#THERE YOU GO P'DAN

[chaisarinawat]

Chai went utterly still as he confessed that he was happy to be with P'Dan, in work settings and non-work settings, hoping that he wasn't overstepping his boundaries. When he saw the small smile appear on Dan's face though, he relaxed considerably - as long as P'Dan wasn't mad at him or disgusted with him or trying to push him away again, he'd be fine. And seeing his boss smile at him had the young assistant's heart beating even faster, because Dan was so handsome when he smiled. It was such a rare sight to see too, since his boss usually wore a stern or nondescript expression.

Dan reached out to brush Chai's cheek with his hand, after Chai had indicated he was comfortable with P'Dan touching him. Then, Dan's hand slowly fell to where Chai was resting his own, touching each one of his fingers.

"Is this okay?"

Chai nodded, feeling warm all over. Dan asking him, making sure - it was so considerate. Something Chai didn't have in his past relationship. P'Korn just did what he wanted, whenever he wanted, leaving Chai with a sense of dread whenever the man tried to reach for him. But Dan asking permission was just another reminder at how different his boss was to the other kinds of men that attempted to touch Chai, filling him with nothing but respect towards the man.

He allowed Dan to explore his hand, touching the palm and the veins and his fingers, before his boss spoke again.

"Thank you, for giving me a chance to prove myself. I - wanted you to know I care about you and although you said you do have feelings for me, too, I'd - I'd like to give you time. To think about things. To make sure how you feel. I'm not going to rush you and I want you to take your time. Until you're ready to give me your answer. Whatever it maybe in the end. I'd be very happy to stay friends. I hope you'll let me help you once in a while and if you need advice or anything at all, just know you can talk to me."

Chai stared up at Dan in wonder, his eyes wide and shining with hope as a small smile stretched across his face. Everything that Dan was saying was warming Chai's heart. Giving him time to let him think, not rushing him, reminding him that he cared - even saying he'd be happy if they remained friends. He was approaching Chai like a proper Phi, another person who Chai felt like he could trust and rely on, allowing him the space and time to think about what he wanted without having a fear of Dan being angry or mad at him.

"I'd like that Phi," Chai said, squeezing Dan's hands. "I like that a lot. I want to try that with you." The younger assistant glanced down at their connected hands, noticing how Dan's grip was firm enough so that they wouldn't be released, but not rough or forceful, his actions matching his words well. "I hope you know you can talk to me too, about anything Phi."

As Chai finished his sentence, he felt his throat tighten and soon a light yawn escaped him. His eyes squeezed shut for a moment, and when he opened them again they were a little droopy. He had slept for a few hours, but it hadn't been enough and he was still tired.

"Are you sleepy? You should probably go back to sleep. I - should probably move back to my bed, huh?"

Chai nodded at Dan's question. "Yeah, Phi. We should sleep. You sound a lot better but you're still recovering, and rest will be good for you. Stay here, in my bed. I'll move over to yours. Or..." Chai grew quiet, gazing down again at how Dan's hands were clasping his. They had been sleeping on the same bed before, and it had been fine. Chai slept in the same bed as his friend P'War, and it was fine. Neither of them really had to move.

"Let's just both sleep here?" Chai suggested shyly. He truly meant 'sleep', and figured that with how considerate Dan was being the other would understand that it wasn't some kind of code for anything else. Chai already felt comfortable with P'Dan after their conversation, and he knew that Dan wouldn't do anything that would go back on his word. "Lie down Phi. I'll sleep next to you."

Chai lowered himself from his seated position into one where he was lying down, careful not to do anything to separate his hand from Dan's. The mattress was soft and the blanket he slipped into was still warm, making it the perfect condition for him to sleep. His droopy eyes slipped close as he huddled next to Dan, glad to have a body beside him - he had gotten used to it since War moved in, and he found it much easier to sleep when he wasn't alone. "Goodnight Phi." Chai whispered to the other in the darkness, drifting off into dreamland with a smile on his face and with P'Dan's hand holding onto his.

END

Chai's nervousness was growing, becoming apparent with every passing second after his confession to Dan. He was waiting for the other to shut him down, or re-establish their boundaries as boss and assistant, or even tell him they needed to suppress their feelings for one another because it was an inappropriate situation. Chai didn't know what he was scared of more - putting his heart on the line again, or being outright rejected.

Or maybe, he was scared of something else. Chai's second job was nothing like what he did for Dan - but he needed to be there, otherwise khun Debt Collector... he'd just keep adding more to the money Chai owed. Chai had promised to work for the man until his debt was cleared, and his job involved being touched and enjoyed by men - if Dan found out... Chai was sure he'd feel disgusted with him. And so Chai was hesitating, wanting this development with Dan to happen, but finding himself held back for a multitude of reasons. His past abuse with P'Korn, his current boss-assistant relationship with the man he liked, and his predicament of being employed at The Playroom.

"Nong. Can - I touch you?"

Dan's hand reached out, pausing mid-air before making contact with Chai's skin. The young assistant nodded his consent, no longer afraid of Dan's touch, having become familiar with the feeling of closeness with him these past couple of days.

"Look at me…"

Chai's eyes drifted up to Dan's, the younger man still tentative as to the status of their relationship at the moment as he waited for his boss to continue talking.

"Please, don't say things just because… Just because you feel you have to. I - told you I like you because I want to be honest with you. I'm not expecting you to reciprocate… I want you to be true to what you feel… I want you to be genuine… I want you to be happy… And not worried. Or scared. I - never want you to be scared of me ever again…"

Chai felt his heart soften at those words. They were so tender, and genuine, and kind - words that Chai hadn't heard from anyone he was interested in. His friends of course were amazing - P'Rachi and P'War and P'Aisoon, they all showed their love and support for Chai in various ways, and he adored and loved each and every one of them in return - but romantically, it was a different story. P'Korn hadn't even told Chai such things - about wanting him to be happy, about wanting him not to worry, or be scared. Hearing Dan say specifically that he didn't want Chai to ever be scared of him again was how the younger man knew the other wasn't trying to play with him like P'Korn had. Dan was... he was nothing like Chai's ex. He was the total opposite.

"I want to be honest too P'Dan," Chai said. "That's why I told you everything, about how I'm feeling. And I'm not scared of you anymore. I was happy to work with you these past few days - b-but I'm also really happy to just be with you, Phi. And not just for work." Chai told him, leaning closer. "You wanted to touch me, Phi?" He asked softly. "You can. You can touch me."

[rachiqueen]

[ "i heard p'dan's really worried about you. he's single and you guys get along well. how long have you known each other? might as well get married, right?? he'll keep you out of trouble." ]

"My P'Dan and I have been friends since childhood!"

