Timing is everything

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POV: Jes

The whole ride to the office, Jes kept thinking about what had happened the night before, and that morning—with Bible. It felt like thousands of butterflies were throwing a wild party in his chest. He'd never felt this kind of happiness before. The small things Bible did, the way he made him laugh, or that cute little pout he had when Jes had to leave for work, it was almost too much.

Is this what it feels like to fall in love?The thought alone made Jes anxious. What if Bible never felt the same way? But at the same time, it thrilled him. The idea of going back home to someone... someone waiting for him, someone to simply be with—it changed everything.

The loneliness he had grown so used to, the one that had never really bothered him before, suddenly felt unnecessary. Unwelcome. Being with Bible, laughing with him, talking to him, it made Jes question everything about how he had lived before. And it made him happy.

He smiled softly, looking out the window as he drove past tall buildings bathed in morning light. The sun seemed to shine just for him. It was like life itself was smiling back.

Yes—life was beautiful.

But life was far more complicated. And love—love was a mystery.

So when Jes got back to the office, reality hit faster than he could think.

"Jes, we have a problem," Job said as he rushed into the office, shutting the door behind him with a quick thud before sinking into a chair.

Jes didn't even look up from the stack of papers he'd been reviewing. "First of all," he said in a stern voice, "you failed to watch over my husband."

That made Job flinch.

Jes's eyes now locked onto him, hard and unforgiving. "Where were you? Why was he alone in the middle of nowhere, covered in dust, chasing after a kitten? Do you even realize what could've happened to him?" He dropped the stack of papers on the table with a soft thud.

"I know," Job said quickly. "I failed. Not just the task but also as your friend. I'm sorry. But Jes..." He glanced at the door nervously, lowering his voice. "We've got a real problem."

Right then, the office door cracked open.

"Mr. Jespipat?" a secretary peeked in. "There's someone waiting for you. She's been here all morning. Says it's very important."

Jes raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Job leaned back slightly in his chair, exhaling. "That's what I'm trying to tell you. She's back."

He didn't have to say more. Jes's blood ran cold. His thoughts came to a screeching halt. He knew exactly who Job meant. And his heart dropped like a stone.

How could he have forgotten so fast?And why... now?

"Tell her to wait five minutes," Jes said tightly. The secretary nodded and closed the door.

Jes turned to Job, now visibly pale. "What is she doing here?" He asked it like Job might somehow have the answer, like he could fix the mess that was about to explode.

"I don't know," Job said, his tone serious now. "But you knew this could happen eventually. And you need to decide what you want."

What I want, Jes repeated in his head.

It was such a simple question—but the answer felt fragile. Almost unreal.The idea of being with Bible... of truly being with him... had been like holding sunlight in his hands. And now—this—the return of someone he once thought he'd love forever... it made that light flicker.

He sighed and dismissed Job with a nod.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Jes leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply. Just a few quiet moments passed.

Then the door opened again.

And there she was.Natty.

He froze. For a heartbeat, time rewound. The air felt thick.

She was really back.

After all those years of wondering, after the parting words and the promise that if fate was kind, they'd meet again—she was here.

Once, he imagined this moment would feel magical. A homecoming of hearts. He thought he might feel joy, or at least closure.

Instead, it felt... complicated.

He stood slowly as she stepped further into the room. She looked just like he remembered, only older now, more mature, but still beautiful. That same softness in her eyes, the gentle grace of someone he once knew so well.

"Jes," she said, her voice quiet but sure as she stopped near the end of his office.

He swallowed, barely managing to keep his expression steady.

"Natty," he replied, his voice faintly shaky.

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POV: Bible

"Brother, where did you suddenly disappear to? We were searching for you, even tried calling!" Bas scolded, arms crossed as he met Bible in the park.

Bible raised a brow. "We? Who's we? And you're kinda to blame here."

Bas blinked. "How am I to blame?"

"Well," Bible started, flipping his hair dramatically. "I found a kitten, got emotionally attached, and stumbled into a situation so questionable I might need lifelong therapy. I'm still in shock."

Bas's eyes widened as he checked him over. "Wait—did you get hurt?"

