Chapter Text
Pat and Pran didn't have to hide their relationship anymore. Fuck, they were living together. They were engaged. Of course, there was no hiding it. How, when Pran drove his fiancée to work almost everyday, kissing him goodbye? How, when Pat proudly held Pran's hand while shopping for new sheets? Years passed; they had finished college. They were adults, free from anyone's expectations and drama. Of course, their parents still weren't quite on good terms with each other. Nonetheless, they had to accept their son's choices, cause well, they were not going to give it up. Not now, not ever.
Pran started working on his own, an architect for hire, mostly designing houses for rich people with high expectations. Pain in the ass, if u ask him, it wasn't exactly what he was hoping for in college. But oh boy, the cash. It was worth the trouble. Especially since he and Pat were hoping to get a house one day. Their own, little house. Maybe they could get a dog once that happened? Pat was insistent on a dog, maybe two for good luck. Labradors.
Imagine Pran's surprise when one day he got an email from a huge company. Pat's been working for them since he finished collage, even managed to get himself some high position. They were trying to hire Pran to help designing a city park. Something different than a house. That was already exciting. And maybe, just maybe, Pat was the one who suggested Pran. Maybe they didn't exactly need another architect on board. Pat was selfish. Pat wanted to work with Pran, see him busy in the office. Maybe steal a kiss in the conference room if they were lucky enough.
Pran and Pat really didn't hide their relationship. They were not going to do that at work either. What's the point? Obviously, they weren't going to exchange saliva in front of everyone but...? They thought they were quite transparent. That's something they needed after all those years of hiding, lurking in the darkest corners just to say hi.
"I wonder what's his deal this time..." Pran heard. It was his third day in the office, everything was going pretty smoothly. He turned to look at his coworker, whose eyes were focused on someone else. "He's staring at us. I swear to God, he's like a fucking hawk. You know him or something?"
"You mean Pat?" He was, indeed, staring. Often. Sometimes he came over to make sure Pran was not overwhelmed, maybe to make fun of him if he was feeling especially good.
"Yeah, who else? He's, like, always near you. Somehow." Gun said, shifting his attention to Pran. His gaze felt almost accusatory. " Maybe he's single after all, huh?"
Pran choked on his spit. That's new.
"After all?" there was nothing wrong with having some fun while he was there, right? He could hear some juicy gossip, maybe let it spill later that they were in fact in a very, very committed relationship. "You thought he had someone?"
Those questions were enough to enliven the man. Maybe a little too much, his sudden shift in attitude caught attention of some people near by.
"Everybody thinks he has someone. Trust me. He never goes out with us on Fridays." the man started counting on his fingers, as if he already done this presentation before. He had his points ready. "Rejected this one hot girl and, watch out cause it's the best part, we believe he got her fired. Brings homemade food. And with peace and love, he barely makes it in the office kitchen. That man ain't a cook."
Hold the fuck up.
"He got a girl fired? Are you kidding me?" He wouldn't do that. Pat was petty, that's a fact, but not like that. Office gossip really was on a different level of delusion, confusion and fiction.
~♤~
"What do you mean you don't know me?" They were at home, having dinner. Pran brought up the conversation from earlier casually, it was not a big deal. He would be leaving soon anyways. He was there only until the end of the project and there was not much left to do.
"Well, if I said I know you, they wouldn't have trusted me with the drama." Pran rolled his eyes and could swear that his boyfriend was ready to throw hands. "Besides, I wasn't going to admit we're together when you were acting like a guard dog."
"So, you're saying, out of everything, I'm embarrassing? I thought my predator stare was impressive."
"So impressive that you're apparently receiving confessions at work." Pran blurted out. He wasn't jealous or anything, but the whole situation was still bugging his mind. It made no sense. Correction; the only thing that made sense is that someone tried to hit on his man. Pat was, after all, very attractive. His shoulders even broader than in collage, hard thigh muscles visible even through the jeans. Let's not get started on his face, cause geez. "You never mentioned that before."
"Pran, I can't believe you were serious about the drama!" Their food was getting cold. Of course, Pran cared about the drama. It's fun. And it involved his beloved. "It wasn't a confession. She just asked me out and I, very politely, said no. So? Are you jealous, baby?"
"There's a rumour she had to leave because of you." Pran took another bite of his food, acting nonchalant. He didn't necessarily believe what he's heard. "It's not jealousy, it's self preservation. What if I'm next on your list?"
"Stupid question." Pat got up from the table, already finished with his noodles. He went straight up to the sink with dirty dishes and spared Pran one last look, winking. “Obviously, you're next."
