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The sound of his car door opening pulls Ohm away from his phone.
"Hey" Nanon greets, stepping inside.
He has this sleepy look on his face, even though it's already past noon. His hair is unstyled and sticking out in some places. Nanon cards his fingers through them.
Ohm still can't get used to how lovely Nanon appears with his new haircut, the shorter length further accentuated his cheeks and it's taking Ohm a considerable amount of effort to keep his hands to himself.
That's how Ohm is, every time they're together, his self-control is constantly being tested. Like his brain has to remind him regularly - No you can't jump your best friend and smother him with kisses.
And also, because Nanon will most probably break his nose if that happens. Ohm's not ready to risk it.
So, he fights the urge, albeit with difficulty because Ohm is convinced that he somehow got programmed to find every little thing Nanon does endearing.
Or just Nanon in general.
Nanon with his dimples, his cute little haircut, his heart-stopping, tooth ache-inducing smile-
So maybe Ohm has a bit of a non-heterosexual crush going on with his best friend. Maybe being an understatement.
But can anyone blame him? How is he expected not to bring in any feelings when Nanon shows up like that?
It does nothing to help his case in any way when Nanon, in front of him, is dressed in a comfy lavender hoodie, overly long that the sleeves go past his knuckles.
He looks so. . .soft.
Ohm fails to hide the smile escaping his lips, admiring Nanon blatantly.
"You have that stupid look on your face again," Nanon says it like he's telling Ohm he has dirt on his face.
"Oh, sorry about that" Ohm morphs his expression into a blank stare. "Better?"
Nanon snorts, rolling his eyes, and Ohm half-smiles because Nanon has that effect on him, smiling for absolutely no reason that is.
He nods upwardly "Nice hoodie, I didn't know lavender is your color" he tugs at the sleeves gently, purposefully brushing their knuckles together in the process.
Nanon crinkles his nose, "It's a fan gift besides, I don't want to have cold fingers later at the movies" he pulls both the sleeves further down until both his hands disappear inside the fabric.
Cause of death: Soft Nanon and his sweater paws.
Ohm chuckles softly, peering at his best friend "How are you getting cuter every time I see you?"
"And how is it possible that you've become more annoying than normal?" Nanon shoots back, raising his eyebrows, his tongue slightly poking the inside of his cheek.
Ohm suppresses a laugh, he just can't take Nanon seriously, not when he's looking like the cuddliest person alive at the moment.
In pure instinct, Ohm reaches out, eager to steal a pinch of those irresistible cheeks but Nanon's faster than him, he swats Ohm's finger before it hits his target.
"Oh, come on." Ohm whines, jutting out his lower lip "I miss those cheeks"
Nanon scoffs but Ohm sees a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
"Please?"
"I refuse"
"Pleeaaasee" he begs, fluttering his eyelids at Nanon
"Please, waan jai ja?" Ohm catches the slight twitch of Nanon's brow at the endearment.
Nanon presses his lips together, then he smirks "You think I'm cute, right?"
Before Ohm could answer, Nanon is already moving, unfastening his seat belt.
"What are you . . ." doing.
Ohm's words die with him, there's a slight pressure and Nanon's hand comes to rest on top of his thighs, brown eyes looking into his own.
In an instant, the air around them turns different.
This is all too familiar, Nanon's hooded eyes and parted lips, an expression as Ohm puts it- is identical to what Pran makes when going in for a kiss.
Where is he? What are they doing? Is he Pat and Nanon is Pran?
Ohm gulps, breaking the eye contact, only to drop his gaze down to Nanon's lips. Nope, bad idea.
As if the other can read his mind, Nanon's tongue darts out to wet his lower lip, leaving a shiny glint. Ohm feels an urge to wipe it off.
With his lips.
Yep, he's fucked.
Nanon starts to lean in, so painfully slow that Ohm holds his breath in anticipation, his heart thrumming against his rib cage.
Then Nanon stops, their faces are a few centimeters apart, he tilts his head ever so slightly, his gaze fixated at Ohm's lips.
How easy it will be for Ohm to close the distance between them, how little effort it will take.
But he doesn't, instead, he stays rooted on the spot, waiting for what Nanon plans to do next, how farther he wants to go- whatever this is.
Nanon studies him, tracing every curve of Ohm's features with his eyes.
Admittedly, Nanon has the most mesmerizing eyes Ohm has ever laid upon, sometimes they become a pretty shade of brown when the light hits them just right. Ohm can't count how many times he lost himself in those gazes or how he even survived them.
When Nanon finally retreats with a smug expression, Ohm breathes a little better as he deflates into his seat, tension leaving his body.
He needs a moment to calm his heart because what the fuck just happened?
