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Bright came home today earlier than he usually did because his professor suddenly called sick.
As he just opened the door, there was a loud noise came from the kitchen as someone just dropped something. Weird, he thought, who is at home at this time of the day?
His apartment is a two-bedroom place he rents with another friend, who also goes to the same university as him. They have only moved in together for about a year. At first, Bright lived in the university dorm, which was really convenient and he could literally find whatever he needed (such as food, daily supplies, etc) in the shops and stores nearby. The only downside is that there was a time limit at night such that no student is allowed to enter the dorm after 10. When he got into his third year, however, he found a new part-time job and the schedule is quite inconsistent. Sometimes he will need to stay until late at night. Therefore, he decided to move out.
The other rentee is Win, a second-year student at his university. They were not acquaintances at first, but their friends are. And so in a very complicated way, like the connect-the-dot game, they were eventually introduced to each other, since both of them wanted to move out at that time. The young man is studying Architecture Design. Most of his time is spent building all different types of models, either at school or at home, in the daytime or in the nighttime. Sometimes he will be busy drawing and designing until past midnight. His workloads seem really heavy but it looks like he really enjoys and is passionate about it.
Bright walked into his small kitchen from which the weird noises came, just to find Win was trying hard to make something with flour, a big bowl and an egg beater. Or precisely, struggling. The other tools were spread all over the kitchen, from this side to the other side.
"Win?"
"Ah! P'Bright!" Win was probably startled, looking up with his eyes wide open, "Why are you home at this time?"
"Yeah, my last class got cancelled." Bright stared at him, then the bowl he holding in his hand. This boy rarely goes into the kitchen. Was the sun rising from the West today or what? Bright curiously asked, "What... erm... are you doing?"
Win looked messy, with a bit of flour here and there on his face. Maybe he accidentally touched his face earlier. "I'm making some cake." Win shyly answered, his eyes curve and looked like two little crescent moons. "But it's probably a fail." He added, disappointedly pouted.
Bright chuckled and put his belongings aside before he rolled up his shirt sleeves to give Win a hand, "Let me see. What are you going to make."
"Tiramisu na krub."
"Metawin, flour is all over your shirt now." Bright looked at the younger man's messy shirt, couldn't help but laugh, "Why don't you just put an apron on first, huh?"
"Well... The person in the tutorial video makes it look really easy tho." Win awkwardly brushed off the white powder on his shirt, just to make it spread out wider.
Silly baby. Bright gently smiled as he shook his head, then he went looking for an apron to put over Win. "That's enough Win. Just put this on for now. The shirt has to be wash later."
Win lowered his head, looking down and slightly nodded. He has never been good in the kitchen, if not the worst. But today is a special day, and he has been thinking about it for a long time. Nevertheless, everything he could think of somehow seems either too extra and overact, or inappropriate. Eventually, he decided that baking is the best choice. He knew already that he's not good at this thing, so he chose the easiest recipe, or at least that was what the website said. As for him, Win had been fighting with this for over an hour and nothing was done yet, except for the mess.
Luckily, he bought extra ingredients, just in case.
"Why do you even need flour for tiramisu? You look like you've just come out of the flour mill, Win." Bright unexpectedly got a damp towel from out of nowhere to clean up the flour on Win's face.
"I've mistaken between the flour pack and the sugar one..." Win embarrassingly said, blaming himself for his stupidity. He couldn't even do such a simple thing. Bright will definitely think I'm a dumbass.
"Oh dear, silly." Win could hear the older man laughed gently but amusingly. Knew it.
After being done cleaning the young man's face, Bright started to help him with his Tiramisu. Whipped the cream. Made the coffee. Soaked the ladyfingers. Put them nicely in the box, layer by layer. All that time, Bright hadn't asked even just once about this sudden, like whose it is for, or for which occasion it is. He didn't even show his surprised expression that a person like Win - who has never set a foot in the kitchen - was so into this tiramisu.
They were talking and teasing each other while making the cake. Bright asked the other about the new model he was assigned and had been working on recently. Win told him about how he fell asleep the night before, and almost crashed on his model. While they were whipping the cream, Bright naughtily poked his finger full of cream on Win's nose, which made the latter jump in protestation. Bright burst out laughing hard when Win sheepishly wiped the cream away. Then, Bright found a stubborn trace of cream refuse to leave Win's cheek, so he gently helped him with his thumb, painted the cheeks pinkish.
