Chapter Text
“You know,” Bun says quietly. “If they’re going to be staying here it might be time to sort out the other bedrooms.”
Tan, his arm around his husband as they watch the three teenagers asleep on the couch, presses a kiss to his temple.
“Probably. They might still choose to sleep down here.”
Bun frowns. “We don’t make enough noise to be heard through the door when they’re here let alone...”
Tan is shaking his head. “They feel safer here, together, wrapped in blankets pretending they didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
Bun looks at them again. Nam is curled up in the corner, a duvet tucked in tightly around her. That and Sorn are asleep along the main length of the couch, their heads on a cushion near Nam, arms, and legs wrapped around each other underneath the remaining spare blankets in the house.
It started six months ago, not long after everything had finally been uncovered - and the sofa was replaced by Tan’s brother. He’d paid for the whole room to be repaired as an apology. Bun was still working out how he felt about his new brother in law but as long as Tan was okay he’d taken to accepting things as they were.
Nam’s parents were hardly ever home, Sorn’s were the same, and That? Tan had been doing what he could for him but he seemed to have half moved in with Sorn, and them.
“Shit. Yeah. Okay. We should anyway, in case they want it to be more permanent.”
Tan gives him an odd look.
“What?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d realised by now.”
“That we’ve accidentally adopted three teenagers?”
“So you have noticed,' Tan says, smiling as he squeezes the arm he has around his husband.
“Is that a yes for furniture in the other rooms?” Bun asks as they turn for the stairs.
“Sure.”
***
For a couple of weeks, they’d stayed at each other’s homes. First Nam’s as her parents only returned a couple of times a year, then Sorn’s for better food cooked by his parents on the weekends they weren’t at work.
That’s place was small enough that they’d only stayed one or two nights before jumping at the offer of a movie night with Tan and Bun.
Now they stay with them every weekend and divide the rest of the week between Nam and Sorn’s.
Nam is the first to wake that morning, shuffling into the kitchen to find Dr. Bun cooking breakfast.
“Take a seat, it’ll be ready soon.”
She does; used to his welcoming manner and good food.
He keeps a careful distance from her, one she’s sure is there to make sure she feels safe around them; he needn’t; Nam is all too aware of the threats in this world but none of the men and boys under this roof pose a risk to her.
And not just because she’s certain none of them are attracted to women.
“How’s school?” Bun asks.
“It’s good. Much better since I started paying attention in Tan’s cram school.”
“And everything else?” This question is softer, a tone she’s become familiar with. It means he cares but he doesn’t want to pry.
“My therapy sessions are still hard but they’re getting easier.”
Bun nods. “Good. I’m glad. I’ve spoken to Tan and I wanted to let you know we’re going to put beds in the upstairs rooms so you’ll have somewhere more comfortable to sleep than the couch.”
Nam bites the inside of her lip. “Okay.”
“You can all still sleep downstairs if you want to. But they’ll be there if you want to use them.”
Nam accepts the plate Bun puts in front of her and the mug of tea he offers.
“We’ll at least get more pillows and bedding. If you see anything you like let us know.”
Sorn and That shuffle in a little while later and Bun tells them the same before leaving them to it to take breakfast up to Tan.
“Should we start paying rent?” Sorn asks.
That rolls his eyes and ruffles his hair, sharing a smile with Nam. “I think housework and gardening is more than enough.”
Sorn’s smile is bright and happy. “Okay,” he agrees before digging into his breakfast.
***
That has been somewhat under Tan’s protection since he was 12; a life working for Dam was better than one on the streets.
For a while he’d been forced to stay in school but Tan seemed to let that go as time went on.
Now though, over five years later, he’s started paying attention again.
The cram school focuses on the main exams for high school and university but private sessions have always been available so That started borrowing a couple of the textbooks and leaving the assignments on Tan’s desk.
“Here,” Tan gives him back his latest. “Good work.” It’s the same words he used to hear after the end of a dangerous but successful night; more and more often they come in moments like this instead.