"You're allowed to pinch my cheek since you asked so nicely," Nanon tells him, sinking back into the driver seat, gaze still lingering at Ohm.
"Disappointed?" he adds, then as if it's his life purpose to torture Ohm, Nanon sends him a flying kiss.
Is he imaging it or Is Nanon flirting with him?
Thank god Ohm is strapped in and secure with a seat belt in his car because if he wasn't his limbs would've done something embarrassing like tripping in on himself.
"Well?"
"Thank you, " Ohm mutters before he can think.
Nanon bursts into laughter, throwing his head back with so much force it hits the headrest with a thud.
Great, now he's losing brain cells. Maybe next time, he'll start having nosebleeds. Sounds fun.
"You should see your face!" Nanon manages to say in between wheezes.
Ohm blinks, he schools his features to a pout. "You can't do that"
"Do what exactly?" Nanon asks, pretending to look innocent.
"You know-"
"Sorry, I really don't"
Ohm pulls a face, earning another soft giggle from Nanon.
Ugh. So cute.
"Whatever, come here" He reaches for the second time, and surprisingly Nanon meets Ohm's fingers halfway, he puffs both his cheeks and does that thing where he smiles so wide it shows his dimples.
Gosh. Ohm feels the butterflies partying in his stomach.
How Nanon could go from a Rated PG Nanon-that-only-exists-in-Ohm's-fantasy to a cuddly family-friendly Nanon in an instant remains a mystery to him.
"All right that's enough" Nanon backs away, rubbing his assaulted cheeks, which have become a deeper shade of pink. If Ohm didn't know any better, he'd say Nanon's blushing.
"Right, before I forget" Ohm quickly takes out his phone.
He puts the camera into selfie mode and angles it so that they're both captured on the screen
Ohm strikes a peace sign, and Nanon does the same, "Say movie date!"
"Date, your ass!" Nanon protests, still smiling as Ohm snaps a photo.
He checks the shot, and snickers at the contrast of their outfits, him wearing a black floral polo shirt then there's Nanon with his pastel shade lavender hoodie.
"What should I caption this?" Ohm asks, showing his screen to Nanon.
Nanon hums, squinting for a moment then he claps, "Just best friends going out on a movie date because they miss each other"
Ohm blinks slowly, Nanon's response catching him off-guard.
Did he say he missed Ohm?
"Don't like the caption?" Nanon asks when Ohm takes too long to reply.
"You miss me?" Ohm faces Nanon, grinning widely. He nudges Nanon with his elbow when his best friend refuses to respond.
Nanon glances at him before shrugging, a ghost of a smile on his face. Ohm takes that as a yes.
"Aw shucks, you're making me blush over here" Ohm covers his face with his hands, acting like a shy schoolgirl.
"For the record, I said we missed each other"
"It's still the same thing!"
"Whatever you say, just post it already so we can go" Nanon waves him off, trying not to smile.
Ohm diverts his attention to his phone, chuckling as he types the caption.
"Ohm"
"Hmm" Ohm pries his eyes open when a gentle touch pats him on the nape. He squints, his eyes adjusting to the dim lighting of the theater.
A piece of instrumental music is playing from the Dolby speakers, and the credits are rolling on the big screen. The movie has ended and people are already starting to rise from their seats.
It's quite dark but Ohm could make out Nanon's features, blue light reflecting on his face as he looks down at Ohm.
"Hey you" Ohm murmurs, the sleep in his voice evident.
"Good nap?" Nanon asks him, fingers coming up to brush Ohm's bangs away from his eyes. The gesture leaves Ohm feeling warm inside.
Ohm nods smiling, his cheeks brushing the fabric of Nanon's hoodie in the process, he had dozed off in the same position- head resting on his best friend's shoulders and both his arms hugging Nanon's.
It's official, Nanon is the cuddliest person on earth.
How they ended up in this situation is all thanks to Ohm's thin polo shirt and the theater's full blasted AC because not even thirty minutes into the movie he was already shivering like a wet puppy, squirming in his seat from the discomfort.
"Cold?" Nanon had asked then. He was about to ask Nanon to transfer seats with him, when Nanon pulled out his right hand from where it was hidden in the pocket of his hoodie and placed it on the armrest between them.
When Ohm all but stared at it, Nanon hiked up his elbow, "This is all I can offer"
Ohm wasted no time and wrapped his arms around Nanon's, searching for warmth underneath the fabric of Nanon's hoodie.
He can't even remember half of what the movie was about but since he got to cuddle Nanon for the rest of it, it's safe to say he got more than what he paid for.
"My arm's asleep" Nanon's voice pulls him back to the present.
"Sorry about that" Ohm straightens up, letting go of Nanon's arm. He rubs the drowsiness from his eyes as Nanon flexes his right arm, trying to get the feeling back in them.