It was half an hour later when they finished the cake. The pretty tiramisu box was nicely put to chill in the fridge.
"Thanks a lot, Mr.Handsome." Win turned to give Bright a cheeky smile, after chilling the cake and taking off the apron.
"Now you are talking nicely, aren't you?" Bright softly smiled, pinched the other's nose using his two fingers, making Win frown and chuckle. "Alright, change your clothes. Just put your shirt in the laundry, I'll wash it later." Bright told him.
"Krub." The young man grinned as he flashed into his room.
When Win totally disappeared behind the bedroom door, the smile on Bright's lips slowly faded away. He noticed that Win has been thinking about something the past few days. And today he even made a cake, that is such an unusual thing. But he didn't ask, as all of those were Win's privacy. Probably, the young boy had a crush on someone and wanted to make a move by giving that person a cake.
But still, I wonder...
---
The bell of the very last class had rung a long time ago, however, Bright didn't seem to be aware of that. He just kept on looking at the dark presentation screen, which had been turned off since the class ended. It was not until someone pokes him that his mind was back with reality.
"Ey Bright. Bright!"
"Huh?" He confusingly turned his head just to find the whole classroom was empty, only he and Tay were left. His friend had already packed up, and if there were effects added in this scene, there would be a bunch of question marks on top of Tay's head.
"Zoning out? Class is over. Hurry up!" Tay rushingly slapped Bright's shoulder. The latter immediately collected all of his belongings - putting his books, pens and laptop all in his bag.
"Hurry! I'm so hungry man." Tay said.
"Wanna eat something?" Bright nonchalantly asked, there was no way to get his mood by his tone of speaking.
"Oh ho?" Tay widened his eyes, looked at Bright as if he just had a second head or something. "What's this? Khun Chivaaree who immediately comes home every day after class to cook dinner for his little boyfriend wants to ask me to eat out today, is this even real? Was the sun rising from the West today or what? Such an honour for me~" Tay said as he kept showing all shades of shock - holding his face with mouth wide opens, eyes widen, mouth covered, and repeat.
"The heck are you talking about? Little boyfriend who?"
"Aow? Isn't so? It's you who cook for him every day, right?"
"Don't be nonsense." Bright frowned. "We're just housemates, I have time and it's nothing inconvenient for me, that's it. But I'm tired today."
Actually, it was not exactly because he was tired. It is true that usually, he comes home immediately after class and rarely goes anywhere else. He's not a party person. Also, he has a little baby who doesn't know how to cook living under his roof. Making instant noodles already took that boy almost 45 minutes. Not to mention that every single time he enters the kitchen, there is like a hurricane just came for a visit. Therefore, Bright-in-the-kitchen is the better case, if not the best. For the sake of the kitchen and everyone else.
But for today, it just... he didn't want to go home today. Not yet. He couldn't stand it thinking about how happy and excited Win was while they were making that cake. And that the other's eyes sparkling when he told him, "Oh god it looks so good, isn't it? I can't wait until it's ready tomorrow." Bright wouldn't be able to think straight.
Win must have had a date with that person today then.
Tay raised his eyebrows, "Oh, really?" and chuckled while he asked.
Bright gave his friend a glare, "Are you coming or not?"
"Of course, I'm coming." Tay happily wrapped his arm around Bright's neck and dragged the handsome guy out of the classroom.
After that, the two of them found a small food court near their university, ordered simple meals for dinner. When they finished, it was still early, wasn't even 6 o'clock yet. Therefore, Bright decided that he wanted to study and finish his essay in the university's library. Tay followed him purely because of boredom. However, he couldn't last long in such a quiet atmosphere, where even the sound of a fly hitting a carpet could be heard. And so Tay left after about an hour, leaving Bright all by himself.
Bright didn't tend to stay for long, but then he was too enthusiastic in his essay that he forgot the time. When he finally realized and checked his phone, it was 9 already. It was rare that he wasn't home at this time. Now he physically and mentally felt tired after a long day. He just wanted to go home to get some sleep right the way.
