Kao's hand curled into a fist, knuckles whitening. A raw, primal heat surged—wanting to strike, to crush—but he swallowed it down, forcing his breath steady, chest tight with restrained fire.
"Than," he commanded evenly, eyes unflinching. "Go. Rest."
"I will help Nil."
Than froze, startled, eyes darting between Kao's clenched fist and the shadow darkening his expression. "Kao... sir?"
A pause stretched between them. Then, cautious, uncertain: "Why... are you—?"
Nil's mind went blank. Words stumbled over themselves, "He's... my friend."
He turned to him, "But you told me you don't like him." His brows knitted in confusion.
Nil's lips twitched.
"...He's cold."
"Grumpy." Than tilted his head.
"...Cruel."
Nil's stomach dropped. He hadn't meant for the words to line up like a litany of accusations.
From the side, Kao's eyes widened a fraction, disbelief flashing before his gaze darkened. "...Grumpy?" His lips pressed together so tight they seemed carved from stone.
"Mr. Neptune is right...!" Nil's tone clipped.
"...Than, you should go."
"You need rest."
"Are you sure?" Than asked.
"Pretty sure," Kao replied.
"Please leave," he added, teeth clenched, forcing the command from between tight jaws.
Than lingered for a moment, reading the unspoken warning in Kao's eyes, then retreated to his own apartment.
Alone with Nil, the air thickened.
Kao's eyes were dark, sharp as a predator's, fixed on him without a blink.
Nil's lashes lowered, his gaze averted, as if even a glance might draw blood. "...Stranger, I can explain."
Kao didn't answer. He shrugged off his blazer in one fluid motion, the fabric whispering against itself before landing carelessly on the nearest surface. Taking a single step forward, his voice was low—mocking.
"...Cold."
Nil's heel shifted back, the edge of the floor cool against his sole. "...Stranger—"
Kao's right hand rose, fingers deft. The crisp white cuff bent under his touch, the fold slicing clean and sharp as it slid past his wrist, revealing a line of skin dusted with the faintest veins.
"...Grumpy." Another step forward.
Nil retreated again, back brushing the air as if the walls themselves were watching.
"I can explain—"
Kao's left hand followed, rolling the second cuff with deliberate slowness, each turn a tightening coil. The fabric creased, the bare line of his forearms now fully bared—strong, lean, and dangerous.
"...Cruel."
Nil's breath caught. His pulse stumbled. He took one last step back, voice cracking—
"I—I didn't mean it—!"
Kao's foot shifted—one more step, and Nil bolted.
The sudden burst of motion tore the air apart. Kao moved immediately, the sound of his shoes on the floor like a predator giving chase.
"Nil—stop."
Nil's breath came fast, ragged, "I really didn't mean—" trembling as he ran.
Kao stepped forward, unhurried, eyes dark with command. "You'll be punished."
"Stranger—"
"...Cruel,"
Nil could not keep his pace. Heat burned his lungs, the pounding in his chest louder than his footsteps. And then—
Arms like iron coiled around his waist. He was pulled flush against the wall, the impact stealing his breath. Kao pressed close, heat radiating through every point of contact. Sweat gleamed along their temples, breaths tangling.
"Say it again." Kao leaned closer, teeth grazing the shell of his ear, dangerous, intoxicating.
"Call me grumpy again."
Nil's chest rose and fell against him, his lips parting—but before a word could leave, Kao's hands moved. Not in anger, but in something far more merciless—fingers finding every place that would make him shudder, brushing, pressing, tracing with devastating precision.
Nil's resistance collapsed into a startled laugh, sharp and breathless.
"Stranger—please—stop—"
Kao did not grant mercy. His touch roamed like fire over dry grass.
Then—three sharp knocks on the door, breaking the air like a stone through glass.
Kao's head tilted, momentarily distracted, the weight of his body shifting just enough. Nil seized the instant—his palms braced against Kao's chest, shoving with all his might. He slipped away like water through fingers, stumbling toward the door.
The moment the door opened, a procession of staff poured in from 'MOTIF Art of Living', each carrying pieces larger than the last—almirah, desks, tables, dining sets, bookshelves, sofas, air conditioners, lamps, a double-door refrigerator, a bathtub, beds... one by one, the bare apartment now filled. They moved with quiet precision, setting each piece carefully into place.
Nil's eyes widened, disbelief flickering across his face. He seized Kao's wrist and dragged him toward the balcony.
"Stranger... what's all this?"
Kao blinked, calm. "What?"