"Out of 10 stars, what is your rating?" He asks as they're heading towards the exit.
"A solid seven"
"Mine's 10"
Nanon scoffs, "You didn't even watch half of the movie"
Ohm shakes his head, putting an arm around Nanon's shoulder when he falls in step with him, dropping his voice "I'm rating you, you're always a solid 10 in my book" He sends Nanon a wink, immediately cracking a laugh when the other makes a disgusted noise.
Nanon shudders, trying to escape Ohm's grasp "You're making me cringe" he bolts up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.
"Try saying that again like you mean it"
"Hurry up!" Nanon calls when he reaches the landing before the double doors.
"Geez, running away only to wait for me in end. Stop playing hard to get" Ohm teases.
"Come on, I'm hungry"
Nanon wanted to eat pasta for a change so Ohm googled for the nearest pasta restaurant with good reviews.
They find themselves sitting at a table for two in a nice Italian-themed cafe. It has floor-to-ceiling windows, seamless patterned walls, and a fresco-painted ceiling, the acoustic guitar playing in the background completes the classy yet romantic atmosphere it's got going on.
A perfect destination for a date except-
It's not ideally the place to hang out for two six feet tall dudes barely in their early twenties like Ohm and Nanon because they're sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of couples and ladies catching up over tea.
As if on cue, the girl two tables away from them sides eye Ohm then steals a glance at Nanon, she whispers something to her friend before the both of them giggle, taking quick peeks at Ohm's table.
Ohm checks to see if Nanon noticed it too but his best friend is completely unfazed, even if he did so, he gave no indication whatsoever, instead, he's focusing on something behind Ohm.
"Watchu looking at?" Ohm asks, tilting his head.
Nanon hums, nibbling his lower lip "I want to try that"
Ohm follows his gaze, it lands on a table just a few feet from them, a guy and probably his girlfriend from the way their hands are intertwined with each other are chatting- ew they look so in love, does he look at Nanon that way too?
He turns back too quickly he almost gives himself a whiplash "Holding hands?" he says, a little too enthusiastically
He holds out his palm open for Nanon to take but the other just shoots him an incredulous look. He hits Ohm's outstretched hand similar to how a parent would scold a kid "No, I meant the cheesecake they're eating, you dummy" he deadpans.
"Oh" Ohm retracts his hand close to his chest then pouts "No need to look so against it, I was just asking"
Nanon's face softens, before morphing into concern "Hey, I was playing. Here" he offers his right palm.
"No, it's okay"
"You look like you're about to cry" Nanon taps his hand on the table in invitation.
"I'm not, I was kidding" Ohm forces out a laugh but it comes out sounding awkward. "We don't need to, really"
Nanon sighs deeply then he leans to grab Ohm's wrist before sliding their fingers together. Someone faintly gasps from Ohm's side but he's too busy gawking at their joined hands to pay it any attention
"There, better?" Nanon gives Ohm's hand a little squeeze, a reassuring smile on his lips. "Besides, it's not like we haven't already kissed each other's brains out."
A cough rings out loudly somewhere, followed by a sound of patting someone's back.
The person sitting at the table behind Nanon slowly turns around, throwing them a look, no doubt hearing what Nanon just said.
Ohm knows Nanon's referring to their PatPran kiss in Bad Buddy but he's still in shock at how Nanon so casually puts it out there like he's telling Ohm today's weather.
"Don't say things like that or we'll be asked to leave" Ohm glances around them and - oh boy are some people giving them judging looks.
Nanon shrugs, unbothered by it because he brings their intertwined hands and rests it on his cheek, giving it a little nuzzle.
"Nanon" Ohm pleads because who is he kidding he doesn't have it in him to stop Nanon's sudden outburst of affection. As the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers and Ohm will take anything Nanon gives him at any time of the day.
"I just don't want you to sulk on me" Nanon brings down their hands still not letting go, and Ohm tries to hold in a whimper because Nanon's thumb begins to caress his hand, and something flutters in his chest.
"Who's sulking? I'm not" Ohm asks, beaming at Nanon.
They release each other when their food arrives. Ohm thanks the waitress and doesn't forget to order the cheesecake for his boyfri- best friend. Get the facts right, Pawat.
When Nanon bunches up the sleeves of his hoodie to his elbow, ready to dig in, Ohm notices something amiss.
"You didn't wear it?"
Nanon furrows his eyebrows "Huh?"
"This!" Ohm holds out his wrist, motioning at the white beaded bracelet around it.
Their friendship bracelet- the one P'Tay gave them during their stay at Safe House. They've both decided to keep it as a remembrance of the good memories they created there.
