From a distance, Hiền spotted Đông Anh being led into one of the officers' quarters. He crept closer, step by careful step, until he could duck beneath the window frame. Voices carried from inside.
"I told you, I can manage on my own."
"You ever showered with other people before?"
The second voice made Hiền flinch.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Oh, really? Then why'd you act all shy the other day when you had to take your shirt off in front of me? You trying to seduce me or something?"
"I'm not playing games with you. And I'll say it again, I don't need anyone looking after me. My father already agreed not to interfere, so your paycheck isn't in danger. What are you even doing here?"
"Like I want to be."
"Then go home!"
Hiền leaned in, trying to get a clearer look through the window, wanting to confirm if that second voice belonged to the man he suspected. Just then, he saw the guy grabbing Đông Anh's wrist, softening his tone.
"Sir, please… I came all this way. Just put the bag down, will you?"
"Dung," Hiền muttered, clenching his teeth at the sight of his housemate's fawning face.
"Look, I went through a hell of a lot to pull some strings and get you a private shower. And now you're really gonna flash that golden body of yours for the whole damn camp to see?"
"I didn't ask you to do anything."
"Yeah, you didn't ask. I did it—on my own accord, alright? Now stop being mad at me."
By now, Dung had gotten a hold of Đông Anh's bag and set it on the floor. Then he gently turned the boy toward him.
"I just can't stand the thought of other people eyeing that precious body of yours. So, do me a favor and use that tiny little bathroom I got you, just for now, okay?"
Hiền smirked at the syrupy tone in Dung's voice. "Money really can make people grovel," he thought bitterly.
Then Đông Anh's voice rose again:
"But I don't want people thinking I'm getting special treatment. I don't need it. I can live just like everyone else…"
"I know, I know you can manage, sir," Dung cut in. "But as long as you're still Mr. Liễu's golden boy, people will always think you're getting special treatment. Doesn't matter if you take it or not, folks will still talk. So please, just use the damn shower I set up for you."
"Why do you keep circling back to that shower?"
"Because that's the reason I'm here in the first place, can't you see?"
"Why? Did my father tell you to come and find me a shower?"
"God, no! I came on my own, alright? Nobody sent me. And don't even think about kicking me out. I'm here to protect that golden body of yours."
"Why?"
"Why?" Dung echoed, as if asking himself. "Because I don't want anyone ogling your body, that's why. And besides... there's the bullying. Someone like you—all fair and spotless—how're you gonna survive in a place full of dirty, rowdy grunts?"
"You serious?" Đông Anh widened his eyes at Dung.
"Dead serious. Why?"
"Seriously, if you told me my dad put you up to this, I'd believe it. But the way we're talking right now? No one's gonna buy it. It's too weird."
"Weird?" Dung put his hands on his hips, thinking aloud. "So I go through all this trouble, outta the goodness of my heart, and you call it weird? What, you want me to come up with a less 'weird' reason before you'll believe me?"
"Wait a minute... is that why you're here? Spying around, just like the rumors say?"
"Bingo!" Dung smacked his forehead like he'd just had a breakthrough. "All those protest-loving brats are in this camp now, so I've gotta keep an eye on 'em. That explanation un-weird enough for you, sir?"
"Why do you always talk like it's all a joke?"
Dung let out a sigh. "Look, no matter what the reason is, I'm here—and I am gonna drag your fancy ass into that shower. Got it? Now get moving."
He shoved Đông Anh gently toward the private bathroom. Once he was done, Dung walked over to the window, reached up, and slammed it shut. As if on cue, he barked out to the world outside:
"You hear that? I'm here to watch all you troublemakers! So don't test me!"
"Goddamn bastard…" Hiền muttered under his breath.
.
Đông Anh's private room was barely big enough for a bed, a desk, and a bathroom. In short, everything was one-of-each — yet there were two people inside.
Dung sat grumpily on the floor, flapping the paper-thin blanket he'd just borrowed with theatrical exasperation
"So I'm sleeping on the floor tonight, yeah?" he asked, his tone full of reluctant surrender. "I got this paper-thin blanket, but not sure it'll help with the cold."
He kept an eye on Đông Anh's expression, hoping for sympathy. But sadly, the other boy was far too focused on adjusting into a comfortable kneeling position by the bed to notice Dung's tragic situation.
"Damn it," Dung muttered under his breath.
