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“Did you finish packing everything Ming?” Uncle Jim asked after making his presence known by knocking on Liming's bedroom door.
The younger nodded his head and hummed a slight yes. His eyes not leaving his phone screen and a smile on his lips, Liming was in his own world. His fingers tapping on the touch keyboard, he definitely was talking to Heart and Uncle Jim understood it very quickly. He left the room without saying another word and went back to the living room, where Wen was sitting on the couch with Jimbo on his lap.
A few minutes later, steps were heard from the wooden stairs signaling them Liming was coming. The big smile still present on his lips and he was carrying a backpack on his shoulder.
“I'm going out, see you later.” Liming announced while waving his hand. “Oh by the way, can Heart eat with us tonight?”
“That's fine for me, just make sure his parents are ok-” Wen cut Jim's sentence before he could finish it. “Maybe his parents can also eat with us tonight? It's your last dinner here for both of you, they would be happy to share it with their son too.”
Both Jim and Liming liked that proposition and agreed quickly. Heart and Liming were going to spend their last dinner in Pattaya. The city where they grew up but also the city where they met. The city that held all the memories and the time they spent together. It was a big step in their lives. They knew leaving was going to be sad but they also knew they were going to experience so many incredible things in America.
Liming arrived in front of Heart's house after a 15 minute-scooter-ride. Instead of just texting the latter, he took his bag and decided to come to the door and make the proposition to his parents himself.
Heart's parents agreed easily as well and even offered to bring some of their son's favorite dishes. Mrs Jintana finished by asking the boys to be careful and with that, Heart and Liming left the house.
For their last day, Liming knew exactly where they should go. He prepared a little program with some of the places he took Heart to when they first started to go out. After going to the mall to buy a drink to ease the heat, they went to one of Heart's favorite places. It was, excepting with Liming, the first time he felt this understood and accepted. Standing in front of the church, Heart immediately remembered how he felt when he first saw that “Mass for deaf community” wooden sign.
At that time, he really realized how Liming was the person he wanted to keep in his life, forever.
Thanks to Liming, Heart felt normal again.
They took their time there ; communicating with all the people he met regularly in these community meetings. Liming loved seeing Heart in this group. He was very talkative and noticed how his smile never disappeared. They all were so attentive to everyone and Liming didn't hesitate to thank them, once again, for accepting Heart.
They all bid their goodbyes after 2 hours -that felt like 5 minutes- and hugged Heart one by one asking him not to forget them, a blue smile on every single one's lips.
Before going to the last location, Liming told Heart there was one more place he wanted to take him to. Heart was trying hard to guess. They had so many memories everywhere in the city, he couldn't predict which one was the next on his boyfriend's list.
Both boys back on Leng's scooter, they were riding alongside the beach, taking in the salty smell and wind brushing against their skin.
It only took 5 more minutes to arrive and Liming wanted to take a mental picture of Heart glowing face.
The breeze messing up their already unstyled hair, seeing the waves collide but only being able to imagine the sound that didn't even reach their ears and the beautiful panorama of the ocean slowly fading into the distance. The couple felt the best here. Their fingers interlaced while both their thumbs stroked the back of the other's hand. They were just peacefully enjoying the simple moment in front of the Pattaya City sign.
Everytime one of the boys wanted to go out to breathe some fresh air, the other would take him there. In a few months only, this became their go-to spot. Always so serene and relaxed, sometimes taking pictures to keep the beautiful memories engraved forever. And that’s what they also did that day, took pictures. They didn’t know when would be the next time they’ll be able to come back here and wanted to absolutely immortalize this moment so Liming took his phone out of his pocket and began to secretely snapping pictures of the other boy.
When the latter realized, Liming didn’t give him enough time to hide his face. He instantly took a hold of his wrist and moved beside him, changing the camera side to the front one. Holding up the phone in front of them and showing a beaming smile ; happy to just be here with Heart by his side.
They continued taking a few more pictures, until the sunlight started to dim, gradually showing the orange and pink hues ; which looked beautiful on their honey-like skins. Heart looked at his phone, checking the time. He showed it to Liming while signing, asking if he wanted to go home and watch a movie before dinner.
