Archive of Our Own

It was the last day of high school, marking the start of their university lives. Tinn watched from a distance as Gun laughed and joked with their friends, feeling a twinge of longing in his heart. Despite being together now, he found himself even more infatuated with Gun than before. It was as if the love in his heart was growing a little bigger every day, just as he had hoped it would. Gun was all he could think about, and sometimes that was even a bit scary. The thought of losing him was too much to bear, and Tinn found himself constantly worrying about the possibility of it happening. He knew that when everything seemed too good to be true, there was always a catch waiting just around the corner. And he feared that this catch might shatter his little bubble of happiness.

Gun was his rock, his support, and his confidant. He knew that Gun was kind-hearted and caring, but he also knew that his feelings for Tinn were new. He couldn't help but wonder if his overwhelming love would eventually drive Gun away.

The fear of not being enough weighed heavily on his mind, causing him to second-guess his actions constantly. He didn't want to do anything that might make Gun uncomfortable or jeopardize their new relationship. 

Stopping himself from feeling what he felt was impossible. His love for Gun was too strong to ignore, and he knew that he would do anything to keep Gun in his life, even if it meant never expressing his true feelings.

As Tinn's heart raced, he admired Gun's tousled brown hair that fell over his forehead, and his piercing black eyes that seemed to light up the entire room. Tinn admired the way Gun carried himself with such confidence, effortlessly drawing others to him.

There was a time when he thought that Gun would never want to be with someone like him. But that didn't stop him from daydreaming about what it would be like to be with him, to hold hands, walk together, and laugh at each other's jokes. Thankfully, he could now do those things.

Suddenly, Gun looked up, and their eyes met. Tinn smiled, trying to appear confident again. He even winked at Gun, hoping that he hadn't noticed the doubts on his face.

Tinn shook his head, trying to dispel his negative thoughts. Gun was not out of his league anymore, he should stop thinking the worst about himself! But as he looked back at Gun, a pang of longing filled his heart. Perhaps, just maybe, there was a chance that Gun would stay with him until the end.

oOoOo

Tinn woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. He rubbed his eyes and turned to look at the person sleeping next to him. Gun lay curled up under the covers, his chest rising and falling gently with each breath.

Tinn smiled to himself, feeling a surge of happiness and contentment. It had been a long road to get to this point, but he and Gun had finally moved into their own apartment together. They were starting a new chapter in their lives, and he couldn't be more excited.

He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Gun's cheek. The other boy moaned pitifully at being disturbed and turned his head away, but that didn't stop Tinn from kissing him again on the nose, then on the jawbone, before moving down the back of his neck. 

Suddenly feeling mischievous, he blew on the skin, which made Gun shiver before trying to move away in his sleep. That was adorable. Gun was really the cutest. 

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Tinn whispered.

Gun stirred and mumbled something unintelligible, but Tinn could see the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile.

"Come on, we have to get up," Tinn said, nudging Gun's shoulder. "It's our first day of university, remember?"

Gun groaned and pulled the covers over his head. "Can't we just skip today?" he asked, his voice muffled by the sheets.

Tinn chuckled. "Nice try, but no. We have to go and make a good impression on our professors."

Reluctantly, Gun pushed the covers aside and sat up, rubbing his eyes. Tinn noticed how cute he looked with his hair tousled and his eyes half-closed.

“Do you want me to come pick you up at noon so we can eat together? I have a long break today.”

"Won't you be late if you make the trip?"

"Even if our universities aren't nearby, It should take me between fifteen and twenty minutes. So, no problem."

"Okay then..." Gun replied with a big smile. “But I don’t want you to run so if you see it’s difficult, just go back and tell me.” 

Tin nodded. 

They got dressed and had breakfast together, laughing and joking as they tried to navigate their new kitchen. As they headed out the door to start their first day as students, Tinn took Gun's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"I love you," he said, looking into Gun's eyes.

Gun smiled back, his own eyes shining with affection. "I love you too," he replied.

Tinn felt his heart swell with happiness. He knew that there would be challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them with Gun by his side.

Tinn was so lost in thought, he didn't notice the pensive expression that crossed Gun's face before he frowned. Tinn had been acting weird for several days. "Weird" might not be the right word to describe him, but Gun couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering him. Sometimes, when Tinn looked at him discreetly thinking he didn't see him, a sad look would be painted on his face and he couldn’t help but wonder if he had done something wrong.