"Don't pretend with me! I know you ordered this..." Nil snapped, a mixture of accusation and awe.
"...All of it—from MOTIF Art of Living. Crazy expensive," he added, barely able to mask his shock.
Suddenly, Kao's hands snaked around Nil's waist, fingers pressing firmly, anchoring him against the heat of his body. Every inch of Kao's proximity was deliberate, suffocating, leaving Nil breathless before a single word could escape.
"I remember," Kao murmured, low and intimate, as his thumb brushed against Nil's trembling lips. "What you said..."
Nil parted his mouth, about to speak—but Kao silenced him with the feather-light press of that thumb.
"...Not to interfere in your professional life."
A shiver ran down Nil's spine as Kao leaned closer, breath hot against his ear.
"I'm just..."
"...taking care of my boyfriend," Kao whispered, his voice threaded with possessiveness.
"...making his life comfortable."
Nil's pulse surged, caught between awe and a flaring heat.
Kao's lips curved, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. "Want to spoil him."
Then Kao's thumb, still pressed against Nil's lips, received a slow, searing kiss—soft, and possessive, as if marking him. The deliberate intimacy made Nil's knees weak.
Before he could even respond, Kao stepped back, leaving a vacuum in his absence. Nil froze, statue-still, eyes wide, chest rising and falling too fast, as he stared at Kao's retreating form—
Within half an hour, the condo had been transformed. Plush sofas lined the living room, tables gleamed, beds were made perfectly, and every corner exuded quiet comfort. The staff had even cleaned the flat from top to bottom, leaving it immaculate.
Nil stood in the center of the living room, hands brushing over the smooth surfaces as if afraid to disturb the perfection. His eyes widened slightly, mouth parting in a small, involuntary gasp. His shoulders relaxed for the first time since arriving, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Kao's eyes stayed fixed on him, piercing yet amused as he studied Nil's awe.
"See?" he murmured, teasing but calm. "...Everything is that simple."
Nil's head tilted slightly, eyes meeting Kao's for a brief moment before dropping shyly.
"Mm..." His fingers lingered on the edge of a table, fingertips tracing the wood grain nervously.
The staff, standing at the doorway, bowed slightly. "Sir, everything is complete. Do you need anything else?"
Kao tilted his temple lightly toward them.
"No."
Obediently, the staff withdrew.
Nil's hand drifted to his stomach. It growled audibly. Kao's dark eyes flicked down, sharp and amused. "Hungry?"
Nil lowered his gaze. "..."
Kao reached for his phone, already opening an app to order dinner. But Nil's hand shot out, stopping him. "Why not taste something new?"
Kao paused, silent.
Nil sighed, voice low, almost wistful. "I already bought some groceries... And it's been so long since I ate Bangladeshi food...''
''I was badly craving it."
Kao's eyes softened, "But Bangladeshi food is also available here. I can hire a chef right now..."
Nil continued, a quiet fire in his words.
"Stranger..."
"I always watched my mother in the kitchen, making food for us... ''
''Sometimes she'd call my name for help, and I never went''
''But I know some of her recipes..."
His lips curved slightly, a mix of nostalgia and longing.
"I want... home food."
Kao's jaw shifted, his voice calm, "Fine."
Nil stepped into the kitchen, and Kao followed silently, his presence close but careful, voice soft yet edged with curiosity.
"May I also help you?"
Nil's eyes lifted, meeting Kao's, and held his gaze for a few seconds too long. His lips parted, but no words came.
Kao arched an eyebrow, voice teasingly sharp. "Why that look?"
Nil tilted his head slightly, a small hum escaping. "...Hmm."
They pulled white chef aprons over their clothes, the fabric crisp against their chests. Kao adjusted the tie at his waist, eyes glancing at Nil with an unreadable expression.
"What are we going to cook?" Kao asked, voice low.
"Kichdi with Begun Bhaja," Nil replied, calm, precise.
Kao's brow furrowed. "Kichdi?"
"Begun Bhaja...!"
Nil continued, his hands already gathering ingredients. "It's like Jok (โจ๊ก)... but in kichdi, lentils and many spices are added."
"And Begun Bhaja," Nil added, brushing his fingers over an eggplant, "is eggplant, fried, seasoned with turmeric, chili powder, and salt... extremely easy."
Kao nodded, ''Mn...''
Nil-handed Kao a medley of vegetables—cauliflower, carrot, onion, garlic, green chilies, and eggplant. His hands lingered slightly as he passed them, deliberate and careful.
