Work Text:
The barista's all smiled and waved as the two boys made their way into the coffee shop. Ayan and Thua had been going there for almost three years now so seeing the two smiling boys walking up to them always felt something like peace.
"P'Tay P'Gun!" Aye smiled happily approaching the counter beaming at his two favorites.
"Hey boys, the others got here shortly before you did! but tread lightly with Diao, he and Yi got into it before coming here." Gun smiled at the two puppies.
"Ten to one says Yi is sulking about something again." Thua rolled his eyes at hearing they had another lovers quarrel.
"Tell me about it, so ridiculous, go sit, your drinks and food will be out soon." Tay winked at his boys.
Aye and Thua nodded and thanked them before venturing off to their usual seat, where the boys were waiting in excitement and anticpiation.
“Sky! Diao!” Thua smiled, locking eyes with his best friends. “Thua!”
“Rain! Kuea!” Ayan exclaimed happily. “Aye!”
The six boys happily hugged and rejoiced, given it had only been a week since they last saw each other, they truly treasure every minute they get to be together—what with them attending different universities, living in different provinces and what have you. so them being able to get together and eat and drink and gossip was always exciting. Soon enough the over excitement died down somewhat and Ayan noticed Diao was really quiet and downcast as they sat down, it was painful to see as usually Diao was sassy and upbeat.
“Diao, what happened with you and P’Yi?” Aye asked cautiously, grabbing the boys hand from across the table.
“We got into a disagreement of sorts this morning, it wasn’t even anything crazy, just some stupid comment that was taken out of context, I apologized and explained it wasn’t meant like that but he didn’t wanna hear me, it was something about our relationship timeline, I know it wasn't the best idea in the world, I'm regretting it now. I’ve tried apologizing more times then necessary but he ignored me so I finally left to come here.” Diao sighed, putting his hand up to his face in regret and maybe a twinge of annoyance(?)
“Look, you owned up to it, apologized and explained, he’s just hurt right now it’ll blow over soon and he’ll be back to being wrapped around your finger in no time.” Rain chimed in, parting Diao’s arm softly.
“And besides, you guys are forever, a silly comment isn’t going to be your downfall.” Thua shrugged as if it was common knowledge.
“And on the very slim chance he doesn’t come crawling back in a few days, we got you bub, like we always have and always will.” Ayan smiled, winking at the boy who recoiled in shyness.
"But some advice?" Sky piped up, Diao nodding. "Don't wait to go to him okay? You left each other angey and upset, it can backtrack progress, trust me I know. When we're done here, go home, sit your hubby down and talk it out, that's the best you can do."
“Not trying to interrupt the gossip because it’s not my business but coffee is served.” P’Gun practically giggled, giving each boy their respective coffee.
“Ah come on P’Gun you could never interrupt, you’re an honorary golden boy, same with P’Tay.” Rain perked.
“Only honorary because we’re both too damn old for gossip apparently.” Tay chimed in setting down the cheesecake which the boys had already devoured with their eyes.
“Old?” Ayan asked checking them out shamelessly. “Yeah I don’t think so.”
Gun went red and Tay coughed, causing the boys to giggle. Ayan and his effect on people was one of the funniest things to witness.
“Stop flirting with my employees Aye.” A warning came from next to Gun. "They are way too old for you."
“Tell them to not be so damn hot and then we’ll talk, P’Max.” Ayan raised his eyebrows in a challenging way. "Better yet P'Ma-"
"Do not finish that sentance you flirt, or i'll start charging you." Max playfully glared at Aye before hauling his blushing baristas away, anyone could tell he was hiding a smile though.
“They make it so easy.” Aye shrugged when he saw the boys look at him in amusement and slight exasperation. "Gotta successfully flirt with someone."
“Speaking of flirting, how are things with you and Akk?” Diao asked, prompting Ayan to freeze for a minute.
“Way too much for just one coffee and cheesecake time.” Thua added in, snapping his fingers in front of Aye.
“Short version then, you got it out of Diao, now it’s your turn dude, what happened?” Rain used Ayan’s actions against him.
“This cat and mouse thing is getting absolutely tiring, one minute he’s carefree and pulling me in by the waist to kiss me and then the next, he’s immediately on guard like nothing ever happened, I can understand him trying to work through his feelings but I don’t think I can stand being led on anymore, either he loves me and wants to be with me or he doesn’t and everything’s just been wishful thinking on my part.” Ayan let out a watery chuckle. “I held out hope for so long that I was wrong about the latter, but with how things have been with us the past few days i’m slowly coming to the realization that I’m right and it hurts.”