As Tinn smiled at Gun, all his worries seemed to dissipate. Gun squeezed his hand, and the two of them walked out of their small apartment. He knew that he could always talk to Tinn about his worries later tonight.

oOoOo

Gun arrived at the department of his university, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. All his friends had gone to different universities, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to fit in. Sure, He was usually more extroverted, but there was something intimidating about college, and he wasn't sure if he would be able to find the same almost-mutual understanding with other people that he had with the members of his group.

As he stepped inside the building, he heard the sound of music everywhere. It was like a symphony playing all around him, making him smile.

He made his way through the crowds, dodging backpacks and busy students as he searched for his first classroom. He pulled out his schedule and scanned it quickly, looking for the room number. He was so engrossed in his search that he didn't notice the person walking towards him. He felt his body tipping backwards without being able to do anything before two arms caught him by the hips, preventing him from falling.

"Sorry, man!" Gun heard a voice say, and he looked up to see the guy he bumped into.

"It's all good, I wasn’t looking." Gun said, smiling at the guy. He was amazed by how tall he was. The guy had a leather jacket and a beanie pulled down over his shaggy brown hair.

The latter grinned and let him go. “Never saw you before. Are you a first year?”

Gun nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s my first day.”

“I’m a second year,” the older guy said. “Are you a music student?" he asked, gesturing towards the sheet music in Gun's hands.

Gun raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the question and laughed. "No, actually. I’m studying political science.” 

“Really??” 

He almost laughed at the reaction. He wanted to tease him now. “Of course not. Are we not in the music department right now, P’?”

The other blushed, scratching his head. "Okay. Stupid question. Let’s try again. Hi! I’m Siwat!"

Gun wai at him. (the placing of both palms together in front of the face accompanied with a slight bow) "Gun," he said, feeling a little more at ease.

Siwat grinned. “Hm. Want me to help you find your class? I’m like the best guide you can find! This place is like a second home to me.”

Gun felt his heart race with excitement. He hadn't expected to find someone so quickly who shared his passion for music. P’Siwat seemed like a cool guy and he was glad to talk to someone new.  

"I'm completely lost, so I think I will take you up on your offer, Mr. guide.”

Siwat's eyes lit up with something Gun couldn’t recognize. "Actually, your first class is with the best teacher of the university. You will like it a lot! Let’s go!"

Gun nodded again, following Siwat down the hall.

As they walked, Gun felt his worries about fitting in melt away. The university was full of people who loved the same things he did. He was just a little sad that Tinn would not be by his side like he was in highschool.

oOoOo

Gun's first music class had gone incredibly well. Professor Guntithanon was so cool, knowledgeable, and passionate about his subject. Even though he didn't say much –Mr. Guntithanon was a man of few words—, he had a way of captivating the attention of his students, and Gun found himself hanging on every word. Plus, with his good looks and laid-back attitude, it was easy to see why Mr. Guntithanon was such a popular professor.

As Gun walked out of the classroom, he felt a sense of excitement about what was to come in the rest of the semester. He had always loved listening to music, but he had never paid much attention to the technical aspects of it. He had chosen vocal training as his main discipline, however, during the music listening lesson, he found himself drawn to the different instruments and the way they came together to create a beautiful symphony. 

As he made his way to his next class, Gun couldn't help but hum the tune that had caught his attention during the lesson. It was a simple melody, but it had a certain charm to it that made it stick in his head. He was eager to learn more about music composition, and he started to make a mental list of all the famous composers and musicians he wanted to study.

Unfortunately, the program didn't only consist of practical courses, now he had to survive two and a half hours of music history theory. Why did the worst classes last more than two hours, while the best ones only lasted one?

He entered the lecture hall almost reluctantly. Not everyone had arrived yet, which allowed him to choose a seat that wasn't too close or too far away. This class ended at noon, and he was looking forward to meeting Tinn for lunch. His phone vibrated at the same time as if his soon-to-be-doctor boyfriend read his mind.

My School President <3

Love, unfortunately, I won't be able to come eat with you.

I just found out that the students only have fifteen minutes t o eat

because the next class is at the other end of the university.