---
Bright inserts the key into the hole on his apartment door and slowly opens it. The inside seems colder and more quiet than usual. The living room is wrapped in darkness, with windows slightly open allowing the night breeze to lightly blow the curtains. It's all dark outside. The white and golden light from the city gradually faded into the night sky. The only light in the big apartment comes from the small lightbulb on top of the dining table, so weak that it can be swallowed by darkness at any time.
Beneath it is Win, lying on the table. His face is hiding in his arms.
Bright comes closer. The kitchen is cold, which makes him can't help but wonders, has Win eaten anything yet?
"Win." Bright frowns, slightly shake the young man's shoulder. Win seems to be sleeping deeply. His body is a bit cool, and he curls in a bit more as the wind blows. If Bright came back later, the boy would probably become an ice-cream already. Worrying that Win might catch a cold sleeping like this, Bright shakes him again, harder this time, and his voice is louder, "Metawin, wake up. Why are you sleeping in the kitchen?"
Win slowly raises his head, rolls his dreamy eyes to look around. Obviously, he isn't totally awake yet. When he finally sees the older man, Win startles, immediately widen his eyes, "P'Bright you're home!"
"Why are you sleeping here? You can catch a cold, you know?" Bright can't stop himself from frowning, and there is a bit of anger in his voice. He also goes to close the window right after that.
"I was waiting for you, krub." Win rubs his eyes then looks at Bright. "Why are you home so late today, P'? I was waiting, then fell asleep I think."
"Wait for me?" Bright is almost frozen right where he's standing, staring at the young man.
"Yes." Win nods, as if it's something obvious.
"For what?"
"For... you know, the cake?"
"What?"
"You literally just made it with me yesterday. What do you mean 'what'?" Now it Win's turn to frown. "You've already forgotten about it, don't you?"Bright isn't sure whether he is imagining or what, but his housemate sounds sulky.
"Oh, that cake. Yeah. What?" Bright confusedly asks, "Is it...for me?"
"Who else could it be for?" This time Win crosses his arm in front of his chess.
"But...why?"
Win sighs as he drops his hands and puts them on his lap. With his head lowered and all fingers are twisted with each other, Win quietly explains, "It's nothing important. It's just... It's been exactly a year since I moved in with you. And you have always taken care of me so well. And so, I want to do something... a little bit more special than usual. Just to say thank you." Then Win shyly rubs his hair, before standing up and walks to the fridge. "I couldn't think of what to do, so I think making a cake would be nice, at least we can share it together, right?"
"Oh..." Bright thinks his brain was burned out earlier because of the essay writing which is why it refuses to work now. He hardly digests what Win just said. His mouth opens just to closes again, and then eventually all he can let out is just another "Oh..."
"Why are you coming home so late today?" Win asks as he takes the pretty cake out and puts it on the dining table.
"I was studying in the library." Bright replies and awkwardly rubs the hair behind his head. He feels a little bit shame because of his reason for not going home early. Win had been waiting for him the whole time, for how long, he wonders.
"Oh really? I thought you said you don't really like studying there. You've always come home to..."
"I was studying with Tay." Bright loudly cuts off the other.
"Oh..." Win slightly startles because Bright suddenly raised his voice as if he doesn't want him to talk. He decides to stay silent after that.
The atmosphere between them becomes awkward. Win fumblingly places cutlery and plates on the table. As for Bright, he hasn't moved at all since he was shocked.
After a while, Bright speaks up to ease the tense atmosphere, and also to make up for his guilt. He softly asks, "Have you had dinner yet? Are you hungry?"
Win rubs his hair and avoids not looking into the other's eyes, sheepishly smile, "I... I haven't. I fell asleep and totally forgot." Then he heard the older man slightly sigh. Bright put his belongings on the couch before walking into the kitchen. "You want anything? The cake can be spare for later, tomorrow maybe."
Win immediately looks up, "Don't you want to eat it now?" A few seconds pass, he adds, "Makes senses tho. You're probably exhausted now. Then, I'll make some instant noodles for myself. We can have the cake tomorrow. That's totally fine." Bright has seen disappointment flashes in the younger man's eyes when Win looks down.