"Of course he's going to be worrying about me - he's fussy like that 😤 He doesn't like the way I have my fun, even though if he would just try it I'm sure he'd enjoy it 😤 but even if we don't agree, I know it comes from a good place. He looks out for me and knows practically everything there is to know about your queen bee 💅"

"Wait, what? Marriage?? With P'Dan??? Ew!! Um, no thank you! I love him very much but I would not marry him. Of course, anyone else would be lucky because he is a catch! Tall and handsome and very thoughtful, but he's not for me!! He'll just nag me every day! You know he threatened to send me to a temple once to live like a monk?? I begged him for days to stop with such a cruel joke but he kept saying it!! AND he keeps a jar of fake bugs on his desk in the office in case I 'bother him' while he's working even though he knows I'm deathly afraid of them!! Especially moths!! My husband can never be that cruel to me!" 😤

[paalove]

5 + 6 for your blackyok fic. they live in my brain all hours of the day because of you

ask game

💞ily ty 💞

5. What do you wish someone would ask you about [insert fic]? Answer it now!

okay so people ask me quite a lot about that fic actually i get lots of lovely detailed comments! but one thing i don't think's come up much is "how much of the black pov chapters have you written from yok's pov/vice versa" because the answer to that is... almost all of themnefjndfjn lol getting characterisation RIGHT in this fic is important that's why it's so long between chapters there are bits i need to write for Me so i get what's going on in both their heads oops

6. What’s one fact about the universe of [insert fic] that you didn’t get a chance to mention in the fic itself?

i'm PRETTY sure this has only come up in the document of written but non-posted opposite pov stuff, but black fucking hates it when people refer to dan as p'dan. he's specifically been so pissy that white stopped. nearly pissy enough that sean was willing to refer to dan in conversation. (not quite that much, but sean considered it, because black's veins were bulging when white did it by mistake)

[chaisarinawat]

🖤

"Let me sit in your lap, phi?"

Chai loves being close, pressing his body up against his partner, feeling their hearts beat together as one. He likes it when strong hands lift him into place, his favourite seat, and knead into his thighs and his ass, letting him rock forwards and backwards in ecstasy. He wants to leave no space between them, and wants to have easy access to kisses that leave him breathless as he rides his way to orgasm.

[rachiqueen]

[ omg who did you fight?? spillllllllllll ! ]

"Girl, it was bad. I was soooooo drunk, trying to get over one of my exes, when some asshole tried to shove his hand down my pants. He was bothering me all night trying to get me to go home with him, but I just wanted to drink my feelings away. Anyway, when I rejected him he got nasty, so I punched him in his stupid face! He was going to hit me too, but thank god there was a staff member close by to pull him away just in time - I would have died if he ruined my face. God, I was so drunk though, I don't even remember how I got home that night. Hmm, I wonder if I called my P'Dan for help? Maybe. But yeah, I got that guy good."

[rachiqueen]

OOC but:

#PDANS JUST LIKE - SIGH.... I NEED TO MARRY HIM OFF OR TURN HIM INTO A MONK OTHERWISE ID HAVE TO MARRY HIM MYSELF OR HAVE HIM LIVE WITH ME#FOREVER COZ I CANT BE LEAVING HIM DOING ALL THIS BY HIMSELF UNSUPERVISED... HE"LL END UP IN PRISON#AND THAI PRISON NO NO#XD#rachi tag

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I LAUGHED WHEN I SAW THESE TAGS WHEN I SAW THEM AT WORK XD i keep thinking about this conversation and how it would go. Rachi would definitely bitch that the choices were stupid and say "ewwwwwwwwww!" at the thought of living with him, making faces and whining about how he doesn't need supervision xD (he does, he really does, aisoon please hurry and tame this man so that p'dan can rest easily 🤣)

[chaisarinawat]

the event (2)

Timeline: 2024 November 22nd, Friday, 8 P.M. Location: The Playroom, Bangkok. Mood: Nervous, anxious, uncertain - and then FREAKING OUT!!! Attire: See this post - His uniform at The Playroom With: @poorlboy, Nong Ambhom, @ippotis, @dr-hanwool

The Playroom was usually busy, but never this kind of busy. All of the escorts - front and backroom workers like - had been required to attend tonight, having all been sent a threatening text from their manager a while ago, reminding them about the special event being put on tonight. Chai and the other escorts were left in the dark as to what the event was, having only been told that the clients tonight were a mixture of regulars and new attendants, and their behaviour had to be perfect. Khun Debt Collector was also here, scanning over each of the escorts to nod in approval when they were ready to go. Chai wondered if it was purely paranoia or coincidence that he felt the man's eyes linger on Ambhom and then his own form, before he nodded away and moved on to the next. Chai was terrified of the man, and what he could do, thinking back to what happened to P'Dew when the escort had complained about their treatment. The man was expected to work tonight, in the backroom, even though he was still battered and bruised from his beating. P'Dew barely spoke a word now, when he was at work - just as fearful of it happening again.

The escorts didn't see their bookings tonight, but the manager directed their clients where they needed to go once the club had opened. Not even the first minute had passed before P'War was requested to go into the booths with one of the backroom regulars. Because everything was set up on the tables, Chai couldn't do what he and War usually did when they were booked, which was check-up on each other when delivering the drinks. Chai and Ambhom watched worriedly as the manager pointed at War to go.

"Not him," Ambhom whispered to Chai. "He's always trying to get us to go back with him."

Chai nodded. "If I can get a chance to check on him, I will," Chai assured the younger man, though he wasn't sure if or when that would be. All the escorts were now filtering out into the main area, with the manager directing them to go into certain booths, with drinks and glasses already prepared on the tables. "But it'll be alright Nong. P'War knows not to go to the backroom. Remember how he smacked that client who tried to do that to him last time?"

That cracked a small smile on Ambhom's face. "Oh yeah! P'War was so cool! Just in the middle of the sentence as well, he had enough!"

Ambhom and Chai laughed lightly, expelling some of the nervous energy that lingered between them.

"Just remember Nong, as long as you don't say yes, they can't actually do anything to you," Chai advised Ambhom as he and the young one wiped down the counter. "Not all clients are aggressive, some will ask and then back away when you remind them. And we'll watch over you when we can, okay? There's nothing to worry abou- shit!!"

Chai - who had been wiping the counter - noticed that the door had opened and that one of his regulars, Matsuda-san had stepped in. He was a Japanese man who had been living in Thailand for a few months now, somewhat insistent for Chai to join him in the backroom, but not as pushy as some of the other clients. The problem was the person who walked in behind him, causing Chai to curse and to drop onto the floor behind the counter where he could hide before the other could see him.

It was P'Dan!

What was P'Dan doing here!? This wasn't a place that Chai would have expected him to come to. It wasn't on any of his schedules either, Chai would have seen it as his assistant!

Oh this was bad, bad!

"Phi, what's wrong?" Ambhom said.

"A-Are they gone?" Chai asked, glancing up at the other.

"They're being taken into the front now," Ambhom told him. "Are you okay? I've never seen that man bring anyone with him before, have you?"

Chai shook his head. There was no way he was bringing up that yes, he did in fact know the guest that had come with his regular. That it was his boss, his friend, someone he was getting closer with.

Maybe the Japanese man decided on a different escort tonight. Maybe Chai could avoid being seen, if he stayed working at the counter instead of out there in the front...

"Where's Sugar?" Chai's stomach dropped as the manager walked up to Ambhom, peering into the bar. "Matsuda-san and a new guest are already seated in a private booth and waiting!"

Ambhom was frozen, the younger boy trying to give the manager an excuse but Chai knew it would get them both into trouble. He remember P'Dew, his broken nose and his bruised face, looking so defeated and hopeless and knew that he couldn't risk that happening to either one of them. So before Ambhom could say anything, Chai slowly got up from behind the counter. "I'm here Khun, sorry," Chai said. "J-just dropped something."

"Hurry up! And make sure you entertain Matsuda-san well! He's paid extra so that his guest can enjoy you too." The manager snapped at him. In front of the guests, the manager was completely polite. When it was just him and the escorts, it was a different story.

"Phi..." Ambhom whispered to Chai.

"I'll be okay." Chai whispered back to the younger one, not wanting him to worry, even though he himself was freaking out. He was hoping that maybe he had seen it wrong and that it wasn't P'Dan who just walked in The Playroom.

The Playroom doors opened again, and this time War's regular - the Doctor - walked in. The man's expression was its usual stoic self, hands in the pockets of his large trenchcoat as he was greeted warmly by the manager. As usual, the doctor barely glanced in anyone's direction. All the escorts knew that he wanted War.

