Chapter Text
Anantachai winced, looking up while covering his face with his hand, as the unnaturally warm midday sun glared down on him.
The harsh rays, which fell across a sea of black caps across the stadium grounds, on the no-longer students he had spent the last four years with, combined with the thickness of the black robes he was wearing, left him feeling stuffy and irritable.
Yet, nothing compared to the humidity of the Thailand sun.
Err looks down, his eyes watering from both the light, and the cherished memories crashing over him that felt almost a lifetime away.
Laying on his bed as his head hung off the side, refereeing an argument about god-knows-what between Benz and Mhee.
Sitting as at a curved booth in small café, sharing stories with Mangpor and Tor about his time in Boston.
Laying on another's chest, the faint sound of soft laughter echoing as they share a pair of wired earphones, the radio channel long forgotten.
It had been two months.
Two months since he'd last felt that warm hand resting between his fingers, so natural that he wouldn't have noticed the difference until they let go.
Two months since he'd felt soft lips down the side of his jaw, his neck, his collarbone, whispering mumbled of worship that made his face burn.
Two months since he'd felt his heart swell so much, for the gorgeous person in front of him, as Err turned away to walk through the airport gates once again.
He felt his heart tighten.
Blinking rapidly, Err looked straight ahead, willing for the announced to hurry up, as he waited for his name to be called.
One week, until he packed up and was on a flight back to Bangkok, an unspoken question burning at the back of his mind. Back home, into the arms he craved so much to hold.
One week.
---
Mawin hadn't been one to surprise people. He stuck to himself, usually never ventured out past his comfort zone. But that was before he met this boy.
It was because of him, that he was now very much out of his comfort zone, surrounded by unfamiliar voices in a language he was barely fluent in (the English classes and late-night conversations with an English-speaking person across the screen surely had helped).
Yet, as out of place he felt, he reminded himself why his was here.
A soft mantra played through his mind, as he weaved his way through the rows of families holding their recently graduated relatives, keeping the gorgeous blue bouquet he'd bought close to his chest.
You're doing this for him.
They had changed so much over the last four years - having come so far from those shy, high school graduates that blushed whenever their math camp friends teased them for holding hands. Slowly, they grew up, as one of them studied and gained confidence in his ability, fuelled by the encouragement from the other began his radio career, sharing stories across the globe.
They still had their insecurities and moments, but somehow, they managed to make their way back to each other every time, just as he was doing now. Mawin headed to the section on the scrap paper he had written on weeks ago, information he'd learnt of during a late night conservation, amongst whispers and giggles as he gave his undivided attention to the beautiful boy on his screen.
---
Three weeks ago
"ter..' mawin whispered.
The boy on the screen looked up from the notes he was taking, flushing a patchy pink as he made eye contact, meeting Mawin's gaze.
It made him smile.
"mmh?" he hummed back
"what are your graduation plans, krub?"
The soon-to-be Boston graduate hesitated. He didn't want to think about graduation yet. Not until he'd finished his final exam, which was in a couple days. Yet, he responded.
"I'll probably stay back for another week, make the most of my lease, and sort out the last of my belongings before I fly home. "
"what about on the actual day?"
The boy blinked. He hadn't thought about that. He was going to be by himself, after all, as his parents had already told him they wouldn’t be able to make it, but would be waiting for him as soon as he landed.
"I'll probably take some photos with my friends at the science building behind the stadium. And then probably head to my room to pack"
Mawin nodded, he knew the building after all, it was the location of so many of the calls they'd had over the years. He let the flow of the conservation fade to a comfortable silence, as his focus shifted, not to the English coursework he was meant to do, but instead to the flights he was booking to halfway across the world.
The conservation faded from his mind, a faint smile still on his face, as Mawin continued to weave through the crowds, holding that scrap of paper with the address, as he saw that building tucked behind a row of trees. Just a few minutes walk away.
His smile grew, as he quickened his pace and tightened his grip on the bouquet of flowers.
---
Err snuck a quick check at his phone, fumbling between the sheet of paper he'd collected on stage and the device, as he checked the time.
1:03pm
Just after midnight he thought. He's probably asleep by now. At least I hope.
Err sighed. Just a few more days.
---
After much longer than he could handle, much to Err's relief, the ceremony finally ended. Shuffling out of the stadium, he absent-mindedly headed towards the science building he loved to rest at, even though, as an applied mathematics major, he had never had classes there. Feeling a buzz from his pocket, he responds to his parent's message, promising to call them at a reasonable hour in Thailand.
Then, raising his camera, he took a selfie to the five-person group chat, holding his degree with a few exclamation marks for effect.
After sending the photo (not expecting a reply, since he'd hope they were sleeping) he slid the phone into his pocket and sighed.
He'd been doing that a lot lately.
The one person he wanted to talk to the most was probably asleep, and he didn't want to disturb him. After all, it was rare that he slept at all, let alone without having talked to Err in days.
This is what they had been waiting for.
Ever since they sat on the back steps of his house, at freshly eighteen as they confessed those feelings kept inside after months of distance.
As they promised to wait for each other and giggled into each others bodies, feeling a warmth that Err had craved, and kept for the last four years.
Err blinked and looked up, focusing instead on finding his friends, as he decided to make the most of this day, posing for photos with a bright smile.
He could think about those warm fingers and deep laugh later.