“Thanks.” He wants to do enough to graduate high school but has no aspirations past that. Thanks to Tan he’s on track to finish along side Sorn and Nam; which has more to do with needing a distraction than a hidden academic talent. He’s a year older than they are but even though he could return to school with them he prefers the quiet of Tan’s classroom or the garden at the house.
“I’ve packed up my apartment,” he says casually.
“We could have helped.”
That shrugs. “Didn’t have much. Most of it was already at Sorn’s. Bun said he’ll help me move the rest of it to the house tonight.”
Tan goes from worried to happy when That looks up.
“You’re moving in?”
That rolls his eyes. “Yes. I’m officially moving in. May as well.”
Tan’s smile is contagious enough that he returns it.
“It’ll save on rent and stop Sorn from worrying.”
“Just Sorawit?”
“And his parents, and Nam.” Both of whom had offered to let him live with them if he’d wanted.
Tan still doesn’t look convinced.
That sighs. “And you and Dr. Bun.”
“I wasn’t worried. I know you can look after yourself but you shouldn’t have to.”
“Yeah.” He slouches in his seat. “It’s. It’s been nice not to have to.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you before all of this.” It’s an old unspoken sentiment and it’s perhaps time to alleviate whatever guilt Tan very clearly still feels.
“No. You didn’t need to help me at all and you did. I’m not sure where I’d be without you. Probably not alive.” He means to say it as a joke but it comes out honest and raw.
Tan stands up from his desk and comes around to place a hand on That’s shoulder.
“Given how many times I’ve almost got you killed it’s not reassuring. You’re still young enough that we could adopt you if you wanted.”
“You mean that.” Tan has treated him like a younger brother since they met, and certainly like a father at times but it still seems like more than he deserves. No-one associated with the mafia should have a heart as big as Tan’s. But it’s kept them all alive.
“Of course I mean that. We mean it. Bun stayed up half the night to make sure the furniture was ready for all of you this weekend.”
“No sleeping downstairs?”
Tan chuckles. “I don’t think he really minds. Bun doesn’t want to smother you but he needs to know you’re safe and provided for.”
“Sounds like someone else I know,” he says with a smile. “Only I think Sorn and Nam have different boundaries.”
“And bandaging techniques.”
Bun has now taken them all through several first aid courses and provided their own kits. Just in case, and because apparently, Nam wrapped Sorn so tightly he’d been lightheaded for a day before going to the hospital.
“Are you okay otherwise?”
“Yeah.”
“Things with Sorn are good?”
That frowns. “Yeah. We’re fine. What do you think we spend our time doing besides ride around together and go fishing?”
Tan’s expression seems to say that neither of those things appeal to him but That doesn’t dream of reading fairytales with Sorn in a cottage hidden in the woods; so they’re even in that regard.
***
Nam’s room has an en-suite; It’s the bathroom she uses whenever she’s stayed before and it’s always been just hers. Towels and all.
The soft blue bedding she’d chosen earlier in the week greets her when she walks in along with a set of keys and everything else she’d agreed on during their shopping trip.
There’s non of the detached coldness she’s used to with her own parents; instead, there are little touches that let her know how much they care.
The bed is also large enough for at least three people; which is yet another sign of how much Tan and Bun care about them.
Sorn nocks on the door. “Nam-Nam?”
“You can come in.”
“Thanks. Nice room.” He’s almost bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“You’ve seen it before.”
“But now it’s yours,” he says as though it explains everything.
“Yeah. I guess.”
“What did your parents say?” Sorn asks, sitting on the chair for her new desk.
“They’ve given Bun and Tan permission to be my legal guardians.”
“That’s good, right?”
Nam sits down on her bed facing him. “I think so. I’d rather be here than in my empty house alone.” Sorn’s face falls. “I know you wouldn’t let that happen. But surely you and That don’t want to always have me in the room at night.”
Sorn blushes but still meets her eyes. “We’re not, we don’t. I’m. You don’t need to worry, Nam-Nam.”