"Please take a seat, Rain is seeing someone at the moment but you're next Khun." The manager said to the doctor before turning to Chai and realising he was still there. "Sugar? Are you still here? Your clients are waiting."

"Y-yes, Khun." Chai said, sparing Ambhom a final glance before heading off.

Under the watchful eyes of Khun Manager and the increased security, Chai made his way down to the private booth, already feeling his fingers shaking from anxiety. He passed by War, wanting to catch his friend's eye to see if he was okay, but Warun was looking over towards the bar to where the Doctor was. The Doctor was a bit creepy, but for some reason Chai felt it would be better if Warun was with him instead of the current client, who was known to be a bit aggressive towards the boys. Chai hoped that Warun would be okay - he wouldn't be able to check on him anymore, since he'd be entertaining now too.

Matsuda-san was seated in the booth, a large smile on his face as he spoke with his guest. His guest... yeah... that was definitely P'Dan. There was no denying it. Chai wanted to turn around and run right out, and honestly might have done so if it weren't for the fact that he knew what the consequences were. Khun Debt Collector was here tonight too, watching the worker's every move.

"Oh, he's here!" Matsuda-san exclaimed when Chai appraoched their table. "Isn't he just adorable, Dan-san? My favourite one!"

Chai glanced over to Dan for a moment, before he felt himself go red in the face out of pure embarrassment. He couldn't hold any kind of eye contact with his boss, turning back to either look at Matsuda or at the floor, coming across as shy when really he was just ashamed. "Good evening," Chai said softly.

"No need to be shy around me! We've done this many times by now," Matsuda-san laughed merrily. "What are you waiting for Sugar? Come sit in my lap and pour us some drinks!"

Matsuda-san reached over and gripped Chai's arm hard, pulling him into the booth and almost knocking him clean off of his feet. Why was Matsuda-san being so forward tonight? Was it because he had a guest? Actually, almost all the clients were being aggressive, some of them rushing in as if it was a race to get into a booth to see their escorts. It was weird and it made Chai uneasy.

Chai was going to ignore the comment about sitting in Matsuda's lap and instead sit beside him, but the man forcefully dragged him up there anyway, hands firmly placed on Chai's hips. In this position, he was facing P'Dan head on - there was no avoiding him now. Chai felt like he was going to burst into tears, his hands trembling as he reached out to pour both of the men a drink, some of the expensive liqueur spilling onto the table.

"Be careful there Sugar, I'm paying a lot for alcohol tonight," Matsuda-san teased, pinching Chai's side and making the escort jump up with a yelp. "And for you. I want to show my friend here a good time!"

[chaisarinawat]

Timeline: 2024 October 21st, Monday, 8:13 A.M. Location: Dragon Entertainment Office, Bangkok Mood: Calm, relaxed, a bit bored Attire: See above. Such a cutie waiting for you, P'Dan! With: @ippotis

It's another day, and Chai is working away in the mail room. It was Monday, which meant a fresh batch of documents and letters to sort through and organise, including folding papers into envelopes and stacking them up according to the department they were supposed to be going to.

Uncle Maew, the elderly man who has been working here for a long time, was chatting away to Chai, talking about the time he had spent at the company. Chai listened, glad for the company, because if Uncle Maew wasn't here, it meant he'd be doing this all alone.

As they worked, the door to the mail room bursts open...

[rachiqueen]

[ stop sending me text message about your newest boy toy. and stop going home with people you don't know. i hope you didn't give anyone your phone number. CALL ME. - p'dan leaving rachi a voicemessage. ]

Rachi laughs at P'Dan's voice mail, aahhhh his best friend is sooooo funny thinking he'll actually listen to his 'advice'! This isn't the first time he and Rachi have sent each other messages like this, and it certainly won't be the last!

RELAXXXXX P'Dan, you know I'm doing you a favour by talking about my sex life! Yours is practically non-existent - unless that's changed since I last saw you? Hohoho, P'Dan, is your dry spell over? 🤭 And of course I didn't give him my number! And I was out of there in the morning, safe and sound, your Rachi is still in one piece! 🙏 Well, except for my ass, I can hardly walk today hehe~ 🤭🍆🍑

(Rachi's message to P'Dan)

[anonnikulaphon]

"God, you're really thick, you know that?" Anon rolled his eyes at Red as he followed the other who gathered his things. "I don't have a boyfriend. I'm not jealous of you. I'm thinking about our families and their future" He said. Anon just couldn't stop his verbal attacks on Red, even if he wanted to. Thinking about how close Red and Sing had been was hurting him so much; he didn't know their history, if it was similar to himself and P'Boon, but Red had referred to Sing as his boyfriend which made his feelings that much worse. He wanted to shout, grab Red by the shoulders and shake the stupidity out of his brain; but he couldn't. He couldn't show that he cared in that way, it would ruin everything Non has been trying to build. He needed Red to believe his story, that the reason he was upset was about their reputations.

Non resented when Red accused him of having turned to P'Dan to get him to accompany him on the wedding plans. He hadn't asked P'Dan for a thing - the older Sangchareon just knew what had to be done when it came to these sorts of issues. Honestly, there would have been less problems if Non and P'Dan had been the couple to tie their two families together - but Non didn't want P'Dan. He wanted Red. He only ever wanted Red.

Non wanted clarify this, and also to tell Red to fuck off in a similar vein, confused now that Red had switched from the term 'boyfriend' to 'friend' when referring to Sing - but something Red said had the words caught in his throat.

"I have needs and wants. I'm not gonna live like a celibate hermit, if that's what you're hoping."

Red... had Red already decided, then? That he would never sleep with Non again? Not like he remembered their first time, but... was he expecting to marry Non and then sleep with other people before even thinking about him?

And Non knows that he's told Red he doesn't want to sleep with him either, but that was a lie. He was hoping... well, that eventually it would be as though they both had their minds changed. Naturally.

"...Whatever. Are you ready to go?" Non asked quietly, seething in anger. "This wedding venue isn't going to check itself out."

He passed by Red, his head up in the air as if confident, when really he wanted to scream. Red didn't want him in any way. Not as a lover, not as a friend, not as a sexual partner - nothing. Non hated that Red had made his mind up about him already, hated that his relationship with Sing was ambiguous, hated that Red hated him.

God, why had he fallen for such a fucking asshole?

Exiting the studio, Non nodded at his driver, who opened the back-seat for him. He slid in first, waiting for Red to join. There was space between them, this time - not like the night of their date at all. And if the driver noticed, he didn't say anything as he got into the front seat and started off for the venue.

Non didn't talk to Red the entire ride. Instead, he spent it on his phone, pointedly refusing to make eye contact, coming off as bored by this whole ordeal. In reality, he was secretly texting his PR team. Red was going to suffer for treating him like this, and Non was going to force him into a situation where they had to be close in order to survive.

In about half an hour, we'll be at Vivacé Sukhumvit 74. Please inform our contacts in the media. Withhold that this request came from me.

Non quickly sent the text, switching to another app on his phone to pass the time. He wasn't going to sit here and act like a love-struck, jealous boy over a man who wasn't going to give him the time of day - he'd do it in public, when the cameras were flashing, where Red had nowhere to hide.

If Red wasn't going to love him naturally, Non was going to force it.

