Work Text:
"Fancy seeing you here."
"What the fuck. What are you doing here?"
"What, like I can't be here? Your school is public property, sir."
"You don't plan to stop getting on my nerves, do you?"
"A little patience will help you in the long-run. And don't punch me again. I don't want to look rough in front of my friend."
"What friend will have you wait at their school out of all places?"
"Some nerd, maybe. I don't know much, okay? He's an internet friend. Quit talking so much too, will you? Get on with your life, I'll see you when I see you."
"Like I want to see you."
"Yeah, yeah— holy shit."
"What?"
"Your friend... He's the internet friend I was talking about. He told me he's holding a bag with a bear sticker. That's him, your friend."
"Wha— you mean my brother?!"
"Your what?!"
—————
"Got in another fight?"
"Why are you here?"
"Phum told me to return the switch he borrowed from you. And this is public property, sir, like what you said."
"Huh, you remember my words?"
"Like I would forget such annoying words. Get off your high horse. What kind of thugs were you fighting? You look like shit."
"...Thanks. Some stuck-up schoolmates were picking on my friends, so I taught them a lesson. Ended up being scolded by my friends, though."
"Sounds tough. Here, I'll patch you up."
"No need, I can do it myself."
"Don't be stubborn and let me do it before your wounds get infected."
"Whatever... I just don't get why they're threatening to stop being my friends if I don't stop fighting. I was doing it for them!"
"Violence isn't the answer to everything, dumbass. You can do things for them that don't require violence."
"That's a lot coming from you."
"Shut up. I'm serious. They probably care a lot for you. Now get rid of that fighting habit. If not for your sake, then for theirs.”
“Who are you to tell me what to do? You fight people on the daily too.”
“I do all of that for my brother. Phum needs me, not in the way your friends do. They need you to be safe, Phum needs me to protect him.”
“Your little brother doesn't need you to shield him from everything; he'll be fine on his own. Stop being so overprotective, unless you want him to be overly dependent on you in the future.”
“Shut up. Don't talk like you know it all.”
“Whatever. I’m going. Tell Phum I said thanks, for the switch.”
“...I haven't finished treating your wounds.”
“What's gotten into you? You're suddenly so caring towards me? Did you hit your head?”
“Piss off.”
“Geez.”
“...Does Phum really not need me to protect him?”
“I don't know, what the hell? I’m not your second brother or anything. I don't know what goes on in your life. But I’ve seen the way you protect him, and I don't think he needs that. He’ll be fine on his own, we're all high schoolers. We're all gonna be fine.”
“...Thanks.”
“What was that?”
“I said thanks.”
“I can't hear you—”
“Shut the hell up. Your injuries are okay now. I’m going.”
“Yeah, whatever!”
—————
“Seriously, are you stalking me? Why are you at my school again?!”
“It's fucking public property, get over yourself! I’m here to see Phum, okay?”
“What? Phum has detention today. Hasn't he told you that?”
“What? Oh. He just texted me. What the hell…”
“Go back home! Phum won't be out until evening.”
“Are you serious? We were supposed to play the new game I bought today! I was looking forward to it!”
“How's that my problem? Go home!”
“How about you play it with me? To replace your brother.”
“What the hell?”
“Are you up for it or not?”
“...Fine.”
—————
“...Are you the one stalking me?”
“Piss off. I’m here to pick up Phum’s friends.”
“In my school? And why can't Phum pick them up himself?”
“They're from your school, can't you figure that out by now? Why do you talk so much?”
“I can talk even more just to piss you off. Want me to try?”
“Oh, really? I’d like to see you try.”
“Sure. That time you punched me, I would've won the fight if it lasted a little longer. What a shame, I would've liked to see blood on your lips.”
“Why are you so focussed on my lips, huh?”
“Because I want to see it bloodied. Can you listen? I literally just said that.”
“Why my lips specifically? You got an obsession or what?”
“What are you trying to hint at? That I want to kiss you?”
“Yeah, that's what I’m trying to say. Did I hit the bull's eye?”
“Maybe.”
“...What?”
“You know, you aren't that bad looking. Quite pretty. If not for your sour mouth, I would've wanted to hit on you.”
“Do you say this to everyone? You sound like a natural. Wouldn't be surprised if you're a huge playboy. A cocky one at that.”
“Huh. No, I haven't dated. What about you? You're even cockier.”
