CHAPTER 17

Author's note: Ahem... so I guess this will be the start of some spoilers of the scenes. 🙂 DO NOT HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS ok 👌 cuz I don't even know whether I can describe it nicely... pls bear with me AAAA 😔✋ (we are moving in baby steps)————————————————————————-2:00 PM, Tanapon study room-

It was Saturday, and since Santa had no plans, he decided to drop by and check on his boyfriend. When he arrived, he found Perth buried under piles of documents, scribbling nonstop with his glasses perched on his nose, something that instantly made Santa's heart skip a beat.

(Istg author likes this pic SO MUCH❤️)

'I need to tell him to wear glasses more often...'

With nothing else to do, Santa flopped onto the couch beside him. A stack of magazines caught his eye, so he started flipping through them casually. Page after page of different models and styles passed by until one photo made him freeze.

A tanned-skinned, dark-haired man with striking green eyes stared back at him. Someone who looked oddly similar to the guy who once approached him on the beach years ago. Santa quickly sat upright, waving the magazine at Perth.

"Phi, Look! Doesn't he look like that guy from the beach back then? What was his name again?" He scanned the page with his finger until he found it. "Here! Mike! Wow, I didn't know he's actually a model."

(Quick explanation: Tanapon Company is an international modeling agency, so Perth's parents often travel overseas to close important deals and personally scout potential models. Anyway~ back to the story...)

Santa's innocent excitement, however, only managed to stir jealousy in Perth. He slid his glasses off, his brows furrowing as he leaned down over Santa, bracing one arm on the couch beside him.

Perth glanced at the magazine before scoffing, his expression darkening. "He's not even from our agency, probably just someone random my parents hired for a summer campaign."

Then, without warning, he picked up his phone and started typing.

"Phi? What are you doing?" Santa blinked in confusion.

"...Nothing. Just calling Mae to terminate his contract." Perth lifted the phone to his ear, dead serious.

"What?! Why??" Santa yelped.

"I don't want you running into him ever again."

Santa laughed nervously. "But it's not like he's even directly under your company... just let him keep that job. Life's already tough these days."

Perth hesitated, then sighed and put his phone down. He slid closer and pulled Santa into his arms, burying his face against him.

"Why is my boyfriend suddenly so grumpy, hmm? Don't worry, it's not like we'll ever bump into each other, okay?" Santa teased gently, patting his head in reassurance.

Perth tightened his hold and muttered against him, "If anyone ever dares to approach you like that again... they'll regret it."

Santa tried to laugh it off, but Perth didn't let go. Instead, he tilts Santa's chin up, making him look directly into his eyes.

"You really don't get it, do you, Ta?" Perth murmured. "I'm claiming the vouchers."

Santa's cheeks warmed instantly, his eyes darting away. "W-wait!...But those vouchers were supposed to be for when you're stressed or busy, so I could-"

Before he could finish, Perth pressed a quick kiss to his lips, silencing him. It wasn't deep, just enough to make Santa stumble back against the couch.

"Let me redeem one, now."

Perth whispered against his mouth, a teasing smirk playing at his lips. "The 'Reedem unlimited kisses' voucher."

Santa flinched, flustered, before huffing. "...You're abusing the system already."

Perth leaned closer, brushing his nose against Santa's. "Not abusing. Just claiming what's mine."

Santa shoved at his chest lightly, giving a faint pout. "Don't even try to redeem them all today."

Perth's grin widened as he pulled Santa back into his arms. "Mmm, no promises."...Perth pulled Santa gently into his arms, holding him close before lifting him into a warm, protective embrace as he carried him toward the edge of the bed.

Once they settled, Perth buried his face against the curve of Santa's neck, the faint brush of his grown moustache making Santa squirm with a breathy giggle.

(This kind of tiny moustache 🥸)

Amused, Perth let his lips linger near his ear, pressing a soft kiss there, appreciating Santa's soft skin. Out of the blue, he remembers Stacey's 'cheat-code' about Santa's weakness, a mischievous thought crossing his mind.

He grins slightly,  before placing the faintest playful nip, just enough to make Santa's cheeks flush and his breath hitch.

"N-ngh.."

"..."

Santa instantly slapped a hand over his mouth, slipping out of Perth's arms in a flustered panic. His face burned red as he tried to steady his breathing, avoiding Perth's gaze at all costs.

Perth leaned back with a sly smile tugging at his lips, eyes glinting with mischief.

"Well, well... I didn't know my boyfriend could make such a cute sound," he teased, his tone low and playful.

Santa froze, unable to breathe again, his ears turning an even deeper shade of pink.

Perth leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto Santa's trembling eyes.

"Can I hear it again?" he whispered, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Santa's face flushed instantly. "N-No! Stay away, you... you pervert!" He spun around, trying to escape, but Perth's soft chuckle followed him.

"You're adorable when you're shy," Perth murmured, his voice warm and teasing.

Before Santa could move further, strong arms circled his waist, pulling him back against Perth's chest until not even a breath of space remained between them. Santa gasped, his heartbeat racing wildly.

Perth lowered his head, brushing his lips against the curve of Santa's ear before nibbling gently, lingering longer this time. His tongue traced its outline, before sliding down to Santa's pale neck, planting soft, deliberate kisses along the skin.

"P-phi, wait...ngh..." His soft moans kept slipping out of those pink lips, so he bit both of his lips shut, preventing any more unnecessary voices from coming out.

"Mmh...Ah!" Perth suddenly nipped at the side of Santa's neck, making the younger one jolt in surprise. Summoning what little strength he had left, Santa pushed him away, his cheeks burning.

"W-Why would you do that? What if it leaves a mark? I have dance practice tomorrow!" he scolded, quickly covering the spot with his palm.

Perth only grinned, eyes glinting with mischief. "That's the point... so everyone knows you're mine."

"Hmph, you are so annoying."

Perth chuckled lowly, leaning in just enough to brush his nose against Santa's temple.

"Annoying, maybe. But hopelessly in love with you all the same."

Santa tried to look away, but his ears betrayed him by turning bright red. Perth noticed immediately and couldn't resist teasing further.

"Ah...there it is. Your ears always betrays you."

Santa pouted, but the annoyance in him slowly faded. His shoulders relaxed as he leaned back into Perth's chest, the warmth too comforting to resist.

They stayed in silence, just breathing together, hearts pressed close, enjoying the simple comfort of each other's arms.

For Santa, The playful bites, the lingering closeness, the way Perth's hands explored him, it all felt strange and new, almost overwhelming, yet comforting. His body reacted in ways that confused him, a fluttering mix of shyness and curiosity. He wasn't upset... not at all. He somehow likes it and wants to experience more...

Perth buried his face in Santa's hair, breathing him in. A dangerous thought flickered across his mind, one he dared not say aloud yet,

'If just holding him feels this addicting, how much better will it be when Santa's finally ready for the real thing?'

(IDK!? AUTHOR IS NOT READY TO WRITE IT-)...ALRIGHT MY BOOOS I'm just testing water first before using my brain to figure out the actual scene- 🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️🧎‍♀️

As per usual, I hope you enjoy my story! Any feedback or suggestions will be appreciated! Even just random crashing out will also be helpful to motivate me💖💕✨ see you on my next update! Love you 🙆‍♀️