I'm sorry! I'll definitely pick you up tonight, though!

Love you!

Gun smiled tenderly before responding. 

Don’t worry about it. I will wait for you tonight. 

Love you too! <3

Gun was so engrossed on his phone screen that he didn't even notice the room filling up around him. As he hit send, he felt someone brush past him, and he looked up to see a young woman standing beside him. She was petite and had long, dark hair that fell in loose waves down her back. She looked nervous and uncertain, as if she was unsure whether she was in the right place.

"He-hello, Is this seat taken?" She asked softly, gesturing to the chair next to Gun. Her voice was very soft, and it was so easy to imagine how it would fit perfectly on a song.

Gun shook his head with a smile. "No, it's free," he said, indicating the empty seat.

The girl smiled timidly and sat down, pulling out her own notebook and pen. Gun glanced over at her and noticed that she was wearing a Beatles t-shirt. He felt a sudden surge of curiosity. Maybe he had found someone he could talk to about music again?

"Hey, I like your shirt," he said, trying to strike up a conversation.

The girl looked surprised but pleased. "Oh, thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What's your favorite Beatles song?" Gun asked, leaning in a little closer.

The girl hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. "Um, I don't really have one," she admitted.

Gun was disappointed, but tried not to show it. "Oh, well, they have so many great songs. Maybe you'll find one you like in this class," he said optimistically.

The girl nodded, looking grateful for the encouragement. Gun turned back to his phone, feeling a little deflated. Maybe she wasn't the music buddy he was hoping for, but at least he wasn't alone in the lecture hall anymore.

“So-sorry. I didn't mean to come off as cold. I'm just a little nervous, I have trouble talking to others," she said suddenly, with a small panicked glint in her eyes.

Gun, a little caught off guard, ended up smiling. He didn't know why, but the girl reminded him of his first meeting with Por. His friend was also shy at first and took some time to open up completely to him.

"No worries. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. My name is Gun."

The little brunette responded to his smile before introducing herself as well. "Madee."

At that moment, the professor entered the lecture hall, forcing them to focus on the small podium in the middle of the room.

oOoOo 

"What are you doing?" Tiw looked at his friend, eyebrows furrowed. The latter was slumped over his table, with a despondent expression.

"I'm moping."

"I can see that, but why?"

"I miss Gun."

Tiw made a disgusted face, rolling his eyes. "It hasn't even been 3 hours! It's your first day of university, and you're already depressed?"

Tinn gave him a pouting look. "You can talk! Por chose the faculty of law of our university. That means our faculties are located within the same campus. You can see him whenever you want! While Gun is so far away!"

Tiw sighed. "Stop the drama. Chulalongkorn University and Silpakorn University aren't that far from each other. It's even the closest music school to ours! Twenty minutes at most! It could have been worse."

"I know you're right, but it would have been so much easier if Gun had been accepted into the art faculty of our university."

"I'm not sure if it would have helped him. While Chulalongkorn University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Thailand, it tends to prioritize faculties that generate the most revenue, such as Law, Medicine, and Engineering. This college doesn't place as much emphasis on its Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, which, despite offering music programs, doesn't have a dedicated music department. In contrast, Silpakorn University is primarily known for its School of Art, including its Department of Music. That's why it was the best choice for Gun. Don't you want your boyfriend to succeed in the music industry?"

"Of course!" Tinn whined. "But I'm still sad we can't be together as much as I would like to."

Tiw chuckled. His friend could be really silly sometimes. He wondered how Gun would react if he saw how head over heels in love his boyfriend was with him.

Tinn turned to him. "What are you doing here, by the way? Don't you have class?"

"Because it's the first day, my classes end a bit earlier to give us time to find our bearings."

Tinn sat up straight, looking at him, worried.

"Are you sure you don't want to change faculty? You know I can ask my mother's friend if there are any places left in the Communication Arts department? With your grades, it shouldn't be a problem."

"No, don't worry. I promised my parents that I would give engineering a chance for at least one year to see if it's a good fit for me. They're open to the possibility of me switching majors after a year if it's not."

"Okay."

Tinn's watch beeped, signaling the end of their lunch break. If one could call it a break , Tinn thought, standing up with his tray.

Tiw gave him a compassionate look. “The medical professors don't joke around, from what I see.”

