#baiboon

They weren't alone once someone came downstairs, sighing heavily. A woman, Baiboon's grandmother.

"How's he doing?" Kim turns his attention to the woman coming down the stairs.

She shakes her head, "Slight fever, he won't let go of anyone who comes near him."

"He must've been terrified," Kamol muttered, Kim can hear the worry in his tone.

"Who's looking after him?"

"Mr. Kom," she sounded a little relieved, "I'm glad he said he would go look after him."

"That's good, you must be tired," Kim comments, she nods in agreement.

"Is it obvious?" She laughs, "Kom said the same."

Kamol smiled as Kim tried to correct himself. She looks tired, not old, nothing else. Maybe a little exhausted but she looked as young as ever.

He laughs when Kim hides his face in his shoulder, and so does the woman.

—

Kom opens the door as quietly as he could, making sure it doesn't creak.

Baiboon looks like he's asleep, and a bit pale. The glass of water next on his nightstand is half empty and cough drop wrappers are scattered about.

He came in, closing the door and stepping closer to the bed.

To which he learns Baiboon is not actually asleep. He's drowsy, clearly, opening his eyes slightly and groaning.

"Kom…?" His voice is hoarse. He's buried under a thick blanket, head barely on the pillow.

"Did I wake you?" Kom kept his voice low, as he usually did with Baiboon.

"No," he rasped before coughing, covering his face with the blanket rather than his hand or elbow.

Kom walked over, helping Baiboon sit up. He coughed again, and Kom hands him the glass of water.

Baiboon drank it, slowly sipping until he turned his face away from Koms hand.

He puts it down. Baiboon tugs at his shirt, wanting him to sit. Kom listens, sitting down on the bed.

Baiboon leans his forehead onto Koms shoulder, rubbing his cheek against his shoulder.

"I'm dying," he complained, closing his eyes.

Kom huffed a laugh, "No you're not. Just a little sick."

"At least no school," he sounds the slightest bit happy.

Then sad, "You won't be able to pick me up."

"Why's that a bad thing?" Kom looks down at him.

"We can't spend time together, not even a little biiiit," he groaned, sniffling.

Kom reached up to pat his head, "I'll always find time for you, Baiboon."

Baiboon smiled again, still looking drowsy.

"Thanks, Kom," He whispered, looking up at him.

The look in his eyes is soft, and so is the smile on his face. His hand moves to Baiboons cheek, which is warm.

Despite the warm, comfortable atmosphere, Baiboon says, "I think I'm sick from getting scared. Is that possible?"

"Yes, Baiboon. You're the proof," which makes the younger one laugh weakly.

He pushed his face into Koms shoulder again, taking in his warmth. Finally his arms wrapped around Kom and he returned the hug.

"I'm thankful Kim was there to shove me…he's okay, right?"

Kom nodded, "No one got hurt."

He could tell Baiboon was thinking about something, the way he looked down and the smile faded.

"You know, you were brave. Kim said you were the one who pointed out someone had a gun."

"Was I?"

"Mmhm, but I know it's scary," Kom and Baiboon look at each other.

While Koms job required him to be prepared to have a gun pointed at his face, he still found it a little frightening. A lot of the bodyguards did, but they had to remind themselves it was for a purpose.

It's not as scary when you know how to disarm them, but the fact that bullet could end up through your skull? Kom had to mentally prepare for that and be quick on his feet.

The bodyguards did training often, even him, despite being more of an assistant.

Baiboon really, really wanted to see that. But nooo, someone was always there to stop him. He was always so close to opening the door to the gym, but someone would tell him to leave.

Maybe he'd straight up ask one day.

"Kom?" Baiboon asked, slightly tightening his hold on Koms shirt.

"Yes?"

He didn't say anything, studying Koms face.

Then, Kom feels Baiboons nose touch his cheek.

"Thanks for taking care of me," he muttered, breath brushing against skin.

Kom tightened the hug, and turns his head so their noses brush.

It becomes an Eskimo kiss, Baiboon smiling with his eyes closed. He takes it as Koms "you're welcome".

They don't need to talk when they use physical affection as a way to share their feelings. They brush their noses together again, and Kom moved to his cheek.

Baiboon lets out a small laugh, the feeling was almost ticklish.

He pulls away to hide his face in Koms neck, but Kom lifts his head. They're already close, and let their foreheads touch. It's calming. Kom can feel the warmth of Baiboon.

Somehow, it makes them feel just the slightest bit closer to one another. They close their eyes and sit like that for a little. Their hugs aren't as tight, but rather just their arms draped around the other.

They can feel when the other breathes out.

Kom pulls away and watches Baiboon as he opens his eyes slowly.

He lets go of his cheek, letting his hand rest on Baiboons shoulder.

It didn't quite feel like the end of the sweet moment. They were happy with that. Baiboon quickly leans forward again to do something that can only be described as a nuzzle.

When they continue doing it, they take in the others' presence, scent, and warmth.

Baiboon even gets a laugh out of Kom when he copies nuzzling his nose on his cheek.

They only stop because Baiboon yawns, but they don't let go.

"I'll let you rest, Baiboon," but he doesn't leave Koms arms.

"Don't leave," he doesn't release Kom until he promises. Kom made sure to tuck him back in and stay right by his bedside.

Did he fall asleep once Baiboon did? Maybe. It was comfortable.

——