Liming’s smile grew bigger. He didn’t say or sign anything, just took Heart’s hand in his and walked away. His boyfriend was completely clueless but followed him. Heart absolutely trusted him. They passed by the little motorbike but continued their way, Heart was -once again- trying to guess where Liming was taking him. It became his habit today. Once the ocean was back in their sight-line, Heart knew exactly what Liming had in mind.
Growing impatient, they both started running without letting go of their hands. Just before their feet touched the water, Liming dropped his bag on the sand and brought Heart with him into the ocean.
At that moment, they were really just two young boys playing. Pushing each other, splashing the water, hugging and falling. The couple couldn't stop putting their arms around each other, faces close, until they realized their proximity. Noses a few centimeters apart only, the hot breaths could be felt on the other’s mouth ; Heart’s hands on Liming’s shoulders, while Liming’s were around his waist. The time seemed to stop. No one was around them, only the waves were being felt, dancing and crashing around them. Their whole surroundings being completely forgotten.
Liming couldn’t resist, his eyes flickered, resting on the pair of lips in front of him. These two weren’t the type of people to kiss everywhere and anytime. They had their moments where they wanted to be close, touch but hugs were always the best choice for both of them. Feeling the warmth, the heartbeats and the rising of the chest.
But right now, all Liming could think about were the pink and plump lips that were almost calling his name.
Even if Heart wanted to play dumb, he could never act as if the boy in front of him was not trying to eat him with his eyes. He decided to tease the shorter one and licked his lips ; staring at his eyes, longing for the reaction. He saw how Liming’s eyes got up to look at his own ones for a second before going back to stare at his lips and bring his head forward a little ; just to give time to Heart in case he wanted to back out.
As if on cue, Heart closed his eyes, slightly tilted his head to the side and mirrored his movement ; closing the short gap. The kiss wasn’t strong but delicate. Only them feeling the love they had for the other. Their hands tightened but didn’t move places, still keeping the other in their embrace. Lips moving slowly, taking every millimeter of contact in.
It didn't last an eternity but both boys were satisfied. Smiles now on their reddish and almost swollen lips, practically begging to be kissed again.
When Heart and Liming got back to Jim and Wen’s home, they directly went to the bathroom, washed themselves from the salty water and changed into more comfortable and clean clothes. Once both of them were done, they joined everyone downstairs and took place around the big table, already full of food. Everyone was there for the last dinner all together.
Like Mr. Jintana informed them earlier in the afternoon, she had prepared all of Heart’s favorite foods. She was happy at his reaction but got a little sad when she realized he wouldn’t be able to taste her nice cooking everyday anymore. Of course she didn’t say anything not to ruin the atmosphere. Everyone was chatting and trying to sign at the same time with the few words and expressions they knew not to leave anyone out of the flowding conversations. The little notebook was still laying with its pen between the young couple, in case Liming had to write something to Heart. Everyone made an effort into learning sign language but they still had to get the hang of it and master the speed to keep every conversation going. Nonetheless, Heart was glad he got accepted and didn’t feel like a burden anymore. He would never thank Liming enough for making him feel free again.
Once the dinner was all done, they kept chatting and telling stories. Everyone was trying to keep the evening longer, not wanting to put an end to the nice moment. As soon as Heart’s family was going to go home, next time they would see each other again would be at the airport.
But eventually they couldn’t stay seated, around the table. They had to come home. And they did meet the next day ; at the airport. Arms full of bags and luggages. Everyone came to send them off ; Jim, Wen, Leng, Praew, Kaipa, Alan, Heart’s parents, Liming’s mom and even his new husband and their daughter. Some of them had a big smile on their lips, happy the boys would finally go to America ; some of them on the contrary had teary eyes, sad to watch them leave for an uncertain amount of time.
They knew both Heart and Liming would be happy. They had each other and that was all they needed.
As soon as the voice called for their flight through the speakers, everyone hugged the boys one last time and let the couple go.