"I changed my mind. This was a really good idea, Ai' Kla," Techno says as he takes the lead onto the last set of stairs to the temple at Doi Inthanon. "I haven't been up here since I was in football still."

"Me either," Kengkla says from behind him. He sounds a little breathless like he's having trouble keeping up, but when Techno looks back, the other is right at his heels. "Except it wasn't for football like P'No."

"I always forget you never played sports," Techno chuckles. His gaze lowers to where Kengkla's chest is moving quickly under his light-weight workout shirt. "But are you okay? We've been going pretty fast."

"Hm?" Kengkla blinks. For a moment, they're both still on the steps, Kengkla gazing up at Techno from the stair below him; then he huffs a smile and lifts a hand to brush his hair from his face. "I'm fine," He answers, sounding so like himself again that Techno's momentary concern dissolves away. "Just because I don't play football like P'No doesn't mean I'm out of shape."

Before Techno can retort, Kengkla reaches out to grab Techno's hand at his side and places his palm against Kengkla's abdomen where Techno knows from experience (and can feel) the other's shapely form. "Wouldn't you agree?" He purrs.

Techno pulls his hand back and glances around the area for any tourists watching. When he sees no one, his pounding heart slows back to its normal pace. "Yeah, you're right, Ai' Kla. You'd don't have to prove it," He laughs nervously and starts climbing the stairs again, taking them at a slightly faster pace, face burning from something besides the sun. "But I'm still in better shape, duh," Techno teases once his back is to Kengkla.

Even though they've been officially dating for two years now, Kengkla still manages to catch Techno by surprise, as much as did in the past. Not excluding the other's constant flirting and touching in public, Kengkla often surprises him with thoughtful gifts like today. Techno planned to spend his day off watching television and lying around in his pajamas, but Kengkla convinced him to travel out to Chiang Mai province for a mini vacation. Thankfully, Techno began playing intramural football with his friends this year, keeping him in shape to hike around the destination.

"P'No, you're cute no matter what shape you're in," Kengkla tells him and takes two steps at a time to catch up with Techno's pace. The steps are wide enough to fit them both, but Kengkla walks close enough that his shoulder bumps Techno's. The warmth of Kengkla's contact and compliment hums pleasantly all down Techno's spine. "But you're right. Maybe it has something to do with P'No being a gym manager and all. You stay in such good shape."

Techno laughs, heat rising to his cheeks, and Kengkla looks at him sideways with a smile. There's still something odd behind Kengkla's eyes -- a shadow that hasn't flickered since they met up this morning. But Kengkla's smile is sincere enough that Techno is grinning in response anyway, his body going weightless as it always does when he's with Kengkla.

It's been too much of a rarity, between his new team, his usual work, and Kengkla's studying for his pharmaceutical courses. Being able to spend time together must be savored as much for the simple fact of the other's company as for the beauty of the setting.

They take the last handful of steps together, their shoulders pressing together, and wrists bumping against each other. It's beautiful at the top. Techno only vaguely remembers the view from the last time he was here. He mostly remembers the aching need to prove himself as captain and his dedication to football.

It's a distant memory now, worn thin by the years that have passed, but Techno still remembers the emotion more clearly than the view. It's different now with Kengkla beside him and the years they've spent together with affection instead of the sharp edge from early on in their relationship. Now Tech can step forward without hesitation, can move to the edge of the low wall in front of them, and look out over the clouds below with full awareness of where they are.

"This view is amazing," Techno says without turning around to see if Kengkla is looking out at the same sight. "I barely remember this from the last time I was here."

"It is amazing, P'No," Kengkla says. He sounds breathless again, and Techno wonders again if they went too fast. "I'm so glad we could come here together."

Techno smiles out over the haze of the clouds below them. "Yeah." He takes a breath. It's a strangely clear and quiet, nothing else but the wind in Techno's ears. "Ai' Kla?" His attention veers away from the spectacular view before them to Kengkla behind him.

"Ai' K--" He starts, eyes going wider with confusion and shock as he turns to see the way Kengkla is looking at him with a smile so warm and bright.