Well, so they did agree on not being so openly in love. If someone asked Pran "Are you in a romantic relationship with Pat, the senior engineer?" he would be honest. Of course, he would. He's not a liar. But no specific questions mean no specific answers. And that's not lying.
They still drove to work together. Had matching cups. Ate together on lunch breaks. Hell, Pat still visited him almost every hour. It was quite fun. Trying to be discreet and obvious at the same time.
And Pran learned even more about Pat from his coworkers, especially Gun, who turned out to be an excellent stalker. Unfortunately, he often came to wrong conclusions. But now, thanks to him, Pran knew more. How Pat put that little "weird" smiley-sad face on his notes and any written document. How Pat left in the middle of a meeting once, because he got a call from someone (It was Pran. He fainted, stressed and exhausted from the workload and ended up calling from the hospital.) and didn't even bother explaining himself. How Pat apparently, definitely has a child because he often gets legos in the mail (It was a good stress reliever for both of them.). How Pat probably had a wife, but must have gotten a divorce, because his interest in Pran was a little too much to not be considered flirtatious. Then Gun had decided that Pat did not have a secret crush on Pran. New theory said that he was jealous of the attention the young architect was receiving.
"Hey, do you remember what I told you before?" Gun approached Pran's desk with Sky, a girl from their team. Both of them already prepared, ready to not on only attack but also win the battle." We often go out for drinks on Fridays."
"Yeah! You're already one of us, hun." the woman put her hands on his shoulders, squeezing lightly. He was trapped. He needed backup. "And so, obviously, you must come. Unwind a little."
"We could help you find the love of your life. Maybe you would be less serious, if you were in love."
He wanted to laugh. Really wanted to laugh.
"Love of who's life?" God, no. Please. Just not now. "Is this about me?" Gun and Sky didn't know it yet but they were, in fact, talking about his boyfriend. And why did he always come at the worst times?
"Pat, great! You will come, too? Right? Pran's coming." Gun said, smile so wide it must have hurt. And Pat, his stupid Pat, did just the same thing. No support. None.
"Of course. Why would I say no to alcohol?"
Stupid Pat.
"Well, you usually say no, like? Almost always." Gun noticed and Sky nodded her head vigorously. This duo would be the death of his. He always thought the engineer was a menace but these two... These two were on a different level.
"I think you just became more convincing." Pat smiled and put his hand on Gun's shoulder. The nerve! Honestly?
~☆~
Pat was proud of himself, walking around the house like a king. So proud. And Pran, well, he was there. That's for sure. He wasn't really angry. But he was not totally content either.
"Ohhh, we're gonna have so much fun!" The traitor exclaimed, coming to bed. He just finished showering. He must have been eager to talk because his hair wasn't dried properly. He was dripping all over the floor. "We haven't been going out lately so now that you have to, I'm going to make it worth it."
Pran took the towel that was hanging from Pat's shoulders and motioned for him to sit down. Pat was not going to make their bed sheets soaking wet. He was not going to get sick, either.
"We could have gone out on our own..." he began gently drying Pat's hair. It was getting long, going a little past his nose when wet. "Now Gun thinks he's about to be my wingman, since I’m too serious on my own. This man told me I need dick, Pat!”
And after that Pat literally exploded. His laughter so honest and loud, it made Pran smile. It was ridiculous. The whole situation was comical at this point. He knew it.
"Maybe if he succeeds, he could be the best man on your wedding." Pat was gasping for air, lying on his back. Pran in a very similar state next to him. Gosh. He loved him. "And you know, I'd appreciate an invite as well."
"I'll send you an email, if I decide to get married." He looked at Pat. He still made his breath hitch, brain storm through million ideas in a second. Pat in all his glory, just casually joking with him was stunning. Godly almost. Domestic Pat did all sorts of things to his heart.
This man was going to marry him one day.
"Not even a letter!" And Pran couldn't help himself. He leaned in to kiss him. If a kiss could defy anything, this one was the definition of love. Care. Trust. It was so tender and wholesome, Pran felt fluttering in his ribcage. His heart was trying to get out and smother Pat with even more tiny kisses. Even after years, Pat still had this effect on him. "And now the groom is kissing me. Who would have thought?"
"Shut up before I take you off the guest list." Somehow Pran ended up straddling Pat, pining his body to the bed. Breaths mixing, bodies tangled, feelings pouring out like there was no tomorrow. Just the two of them in their own little world.
"I think I'd appreciate that. That's also my wedding, babe. I get half of the presents."
So in love.