Duang With You

"Aaaaaah! Quinn!"

 

"Gosh, Jo's muscles are insane! That dunk just broke my heart."

 

"What the hell! Pass it to the left, idiot! Ugh! That was such a stupid play!"

 

The loud cheers from the crowd make me scrunch my face in annoyance. Sometimes, I wish I had more friends. But it's always just Jettana and Pae who hang out with me. 

 

Today's no different. Jettana, the fucker who's always flirting with Quinn, is the only one Quinn doesn't seem to get annoyed with or shut down as he does with me. Just wait, man.

 

"What are you mad at me for now?"

 

"None of your business."

 

"I'm keeping a list, like those tattletales in elementary school. I'm writing down everyone you talk to so I can report it to Mr Quinn."

 

I shove his head as he munches on fried sausages, almost knocking him over. He keeps calling him Mr Quinn, and honestly, it fits him so well. Do his feet even touch the ground when he walks? Why does he seem like an angel? So damn unreachable.

 

"So many people are screaming for Mr Quinn. How are you going to keep up with being jealous?"

 

"But he's only seeing me."

 

"How do you know?"

 

"You're always stirring things up. Stop spreading rumours that I have a girlfriend, or that I'm talking to multiple people, or that I've had exes. Sometimes he actually gets upset, you know."

 

"Mr Quinn? Upset? Come on, really?" Jettana asks, wide-eyed.

 

I nod. That's his cute side-when he's upset. He might ask me who that person is or who this person is, but just the question alone makes me panic.

"Why aren't you two dating yet? Waiting for the prime minister to throw you a ceremony party or something?"

 

"I don't know. I just feel like I'm not good enough yet."

 

"Oh, come on, man. Any better, and you'd be a saint."

 

"I don't have the guts to ask him. Who would dare..." I trail off, my eyes following him as he skillfully dribbles the basketball. 

 

The sports culture in our faculty is so intense that it's almost scary. He's been practising late into the night all week. I don't mind picking him up for late-night meals, but I worry about him.

 

"Hey! Did you just push my homie?"

 

"Shit." I curse under my breath as Jettana drops his bag of sausages and looks like he's about to storm the court to punch the guy who knocked Quinn down. Everything's fine as long as he doesn't get hurt. But his knee is already scraped. Dammit.

 

"Ref! Are you blind? Kick that guy out! That was so intentional!"

 

"Boo! Boo!"

 

Chaos erupts as the seniors from both teams start arguing, even though Quinn is still limping off the court. I run my hand through my hair in frustration, realising I've almost reached the edge of the court without noticing.

 

"Babe."

 

"I'm fine."

 

"How can you say that? You're bleeding." I look at his knee, where the blood is flowing so much it's alarming. Maybe it's because his skin is so pale, making the bright red stand out even more, and it's pissing me off. If it wasn't intentional, I wouldn't be this mad. I was watching him and knew he wouldn't fall unless he was hit hard.

 

"Calm down."

 

"How the fuck can I calm down, Quinn?"

 

"Duang."

 

I exhale, realising I've just snapped in front of him. I shut my mouth, afraid I'll say something else in anger. I sit down next to him as he's subbed out, because he can't keep playing. The game's almost over anyway, and he's already scored so many points.

 

"I'm sorry."

 

"I'm sorry, too."

 

"I promised last night I wouldn't get hurt, but I couldn't keep it."

 

"Let me clean it up for you." I don't say anything because all my feelings for him are so deep and overwhelming. It's like they're pulling at my chest. I don't want us to be like this.

 

"It's just a small wound. It'll heal soon."

 

"Does it hurt?"

 

"No."

 

"It hurts, Quinn. I know it does," I grumble as I gently dab the blood away after rinsing it with water. Thank goodness the basketball team has a first aid kit, as if they knew someone would get hurt. Otherwise, I'd be panicking even more if he didn't get treated right away.

 

"It doesn't hurt, babe."

 

My heart beats faster, out of rhythm, and I can feel it. I meet his eyes. He's sitting on the chair while I've moved to the gym floor to tend to his knee. He says something sweet to reassure me, and I can't help but smile.

 

"Your ears are red."

 

I can't hold it in.

 

"Don't tease me."

"Is it like a sacred word or something?"

