Chapter Text
”If you truly mean it, then you need to prove it.”
“Prove it? What do you mean? I’ve just confessed.”
“A confession is one thing, proof of your love.. that’s something else.”
“But.. how can I prove it?”
“Well, what would you normally do, if you liked someone?”
“Oh..”
It’s a normal Thursday, and Arthit and his friends are taking their lunch break between lectures. It’s busy in the canteen, almost every table full of chatting engineers. Beside Arthit, Bright is loudly proclaiming that he’s going to find himself a freshie girlfriend soon and pointing out ones he might like to date; Prem is growling and throwing deadly looks at a table of second years who are laughing too loudly; and Tootah is telling the story of his latest sexcapade to Arthit who can’t help the blush that’s stinging his cheeks at his friends graphic description. Only Knott is calmly eating, ignoring everyone to shovel his food into his mouth in case Bright decides to try and steal it.
Across the canteen, Kongpob’s table of juniors are also eating while trying to study their thick textbooks ready for the test they will be taking in the next hour. Only Oak and Aim are wasting their time, loudly playing video games and earning numerous elbows to their ribs for disturbing the others.
Suddenly, two young women stride into the canteen, heading straight for the hazers table. One by one, they clamber onto it and then shake out crisp white sheets of paper.
One loudly clears her throat and the room falls silent.. then they begin to speak..
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..
I love when you yell at us, your powerful voice echoing around the room, the hint of pride at how well we are developing almost hidden behind bitter words.
I love the way you command the stage, how you stride onto it like you are the most famous actor in the land, as though your moves have already won you first prize.
I love how much you care for us. How you check that we’re drinking enough in the heat, how you alter the exercises to make sure no one is left behind.
I love how you keep the other hazers in check, never embarrassing them, but still subtly encouraging them to make the right choice and to treat us well.
I love your determination, how you assign us only the things that you can do yourself, push ups and sit stands you did when you were a first year too.
I love the way your muscles stretch your shirt, the maroon cotton twisting as your biceps flex, your forearms strong and firm as you show us what to do.
I love the way you smile when you think no one can see you, how your lips quirk at the edges and form a perfect half circle on your face forcing dimples to pool sweetly in your cheeks.
I love the paleness of your skin, how your inner beauty shines, just like your name..
P’Arthit… My Sun. I love.. You.
As they finish speaking, their arms pointing towards the head hazer whose cheeks are blushing worse than ever, the whole cafeteria starts to applaud, and whoop and cheer! The noise only stops abruptly as Arthit rises from his place on the bench below them, fist raised in the air.
“Who the hell told you to read that?” His voice is harsh, head hazer power in every word, belying the redness of his cheeks.
The two freshies shiver as they stare at him, papers shaking in their hands as they face him. They are not engineers but recruits from Comm Arts, yet Arthit is determined that they will face his wrath if they choose not to cooperate.
Lila, with dyed chestnut hair, sticks out her chin, “They said you’d ask. They also said they’d pay triple if we told you nothing.”
“And we’re poor this month,” her twin sister, Maia replies, “So, I’m sorry, you’ll hear nothing from us.”
“But, they did tell us to make sure you keep the poem..” Lila thrusts the papers out and forces them into Arthit’s hand which has lowered into a loose fist at his side, “So, here. Enjoy!”
Then the twins bow to their audience, who once again begin to clap and cheer, leap lightly from the table and vanish out of sight.
Beside Arthit, his friends are trying not to laugh. Truly, the head hazer looks like a kicked puppy despite his efforts to remain fierce, his gaze drifting between the papers in his hand and the direction in which the two girls have disappeared.
Eventually, Bright breaks. His giggles are infectious and even Knott chuckles in earnest as the canteen returns to normal around them, albeit a little more chatty than usual.
“Your face!” Tutah wheezes, tears starting to form as his laughter develops into full blown guffaws.
“Whoever wrote that is a genius!” Bright moans, “I mean, seriously! They got you perfectly!”
“And they’re so in love with you! My Sun!” Prem grins, hand clamping down on Arthit’s shoulder and forcing him back into his seat.
“I wonder which of these love struck freshies wrote it for you..” Bright begins, head darting back and forth as he glances around the canteen, “Perhaps Miss Maprang? She looks suspicious.. or your favourite, 0744, our campus Star, Miss Praepaillin?”
Arthit begins to growl, low in his throat and it’s the warning sign Knott’s been waiting for. He slams an elbow into Bright’s side and slides one finger over his throat as he catches the other’s eyes. As one they all descend into silence, waiting to see how their leader will react.
“Well, I do have a powerful voice I suppose.” Arthit says nonchalantly as he lifts his fork and continues to eat calmly, ignoring the shocked looks his friends are sharing across the table.
Across the cafeteria, Kongpob smiles as he sees Arthit carefully fold and pocket the white sheets, hand patting his pocket once before lifting it back to calmly eat his meal. Strike one! Inside, Kongpob fistbumps himself.
Was it you?
It takes much longer for the text to arrive than Kongpob had expected. But when it does, he celebrates, dancing wildly around his room as he stares at it.
Do you want it to be me?
He knows his reply is cheeky, but he really can’t help it. The way Arthit had been so blasé about it with his friends had sparked something in Kongpob. He had yelled at the girls, sure, but then Kongpob had expected that and had paid them a fair amount to take it. But he hadn’t gotten angry at his friends, he’d even smiled at them as he had accepted Kongpob’s gift. It had been… magnificent!
And if I do..?
Kong grins again, screenshottting their messages and saving them in a secret folder on his phone. He doesn’t want to lose these, ever.
Come to your window..
He stands at his own window and waits. Eventually, P’Arthit appears, still clad is his workshop shirt and plain black tee. Both of which highlight his beautiful pale skin and lithe, yet muscled form. He’s a dream come true to Kongpob and he takes a long moment just to stare at him, giggling inside at his Phi’s impatient expression.
Can’t you smile? You look more beautiful when you do.. And I think I deserve one of your smiles in payment for my gift.
He watches as Arthit reads the message and notes the way his lips start to lift before he schools his expression and glares over at Kongpob for a few long beats. Then his head drops down and he rapidly taps at his phone.
Gift? I wouldn’t say it was a gift. More an embarrassment. My friend’s wouldn’t stop teasing me.
you look beautiful when you blush.
Handsome!!<
That too. And gorgeous and delightful and sweet and sexy..
KONGPOB!
Kong stifles his own laughter as he gazes across the gap between their windows. He notes that Arthit looks more ruffled than before, raking a hand through his hair as he lifts his gaze to lock on Kong’s.
Kongpob winks at him, loving how his Phi ducks his head again, one hand tugging on his own neck. What he’d give to be touching P’Arthit’s neck right now, massaging it gently..
Are you ready for day two?
Kong grins again as Arthit’s head whips up, then starts shaking frantically.
One declaration is enough!
But you said I had to ‘woo’ you!
I wasn’t being serious!
But I am! Sweet dreams P’Arthit. I’ll see you tomorrow <3
Arthit’s shakes his head again before he stares at Kong for another long moment. Then he closes his blinds and the conversation is done.
Kong knows from experience that his Phi won’t be texting him again tonight.
But that’s okay. He’ll be texting him again tomorrow because tomorrow is round two of How to Woo P’Arthit!