“Unfortunately,” Tinn said as he headed to his next class.

oOoOo

Gun's class had just ended and he was about to ask Madee if she wanted to grab lunch together when she motioned towards the auditorium door. Siwat was standing there waving at him. 

“Is he your friend?” Madee asked. 

“That’s P’Siwat, the senior I told you about, the one who helped me this morning,” he replied, gesturing to Siwat that he was coming.

Madee hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I don't know if I should say this, but be careful around P’Siwat, Gun. He's a little... unpredictable. He's in the same year as my older brother, and his reputation isn't exactly great. He’s even known for being a little sketchy."

Gun was taken aback by her warning. That was… weird. Sure, Pee was outspoken, but to say he was bad, Gun found it hard to believe. Gun really had enjoyed talking to him that morning and didn't notice anything wrong with him. In fact, he had found him very cool.

"What do you mean, by sketchy?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Madee shrugged. "Just that he can be a bit wild sometimes. He’s known to party a lot and get into trouble,” She explained, her expression serious. “But I only know him from my brother's words, maybe my brother exaggerated a bit. I don't want you to make your opinion about him just based on that. I just want you to be careful, okay?"

Gun thought about her words for a moment before nodding. "Thanks for letting me know. But he seemed nice to me."

Madee smiled, relieved that Gun didn't take her warning the wrong way. "Well, I guess you'll just have to decide for yourself."

Gun nodded, feeling a bit unsure about Siwat now. But at the same time, he didn't want to judge him based on rumors.

As he walked over to Siwat, he felt a little apprehensive but the senior greeted him warmly and suggested they all grab lunch together. 

“I’m sorry,” Madee mumbled apologetically. “I told my brother I would eat with him today. Maybe next time.” She then looked at him, the warning still present in her eyes. “I will see you for our next class, Gun. Have a nice break.” She left after that.  

“So, do you want to join me?” Siwat continued. 

The other seemed so friendly and sincere that Gun could only agree.

On their way to the cafeteria, Gun was taken aback by how different P’Siwat was from Madee's description. He was charming and funny, with a genuine interest in getting to know Gun. He really wanted to be friends with the man. He was sure Tinn would also enjoy his company. 

But Madee's warning made him pause. After all, he didn’t know P’Siwat that much. To have that kind of reputation, was he really that bad?  

"I guess I'll have to be careful," he muttered to himself.

"What was that?" Siwat asked, looking at him curiously.

"Nothing, just thinking out loud," he replied with a smile.

Their tray of food in hand, they sat down facing each other. And it was at that moment that he noticed something strange. People kept stealing glances at their table but then quickly looked away when he met their gaze. No one came to sit with them either. He didn't know if it was because of him or if it was something they did with every first-year.

Madee's warnings echoed in his mind, but he pushed them aside as he watched Siwat smile and laugh, seemingly unfazed by the attention they were getting.

"So, what do you think of the classes so far?" Siwat asked, breaking the silence.

"They're pretty interesting," He replied, relieved to have something to talk about. "I'm taking a few different courses, so it's a lot to keep up with."

Siwat nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know what you mean. It can be tough to balance everything, especially if you're trying to make new friends too."

Gun felt a pang of guilt at Siwat's words. He hadn't even thought about trying to make new friends until Siwat had approached him earlier that morning.

"Speaking of friends," Siwat continued, "have you met anyone else in your classes that you like?"

Gun hesitated, not wanting to offend Siwat but also not wanting to lie. "Well, there's a girl in one of my classes that seems nice. Her name is Madee. You talked to her earlier"

Siwat's smile faded ever so slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Oh yeah, I know her. She's pretty cool. But her brother can be a bit...protective, you know?"

Gun raised an eyebrow, unsure of what Siwat meant. "Protective?"

Siwat leaned forward, his tone conspiratorial. "Yeah, he's been known to cause some drama in the past. He enjoys badmouthing people to prevent his baby sister from getting too close to anyone. Just don't let her get in the way of us hanging out, okay?"

Gun nodded, feeling a sense of unease settle in his stomach. Why is everyone talking behind each other's backs here?

They continued to talk, and Gun realized that the discomfort was still there. He couldn't put his finger on it. At the same time, he couldn't deny that he was enjoying their conversation. P’Siwat was easy to talk to, and Gun found himself opening up more than he usually would with someone he had just met. They really had a great time chatting and joking around. 