"I've thought about this for years," Kengkla says, and though his voice is gentle, Techno can hear every syllable crystal-clear. "When we met the first time, I knew there was something about you, something that kept me interested. You were so kind-hearted, innocent, and loving. You made me believe that there was something in this life besides money, fighting, and hate." Kenglla's goes expression goes dark for a moment, his gaze hazing with the memories then his face immediately breaks out in a grin. "It was like a dream coming true right in front of me when I was finally able to date you after three years of watching and waiting. I know that it wasn't right how it happened. I know things were not good for a while, but I had been waiting for so long, P'No. Then when we made up and finally became an official couple, I could hardly believe it was really finally happening."

Techno swallows. His throat is tense on emotion too tangled for him to piece into separate causes. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. If I had just--"

Kengkla shakes his head, and it stalls Techno's apology at his lips. "No," he says, "No, it was worth it. It was the right way after what I had done." He takes a breath and lets it out with deliberate care. "You should've made me wait longer because I would have waited forever." He glances out past Techno, out over the clouds below them, and Techno's breathing catches in anticipation of whatever happens next.

"That's how much I love you," Kengkla says, and then he's looking back. Techno doesn't know what it is -- the tremor under Kengkla's voice or the stress at his mouth. But something falls into place, and Techno takes a sudden breath of understanding just as Kengkla takes a step closer to cross the distance between their bodies.

Kengkla's reaching out, catching his fingers with Techno's, and Techno can't breathe. "I decided to do it today." Kengkla's fingers are trembling very slightly in his hold. "Last time I was here, I was still in high school, and this is where I met you. I was on a field trip with my class, and I got an upsetting phone call from my parents. Then you found me and comforted me. You had no idea who I was, and I had no idea who you were. But your kindness touched me. But after finding out you were the brother of Ai' Nic in my class, I thought how lucky it was thatI had a way to find you again. It took five years, but I got you to come back here...where we first met." He lifts his head to blink at Techno, and Kengkla's eyes are wide and half-frightened.

But Techno can barely see them because he's starting to cry himself, can't hold back tears spilling over his lashes. He hiccups a breath and lifts his hand to his lips, and Kengkla's controlled expression cracks into a shaky laugh.

Even though Techno can't believe it's happening, Kengkla is lowering himself to one knee, and Techno wants to capture every detail of this moment into his mind. Yet, he's still crying too much. Kengkla draws his hand forward to catch it between their palms as he fits his hold into place around Techno's fingers.

"I know this is sudden, and I know it's not technically legal in Thailand yet. We can always go abroad. I've always wanted to take you to the states,," Kengkla says, his fingers tightening on Techno's hand, his thumb pressing against the other's knuckles. "And I--"

"Yes," Techno blurts, the sound spilling from his throat in spite of the weight of his hand over his mouth. "Yes, Kengkla."

Kengkla's eyes go wide. He coughs himself into a sharp laugh. "I'd wait if you want-"

"Yes."

"--but if you would be my husband--"

"Yes."

"--you'd make me the happiest person in Thailand." And Kengkla's smiling now, delight breaking across his face like a sunrise. "You didn't let me finish, P'No."

"Sorry," Techno says, but he's rubbing his face at his shoulder, tightening his fingers around Kengkla's hands bracing his. "I know."

"I had a longer speech planned," Kengkla admits, but he's getting to his feet anyway, letting one of his hands go so he can place his hand against the back of Techno's neck. Techno shudders a breath and reaches out to press his palm against Kengkla's cheek. Kengkla's head tilts in to meet Techno's touch. "I've had it planned for months."

"I'm sorry," Techno says again, though he's smiling so wide the apology loses much of its weight. "Did I screw it up?"

Kengkla's fingers slide up into Techno's hair to brace the back of his head. "No, you were perfect. P'No said yes." Techno chokes off another laugh, the sound desperate around another wave of emotion, and Kengkla closes the gap between them to catch Techno's lips with his.

His laugh stills, eyes close, and for a moment, all the world narrows down to simple details: Kengkla's hand in his and Kengkla's fingers against the back of his head.

They're already at the highest point in Bangkok. Just at this moment, Techno feels like he's on top of the entire world.

...

A/N: Did you expect it? <3 I love you all so much. 

Though I do have other intentions with this special chapter. I finally posted the first chapter of my original story! It is definitely fluffier than this one, and it's a slow burn. I do hope that you all give it a chance. ff

I posted it to my other account, which will be used for original works: staticskies

Read it here:

https://www.wattpad.com/838897592-idol-the-anti-chapter-1

Thank you all for reading my story. More special chapters to come when inspiration hits.