Peace

Chapter 11: Attraction

Bright is walking Win to his faculty since he has some free time before his next class. Win's biggest bully, Ray, has been suspended for one semester for bullying. Bright reported the incident to the dean of Faculty of Economics on the same day the bully pushed Win down the drain at the cafeteria. He brought First and Toy as witnesses and he also showed the dean the Instagram page that posted videos on students bullying other students at Thammasat.

The dean instructed the admins to delete the account, and they were suspended too for encouraging the bullies. Less physical bullying happens nowadays at the university, as the news spread like wildfire about those students being suspended. Win learnt about Ray's suspension four months ago from Bright. The older man randomly told him that while they were hanging out at their favourite spot by the field. Although Ray is gone for the semester, some other students still bully Win verbally.

Sometimes their words cut deeper than a sword. Some other times, Win knows he's going to be okay because he has Bright with him. Time has passed by so quickly. Both men have been dating for over four months already. Bright still hasn't opened up to Win about himself, but he does enjoy listening to the younger man's stories about his life and his days in general. Win is also an angel for not pressuring him into talking. Besides, Bright loves to hear the excitement in Win's voice every time he talks to him about something.

"Babe, are you okay?" Win nudges Bright's arm with his elbow.

They are now walking on the usual narrow sidewalk leading to the younger man's faculty. Bright places his arm around Win's shoulder and smiles. "I'm good. Just thinking about stuff," he replies.

"You've been working hard, babe, with your part-time jobs and thesis. Aren't you tired?" Win asks, because he is genuinely curious and worried about the man. Bright has been very busy and they rarely see each other too lately. However, the older man always makes effort to text him whenever they are not together.

Bright thinks for a moment about the question asked. To think of it, he is very tired. He hasn't stopped running ever since he was fifteen years old. "Well, I'm the boldest of all hues, am I not? I'm fine, Ai'Pumpui. What about you, hmm?" He ruffles his boyfriend's hair, amused at his never-ending curiosity.

"You know I'll be okay as long as you're here with me," Win whispers. "But you're graduating soon and I'm not going to see you often."

"You can always text me or call me. We can meet up outside of campus too, you know," Bright lightly chuckles.

Win pouts at that. "But I want to see you every second," he huffs like a little kid who doesn't get what he wants. "I want to be close with you," Surprisingly, the tips of Bright's ears turn red at what Win just said.

"You're crazy. I'm not going anywhere, Prince," Bright pulls Win much closer to him. He loves the warmth that the younger man always gives him.

"Prince?" Win croaks out at the new nickname.

Bright hums. "It's a short name from Prince Pumpui, I guess."

"I like it," Win shyly approves as he wraps his arm around Bright's waist. They soon arrive at the faculty and the younger man can already feel many eyes fixed on him. They are shooting him with their judging looks as expected.

Bright clenches his fist until his knuckles turn white and glares at those students. Anger is clearly visible in his eyes. His face is red with suppressed rage because he does not understand why they would bully his boyfriend. They immediately stop staring upon seeing Bright's anger that is boiling up in the open.

Win, of course, notices the daggers that Bright is throwing at the Economics students. He softly tugs on his boyfriend's hand and only then he comes back to reality. His anger vanishes as fast as when the waves wash over the white sand. "This is where I leave you," Bright smiles fondly at Win.