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As soon as Mok closed the door to his apartment, he stilled in preparation for the barrage that propelled itself toward him.
Like a magnet, Rome drew to Mok’s waist, circling his arms around from behind. Already sensing Mok’s complaint, he switched his motives. He unbuttoned Mok’s coat without rush, slipping it off his shoulders and onto the hook.
Before Rome could move closer, Mok made his way down the hallway of the apartment and onto the sofa. He leaned head back, closing his eyes to will away the exhaustion of the day. Rome’s footsteps approached and the couch sunk under his weight, shifting again as Rome moved to the side, propping a leg up and resting an elbow.
Mok felt Rome’s gaze focus on him so he turned his head without lifting it, slowly opening his eyes as a band of tension ran between his eyebrows and compressed into a headache.
Rome moved closer still, bringing the other hand to rest at the side of Mok’s head, his fingers winding around Mok's neck and his thumb stroking Mok’s cheek. Rome’s eyes zeroed in but Mok maintained the space between them, putting his hands out like box framing his face.
“One kiss,” Mok said, emphasizing his hands at the top and bottom of his head. “Anywhere from here to here, but one only.”
The corner of Rome’s mouth lifted up barely enough to show his expression, in a downward smile. He moved closer still, ever so gently touching his forehead to Mok’s.
Mok's nose bumped the side of Rome’s as Mok felt Rome’s warm breath. Mok closed his eyes, but Rome didn’t move. At first.
As Mok’s stress started to melt with the gentle brushes along his jaw, Rome touched his lips gently to his forehead and held for a longer press. Mok’s eyes were still closed as Rome moved away, eventually distancing his hands and his weight leaving the couch. Mok regained his resting position, this time adjusting himself to put his legs on the couch and rest his head on the armrest. His ears perked out of habit at the rustling in the kitchen but they soon faded into the distance and he fell into a deep sleep.
When he eventually woke up, he gained his bearings quickly, looking for signs of movement. But as soon as he turned his head back, he found Rome resting on the floor with his head leaning on the couch.
“Rome,” he whispered, but there was no response. He propped himself up on his arm to give enough space to lean forward.
“Rome,” he tried again, softer. Before Rome could open his eyes fully, his hand instinctively rose up to catch Mok’s arm at the source of the sound.
“Hmm,” Rome responded.
“Dinner smells good,” Mok said.
Rome opened his eyes this time, lifting his head to look at Mok. His slow blinks didn’t leave Mok’s face and before Mok could move away, Rome launched himself on the couch, taking the wind from Mok’s chest.
As he rested his head against the curve of Mok’s neck, Mok felt Rome’s lips stretch into a smile against his collarbone.
“What is it?” Mok wheezed.
“You’re awake,” Rome said.
Mok gently pushed Rome up by the shoulders, careful not to send him tumbling into the coffee table. Rome lifted his weight and switched to caging Mok between him and the sofa instead.
Mok peered up at Rome and held his hand on Rome's chest to keep the distance between them.
Mok's eyes narrowed as he pursed his lips, but Rome made no effort to move. He flipped Rome around instead, but Rome held on to his waist to keep him from leaving. Mok balanced himself on the armrest and Rome sighed.
“You won’t even let me hold my husband,” Rome said.
Mok’s eyes softened as he leaned toward Rome, only responding with a quick “after dinner” as he pushed himself off the couch and out of Rome’s grasp.
Rome sunk the back of his head into the couch, exasperated, but nevertheless found himself at Mok’s side a moment later.
Rome watched Mok eat, savouring all the dishes, unfazed by the intensity of his gaze. Rome relented into pouring himself some dishes as they ate in companionable silence, Rome still waiting for any sign from Mok.
When it came time to do the dishes, Rome cleared the table and wearily made his way to Mok.. This time, Mok surprised him by approaching him with a gentle press of his lips against the corner of Rome’s mouth.
“Thank you,” Mok said and Rome’s body went slack, holding Mok this time for support. Rome leaned his head forward, wishing and praying, but not forcing. Mok slide his arm up Rome’s chest to cup his cheeks and kissed him in earnest. Rome, lightheaded, followed Mok’s lead, afraid that he might pull away.
“Rome,” Mok whispers and Rome looks at him with a thick layer of fog over his eyes. This time, Mok can’t help but draw him in closer and leave short but full presses of his lips against Rome’s. Rome drinks in each one as if it’ll be their last.
Rome’s patience finally wears down Mok’s defenses as Mok gives a hint of a smile against Rome’s lips. Rome immediately pulls back to look at Mok, catching its traces before it’s gone.
The sound in Mok’s pocket alerts him that it’s time to send Rome to the airport. Despite moving to Bangkok, Rome's trips to Hong Kong were still frequent as he sat the helm of the family business after graduation.
“Won’t you come with me?” Rome asked, “we’ve already been separated for long enough.”
Knowing a retired Mok still presented himself at the Lee family’s every beck and call, he didn't push further when Mok answered with a simple peck and a “no”. Even if this assignment was only a simple trip accompanying Lookplub and Khun Natlada.
“I’ll see you in four days,” Mok said, pushing Rome toward to the bedroom to gather his luggage.
“But I’ll be back in three,” Rome whined.
Mok’s phone buzzed again in warning and this time, he headed toward the bedroom himself, but Rome put out his arm to stop him.
“I got it, I got it,” Rome said.
Mok waited for Rome at the entrance, still adhering to Rome’s wishes not to see him off, and confirmed that Lee 99 had arrived on time.
As soon as Rome crossed the threshold, he leaned his back into Mok’s chest.
“I’ll miss you so much,” Rome said, but Mok pushed him off and closed the door with a smile, already triple-checking arrangements for the flight and ensuring everything was exactly as Rome liked it.