Chapter Text
Peach woke up because someone was staring at him.
Again.
He didn’t even need to open his eyes to know who it was.
“You’re being creepy,” he mumbled sleepily.
Silence.
Then
“I disagree.”
Peach cracked one eye open. Thee was lying beside him, already awake, head propped against one hand, watching him with an expression so openly fond it was almost embarrassing.
Morning light spilled softly through the curtains of their bedroom at Maison Arseni.
Peach groaned and pulled the blanket higher over his face.
“What time is it?”
“Six forty-two.”
“…Why are you awake at six forty-two?”
“I woke up and saw my husband.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“It answers every question.”
Peach made a tired sound into the pillow. Married life had not improved Thee at all. If anything, he’d become more affectionate after getting legally confirmed as Peach’s problem forever.
The mattress shifted.
Thee moved closer.
Warm fingers slipped under the blanket until they found Peach’s hand.
“You drooled in your sleep.”
Peach immediately opened both eyes.
“I did not.”
“You absolutely did.”
“Liar.”
Thee smiled softly.
“There is evidence.”
“Delete it.”
“I memorized it.”
Before Peach could threaten divorce they heard tiny footsteps running down the hallway.
Then
The bedroom door burst open.
“PAPA PEACH!”
Marn climbed onto the bed dramatically while Mhok followed carrying one of Thee’s expensive silk ties around his head like a warrior bandana.
Peach blinked.
“…Why are you dressed like that?”
“I’m going to battle.”
“With what?”
Mhok pointed at his sister.
“She cut my dinosaur.”
“I gave him a haircut,” Marn corrected.
Thee looked at the children calmly.
“Violence is not the answer.”
Peach looked at him suspiciously.
Thee continued:
“It is, however, sometimes the question.”
“P’Kian.”
“What? I’m teaching nuance.”
The children dissolved into laughter.
Peach sat up properly now, hair messy, still half asleep. Thee looked at him for a second too long again.
Peach noticed immediately.
“What now?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“At seven in the morning?”
“Yes.”
“I look homeless.”
“You look married to me.”
Rome’s voice suddenly echoed from the hallway:
“DISGUSTING.”
Peach blinked.
“Why is Rome here?”
“I live here now,” Rome announced while entering the room dramatically holding iced coffee. Behind him, Mok followed, looking deeply resigned.
“No you don’t,” Mok said.
Rome ignored him completely and jumped onto the end of the bed beside the children.
Thee narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you in my bedroom before breakfast?”
Rome looked offended.
“Family should be free.”
“You have your own mansion.”
“I was bored.”
Mok quietly added:
“He missed the children.”
Rome pointed at him immediately.
“See? He understands me emotionally.”
“No,” Mok replied. “I understand that you were crying.”
“I was not crying.”
“You called me three times.”
“That proves nothing.”
Peach hid his laugh badly. Honestly, some things never changed. Thee still looked at Peach like he hung the moon. Rome was still dramatic. Mok still looked one inconvenience away from spiritual enlightenment.
The only difference now was that the house no longer felt enormous and quiet.
Now there were toys in the hallways.
Children’s drawings on the refrigerator.
Tiny shoes near the staircase.
Life everywhere.
Thee suddenly wrapped an arm around Peach’s waist and pulled him back down onto the mattress.
“Five more minutes.”
“You have a meeting today.”
“I’ll cancel it.”
“You’re the CEO.”
“Correct.”
“You can’t cancel work because you’re clingy.”
“I can. Arseni will survive.”
Marn gasped dramatically.
“Papa Thee, that’s irresponsible.”
Thee looked at her seriously.
“You sound like your father.”
“Good,” Peach said immediately.
Thee sighed like a tragic lakorn protagonist.
“I am outnumbered in my own home.”
Mhok climbed onto his lap instantly.
“No, you have me.”
Thee’s expression softened so quickly Peach nearly melted on the spot. That happened a lot lately.
Seeing Thee with the children.
Thee, who once couldn’t even sleep peacefully.
Thee, who used to eat dinner alone at that ridiculously long table.
Now waking up tangled in blankets, children climbing all over him, Peach beside him every morning.
Thee caught Peach staring.
“What?”
Peach smiled faintly.
“Nothing.”
Thee narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You’re emotional.”
“I’m not emotional.”
“You are looking at me like background music should start playing.”
Rome pointed immediately.
“See? I told you they talk like they’re in a lakorn.”
“YOU are the one raised by lakorns,” Peach replied.
“And now you’re married into it,” Rome shot back.
Fair point.
Mok finally stepped forward.
“Breakfast is ready.”
Immediately the children scrambled off the bed at top speed.
Rome followed.
Thee remained exactly where he was, still holding Peach around the waist.
“You too,” Peach told him.
“I’m thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.”
Thee smiled slowly.
“I was thinking that I like mornings now.”
Peach stilled slightly.
Because he understood what that meant.
Before, mornings used to mean work, meetings, silence, routine, loneliness.
Now they meant, warmth, noise, children, Rome invading the house, Mok drinking coffee in the kitchen, Peach beside him.
Home.
Thee pressed a soft kiss against Peach’s shoulder.
“You ruined my life.”
Peach blinked.
“…Excuse me?”
“I was perfectly lonely before you.”
Peach burst out laughing.
Thee smiled against his skin.
And somewhere downstairs, one of the children screamed:
“UNCLE ROME STOLE THE BACON!”
Followed immediately by:
“IT WAS FOR LOVE!”