 

"Yeah, it is. You don't say it often. Since we started talking, you've only said it twice."

 

"You're counting?"

 

"I count everything. You've said you missed me three times."

 

"Why does that sound so pitiful?"

 

I freeze when his cool hand lightly touches my cheek. My heart races. His pale skin almost blinds me, and I'm so possessive of him wearing this basketball jersey. Honestly, he looks so cute today-his flushed cheeks, chasing the ball, and even tying his hair up.

 

"You did well."

 

"You're praising me like I'm a dog."

 

"Well, you kind of are."

 

"Woof."

 

He laughs softly before focusing back on the game. His team's score is way ahead, but my attention is entirely on him. I gaze at his perfect nose, his lips sipping on an electrolyte drink, his clean, pale skin peeking out from the oversized jersey, his collarbone that I'm ridiculously possessive of, and his left ankle with the moon-over-the-sea tattoo I drew myself. Then, when I shift my gaze slightly… There's my right ankle with the sun tattoo.

 

"What are you smiling at?"

 

"Nothing."

 

"I can see you smiling," Quinn speaks without looking at me. And damn it, I can't stop smiling.

 

"You're ridiculous."

 

Just having him close by makes it impossible to stop smiling.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

"Babe."

 

"Hmm?"

 

"It's hot. Can I take my shirt off?"

 

The room's owner nods in approval before turning back to his MacBook, focused on his work. After the basketball game ended with a landslide victory for the Jazz Major team, Duang took the injured Quinn out for some comfort food. Since they had to head to Bangkok together tomorrow, Duang ended up crashing at Quinn's place again, unexpectedly. Honestly, just seeing Quinn's pale legs in the room makes it all worth it.

 

 "Quinn, let me check your wound."

 

"Mhm," Quinn hums in response, still focused on his work.

 

"See? I told you not to get it wet."

 

"Quinn."

 

Quinn stops typing, startled by the unusually stern tone in Duang's voice. His dark eyes glance at the person sitting cross-legged on the floor, inspecting his knee. Quinn's damp brown hair clings to his face, illuminated by the soft glow of the single lamp in the room. Cool fingers brush against warm skin as Quinn gently tucks Duang's hair behind his ear, muttering,

 

"You're scolding me over this?"

 

"It might get infected."

 

"I'm sorry, babe."

 

"Oh my god, Quinn! You've said it twice today!" Duang exclaims, scooting away from Quinn's pale skin and unique scent that always makes his heart race. Every time Duang sees Quinn, one thought echoes in his mind: I like him. I want to be his boyfriend.

 

"I have something to tell you," says Quinn.

"What is it?"

 

"Will you be mad?"

 

"Why? Is it really bad?"

 

Duang hugs his knees, looking serious. How bad could it be? Anything but breaking things off with me. Please, not that.

 

"I'm hungry."

 

"Huh?"

 

"I'm hungry right now."

 

His face remains expressionless, but his tone is dead serious. He's genuinely hungry, even rubbing his stomach while sitting in his chair. Duang suppresses a smile. Knowing Quinn, there's no way he'd settle for just convenience store food. It has to be a proper late-night rice soup place. And it's already so late. No way he's riding his motorbike himself, no matter how capable he is. He loves his comfort too much. What should I do?

 

“It's late, you know."

 

“Come on, just this once.”

 

"How about some milk? I'll grab it for you."

 

It's like a slow-motion scene. Duang doesn't know if it's the warm orange light, but Quinn is now sitting right in front of him. He brings with him that familiar scent that makes Duang's heart skip a beat and eyes that carry an unusual hint of pleading.

 

"Please, let's go eat."

 

Hold it together, Duang.

Stay strong.

You can do this.

 

"Are you going to take me nicely, or do I have to use force?"

 

Shit.

Duang's face goes bewildered as Quinn, ever unpredictable, leans in close and grabs the collar of his shirt, pulling him forward as if ready to fight if Duang doesn't take him out for rice soup. Gulp. So fair-skinned.

 

"Duang."

 

Can't take it anymore.

Why is his shirt collar so loose?

 

"Duang?"

 

"Y-you're so fair-skinned."

"..."

 

"Can you back up a little, please?"

"You're such a perv."