"Yeah. My eyes are scarred. And my brain took real damage," Bible deadpanned, giving his brother the most lifeless stare he could muster.

"You idiot," Bas muttered.

Bible wasn't done. He pushed Bas's hand off him and blurted out, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU LIKE DICKS?!"

Bas visibly short-circuited. "WHAT?!"

"I mean, how could you keep that from me? Your own brother?" Bible continued, arms flailing like he was trying to conduct an angry orchestra. "We share genes and Wi-Fi passwords! You're in Japan because of your 'girlfriend' and never share anything. Let me guess—your girlfriend has secretly a dick too!"

"I—how do you even—?! Who told you that?!" Bas stammered, clearly rattled.

Bible smirked, lifting a brow with the weight of centuries of judgment. "You idiot! You could've just told me!"

He threw his hands up like he was about to levitate. "Now how am I supposed to act around you after I caught you getting railed by my husband's manager—aka his bestie?!"

Bas's face went pale. "You what?! You caught—?!"

"YES! I DID!" Bible shouted, voice cracking in peak drama. "I was there, Bas! And the kitten was there too! It got scared! And guess what?! ME TOO!!"

Bas opened his mouth, then closed it again like a confused goldfish. "I—"

"No! No words!" Bible snapped. "Only shame."

After that, Bible felt a little better. He hated carrying secrets, especially ones that made his brain go into dramatic meltdown mode, and letting it out felt like finally exhaling after holding his breath for too long.

He sat down on a bench, and Bas slumped next to him. They both stared at the ground. No one said anything for a while.

Then Bas spoke.„I'm gay. Yes," he said quietly. "I never liked girls. But I didn't want to tell you because... it never seemed like it was even in your alphabet. You always talked about chicks and girls and... I didn't want anyone laughing at you because of me."

Bible blinked, turning his head slowly toward him.

Bas kept going, eyes fixed on his shoes.„In Japan... yeah, I had a boyfriend. We broke up a while before I came back. But it was easier to live there, where no one from our circle knew me. I didn't have to look over my shoulder or feel like I was failing someone." He swallowed. "I was scared, Bible. I didn't want you to look at me different. I'm sorry. I've been a coward."

Bible sat in silence, his throat tight. The world felt sideways for a moment. Like he was realizing there had always been a whole layer of his brother he never knew. A secret version of Bas hiding in plain sight.

Bas continued, softer now.„When I heard that you got married... to a man... I was shocked. Like, I know you're not into guys, and hearing Dad forced you into this... I didn't even know what to think. But that's when I realized, I had to come back."

Bible was quiet for a long beat. Then he said, without looking over, "Bas... you absolute idiot."

Bas looked up, confused.„You really thought I'd care? That I wouldn't still be your dumbass brother? You hid all this just to protect me from imaginary bullies?" He sighed. "You idiot."

Bas laughed, short and shaky. "Yeah. I deserve that."

Bible gave a little grin. "Also, you owe me therapy money. Because catching you with Job gave me real trauma."

"You can send me the bill from your therapy session," Bas chuckled, the relief in his voice unmistakable.

Bible smirked. "So... that means... you suck dick"

"Language!" Bas cut in, swatting the back of his head. "And you definitely don't need the details."

Bible laughed, rubbing the spot dramatically. "Still can't believe it, though. Like—gay? Okay, fine. I'm married to a man too, technically. Whatever. But Job? Seriously? Out of all people? That man is the definition of a wet noodle."

Bas raised an eyebrow. "A what?"

"A wet noodle! Spineless. No backbone. Like, I always thought Job's biggest flex was being Jes's human calendar. That's who got you into bed?"

Bas shrugged with a smirk. "You'd be surprised. The man has hidden talents."

Bible gagged dramatically. "No. Nope. I'm calling the police."

Bas laughed. "Don't be such a baby. You walked in. That's your fault."

"I was looking for a kitten."

They both burst out laughing, and for a moment it felt like the old days, just them, throwing jabs, no secrets, just brothers being idiots.

"Speaking of which... you're married. To a man. And I've never even met him," Bas said, crossing his arms with an exaggerated pout.

