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It started with Win falling in love.
He and Dean had been friends for years. Despite their vastly different personalities, they just clicked, remaining close even after graduating university and no longer swimming competitively. Outgoing and quite the player regardless of gender, Win was in almost every respect the opposite of introverted, serious Dean, who'd never even expressed romantic interest in anyone.
The fact that he was the one who ended up in a serious relationship first surprised no one more than Win himself. Still, somehow Team, a couple of years younger and part of the national swim team, soon became a fixture in Win's life, and by extension in Dean's as well. Which was how all three of them ended up going to check out the cafe Team's chef friend Pharm had just opened.
As promised, the food was indeed delicious. In addition to the usual drinks, the menu of the cozy little shop offered both Western-style and Thai sweets as well as some savoury snacks. They were served by an enthusiastically friendly girl who Team introduced as Manaow, a name Win was already familiar with from many of his boyfriend's stories. Team, Pharm and Manaow had become inseparable during university, and Win couldn't help but feel pleased at being introduced to these important people in Team's life. It seemed like further proof that they were both in this for real, creating a life together.
He was so occupied chatting with Manaow, who had skipped polite acquaintance and jumped straight into being fast friends, that he only noticed the arrival of Team's other best friend when Dean suddenly stiffened next to him. He'd been listening quietly to the conversation, as was his habit, and to most people nothing much changed at first, but to Win, the difference was glaring. His friend was downright staring at the small man who'd just come in from the kitchen with a huge tray of cupcakes, wearing an apron with kittens and the biggest smile Win had ever seen. All of which created an impression of almost overwhelming cuteness, yet to Win that didn't explain the strength of Dean's reaction.
Things got even stranger when Pharm caught sight of Dean in return. His warm brown eyes widened almost comically, and the tray in his hands began to wobble dangerously as a myriad of emotions flickered over his expressive face. Before the cupcakes could fall, however, Dean was by his side, stabilising the precious load, and Win would have sworn a tremor ran through both men when their fingers touched. Neither one of them moved, and they were lost in each other's eyes, as if they were alone in the world.
Dean had always been one of the more intense people Win knew, but this was on an entirely different level. If someone had asked Win before if he believed in soulmates, really believed in them, he would have scoffed. But now, as he watched his best friend carefully set the cupcakes to the side before raising a trembling hand to Pharm's cheek, now Win knew. This was two people finding and recognising each other despite never having met before.
Tears were glistening in Pharm's eyes, and Dean leaned closer, resting their foreheads together in a gesture so gentle, so intimate, Win finally looked away. Catching Team's shocked gaze, he heard Dean whisper hoarsely, "Shhh, don't cry. I'm here now, I've got you."
Swallowing past a sudden lump in his own throat, Win drowned out the unmistakable sound of lips finding each other in a desperately tender kiss by raising his voice, "Anyone want to go for Starbucks?"
Manaow, who'd been equally captivated by the sight, opened her mouth to protest, so Win shook his head firmly, gently grasping her by the shoulder and quickly leading both her and Team out of the cafe. At the door, he paused to flip the Open sign to Closed. Outside, it was Team who took his hand, for once ignoring the fact that they were in public. He even let Win pull him close for a quick kiss.
Apparently Dean and Pharm's bubble of love was contagious, and Win for one wasn't above taking advantage of the fact.