He was looking forward to telling Tinn about his encounter with Siwat.

oOoOo

His first day of music school ended very well. Gun was waiting for Tinn in front of the gate. He was eager to meet up with Tinn because even though his day had gone well, there was nothing better than having him by his side.

My School President <3

I will be there in 15 minutes. See u soon! 

Okay!

He was about to sit on one of the many benches when a hand landed on his shoulder, making him jump.

"Hey, Gun! Great to see you again," Siwat said, flashing him a smile. "What do you say we go grab a drink and celebrate surviving your first day of uni?"

Gun noticed three students behind him, looking at him with a smile. They were probably P'Siwat's group of friends. At lunchtime, when he and Pee had parted ways, he had seen him heading towards one of them.

"Actually, I'm waiting for someone," Gun said. "He's coming to pick me up. But thanks for the offer. Maybe we can do it some other time?"

Siwat looked a little disappointed, but then his face lit up with an idea. "Hey! Why don't you bring him with you? That way, you can introduce him to my friends too. We can make it a little get-together."

Gun's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "That sounds like a great idea, actually. Let me just call him and see if he's up for it."

He pulled out his phone and dialed Tinn's number. He smiled when Tinn replied right away.

“Hey, I just started the car. Is there a problem?”

“No. I'm with a friend, he wants to know if you'd like to go for a drink with his friends to celebrate our first day of college?”

“I'm not really dressed for a party,” Tinn protested.

“It's not a party, just a small gathering,” Gun reassured him. “Besides, I'm sure you'll look great no matter what you wear.”

He didn't see the curious look Siwat gave him.

Tinn sighed but finally relented. “Fine, I'll come. But don't expect me to stay too long.”

Gun grinned. “Thanks, Tinn. You're the best! You can join us there directly, it will be easier. I'll send you the address right away.”

With that settled, he turned to Siwat and gave him a thumbs-up. "We're on. Tinn is coming. Can you give me the location so I can send it to him?”

“Of course.”

oOoOo

Tinn arrived at the bar where Gun was waiting for him. He was a bit hesitant at first, but the excitement in Gun’s voice was too sweet to say no. 

As he walked in, he felt a little out of place. The music was loud, and the atmosphere lively.  He had never been to this particular bar before, and he didn't know anyone there except for Gun. He approached their table, and Gun greeted him warmly.

"Hey, Tinn!" Gun said, approaching him with a smile on his face.

"Hey, how was your day?" Tinn asked, eager to hear all about it.

"It was good. I met some new people. This is P’Siwat," Gun said, pointing to the guy standing next to him.

"Nice to meet you," Tinn said with a smile.

"Likewise.”

They ordered drinks, and Tinn sat next to Gun, feeling happy to be spending time with him. They started to talk about everything. Siwat’s friends were dancing with girls and didn’t talk that much to them. 

Siwat then launched into a barrage of questions, asking Tinn about his studies, his hobbies, and his interests. At first, he was taken aback by the intensity of Siwat's curiosity, but he tried his best to answer the questions as honestly as he could.

As the conversation went on, Siwat turned his attention to Gun. "So, how did you know each other? Are you childhood friends?" he asked.

Gun answered without hesitation. "Actually P’, Tinn and I are dating," he said, looking at Tinn with a small smile.

Tinn almost spit out his mouthful of water, shocked by his boyfriend's honesty. But he felt a rush of warmth spread through him at Gun's words. 

Siwat's reaction, however, was unexpected.

There was a moment of silence as Siwat processed Gun's words. Tinn could see a flicker of surprise and maybe even disappointment in Siwat's eyes before it was quickly replaced by a smile. "That's great, man!" Siwat said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible. "I'm happy for you guys!"

Tinn couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the older man's reaction, but he didn't want to make a big deal out of it. He simply smiled back and continued listening to Gun and Siwat.

As the night wore on, Tinn began to notice the senior's judgmental glances, and it was starting to get on his nerves.

More than that, the other always did it when Gun's back was turned. Tinn sighed. He needed to endure Siwat's disdainful looks to not make Gun uncomfortable. 

It wasn't that he didn't like meeting new people, but this guy just didn't sit well with him. Tinn was only making an effort for Gun's sake.

