Archive of Our Own

Tine is sitting at the work desk. Playing around on it or so Sarawat had assumed. Announcing his presence by hugging his boyfriend’s shoulders, the cheerleader jumps out of his skin and slams the screen closed shut. With a loud sound and a gasp of fright. 

The worry in Tine’s face makes the musician feel concerned, his mouth opening to ask his boyfriend what is wrong.

“Wat, I should put a bell on you.” Tine has a hand over his heart but a smile is growing on his lips. Cheeks hold a bright flush.

Sarawat’s eyes glance at the laptop, Tine’s free hand is still firmly on the computer.

Tine gets up from the chair and loudly asks if the other is hungry. Sarawat drags his eyes from the device to watch the other student walks away. Listening to the other chatter and fetch food from the fridge. Originally the two were not going to have dinner together as Sarawat had football practice but thankfully the weather had decided the lovers should be alone. Cutting practice short with a thunderstorm.

Sarawat goes to retrieve a towel to dry his hair, on his return trip he can’t help but pause at the desk. Looking over his shoulder to double check Tine is in the kitchen. He opens and signs into his boyfriend’s device; the easy password being Sarawat’s own name.

He anticipates the browser to link to some game or a social media post Tine was constructing. A small hopeful part of the footballer thinks it could be a porn clip. Tine is secretive with his desires and wants, Sarawat blindly stumbling onto actions or words that get the lawyer-to-be hot and bothered.

Instead, the screen is on an article about the top ten signs of an abusive relationship. The other search bars hold similar titles and Wat sees Tine had been compiling information in a single document. Notes and comments in different colours. At first, he’s terrified that Tine had been researching their relationship but upon further examination he determines Tine was listing someone else.

Sarawat let’s out a breath. His buffalo must be writing a paper for a class.

Isolation and physical injuries are bolded and underlined.

It makes Sarawat’s stomach turn.

Skimming over the article and the photos of victims.

Tine is made of stronger stuff if this was to be his career path.

Sad stories and tragedies.

He closes the laptop and goes to the kitchen to hug his boyfriend. Clinging to the other tightly.

Nearly three weeks later Tine brings up the articles over dinner.

“My cousin is dating someone…” Tine mumbles as he scoops curry onto his spoon.

Sarawat nods for him to continue. Not really knowing what direction this is going.

Sarawat might have been dating Tine for almost two years but has only met the other’s older brother. The occasional video call interruption with Tine’s parents but otherwise he doesn’t have a face to match names.

Sarawat thinks he remembers mentions of the younger relative. Tine had gone to help someone move boxes but he could be mistaken.

“Planning a double date?” Wat asks jokingly. Waiting to see if the other will grin back at him.

“They don’t answer my calls anymore. Last week we were going to have lunch together. I wanted to know how their first year is going. Exams are right around the corner.” Tine frowns into his bowl.

The footballer takes a sip of his drink, having nothing else to do.

“How was lunch.” Was asked to fill the lingering silence. Sarawat seeing Tine would not fill it himself.

“They were late.” He said sourly. Frown getting deeper. Sarawat reached across the table to hold his hand. “When they did arrive…Wat it was horrible.” Tine’s eyes filled with tears.

“What was wrong baby?”

“My cousin’s younger. Just one year but it can feel like a decade when you’re a kid. When Ty came to live with us. It was my responsibility to look after them. I felt so mature, being a big brother.” Tine’s smile was brittle.

Wat gave him a small one to strengthen the cheerleader.

“We don’t share many hobbies and they are so confrontational. It was always one pebble away from a pathway to hell.” Tine forced a laugh.

“I didn’t tell them we were dating until the second month of this year.” Sarawat sucked in a hurt breath. His eyes showed his betrayal.

Tine was quick to sooth him.

“My cousin…They don’t trust men.” Tine said, a hand coming to cover his mouth.

“Tine, we promised to share burdens. Let me lighten your load.” Wat begged his lover, sensing there was a problem but the other didn’t want to gossip.

“You have to promise not to tell anyone.” Tine made the other swear.

“Ty came to live with us when I was almost thirteen. We weren’t super close but I could say I knew what they were like. The person wearing their face was not my cousin.” Tine said vehemently.

Wat nodding along while holding his prince’s hand.

“They were so bitter, ugly with anger.” Tine said in a whisper, like he was talking to himself.