Bible shot him an unimpressed look. "You didn't miss much."

"You have to introduce him to me," Bas insisted. He huffed dramatically. "Married off my little brother and no one even asked for my blessing. The least I can do is make his life slightly miserable in return."

Bible rolled his eyes. "He's not that bad," he muttered. "Honestly... I think we could've been good friends. If things were different."

Bas tilted his head. "Where is he now?"

"At work," Bible answered, voice taking on an unmistakably pouty tone. "As always."

Bas narrowed his eyes, grinning. "Tss! Minus points. How dare he neglect his husband like that?"

Bible sighed. "He said we could come see him at the office if we wanted."

"Really?" Bas perked up. "Okay, plus points. Let's go."

"Nooo, really? Ugh, I don't want to," Bible groaned.

"Why not?"

"I—" Bible hesitated, chewing his lip. "I don't want to seem like I care. About his business or his life or anything. It's a fake marriage, Bas. What am I supposed to do? Smile and act like a loving housewife?"

Bas narrowed his eyes, sensing something. "Did you get physical with him?"

Bible blinked. "Why the hell would you ask that?"

"You're different from yesterday. I can tell."

"I—we didn't. We didn't even kiss at the wedding, okay?" Bible said quickly, standing up.

"Okay. So it's fake anyway," Bas replied, shrugging. "Just let me meet him, alright? No big deal."

Bible grumbled under his breath but nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

"That's the spirit, brother." Bas clapped him on the back like they were heading into battle.

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POV: Jes

Jes and Natty were seated comfortably on the couch, the tension that had filled the room earlier now softened into a gentle ease. They reminisced about old times, laughter bubbling up between them. Natty pulled out her phone and showed Jes pictures from her time in the USA.

"You'd love it there, Jes. You have to visit sometime," she said, pointing to a photo of herself hiking at the Grand Canyon.

Jes leaned in, impressed. "Wow, it looks unreal."

Their conversation was interrupted when the door creaked open and the secretary peeked inside.

"Mr. Jespipat, you have another guest waiting," she announced carefully.

Jes raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

The secretary hesitated, glancing first at Natty, then back at Jes. "Your husband... and his brother," she said softly.

Jes's heart skipped a beat, then dropped. The timing couldn't have been worse. His husband? Bible? And his brother? All while he was here with Natty? It felt like the universe was testing him.

"...Alright, let them in," Jes said, steadying himself. It would be stranger to keep them waiting.

As the door closed behind the secretary, Jes turned back to Natty. "There's something I meant to tell you... though we just met. I'm married."

Natty's eyes widened, but she smiled gently. "I guessed when I saw your ring. I just didn't expect your spouse to be a man."

Jes was about to reply when the door swung open again. Bible and Bas walked in, casual yet confident. Bible wore a simple black shirt and a silver chain, while Bas, slightly taller, carried an air of easy handsomeness. Jes couldn't help but think—definitely genetic.

"Bible," Jes said, standing up quickly, maybe a little too quickly. Natty stood as well, smoothing her skirt as the two newcomers entered.

Jes looked between them and offered a polite smile. "And you must be Bas, right?"

Bas grinned and stepped forward to shake his hand. "The one and only. So you're the guy fake-married to my brother—nice to finally meet you, bro."

Jes blinked, half-smiling, half-panicking.

Bible elbowed Bas in the ribs with a sharp side punch. "Could you not say fake so loudly, you clown?"

Natty turned her curious eyes to Jes, eyebrows raised. "Fake?"

"Oh umm yes... Oh and Bible—this is Natty," Jes said, quickly gesturing between them. "She's an old friend of mine. Just got back from the U.S."

"Nice to meet you," Bible said with a polite smile so stiff it could've been carved from wood. Even Bas tilted his head like, bro, try harder.

Natty smiled warmly. "You too."

There was a beat of silence, too long to be casual, and then Bible tilted his head ever so slightly, eyes narrowing on Jes.

"Did we... interrupt something?"

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POV: Author

Shit. What a spectacularly bad timing. This? This is the kind of chaos the author lives for. Absolute delicious disaster.