It only got worse when Gun went to the bathroom, leaving him alone with Siwat. 

Siwat's smile faltered as soon as Gun walked away, but quickly regained his composure and turned to Tinn with a grin.

"So, Tinn, how long have you and Gun been together?" Siwat asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Tinn shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He wasn't used to talking about his relationship with Gun in public, let alone with someone he barely knew and who seemed not to like him. "Um, not very long," he mumbled.

Siwat leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But you two seem so... serious. Are you sure you're just starting out?"

Okay. Now Tinn wasn't laughing anymore. What was this guy playing at? Was it knowing they were a couple that had triggered this change in behavior? Because Tinn wouldn't let an idiot judge their relationship. Gun would be so disappointed if he found out Siwat was that kind of person. And a sad Gun was the last thing Tinn wanted to see. So, with the conversation taking this new turn, Tinn grew increasingly uneasy. He also didn't know how to respond.

"Yes, I'm sure," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel a knot form in his stomach at the way Siwat was looking at him now.

Siwat chuckled. "I bet Gun is pretty happy to have you, huh? You seem like a nice guy. But you know… it's so weird to see someone like him with someone like you. You're so different from each other. Not that it's a bad thing! Just surprising," He added with a smirk.

"Why are you saying that? Do you have a problem with me?" Tinn had definitely had enough. 

He could feel his self-esteem plummeting with each passing moment. Siwat seems to relish in his reaction, trying to break down his confidence even further. Tinn didn't need him for that. He was already struggling enough with his own shitty thoughts about himself. 

He was not going to let Siwat continue to play his twisted games, especially when it came to Gun.

"No problems. Just curious." Siwat continued to prod him. 

"Gun is amazing. I'm lucky to be with him," He replied reluctantly.

Breath Tinn, breath… You need to stay calm. For Gun.

Siwat's grin widened. "I'm sure you are," he said. "But let me ask you something. Do you really think you're good enough for him?"

Tinn felt a surge of anger rise within him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he snapped.

Siwat held up his hands defensively. "Hey, okay man, I'm just saying. You don't need to be aggressive. Gun is something special. He's got a bright future ahead of him. And you... well, let's just say you don't strike me as the most ambitious guy out there, even for a future doctor."

Tinn bristled at the implication. He couldn't believe his ears. It was absurd that Siwat, who had only just met Gun today, would presume he knew enough to judge Tinn for being Gun's boyfriend. "You don't know anything about me," he said, his voice rising.

Siwat leaned back in his chair, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, Tinn, I think you're overreacting a bit. I'm just trying to look out for my friend."

Tinn shook his head, his fists clenching. "I don't need you to look out for me or Gun," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "I don't know what your problem is, but I won't let you talk about us like that. What are you trying to do? Come between us?"

Siwat raised an eyebrow. "Come between you? Who said anything about that?"

Tinn stood up, his face red with fury. "You are being an asshole, I don't care if you are older," he spat. "You know what? I don't think I want to talk to you anymore. You're not someone I want to be around and Gun deserves a better friend."

Siwat smirked. "Oh, Tinn. You really have no idea what you're talking about, do you?"

Tinn took a step closer, his fists still clenched. "I don't need to know. It would be such a waste of time," he growled.

Siwat leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "It means, Tinn, that you have no idea who you're dealing with. You think you can just waltz in here and tell me who I'm undeserving? Think again."

Tinn felt a shiver run down his spine at the intensity in Siwat's eyes. The older then leaned back in his chair, his eyes once again twinkling with amusement. 

"Relax, Tinn. I'm just messing with you," he said, his grin widening. "You're right. Gun is amazing, and he deserves the best. But don't worry, I'll let you two have your sweet love story."

Tinn was going to hit him if he listened to his words a second longer. So he took a deep breath, trying to control his anger.

"I don't know what your game is, but I won't let you hurt Gun," Tinn said, his voice low and dangerous.

Siwat laughed, a cold, humorless sound. "Oh, please. It wouldn't be that bad. A little heartbreak? He's young, he'll get over it. And as for you, Tinn, you're nothing. You're just some guy who managed to snag his attention for a little while. But trust me, he'll get tired of you eventually. They always does when I'm around."