“Not wanting to leave the house and refusing to be alone with Dad. Type said to be kind but its so hard when you’re a stupid kid who doesn’t know anything.” Tine looks at Wat his expression haunted.

“I wanted to be there for them but they pushed me away. One day when our parents were out. Type was babysitting us and our cousin was sleeping. My brother went to wake them up to eat. I heard a scream then a crash. By the time I got there; Type was clutching his bleeding head and our cousin was curled up in a ball on the bed panicking and begging not to be hurt.” Tine rushed out, his words becoming breathy.

“They just sat there crying and saying they didn’t want to be touched. Didn’t even know we were there. Type made me promise not to tell. But I did.” Tine looks down in shame. Biting his bottom lip and face pale.

“I thought it would help.”

“It didn’t?” Sarawat supplied.

“No, not really. They talked to me less and stopped coming to my room when I was home. Saying they were busy or with friends. We drifted apart. We follow each other but I don’t think they’d wave if they saw me on the street.”

“I wanted to be a lawyer because of them.” Tine laughs and Sarawat sees nothing funny about the situation. He finds Tine’s cousin to be unstable and a danger.

“I hosted this stupid house party. My senior year, it was wild.” Tine smiles ruefully.

“I was in a circle with a group of people when they joined. Everyone was wasted and talking big. Drunk you know, it got to the topic of when we lost our virginity and there were normal ages. Then my cousin went and it all clicked. All the conversations I had over heard, the arguments my parents tried to hide.”

Sarawat holds the hand tighter, wanting to know how the story ended.

“They hate men. Dating girls; pretty little girls.” Tine goes to retrieve a beer from the fridge. “Eleven. My cousin had their virginity stolen at the age of eleven.”

Wat feels sick. A baby. Tine’s cousin was a mere baby when they were shattered then shipped off.

“No one else remembered, they didn’t but I remember hearing the confirmation my cousin had been raped. I asked Fong to search it up.” Tine drowns himself in the beer. Sarawat stealing it to drink the remaining half.

“Why does it matter now?” The musical man wonders in his own whisper.

“I told them I was seeing a man and they got super concerned. I made sure they understood, you would never hurt anyone.” Tine pleaded and Wat didn’t waver in the belief Tine held him in.

“But the conversation shifted, I asked if they were dating any girls. Ty can be super charming and good looking when they want to be, otherwise their just an asshole.” Tine says, fondness in his voice for the first time that night.

“They told me they had started seeing someone. Didn’t give me a name or anything but they looked happy. So fucking happy. I didn’t think to push it. They moved in together. I didn’t think to even send a gift. They didn’t ask for help.”

Sarawat is the one to get the next bottle of beer.

“We met for our monthly meeting, then they didn’t show. No big deal, life happens but I didn’t get a text. I checked their socials and nothing. I called them less than a week ago and their sobbing and drunk. I couldn’t ask them anything, they just said it was over.” Tine has a few tears slip down his cheeks, rubbing at them harshly.

“I finally get them to agree to see me and they were… Wat.” Tine lets out a little wail. A sob of sadness, his boyfriend curls around him to protect his bunny from unpleasant thoughts. “- Covered in bruises. I’ve never seen someone with purple marks over their neck who weren’t trying to pose as a strangulation corpse. Face battered and looking like someone tried to kill them. My cousin was happy to tell me they were back on.”

Wat looks confused and nudges his boyfriend.

“They got back with their first ever boyfriend. Moved back in with him.” Tine hiccups.

Sarawat looks down in thought. Tine’s cousin would be the same age as his brother. How would he feel to know his little brother had not only been in an abusive relationship but had gotten back with the person.

“They didn’t say much. I was always so happy to tell them how it was going with you. I should have known; it was a classic case of diversion. Why am I so stupid?” Tine said as he began to sob.

“You’re not stupid. You were happy and they appeared to be as well. Why would you ask if you had no idea of trouble. Tine, they’re an adult who knows they can go to you for help.” Sarawat comforts him, petting the crying boy’s hair.

“They won’t ask for help.” His lover cries.

“Then don’t ask.” Wat said with a shrug. Tine looks at him with watery eyes. “We could show up at their campus and get the answers.”

“Yes, they wouldn’t have a chance to get their lies straight and we could keep them from running away.” Tine says hopefully.

That is how Sarawat and the gang find themselves at a campus across the large city. He has the bare minimum knowledge about Tine’s cousin: small, an athlete and a sports med student, good looking. And incidentally female.

