Like a Stream [TIWPOR/MARKFORD]

16: "If you're so good to me, I'd fall in love, naturally."

Folks, I'm done!
A bit long for the final

Enjoy~

Por is back safe and sound. But extremely embarrassed since the trip back to town is now delayed because of him. He got an earful from the adults and then another round from his friends.

"Ai'Por, you dumbass! Where did you go off to?"

"Don't make us worry!"

"I thought you fucking died!"

"Shut up! Don't say that!"

"Pooooorrr! Thank god you're safe!"

"I'm sorry, guysssss!"

They ended up in a group hug anyway. Por was on the brink of tears. Then Tiwson came, out of breath, frown deep on his face. Yo saw him and reluctantly, he let go of the hug, followed by Sound and Win, Phat and Gun. As if making way for them two. He didn't have to wait for Tiw to come over. The tears were already falling.

That was a cue for Tiw to pick up his pace. He came running and hugged Por, almost knocking his smaller body over. Tiw didn't say anything while Por sobbed, mumbling inaudibly.

"...on't hate me. P-Please... stay with me? Don't be angry... I didn't... mean to. I didn't want to say all that.."

The bigger guy said nothing, but the rub on Por's back was consistent. Instead of stopping, he only cried harder. His friends are wrong on so many levels. Tiw is too good for Por. Por is the bad one for him.

...

Three hours ago.

"Guys... what's going on?" Tinn asked.

The Chinzillas were quiet after one just ran off god-knows-where. When no one, not even his boyfriend spoke up, Tinn turned to Tiw. But Tiw can't help him this time. He thinks about what he just heard.

Okay, Tiw knows Por. Probably more than the boy himself expected. He didn't mean it when he said he doesn't want Tiw. He just cares about his friends a lot (assuming Por has found out about their gatekeeping plan and Gun's betrayal). Tiw gets it. But getting it doesn't mean it didn't hurt. It hurts like bitch.

He thinks about the past year. All the things he had done for Por. The sleepless nights he spent to see Por despite his busy classes. The gift he searched everywhere to make Por's birthday the best day his whole life. And then all the things Por does for him. Keeping a seat for him at every table. Stashing a plate of meat for him every moo kratha. Giving him a morning call every time he has exams.

All that and today he hears Por saying they will never be together. Tiwson thought it's an exaggeration before but apparently you can really hear your heart breaking.

"Guys..." Gun broke the deafening silence. "I know you might not believe me now. Sorry, for keeping quiet all this time. I thought it's better for Por to tell you guys... but it seems important that you guys know now."

"What is it?" Sound asked.

"Well," he glances at Tiw. "Truth is, Ai'Tiw did confess to Por. But... Por rejected him."

Confusion arose within the band members. Yo asked first. "When was that??"

"Last year."

"Huh?!" Win was visibly shocked. "Wait, wait, I don't get it??"

Phat nodded along. "Why are they still acting like they're flirting then? Uh, wait, so what are you now??"

Gun had no answer to that. Tiw gets the look thrown his way. His turn to speak now. So he took a deep breath. It's story time.