"Come kneel here and say your prayers before bed," Đông Anh said.
"You gotta be kidding me. Do I look like a God-fearing man to you?"
"Don't you usually pray before bed?"
"I ain't in no seminary, sir."
"What about back at the orphanage with Sister Xuân? Didn't you pray then?"
"Well, yeah… but that was when I was just a tiny squirt. I'm a grown-ass man now—who prays anymore?"
"So you've got nothing you wish for?"
"Huh?"
"If you pray morning and night, the Lord might just hear what you wish for."
"So what you're saying is, if I pray, I get what I want?"
"Well… depends on how sincere you are."
Dung rolled over and flopped onto the floor with a dramatic sigh.
"Keep refusing to pray and you'll go straight to hell when you die," Đông Anh warned.
"Sir, how can you say that? I already gave up the bed for you…"
"Maybe if you pray, the Lord'll give you a comfier place to sleep."
Dung lifted his head, then sprang toward the edge of the bed—right across from Đông Anh. "For real?" he asked.
Đông Anh patted the mattress and coaxed sweetly, "Come say your prayers over here."
Dung curled his lip, shook his head. "Nah. I don't do things unless I know there's a payoff."
"Suit yourself. Sleep on the floor, then."
Dung bit his lip, stared at Đông Anh for a second… then rolled himself across the mattress and slid down next to him.
"I'm climbing into that bed the second we're done praying," Dung grumbled—then obediently joined Đông Anh in reciting their bedtime prayer.
A little while later.
"Well damn, that prayer worked like magic—got me a comfy spot on the bed just like that," Dung grinned, edging closer to Đông Anh.
"Stop crowding me!"
"I'm not! The bed's just small, that's all."
"Then go ask for another bed tomorrow!"
"Seriously, sir? This morning you were the one saying you didn't want any special treatment!"
"Well, it's weird for two guys to sleep together!"
"Why do you keep saying it's weird? Guys bunk together all the time. Hell, around here they don't just sleep together, they shower together too. Or... is something bothering you? Is that why you think it's weird?"
"One more word outta you and I'll kick you off the bed!" Đông Anh turned over, facing away from Dung.
They lay in silence for a long while but neither of them could sleep. Dung, especially, kept shifting around.
"You can't sleep?" Đông Anh asked.
"I'm not used to sleeping this early. What about you?"
"I'm not used to sleeping next to someone."
"It just takes a few nights. You'll get used to my presence, my… scent."
A pause.
Đông Anh didn't say anything at first. He kept staring at the ceiling, blinking once… then again.
"You planning to stay here two full weeks?"
"Yup. Once you're in, you don't get out."
Dung looked at Đông Anh and seemed to catch a flicker in his eyes. He rushed to add, "Don't ask me why, okay?"
And once again, they fell into silence.
…
"Say something, sir!"
"You told me not to ask."
"Then ask something else!"
"Um… have you ever prayed to God?"
"…Yeah."
"What did you pray for?"
Dung pretended to think, then let out a long sigh. A moment later, he began to sing:
"Does God hear my silent plea—
Why must we stay so far apart?
Each holy night You walk the earth,
Each time I long for the one I love..."
("Bài Thánh Ca Buồn" – a Vietnamese song by Nguyễn Vũ.)
He lingered on the last few notes, eyes locked on Đông Anh.
"You've got someone?" Đông Anh asked.
Dung shrugged, saying nothing.
"How long?"
"Not long."
Đông Anh's eyes turned sharp.
"Then why aren't you out there dating her? What're you doing in here?"
Dung grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
"To protect you, sir. You're more important."
At that, Đông Anh turned his back to Dung without a word. Dung poked him gently in the back.
"Come on, sir. I'm being sincere here."
"Go to sleep. One more move and I'll kick you off the bed."
Dung smiled to himself. He stretched out, closed his eyes, and narrowed his attention—just enough to catch the steady rhythm of the boy's breathing beside him. And somehow, that was enough to bring him peace.
He felt a quiet joy at the thought of tonight and of the nights to come. As long as he stayed in this training camp, he could sleep without fear, without flinching, without someone trying to kill him in the dark. The worst that could happen was the enemy dropping a bomb on them. But even then, it'd be quick. No pain. And best of all, he'd be ending this part of his life… next to someone.
The sound of insects filled the still night, like a lullaby rocking his heart to rest.