The silent man scans the crowd, holding his boyfriend’s hand. The group gets divided when Boss spotted the football field, like an energetic toddler. He races towards it. Man, and Phukong chasing after him. Mil follows at a leisurely pace. When Wat turns to face Tine, the man is missing. The shape of his hand still in Wat’s.

Calling the tall boy’s name doesn’t help.

Sarawat sighs and goes after the rest of their group.

Seeing what has them frozen.

Two boys are in the midst of a fist fight. Cursing each other out as they roll on the dirty ground. The boy on top has the filthiest mouth Wat has ever encountered. Blood drips from his cut lip and there are yellowing bruises over his face. Dressed in a football uniform, Wat thinks the other might be from the basketball team.

The boy on top punches the other in the face, not holding back.

“Oh, for Fucks sake!” Someone hollers in anger.

A group of men break through the circle, wearing the uniform shirts of engineers. Mil grips Phukong closer as the leader and second grab the two fighters. He thinks the other knows the ringleader.

“Break it up. Get off each other.”

“Forth.” Mil hisses.

The hazers rip the two younger students apart like spitting cats. The swearing boy takes the chance to give the other one last kick.

“God damn it. Fucking stop!” Forth shouts and the two pause but continue to glare at the other.

A larger man is restraining the boy who looks like he was a victim of a mobbing.

“Forth, he-” The one in the basketball jersey tries to explain but a hand cuts him off.

“This isn’t the first time. Keep it shut or I’ll wire your jaws closed myself.” Forth signals for his smaller but broader friend to take the speaker away.

Forth glares at the crowd and most of them leave now that the show is over.

The football player struggles to get free. Forth rolls his eyes and pulls a cigarette from his pocket. Lighting it as he moves closer to his prey.

“Pretty far from home.” He spoke.

“Teach your juniors not to talk shit and I wouldn’t have to travel.” He growls.

“Sure, like that moron is going to learn anything. This isn’t the first fight. If you keep it up, I’ll get the Dean involved.” Forth threatened and the boy rolls his eyes.

“Tell Note to keep my lover’s name off his lips and I’ll be happy not to knock his teeth out.” He spits and coughs when Forth blows the smoke in his face.

“Sit your ass down.” The hazer lets the boy go. And he makes a big show of sitting on the side of the pathway. Crossing his arms and glaring up at the older boy.

“Good brat. I’ll get you a med student. Don’t move one inch.” Forth orders stomping out his finished smoke.

“Fucking asshole you just want a chance to flirt with your doctor.” The fighter curses.

“Sit there and look pretty.” Forth calls back ignoring the middle finger aimed at him.

The boy is sitting on the ground, scrolling through his phone. Paying no heed to those around him, Wat looks at him. Handsome, a few inches shorter than Sarawat with a nice tan to his skin. Dark hair falls in front of his face as the younger student texts someone.

Mil is the one to march over, thinking the other could be useful and the group follow along.

“Hey where’s sport medicine?” The third year asks the younger student.

The boy looks up at the group standing in front of him.

He scoffs and pockets his phone.

“How directionally challenged are you? This is engineering and music’s half of campus. Sports med is a 15-minute walk south.” The boy gets to his feet brushing himself off and heading in the opposite course of where he directed the group.

“Aren’t you going to wait for Forth.” Wat asks, not knowing why he was bothering.

The boy blinks at him for a second, maybe recognizing him from somewhere but decides to keep walking.

“Forth’s too busy batting his eyes at his lover and trying to suck his dick to know where I am.” The other says with a smirk, enjoying the way the group is scandalized by his words.

They do arrive in Sports med’s half of campus to see an unhappy Tine sitting on a bench. Sarawat sits next to him.

“I talked to their best friend.” Tine plays with his bracelet. “They don’t want to talk to me.”

Wat pats his back.

“There will be another chance.” His boyfriend says to console the other.

“Promise?” Tine holds out his pinky. Wat links their pinky fingers.

“We’ll make it happen.”

He swears pulling the other off the bench.

“Hey Tine, what does your cousin look like anyway? Is she pretty? Short? Tall?” Man asks loudly and Boss appears interested in the answer.

“He is my height. Plays football so in good shape. Ty is great at making friends but sometimes can’t keep them.” Tine says as he goes to grab his ringing phone.

“Your cousin is a man?” Wat asks in shock.