Non resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the display Red was putting on for him with the actor, though his throat was constricting at how sick he felt at the sight of the two. It wouldn't have bothered him so much if he didn't think they looked good together. Red was so attractive, Non had fallen for his looks long ago and even after years he still felt he was the pinnacle of handsome, the standard that no man he had been with had been able to reach. Even Boon, who was gorgeous in a different way, couldn't compare to the attraction Non had for Red, and that was saying something since Boon's entire career was selling outfits and stories with his face and body. And Sing was pretty. He had soft features and beautiful big eyes and smooth skin. Non himself was good looking, but... Sing was like Boon in the sense that he was being paid for his looks as an actor. Non was usually confident in himself, but seeing Red paired with such a pretty person - not just next to him but being so comfortable enough to hold him and kiss him - had him doubting himself.

Sing left and Non - despite his seething jealousy - managed not to say anything further, just nodding when he passed by. He turned to Red, who was packing up and grabbing his bag, having only the audacity to address Non by saying "ready?" and nothing else. What was this nonchalant attitude? Were they really not going to talk about it? Did this only matter to Non? It should matter to Red too, they were going to be fucking married and soon.

"Wait," Non said, grabbing Red's arm to hold him back for a moment. "What was that?" He asked, gesturing to the photography space where Red and Sing had been standing together.

Remembering that he couldn't let the other know his true feelings, Non released Red's hand stepped back, a displeased look on his face. "You can't just... go around letting other people touch you like that. Not when we're going to be married. You do know that right?" Non told him, the anger and jealousy starting to bubble up in a nasty way despite how hard he was trying to rein in back. "And meeting him at a place like the Devil's Pit? I'm not even going to say it because I know you know that's a bad idea. Or are you really just that deluded that you're genuinely unaware of why?"

[chaisarinawat]

Chai gripped his phone tightly, occasionally glancing down at the screen to see if the service was returned as Khun Dan tried to comfort him from across the elevator. It was nerve-wrecking enough to be trapped in an elevator without any help coming, but to be stuck in there with the man he had been trying to avoid was even worse. Even if Khun Dan's voice was reassuring as he told Chai to calm down and breathe, Chai's thoughts were getting the better of him. What if Khun Dan tried to harass him like in Japan? Did the cameras in the elevator even work with the service down to record a video if he did?

Despite Chai's worries, he did have to acknowledge that his fears were just a result of his anxiety, because Khun Dan seemed like he was really trying to stay away from him. He left a lot of room between himself and Chai in the small space, hands up as if showing that he meant no harm, doing his best to get the two of them out, even apologising for their situation. Khun Dan... apologised a lot, Chai noticed, on the rare times they spoke these days.

"i - I'm sorry. I have no clue what happened. But I'll figure it out. I apologize that you are stuck with me… Just - hang in there. We'll get out soon…"

"I'll just keep checking my phone in case the service comes back?" Chai suggested, watching as Khun Dan looked around the space for any other way out. It was moot though - there wasn't anything that could be done, other than to wait for someone to try using it from the outside and hopefully report it as malfunctioning.

Whose job was it to make sure the maintenance stuff was working? Khun Dan? No, he'd be too busy with meetings, it would probably fall under his assistant right?

Wait, who was Khun Dan's assistant now? Chai didn't remember seeing anyone at the desk he usually worked at, on his rounds with the mail.

Khun Dan seemed to give up looking for an escape, stepping further back, into the corner opposite Chai, sliding down onto the floor.

"It's probably best to sit down for a minute. And calm down while we figure out what to do."

Chai hesitated before nodding, knowing there wasn't really much else they could do except wait. Hoping for a miracle, he checked his phone again - but nope, still nothing. And his hands were so clammy he could hardly unlock the screen. "Y-yeah. I guess." Chai agreed, sliding down on his side of the elevator to sit on the floor. At least it was clean.

The young man pulled his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them, gaze trained on the opposite form of Khun Dan. He was still nervous, but Khun Dan's calmness in this kind of situation was kind of helping.

"Don't worry, I won't come close. I won't hurt you."

Chai's eyes widened slightly, hearing his former boss acknowledge one of the fears he hadn't spoken aloud yet. And it seemed genuine. Khun Dan was making an effort to stay away, hands were Chai could see them, trying to get them out of there. Hearing that Khun Dan wasn't going to do anything that would hurt Chai was... reassuring.

"...Thank you, Khun Dan." Chai told him, some of the tension easing from his shoulders.

The silence that followed was strange. Chai could talk a lot, sometimes about nothing at all, but was struggling to find anything to say. He wanted to confront Khun Dan, but was terrified of the aftermath in case he triggered some kind of anger or resentment. He wanted to ask questions about Khun Dan's new assistant and if they needed help, but didn't want to overstep and make it appear as if he knew everything about the job after only two months.

Recalling the conversation he had with his P'Rachi, Chai tried to quell his over thinking mind.

I've known P'Dan for years, and he's never acted this way before. I'm not going to apologise on his behalf - but I will tell you that he feels terrible. P'Dan can be annoying and interferes with my life too much and I know he's a meanie at work - but the P'Dan I know is also one who looks out for others. He's always been so caring and responsible, especially of his employees, I can't understand why he... I don't know, baby. I'm not going to make excuses for him. He shouldn't have done that to you, end of story. And he does deeply regret his actions.

Did he? He had apologised but they hadn't talked. There was no closure, and it driving Chai mad because of all the over-thinking it drove him to do.

Deciding to be brave, Chai sat up a little straighter, heart beating a little harder in his chest. "Khun Dan," Chai said as confidently as he could. "I'm angry with you."

There. He said it. And it made him feel so much better.

Though, once he started, he couldn't stop.

"Since we came back from Japan, I feel like you threw me away because I didn't let you touch me. You shouldn't have done that in the first place, and I appreciate that you left me alone because I was upset, but we've never talked about what happened. It's the same with the night your friends tried to get me drunk - we... were in the bed together and I don't know how we got there. Did I do something to make you think I wanted that kind of attention in Japan? Or did you not care that I was drunk, like your friends wanted me to be? Did you... did we... What happened, Khun?"

Chai couldn't hardly finish the sentence, his voice started to shake as he waited for Khun Dan to answer him, if he even would, before talking again.

"Then we came back to Thailand, and you moved me to a new department and didn't even ask how I was doing. I was really struggling, and I felt very alone." Chai glanced away. His boss didn't have to care about him, but he felt discarded and it was all because of Khun Dan not taking responsibility. "I thought you were a good boss before... all of that. P'Rachi said you were good to your employees. It was a hard job being your assistant at first, but I got better didn't I? I really liked the challenge of working in that role. It's better than being a bartender or an es-" Chai caught himself before he revealed the shameful secret of his. His voice went softer as he asked out his final piece. "Why weren't you good to me? What did I do to you, Khun?"

Chai was quiet as the elevator doors slid shut, leaving just himself and Khun Dan inside. There wasn't much space between them in the cab, but Chai made it painfully obvious that he was putting in the distance, still unable to make eye contact with the man who he once worked directly under. Not that he expected Khun Dan to do anything to him right now... but since it happened once, and there had been no kind of closure, Chai wasn't sure.

When P'Rachi spoke to him on the phone and comforted him when Chai finally answered his calls, he told the young man how disappointed he was in his P'Dan, and how the behaviour he displayed in Japan wasn't normal. The more Chai thought about it, the more it made sense - in the two months working under his boss, Khun Dan hadn't ever tried touching him or anyone else, as far as he could see. It made Chai wonder what was it about that night that caused Khun Dan to act so uncharacteristically. Was it the heat of the onsen? Had he been drinking? The nakedness? A combination of all three?

