Never Said

11. IT'LL HELP [Off, Tay, Gun]

.oOo.

"Dammit!"

When Off entered the small pottery studio that morning, he was not expecting the digital display on the kiln's control panel to be blinking an angry, red ERR notification.

Dropping his keys, knapsack, and travel mug on the table near the door he headed straight for the large, barrel-shaped mechanism in the far corner.

His heart skipped as he pulled on the thick, insulated gloves, and he held his breath as he slowly unlocked and lifted the heavy lid of the hot box.

"Dammit..."

Staring at the molten disaster inside the top-loading kiln, he couldn't believe his bad luck. For whatever reason, the max temperature of the electric device was higher than the stoneware firing required and caused every item within the kiln - all of the cups, plates, and bowls he carefully crafted - to become a solidly fused mass of slumped pottery and glossy glaze.

"I can't believe this..."

Even the temperature-sensitive cone he used in the kiln sitter as a backup to the thermostat had melted completely into a perfect 'U' shape.

Four weeks of work...

Distraught, the slim artist slumped to the floor after assessing the damage to the first layer of wares, all hope for the contents of the kiln lost. Even the shelves and posts showed signs of heat damage, bowing under the extreme temperature.

It's all gone.

Grimacing, he stared at the ceiling, running long fingers through his dark, cropped hair. "Please...not the heating elements, too..." He felt a headache join his heartache.

The heat was too high...and everything just....fused...

Everything's...destroyed.

.oOo.

Tay held the oversized paper bag open and watched the other man gently place the remnants of a stack of plates at the bottom. "I'm so sorry, peng..."

"It's fine, Tawan," Off sighed heavily, lips pulled into a thin frown as he went back toward the studio for another armload of lost work.

"No, it's really not," his friend replied as the artist gingerly disposed of things that may have been bowls. Or vases? Maybe...saucers, he thought, or a...gravy boat...?

The taller man paused and brushed a few flecks of white from his red tee-shirt before placing his hands on his hips. "I know, it's not, but what can I do?" He gestured to the bag between them. "I've never lost so much before. I was really counting on this firing..." He crouched, sneakers flat on the ground, fingers flicking rocks across the small driveway. He sighed again. "And now I just...maybe I should just close the studio. The kiln is shot. The repairs cost..." He let the sentence dangle, refusing to acknowledge how much he actually lost in just one night.

"I–" Tawan ran a hand through his brown hair, unable to console his companion. "I can lend you a hand?" The broad-shouldered figure sat on the ground beside his friend, arms wrapped around raised knees. "Or some money to help with repairs?" He smiled sympathetically.

Off shook his head. "I'll figure it out, peng. I just need some time. I was really banking on this collection to get caught up–maybe even–"

"Hello?"

The two men looked toward the youthful voice that broke their sombre moment. A small figure stood at the edge of the driveway in brown overalls, one strap undone, and a bright yellow tee-shirt. He held a brown paper bag tied with a pink ribbon with white dots around the jute handles. He clasped his hands and bowed politely as they approached him, the two men mimicked him in response.

"Sawasdee khrap, phi and phi. Sorry to bother you. I just moved in and wanted to introduce myself." He said with a sweet smile that reached his deep brown eyes. Tay and Off looked at each other and then back to the short newcomer.

"Welcome to the neighbourhood, nong," Tay was the first to speak. "I'm Tawan and this emo kid is Jumpol." Off smacked him on the back of the head, muttering something as he crossed his arms. Rolling his eyes, Tawan shook his head.

Uncertain of the situation, the newcomer nodded awkwardly. Placing his palm flat to his chest he introduced himself. "Atthaphan. I moved into that house," he pointed across the street to the small, yellow building, "well, I am moving," he tipped his head to the side, brow furrowed, "almost moved?"

Releasing a huff, Off dropped his arms and went back into the tiny studio at the end of the driveway. Tawan scratched at his eyebrow, smiling an apology. "I'm sorry for my friend. He's not in a good place today. I mean, yeah," he threw a thumb over his shoulder, "he can be rude, but not normally that rude."

Atthaphan nodded. "It's okay, phi. I'm the one who interrupted you. You both looked like you could use a pick-me-up." He held the small bag up, presenting it to the tall man. "Or is it a pick-you-up?" he mumbled to himself, thinking.

Tawan accepted the bag with a grin. The new guy was cute. "Thank you, nong." He gently opened the bag, pulling it closer to his face to smell its contents. "MMmmmmm...these smell amazing. Did you bake them yourself?" He pulled a cookie from the container within the bag. Atthaphan nodded and Tawan took a bite. His eyes lit up instantly."Oh! That's good!" He chewed. "Are these...what are these?"

"Secret recipe, phi," the short fellow replied, rocking on his heels, pleased with the shift in mood his gift brought. "But it seemed like something you," he gestured with his chin, "and phi needed. You've been filling those bags for hours, phi, and you're both unhappy about it." Just then a van honked its horn. Atthaphan took a step back and looked over his shoulder. "That's my stuff. I've gotta run." He waied quickly. "I hope you and P'Off enjoy the cookies." He waved goodbye and trotted toward the vehicle parked across the street.

Stuffing another into his mouth Tay nodded and returned the wave. He munched as he made his way back into the studio where Off was slumped in a chair, scrolling on his phone, sulking. "Cookie?" He held the bag out.

Jumpon reached blindly into the bag, pulling out a small treat and taking a bite. He chewed, then paused. "Where did these come from?" He knit his brow and sat a little straighter in his seat.

Tawan sat in the plastic chair beside him. "Your cute new neighbour made them for us. They're really good." He took another, staring at it. "They're kind of weird, but I can't stop eating them." He popped it whole into his mouth and crunched loudly.

Off stared at his half-eaten biscuit. "It's chocolate, walnut, and oatmeal, Tay."

Tay nodded. "I know. Weird combination, right?"

"It's my favourite cookie."

"Yeah, it's my new favourite, too."

Off shook his head, shifting closer to his friend. "No, Tawan," he held the crescent up, "this is my favourite cookie. I had an aunt who used to make these for me when I was younger." He turned it over, examining it thoroughly. "Whenever I had a bad day or messed something up she would make these for me."

"Aw! That's really sweet!" Tay smiled brightly. "And here this random guy shows up on a bad day and happens to have a bag full of your favourite cookies! That's so–"

Tay froze, smile fading. He stared out the door, toward the small, yellow building across the street.

"What?" Off ate the rest of the cookie as he waited for his friend to come back online.

"He called you P'Off," the broad-shouldered man slowly turned, making eye contact with his companion.

"I don't mind." Off took another from the bag, his mood lightening.

"I told him your name was Jumpol."

A shrug. "And?"

"How did he know your name is Off?"

.oOo.

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