The thought hadn’t crossed Wat’s mind, Tine being protective over a male cousin, he thought only women could be abuse victims.

“Yeah.” Tine says as he creates distance to speak to someone on the phone.

Everyone looks at the others. No one had thought to ponder if they should be looking for a guy.

Tine reappears looking quite happy.

Clinging to Wat’s arm and linking their fingers.

“I just got told what my cousin’s favourite bar is. I think I’ll know when he’s going as well.” Tine beams kissing Wat’s cheek.

The other smiles. Hopefully this problem can be resolved quickly, for Tine’s piece of mind.

The bar was crowded and loud. The sound of music can be heard echoing from both the performers and the watchers who sing along happily. Wat takes a few seconds to listen, the band is good, doing an original song by the sound of it.

The guitar player focuses on the drummer who sings the background lyrics. He’s talented. Handsome as well with gentle features and warm eyes. The girls are screaming someone’s name. Wat thinks it could be that man’s.

Tine navigates them, searching for his cousin. Sarawat finally knows what the other man looks like by the pictures Tine has on his account. The cousins share their smiles and height but little else.

The coloured lights do not help but he thinks Tine will know the other.

The music ends and the group close to the stage start to move through the crowd.

“Excuse me.” A voice says softly as he bumps into Sarwat. The quiet man sees it’s the drummer from earlier. Now he holds a colourful drink in his hand.

The two share a glance and then go their separate directions.

Looking for someone in the crowd. Tine can’t seem to find them.

The group stops at a random table situated between the bathroom and the bar. Thinking the other might pass by them to one of the important locations.

Tine has long finished his beer, drank it during the band’s act.

Mil was the one who knew the guys names, saying they had just switched singers but not knowing why.

Tine is busy looking at everyone who passes by them. The bar has quieted down since the music has stopped, the owner had personally greeted them, a lovely older woman who asked how their night was going.

Jeed moving on to a group of giggling college girls a few minutes after.

“Hey I got you drinks all night.” A voice purrs. Catching a handful of the table’s attention.

The drummer is pinning someone to the wall close to the restrooms. The tall boy has someone by the hips. Face tucked into a neck. His partner’s face is hidden.

“Well, aren’t you an entitled asshole.” A male voice matches the original silky quality.

“Baby.” The drummer purrs as he lifts the other boy’s leg higher up his waist.

A hand goes to grip at the soft, shiny hair of the musician. The group watch but the face of the other party is still a mystery.

“I’m not interested.” The boy reveals smacking the roaming hands.

The drummer pauses and whispers to his paramour.

“Still not happening.” A loud smack of a hand hitting another.

“Later asshole.” The boy says and it is the first time his face is shown.

Wat recognizes him, as does Tine who leaps to his feet.

Racing after the younger students.

The kid had been off to the bathrooms, his back turned and unknowing to the dark emotions that had flicked over the drummer’s face. The panther stalking his prized gazelle.

The drummer gets the other boy first. Grabbing him by the wrist and spinning him. Slamming him into a wall. Sealing their lips violently. A hand pins the other boy’s to the dirty wall.

Trapping Tine’s cousin as the kiss is pressed.

“Tiger!”

Tine shouts causing the pinned boy to jump and shove the other away from him. It takes Wat a few seconds to see the attacker had used one of his own to pillow the boy’s head from the wall.

“Bunny?” The boy asks in shock.

The drummer is still holding his wrist when Tine harshly shoves him away. This is the first time Sarawat has seen his boyfriend so angry and protective. An arm coming up to throw a punch. The tiger gets between them, catching Tine’s wrist.

“What the hell?” He questions his cousin.

“He kissed you!” Tine shouted at his younger relative.

The gang finally catching up to the trio. Sarawat going protectively to Tine’s side.

“So?” The boy loudly demands. Pushing the pissed off Tine away. Sarawat goes to grab his wrist. When an arm gets between them.

The drummer’s arm.

“Type?” He asks softly.

A hand is stroking the angry boy’s back.

The groups eyes widen at the name.

Another thing Tine forgot to mention. His little airhead.

“Tharn, guess your not the only one who has shit luck at introducing family.” Type says bitterly.

“Better than Dad.” He says with a shrug. “This is my older cousin Tine.”

He motions to the crowd.

“The one holding his hand is his boyfriend. You’ll like him. You both play guitar.” Type says as he lets Tharn hold his hand. Ringed thumb stroking the back of his hand.

It’s a soft gesture.