Nanon presses his lips together, avoiding eye contact. The reaction catches Ohm off-guard, prompting him to ask once more, "Where's yours?"
"Well, the thing is . . ." he trails off, hand coming to rest on the nape of his neck. A habit he does when nervous or when he's in trouble.
"I lost it," Nanon says after a moment of hesitation
Ohm narrows his eyes "When-" Nanon winces, like Ohm's tone physically hurt him, so he tries again, lowering his voice "When? How?"
"Can we eat first? I'll explain afterward"
Just at that moment, the waitress comes to their table, she must've sensed the tension between them because she quickly leaves without a word after serving the cheesecake.
They eat quietly after that with Nanon sparing glances at him from time to time. Ohm keeps his face neutral, not wanting to worry Nanon, he knows his best friend is reactive to his emotions as much as he is to Nanon's.
"So, about the bracelet..." Nanon starts. They're finally back inside his car at the parking lot, to an outsider's point of view they might even seem like a couple preparing to have a lover's spat with identical pensive expressions on their faces.
"Remember I went surfing last weekend, it must've slipped when I was in the water" He explains.
Ohm remembers, Nanon couldn't stop talking about how excited he was the days following the trip, and Ohm would've come too if he didn't have prior plans laid out.
Ohm shifts so he's fully facing Nanon "That was four days ago, were you even planning on telling me at all?"
Nanon flinches "Calm down, it's just a bracelet"
Just a bracelet.
Stab.
To Ohm, it wasn't, and it hurts.
For Nanon to say it as if it meant nothing to him.
The bracelets P'Tay gifted the boys at Safe House were of different colors, only he and Nanon received identical white ones.
As for you both, you get couple bracelets. Take care of each other, always.
Ohm scoffs "Well, sorry for being a little too sentimental, it was always our friendship bracelet in my head" And now the other half is gone- probably sank to the depths of the ocean.
He examines the white beaded bracelet around his wrist, sniffing when his eyes start to sting.
Sighing, Ohm slides the bracelet off his wrist.
"You're taking it off?"
"Yeah, just a bracelet. Like you said" Ohm says, unable to hide the hurt out of his voice, placing the accessory in the glove box.
"I wasn't thinking when I said that"
Ohm puts on his seatbelt, averting his gaze "Let's go home, I'm kind of tired"
and heartbroken.
The ride to Nanon's house was silent save for the music playing from the speakers.
This is a first, the quiet yet suffocating atmosphere between them.
Ohm hates it.
But he's hurt and too upset to pretend he isn't.
He parks in front of the gate and unlocks the car doors. This is the part where he gives Nanon a quick hug before saying goodbye but he stays still.
"See you" He waits for Nanon to step out of his car, only Nanon doesn't instead when Ohm finally looks at his best friend, he's met with Nanon's crestfallen expression.
Like cold water washing over him, Ohm loses all his resolve, his heart suddenly aching horribly.
"Nanon" he mutters when they catch each other's eyes, but it only makes Nanon frown deeper. Before Ohm could do anything, Nanon rushes out of his car
.
"Shit" Ohm curses under his breath. He's never seen Nanon look so crushed and to think it was him who caused that.
God, he's such an idiot.
It's 10 pm, way past Ohm's bedtime. He can't sleep.
Nanon is offline, not that it matters, talking to Ohm is probably the last thing on his list after earlier. Ohm kicks his sheets in frustration at the memory.
The vibrate from his phone startles Ohm, he sits up against the headboard, snatching his phone on the nightstand where he left it minutes ago.
Please let it be Nanon.
The screen lights up and his heart sinks.
Not Nanon but P'Tay? That's new.
He opens the message.
‘Not my place but felt like you should see this, don't tell him I sent it to you.’
A video clip pops in the chat. Ohm presses play scrolling down the volume in case P'Tay is trolling him.
"This is the third time we're tracing our footsteps" he recognizes P'Tay's voice offscreen, another voice responds but Ohm can't quite catch what he said.
They're at the beach, the sky is a beautiful mix of bright orange and golden streaks, there's no mistaking it, it's the time they went surfing. Where Nanon said he lost his bracelet.
Why did P'Tay want him to see this?
The view becomes shaky as P'Tay walks closer to the horizon, when they arrive at the shore, a silhouette of a person clad in a black wetsuit appears on frame, Ohm feels a lurch in his chest.
"Oi Nanon!" The other person calls, the camera pans revealing P'Arm dressed in a sweater, he looks at the camera and waves. "Hello, this is body cam footage in case Nanon obtains injuries when we drag him out of the sea" he jokingly says.
"Hold this" The camera focuses on P'Tay, Ohm cracks a smile at the scene- P'Tay with one hand on his hip in a power pose while the other is holding a bunch of towels and a matching scowl to top it all off. It reminds Ohm of a displeased parent waiting to scold his child.
