Sighs resignedly and opens a notepad files to take noted for the comments because the ones I left already in private are obviously not enough.
“You can,” Rome whispers, stepping forward back into Mok’s space. “You can, the only thing stopping you is you. Forget about titles, propriety, the family for just one second. Think about it—you can work for me instead. No one would bat an eye at the two of us spending time together, because you’d be my bodyguard. And then, when I take over from my father, I’ll get to make the rules. No one will be able to stop us.”
Rome can see the moment Mok begins to seriously consider his proposal. He can see him waver, a small frown forming on his face as he weighs his options. Rome is so close to having everything he wants, he just needs Mok to give in, to let himself be happy just one time.
There’s charged silence between them, so electric that Rome has to close his eyes to keep himself steady. He feels Mok move closer, back into his space, and he’s so sure Mok’s going to kiss him that he tips his head up, waiting for it. Rome feels Mok lean in close, can feel the tremble of his breath on his cheek, and then—nothing.
SHOOTME. SHOOTMERIGHTNOW.
MY HEART IS BLEEDING.
“Kritdanai Lee. The spare, not the heir. Well, we’ll take what we can get.”
I changed my mind. SHOOT HIM. HOW DARE YOU!!! THE SPARE????
“Drive,” he commands, and to Rome’s surprise, Kian doesn’t scold him or argue. Instead, he throws the car into drive and floors it, racing out of the lot like their lives depend on it—which, Rome realizes, they probably do.
THE MAN HE IS. HELP ME.
Mok?” Mok looks up at him then, and Rome notices his eyes are red-rimmed.
“You’re okay,” he says, more to himself than to Rome.
“I’m okay,” Rome assures him, taking his hands in his.
Mok nods, his eyes beginning to shine.
“You got me. I’m okay.”
Mok glances at where Kian sits in the driver’s seat, and Kian makes a show of checking every mirror but the rear one. Mok brings Rome’s hands, with their carefully bandaged wrists, up to his mouth and presses a kiss to them. It’s quick, over before Rome can really register it, but it’s real. As real as Mok coming to his rescue with barely any backup.
cries in five languages
Rome gapes at Plub, at a loss for words. Would Peach really do that? For him, someone he barely knows, and Mok, his husband’s bodyguard? “Your family is…”
“Your family too,” Plub confirms with a smile. “Best of luck!”
“Wha—?” Before Rome can really question anything he finds himself thrown into Mok’s arms, stumbling to keep upright. Mok catches him, because of course he does, and the letter that must be from Kian is still in his hand.
Me and Plub would be besties.
Mok is twenty-three the first time he lets go.
THIS WHOLE LAST PIECE IS A MASTERPIECE I CANNOT. EXCUSE ME. I CANNOT COPE, HELP. HE'S JEALOUS OF HIS PAST, HE'S NOT BEEN WITH ANYONE, ROME WANTS HIM TO...faints
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CagedNightingale Tue 27 Jan 2026 04:08PM UTC
Last Edited Tue 27 Jan 2026 04:08PM UTC
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ImEasyEitherWay Wed 28 Jan 2026 02:46PM UTC
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