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Soft fingertips curled gently into the fabric of his jacket, and he didn’t notice them at first as he repeated his words, trying to convince the older man of his amazing idea. “It’s barbecue!” He did not care much for it if he was honest to himself, but he cared for Boss, and he had promised him. If he could satisfy both men, it would put his conscience at ease. Type’s eyes widen momentarily, and he knows that look, but Type doesn't leave a chance for Man to contemplate for long as he goes ahead and repeats that he wants to go home. Man hasn’t seen that side of him, he actually forgot how soft Type looked the first time he saw him at the seminar, and this was the best reminder. He grew to like the feisty version of the man that he has been dealing with the past months. Finding himself unable to think of anything but the one he thinks is the cutest in the whole universe at the moment, Man nods.
“Mhm, I’ll take you home.” He wouldn’t dare tell Type that he finds him adorable, he would get smacked, but even that doesn’t sound so bad. He would accept anything from him, anything and everything.
“Let me hug you once more.” Man leaves no room for the other to protest as he pulls him back into a tight hug, and the smaller man doesn’t fight it. Boss is staring at both while rubbing his knee that was kicked a moment ago, yes he is sad about the meal he was promised, but there is a soft smile reaching his eyes as he watches his best friend finally holding his love in his embrace. “Ah.. what’s with this feeling?!” Boss thinks to himself as his hand leaves his knee to rub the back of his neck. Falling in love might be something he should consider now that both Sarawat and Man have walked willingly into that trap. Getting trapped along with them might be nice.
Type pulls himself abruptly from Man’s arms, and Man is confused momentarily before more students start flocking to the lecture hall, and he could swear Type heard the footsteps before any human could. He smiles and leans forward to whisper “I’ll take you home, wait for me.” Type stares at him blankly, and Man continues. “I need to attend this lecture if I want to be worthy of taking care of you.” Type gives him a half eye roll, but Man notices that quirk of the corner of Type’s lips and it brings the widest smile to his own. “We could’ve used this time to eat barbecue.” Boss whispers to Man who has been doing nothing, but check his phone repeatedly and scribble on his notebook. He tried to concentrate several times, but his thoughts would get drawn back to Type who is waiting for him outside. His leg couldn’t stop shaking, his heart was doing all kinds of break-dancing moves, it could have its own show.
Man was out of the door before his professor finished his parting words, he had left his bag at his seat, and ran out, pressing an arm onto his stomach for alibi just in case he gets stopped. Boss would bring him his bag later, he did not even need to mention it, Boss followed him with his gaze then looked at the bag. “Two barbecue dinners.” He mumbled to himself as he decided what his payback would be. Man’s eyes scanned the whole corridor and to his dismay, Type was nowhere to be found. He started pacing the corridors, moving from one faculty to another as he searched frantically. Was he so late? Did Type not expect the lecture to last that long? Did he change his mind and decided to go by his car? A smarter option, he had to admit, but it still lured that pain he had an hour earlier because of Beam. The feeling of inadequacy.
“Man!”
Type huffed, a frustrated look on his face as he bent his upper body forward, arms reaching momentarily for his knees to stable himself as he tried to catch his breath now that he got Man to finally stop running. Type’s right hand moved in different directions as if he tried to explain the thoughts in his head while waiting to be able to speak, he also made a mental note to never run again. Ever. Man had turned so fast once he heard his name, but as he stared longer at the man he was looking for, an apologetic smile started forming on his face.
“Were—you running after me?” Type shot him a death glare and he gulped hard, immediately reaching to take away Type’s bag, pencil, and notebook.
“Do your ears stop working when you use your legs?” Type still looked displeased, and Man knew better than to make excuses for himself.
“Sorry” He mumbled, lowering his head slightly to emphasize the sincerity of his words. “Uh, riding your motorbike will be more fun now.” Man snorted, and walked away immediately, avoiding the reflex of Type’s arms that he became very accustomed to. His steps halted a few moments later until Type caught up and they walked together to the parking lot of the campus. He proceeded to wipe Type’s seat with that smile on his face. “Your royal seat is ready. Better than the best of cars.” Type looked done with the silliness of the younger, and just as he was about to get on the bike, he held Man’s wrist, looked at the dust and blew it in the direction of the younger’s face, sending Man into a coughing fit while he wore his helmet and took his place on the bike. Man jutted out his lower lip while making a displeased look in return as he got on the bike, eyes locked on Type who maintained a neutral expression. Man did the typical hold onto me tightly, and he could see Type’s glare in the reflection of the mirror, but it only brought a smile to his face. The ride was smooth except for the few times Type started coughing as they rode between cars.
“Through dust and smokes, you said.” Man teased, and the response he got was a light pinch to his sides.
“Smoke and dust.” Type corrected him, and Man laughed wholeheartedly.
He might not understand why Type chose to ride with him when he drove to campus, he could guess it was Type’s way of reassuring him that he was serious, but whatever the reason was, it served as a gentle touch to his heart. “We are here.” Man smiled widely as he took the helmet off Type’s head.
“But how are you going to work tomorrow?”
His eyes lit up as the realization hit him. “Do you want me to take you to campus to get your car in the morning?” Man’s wide grin made Type lower his head and drop shoulders in defeat. “Mhm” The sound was barely audible, but Man didn’t miss it. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He responded excitedly as he put back his own helmet only to hear a displeased noise from the older, plastering a questioning look on his face as he stared at Type.
“I asked you to take me home, and you are dropping me at the entrance!”
The thoughts and emotions that ran through his being were too many and too fast for him to register any of them, those simple words had thrown him into a turbulence. He had a million thought, maybe more, he wasn’t a child, but now he felt like one, trying to hold onto any thought that made sense. They were in the elevator, and Type wouldn’t look at him, his gaze was fixed on the papers he took out from his bag as they walked in. As if he planned his escape from any awkward conversations, and it only added to Man’s nervousness.
A few thoughts got his ears to burn up. No, he wasn’t going to jump to conclusions, he kept repeating to himself. He watched as Type fumbled with his keys, his hand trembling slightly as he tried to open the door to his studio apartment. It was cute. Yes, that was the thought. Hold onto it, Man. Hold onto it.
Type walked in and Man followed, closing the door behind him. The older placed the bag and papers on the table against the wall then turned to look at the younger still standing next to the door. It was unlike Man to not know what to do, but he was nervous, and was worried of misjudging the whole situation. As Type remained standing, not uttering a word, Man walked to him cautiously, eyes flickering around the room then back to Type’s.
“… the hug” Man stared at him, trying to decipher what he meant.
“I want a proper one.”
Again, Type’s voice was a mere whisper, something Man noticed when they were in the lecture hall. It was soft, gentle, and most importantly, spoken like a sacred code meant for the two of them even when there was literally no one else around. Man felt that feeling filling his chest again, a feeling that reached his throat and gut. He pulled Type again into his arms and this time, Type held onto him tighter than before, head burying into his chest. He felt how he fit into his embrace, how soft his hair felt against his neck and cheek, and how nice it smelled. The two didn’t pull away for a long time, but when they did, their arms remained in place, bodies slightly apart as they looked into each other’s eyes. Man felt that this was not the time to break the silence so he kept his lips sealed until Type whispered “Thank you.” Man shook his head, a loving smile reaching his eyes and gaze lingering on the older’s face before he leaned in to place a kiss on the other’s head.