“You haven’t...” she raises her eyes. He’s almost 17 and they’re both boys. “But he’s your boyfriend, right?”
He fluffs up his own hair and smiles. “He is. We are. But we’re not... And it’s not like there’s any rush.” His face is turning redder by the second and she’s worried she’s overstepped somehow.
“No, there’s not. Sorry.”
“For what?” He looks genuinely confused; she’s relieved that what they’ve been through hasn’t ruined his good-heartedness.
“Assuming.”
Sorn shrugs. “It’s fine. Before That, I hadn’t even kissed anyone let alone the rest of it. I just want to be close to him. All the time.” He’s still bright red but the way he talks about it makes him endearing rather than embarrassed. “And I don’t think it’s just because of what happened. I felt like that before too.”
Nam gives him a warm smile. “I’m glad you have each other.”
“You have us too.” He’s frowning. “Just in a different way, okay, Nam-Nam?”
“Okay,” she agrees. “We also have homework.”
He groans but stands up to follow her out of the room.
“You do tho,” he tells her quietly. “I don’t like not knowing you’re nearby either.”
She turns on the stairs and puts her arm around him.
“I love you, Nam.”
“I love you too.”
When That gets in he’s met with hugs and ‘I love yous’ from both Sorn and Nam but when he tries to ask them what he’s missed they just say ‘you’.
***
Bun finds Tan in the garden. The chili plant has so far survived being drowned by his husband and managed to grow in spite of it.
The other plants and flowers are coming into their own and it’s starting to look more like an oasis than a field. There’s two more flower beds, some vegetables mixed in amongst them, as well as a stone seating area and newly cleared space for the fountain Tan has decided they should have.
Bun comes up behind him and rests his chin on his shoulder, welcoming the heat of Tan’s back against the light chill in the air.
“Welcome home.” He can hear the smile in Tan’s voice.
“Hmm. Thank you.” He wraps his arms around him and smiles against his skin. “Good day?”
“I think so.”
“You think so?”
“It’s not over yet.”
Bun drops his head against his shoulder. “We have a full house this weekend so whatever you’re thinking of is going to have to be quiet.”
Tan laughs. “I was actually just thinking about having everyone home under the same roof. Officially this time.”
“Oh.”
Tan puts his hands on top of Bun’s. “But of course we’ll also be quiet later.”
Bun chuckles. “I’m so tired it might have to wait until morning.”
“I did say we didn’t need to build all the furniture. They’ll sleep downstairs or together in one room.”
“But now they have space and choice. Plus I expect Sorn’s parents to want to visit at some point.”
Tan shifts in his arms until he’s facing him. “Maybe. But not this weekend. The kids know how much you care about them; they love you for it. I love you for it.”
He closes his eyes and settles into the evening peace surrounding them.
“How did we end up with three kids in our care?” Bun asks.
“Would you trust them with anyone else?”
He thinks about it. “Only Sorn’s parents but they can’t afford it and we can. Easily.” Tan presses a kiss to his forehead. “And Jane did everything she could to protect them; maybe I’m honouring her memory as well. Why did you agree?”
“I always wanted a bigger family; one that loves each other. I was lucky to have my mum for as long as I did. That and Nam haven’t been as fortunate.”
“No. No they haven’t,” Bun agrees
Tan rests his head on Bun’s shoulder. “Maybe we should have talked about having kids before we got married.”
“I don’t mind one way or the other. And these three are different; they were already part of the family.”
“So you’re saying we could have more?”
Bun can’t help rolling his eyes. “Yes. At some point. I have a feeling our background and employment checks will be easy enough.”
“Hmm. Probably.”
“You can’t leave guns lying around anymore, though.”
“It’s been in the safe since before the wedding.” It’s true; there’s a baseball bat under their bed and chili powder is always readily available. Tan’s reasons for keeping a gun in the house are understandable but Bun won’t take any chances.
***
“I like your room,” Sorn says, a wide smile on his face; That still doesn’t know how so much light got crammed into a person.
