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Pat was aware that the way he and Pran expressed their love were wildly different. Where Pat was loud with his words and physically affectionate, Pran was more reserved, choosing instead to show affection through other means. It was the way he would prepare breakfast for Pat when he woke up, even if Pran had to leave the apartment before he did. It was in the way he would remind Pat of his schedule and deadlines. It was in the way he would always be right by Pat's side the moment he needed it.
It was also in the way Pran would sometimes force himself to express his feelings with words because he thought Pat needed to hear it. Silly Pran. Pat loved to hear all the sweet words he was offered of course, but he didn't need them. Pran's actions spoke for themselves.
It made for an exciting game when Pat was left on his own accord in Pran's apartment. Sometimes he would just stumble upon the smallest thing that might seem insignificant but Pat knew better. Like a few weeks back when he had expressed his love for a specific ice cream. Ever since there had been a small stock of them in Pran's freezer. Of course Pran had denied any association to their conversation, calling it a coincidence.
Pat deciding to be nice didn't bring it up again. But the way the small stock would be refilled magically anytime it grew too small had his heart swell.
Today, Pat didn't have any classes. Sadly, Pran did. He had left a few hours ago, not bothering to wake Pat up. Still, as always, despite waking up alone Pat had found the breakfast Pran had prepared for him.
As he ate he took a look at Pran's desk. Overall, it was very neat. Everything had it's place. There were sticky notes as well. Small reminders Pran made for himself. Some only contained simple doodles. Pat especially loved one sitting at the corner of the board behind Pran's computer. It was just a simple heart, nothing more or less. But Pat knew it had appeared there the same day they started to date officially.
What Pat noticed today was that it seemed that Pran had forgotten to put away his notebook. It laid in front of the computer, a half finished sketch of something Pat assumed was school related displayed.
Pat loved watching Pran be creative. Not only because he was talented, but also because of how he looked when he did. Focused and in his own little world.
Pat traced the outline of the half finished building on the page with his finger. Slowly, temptation took over. While Pran didn't go around showing off his art, he also never hid it. He always seemed fine when Pat leaned over his shoulder to watch as he created, so surely he wouldn't mind if Pat looked through the notebook.
For being so organized normally, the notebook was a mixed bag. Though Pat supposed that that was the purpose of a notebook. There was a mixture of buildings and constructions, to doodles, and even full blown pieces of art. Pat especially loved one of a dog, a portrait of a golden retriever.
Some of the doodles Pat recognised. There was the tube of condensed milk with the note he had left on it. Though the note looked a lot more aesthetically pleasing than the one Pat had written. Neater handwriting, and the smiley on the note being moved. It was crossed over though, which confused him. It was so cute.
Just as the sticky notes around Pran’s desk, there were written notes in the notebook too. Messages that were clearly just written down by Pran himself before he would forget what was on his mind. Some stuck out more than others.
Brown eyes.
Kind smile.
wonderful laughter.
irritating.
messy.
beautiful.
On another page he found more of these secret messages.
Pat’s ice cream is running low. Don’t forget to buy more.
The text was written beside a doodle of simplistic ice cream. Pat didn’t need proof that Pran was buying it for him, but it was cute to find it like this.
What words could possibly be enough?
Let me express it in another way
How can I express it in another way?
Just listen with your heart
….
love is nothing else but you.
Pat felt the way his breath caught in his throat as he read over the words again.
Before his body had a chance to decide how to react to it more he heard the door open. His eyes immediately met with Pran’s mortified expression.
“Pat! What do you think you are doing?” Pat didn’t find the words to reply, instead just watching as Pran got closer to him. “You can’t just- argh, you are lucky I’m in a hurry.”
“Aw come on.” Pat finally found his words. “Baby, I don’t mind your sappy words. It’s cute!”
Pran’s face was red as a beet, mouth in a tight line. He grabbed some paper on his desk before marching towards the door. Pat followed closely behind. “Boyfriend~”
“No. Stop that.” Pran glared at him as he stood by the door. Which of course just meant that Pat had to put on his best show, giving his boyfriend the biggest and saddest puppy pout he could manage.
Pran’s walls feel quickly at that. He still looked irritated, but the corners of his mouth started to quirk upwards. “I’ll see you later, yeah, boyfriend?”
Pat just watched as Pran sighed in response. It made Pat feel an overwhelming urge to kiss him. Just a peck on the cheek. It made Pran finally smile properly. “Yeah… I’ll see you later.”
Pat continued to watch as Pran walked down the hallway, his expression full of the affection he felt for Pran.
Yeah, their love languages were different. Perhaps nothing made that clearer than the notes, carrying the messages Pran struggled to express aloud.