Tinn's eyes blazed with fury. He refused to back down. "I prefer to be 'nothing'. At least I'm not a heartless jerk who gets his kicks by hurting others."

Siwat's expression turned cold, and he took a step closer to Tinn. "If you think you're good enough for Gun, you're wrong. You're just a mama's boy. A pitiful loser.” 

A slap interrupted them, the sound echoing around. Astounded, they turned to a furious Gun, his hand raised and stinging from the contact with the older boy's cheek.

oOoOo

Gun made his way to the bathroom, relieved to escape the deafening noise of the bar for a few seconds. It wasn't really the kind of place he usually liked to frequent, but he didn't want to disappoint Siwat. Tinn was also acting strange tonight. He wasn't sure if it was because Tinn didn't like going out in general or because he wasn't comfortable around people he didn't know. Tinn was rather shy, and that was also why he didn't want to leave him alone for too long.

As he was washing his hands, he heard hushed whispers coming from outside. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help but overhear the voice of one of Siwat’s friend. 

“I like Gun.” 

He paused before raising an eyebrow, his curiosity getting the better of him upon hearing his name.

"I've seen videos of him and his old group on the internet, he really has something special. I don't want Siwat to play with him like he does with the others."

His face gradually became more closed off as they continued to talk about him. Madee's words echoed in his head, as if to scold him.

His heart sank. He didn't need to be a genius to understand the situation. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this what his so-called friend had been doing behind his back?

Feeling betrayed, Gun took a deep breath and opened the door, confronting the two guys. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded, his voice shaking with anger.

Their faces paled as they realized they had been caught. "It's nothing, man. Just a little bet we made," one of them tried to play it off.

"A bet? You're betting on me now?" Gun's fists clenched at his sides. 

As the group fell silent, he rushed to the bar with the intention of clearing things up with Siwat. Maybe Madee was right about him after all.

As he approached Tin and Siwat, he suddenly slowed down upon seeing his boyfriend's angry and, above all, sad face. He also saw something in his eyes that Gun couldn't quite recognize. It wasn't an emotion he liked to see in him. He tried to move closer to hear what they were saying, but they were standing just out of his earshot. Gun heard Siwat whispering something to Tinn. He couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakably nasty. 

"Relax, Tinn. I'm just messing with you," Siwat sneered. "You're right. Gun is amazing, and he deserves the best.” 

Tinn didn’t respond right away, but Gun could hear the hurt in his silence.

“But don't worry, I'll let you two have your sweet love story," Siwat continued.

"I don't know what your game is, Siwat, but I won't let you hurt Gun." 

Gun had never heard Tinn be so threatening, but it seemed to leave Siwat indifferent as he let out a laugh. "Oh, please. It wouldn't be that bad. A little heartbreak? He's young, he'll get over it. And as for you, Tinn, you're nothing. You're just some guy who managed to snag his attention for a little while. But trust me, he'll get tired of you eventually. They always does when I'm around."

At first, he was shocked. He never would have thought that his new friend would say such hurtful words to the man he loved more than anything. He was talking about Tinn, his boyfriend, as if he wasn’t good enough. How could it be possible ? Tinn not being enough for Gun was like a pen with no ink, a puzzle missing its final piece, or a song without a chorus. Impossible. 

The words stung as Siwat continued to belittle Tinn, unaware that Gun was in earshot. He felt his hands begin to tremble. To think he had respected that senior all day. Siwat was really playing a dangerous game. 

"I prefer to be 'nothing', at least I'm not a heartless jerk who gets his kicks by hurting others."

"If you think you're good enough for Gun, you're wrong. You're just a mama's boy. A pitiful loser.”

That was the final straw. He was angry and betrayed. As Siwat’s words went too far, Gun felt his body move and before he even realized what he was doing, the sound of his hand connecting with the older’s cheek echoed through the room. Siwat stumbled backwards, his hands coming up to his face in disbelief. Gun couldn’t believe what he had just done either. 

The room fell into silence, and he took a deep breath before looking around at the stunned faces around them. He knew he had just made a scene, but he didn't care. He would never just stand by and let someone talk to Tinn like that. 

"What the hell, Gun?" Siwat exclaimed.

Gun stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. He looked at Siwat, his eyes blazing with anger and hurt.

