LIMELIGHT

04.

"I can't miss classes today." Tul said as he put his shoes on.

Mew nodded flatly with his arms crossed over his chest. He leaned his body on the door frame, "Well, Max told me that he'll accompany me today. So, don't worry."

Mew's been acting aloof and cold since earlier which makes Tul irritated. He looked at him, "Max? Never thought that you're already close."

Mew just answered with a shrugged which annoyed Tul even more. Annoyed with something he cannot pinpoint. Max is his best buddy here in NYC and he's the one who introduced them to each other. He frowned. Is he jealous? No.

The blonde man stood up and took his bag, "I'm going." He said without looking back and hurriedly went out of the apartment. Why is he even being so annoyed early on the morning? It's even his birthday today. He should be all happy and giddy but everything turned out opposite... Well, the day's just starting so who knows?

Mew went to the balcony and watched Tul walked away. He smiled to himself before calling Max on his phone.

"Hello. Good morning." He greeted which the other line also answered with a morning greeting.

"You called early. Something's up?" Max asked.

Mew scratched his nape shyly. "I'm actually planning on giving Tul a birthday surprise. So, if you don't mind, can you help me with it?"

Max gave out a small shrieked on the other line, from a formal tone he's voice turned sounding all excited, "Sure! Sure! Gonna finish my morning class first."

Mew nodded even though he knew he won't be seen on the other line, "Okay. Just gonna meet you up, where?"

The man on the other line talked to someone from a far before returning to the phone, "Just outside the Uni."

Mew smiled, "That settles it. Thank you."

Tul's friend answered, "Anything dude. Gonna go now. My class is about to start."

The man on the balcony chuckled, "Okay. Bye." He said and ended the call.

All is set. It will just be a small intimate birthday surprise, just between the two of them. He went back inside and took the ticket he hid inside his luggage, a ticket for Sleep No More play.  He already have it with him even before he came to New York but kept it hidden to surprise Tul. The man had been talking about it for almost a month that Mew felt that this will be the best birthday gift he can give.

Afternoon came, Mew immediately dressed up to meet Max. He grabbed a cab and went to Columbia University. As he went out of the car, he saw Max and Tul standing side to side. Tul was the one who first saw him but instead of smiling at him, the blonde man ignored him and went back to playing with his phone.

Mew wants to pull Tul for a hug and dote on him because of that but immediately brushed that thought off. That would mess up his surprise.

He instead went closer to Max and greeted him with a wide smile, "You ready?" Mew asked.

Max chuckled, giving a side-eye on Tul who's acting oblivious of their presence, "You gonna come?" He asked the blonde man on his side, slightly nudging him with the elbow to catch his attention. Of course, he doesn't meant the invitation to join he and Mew for their birthday surprise secret mission.

Tul turned his face innocently, "Nah. Still have a couple of classes later at five." He glance at Mew, only to saw him staring at his face. He averted his eyes.

Max thought for a second before suddenly beaming happily, "Why don't we tour him around uni? It's still early, he can visit inside."

Tul hesitantly looked at Mew and saw the joy in the man's eyes. His lover is really a hot and gorgeous nerd. He inconspicuously smile. He'll definitely enjoy it.

He nodded before they walk back inside the campus. It's actually sort of like walking a golden retriever around. Tul cannot choose what he liked more, the view of Mew's serious handsome face or that adorable look he flashed whenever they stop by at something that greatly captured that man's interest.

He took out his phone as he watched Mew staring at a mathematical equation written on a whiteboard and snapped a picture.

"Adorable." Tul commented as he looked at it with a blush on his face.

"Who?" Mew asked as he went closer to him, on his way to looking at what's on Tul's phone.

Tul immediately swiped the screen, embarrassed by his action. As Mew's eyes landed on the phone, it's not his picture flashing on the screen but someone else, Tul's on-screen partner, Max Nattapol.

"Yeah. Adorable." He complimented flatly before turning his back.

Tul knew he fcked up. His supposedly happy birthday is getting all messed up.

Time went by so fast that before they knew it, they have to part ways now. Tul on his way to his next class while Mew and Max are on their way to touring the city.

Max first shown different places with Mew. A little stroll and stuffs. Talking about how Tul is when he's away. More like just talking about Tul and taking perspectives through his other's eyes.

Mew smiled as he received a message, "Tul texted me." He shared to Max out of joy.

Max turned his head to look at Mew with interest, "What did he say?"

"I should go to Ice cream shops." Mew said and chuckled like a highschool girl who just received a love letter.

Max laughed, this lovers making him feel so single in so many different ways than one.

"It's already late. He's prolly already on his way home." Mew said as they headed to a pastry shop and started choosing a cake.

"You really know him well." Max commented while also checking the sweets out.

Mew squat in front of the cake stand, leveling his eyes on those delicacies. With a smile, he answered without averting his eyes off the pastries, "He's my best friend and will always be my best friend, no matter where tides take us."

Max giggled. "Lovers. hmpf!" He teased before laughing which also made Mew laugh cutely.

After choosing a cake, they headed off next to a flower shop. After the cashier handed the bouquet, they rode a taxi and headed to Tul's apartment.

As Mew went out of the car, Max spoke without going off the cab, "Gonna go home now, enjoy your night. Tell him I said happy birthday!"

Mew nodded, "Thanks for today." And closed the car's door.

When Mew tilted his head up, he saw the lights on Tul's apartment off, making him smile. He still got time to arrange for his surprise.

He quickly went up and set his birthday surprise. The table, the candle, the cake and the flowers. As Tul opened the door, Mew greeted him with a wide smile, "Surprise!"

Tul looked at Mew for a second as if processing things before he burst into a laughter. "So, this is what it's all about?" He asked.

Mew looked at him confused.

"You didn't gave me my morning kiss, did not hugged me the whole day and acted all cold." Tul complained.

Mew smiled and faked a laugh. He just wants to surprise him.

Tul opened his arms wide which Mew knew very well, he strode towards him and let himself be wrapped around Tul's arms.

"Thank you, Mew." Tul said.

Mew snuggled his face on the side of Tul's neck, "We'll always celebrate each other's birthday together with a smile." He mumbled.