“Here, I have something to show you.”
Mhok made Day sit on a chair.
“What is it, P’Mhok?” Day brought his hands forward and began touching what was on the table, “It’s a laptop.”
“Yeah,” Mhok pulled another chair and sat close to him, “I installed a software after some research. It’s called dictation technology. It converts spoken words into digital text on a screen. Using this, one can write words by speaking them aloud. They can also edit and revise by using their voice.”
Day blinked for some time before he caught on, “You did that for me?” His tone was grateful with a tinge of surprise in it.
“Yes,” Mhok held his hand, “In the future, you can write books on your own. You won’t be dependent on me.”
Day raised an eyebrow, “So, you don’t want to be my amanuensis anymore?”
Mhok coughed, “It’s not like that, Day.”
Day laughed out, “I understand, P’Mhok. I was just joking.”
Mhok released a breath, “So you like it?”
“Yes,” Day nodded, “Thank you for this, P’Mhok. I needed it.”
Mhok put an arm around Day’s shoulder, “Of course, since your book is selling out, you’d need this. Gosh, you’re becoming famous.”
Day waved his hands in dismissal, “Nothing like that, P’Mhok. The book is selling out because the marketing strategy is good.”
“But I’ve read the reviews online left by readers,” Mhok began, “They were praising how well the story is narrated and how much they were engrossed in it. You can’t give all the credit to the publishing company now. You’ve done a great job as well.”
Day stood there calmly, soaking in the compliment, “Is it true? People love my work that much?”
“Yes, Day.” He held him by the shoulders, facing him, “You’re an amazing author.”
Day couldn’t hide his flushed face, “Thank you, P’Mhok. I’m glad that the book is getting recognition so quickly. It’s been just a month after the publishing.”
Mhok held his face, caressing his cheek, “You deserve it all, Day.”
“Uhm, where’s Hazel?” Day cleared his throat.
Mhok shook his head, suppressing a smile, “He’s sleeping.”
The cool breeze entered the room, leaving the atmosphere chilly.
“Is it raining, P’Mhok?”
Mhok glanced outside through the open window, “It is.” He hadn’t even noticed that it was raining since he was so lost in Day’s eyes.
“I want to go out,” Day announced sheepishly.
“Really? You’ll get sick, Day.” Mhok tried to dissuade him.
Day puckered his lips out in a pout, putting on a sad face, “So I can’t?”
Mhok sighed, and Day knew that he was already winning, “Fine, but this puppy face won’t always work on me, okay?”
Day grinned, “Of course.”
Deep down, both of them knew that the puppy face would always work on Mhok.
Mhok led Day outside. The rain had reduced to a drizzle by then.
“P’Mhok,” Day held his hand, “Let’s go.”
“Me too?” Mhok sighed in defeat.
“Yes,” Day dragged him outside like an adamant kid.
Day closed his eyes and opened his arms, tilting his head to the sky. Mhok admired that view for a moment before he followed the same.
“It’s fun, right?”
Mhok opened his eyes, “Nah, having a fever is going to be more fun.”
Day shot a glare in his direction, “Boring.”
“Oh, is it?” Mhok stepped towards him, “Am I boring now?” He rested his hand against the side of Day’s neck.
Day got flustered, “Y-Yes.”
Mhok leaned in with a smirk, “Are you sure, sweetheart?” He whispered in his ear.
Day stepped back, “P’Mhok! That tickles.”
Mhok laughed, “Oh, aren’t you ticklish?”
“I’m not,” Day said defensively.
“Let’s see then,” He began tickling by his sides. Day couldn’t control his laughter.
“Okay, okay, stop it, P’Mhok. I give up.” He panted heavily.
“Alright.” Mhok lifted his hands up, “I’ll stop.”
Day sighed in relaxation, “Oh, the rain is falling more heavily.”
“We should get inside,” Mhok suggested, and Day nodded. They went back to their home.
Day bolted to his room, and Mhok followed behind him. Mhok helped him dry his hair before drying himself.
“You can do the rest by yourself, right?” Mhok began to walk out.
“Wait!” Day held his hand, “Help me out of this.” He pointed to his drenched t-shirt that clung to his body. “It is difficult to take off by myself.”
Mhok shook his head, “Really, Day?” He stood in front of Day and took off his t-shirt with ease, “See? It was not that hard.”
“Yeah, right.” Day cast his head down in embarrassment. He had used that excuse because he just wanted to spend more time with his boyfriend.
Mhok noticed the state of his shy boyfriend, fiddling with his fingers. He found himself checking out Day.
“P’Mhok?” Day’s voice startled him.
Mhok gulped, “Yes, Day?”
Day smiled, “I thought you were gone since you didn’t say anything.”
Mhok chuckled, “How can I leave like that? Especially when my boyfriend is this adorable without a shirt on.”
Day blushed more intensely, and Mhok couldn’t help himself. He leaned in and left a kiss on his cheek.
“P’Mhok,” Day giggled.
“Still ticklish?”
“No, not at all.” He answered quickly, fearing that Mhok would start his tickle attack again.
Mhok laughed. He found himself leaning in again.
“P’Mhok- ” Day’s words were cut off by his boyfriend’s kiss. Mhok sighed in satisfaction as their tongues intertwined. He placed his hands on either side of Day’s bare waist, deepening the kiss. When Mhok felt that the moment would escalate into something else, he halted.
“We should stop,” Mhok left a kiss on his forehead.
Day furrowed his eyebrows, “Why? What happened?”
Mhok ran his hand through his wet hair, “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I don’t get it?”
Mhok sighed, “You know, after a heated kiss, couples often take the next step. Don’t tell me you don’t know what that is.”
“Oh,” Day realized what he meant, “So, you don’t want us to take the next step?”
Mhok’s eyes widened, “What? No? I mean, yes. No, that’s not what I meant.” He covered his face with his hands. That was embarrassing.
Day laughed out, “It’s nice to see you flustered for once.”
“Ha, aren’t you enjoying this?” He rolled his eyes.
“P’Mhok,” Day took a step forward, “Listen to me.”
“Yes, Day. I’m listening.”
“I’m alright with it,” Day smiled.
“With what?”
Day sighed, “I’m ready,” He held his hand, “to take the next step.”
Mhok’s heart skipped a beat. He wondered if he heard it right, “Are you sure, Day?”
“Yes,” He smiled with determination, “Yes, I am.”
Mhok took in a deep breath, “Okay then.” He took off his shirt as well.
With shaky hands, he cupped Day’s face and pressed his lips against his again. This time, he took it slow. He slowly led Day to his bed without breaking the kiss.
As they reached the bed, Mhok laid down with Day hovering above him. Mhok didn’t want to impose positions on his lover. If this was how Day liked it, then so be it.
They kissed for a long time in that position. It got to the point where Mhok had no choice but to break the kiss and ask, “Aren’t you going to do it?”
Day scrunched his eyebrows before he understood. His cheeks heated up as he lowered his head and shook his head.
Mhok was amused, “Do you want me to- ” Day nodded.
Noticing Day’s embarrassed state, Mhok didn’t press anymore. A conversation would most likely ruin the mood.
He sat up and gently laid Day on the bed. Mhok began leaving slow kisses all over his upper body. His kisses trailed from Day’s neck to his shoulders to his chest and finally stopped at his waist.
“P’Mhok,” He kept on calling his name but didn’t say anything afterward. Mhok wanted to take it absolutely slow, but Day’s voice was not helping it.
When he made sure that Day was completely prepared, he went for it. Day felt loved throughout the time they made love.
Each kiss felt like a promise.
Each touch felt like an appreciation.
This was it.
Their perfect paradise.
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