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"Gulf! Gulf!"
The high-pitched voice reverberated through the open area of the study space next to the Science building of Mahidol University. The junior was running, likely from the direction of the uni oval. It was almost the end of the semester, so formal classes had finished and just final exams and presentations were underway. With their last exam for the week finished half an hour ago, the student body was just dawdling around campus, winding down from the tension-filled day.
So the shouts of one Mild Suttinut pierced the tranquil air. And precious eardrums.
Gulf Kanawut looked up from his phone, hearing the familiar voice of his close friend. He was lounging on an open bench, under the shade, waiting for his friends and sister. Mild was the same major as he was. But Win was pre-Med, as was his sister, Eye, who was just a freshman. Mild had volunteered to get them, after he went to the loo, so imagine his surprise and annoyance when Mild returned alone.
"What's wrong? You're disturbing everyone," Gulf welcomed, getting up from his perch.
Mild was catching his breath, making a face when he saw his friend's irritated friend. "Wow. I ran all the way here from the Med building, and you're giving me that ungrateful face."
"What's the matter then? What do I need to be thankful for you for?" retorted Gulf.
"For information, you dolt," countered Mild. He began patting his back pocket for his phone, and once it was in his hands, searched for a video that an acquaintance sent him. "I came from Win's, and we were waiting for Eye. But when we saw one of Eye's classmates, she said Eye went home already. But not before going to the Music building."
"Music? Why would she go there?" asked Gulf, bewildered and trying to recall any friends she had there. He and Eye were close, even for siblings. And as the older brother, he had always encouraged Eye to open up to him.
Mild bit his lip, seemingly hesitant to hand him over the phone. "They said because she was confessing to a senior there."
Gulf stood up with a shout. "What the hell?! She never told me that!"
"Yeah well, of course she wouldn't," Mild snapped. "Or you'd terrorise him for the rest of the school year."
Gulf scoffed, "you bet your ass, I would. Now who is this senior? Just because he's a senior, doesn't mean I wouldn't give him a piece of my mind."
His slender friend was hesitant, clutching the phone. "Eh...that's the thing."
"What? Spit it out, Mild."
"Before you watch it, promise me you'll be calm. Or at least talk to Eye first. She's the important one here," Mild tried to reason, knowing his hothead friend will take the most offense about what he will show him.
Gulf suddenly reached for the phone, but Mild snatched it away. They struggled for a bit, but Gulf's grip can be painful so Mild just gave it up.
"It has no audio, so we don't really know what was said, okay?" Mild reminded, appealing to Gulf. "Eye's friend shot this, with Eye's permission, as a remembrance in case everything goes well. You know your sister. She's ballsy. But she didn't really...expect...what happened..."
Mild looked on as Gulf began watching the video. He had watched it before he came here, with Win. That was the reason they decided to separate. Win going after Eye, and Mild returning here. He debated whether to tell his friend as soon as possible. But the end clip was just too aggravating and he was so carried away by it, that he just went to Gulf. That and who exactly Eye confessed to.
The video was obviously shot some feet away from the subjects, with Eye's back to them. It was windy today, so the audio would have been rubbish even if they can pick up sounds from the conversation. In the video, you can see Eye clutching a small box of chocolates and walking towards three seniors who were sitting together on a picnic table. She called out to one of them, and after a short pause, presumably saying her intentions, she held out the box to him. Eye blocked his face, and the other two's were out of frame. They were by the majestic rain tree in the middle of the uni grounds - the most valuable landmark in the school. It would have been idyllic. Until you see Eye's hand dropping back down to her side. She turned around and ran, wiping her eyes until she was out of frame. This, in turn, shifted the focus to the three seniors.
Mild saw as Gulf's eyes widened, anger evident on his face. But what came after was what Mild was afraid to know how Gulf will react to. Because in the next half second, a smirk slowly formed on the face of the man Eye confessed to. And that was the most infuriating.
"Oh Gulf! Where are you going?!" Mild suddenly called, as he saw Gulf grab his bag and hurriedly walk away. He slapped his forehead, knowing the most likely place. He sighed and ran after him. "Gulf, don't act so rashly! They're seniors!"
"I don't care! Of all the people, Mild! And that look on his stupid face?! I'll wipe that look on the floor!"
Good heavens. Lord, please give me strength.
-------
Gulf was so worked up, the smirk on that bastard's face flashing repeatedly in his mind. It was taunting him, and he was itching to punch that smirk off his face. He stalked quickly to the rain tree, hoping the motherfucker was still there. He would give him a piece of his mind and then kick his ass. No matter who he is.
He looked around the study benches around the tree. And there, just as he turned, he saw the three friends still there. With the culprit right in the centre.
"Hey! Mew Suppasit!"
With his anger consuming him, Gulf rushed to the man in question. Without any preamble, he grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up, their faces close together and their eyes meeting. He could see and sense Mew's friends' alarm at the sudden attack, as well as Mild's panicked shout. They stood up and took a step closer, ready to aid Mew if needed. But before he could say anything, Mew spoke up.
"Bright, Luke. It's fine," the older man stated, his voice deep and steady, like he wasn't just grabbed by a random person. "Let's hear what he has to say."
Gulf breathed heavily, trying to focus on his anger, while searching Mew's face for any hint of mockery. But he was taken aback by Mew's calmness. He knew of the senior. Who wouldn't? They were popular in the uni; rare that almost all colleges knew of them - the gifted students of the College of Music. Touted to be next big thing in the country. He saw girls - and boys - swoon at the sight of them. He had not interacted with any of them, beside the occasional run-ins along corridors of general subjects.
Except for that one encounter with Mew at the start of the school year. One that still left Gulf baffled.
