ᕼEᗰᑭ ᖇOᑭE

Warmth.

Team liked the cold, but not from an air conditioner. Unlike man-made coldness, coldness from nature was different. When he was young, he lived in the north. His home was located on the outskirts, surrounded by trees.  Air conditioners were never his thing until he moved to Bangkok. In this city, Team slept with the a/c on every night. But not this cold!!

 

The chilled air made Team fumble to find somewhere to bury himself. When his body found a source of warmth, he tackled it. His faint consciousness heard a yelp followed by a mutter. Then the warmth enveloped him. For the first time in years, he fell into a deep sleep undisturbed by nightmares. So comfortable that he didn't want to get up. 

 

“Hmm”.

 

The sunlight shone through a thin curtain, waking a young man. Team reached for his cellphone; the screen read 6:45. He had fifteen more minutes before the alarm went off.

 

"Why's the A/C so chilly?" Team muttered, looking for an air conditioner remote. Almost fully awake, he noticed something was off. The interior was not one he was accustomed to, with black iron shelves and minimalist, stylish picture frames. Nothing was familiar. His eyes drifted back to the bed before they widened at a golden-haired blob on his chest. His first instinct was to push it away, but the memory from last night flashed back.

 

As far as he had seen in comics, the main character woke up holding someone, or worse, themselves in someone else's arms. His case was the first one, but shouldn't it be a cute girl or a small boy like Pharm? Who'd wake up to find a big guy sleeping on his chest!?

 

"So heavy."

 

The golden blob of hair belonged to Win, the room's occupant, who had forced him into it. His warmth was nice, given the North Pole-like air conditioner, not to mention the fact that the Bro slept next to him, shirtless, showing off muscles and sexy tattoos.

 

"Hia, wake up." Team nudged the big guy lightly, but Win didn't budge. Team decided to shake him off. 

 

"Wake up already, Hia!"

 

Phawin opened his eyes, dazed. The side pillow was so warm today that he had to hold on to it more tightly. So tight he heard 'Argh. The next thing he knew, he was pushed off the bed.

 

"You!"

 

"What the hell were you doing? You were latching onto me!? Cough, cough. I was choking."

 

Win sat up on the floor, yawning. He watched Team's alarm clock blare as the kid shut it off.

 

"You have class today?"

 

"No."

 

"Liar." 

 

The sleepy guy scratched his belly, plopped himself back on the bed and buried himself into the pillow. "You have class at ten. Lemme know if you wanna skip class."

 

"Yeah, yeah. You got me." The junior grunted, but he didn't want to know how Win knew it. "Lend me your clothes."

 

Win raised his brows in response. He watched the junior open his wardrobe and pull out his t-shirt and shorts. Team was used to changing clothes in the club; he had no qualms doing so here. He put his clothes on the chair, then went into the bathroom wearing only boxer shorts. Team's muscles made Win swallow.

 

Win was bisexual. He liked both girls and boys, but it wasn't every day he got worked up at the sight of someone's skin. Not to mention the guys, as he saw them every day at the club, but Team was an exception… He never forgot what taking a bite at Team's thigh felt like.

 

Instead of jogging, Team warmed up in front of a TV. Win's room was the same as his: a studio with a small kitchen to the right, a bathroom to the left, a living room up ahead, and a bed in the innermost part.

 

This room had no couch, only pillows and bean bags in the corner. The rest were shelves for books and car models. One table was stacked with textbooks. On the other hand, Team’s room had only shoddy wooden shelves that could give out at any minute. His reading table was a mess; he couldn't even see its surface. He often used a Japanese floor table for meals and to use the computer.

 

Win ambled out of the bathroom, drying his face. He leaned against the wall, watching Team doing sit-ups with interest for a while before he went in to grab Team's ankle.

 

"Come on. Is that all you got?" Win teased when his junior seemed to be slowing down. Incited and hated losing, Team's strength renewed. Team pushed himself up higher while Win deliberately bent lower.

 

"Seventy-seven."

Their distance is one face away...

 

"Seventy-eight."

-drew closer from nose to nose.

 

"Seventy-nine."

Both of them held eye contact, as if the one who looked away would lose first.

 

"Eighty."

