SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

everything

Kongpob is all smiles when they enter the place. "Where do you want to go first, P'Arthit?"

There's a pop-up carnival in town, and it being two blocks away from Kongpob's and Arthit's dorms means it's inevitable that Kongpob would drag Arthit for one of their weekend night-outs there. That's what Arthit calls it, but Kongpob insists it's a date.

Kongpob's smile is so endearing that Arthit can't help but think he wants to give the guy everything.

"Everything," Arthit says.

Kongpob turns to him. "What was that, P'Arthit?" he asks in the midst of all the carnival noise.

"Everywhe— I mean, anywhere. Anywhere you want to go first."

They buy a ton of tickets and ride everything. There's a Ferris wheel, which triggers Arthit's fear of heights, which he endures just for Kongpob's smile not to wither, and a carousel, and bumper cars, and flying swings. They fold their legs up into the baby train and ride that, too. And then, when they get tired, they get their favorite iced coffee and pink milk, and they drink while sitting on the curb near the concession stand.

Arthit looks at everyone passing by, and he wonders if they are as happy as he is. His gaze then falls onto his boyfriend, and with Kongpob's sparkly eyes mirroring the colors of the carnival, Arthit knows at least one person looks happy to that extent.

"Where do you want to go next?" Arthit asks.

Kongpob's eyes roam around as he scans the areas of the carnival they haven't gone to yet. He's unsure where to go next because the rides they haven't tried yet are too extreme and the rest are too childish. He moves his eyes towards the arcade area, and his metaphorical light bulb lights up.

"Claw machine?" Kongpob answers.

"Claw machine?"

"Yes, the one that gives you stuffed animals if you win."

Arthit lifts his left eyebrow. "Do you want stuffed animals?"

"Not really, but I want to play it so that if I win, you will give me a reward."

Arthit's eyes widen. "Me? The machine will give you the reward, not me."

Kongpob doesn't say anything to that. He just wiggles his eyebrows and sends Arthit his wordless message.

Arthit snorts.

Kongpob rests his cup on the grass, intrigued by Arthit's response. "What's so funny?"

Arthit is about to remind him of what happened on the basketball court, but he chooses not to because overly confident but epically failing Kongpob is just so adorable to him. Maybe they should play the game and make it a competition.

Arthit shakes his head and mutters, "Nothing." He stands up and takes the last sip of his drink before dunking it into the nearest bin. "Let's go," he says as he offers his hand to Kongpob, who more than willingly lets Arthit pull him up.

They walk to the ticket booth, and Arthit buys a ton of tokens for the claw machine, which makes Kongpob think that Arthit really wants him to win since he's giving him all the chances.

"Which toy do you want, P'Arthit?" Kongpob asks when they reach the claw machines. Arthit looks at the machine in front of them and takes a careful look at the placement of all the toys. They are all bears in different shades of brown. They are really cute, but as Arthit examines them, he makes the decision to move to the next machine. It has assorted stuffed animals in pastel colors.