And bothered.
"How dare you?" Gulf bit out, shaking Mew a little bit. He wanted to see panic in the other man's eyes. Gulf was taller, but only by an inch. And he only belatedly realised that even if that was the case, Mew was broader. And heavier, too. Well fuck. He tried to disregard the piercing chocolate eyes that were neither afraid nor reprimanding. Just steadfast. Just focused on him.
"Is this about your sister?" Mew asked, his face still close. His eyes still calm.
Gulf was about to ask how he knew, but thought better of it. It wasn't important how. What matters was that Mew knew why he was here. Good. Less time talking. More time punching.
"You now who I am, and why I'm here. Let's get straight to the point then," Gulf started. He threw his arm back and was about to land a blow when Mew spoke.
"So you're punishing me for not reciprocating her feelings? Is it my fault that I don't like her back?" Mew asked, his eyes intense. "Is it my fault that I barely know her, let alone her feelings? And you expect me to accept them?"
"You piece of shit!" Gulf roared, grabbing him by the collar again. "I can let that slide. Hell, I might even be grateful because she's too young! But what I can't accept is you making fun of her and laughing at her the moment she turned her back and ran away!"
The only warning Gulf had was Mew's eyes. Irritation flashed in them - and indignation, which disarmed him. Enough that Mew turned the tables on him.
Before he knew it, it was Gulf who was pinned between the study bench and Mew. The other man didn't grab his collar, but he had taken hold of his arms, locking them in a tight, but not painful, grip.
And all through that, Gulf couldn't look away.
"Excuse me?! I never laughed at your sister! Why would I?" Mew retorted, offense dripping from his expression and voice.
"Don't deny it!" Gulf exclaimed, leaning even closer. How dare he contradict it!
Mew opened his mouth, but paused. Perhaps remembering his expression afterwards. He sighed and inclined his head a little, deflating a little. Which brought his head closer.
Mint.
Mew straightened and fixed his stare at Gulf again.
"Look, I am sorry for what happened with your sister," he began, still holding on to Gulf. "And this misunderstanding. Yes, my rejection may have been so blunt that it was almost rude. But I would never - ever - laugh at someone else's feelings. Whether it's directed at me or not. You may not know me, but please believe that."
Gulf saw the earnest expression on Mew's face. Against all sense, he couldn't help but believe. He had heard nothing but praise for this person in front of him. And in all his three years in the university, seeing them on campus, they never really brought attention to themselves. They kept to themselves most of the time. It was their talent, and the quality of their work that made them popular. And with this realisation, Gulf started to come down from his anger. He looked at Mew, and nodded tentatively.
And then something happened that turned Gulf from massively irritated to confounded.
Mew smiled at him, his eyes crinkling and squeezing his arms as if in thanks. And there was a twinkle in his eyes. As though Gulf believing in him made him happy.
"I really am sorry," Mew said again. "For your sister, and this misunderstanding."
Gulf scowled. "But if that's you not laughing at my sister, then why the smirk?"
Mew froze. And looked away.
And for some reason, he felt bereft.
But he shook it from his mind when Mew's friends began coughing loudly in the background, followed by a chorus of Yeah, Mew, why the smirk?.
"You little dipshits," he heard Mew mutter under his breath, shaking his head at them. And Gulf noticed that Mew had yet to let go of him. Not that he minded. But why didn't he?
"Did the confession amuse you?" Gulf asked, working himself up again.
"No!" Mew exclaimed, snapping his attention back to Gulf. Chocolate
"Then why?"
He saw Mew sigh, and look down. As if he was shy. "If you must know...I was amused. At the irony."
"Irony?"
Mew straightened, his expression turning intense again, but with an added...something...that Gulf couldn't explain or identify.
"Yes, the irony," Mew began. Gulf felt his loosen his hold. But instead of letting go completely, Mew ran his hands from Gulf's elbows, along his forearms, before circling his wrists, his touch gentle. Gulf followed the movements, and couldn't help but shiver a bit. With apprehension. Or anticipation?
"The irony...that the sister has feelings for me. When I," Mew paused, and slowly leaned even closer. Gulf was entranced. He could feel the whisper of Mew's skin along his nose, and his breath along his cheek when Mew tilted towards his ear. "When I...have feelings for the brother."
Of all the things in the world, this was the least expected thing he would hear. Today, or any day in fact. Gulf could only turn to Mew, almost snapping his neck. He forgot how close they were, when their noses came in contact. But he didn't mind. He wanted to see his eyes, confirm for himself that the other man was not playing with him.
The twinkle was back in them, and though they were still intense, his rich chocolate eyes were clear. Steady. Focused on him.
He felt Mew nuzzle his nose with the side of his. Gulf couldn't help but close his eyes. And he didn't resist. The direction this encounter headed was certainly not what he had in mind. As far as he knew, there had been no interaction between them to warrant affections.
Except for all the times they went to the library at the same time since second year, exchanging nods when they happened to look at each other. And that one time their eyes met and held, neither one of them moving, or even breathing if he was being honest. Until Mew broke his gaze, and Gulf was left with his heart beating faster than normal...
Like now.
He felt Mew nuzzle him one last time, before completely moving away from him. Even the hands on his wrists were gone. And when he came out of his Mew-induced stupor, he was already ready to go, his bag strap over his shoulder, and the other carrying his guitar case.
Mew smiled at him, his expression soft, and raised his hand in goodbye. He was about to turn, but hesitated, and stepped in Gulf's personal space again. This time, he felt Mew's hand cupping his cheek, his thumb brushing softly along this cheekbone - the cold metal of his thumb ring a nice contrast to the heat of his palm. And the whisper of his words lingered long after he had left.
"See you around...Gulf."