 

Team's heaving breath was the loudest sound in the room, louder than reporters on TV and noise from the world outside. Stubborn eyes stood out, sweat beading at the hairline. His lips parted to breathe out.

 

...Just like gravity.

Their lips touched like the surface of water, where ripples formed and spread as they crashed into a passionate kiss. Hot tongues flicking each other, they took turns dominating, making a wet sound. They ground and bit each other's lips until they became red and swollen like fresh tomatoes. The lust got the best of them. They wanted to crush and devour the person in front of them. All of a sudden, the national anthem on TV stopped them from kissing again. Their prior mood was reduced to nothing.

 

"I’m taking a shower." Team pushed himself up. He shuffled to gather his things, shoved them into his backpack, then ran back to his room, his heart pounding against his chest like an 8.0 earthquake.

 

The occupant of room 1019 lay back on the floor, licking a faint blood taste on his lips. He closed his eyes, soaking up the feelings. Then his eyes turned sly. It was the first time Phawin wanted to own someone so badly.

 

Team rolled about on his bed, playing on his cellphone. After texting Pharm, he'd skip class. Soon after, he regretted doing so, unsure what to do. He had no idea where to go; he didn't feel like driving. He was hungry, but eating alone in the mall seemed too lonely to him.

 

Knock knock

"Yes?"

 

The young man dragged himself to the door. Upon seeing a familiar face, he didn't hide his grumpiness.

 

"What, Hia?"

"Let's go eat."

 

As if nothing had happened between them that morning, they put those passionate kisses and warm embraces behind them, sparing themselves awkwardness when they faced each other.

 

"I'm pretty lazy." Team's body went sluggish to prove his point.

 

"Come on. I'll buy you a movie ticket."

 

The free movie sounded good to him. Team nodded. He changed into a T-shirt, jeans and his favourite pair of sneakers. Then he obediently trailed after his senior.

 

Team wasn't a fan of motorcycles, especially faster ones like big bikes. He felt too exposed and unsafe, but sitting on a pillion behind Win wasn't too bad. Not too bad, my assss!!! Damn you!!!

 

"Can you stop changing lanes!? Go straight!! Slow down, the theatre won't go anywhere, oh my god." Since they cut onto the road, Team had been hollering in his helmet. His hands held on to the rider for his dear life.

 

When they reached the mall, Team felt he had lost half of his life. He swayed from the bike, gulping for air. His eyes glared daggers at his senior, wishing he could smack him with a helmet.

 

"How was that? Wide awake now, huh?" Phawin laughed, liking the other's reaction. He ruffled the brat's head and dragged him into the mall—time to get some food to shut the brat up.

 

Only a few people occupied the mall on weekdays before noon. There were few people in the restaurants, so ordering food was quick and easy. Steak, French fries, sausages, and a big bowl of salad were placed in front of a young man whose calories burned out faster than anyone else's.

 

Team piped down about his worst experience riding a motorcycle; his eyes sparkled at all the food he loved, especially food on other people's plates, which seemed so appealing.

 

"Hiaaaaa."

 

"Forget it." Phawin shielded the shrimps in his dish with a fork as Team's eyes were devouring them. Team went all smiley; his fork dove in, but was blocked by Win's steak knife. "Hia, you're a big brother. You should sacrifice for a younger brother."

 

"Sacrifice my ass." When it came to food, he couldn't afford to be kind. Being kind in a house full of brothers meant he'd starve.

 

"Man, you're not so gentle."

 

"Why must I be?" Win frowned. “Do people need to be gentle when eating?”

 

"Girls like gentle guys, you know? Gentle and kind."

 

"Then that's not necessary," Phawin smirked. 

 

He poked at the fried shrimp the brat wanted so much and waved it in front of him. 

 

"Because I don't need girls to like me."

 

"I want you to like me." Win's eyes shone in a way his friend once said was a sign of flirtation. Any girls would have swooned, but not Team. He got used to this side of Win. Team rolled his eyes, then chomped the shrimp off Win's fork. Fortune favoured the bold:

 

"One more."

 

"Damn." Phawin shook his head. He dropped his flirting and slid his plate of food away. Team was so unlike anyone.