“Thanks.” He’d unpacked yesterday whilst Sorn and Nam were at the cram school, then gone with them to Sorn’s house to as usual for a Thursday.
“Nam’s is lovely too.” And positioned in between their rooms and the master bedroom.
“Is there a room in this house you don’t like?” That asks fondly. His hair is still damp from the shower so Sorn comes over with his own towel to dry it for him.
“No. It’s great here.”
Once he’s happy with the state of That’s hair he sits himself cross-legged on the bed.
“I hate that everything had to happen the way it did but it’s better for you to have a proper home. Nam-Nam too.”
That isn’t sure how to tell him that ever since Sorn became a more frequent, then permanent, part of his life he’s felt at home just being around him.
Nam too, but he feels much more like her brother than her friend.
They are both family and home but different facets of it.
“You’re going to be here almost as much as we are.”
“I know.” His smile dips. “But we can’t keep sleeping close together forever.”
“Have your parents said anything to you?” He bites back the once-familiar anger that sparks in his throat.
“No. No.” He shuffles down the bed and puts his hands on That’s knees. “They love having you and Nam there. But what about when we get older? If we go to university? And Nam wants to go somewhere else?”
He doesn’t like thinking about it. He’ll talk about it in therapy but in an abstract sometime-in-the-future way.
At Sorn’s they sleep in the larger lower bunk whereas Nam sleeps on the top.
At Nam’s she has her bed and they sleep on a high-end camping bed between it and the door.
None of the adults aware of what they’ve been through have tried to separate them or suggest different bedrooms; they all know Nam feels safest with them close by whilst they’re all asleep. But Tan and Bun know more of the story and why the boys need the closeness too.
“Things might be different in a few months,” That says. “For the first few weeks we didn’t even like being apart for school. Now we do things without each other and it’s fine.”
Sorn nods. “That’s true.”
Nam had spent the day of Tan’s proposal plan with Doctor Fai, That has found himself doing schoolwork with Tan whilst the others are at school.
But evening and night times are when they come home to each other.
“So maybe we’ll feel okay spending nights apart a few weeks or months from now.” He shrugs. “We don’t need to rush it.”
“You’re pretty wise, That.”
He laughs. “My therapist said it first.”
“Oh, well. Your therapist is very wise.” Sorn’s face scrunches in confusion. “Our therapist. Guess we really can trust them to keep things private.”
That covers Sorn’s hands with his.
“Yeah. We can.”
“We have time before the movie,” Sorn says. “Can we?” He tips his head toward the top of the bed.
“Of course.”
They rearrange themselves, Sorn’s head on That’s chest and a hand running through his hair. It smells of clean sheets and shower gel and the longer they lie there listening to each other breathe the more the peace seeps in.
Some days this is all that stops the flashes of memory; the forests, the gun pointed at Sorn, and their imminent death. But there are other times, like this, where he’s so grateful the boy in his arms saw past his attitude and wanted to get closer still.
“This bed is really comfortable.”
Sorn laughs. “I think we’ll be sleeping in here tonight. Nam-Nam can bring her duvet and join us.”
***
They watch, of all things, The Little Mermaid.
Only Tan hasn’t seen it before but they all sit through it quietly regardless.
He’s sure Bun chose it because it’s their first night all officially together under one roof and this way Jane can be part of it too.
Sorn and Nam hum along to a couple of the songs, and Bun cries a little at the end.
“It’s much better this way,” Tan comments. “The original version was horrible.”
Bun chuckles, snuggled up warm against his chest. “I did warn you that most of them have bad endings.”
“Aside from the duckling.”
“Yes. Aside from the duckling.” The eye-roll he gets given is fond.
“Why?” Sorn asks.
Nam answers. “Most fairytales were meant to be cautionary; don’t go out into the woods, don’t trust strangers. But some only wanted to scare people; don’t try and advance beyond your station, women shouldn’t think for themselves. That sort of thing.”
Bun looks at her impressed. “Products of their time. But not all of them. The French version of Cinderella is much happier and closer to the Disney one than the brother’s Grimm version; it’s also older.” He shrugs. “Sometimes people prefer the nastier version.”