There was also that night that Chai couldn't remember, with Khun Dan's friends, at the sushi restaurant, when he woke up the next morning cuddled up in bed with his boss. They never spoke about it, and Chai still didn't know what had happened. Maybe he had done something, said something to Khun Dan that made it appear as though he were interested in him? Maybe they had done more than just sleep in that bed together, and Khun Dan didn't tell him? Could that be why his boss thought it was okay to touch him in the onsen?

The more Chai thought about it, the more anxious he became. It's part of the reason why he couldn't face his boss - he needed answers, but was terrified of the truth. That and, of course, being taken advantage of.

Khun Dan's expression right now in the elevator only made Chai feel worse. He glanced to the side, noticing how his boss turned from him with a frown. He must hate me, Chai thought, fingers tightly gripping the package in his hand. Khun Dan barely talked to him anymore - both a blessing, and a curse, in Chai's opinion.

The elevator stopped, and Khun Dan waited for the doors to open, having pressed the side buttons a second time to get off at a different floor - but the metallic doors remained shut for an awfully long time.

"It's stuck."

Chai's eyes widened as he glanced up to the numbered display, seeing that they were in-between floors at the moment. His boss tried to open the doors, intent on getting out - but it was clear that wasn't going to work. Chai felt his heart beating a little faster as he realised his predicament, his fingers already starting to tremble at the helplessness of the situation.

Khun Dan tried to call the security button, with Chai nodding when he explained it to him, but something was wrong there too, a grating static noise greeting them instead.

"Try again?" Chai said slowly, watching as Khun Dan pressed the button repeatedly, only for the sound to stop entirely.

"Khun Chai, I'm sorry to ask you think but, do you have service? I don't have my cellphone with me and the emergency radio doesn't seem to work."

"I should, I just used my phone," Chai nodded, placing the package he was holding onto the floor and reaching for his phone, which he placed in his pocket after texting P'Rachi. He was a bit taken aback at being called 'khun' - Khun Dan never addressed him like that, just calling him by his name, even in meetings or when introducing him to associates. It felt like another wall of separation between them, and in the already small, claustrophobic space of the elevator, they really didn't need that as an addition.

Unlocking his phone, Chai noticed immediately that this was a dead-end too. No bars. Even the last message he had sent to his mommy Rachi hadn't gone through, a little timer beneath the emoji showing that the request was still being processed.

"S-sorry Khun Dan," Chai said, turning his phone over so the other could see the screen. "My service is out. There must be something wrong with the whole building. I can try restarting it..."

Chai's fingers shook as he pressed the button on the side of his mobile, hoping that maybe this would be a solution, otherwise he and Khun Dan were going to be stuck in here for who knows how long. His phone took a while to start back up again, with Chai hopeful that maybe the bars would show up now - but they didn't.

They were officially trapped.

"O-oh no..." Chai mumbled, starting to panic internally, hands going clammy as he gripped his phone. He looked up at his boss, eyes wide. "W-we're stuck."

[chaisarinawat]

"I do.I liked you when we were in Japan - I thought you were kind, you were a hard-woker, ambitious, and… Cute. I still like you."

Chai blinked at Dan slowly. Oh. Oh. P'Dan liked him. That... it explained so much of the man's actions as of late. Trying to keep Chai away, trying not to touch him, being extra polite - was he worried that Chai would think he was taking advantage again, if he revealed his feelings? Because Dan had proven that he wasn't going to do that. He moved Chai to an entirely different department and hadn't even wanted him on this trip. Clearly, he was trying to set boundaries so that the assistant wouldn't take it in a wrong way, like he had in Japan.

It changed a lot for Chai. He thought Dan was like all the other men who wanted to use Chai and then dispose of him after they were done. He didn't know that he had actually liked him in that way.

Dan continued his - confession? - stating that he was worried about Chai's reaction, stating that as his boss he didn't want to put him in a position where he felt obligated. It echoed some of Chai's own thoughts, about him being an employee. People would say it was an abuse of power right? But Chai had liked Dan for a while now. It hadn't started as a romantic kind, but feelings could change and develop. And they sort of had, hadn't they?

When Chai expressed that to Dan, worried that he had misinterpreted their situation, his boss asked him to clarify...

"What do you mean by that, Chai?"

O-oh, did P'Dan want him to actually say it? Chai's already pink face felt warm as it deepened in colour, with the young assistant glancing away and biting his lip again. That was a scary thing to admit. Liking someone, in a way more than platonic. The last time he had done that, admitted his feelings, it had put him in a terribly vulnerable position, with a man who abused him until he was broken entirely.

P'Dan wouldn't do that to him though... right?

"U-um," Chai's fingers gripped the bottom of his shirt nervously, his hands forming into tiny fists as he turned back to face Dan and answer his question. "I-I like you more than just as a boss, Phi. More um... personal... l-like someone I'd want to go out with, you know? A-ah, I'm sorry, it's really not right of me to say it but..." Chai cut himself off, growing quiet. He was unsure, nervous - but lighter, now that he had admitted such a heavy secret. He just hoped it wouldn't cause any more problems between himself and P'Dan...

Dan's expression hardly changed as Chai spoke to him, with the younger man growing slightly more anxious the more he talked. He was used to rambling when he was nervous, a habit of his where he felt like he needed to blurt out everything in his mind otherwise it would drive him nuts, and Dan allowed him to do so without interruption. Still, he worried about saying the wrong thing or making his boss angry - Chai didn't want that one bit, especially now since they were making progress.

"You - want to be close to me? What do you mean by that?"

Chai's face grew warm. He liked P'Dan a lot and meant it when he said he wanted to be close - but what way? Phi-Nong? Boss-Assistant? Friends? ...More than friends? It had been a long time since Chai had felt like he had wanted to be more than friends with another person but... if there was anyone he would be willing to try that with, it would be P'Dan...

Oh, what was he saying!! P'Dan was his boss!! Wasn't that inappropriate?

"U-um..." Chai stuttered, finding it hard to admit his thoughts now. "I-I mean... I-I like you a lot P'Dan..."

"I don't want to misunderstand anything. I hope you don't mind that I'm asking… And when you said that Japan was a misunderstanding - What did you mean? You were gonna say something else…"

Chai realised that Dan had caught onto what he had been saying earlier, before he revealed what the other had said during his fever. He supposed that he shouldn't hide it - not since he was trying to be honest with the man too. "When you were sick you said that... y-you said that you liked me?" Chai said, now a little uncertain. Looking back, maybe Dan had just been talking nonsense - he had been so sick, sometimes thoughts got muddled. What if... those weren't his actual feelings? Or what if they changed, since Japan. "You said that you thought I liked you too... I-I mean, back then, I liked you as a boss so it was a shock... But I could see how m-maybe you thought it was something more. It's kinda... turned out that way." Chai let out a nervous chuckle. What was he doing? What was he saying? God, admitting these sorts of things to his boss... if Dan didn't straight up fire him, then Chai would consider himself lucky.

[chaisarinawat]

Chai was glad to see that P'Dan was better, he was even able to hold a conversation, the delirium from the night before when his fever had spiked gone. It must have broken while they slept, because his boss was definitely more focussed, able to speak and respond to Chai's questions. He was somewhat confused about what they were doing on the same bed, but must've realised quickly as to the reason why since the medicine packets and the soup and water were still on the bedside table. They had both been exhausted.

The young assistant glanced away bashfully when Dan thanked him for taking care of him the night before, t

"I - was really out of it last night, huh? Thank you for, ah, for taking care of me... I didn't make it to my own bed..."

Chai glanced away bashfully, the acknowledgement making him feel warm inside. He didn't take care of Dan just for the recognition, he did it out of the goodness of his heart, but it was nice to hear those words anyway, because it made him feel like he was useful to others.