 

Duang gets scolded right to his face, but it doesn't hurt one bit. He just realised how much more thrilling it is to see Quinn like this-everything teasingly visible. His shoulders, his collarbone... even his chest. I also have them, but damn...

 

"You're thinking dirty thoughts again. Get up."

 

"Alright, alright, I'm going!"

 

"You're giving me a headache."

 

"I want to say you're nagging like a bottom, but I won't," Duang mutters as he watches Quinn pull on jeans over his boxers, still wearing his sleep shirt. He must be so hungry he doesn't care anymore.

 

"Asshole."

 

And what's wrong with you, Cheewin?

Why do you like being scolded?

 

"You're driving. I'm sleepy," says Quinn.

 

"As you wish, my princess."

 

"Do you really want to get it?"

"Get what? Watch your words."

 

"Get kicked in the ass, obviously."

 

"Oh, okay. I thought you meant... never mind."

 

Quinn smacks the head of the cheeky guy, but of course, he just keeps laughing. He's in a good mood all the way to the car, during the drive, and even when they arrive at the restaurant. Seriously, it's almost 1 AM. Why is it still so crowded?

 

"Do you want the usual?"

 

"Yeah, and order the salted egg spicy salad, too."

 

"Wait, you don't even eat that."

 

"You do."

 

"That's so sweet. I'm melting here, Quinn."

 

"Don't be so dramatic." The hangry guy gazes at Duang's messy handwriting as he jots down their usual orders. Most of it's for Quinn, because Duang's not even hungry. He's only here because Quinn told him to come.

 

"Aren't you spoiling me too much?"

 

"Huh? Me?"

 

"Well, I'm with you."

 

That simple sentence, which probably didn't mean as much as Duang interpreted it, brings a wide smile to his face. His warm fingers lightly touch Quinn's as he stirs the straw in his glass.

 

"Not at all."

 

They lock eyes. In a bustling rice soup shop at 1 AM.

 

"I just want you to get plenty of rest, eat what you like, and do what you dream of. That's not called spoiling you."

 

“I'm seeing only you. Doing this much isn't a big deal at all"

 

But it feels more special than any other day.

And it keeps getting more special every day.

 

 ════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

Quinn checks the time on his phone. Duang hates alarm clocks and prefers someone to shake him awake rather than a loud noise that forces him to get up and work. And here Quinn is, sitting and watching him sleep in the faculty building because Duang wanted a nap before continuing to paint the faculty's cutout for the upcoming sports. event.

 

He doesn't know why he's doing this, but he's already done it. Duang's been using his lap as a pillow for forty minutes now.

 

"Mr Quinn, do you wa-" Jettana, about to ask if Quinn wanted a fried sausage, shuts his mouth immediately when Quinn presses a finger to his lips, signalling him to keep quiet because someone's sleeping.

 

No one would believe it, but Duang is the most promising talent in their year. That's why he was assigned as the head of the cutout team for the upcoming faculty sports event. It's their last project before finishing their first year and moving on to the second in a few months. Time flies... but some relationships progress slowly.

 

Jettana thinks it's like a chemical equation that needs a catalyst to speed up the reaction. But in the end, he doesn't know what's missing in their relationship. Or maybe it's already enough between Duang and Quinn.

 

"How long has he been sleeping, Mr Quinn?" Jettana whispers.

 

"In five minutes, it'll be forty-five."

 

"He's out cold. Last night, he had two cups of 7-Eleven coffee."

 

"He said it was one."

 

"Oops, accidentally spilt the beans."

 

Quinn shakes his head in exasperation. He told Duang to sleep at his place if he was tired, not to stay up and chug two or three cups of coffee like that. He looks at the sleeping figure, hands under his cheek like a child, and can't resist running his fingers through Duang's messy hair. When he's asleep, he's the least troublesome.

 

"Duang."

 

Quinn gently shakes him awake, but Duang groans, burying his face into Quinn's lap and curling up like a small child. Jettana eats his sausage while holding his breath because the scene is just too adorable. He wants to scream and shout that Duang is such a bottom, but he's too scared of hurting his friend's feelings. Seriously, though, Mr Quinn is so cool, caring (to his special person), and angelic.

 

"You've slept long enough. Wake up and let's eat."

 

"Mmm."

 

"Cheewin, wake up."

 

"Yes, Mama."