"Nanon! Get your butt over here!" P'Tay says, his tone demanding.
Silence
P'Tay turns to the camera "He's ignoring me"
"How long is he out here again?"
"Like two hours at least" P'Tay replies, shaking his head "He's not going to find it"
Ohm's brows furrow, are they referring to what he thinks-
"Was it that expensive? The bracelet?" P'Arm asks.
Oh. So Nanon looked for it.
"Not at all" P'Tay pauses then he sighs "but I think I know why he badly wants it back"
"He'll become a pro surfer first before he finds it" The camera shifts, showing a clear view of his best friend, zooming in to track his every move.
Nanon's down on his surfboard in a prone position, arms wading through the water. Fortunately, the waves are small so Ohm's not worried.
P'Tay looks like he's given up because he stays quiet, keeping an eye out for the younger instead. Nanon's no pro but he still manages to impress Ohm at the way Nanon handles himself on that surfboard, his back in an arch, chest high, and head up as he pushes against his board, passing through a breaking wave.
On a side note, Nanon could be standing there doing absolutely nothing and Ohm would still be impressed.
"C'mon Arm, let's change in our gear, I'll drag him out myself" P'Tay turns around and starts walking back but the camera chases him.
"But my hair just got dry, bro!" P'Arm protests, his other arm at P'Tay's shoulder holding the other in place.
"You want the kid to pass out in the sea? Get cramps? Or stung by a jellyfish?"
P'Arm groans out of frustration "I'll talk to him" He tosses the camera to P'Tay who doesn't bother to film anymore. All Ohm can see now is an out-of-focus blur of P'Tay's fingers.
"Nanon! Stop being a pain in the ass!" Ohm hears P'Arm scream.
Nanon yells something back
"No, listen you little shit! Tay's making me change into a freakin' wetsuit!"
"10 minutes!"
"That's it! I'm calling your mom!" A beat of silence "You know what, I'm calling Nong Ohm!"
"Don't Phi! Okay okay, I'm heading back!" Nanon responds immediately.
“It actually worked” He hears P’Arm say.
The next thing Ohm sees is Nanon carrying his surfboard to the shore exhaustion written all over his face. He deflates into P'Tay's arms when the older wraps him into a beach towel.
"I lost the bracelet, phi," Nanon says, sounding broken and something inside Ohm breaks as well.
The video ends.
Ohm pulls up his chat with P'Tay and starts typing
Thanks, phi. For taking care of Nanon. <
> Don't mention it. Stop worrying too much, okay?
Yeah <
>Talk to him
Ohm stares at the last message.
Did he talk to you? <
>A while ago. Don't overthink Nong. Just go for it.
Taking P'Tay's advice. Ohm opens his chat with Nanon.
Can I call? <
The two checkmarks under Ohm's chat appear almost instantly.
Nanon has seen it.
‘Sure’
Ohm grabs his AirPods before pressing facetime.
"Hey" Ohm speaks up first, unsure what to say really. He didn't think when he decided to call Nanon.
He just wanted to see Nanon, see he's okay.
Nanon snuggled up under his sheets laying on his side, the dark blue comforter covering most of his face, only his eyes visible to Ohm, illuminated by the night light.
"Can't sleep?"
"Something like that" Ohm sighs "I'm sorry for earlier"
"I'm sorry for losing the bracelet," Nanon says, snuggling deeper in his bedsheets
Ohm nods, smiling reassuringly "You didn't mean to, it's alright"
They both fall into comfortable silence until Nanon speaks "Are we good?"
"Of course"
"I still feel bad"
"As you should" Ohm quips, trying to lighten the mood.
Nanon shoots him a pointed look then his eyes soften "We don't have matching bracelets anymore"
"I still have mine . . . but I'll call it a widowed bracelet from now on" Ohm musters his best sad puppy face at Nanon.
"Not cute" Nanon says dryly.
Ohm makes out little whimpering sounds similar to a crying puppy.
"Not cute at all," Nanon says but his eyes are smiling as he lets out a tiny laugh.
"We should go together, next time," Ohm says out of the blue. "Surfing, I mean" he adds when Nanon raises his eyebrows
Nanon rolls his eyes at him, scoffing "Oh yeah, you should see me face plant the water a dozen times trying to catch a wave"
"I can't wait" Ohm grins, fighting the urge to yawn but failing "Should we sleep?"
"Nanon rubs his eyes, yawning too "Ohm?"
"Hmm?"
Nanon brings his phone closer, and lowers down his blanket so Ohm could see his face, he licks his bottom lip.
