Yes, Love Sucks

Day Trip

I want to go back to Japan!!!

***

Mew drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, grateful that Lee had allowed him to take the wheel so he could join Thorn in the backseat. It would have been uncomfortable to sit next to Gulf, but now there was a buffer between them. Gulf was focused on staring out the window with his headphones on, creating a peaceful atmosphere in the car. The sun finally showed up as expected, much to Mew's relief. He was grateful to be outside instead of cooped up in a house, unlike Gulf who probably wanted to be left alone to deal with his recent breakup.

As he stopped at the traffic lights, he glanced at his colleague beside him, realizing that if someone had mentioned his concern for Gulf Kanawut the day before, he would have thought they were crazy. He couldn't help but notice that Gulf had fallen silent ever since they got into the car, yet he wasn't even glancing at his phone. It was almost as if all the tension had dissipated, leaving him lost in his own thoughts.

"Thorn..." Mew softly hummed to Thorn, who had been engaged in a lively conversation with Lee. Gulf's music blasted through his headphones, drowning out any chance of him catching their conversation. "How long was Gulf with his boyfriend?"

"They've been together for five years, but their history goes back ten years. He used to be a friend of ours back in middle school. Thorn's response was a mix of sadness and anger, whispered in a way that Mew could empathize with. "I never really liked him, but Gulf had a crush on him from the moment they met.

Mew started the car again, humming in contemplation. Thorn nodded in the rearview mirror. "So that's why it's been so tough on him. But why didn't you like him?"

"He was...Is an arrogant jerk, he knew how Gulf felt but even at school he would sleep around..."

"How did they end up getting together?" Mew hummed not really expecting an answer for that and he wasn't surprised when Thorn gave a shrug that was too angry to be offhand.

"No idea. It just sort of happened. I'm going to kill him when I see him, he doesn't deserve to live..."

Gulf grumbled from beside him, "You know I can hear you, right?" Mew froze, realizing that the music from the headphones had died down at some point. He still wasn't looking anywhere but the window. "You don't have to talk about me like I'm not here... Or like I'm made of china, I'm not going to break."

"I never thought you would. You're not delicate enough to be china, but you are acting odd... Quiet, not like yourself," Mew sighed as Thorn didn't say anything, just blushed and buried his face into Lee's shoulder. Gulf did give him a small glance then, but it didn't last long before he was back to looking out of the window, his fingers tapping on the pane of glass.

Gulf's frustration was palpable as he exclaimed, "I'm not some sort of performing monkey! I have every right to be upset. It may not make sense to others, but I was genuinely in love with him. It's heartbreaking to see him in my living room with another guy. Now, I have to go through the hassle of finding a new apartment..." Mew couldn't help but feel sorry for Gulf. He knew how fortunate he had been to have his apartment provided by his job. However, now Gulf would have to face the daunting task of commuting from outside the city, which would be both exhausting and risky, especially considering the irregular working hours they had. "Doing it alone in the city is going to be nearly impossible," Gulf added with a hint of despair.

"Thorn manages..."

"Thorn's parents help pay for his apartment, his wages alone wouldn't cover it..." Gulf mumbled.

Mew chewed on his lip his brain playing catch up with his mouth as he said without thinking "You can share with me..."

Gulf's eyes widened in shock as he blurted out, "Pardon me?" He couldn't believe what his boss was suggesting, but the look on Mew's face mirrored his own astonishment. A faint pink tint colored Gulf's cheeks, and his visible ear turned red.