For the Secret of the Sea

Part 1/3

Pharm knew Win was interested in Team. Hell, everyone could tell Win was interested in Team. Just the way he looked at Team was enough, let alone the way he clearly took care of him.

Team was initially a little harder to read but after a day spent with them, it was clear to Pharm that Team had strong feelings as well.

As Pharm and Manaow drove back to campus, they were quiet for some time. Eventually, Manaow couldn't take it. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Hmm?" Pharm looked away from the road for a moment. "Yeah. I am now."

"Poor Team." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I knew his parents were cold, but..."

"I think he'll be happier now, don't you?"

"With a dreamy hunk like Win?" She laughed. "You know it!"

"Manaow!" Pharm mock-glared.

She laughed harder. "He's happier, yeah."

"I'm going to ask Win if there's anything else we can do to help without getting Team's back up."

"Good idea. You'll let me know."

"Of course."

Manaow put on the radio and they sang along all the way back to the campus.

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Pharm was happy that Team got over being offended by their gift of a phone to him almost immediately and went back to texting regularly. He talked about all his jobs and new friends, while Pharm told him funny stories about classes and food failures.

Manaow decided that since both of her best friends liked boys, it meant she could spam their group chat with pictures of hot shirtless guys. Team yelled at her that she was a perv and Pharm mostly averted his eyes and tried not to let his gaze linger too long. Although some of the photos were...memorable.

Blushing in the privacy of his apartment, Pharm reminded himself that he was not here to ogle men but to get an education. Even if Manaow was right about...

He put his phone down resolutely and picked up his world history textbook. Enough.

As the weeks went on, Team did sound happier and Pharm was thrilled. Then there was a baffling exchange.

Stupid Win! came a random morning text.

What happened? Manaow asked. Do I need to punch him? Because I can be there by dinnertime if I skip drama club.

Pharm waited impatiently but he didn't want to push Team. Finally...

The jerk thinks he's protecting me. Like I'm a kid.

Pharm considered that for a bit. So he doesn't want to hurt you. That sounds positive.

He's decided he knows what's best for me without asking.

What are we talking about? Manaow asked. Like, you should eat more vegetables or you should move to Australia?

Like I don't really love him!

The chat was quiet for a few minutes as everyone processed this.

That's a big step, Pharm finally wrote.

Yeah, I know. Before either of them could reply to Team, he wrote, Gotta go to work. Later.

Pharm put his phone down and thought about Win and Team. From the way they looked at each other to the care they took, well, it was obvious how they felt. Surely they would sort this out. Pharm smiled. They deserved to be happy.