“No one’s ever piqued my interest.”
“Yet I did?”
“...Yes.”
“Nice to know—”
“Khaofang! Where's Phum?”
—————
“Seriously, why are you following me everywhere?”
“Shut up, will you? This isn't public property, but you let us in, so I can walk anywhere.”
“...Whatever.”
“Why aren't you joining the rest? They're playing your game in your room, yet you're out here making… tea like some old geezer.”
“You don't like tea?”
“Do I look like someone who likes tea of all drinks?”
“Yes.”
“One more word out of your mouth and I’ll recreate the first time we met.”
“How romantic.”
“You're insufferable. Where are the energy drinks?”
“I don't drink energy drinks.”
“Psh, what? Do you only drink tea?”
“Shut up. I made the tea for you ‘cause just ten minutes ago, you’re complaining about your throat hurting.”
“...Oh.”
“So yeah, no energy drinks. Just tea. Take it and drink it.”
“Thanks.”
“Huh. It's whatever. Finish it and get back into my room.”
—————
“You're gonna say it's public property again, aren't you?”
“You mean this mall? Yeah. I will say that.”
“Staring holes into my back for fifteen minutes straight is not very decent of you, though, for someone on public property.”
“I was simply trying to identify if you're really Fang.”
“Well, now you know your answer. I am Fang, in the flesh. Now toodles.”
“Wait! Uh— I mean. Where are you going?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Just answer, will you?”
“I’m just shopping on my own.”
“Can I join you?”
“Seriously?”
“Can I or not?”
“Up to you.”
—————
“It’s Phum’s birthday and you're out here instead of celebrating there.”
“I just wanna take a breather. Lay off me, will you?”
“What’s up with you? First, you arrived late. Then, you left the room the moment it got to your turn for “Kiss, Marry, Kill”. Now, you're pissy. I won't let you ruin my brother's birthday. You will tell me what's going on and let me fix it, else you can just leave right now and I’ll pretend you're unwell.”
“You can't fix everything you lay your hands on. Stop assuming you're the one that has to fix things for others.”
“I’m simply offering my help, what the fuck?”
“You're not only doing that. You're thinking everything is your responsibility, like how Phum’s birthday is your responsibility and you’re supposed to be the one making it perfect. Like how I’m not being myself and you're thinking it's your job to make me feel better. You think I can't read you? That's how you think. Don't try to brush it off.”
“Yes, whatever. That's how I think, happy now? Are you gonna tell me what's going on or not?”
“No, I will not. Not when you're taking it upon yourself to be the one helping me even when you dislike me. You're doing too much for someone you're not even a friend of.”
“Who says I dislike you? Who says you're not someone I consider a friend?”
“What, so we're buddies now?”
“Can't we be? Just because we started off badly, doesn't mean we can't become friends.”
“You never told me you wanted to be friends.”
“I wasn't nice to you for nothing, you know?”
“...I’m sorry.”
“What for?”
“For assuming we aren't friends. For saying too much about a sensitive topic.”
“I don't blame you. And you were right anyway. How could I blame you for saying the right things?”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, apology accepted, even though it's unnecessary. So, what's wrong?”
“...Nothing’s wrong, actually. I arrived late because I was figuring out what to wear. I didn't want to answer the “Kiss, Marry, Kill” question. And I don't like telling you that.”
“Why don't you like it?”
“...”
“Hmm?”
“...If any of them gives your name as an option, just know I won't ever choose to Kill you.”
“What?”
“I’mgoingbackbyebye—”
“Wait!”
—————
“...What a surprise to see you here!”
“You literally saw me just now.”
“No, I didn't.”
“You did. You were looking around like you're searching for someone and then when you saw me, you looked away immediately and stopped.”
“Wow, hahahaha, I did that?”
“What's up with you?”
“Nothing. Nothing's up.”
“You serious? You look really red right now. Are you alright?”
“Yes! I am!”
“You sure? Here, let me che—”
“Eek! Wait! Gotta— uh— go! Bye!”
“What?”
—————
“Thought I’d find you here.”
“...Oh, it’s you.”
“Yeah, just me. Sorry ‘bout that.”
“No. I’m actually relieved it’s you and not anyone else.”
“Why? So you can talk back to me?”
“So I can be listened to.”
“...”
“I’m sorry for not going out with you all lately.”
“It’s not your fault. You were studying for the finals.”