"Win." Bright gently calls his name, comes closer to caress the light brown and soft hair, trying to comfort the boy, "That is not what I meant to say. How about this, I'll make you some noodles, then if you are not full yet, we will then have some cake?"
"Yes?" Win looks at him, the light in his eyes is now back again, and all sparkling like little twinkle stars, "Yes!"
---
Eating cake late at night is indeed not a healthy way of living, but it's fun. Bright has prepared a cup of warm milk for each of them before the two boys grab their blankets and come to sit in their small balcony to enjoy the night. Breathing in is fully cool and fresh air belonged to the night only. They are both sitting in comfortable silence as they watch the city lights weakly radiate before vanishing into the night sky. After a year of living together, both of them are synced to the point that only the presence of the other is already enough and there is no need to say anything else.
"Thank you, P'Bright." Win suddenly breaks through the silence. Bright turns his head to look at the brown hair next to him. There is a white milk stain on Win's lips that the younger clean it right away with his tongue. In a moment, Bright wishes that time would stop right here, right now. So that he can continue watching the other and capture every single shape of Win. Because the man in front of him right now looks like the most beautiful and lively piece of art that he has ever seen. As Win is sitting there, being comfy, and simply enjoying his time, the breeze will slightly tease him by messing up with his hair and make them fall all over his forehead. But he will let it be. The fade light from the city will slightly bright up his pretty face, contours his straight-up nose and his V-shaped chin. And also his slightly parted lips.
Bright wishes they could stay like this forever.
"For what?"
"For everything. For letting me stay here with you, taking care of me all the time. For being my best friend." Win replies and gives Bright a cheeky smile, which is even sweeter than the piece of cake just melted in his mouth.
Bright chuckles and pats Win's head. Being his best friend is already a good thing, isn't it?
"Thank you. But... you even remember the exact day? How could you?" To be honest, he's pretty surprised when Win said that. Do people usually celebrate this type of anniversary too?
"Of course I do. Because it's my first time meeting P'Bright krub." Win giggles and covers his mouth. That makes Bright feels a bit heated up. He secretly thanks the universe that they decided to sit out here instead of in the kitchen, otherwise Win would have seen his ears all redden.
Bright has to stop himself the 2712 times tonight from thinking that'He is so adorable'. Obviously, Win is not the cute guy type with a cheeky face, big and round eyes, plump lips or bring short and small. Actually, he is the total opposite. His face is sharp, with almond-shaped eyes which could be really intense sometimes. His lips are thick and smear, almost uni-lip. Not to mention that he goes to the gym frequently, so he's not only tall but also very muscular. He's even taller than Bright.
But no matter how he has a nothing-remotely-cute physical appearance, Win is adorable in everything he does, every day. Such a baby that all Bright wants to do is to gently pat his head and to care for him all the time.
Bright sometimes wonders if he's the only one who has those thoughts.
"You are so..." Bright can't help but smiling and shaking his head. Then he relaxing on his chair again, looking up at the sky. "Well then, since we're celebrating one year anniversary of our first meet, tell me, what is your first impression? About me."
"First impression huh...?" Win touches his chin as he's carefully thinking, "Cold and hard to befriend with. I remember that I wai and greeted you politely but you only said 'Uh huh' then nodded and walked straight to your room right after." Win giggling recalls, "I thought I was doomed and that the good relationship I was looking forward to having with my new roommate was sentenced to death back then."
"What the heck? I... No way I did such thing! Metawin don't you dare make it up!" Bright makes a grimace then pout. He still remembers when Win first came, he was so shy and awkward that he didn't know how to respond. That's why he only greeted and then sneaked into his room when he could. But he swears he didn't do anything to be called 'cold and unfriendly' as Win said.
"I didn't!" Win slightly smash the older's arm, denies.
"I swear I did say hi. I was pretty polite and friendly, no?"
"No! Not at all. You only said 'Uh huh' then you're gone." Win crinkles his nose, saying as he has been keeping this in his heart since then and is pretty mad about it. Bright bursts out laughing then rub the younger's shoulder as he's saying sorry. Suddenly, Win turns to him and changes the topic, "How about mine? What is your first impression about me?"
"The first one?"
"Uh-huh!"