 

"Duang is the bottom!"

 

Jettana blurts out, pointing at his friend, who wakes up with a cheeky grin and calls Quinn "Mama," teasing him for waking him up like a mom. Someone like you will never be the "Papa!" Never!

 

"Shut up, you idiot."

 

"Now that you're awake, go eat. I'll finish this. Pae and the others will be here soon."

 

"Alright, alright, I'll be back."

 

"Okay, okay, see you later, Mr Quinn!"

 

Quinn pulls Duang up to go eat and then returns to work. Dinner will probably be at a nearby food stall since they don't have time to drive out to a nice restaurant.

 

Quinn listens to Duang complain about the seniors assigning too much work. He watches the long lashes of someone his height catch the last rays of sunlight as they walk side by side, living their lives and sharing routines that have become theirs together. He never thinks that in such a vast world, someone like this would cross paths with him...

 

That they'd meet...

Get to know each other...

And end up staying in each other's lives.

 

"They assign a megaproject but only give me twenty baht. They deserve all the curses."

 

"So exhausting-" Duang stops mid-sentence when Quinn reaches out and holds his hand. Even though their fingers aren't fully intertwined, just this touch feels like he's levelled up... like he's slowly carving out a space in Quinn's heart.

 

"I mightn't be much help since I can't draw well."

 

"But you..have me, okay?"

 

It's such a simple sentence. No sweet gaze, no change in tone. It's 100 per cent Quinn, the person Duang has fallen for. Just knowing he has Quinn is already more than he ever dreamed of.

 

"If you're tired, you can vent to me."

 

"Thanks, babe."

 

"Mhm, no problem."

 

"And you? Are you tired of anything?"

 

Quinn shakes his head, watching Duang swing their hands back and forth like a playground swing. Somehow, it puts him in a good mood. It must look strange-two grown men walking hand in hand.

 

"I haven't been taking care of you much lately."

 

"It's okay."

 

"Don't give your heart to someone else, okay?"

 

Duang's words aren't met with a verbal response but with an action. Quinn intertwines all five fingers with Duang's warm ones. Overthinking again.

 

"Just you is enough."

 

"Yes, I'll marry you," Duang grins widely.

 

"Marry, my ass. I mean, I'm already exhausted."

 

"Fine, whatever. I'm not picky."

 

"You're annoying," Quinn mutters, shaking his hand free as they reach the food stall. Duang whines, trailing after the guy whose room is spotless but whose clothes are always wrinkled because, according to Quinn, clean clothes and neat clothes are two separate things.

 

They sit across from each other, scanning the menu. Just like always, they order their meals and pick a soup to share. That's Charat's style.

 

"You can drive my car back, and Pae can take me home. That way, you don't have to walk back or hail a motorbike taxi."

 

"I'll just come pick you up."

 

"No, it's late."

 

"You don't have to do everything for me. I want it to be fair."

 

"But I'm the one courting you."

 

"That's your problem. I want it this way."

Duang wants to rephrase that sentence.

 

That's your problem. I want it this way, and you have to comply. Yes, that's it.

 

"But it's late. Just sleep. I have the key."

 

"So what if it's late? I come to campus every day. I'm just as good a driver as you."

 

"I'm just worried."

"And you think I'm not worried about you?"

Alright, I give up. Take the house, the car, whatever you want.

 

"Hmph."

 

"Eat. Quickly. Your friends are waiting."

 

"Yes, yes, yes," the big guy who always acts like a child replies repeatedly before shovelling his rice with pork curry and a runny fried egg into his mouth. Quinn starts eating his own food, too.

 

"Eat a lot."

 

A piece of fish from the clear tom yum soup is placed on Duang's plate as he mumbles to himself. Quinn shakes his head at the childish behaviour of the guy in front of him.

 

"Stop whining."

 

"M'kay."

 

"Don't 'M'kay' me. Focus on eating."

 

"Are you a soldier or something?"

 

"Eat."

 

"No, I'm just playing hard to get. I want you to yell, 'Or do you want me to feed you?' Something like that."

 

"Give an inch, take a mile, huh? Hurry up. Your friends are waiting."

 

"Got it, sirrrr."

 

"Chew thoroughly."

 

"Why are your orders so contradictory? Eat quickly but chew thoroughly."

