#TerMaePhon

[morathicain]

Phon’s touch was a familiar one, a safe one, despite still making her heart race, making her wonder sometimes, in secret, how she deserved this man, his support and love as big as an ocean, forever steady and strong.

Mae still remembered the first time he’d taken her hand, even if she’d lost count of their touches after that. As kids he’d seen her getting bullied by some children and he’d jumped between them, already smaller than her back then, fierce and without a fear. And afterwards, after the fight she’d watched with wide eyes and her troubled heart on her sleeve, he’d offered his hand with a smile and a promise. Little had she known back then, where life would lead them, what they’d become to each other. But she’d known already, that he’d get stuck to her soul, no matter where their paths would lead them.

Since then, Phon had taken her hand often. At first innocently, casually but each time a wonder to Mae, a glimmering hope. It became the daily part of her life, something to look forward to, something that changed, slowly, to a different one, a yearning one. Mae didn’t try to set her hopes up but then it came, the day Phon held on, held her hand with a new, with a different purpose, his smile lopsided and his fingers trembling.

And Mae realised: she wasn’t alone in this.

Phon became her partner, her equal, her support and her love, by her side whether she was strong or weak, whether she cried or laughed. His touch was a grounding one, the butterflies in her chest forever rising.

Ter’s touch was a surprise. A long awaited one. And Mae hadn’t even realised it.

There was something very hesitant to it, unsure if he was allowed and it reminded Mae of herself, back at her beginning with Phon. To not know if one was welcome and to stop, even if only for a second, before reaching out.

She’d only asked for his touch because she’d been so lonely. Because she missed Phon and felt lost in this cruel world, her only companion a man who never smiled. But when he’d lied down next to her, his back touching hers, his heat seeping into the mattress and her skin, she’d felt weirdly at home. A fragile home maybe, a temporary one, but it was the rock in the storm she’d been searching for. And so she reached our further, she reached out further and with a purpose, just to reassure herself, just to settle down.

They were partners but they were not equals and still ... still! Mae watched Ter smile for the first time, after all the scolding she’d done, after all the conditions she’d uttered. And he stayed. He stayed and came back each time, taking whatever she had to say, however honest and brutal she had to be. But she couldn’t stay silent, couldn’t just hope this time. Mae was reaching out and Ter didn’t even flinch anymore, just let her take and take and take ...

Ter’s touch was a surprisingly soft one, his fingers curling around Mae’s hesitant but with a purpose, a question, a promise. And as Mae’s fingers tightened around his, her mind in a fuzzy maze, she felt at peace.

“P’Mae ...”

Her name, softly spoken by wondering lips, felt like honey to her soul and with a shuddering breath, Mae held on, determined to never let go.

There was a new love in Ter’s touch and Mae was eager to lose count once more.