"Cut the eggplant into rounds," Nil instructed.
"And the other vegetables... You can cut however you like."
Nil moved to the sink, washing grains and lentils together, then poured oil into the pressure cooker.
"Stranger... I still can't believe it." He glanced back, a small, incredulous smile tugging at his lips.
"Kao Neptune... helping me in the kitchen."
Kao's lips curved, a faint, warm smile touching the corner of his mouth. He glanced at Nil once.
"Anything for you..."
Nil's eyes lit up, "Stranger!"
"How could you say such words with a straight face?"
A sudden sharp "Ouch!" cut through the kitchen. Kao's middle finger bore a small nick. Without hesitation, Nil set the grains aside, brought Kao's finger to his lips, and gently sucked.
"Ahh..." Kao exhaled softly, calm.
"It's little," he countered.
Nil withdrew his finger from his mouth. "How could you be so careless?" Tension tightened his features.
He held Kao's finger under the running water, "Does it hurt?"
"It's my fault. I shouldn't have let you do it." Kao's gaze lingered.
Nil shook his head, a faint ache in his expression. "I should have cut it myself."
Kao said nothing. His eyes held Nil's, quiet, and for a long moment, a thought pressed against his chest, No one's ever cared for me that way.
A faint warmth tugged at his lips. Thank you, Nil... for coming into my life.
Nil continued washing, "Stranger... why are you smiling?"
Kao merely nodded, took a deep, controlled breath. "Nil... Nil... It's just a small cut."
"See? There's no trace of blood."
Nil set the finger aside, gently, "...Fine. But... don't touch anything again."
Kao leaned against the counter, arms folded, the sharp line of his jaw relaxed only slightly, lips curling into that familiar, knowing curve. His dark eyes followed Nil like a shadow, tracing every subtle movement—the way his young shoulders hunched over the chopping board, the light sheen of sweat along his brow, the careful way his fingers scattered finely chopped onions and green chilies into the hot oil, then garlic and ginger.
...
Eyes Only You
While blowing each of your hairs in the air,
clenching my heart.
Your eyes concentrate—
still making me weak.
My flesh burns—
while your eyes look for anyone, not me.
Even I am jealous of the eggplant, potato, and onion
who can feel your touch,
while I am just standing afar—
just staring at you as a Stranger.
...
Nil's hair fell in soft, inky strands over his forehead, occasionally lifted by the faint breeze from the balcony. His eyes were sharp, concentrated, almost painfully earnest as he stirred and sautéed.
"Stranger," Nil breathed.
"in June... July... so much rain in Bangladesh.'' Kao's gaze deepened, unwilling to leave.
"...and when it rained, I asked Mom to make khichdi."
Kao's lips twitched, ''Mnn...''
"It's my favorite... and my elder sister's too," Nil continued, eyes still fixed on the grains he washed, hands precise and delicate as they poured them into the golden, aromatic onions and lentils.
He measured turmeric with care, one and a half spoons of salt, two spoons of spices, adding water before closing the pressure cooker with a soft click. His shoulders relaxed, and he let out a small, relieved sigh.
"Finally..."
Nil picked up a bowl, placing seven round slices of eggplant inside. He sprinkled a spoon of turmeric, half a spoon of salt, and two spoons of chili powder over them, massaging the spices into the flesh with careful fingers.
Kao's eyes remained fixed on him, dark, intense, tracing every movement.
"Stranger, are you okay with spicy?" Nil asked with a playful tilt to his head.
Kao only nodded, his gaze never leaving Nil, lips pressing into a faint, taut line.
One by one, Nil dropped the eggplant slices into the sizzling oil, the air filling with the sharp, fragrant aroma.
A sudden whistle from the pressure cooker drew their attention. Two sharp whistles later, the kichdi was ready. Beside it, the begun bhaja glimmered in the pan, perfectly cooked.
Nil opened the pressure cooker, fingers brushing steam, eyes scanning the grains. Kao leaned slightly forward, "What are you finding?" he asked.
Nil's lips curved softly. "I put two potatoes inside..."
With a small, careful motion, Nil lifted the potatoes from the cooker and set them in a separate bowl. Sweat dotted his temple from the heat, and Kao, without thinking, lifted his handkerchief and pressed it gently against Nil's forehead.
Nil's eyes flicked up at him, bright. Then, he mashed the potatoes with deliberate care, mixing in finely chopped onions, green chilies, and mustard oil, folding each ingredient together until the texture was smooth.
"Aloo bhorta, ready!"