“Your family have a pattern?” Tharn asks playfully, laughing as he is shoved.

“Type, come here.” Tine says softly, a comforting smile on his face. Making room at his side.

“Why?” The cousin asks in confusion.

He seems relaxed in his friend’s space.

“I-I think we should talk privately.” Tine confesses and Type narrows his eyes in rage.

“Say what you want in front of my man.” Type goads the other.

“You’re covered in bruises and that man just kissed you without consent!” Tine nearly screams.

Heads turn in their direction but the fierceness of Type’s glare has the heads snap away.

“He’s never hurt me. Not even when I deserved it.” Type argues back.

The cousins get closer. Louder and more determined to be the one to win the argument. Gripping each other’s clothing and the air sparks with their electricity.

“Deserved it? How the fuck can someone deserve to be strangled?” Tine shouts and Type goes silent. Looking at Tharn over his shoulder.

The area goes deathly silent. The question hanging in the air like a rotting stench.

“There you guys are.” A cheerful voice calls from behind the group. They turn to see a smaller happier individual.

“You finish with your quickie? Table needs more drinks. Let your handsome boo get his fangirls to buy us some.” The other kid whines, blind to the atmosphere he is disturbing.

“Techno-” Tharn begins but he is spoken over.

“Hey Tine. I see you found Type.” Techno says and he grins as he looks at Sarawat’s boyfriend.

“Techno.” Type growls. Marching over to the smaller boy whose eyes widen as he realizes the danger, he is in. the boy darts between the group members before settling to hide behind Tharn.

“Save me Tharn!” Techno pleads as he uses the other man as a shield. Tharn smiles tiredly, like this is a position he’s been in plenty of times.

“Type, babe.” Tharn says gently.

“Fine.” Type said.

Techno breathes in relief and leaves his hiding place, only to be sharply punched in the arm. The onlookers wince in sympathy.

It sounded like it hurt.

“Tine! He hit me!” Techno wails, going to the law students side.

Type looks smug as his boyfriend shakes his head.

“Are you okay No?” Tharn asks.

“I will be if I can have more drinks.” Techno barters.

“Freeloader.” Type accuses him.

“Techno how did Type get those bruises? He claims Tharn’s never hurt him.” Tine demands.

Techno blinks at him drunkenly. Then laughs loudly as if he found something hilarious.

“The locker room would disagree.” He laughs again. “He had a mosaic of love marks and hand prints on his upper thighs. And one time he refused to play for the skin’s team during practice because his chest was a painting.” Techno is silenced by a hand covering his mouth.

“Shut it.” Type hisses. Drunk eyes look at him in confusion.

“No, why don’t we all walk back to the table and talk this out.” Tharn tries to play peacemaker.

Techno nodding his head in agreement under the brawler’s hand.

Type appears confident as he leads the way but Sarawat can see him holding Tharn’s hand.

There is one boy waiting at a large table when the group arrives. Champ is asked to leave with Techno for a few minutes, being told he will be texted when it’s safe to return. The pair depart without much fuss.

The cousins size each other up.

“I just don’t understand how this happened?” Tine confesses. Needing somewhere to start.

“I was horny and desperate.” Type says with a shrug.

Tharn looks at him incredulously.

“That’s not how I remember this going.” He says smugly.

“Shut up Asshole.” Type says with a glare.

“We were roommates.” Tharn reveals helpfully.

“And he knows…” Tine waves his hand alluding to Type’s trauma.

Type slams his hand on the table.

“You don’t get to bring that up.” He bellows.

Tine wilts and mutters an apology.

“He knows.” Type admits lowly.

Tharn’s face sharpens and he settles a protective arm over Type’s shoulder.

“Why should it matter?” Tharn asks, his voice is cutting.

“Because…Type doesn’t like men.”

“Neither did you until last year.” Type argued back.

Tine freezes and stares deeply at his cousin.

“I never told you how long I’ve been dating Sarawat.” He says in surprise.

“All your posts have him in them. Stupid.” Type scolds the other.

“But you didn’t get angry when I let it slip that day.” Tine investigates further.

“Because I wanted information.” Type admits. Turning his head away with a barely there flush on his cheeks.

A small smirk makes its way across Tharn’s lips and he whispers something into Type’s ear.

An elbow is thrusted into his ribs for the trouble.

“Your neck?” Tine asks again, his hand going out to the other’s throat.