 

"Stop asking. You're giving me a headache."

See?

 

Such a bottom-like personality. Why doesn't Jettana ever see this? Duang focuses on eating, chewing exaggeratedly to show Quinn, who looks like he's about to scold him every second. He knows Quinn doesn't want him to be late and get teased by his friends for skipping out to eat with him. But still, Quinn's so fussy, like a little girl.

 

Anything spilt must be wiped immediately.

Eat from the left side first. Spoons and forks must match.

 

"Your mouth's dirty."

 

If Duang eats messily, Quinn wipes it right away because he hates seeing anything dirty. See? How is he not bottom-like?

 

"What are you staring at?"

 

"You're so strict."

 

So adorable.

 

"Strict like a wife."

 

"I'm gonna kick your ass, Duang."

Seriously, though.

 

 ════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

[He's out of juice now. Mr Quinn, please come get him already. I'm begging you.]

 

"Okay, I'm driving over."

 

[So stubborn. Overworking himself. I'm scared he'll collapse.]

 

"So, what's Duang doing now?"

 

[He's bossing his friends around and helping with the work. It started with just the cutout, but now he's involved in every department. Take him back to sleep already.] 

 

Jettana's sharp tone shows his patience is wearing thin. Quinn feels the same. And now, don't even start calling him stubborn. Duang is the real champion of that title.

"Alright, see you at the faculty. That's all, Jet."

 

Quinn ends the call and presses the gas pedal a little harder as he enters the university grounds. With no one else on the line, he exhales softly to himself. He thinks they'd be done by 2 AM at the latest, but now it's 2:30, and Jettana has just called to tell him to take Duang home because he won't listen to anyone.

 

How can I not get worried when he pushes himself too hard like this? Just like he does with this relationship.

 

"Duang."

 

Quinn doesn't realise how fast he's moving until he finds himself slightly out of breath, running from his car to the faculty building, where he spots Duang walking unsteadily, as if he might collapse at any moment.

 

"Babe, it's not time to leave yet."

 

"Go back to your room."

 

"Quinn."

 

"Go back and sleep."

 

Duang presses his lips together. Who fucking snitched? They know I can't win against him.

 

"Go home already, you idiot. You've been working overtime for too long. We're about to leave soon, too."

 

"Yeah, Duang, just go home. You've been at it since the night before."

 

Before he can think, someone has already walked up to him, grabbed his wrist, and started pulling him along. Duang stares at Quinn's back, dressed in his pyjamas, his clean, fair skin peeking out from under the oversized T-shirt he likes to sleep in. 

 

Thankfully, he's worn long pyjama pants tonight. Otherwise, he'd definitely get scolded. Not only would the mosquitoes bite him, but Duang would also have to be possessive about him.

 

"Babe, I'm leaving, see?"

"Don't be stubborn."

"..."

 

This is too much. Too much for his heart.

 

"When I pull all-nighters, I do it at home. If I pass out, it's no big deal. But if you collapse, what do you think will happen, Duang?"

 

It's the first time Quinn has spoken so seriously and explained his thoughts at length. Duang knows he shouldn't feel happy, shouldn't feel his heart race, or smile. But he can't help it.

 

"What the hell are you smiling about?"

 

"Quinn, stop being so adorable."

 

Duang says that, pulling Quinn into a hug. He never thinks he'd have the courage to do it. He never thinks Quinn wouldn't push him away, but instead loosely hugs him back. Quinn's hands awkwardly rest on him, showing how unfamiliar he is with hugging.

 

Liking Quinn feels like winning the lottery.

Realising he can actually court Quinn feels like hitting the jackpot.

 

"As much as you want me to be okay, I want the same for you."

 

Everything feels so lucky.

 

"You're not the only one trying, you know."

 

He whispers to him and the darkness as he buries his face into Quinn's fragrant neck, knowing he's taking advantage but swearing he's not trying to take anything away. Even if he gets nothing, it doesn't matter. Not at all.

 

"Who does the courting, and who gets courted.

 

"Quinn."

 

Just once in his life, he wants to spend it with someone. That would be enough. Even if it's only for a short while.

 

"It doesn't matter at all."

 

But it's already become infinite in his heart.

 

"Today, I feel the same for you as you feel for me, Duang."