Thua wrapped his arms softly around Ayan as the boy slowly let the dread set in, it was the first time he admitted everything he’s been feeling out loud and it utterly sucked. The boys were all clutching onto Ayan one way or another, they’d known this was coming but they didn’t count for it to break their hearts. Aye was the mood maker, so seeing him so broken over a boy was both disheartening and angering. the boys all found some way to comfort Ayan with Kuea was seeing red.
“Asshole.” Kuea growled lowly getting out his phone and aggressively typing away, before getting up and walking over to Aye's side of the table.
“Aye.” The boy looked to see Kuea kneeling in front of him, before placing a hand on his face softly. “You deserve better, so much better, I'm sorry but I'm saying it. I understand Akk is figuring himself out, but really? for a whole year? Look, Hia and I know all about waiting, but we almost missed each other permanantly, we were destined from the beginning but neither of us were willing to compromise and it was not healthy. Akk needs to realize that if he keeps playing games with you that he'll lose you forever.” Kuea spoke slowly not wanting to upset Aye.
The other boys chiming in agreement, Aye sniffled but nodded slowly, sending Kuea a soft smile. These were the times where Ayan was so grateful for these boys. "I know Kuea, I do, It's just Akk was the first person I fell in romantic love with, I kept putting up with it because I was so hopeful, but you're right, sometimes hope can only go so far." Kuea's heart broke for Ayan all over again, he wanted Akk to be the one for him too, not that he'd ever admit that out loud. The boy smiled sadly before gently kissing Aye's forehead before retreating to his seat.
"Please, someone else give us your sob story, god, I may crave attention but not when it's about my feelings." Aye wiped a few stray tears in disgust and turned to Thua unintentionally.
"My turn huh?" Thua sighed, nodding his head slowly as Ayan's arm came to tightly wrap itself around Thua's waist in comfort.
"Things with Kan aren't going so well are they?" Diao asked, and Thua shook his head sadly.
"He kissed me." Just saying it out right probably wasn't the best idea as it sent off a chain of reactions not appropriate for the setting.
"What?!" "Holy shit finally!" "He asked for consent first right?" "did he kiss and run? I'll kill him"
In retrospect it was funny, but in the current situation it just garnered unwanted attention. "I know right!?, don' t get too excited, this wasn't really a consent thing, and kind of the other way around." Thua answered all the questions, before resting his head on the table.
"Spill please." Rain exclaimed, completely hooked.
"Remember the most recent trip to Akk's hometown we told you about? Well, we went to the beach and drank a little, and then Kan asked it we could go for a walk, sober up a little. Anyways, we were walking and the moon's relfection was hitting the water perfectly, there was some kind of beach party that night so you could hear the music and see all the lights. it was romantic, so romantic that Kan and I just looked at each other and then it happened, it was over before it even really started but it still happened and then, we heard Wat calling us back and Kan backed away, but I was the one who walked away so it wouldn't hurt when he said it was a mistake, I mean the look in his eyes said everything and I couldn't risk getting my heart broken by him for a second time." Thua teared up slightly, but held it together as best he could. "So, seems like we're all in a lose-lose situation right now."
"Has he tried talking to you at all since it happened?" Diao asked, and Thua nodded.
"Quite a lot actually, he's been coming to me asking to relay messages but Thua refuses to hear them, keeping them to myself is eating me up inside." Aye exposed Thua who groaned and then rested his head softly on the former's shoulder.
"Why won't you hear him out?" Diao asked sweetly.
"Do you not remember what happened last time, he kissed my cheek then avoided me for a whole week. I was so miserable. and then he comes back, apologizes and we just don't speak of it." Thua responded brokenly. “I know exactly what you’re feeling Aye and it suck’s massively, I've known Kan for, forever but I can't keep putting myself through this.”
”Yes it very much does, but you got me and I got you.” Aye smiled, resting his free hand softly on Thua's cheek. "And why they got us."
Thua looked over and smiled at their friend group who were looking right back with adoration and the upmost love in their eyes. "Damn straight, we all got each other." Kuea smiled.
"dorks." Gun smiles watching the boys go through several different emotion changes in a few hours.
"They remind me of us a little." Tay whispers, sneaking up on Gun, wrapping his arms around the shorters waist. "especially Aye and Thua."
"Completely agree, ten to one says they all end up working here at some point." Gun giggles as Tay pinches the mans waist softly. "You're lucky the cafe is always rented out for them, just imagine how scandalous it would be to do this in front of people."
Tay let out another hearty laugh and nodded his head, "I'm actually jealous of their friend group, I hope they stay together for as long as possible."
"Oh they will, bonds like that don't just fade."