"Hmmm... I think you were smaller than you were now. Your skin is radiant white, then you were also wearing a white shirt, looked like a bunny when you smiled."
Win raises his eyebrows questioning, "I remember I wasn't wearing a shirt that day, was I? I thought I was wearing a hoodie. No?" He seriously spends time thinking about the first day he moved in, what he wore or how he looked like.
However, Bright refuses to make any further comments. He only concludes that, whatever he wore, Win would still look like a bunny.
---
When Bright asks Win about the first impression on the day they first met, Win didn't tell him everything.
Actually, there was one thing he didn't mention. Or to be more precise, he didn't dare to. It is the weird feeling he felt as he walked into his new apartment and saw Bright. The older one was busy organizing something in the living room before he turned to say Hi to Win. Right at that moment, Win felt hard to breathe and his heart had just skipped a beat. Or even a few beats.
Win still remembers. His friends had informed him earlier about someone was looking for a roommate to share the rent. The house was already and the contract has been signed, he just needed to move in and share whatever costs with the other person, nothing complicated. He also contacted and talked with that person over texts to make agreements and else, but they had never actually met. The day he went to check the house was also with another friend of that person because his roommate had some sudden business.
Therefore, their first met was also the day he moved in. It was a bright and sunny Sunday but the weather wasn't too hot. The apartment has a little balcony right outside of the living room, directly opposite the entrance. It was probably the sunlight that day was extremely bright that dazed Win. Both of them were a bit shy and awkward somehow, greeting each other. The man seemed hard to approach. After that, Win asked a few more questions about the house, the other briefly answered them all, mostly nodded or shook his head whenever possible, before he disappeared into his own room.
It took them a week to start getting to know each other. At first, it was just greetings whenever they bumped into the other one. Later on, each time they accidentally found out one thing in common such as favourite music or movie, they would be one step closer. And one day, Bright came home when Win was cooking his instant noodles, which took him almost 45 minutes. Until the older came out to cook his own dinner, Win was still struggling for no reason, even almost burned himself.
Since then, Bright has officially become Win's private caretaker. Every day, immediately after class, Bright will come home to cook dinner for both of them, and he had never skipped a day unless Win told him beforehand. In the meantime, Win will be around trying to help, because he feels guilty for having someone doing everything for him. And that's how they became best friends.
If Win has to say exactly since when they became friends, he won't be able to answer.
But if Win has to say exactly since when he had feelings for Bright, then it must be the first time they met. It wasn't precisely a love at first sight or anything, his heart was just simply taken by the man.
---
When Win asked him about his impression of Win on the first day they met, Bright didn't tell him the story.
That their first met actually wasn't the day Win moved in. Sometimes, Bright thinks about this as how the universe aligns things in life so that he can meet Win. Again.
Their first met was on the day it suddenly poured. Everyone was hurriedly looking for a place to hide from the heavy rain. Raindrops were pouring all over the ground as if the sky just dropped its giant box of pearls. Water was splashing everywhere. Bright was half-wet when he found a dry spot under the roof of a closed cafe.
He was lucky because just a second later, there was no spot left. People squeezed in to avoid the rain. A boy coming late was running towards this roof, just to find it was all crowded. He confusingly looked around, seemed pretty lost because he couldn't get in, couldn't run anywhere either. The rain was getting heavier. No one wanted to sacrifice their place since no one wanted to be wet.
"Hey, come here," Bright called him, turned his body sideway to spare some space for the younger while trying his best not to push the one standing behind. The boy gratefully ran to him, gave him the brightest smile.
"Thank you so much."
His white shirt was all wet, stuck on his milky skin. The light brown hair wasn't in any better condition as the water was dripping from it to all over his forehead. In spite of being struggling under the pouring sky earlier, his face was still bright as little sunshine.
And Bright knew already that it was the most ridiculous moment of his life when his heart loudly thumped because of that smile. He awkwardly replied, "Oh, erm. You're welcome."
Their sharing spot was tiny so they had to stand closely, not to mention Bright got pushed a few times by the person behind him, caused him to nudged the stranger against the wall. The warmth from the person in front of him was too hot for him to handle. Whenever that happened, Bright could only sheepishly apologize. They chat a little bit, but it was just enough for Bright to know that the boy was in his university. Nothing more.