Dan was about to leave and go back to his bed when Chai spoke to him about calling him phi. His boss was giving him a weird look - like he didn't understand what was going on, as though the way Chai was acting wasn't what he was expecting. And Chai supposed that made sense, since Dan had been totally out of it the night before, not registering any of their conversation. Still, the young assistant felt a little self-conscious, thinking of a way to bring up what Dan had said in his sleep naturally so that this would make sense to him.

"It's not a big deal, Chai... If - you want to call me Phi, that's not a problem. Are you doing it because the others were saying something about it? It's - you don't have to do it, if that's the only reason. But I'd prefer it, honestly. It makes me feel closer to you. Did you want me to call you 'Nong', too"?

"W-whoa - P'Dan! Did you read my mind?" Chai shifted so he was sitting on his knees, looking at P'Dan in amazement at what he just said. That had been the reason Chai wanted to change the way he spoke with Dan, so that they could be closer to each other and rid themselves of the awkward uncomfortable tension that seemed to follow them around. If Dan was thinking the same thing, and if he preferred it, then Chai was happy to follow along. He wasn't pressured by the staff at all - but now, he truly felt like he was part of the Dragon Entertainment family. "I want to call you Phi for the same reason!"

After feeling P'Dan's forehead and hearing the other tell him that he was alright, Chai's smile grew. He was about to hop off out of the bed to see if Dan needed anything else, when the other reached up to press a palm against his forehead too. Chai froze, but not out of fear - but because Dan was actually reciprocating and he saw that as a sign of progress.

"How about you? Are you okay? Are you feeling sick?"

"I totally fine Phi," Chai assured him. "No fever at all."

"Did I do anything weird last night? Said anything? I don't remember what we talked about..."

Chai watched as Dan hesitated, the man appearing as though he were trying to think back to what he might have spoken about before passing out.

"Was it something I said? About what happened in Japan?"

Dan removed his hand, the breath he released heavy and burdened. Chai hated that his boss was still harbouring so much guilt over something that had been a complete misunderstanding, and wanted to put an end to it now. Dan didn't need reminding that what he had done wasn't right, but Chai recognised that he needed something else instead to make him feel better - reassurance.

"You said a few things, Phi," Chai told him. "You talked about your brother. I wasn't really able to make it out well. I know he's getting married to that heir - Khun Anon? You mentioned his name and that you would marry him instead." Chai explained, cocking his head to the side. Did Dan have feelings for his brother's fiancée? If that was the case, did that mean he didn't have feelings for Chai anymore? "It sounded a bit like a drama, Phi. Someone's life was getting ruined - but I don't know how or why. If it was a dream, it was a very bad one - you were moving around a lot beneath the sheets."

After explaining about the dream, Chai quietened down for a moment to think about how he would answer the next question.

"Y-yes Phi, you brought up Japan. B-but it wasn't bad!" Chai said quickly, so that the other wouldn't interrupt him with more apologies or try to push him away. They had to bury this hatchet, and if Dan wasn't brave enough to address his feelings then Chai had to do it instead. It wasn't like him, he usually avoided confrontation of any kind - but this was important, otherwise working for P'Dan was going to be impossible.

"Phi, I forgave you for Japan a long time ago," Chai said softly. "It was a misunderstanding. I didn't know that..." That you liked me. Chai didn't finish the sentence, swallowing instead before continuing. "I didn't know you still felt so guilty. I know you're not a bad person, you're the total opposite. You're very kind to me and I really love working under you. I don't want you to feel upset over what happened anymore, especially because I don't," Chai's face heated up again as he glanced down, chewing his bottom lip a little. He didn't know if he should bring up how Dan said he liked him - he wanted to, but didn't want to embarrass the other, especially if his feelings had changed and he now liked his brother's fiancée. "I'm not scared of you, and I'm not trying to avoid you. I-I hope you know that. And I'm sorry if I acted in a way that made you think that. I really... I really want to be close to you P'Dan."

Chai could feel his heart pounding. Why did this sound like a confession? Did he also like P'Dan? Even though the man was his boss? The more he got to know him, the more Chai realised how great of a person he was.

"Chai... Wake up. Chai... Chai... Chai?"

Chai heard his name being called in the midst of his deep sleep, slowly coaxing him awake. His arms were wrapped around something - someone - warm, and he tightened the hold in protest as he felt his body gently being shaken. He let out a little whine, unhappy at being woken up and instead remained where he was, cuddling the person beside him.

"Is it time for work already Phi?" Chai mumbled into what felt like a firm chest, thinking that maybe he needed to get ready for one of his jobs and that Warun was trying to wake him up. If he was supposed to be at The Playroom right now, he didn't want to go - though, Chai was already pushing it, since he had taken two nights off now because of his trip with Dan.

The trip... Dan... his boss had been so sick, Chai had been taking care of him... that's the last thing Chai remembered doing before succumbing to sleep himself. But he hadn't gone over to the free bed, he had been so tired so...

He had slept beside Khun Dan instead.

Chai opened his bleary eyes, blinking up a few times. He stared up at the man who was looking at him, a worried expression on his face. Chai's first thought was not to panic - he recalled the one-sided conversation he had had with a sick P'Dan the night before, where the other confessed his guilt because he thought that Chai had liked him back when they were in Japan. It had been a misunderstanding, his boss realised he was in the wrong, was still apologising for it, and Chai had forgiven him. He didn't want to make Khun Dan feel even worse by pushing him away, when Chai had been the one to fall asleep next to him in the first place. Wait, did that mean Chai was now the one taking advantage of another person?? Oh, maybe he was panicking just a little...

"...H-hi," Chai said softly, loosening his hold around Dan's waist. "S-sorry... I was so tired, I must have fallen asleep here instead of going to the other bed... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, P'Dan."

Chai's eyes widened as he sat up, his face turning pink as he realised he had called Dan something different. He had asked his boss if it was okay to call him phi now - but Dan had been knocked out, sick and medicated, so of course the other couldn't remember their conversations. He probably didn't remember anything from the night before, about how Chai had told him about his own life before forgiving him for Japan and calling him a good boss. Or even his bad dream about his brother's fiancée, which probably happened because of stress and fever. Chai figured he should tell the other these things, soon. "O-oh, I"m sorry... the production crew were laughing at me yesterday because I kept calling you khun, t-they said I can call you phi now, but I didn't ask you if you were okay with that." Chai rambled, his nervousness showing. "I-I thought it might be nice... but I won't do it if you don't want me to."

Chai remained seated on the bed, turning to face Dan. "Are you feeling better?" He asked, reaching over to feel the man's forehead, used to the contact now and trying to show Dan that he wasn't afraid of the two of them touching any more. "You look much better." Chai smiled. "Do you... do you remember anything we talked about last night?"

[chaisarinawat]

"Chai... Wake up. Chai... Chai... Chai?"

Chai heard his name being called in the midst of his deep sleep, slowly coaxing him awake. His arms were wrapped around something - someone - warm, and he tightened the hold in protest as he felt his body gently being shaken. He let out a little whine, unhappy at being woken up and instead remained where he was, cuddling the person beside him.

"Is it time for work already Phi?" Chai mumbled into what felt like a firm chest, thinking that maybe he needed to get ready for one of his jobs and that Warun was trying to wake him up. If he was supposed to be at The Playroom right now, he didn't want to go - though, Chai was already pushing it, since he had taken two nights off now because of his trip with Dan.

The trip... Dan... his boss had been so sick, Chai had been taking care of him... that's the last thing Chai remembered doing before succumbing to sleep himself. But he hadn't gone over to the free bed, he had been so tired so...

He had slept beside Khun Dan instead.

