SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

lovestruck

Arthit's TV almost always remains turned off. The only time it gets to serve its function is whenever Kongpob comes to stay for the night. Most of the time, they watch whatever's available online; occasionally, Arthit plays films stored on his hard drive. Whatever the case may be, Kongpob enjoys their movie nights a lot.

Tonight, however, no movie is being shown on the screen since their WiFi got cut due to the ongoing thunderstorm and they've already exhausted all of Arthit's saved movies. What's on screen is a news segment of a weatherman reporting the said thunderstorm affecting most of central Thailand.

Not planning to watch the remaining news reports, they decide to switch off the TV and try to sleep.

As they lie in bed, listening to the rain batter against the windowpanes, Kongpob's eyes gradually droop shut. He's just on the brink of sleep when a loud clap of thunder reverberates throughout the apartment. He jolts completely awake, his heart racing as he tries to calm himself down.

Arthit stirs beside him, mumbling incoherently as he half-awakens. "What's wrong?" he murmurs groggily.

Kongpob shakes his head, feeling foolish for being startled by a mere thunderclap. "It's nothing," he replies, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm sorry for startling you."

Arthit, still with his eyes closed, chuckles and wraps Kongpob around his arms, pulling him closer. "I didn't know you're afraid of lightning."

Kongpob, shocked not by another thunderclap but by Arthit's action, repeatedly blinks. Arthit has never done this before. Granted, it's their first night sleeping together during a thunderstorm, but Kongpob can't help but feel loved and protected from electrical charges thousands of feet above them.

The thing is, Kongpob isn't really afraid of lightning or thunder.

He was merely startled by the sound, but that's a natural reaction he has any time anything unexpectedly loud occurs - like the majority of humans. But now that he's encased within Arthit's protective embrace, he can't bring himself to prove his lack of astraphobia at the cost of losing what he has now.

Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, Kongpob snuggles closer to Arthit, relishing the warmth and comfort of his embrace. He doesn't need to be protected, but he feels protected. He doesn't need to feel safe from lightning, which he isn't particularly afraid of, but he feels safe. The downpour might be raging outside, but in his boyfriend's arms, he's at peace and smiling. He will never tell Arthit the truth.

Kongpob tries to take a peek at Arthit, who, with his steadily closed eyes and pursed lips, is evidently sleeping. He feels his boyfriend's warm breath against his neck, and as the night wears on and the thunderstorm gradually subsides, Kongpob slowly joins Arthit in his slumber.

The rain outside has turned into a gentle drizzle, and the occasional rumble of thunder can barely be heard anymore. But regardless of that, Arthit's embrace remains strong, and Kongpob is having his best night's sleep.