 

The theatre was vacant as anticipated. Amongst a few people walking about, two big guys debating on what movie to watch stood out quite a bit.

 

"I wanna watch this." One person held onto his potato chip bag, seemingly protective. His other hand pointed to a horror movie poster.

 

"I want Marvel's movies." The other frowned, pointing to a poster of a newly arrived superhero movie.

 

"What? You said it's your treat."

 

"It will be my treat for the movie that I want to watch!"

 

Vengeance / Desire / Mystery: The horror film title appeared on the big screen. 

 

The air in the cinema was icy, colder than usual, as fewer than 10 people occupied the entire theatre. Team smiled from ear to ear. He tore open the packet of potato chips and ate like he hadn't eaten before the movie. He meant to watch this movie with Pharm, but watching it with Win was fine anyway.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!

 

The woman's shriek pierced throughout the theatre, blood splashed on the screen, and her body fell on the floor. The pale white ghost stood up, looking at her own bloody corpse before she raised her eyes toward the screen like she was looking at the audience. Before the audience knew it, the evil spirit screeched and lunged towards them. Her rotting form filled the screen.

 

Gasp!

 

A jerk from the person next to him had Team look sideways. He noticed the other's hands digging into the seat. Apparently, horror films weren't Win's forte.

 

"Hia, you can't take a horror film?" Team whispered.

 

"No." Win tried to keep his eyes on the screen, but the movie's evil spirit didn't give him a break. Another jump scare, and Win lost. 

 

"Fuck!!!!!!" Win's shriek was louder than the movie itself.  Phawin shut his eyes tight. He asked in a shaky voice. "Is the ghost gone?"

 

"She's gone."

 

"Really? If you're lying, I'll kill you."

 

"I'm not lying. Here, you can hold my hand." Team held out his hand for the senior.

 

Phawin never told anyone in his life that horror films scared him. He disliked jump scares, blood and gore. He had been avoiding horror films and haunted houses without anyone noticing, but today, a twenty-one-year-old secret of the Swimming Club Vice President was out.

 

"Damn, I'm not so cool anymore."

 

Team's shoulders shook from holding back laughter at Win's curse. This senior, liked and admired by younger men in their club, was trying his best to keep his cool. It was hilarious.

 

The movie continued its horror. Every time the evil spirit showed up, the senior shuddered, squeezing his junior's hand tightly. Team did not suggest getting out of the theatre. He had an impression Win wouldn't do that. Team didn't tease or say anything anymore. From holding out a hand, he then held out his arm for Win as his life support. 

 

The movie was enjoyable with many thrilling scenes. Team never knew he kept his eyes on a scaredy-cat next to him the entire time, finding this big guy too endearing. 

 

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Icy cold water pierced his skin, and the shadow of the water's surface swayed. A pain from air bubbles bursting into his lungs. His eyes went wide, two hands reaching out. Somebody…

 

Team's eyes widened in the dark. His body was soaked with sweat. Exhausted, he pushed himself up to catch some air. Something was long past but never forgotten. Sometimes it was gone, allowing him to have fun swimming. But sometimes it came back to haunt him when a competition was up ahead. It was one thing holding him back from moving forward. He'd just become only a swimmer with poor timing.

 

Team sighed one last time before he grabbed a pillow and a blanket, then walked out the door… 

 

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Knock knock

The sound woke the occupant of the sleepy room. The air conditioner was running at full capacity, making the room cold. Phawin yawned lazily on his soft mattress. He picked up his phone to check the time, his brows furrowing as it read 1:00 a.m.

 

Damn it, I had just slept for one hour. Win sauntered to the door and looked through the peephole with a sense of doubt. His brows went up with surprise, yet he opened the door without a question.

 

Win looked at the messy-haired visitor in pyjamas, carrying a pillow and blanket to his bed. Team snuggled himself right where he slept before in a cosy manner. Win chuckled, locked the door and went back to bed. He lay down next to the junior and opened his arms for Team to roll towards his warmth. Damn, he's like a cat.

 

The more he thought, the funnier it was. Phawin watched the junior in his arms slowly exhale. He looked comfortable as he let Win stroke his head and his back. If his arms and his bed made Team sleep tight, he'd be willing to get up to open the door for Team every night.