"I didn't mean it when I said it was just a bracelet, I don't know why I was said that maybe I was too scared of how you'll react I just-" Nanon exhales, struggling with his words "It was my fault, P'Tay kept on telling me to take it off ‘cause it might slip, which did obviously, but I was too stubborn and kept it on because . . ."
"Because?" Ohm repeats when Nanon hesitates.
"It sounds silly but I have this idea that if I'm wearing it" Nanon pursues his lips, then looks at Ohm "it's like I'm bringing a part of you with me wherever I am"
"Oii, that's so cute" Ohm cooes, the words coming from Nanon take him by surprise, his cheeks heating up from the blood rush.
Seeing Ohm's reaction, Nanon groans, hiding his face again under the blanket. "Gosh that sounded a lot less embarrassing in my head" he clears his throat before continuing "anyway, I just want you to know that it was important to me too . . . not only because it is our friendship bracelet but it reminded me of our time in safe house"
"- I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm glad and so damn lucky that we have what we have"
"- and I probably will never say it enough but I want you to know- Oh no no Ohm, please don't cry, I should've just shut up, I'm so sorry"
Ohm blinks at the change of tone in Nanon's voice, too late at noticing the wetness in his cheeks.
He couldn't have picked a better time to be a crybaby, Nanon's here baring his heart out and Ohm just has to ruin the moment because feelings.
Ohm shakes his head, running his fingers over both his eyes. "Don't worry, these are happy tears"
Nanon sighs in relief, "oh thank god, I thought you hated me there for a second"
"Like that's possible" Ohm murmurs, sniffling "I couldn't even dislike you even if I try" he pouts, glaring at his screen.
Nanon smiles softly "You love me that much, huh?"
You have no fucking idea.
Ohm doesn't say that instead, he nods, smiling at Nanon, who shyly looks away, and okay, has Ohm already mentioned how absolutely adorable his best friend is.
As if to torture him further, Nanon asks "How many times already have you told the world you love me?"
"It’s just what it is"
Like how water is wet and how the earth revolves around the sun. An irrevocable truth that he’s come to embrace.
Ohm loves Nanon.
But if there's one thing Ohm hasn't told the world yet it's about how badly he's fallen in love with his best friend.
And maybe he never will. Too afraid to lose whatever they are now.
Too terrified to lose his best friend.
He sucks in a breath when he feels his nose prickling, signaling another onslaught of tears and Ohm fakes a yawn as a disguise to wipe them away.
"We should sleep," Nanon says this time.
"Mhm, Good night," Ohm says hastily, not wanting Nanon to hear the shakiness in his voice.
"Good night, see you soon"
Nanon ends the call.
Ohm drops his phone to his chest, closing his eyes.
They're okay.
That's all that matters.
Ohm was originally supposed to go alone, but Nanon insisted he'd accompany Ohm to pick out his gear and equipment for their surfing trip in two weeks.
Because according to Nanon,
"You'll just google everything and get it wrong"
"You don't even know the difference between a longboard and a shortboard"
and Ohm's favorite line
"Even if you think you don't need me, you always need me."
In the end, Ohm doesn't argue, besides, it's been a week since he saw Nanon in the flesh, and he badly misses his best friend.
Ohm hums, twirling his keys in one hand as he crosses the driveway to the Kirdpan Residence, he beams when he recognizes a familiar figure at the gate.
"There's my favorite Kirdpan!" he saunters to Nonnie who's opening the gate for him,"
How is my nong sao?" he ruffles Nonnie's strawberry pink hair, which was platinum blonde the last time he saw her.
Nonnie draws him in for a side hug, chuckling when Ohm turns it into a bear hug instead. He squeezes the younger's shoulder tightly "I think you've become shorter again" Ohm teases.
"I'm not short! you're just a giant" She pulls away, lips curling at Ohm.
"And we all know who your favorite is and it's not me," Nonnie says, there's a knowing smile on her face and Ohm doesn't know if he should be nervous.
"I have no idea what you're talking about" he blurts out a little too quickly
"If you say so"
Ohm follows after Nonnie, scrunching his nose at the smell of freshly cut grass. He bows to the gardener tending the lawn, who pauses whatever he's doing and gives Ohm a curt nod, smiling.
Apart from a helper, Ohm doesn't see anyone else "Wheres's Auntie?" he asks as they step inside.
"With the dogs, she'll be home soon" Nonnie answers "You want water? iced tea?"
"I'm good, thanks" Ohm makes himself at home, plopping down on the sofa.
"Phi!" Nonnie calls from the living room "P'Ohm is downstairs!"
"Let him wait!" comes Nanon's muffled response.
Ohm shakes his head, he purposefully came earlier than the agreed time, like an hour early. He's that excited okay, if he had a tail it'd probably be wagging behind his back right now.