He had never met that boy ever again. But even so, he couldn't stop thinking about the little sunshine's smile in the middle of the thunderstorm. It was haunting him day by day. He even found himself a weirdo for that. He didn't get that person's name, probably had forgotten his face already, but still dying to meet that person again.
He knew that boy is his hitomebore.
And later, when he could finally move on from that strange feeling that he stops expecting anything else because his hope had hit its bottom, the universe sent him a surprise. It was a Sunday morning, the rain wasn't falling. The young man walked in, wearing a cute lilac hoodie. Light brown hair. White milky skin. And most important, his smile is brighter than the bursts of sunshine just poured into the room from the big glass window behind Bright.
"Sawadeekrub! Hello. My name is Win Metawin, I'll stay here from today."
Bright should have smiled and greeted him back that 'Hi there, I'm Bright. Bright Vachirawit, nice to meet you. Let me know if I can help you with anything na krub.' However, things didn't turn out that way, because Bright was still in shock so all he could say was an awkward 'Uh-huh'. The smile on the other's lips immediately faded. That moment, Bright had only one thought left, which was hiding from Win because he didn't want the younger to have any other wrong impressions about him.
---
"Achoo!"
"You're getting cold. Let's go inside now." Bright quickly wraps Win in his blanket, covers him from head to toe. Then he stands up and cleans up the table of empty dishes and glasses.
Win has time just enough to rub his nose, Bright has already been waiting at the door, ready to get back inside. Although he doesn't want to leave, Win still have to stand up because he actually feels cold now. Win pull the blankets wrapped around his body tighter. Bright's warmth is still lingering makes Win feel like he's being embraced.
Out of the suddent, Win ridiculously has the urge of wanting to try snuggling in Bright's arm. It must be really warm. He tends to shake his head to erase that thought, but a cold shiver has attacked him first.
"Achoo!"
Bright has just put glasses and dishes into the sink when he hears Win sneezes again. Worried is painted all over his face when he walks toward the other, putting his hand on Win's hand. It's relief that Win doesn't seem to have any high temperature, but his body seems a bit colder than usual.
"Hurry, go to your bed and tuck into your blanket now. It must be the cold breeze." Bright lowers his hand and pushes Win towards the bedroom. "I'll get you some warm water."
Win reluctantly drags himself to his bed and tucks into his blanket as been told. He was hoping to have Bright's warm hand on his forehead for a little bit longer. But if he told him so, it must be a really strange request. After a year of living together, Win knew already that Bright is nothing close to the line of 'cold guy' or 'unapproachable'. It's just Bright and his awkwardness. He's actually a gentle and warm person.
But not necessarily with Win only.
Bright walks in while Win's still wandering in his thoughts, hands him a cup of warm water, "Here, drink this to warm yourself up a bit. How do you feel? Feeling sick or anything?"
Bright has always used such a soft and soothing voice to talk with Win like this as if he was talking to a baby.
Win just lightly shakes his head. Bright reaches out and uses the back of his hand to test Win's body temperature again, just to make sure. Such a comforting feeling runs through every nerve in Win's body. It even feels better than the warm sip of water he just drank. And before he could stop himself, Win has already burst out, "Your hand is so warm, P'Bright."
Realized what he's just said, Win immediately widen his eyes as he purses his lips and holds his breath. His stare sticks on Bright's face, waiting to see if the other would show any reaction. But there is nothing. Bright just simply being gentle and soft as he always is, with an addition of a shy smile, "Really?"
"Uhm..."
"If so... I lend you my hand tonight, how about that? Now sleep. I'll go back to my room after you fall asleep." Bright soothes as his fingers linger with Win's soft hair before caressing the younger's cheek. Win automatically leans his head towards Bright so that he can feel it more, enjoying the warmth it brings to his soul. Bright's thumb gently touches Win cheek.
"P'Bright, I have a question." Win sleepily raises his voice.
"Yes Win?"
"Why are you always so good to me?" Win peaks looking at Bright, half sleepy, half waiting. Or probably nervous?
Bright smiles, fairly rub the sleepy baby's head. "Well... Because you are Win Metawin."