"You don't get to talk about Tinn like that," Gun spat out. "He doesn't deserve to be treated like shit by someone who claims to be my friend!"

Siwat looked at Gun with a mixture of surprise and anger. "You are really losing it for this guy?" he demanded. "He’s so not like you."

"And I love that about him. And us being different should not be your business!" Gun shot back.

Tinn, who had been standing there quietly during the whole exchange, finally spoke up. "I think it's time for us to go," he said softly, looking at Gun.

Gun nodded, still seething with anger. 

"I thought we were friends. And you're treating me like some kind of game? I don't need friends like you."

He knew he had just ruined any chance of being friends with anyone this year, but he didn't care. He couldn't stand by and watch Tinn be treated that way. 

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the stunned group behind him. He didn't look back, but he could feel the weight of their stares as he made his way out of the room. Gun wondered what other secrets Siwat was hiding behind his facade.

oOoOo

When they arrived at their apartment, they walked inside in silence. Gun couldn't bear to see the doubt and hurt on Tinn's face, knowing that it was his fault for introducing him to Siwat. He had been so blind to Siwat's true character. 

Gun slumped down on the couch while Tinn went to the kitchen to pour them both a glass of water. He sat down next to Gun and handed him the glass, trying to catch his eye.

"I'm sorry, Tinn.” His voice cracked, as if he was crying. “I had no idea he was… "

Tinn shook his head. "Don't apologize for that asshole. It's not your fault that he's a jerk. I just wanted to hit him for the way he was talking about you. You deserved the world and that piece of shit was treating you like an object."

Gun put his arm around Tinn and pulled him close. "Don't say that, Tinn. You're an amazing person, and I’m so lucky to be with you. I’m glad you see me like that, but if it's for you to devalue yourself in this way... I... I'm human, you know. I have my flaws. I'm not perfect, and I don't want to be seen as such. Between the two of us, you are much more in the eyes of others. I wish you could realize that too."

“Gun… I’m not.”

Gun noticed Tinn staring outside the window with a sad look on his face. 

Feeling worried, Gun wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his chin on Tinn's shoulder. "You know it’s not the first time I see you with that look. What’s bothering you?" Gun asked softly.

Tinn turned his head to look at Gun, his eyes filled with surprise. "Nothing, why do you ask?" Tinn said, trying to mask his emotions.

"I've noticed that sometimes you look sad when you think I'm not looking," Gun said gently, trying to get Tinn to open up.

Tinn's face fell, and he looked down at his feet. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. It's just that sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just hard, you know? I've always struggled with my self-esteem. I never truly realized the extent of it until now."

Gun was taken back by Tinn's confession. He had never thought that the incredible Tinn Jirawatthanakul could doubt his worth, especially when he had been nothing but loving and supportive. "What makes you think that?" Gun asked, pulling Tinn into a tight hug.

Tinn leaned into Gun's embrace, feeling safe and loved. "I don't know, I just feel like I'm not. Sometimes I wonder why you even bother with me," Tinn said, his voice laced with self-doubt.

Gun's heart broke at Tinn's words. He pulled away from the hug and cupped Tinn's face in his hands, making him look into his eyes. "Tinn, I love you for who you are. You are kind, caring, always thinking about others before yourself, and you are really smart and handsome. With you I’m not worried about anything. You always know how to make me feel better. That's the Tinn I love and he’s perfect for me. I love him… I love you," Gun said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Tinn looked up at Gun, tears welling up in his eyes. He could see the love and honesty in Gun's gaze, and it made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. "I love you too, Gun. You make me feel like I can do anything," Tinn said, a small smile appearing on his lips.

"Tinn, I know it's hard, but please don't let Siwat's words define how you see yourself. He’s not worth it. It would just make me sad."

"Thank you, love. I will try."

Gun hugged Tinn tightly. "I promise I'll be here for you every step of the way."

Gun leaned in and kissed Tinn, pouring all his love and affection into the kiss. Tinn responded eagerly too, feeling happy and content in Gun's arms. From that moment on, Tinn knew that he could confide in Gun, just as Gun had always confided in him.

As they sat there, wrapped up in each other's arms, Gun felt a renewed sense of love and commitment to Tinn. He vowed to be the best partner he could be and to help Tinn see just how amazing he truly was.