"Where are you guys headed today?" Nonnie sits at the opposite couch, propping open her Macbook. There are also a couple of journals on the coffee table.
"We're buying gear for the surfing trip," He tells her.
"Right" Nonnie nods, then looks up from her screen, slowly, she eyes him up and down as if scanning for something.
"Hmm?" Ohm tilts his head at her
"You know, the-" Nonnie shakes her head, pursuing his lips "Nothing"
"O-kay" Ohm shrugs off the weird exchange as Nonnie goes back to typing away in her laptop, deciding not to bother the younger, he grabs the remote from the coffee table.
"Hey phi, want me to pick out a movie for you?"
In the end, they watch the Disney movie together, it's about a girl and her quirky family with magical abilities, surprisingly, even though Ohm's not big on animated movies he finds himself invested in the story.
They're in the middle of bopping to a musical number when Ohm hears the footsteps of someone coming down the stairs.
Ohm takes his time as he eyes Nanon from head to toe, yes, he's checking out his best friend.
Nanon’s dressed in a black bomber jacket with an equally black statement shirt beneath it and he’s wearing his favorite baby blue Air Jordan I’s, the only thing breaking the monotone theme of his outfit. He’s light years away from soft Nanon with his oversized lavender hoodie and cute sweater paws which to this day still lives rent-free in Ohm's head.
Nanon cocks his head, smirking when he catches Ohm staring at him “Well?”
Ohm shrugs nonchalantly like Nanon’s presence doesn’t affect him, like he wasn’t ogling his best friend three seconds ago. “Who died?”
“Your brain”
Ohm puts a hand to his chest before trying to look offended "Bro, who hurt you?"
Nanon ignores him, instead, he turns to Nonnie and some sort of nonverbal communication passes between them because suddenly Nonnie eyes widen and she gets up from the couch.
"Oh woe is me, I forgot that I have homework to do, deadlines to meet and all that" Nonnie sighs heavily "I'm sorry but I gotta go," she says in an apologetic tone but her face is saying otherwise.
With a little snicker, Nonnie begins to collect her MacBook, piling up her notes together before putting them in a purple backpack.
"Need help with that?" Ohm asks.
"Nah, I got it" Nonnie waves him off, slinging the bag over her shoulders before grabbing her MacBook in one hand "Later boys"
Ohm gives her a tight-lipped smile, "Good luck with your project"
When she finally disappears upstairs, Nanon takes the spot on the sofa beside him. And Ohm shoots Nanon a questioning look because weren't they supposed to go already?
"Wait," Nanon says, he takes something out from his jacket.
It's a box. The color is some sort of metallic gradient of gray to black.
Ohm meets Nanon’s eyes who’s already looking at him expectantly. "It’s not my birthday yet”
"Yeah, I know, this is our new bracelets" he puts the box on Ohm's lap.
"No way, you got us friendship bracelets?" Ohm can’t hide the excitement in his voice.He runs his fingers over the material, admiring the detail of the engraved words on it, smiling as he read it.
‘for two souls who found each other’
“Does this quote come in every box or . . .” He shifts his gaze to Nanon whose smile falters for second.
Nanon clears his throat, and Ohm doesn’t fail to notice that his best friend is avoiding eye contact.
“What?” Ohm asks when he doesn’t quite catch Nanon’s mumbling.
“I said, everything’s customized, the bracelet, the box, and the quote, yeah, Nonnie helped me pick it” Nanon scratches the back of his head, his face is becoming more pink than normal.
When he thought he couldn't fall any harder, Nanon comes in and pulls off stunts like these and Ohm can't take it because how can his heart survive this unscathed. Ohm swallows down the lump forming in his throat, he can't cry now.
"Come on, open it, yours is in this side" Nanon nudges him and inches closer until their knees touch.
Ohm pulls the silky black fabric sticking out of the box, sliding the contents into view. It's a black braided bracelet accented with pink lock and aglets. The design reminds Ohm of the one they wore in their Bad Buddy series- the bracelet given by Milk's character Ink.
He traces the black strip lining the lace, his eyes crinkling "So pretty"
"It's reflective," Nanon tells him "Wanna see mine?"
"Yeah"
The colorway of Nanon's bracelet is a combination of white and grey with red lock and aglets.
Nanon takes his black bracelet from its box and nods at him. Taking the cue, Ohm holds out his left wrist, and just like that Nanon slides in the bracelet, and tightens it, his lips curling into a small smile when Ohm gives his wrist a little wiggle. Ohm finds the action endearing, judging by the warmth in his cheeks. It’s quite a miracle they’re not hurting from him smiling too much.
Ohm doesn’t waste any more time, taking Nanon’s white bracelet and doing the same. He slips in his forefinger, making sure there’s room for allowance.