“You’re all studying for that, yet you all had time to spend with each other. I feel bad for neglecting you all.”
“Some people need more time to study, and that’s completely fine. We all understand you.”
“...Thanks.”
“Is something wrong? Are you tired? From drowning yourself with revisions and tuition sessions. I figured you must be exhausted. You can tell me that. I won’t ridicule you or anything. I don’t like mocking you anymore.”
“Psh, why? Because my reactions aren’t interesting enough? Gotta find someone else to fight with now, don’t you?”
“Because fighting with you doesn’t make me as happy as talking to you like this does.”
“...”
“So what’s wrong?”
“I’m just stressed over the finals. I need to do well so I can get into a good university. I need to study more and do more practice so I can do well. I need to listen better in class and understand every single thing the teacher says. I need to spend all my time studying so I can actually understand everything. But there’s just so much to do. There’s so much and there’s only me and I can’t do much on my own. I’m just me and I’m incapable—”
“Hey, hey. Khaofang. Listen to me. You’re not a superhuman. Just because you’re incapable of doing some things doesn’t mean you’re incapable of doing everything. You’re incapable of doing things no one else can do, because they are simply undoable. It’s not because of you. but it’s because the things just aren’t reasonable or achievable. Don’t put such high expectations on yourself. Don’t expect yourself to do things you wouldn’t expect others to do. But that said, just doing what you can is enough. You’re Khaofang. You’re incredible in your own right. You will achieve great things even when you don’t expect extremely highly of yourself.”
“I’m just me, Tan. I’m not someone spectacular. If I don’t give it all I have, I can’t become the best, I can’t be the best for Phum, for my friends, for you.”
“You are already the best brother Phum has. You are the best friend your friends have. And you are the best person I have ever met. You are enough just as you are. You don’t need to sell your soul for greatness. You don’t have to be someone more than Khaofang.”
—————
“Why are you here at my graduation ceremony?!”
“Some birdie told me you wanted to see me.”
“What about your own ceremony?! It’s today too!”
“I don’t care about that.”
“But I do. Go back now! Don’t miss your ceremony!”
“Listen, Tan. You’ve avoided me since the day I told you I’m going overseas until university starts. I want to tell you I’m sorry.”
“What? That’s it?! Don’t be silly, why are you apologising for that? Quick, you’ll still make it in time for your ceremony if you run. Go!”
“Can’t you see you’re important to me?! More important than some stupid graduation ceremony?! I’m here now and I’m not leaving. Let me say my piece first before you chase me away!”
“...I’m important to you?”
“Yes! Very much so! I’ve never felt this way about anyone! You’re one of the most important people to me. Seriously. I’ve never not thought like that towards you. That’s why I don’t want to lose you once I go overseas! I want you to stay right here, and I’ll come back right away. I will return to you and we can continue being friends. We can continue playing video games with Phum, Beer and Mick. We can continue shopping together. We can continue competing to see which of us has the smartest brains for “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. We can—”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“...What?”
“Not in that way! I don’t want to lose you too, but I don’t want to stay as friends.”
“Then, what do you want us to be?”
“Come back when university starts, and I’ll tell you.”
“Okay. Fine. Stay where you are, and I’ll come back soon.”
—————
“Fang! Long time no see!”
“Yeah, I thought you were dead.”
“Aw, I literally just said hi!”
“Why are you so cheerful at night?”
“I’m usually like this, though? Your trip overseas must’ve made you forget about things. Fear not, I shall make you remember everything!”
“...No thanks.”
“Wow, you’re smiling.”
“No, I’m not!”
“Stop lying! You’re smiling! Your eyes are crinkled! You’ve never smiled like this in front of me!”
“...Do you dislike it?”
“I don’t! You look especially pretty all the time!”
“...What were you going to tell me? Once I came back from overseas?”
“Oh! That. I figured out another plan, so you’ll have to wait.”
“I waited so long to come back, and you’re telling me to wait even more?”
“Wait, don’t be mad! I’ll tell you soon, I swear!”
—————
“Can we date? I like you and—”
“Yes.”
“What?!”
“I said yes, dummy. Is this what you’ve been meaning to tell me?”
“Yes…”
“Dumb. I would’ve said yes back at your graduation ceremony, you know that?”
“What?!”
“I liked you since then and even before. I hope you know that by now.”
“...”
“Hello? Are you there? Wait, don’t faint—!”