Chapter 11 - After the Fire

Aou hadn’t slept in two nights.

Every time he closed his eyes, he felt it again: Boom’s lips crashing into his, the heat of his body pressed against him, the sound of that breathless chuckle afterward. It haunted him like a fever dream—half guilt, half desire.

So he did what he always did when things spun out of control. He buried himself in work.

For two days, he avoided Boom’s room as much as possible, assigning nurses to handle minor check-ins, scheduling his rounds when he knew Boom would be asleep, keeping his words clipped and clinical when forced to interact. He convinced himself it was for the best, that distance would cool whatever madness had overtaken him that night.

But if Aou thought avoidance would extinguish the fire, he underestimated Boom Tharathorn.

Because Boom didn’t avoid. Boom pursued.

—

The first time was at breakfast.

A nurse entered the doctor’s lounge carrying a tray. “Doctor Aou? Mr. Tharathorn insisted this was for you.”

Inside the tray was a perfectly plated omelet, toast, and coffee—restaurant quality. A note rested on the side in neat handwriting: Doctors shouldn’t skip meals. – B

Aou’s face flushed hot. He pushed it aside, muttering something about “unprofessional bribery,” but he still finished every bite.

The second time was during rounds.

Boom, freshly shaved and looking irritatingly put together in casual wear, leaned back against his pillows when Aou entered. “Doctor,” he drawled, “you didn’t come yesterday. I thought maybe you were avoiding me.”

Aou’s pen nearly snapped in his hand. “Don’t flatter yourself. I have dozens of patients.”

“And yet I’m the only one keeping you up at night,” Boom murmured, low enough that only Aou could hear.

The pen did snap this time.

The third time was later that evening. Aou was reviewing charts at his desk when the door to his office opened without warning.

Boom stepped inside, still in patient clothes but with the confidence of a man who owned the building. “You lock your office, Doctor?”

“I should,” Aou bit out, standing. “You’re supposed to be in bed—”

“I’m supposed to be healing,” Boom interrupted smoothly, “and I am. But the silence in that room is unbearable. You’re far more entertaining company.”

Aou pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is harassment.”

“This is honesty,” Boom countered, taking another step closer. “And if you hated it as much as you claim, you would have thrown me out by now.”

Aou’s breath hitched. He wanted to deny it, to shove Boom out and lock the door behind him. But instead, he stood frozen, the walls around him shaking.

Boom studied him for a long moment, his smirk softening into something dangerous, something tender. “You keep telling yourself it was a mistake. But I know the truth. You wanted it just as much as I did.”

Aou finally found his voice, though it trembled. “Wanting something doesn’t make it right.”

Boom tilted his head, his eyes never leaving Aou’s. “Maybe not. But it makes it real.”

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. Aou could hear his own heartbeat, could feel the tug of that same impossible gravity pulling him closer. He clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms until the sting anchored him.

“You need to leave,” he said finally, his voice harsh.

Boom didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, he stepped back, a sly smile curving his lips. “Fine. But know this, Doctor—every time you push me away, it only makes me want to chase you harder.”

He left with that maddening calm, shutting the door behind him.

Aou collapsed into his chair, pressing his hands over his face, his body trembling with exhaustion and something far more dangerous.

Because Boom was right.

The kiss hadn’t been a mistake. It had been the truest thing Aou had felt in years.

And that truth terrified him more than anything.