Sorn frowns. “How come you and Ms. Jane liked them so much then?”
“We liked telling them to each other until we were too scared to sleep. And sometimes we’d rewrite the endings to make them happier.”
Tan chuckles. “So you two were Hansel and Gretel.”
Bun’s smile softens with the memories. “Yes. Only we didn’t go back to the parents; we stayed in the woods and fed the other children whose parents had also abandoned them.”
“Was that your idea or Ms. Jane’s?” Sorn asks.
“I can’t remember. But we started learning to cook together.”
They fall into silence as realisation dawns.
Tan rests his head on Bun’s and rubs his arm, offering as much comfort as he can.
“I’ll make tea,” That says, getting up and ruffling Sorn’s hair on his way out, the other teenager following after him.
“Did you grow up here?” Nam asks.
Bun sits up but stays pressed to Tan’s side; his arm still around him.
“Yes. I keep forgetting you wouldn’t know that, sorry. I moved away with my family after high school. I grew up with Jane and Pued.” He looks at his husband. “I actually met Tan before I moved back but I don’t remember.”
Nam looks past him to Tan. “Where?”
“At uni. I didn’t know who he was and was too shy to say hello. But I remembered him.”
“So you sort of ended up in a fairytale all of your own?”
“It depends how you look at it.”
Nam studies them both before saying. “You’re having your happily ever after, even if the things before it were horrible. And you saved the kids, plus there’s the house in the woods.”
Bun nods. “Jane... Jane was always my hero.”
Nam’s smile is warm but her eyes are filled with tears.
“I-“
She shakes her head. “It’s okay. I like talking about her and I know you both miss her too.”
Tan is the first to find his words. “We do.”
Nam shuffles closer and rests her head on Bun’s shoulder for a moment before sitting up again. “Who’s Tan in all of this?”
“Oh, he’s the flamingo.”
Tan bursts out laughing.
Nam looks between them both so Bun tries to explain. “He thought he was either a duckling or a swan but I think flamingo suits him better.”
Nam frowns, despite chuckling, and wipes her eyes.
“Hansel and the Flamingo Prince. It could work. A Prince that hides his secret bird identity and falls in love with Hansel. Together with Gretel they save the kingdom, the prince, princess, and erstwhile Knight.”
“Who’s the knight?” Sorn asks, coming back in with mugs of tea on a tray.
Nam smiles at him. “That. Obviously.”
That seems pleased and hands her tea over first.
“You have a writing assignment next week, you could use this. It’ll count for folklore and mythology.” Tan knows the general lesson plans of the teachers to make sure he can work the topics he covers around it.
“Maybe.”
“What’re you going to write about?” That asks Sorn; who’s taken up residence in his lap.
“A Prince who saves a knight after his horse was injured; and the adventures they have.”
“I’m not sure fishing counts as an adventure,” Bun chides lightly.
“You had to be there,” That tells them.
“Fair enough.”
***
“Come on Prince Sunshine and Sir That.” Nam pats them both on the arm.
Bun and Tan have already gone up to bed; the doctor practically asleep and only walking because he refused to be carried.
Sorn has no such qualms and as soon as That stands up he gets on his back and wraps himself around him.
“Knights are not horses.”
“This isn’t how you ride a horse,” Sorn corrects sleepily.
Nam leads them both upstairs and holds the door to That’s room open for them.
She gets herself ready in her room, grabs her duvet, and by the time she’s back the boys are already tucked in on the side closest to the door.
She gets herself into bed and takes a deep, slow breath.
“You can turn out the light,” she says.
“Okay.” That flicks the switch on the bedside lamp, leaving the room lit only by the faint light of the moon through the curtains.
“Night night, Princess Nam-Nam,” Sorn whispers, smiling at her across the pillows before his eyes fall closed with sleep.
She closes hers and knows even if her dreams become nightmares that she is safe. It’s not always enough but tonight, for now, it is.