Chai opened his bleary eyes, blinking up a few times. He stared up at the man who was looking at him, a worried expression on his face. Chai's first thought was not to panic - he recalled the one-sided conversation he had had with a sick P'Dan the night before, where the other confessed his guilt because he thought that Chai had liked him back when they were in Japan. It had been a misunderstanding, his boss realised he was in the wrong, was still apologising for it, and Chai had forgiven him. He didn't want to make Khun Dan feel even worse by pushing him away, when Chai had been the one to fall asleep next to him in the first place. Wait, did that mean Chai was now the one taking advantage of another person?? Oh, maybe he was panicking just a little...

"...H-hi," Chai said softly, loosening his hold around Dan's waist. "S-sorry... I was so tired, I must have fallen asleep here instead of going to the other bed... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, P'Dan."

Chai's eyes widened as he sat up, his face turning pink as he realised he had called Dan something different. He had asked his boss if it was okay to call him phi now - but Dan had been knocked out, sick and medicated, so of course the other couldn't remember their conversations. He probably didn't remember anything from the night before, about how Chai had told him about his own life before forgiving him for Japan and calling him a good boss. Or even his bad dream about his brother's fiancée, which probably happened because of stress and fever. Chai figured he should tell the other these things, soon. "O-oh, I"m sorry... the production crew were laughing at me yesterday because I kept calling you khun, t-they said I can call you phi now, but I didn't ask you if you were okay with that." Chai rambled, his nervousness showing. "I-I thought it might be nice... but I won't do it if you don't want me to."

Chai remained seated on the bed, turning to face Dan. "Are you feeling better?" He asked, reaching over to feel the man's forehead, used to the contact now and trying to show Dan that he wasn't afraid of the two of them touching any more. "You look much better." Chai smiled. "Do you... do you remember anything we talked about last night?"

Chai urged Khun Dan to take as many sips from the soup as he could, lightly blowing on each spoonful so that it wouldn't be hot on the man's tongue. His boss was completely out of it. Not only was his voice rough and his breathing ragged and heavy, but his thoughts were muddled too. Asking if Chai had gone home alreayd before remembering that they had that conversation before. Chai had never seen Khun Dan like this and for some reason, it tugged on his heart-strings. He didn't like seeing anyone in pain, but it was somehow worse watching how sickness and fever effected someone as strong as Khun Dan. For some reason, it tugged at Chai's heartstrings more than he thought it would.

His boss swallowed down as much of the soup as he could before asking for water. Chai put the tray to the side and picked up the glass of water, as well as two pills from the foil medication packet that he popped open and placed between his fingers. "Open your mouth for me Khun," Chai said softly, carefully feeding him the medication. Then he lightly pressed the rim of the glass on the man's lips, helping him drink water until the other indicated it was enough.

"Khun, I'm going to go get some water and a towel, I'll be right back-"

"Stay for a while please? I don't feel too well..."

Chai was stopped from leaving with a firm grip held onto his arm, keeping him in place. Khun Dan's hold loosened, but Chai didn't pull away - he slowly got back down instead, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Alright Khun," Chai whispered. "I won't go anywhere yet."

Khun Dan was shivering, pale where he lay in the bed. Chai helped him lay back down so he could be comfortable while remaining seated on the edge, drawing up the blankets to cover his boss' weak form. Chai watched his face with worry, seeing it twisted in pain. Gently, he reached up, brushing some of the strands that were stuck to Khun Dan's forehead with sweat away from his face, stroking it in a soothing motion.

Chai... didn't know why he did that. He had no explanation other than the fact that it might comfort Khun Dan, help him feel better, remind him that there was someone watching over him.

"Khun, I wish you had listened to me..." Chai sighed sadly. He wished he had been stronger in convincing Khun Dan to rest, knowing that if his boss had just laid in bed instead of trying to work he'd most like;y be doing a lot better. "I know I'm not that smart but with life stuff I have experience, you know?" Chai continued saying, thinking back to his childhood and teenage years, the words flowing freely now. He didn't think Khun Dan would even remember what he said, when he woke up - so Chai just talked. "I was alone for so long. I had to learn a lot on my own, including that it's okay to take a break when you're sick. The difference is that back then... I had no-one to take care of me. I had to take care of myself and it was hard. That's why... I don't want to leave you alone when you're sick, Khun. I want to take care of you, so you don't feel that way."

Chai sighed again, feeling a little lighter having gotten something off of his chest. He didn't think Khun would remember anything - the man had his eyes closed, and even if he wasn't asleep his mind was thinking about other things. Actually... Khun Dan started talking again, in a low voice. Chai had to lean down to hear, straining himself to try and make out the words. Wedding? Khun Dan wanted to marry someone? His brother's fiancée???? Wait, did Khun want to marry his brother's fiancée? And whose life is getting ruined? Where did Khun Dan want to go? This sounded like some kind of drama series. Chai sat up, a little alarmed. Maybe his boss was having a very interesting dream - he was tossing an awful lot - or maybe it was just his feverish brain, spouting out delirious thoughts due to his sickness.

"Khun, I've never seen you like this before," Chai chuckled to himself in disbelief, continuing to stroke the other's forehead.

"Chai?"

"I'm here, Khun." Chai responded, a little smile on his face as he waited for his boss to say yet another silly thing.

"I'm sorry, Chai... I've been a crappy boss... I - didn't mean to take advantage of you. But I have to admit, I wanted to touch you... And be with you... You seemed perfect... So cute and innocent... I just assumed you liked me, too..."

Chai froze, hearing Khun Dan moan in pain but too shocked to address it at the moment. His eyes widened as he stared down at the man, processing what he had just said.

Did... Did Khun like him?

"O-oh..." Chai breathed, starting to see things differently. Khun Dan was constantly pushing him away after Japan and while Chai knew that the other felt guilty about his actions, he didn't realise there was more to the story. Khun Dan was probably feeling even worse than guilty seeing Chai every day, truly thinking he had ruined something more than just a work relationship. Because of their distance, Chai had thought his boss was just another one of those creepy men that liked to get their hands on the young and impressionable - but if Khun Dan liked him, and thought that Chai had liked him back, then it truly had just been a misunderstanding. Khun Dan hadn't been trying to take advantage of Chai's nakedness - he thought that Chai was interested in him too.

...Was Chai interested? The young assistant had admired Khun Dan and his qualities and thought he was handsome, but it wasn't until recently, after seeing his boss try to make up for his actions did his heart start to beat a little faster when they were in the same room together.

"Khun..." Chai said. "Khun, I forgave you a long time ago. But if you need to hear it again, I'll say it again - I forgive you." Chai's voice was soft but his words were clear. "I didn't know... I didn't know you felt that way, and I'm so sorry if seeing me made you uncomfortable. I just... I really like working for you. You're so kind and you care so much about your staff... even me," Chai smiled. "I've never eaten so much, except when I'm with you. You always make sure I eat and tell me to rest. Even if you're busy or strict with me, you never neglect me. You're a great boss."

Chai thought back to the production staff that he had sat and eaten with earlier, who had told him about how their company was like a family. Chai had never heard of a company that gave entire departments days off for sickness even during busy periods, or companies that kept older staff employeed out of loyalty, even if their abilities weren't as good anymore. But Khun Dan did all that, and more. "Khun... a-actualy... c-can I call you Phi?" Chai mumbled to himself, testing it out. Everyone else in the company called him that... so, could Chai? Maybe it would help them get closer, and rid them of the invisble barrier. "P'Dan... I promise, when you get better, we can talk about this. I'll make sure you know I forgive you. And I want you to forgive me too, for not knowig. I don't want there to be any more awkwardness between us, okay?"