“Thanks” Nanon mutters when Ohm lets go of his wrist.
Maybe Ohm’s feeling brave at the moment or maybe it’s because of the soft look Nanon is sending him because Ohm stands up then outstretches both his arm, Nanon looks him and up and down then realization crosses his face "All of sudden?"
"Yes! Didn't you know that when you give friendship bracelets you have to seal it with a hug?" He jerks both his hands again "Get in here!"
Nanon shakes his head but he lifts himself from the sofa anyway. Ohm grabs Nanon midway and pulls him in, arms coming around Nanon’s waist. He chuckles at the tiny squeak his best friend lets out.
“You’re a little impatient, you know that?” Nanon says as he returns the hug, resting his arms around Ohm’s shoulder’s.
It’s their signature hugs, it happens before they do an event and when they have to separate, it comes with a lot of pats, and head ruffles, and a squeeze when they finally pull apart, and Ohm likes it, he does, but it’s also usually over after five seconds so this time when he feels Nanon squeeze and untangles his arms around Ohm, Ohm doesn’t budge.
"No" he whines as Nanon tries to break away the second time.
He hears Nanon sigh but doesn’t move to pully away, instead relaxing in Ohm’s hold.
"Can we hug for real?"
Ohm doesn't give Nanon time to answer, he tightens his grip on Nanon's waist arms coming to the small of Nanon's back. Nanon jumps a little when Ohm burrows into Nanon's jacket, smelling something citrus and pleasant. A sense of calm and comfort washes over him.
“Are you sniffing me?” Nanon asks, sounding amused “never beating the dog allegations, are we?”
“Please stop, we’re having a moment here”
It takes a second for Nanon to melt into his embrace, hooking his chin under Ohm's shoulders, his fingers coming to gently ruffle Ohm’s hair.
Ohm closes his eyes basking in the warmth of Nanon's embrace. There's instrumental music playing from the tv, the sound of their steady breathing, a faint noise of the hose outside and suddenly Ohm just wants nothing more than to engrave this moment in his memory to relive over and over again.
"I love this" he murmurs into Nanon's shoulders, he wants to change the last word into a pronoun but of course he stops himself "Thank you"
Nanon remains silent but this time, it’s him who tightens his arms around Ohm- like he's eliminating all the possible spaces between them.
"Nanon"
Nanon shushes him "stop talking, your breath is tickling me"
Ohm smirks, he tilts his head, angling his lips to Nanon's neck "You mean this?" he blows slightly.
"Ohm" Nanons warns, hunching his shoulders to protect his nape but Ohm is persistent, he starts attacking Nanon's neck with sniff-kisses.
His best friend convulses in his arms, bursting into fits of giggles but Ohm doesn't let him go, trying to access the area between Nanon's neck and shoulders, chasing it with kisses.
"You little shit!" Nanon counterattacks, poking Ohm's sides.
They chase each other around the living room and in the end Ohm find himself at a disadvantage because while they’re both ticklish, Nanon has the talent of resisting Ohm’s attacks and does not become a laughing, panting, incoherent mess unlike Ohm.
"I surrender, please" Ohm pleads through quick breaths, palms pressed together, he hikes up his knees to shield his body from Nanon who corners him on the sofa, looking down at him with a mischievous smile.
"Okay, okay I'll stop" Nanon relents, raising his hand up and taking a few steps back.
Ohm slumps into the sofa, he closes his eyes, his chest heaving up and down. How did they go from having a tender moment to full-blown tickling war?
He feels a dip at the space next to him and turns to peek one-eye at Nanon, immediately he feels his heart lurch against his chest because Nanon's looking at him with such fondness all over his face and Ohm wants to melt into a puddle.
"You look funny" he points at Nanon's face, teasingly.
"You look stupid," Nanon says back, gently pushing Ohm's face, then his smile morphs into a smirk "Race you to your car?"
"Bring it-"
Nanon bolts before Ohm can even finish speaking.
So eventually, Ohm loses.
By the time he gets to his car, Nanon is already at the driver's side waiting for Ohm to unlock the doors, folding his arm leisurely like he hasn't been out of breath seconds ago.
Nanon tilts his head at him, a smug smile on his face, his shiny bracelet catching Ohm's attention. He looks at his own bracelet, the previously black color has changed to a silvery gray.
"We have to take a picture!" He takes out his phone and opens the camera app before thrusting his bracelet-wearing wrist in front of Nanon, and waits for Nanon to do the same.
But instead Nanon takes Ohm's hand unfurling them only to intertwine it with his own. Their bracelets side by side, reflecting under the sunlight.
"Looks better together, right?" Nanon asks, raising a brow at him.
Ohm grins at Nanon, beaming "Definitely"