“I got into a fight.” Type says sharply. His glares leave no room for misinterpretation.

“But you called me crying. You never cry.” Tine stressed.

Tharn looks at Type in alarm.

“It was during our…time apart.” Type settles on and Tharn relaxes.

“The person who left those marks on Type was someone I knew.” Tharn admits, placing himself in front of Type’s body. Letting the focus fall on him.

“It’s not your fault he was a crazy bastard.” Type mutters in his boyfriend’s defence.

“I have since cut ties with him.”

“If I see him again, he’s ending up under a bus.” Type says firmly. “You are my alibi so you better lie for me.” Type grabs Tharn’s shirt.

“I’ll take the fall.” Tharn vows. Leaning closer to Type. “Also, yes to your proposal.”

Type looks at him confused.

“Only married people can have private visits in prison.” Tharn speaks with a wink.

Type frowns at him and looks away.

“Is your boyfriend a mute?” Type probes.

Sarawat sputters and Tine comes to his defense.

“Play nice.” Tharn tells his lover quietly.

Earning an eyeroll. Tine introduces the men at the table and Wat leans back to see how they interact.

It is at the end of the night when they are leaving to their cars does Wat overhear something thought provoking.

“Why did you let me prattle on about sex between men? Were you trying to decide if you liked Tharn?” Tine whispered to his cousin.

“No.” Type uttered in a haunted voice. “I wanted to know if sex was possible without being in pain and if blood was normal.”

Sarawat is chilled by the comment. Blood was his first worry when he lost his virginity to his boyfriend. Swearing to himself to never hurt his nuisance.

Tine hugs his cousin, squeezing the other closer to him.

“Call if you have any troubles, Tiger.” Tine tells him.

“You too Bunny. I can break his hands for you.” Type promises.

Tine looks at him warmly and they leave with their respected boyfriend.

Bonus

“Is this cousin cute?” Green says as he looks around the new campus. The group had agreed to meet Type and his friends for a friendly game.

The loud diva wanted to see Tine’s younger relative. After seeing a picture of him posted on the campus’ teams media. The shirtless boy was certainly handsome.

Green liked fresh meat.

“He bites.” Tine worried.

“So do I if they ask nicely.” Green said with a wink.

“Forth!” Mil shouts in alarm.

The group look to see Tharn and Forth walking together. Bumping shoulders and laughing at something.

“Mil.” Forth replies briskly.

The two engineers glaring at each other.

“Well, this campus is loaded with handsome men.” Green says breaking the tension.

Forth chuckles and seems flattered as he glances at Green.

“Sorry I’m a married man.” Forth tells the flamboyant man.

“Is she pretty.” Green asks dejected.

“He is gorgeous. A real Casanova if I don’t keep him distracted.” Tharn laughs at Forth’s words.

Knowing the inside joke.

“We’ll play on Saturday. You can’t skip this time.” Forth orders, pointing a finger at Tharn.

“I hate sweating.” Tharn mutters bitterly.

“I don’t see your boy bitching.” Forth jokes.

“Type can sit on my lap as I play the drums, that builds up a sweat. Has better results too.”

“I dare you to say that to his face.” Forth teases.

“No thank you. Last time I did. He kneed me so hard I thought my dick was going to be continuously blue.” Tharn muttered under his breath. “He acted like it was my fault too.”

“Young love birds.” Forth ruffles Tharn’s hair and gives a final glare to Mil.

Walking away from the group.

“Say hi to Beam for me. He’s going to be a widow if you don’t watch your words.” Tharn shouts after him, his voice cracking as he tries not to laugh.

“Hello Tharn.” Tine greets him, carefully.

Tharn doesn’t notice as he falls into step with the group unbothered with being out numbered.

“Hey Tine, Type told me you have an older brother.” Tharn cheerfully says, wanting to know more about his boyfriend’s family. “I have an older brother and a younger sister. Type’s met both.”

“Yes, my older brother Type is a recent graduate so you probably won’t see him.” Tine says.

“They share a nickname?” Tharn ponders aloud.

“Yeah, but when we were little… we created our own.” Tine gets quieter as he speaks, a sign he is embarrassed.

“He called you bunny and you called him tiger.” Tharn recalls.

“Yes, my brother was owl.”

“That’s adorable.” Tharn gushes.

“No wonder he never lets me call him tiger.” Tharn thinks aloud, distracted with his boyfriend calling out to him.

Tine and Sarawat share a look.