---
Standing in front of the science building, Mawin's eyes swept around, looking for his specific target.
There were a few groups of people, yet tucked to the side, holding a flimsy diploma, with the red stole of a mathematics graduate hanging from a neck facing away from him, Mawin saw him as he posed for a photo with one of his classmates.
He could feel his heart beating in his chest, as he slowly made his way closer to the small group of people.
Feeling eyes on him, Mawin looked away from his boyfriend, instead making eye contact with one of his friends, that he had seen vaguely over facetime during one of many calls.
Her eyes flickered with recollection, before she pulled out her phone, filming and giving him a thumbs up.
Err glanced around absent-mindedly, waiting to take his friends photo, as he made eye contact with the face he'd been imagining for months.
The one with soft lips, gentle hands and laughter that made Err's heart ache, was now in front of him with a hesitant smile and the most gorgeous bouquet of flowers he'd ever seen in his life.
"Mawin?"
"Err.."
He shot a wide grin in disbelief, and didn't hesitate to close the distance between them, as though he was checking the boy with the bouquet was really there.
Err, (or maybe it was Mawin, but who really cares) threw him into a hug, arms squeezing as the flowers were placed gently on the bench beside them, allowing them to reach even closer.
It paralleled the same hug they'd shared those years ago, at freshly eighteen, following promises of keeping in touch that against all odds, that finally lead them to this moment.
Relaxing into his touch, Mawin felt his shoulder dampen, stained with tears from the boy in his arms, as Err pulled away and laughed through his tears, giving him such a deep look of affection that made his heart ache.
Mawins hands naturally shifted to hold the curve of his waist, as Err reached to cup his hands on his face.
Wiping softy at the tears on his lover's face, ones he hadn't even noticed had fell, the pair smiled at each other softly.
"I can't believe you actually came."
he heard his voice crack, as he giggled. His friends faded into the background, as his focus set on the beautiful face he had waited, he had longed to see.
"Ter, I wouldn't miss it for the world. I'm so proud of you."
The casual affection in Mawin's tone had Err crying even harder, as the taller one's hands shifted immediately to swipe the tears away.
"You'll stay, right? Live with me for the week? I'll show you all the beautiful things in those stories I tell you"
"Of course. Always. We've made it this far. I'll stay for as long as you'll have me."
"What if I want you forever?"
"I'll be here."
They must've truly looked like a mess, wiping tears off each other's faces and smiling like lovesick teenagers, so far from the usually stoic expressions they showcased to the world.
Yet, today the world got a glimpse of who Mawin and Err truly were, and the love they shared- a quiet type that didn't need words, as Err threw his arms around him again, pushing his face into the other's shoulder, smiling even wider as he felt the imprint of a kiss in his hair.
---
Later, they would watch the video his friend took, and send it to the six-person group chat. Their friends would laugh and bully him for their frankly embarrassing display of affection, yet neither of them would care.
Later, they would explore the Boston landscapes, as Err dragged Mawin to his favourite places, placed he used to dream to bring his lover, revelling in mundane experiences that meant everything, as they clung onto each others hands, matching grins and flushed cheeks.
Later, they would hold each other softly, a tangle of limbs and feelings in the moonlight, as Err felt Mawin's fingers softly outline the dip in his waist as he clung to his hair.
But right now, in the arms of this soft, loving person that had waited so long for this day, all he knew was that this was the beginning of a new forever, for the both of them. Together.
---
A few days later..
Mawin glanced out the window, observing the sunset over Boston landscapes. He small smile widened when he felt the familiar mop black hair tucked next to him, shift as he woke from his nap.
Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, before giving Mawin a small smile and eyes that could melt all the walls he'd held before, Mawin couldn't believe he was here, at his moment. Now that he'd gotten a glimpse over the past few days, he knew he wanted to see this sight, see Err wake up every day, once they were back home.
He knew he had to ask him, and just as he opened his mouth, praying the words would come out properly, Err grabbed his arm.
Their eyes met, as the soft, shared unspoken connection of 'I can't believe this is us right now' was held, and snapped as Err looked away.
He hesitated, but upon feeling Mawin's soft glance, he looked up, determined.
"Move in with me."
Err looked carefully, trying to gauge the taller one's reaction, as the shock on his face became apparent.
He immediately tried to backtrack.
"You obviously don’t have to! I just think it would be amazing, I've really enjoyed the last few days with you, and we've been together for four years, and I found this gorgeous condo in between your DJ station and-"
Mawin cuts him off, pressing his lips gently against his as to say "I understand you, and I would love to"
Pulling away, Err flushes, looking away and avoiding eye contact at all costs with the absolutely beautiful person in front of him
Mawin giggles, a soft sound that lodged itself in Err's throat
"obviously!"
Err grabs his shoulder, resting his head in the nape of his bare neck before he whispered.
"I love you"
The words dragged along the curve of Mawin's skin as he brought the younger boy back to look at him, smiling softly. His eyes shined with the love they'd held over the last four years, never fading, and still making Err's heart race after all these years.
Mawin's eyes dipped to his lips, before looking at him again with that soft gaze.
"I love you. Let's makes this the start of our forever, mhm?"
Err grinned, before looping his arm around the man's neck and dragging him down to meet him halfway.
This is it. He thought. The beginning of our forever.