Starting to feel a bit tired, Chai's vision started to blur. He was running off of very little sleep, and even though the other bed wasn't so far away from him, he was lacking the energy to walk the few steps to get there. Maybe he was getting sick too, or maybe he just needed to rest. All Chai knew was that he was sitting on a comfortable bed, and that he didn't want to leave his boss alone. Slowly, his eyes started to shut - and he lowered himself on the bed to lie down beside Dan. He stayed on top of the sheets so that the other remained covered, intending to rest for just a moment before going to the free bed - but instead, the pull was too alluring and soon he was fast asleep.

[chaisarinawat]

A hot shower was exactly what Chai needed, and he sighed happily as he let the warm water soothe him. Now that he knew Khun Dan was safe and not at risk of getting worse, he was more relaxed - but definitely worn out and tired from the worry and lack of sleep. Since he and Khun Dan won't be heading back now - his boss was still sick and Chai didn't have a license - he would try to sleep a little to recharge.

Finishing up, Chai changed into the clothes he had packed - baggy pants and an oversized shirt - and towelled off his hair, exiting to the bedroom and pausing when he saw that Khun Dan was asleep again. The other seemed to have been on his phone, which was resting on his chest, and the sheets were once again askew. Chai rushed over, gently removing the phone and putting it to the side before covering up Khun Dan's body with the sheet. He'll come and check on him later, but for now he'll ask the staff to make them some food and inform the agent that they'll be staying here until Khun Dan gets better.

In the next few hours, after Chai had eaten and then slept, he helped organise what he could for his boss so that the other wouldn't have anything pressing to worry about for when he got better. He used the other's laptop to check the man's emails, sort out his agenda, push back more meetings - anything that would minimise the stress on his hard-working boss. Chai worked while sitting on his bed in the room, so he'd always have Khun Dan in view, not wanting to leave him alone.

Khun Tar arrived with a few of the production crew, as well as an extra bag with clothes and necessities for Khun Dan. The agent had come to let Chai know, and the younger man slipped out of the bedroom quietly to greet those who arrived.

"I'm guessing P'Dan really liked this place," Khun Tar told Chai, showing the other the paperwork he had brought with him to finalise the payment. "He called me earlier to bring the crew down to take a look. I'm glad that the search for a filming location is over."

"He called you?" Chai made a little pouting face, displeased that Khun Dan had worked while he had been showering. "I told him to rest."

"Is he that bad?" Tar asked.

Chai nodded. "Khun Dan had a really high fever last night, I've made sure he's been taking medicine and drinking water and resting but he's still trying to work." Chai said the last bit with a huff in his voice, crossing his arms over his chest. "Don't worry Khun Tar, I'll continue to watch him."

"Ah, Nong Chai," Tar shook his head. "P'Dan said we'll take you back, he'll stay here until he's better to drive himself. He told me that you worked really hard, I appreciate you coming down when we needed someone. And don't worry about your pay, the rate is higher because of the extra time you've put in, and the travel!"

Chai blinked a few times at Khun Tar, processing that information. Khun Dan had called Tar about the estate, but he also wanted Chai to go back with him? Did he want to get rid of him? Did Khun feel that uncomfortable that staying even a few days with Chai was unthinkable? The young assistant grew quiet, hurt because of the dismissal by his boss. He was trying... trying so hard to get things back to somewhat normal, but could they never reach that stage again.

"I'm not going back," Chai said stubbornly. Khun Dan might not like him, but that didn't mean Chai was going to leave him here by himself to suffer. Knowing Khun, he'd make himself even more sick by trying to get work done even if he was feeling unwell.

"Nong, P'Dan will be fine, there's staff here that can watch over him." Tar said, but Chai shook his head.

"Khun, I want to stay here in case he gets worse. We can go back together when he gets better," Chai told the other firmly, not taking no for an answer. It wasn't often that he put his foot down, but Chai was thinking with his feelings - that was what made him determined. And even if Khun Dan hated him, Chai was going to show that he could be useful. And hopefully, he'd change his boss' mind about him.

This back and forth occurred between Tar and Chai for a while, before the older man gave up. He finally agreed to leave Chai be, with the younger assuring Tar that he'd take care of Khun Dan. The paperwork was signed, with the production crew seeing the value of the estate to their project, and Chai watched as the agent shook hands with Tar before the other hopped into his car. The younger man waved them off before going back inside to check on his boss. If Khun was awake, Chai would have to explain to him that he was staying back - maybe his boss might be angry, but Chai didn't care. He needed to be here, otherwise who else was going to take care of Khun Dan?

Chai let out a relieved sigh when he saw that Khun Dan was awake, more lucid and aware than he had been last night. Despite being tired himself, Chai's caring nature had him continuing to fuss over Khun Dan, until the man stopped him by gripping his wrist and telling him to sit down.

"Sit down. You don't need to do any of that. I appreciate it but I'm not your responsibility. Just make sure you're feeling alright. I'm not sure if I have something viral… I don't want you to get sick either…"

"Khun, it's fine. I don't feel sick," Chai told his boss, shaking his head. The conversation he had with P'War yesterday floated into his head, about not being able to afford being sick, but he pushed it aside in favour to tending for Khun Dan. He had been alone for so long, and on the occasions where he had gotten sick - shivering and feverish in his little apartment - he yearned for another person to be there to help him. Khun Dan might have someone who is able to provide that for him, back at Bangkok, but not here, in this estate hours away from the city. He only had Chai, who wouldn't let a sick person experience that kind of loneliness.

"Have you even showered?"

"Uh..." Chai glanced down at his outfit, having forgotten that after eating last night he had planned on writing up the notes for the day before showering and heading off to bed. He had only done one of those things. "No... n-not yet Khun, I'll shower now that you're awake, but I couldn't leave you alone last night!" Chai told him, some of his worries returning.

Khun Dan thanked him, but still didn't look 100%. He needed some more time and rest to recover. If Chai knew his boss - which he did, after working directly under him for two months - he figured that the man was utterly fatigued from taking on too much on his plate, and his body was telling him he needed a break. And while Chai was glad to hear that Khun was going to lay back down, he frowned when the man said he'd call him a cab to take him back home to Bangkok.

"Get some sleep. In a few hours, you can head home. I'll stay back for a bit then I'll follow."

"Khun, that's ridiculous!" Chai argued, slapping a hand over his mouth as he realised he had raised his voice at his boss. He glanced over a little sheepishly before gently shaking his head. "Sorry Khun. What I meant to say is that I'm not going to leave you. It's not safe for you to drive back alone, and I don't feel comfortable leaving you here while you're unwell. I'm staying with you." Chai said firmly. Where was this confidence coming from?? Living with P'War must've rubbed off on him.

The young assistant stood, a little wobbly from not having slept enough, before steadying himself and speaking again to Khun Dan. "Stay in bed, it's still very early Khun. I'll shower now and then hopefully the kitchen staff will be up. I'll ask them to make us breakfast, and when you're feeling well we'll leave for Bangkok together okay?" Chai told him, deciding he won't take no for an answer. If Khun Dan called a cab for him anyway, Chai would not go - he might have to dig into his savings to pay the driver for his troubles, but he wouldn't be in the back of that car and leave his boss behind.

Before exiting the room to leave for his shower, Chai turned around at the doorway to look at his boss. "Oh! And don't even think of touching the laptop Khun! I already typed up everything from yesterday and sent out emails to push back your appointments so you have nothing on your agenda. There's no work for you to do! Just rest, okay?" Chai told him, giving the other a little smile and wave before leaving.