What about you?”
Day smiled widely, “I’ll take the other end.”
Mhok’s heartbeat became faster as he realized that they were sharing a blanket, sitting close to each other.
Day looked up at the sky, “The view must be pretty, right?”
Mhok gazed at him in a daze, “Of course.”
“Can you describe it to me, P’Mhok?”
Now he had to tear his eyes off Day and look at the sky.
“There are a lot of stars in the sky since there’s no light pollution here.” Mhok glanced at Day, “Also, the moon is beautiful today.”
“Is it?” Day asked eagerly.
“Yes.”
The wind blew harshly, making it colder. Day shifted closer to Mhok, “It’s so cold.”
“Should we go back?” Mhok asked even though he didn’t want to do that.
“No.” Day refused, “I like it here.”
Mhok laughed, “I can tell.”
“Let’s lay down.” Day already began laying on the ground, and Mhok followed his suit, “Do you like stargazing, P’Mhok?”
“I do,” Mhok shifted his weight on his side and placed the duvet over them.
They stared at the sky for the longest time.
The sky was undeniably beautiful, but in Mhok’s eyes, Day just happened to be more beautiful.
This was a moment both of them would capture in their memory forever.
A moment so beautiful that one wants to live in it forever.
Mhok looked at Day, who still smiled at the sky. How could a man be so appreciative of the sky when he couldn’t even see it himself?
The moonlight fell on them just perfectly, and Mhok didn’t notice his hand traveling towards the glowing boy.
When Mhok’s hand touched Day’s face, both of them were just as surprised.
Day’s face turned towards him, “P’Mhok?”
Even his voice didn’t snap Mhok out of his trance. He was lost in those confused doe eyes. He was already leaning in.
“What’s happening, P’Mhok?”
Mhok halted and slowly withdrew his hand, “Oh, there was something on your face.”
Day shook his head, “You scared me with that silent treatment.”
“I’m sorry.”
I’m sorry for being such a coward.
Day smiled, “It’s okay, P’Mhok.” He went back to staring at the sky.
Mhok didn’t know what to do anymore. This feeling was eating him alive.
With the prolonged silence, Day slipped into a slumber.
“Day?” Mhok looked at him, “Have you slept?”
Since he received no answer, Mhok figured that the younger man had already slept.
Mhok didn’t want to wake him up, so he just let it be. Moreover, the cold was bearable at that moment.
Slowly, Mhok also let sleep consume him.
Hours later, the weather was not so nice to them anymore. It had gotten too chilly, and it was still nighttime.
That made Mhok open his eyes.
It took him a moment to realize what was going on, and when he did, he was flabbergasted and overjoyed at the same time.
Day’s warm body was pressed up against him as he rested his head on Mhok’s arm. Day was snuggling against Mhok.
Mhok was scared to even breathe, not wanting to ruin that precious moment.
After much contemplation, Mhok wrapped his arm around Day gently, causing Day to stir slightly and move closer to Mhok.
Mhok held his breath and looked down at Day, who dozed off peacefully. His cheeks were squished against Mhok’s shoulder, making his lips pucker.
Mhok stared at him in adoration.
Was it selfish of him to want Day to sleep next to him forever?
Mhok lifted his hand and patted Day’s head lovingly.
Heavens knew how much Mhok wanted Day to be his.
He reveled in that moment for some time before Day opened his eyes.
“P’Mhok?” Day began tapping Mhok’s body to figure out what was going on, “Are we still out?”
“Yes, Day.”
“Oh,” Day noticed their close proximity, “I must’ve bothered you in my sleep.” Day began to move away from Mhok’s body.
Involuntarily, Mhok’s arm held onto Day’s waist, keeping him from moving further, “No, you didn’t.”
Day blinked multiple times. His breathing became rapid. He wasn’t scared of Mhok. He just felt nervous. Was this what they called ‘butterflies’?
“I’m too tired. Can you,” Day yawned, “Can you take me to bed?” He was too sleepy to think deeply about it.
Day was absolutely tired, but he could walk by himself if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to.
“You want me to,” Mhok began unsurely, “carry you to bed?”
Day nodded, looking away. Was he blushing?
Mhok felt hope bubble in him. Did this mean what he thought?
“Okay then,” Mhok sat up and so did Day.
Wrapping the duvet around Day, Mhok lifted him off the ground.
It was the second time Mhok was lifting Day. The first time was too sorrowful to even reminisce.
He walked towards Day’s room and carefully put the half-asleep man on the bed.
His hand was on Day’s shoulder as he laid him down, and Day caught it as soon as Mhok began to leave, “P’Mhok?”
“Hm?” Mhok answered, even though he was startled.
“I’ll install an inverter. We wouldn’t have to deal with this darkness anymore.”
Mhok’s heart warmed at Day’s thoughtfulness.
Day didn’t want Mhok to experience the darkness even when Day himself was surrounded by it all the time.
“Thank you, Day. You’re a good man.” Mhok couldn’t help but keep his hand on Day’s head.
Day slightly shook his head, “You’re better.”
Mhok caressed Day’s hair, “I’d disagree on that, but let’s leave it at that.”
“Good night, P’Mhok.” Day grinned at him.
“Good night, Day.”
It was indeed a good night.
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