A shoulder to lean on ( Joongdunk)

part:13

"Here they come," Mos's voice commanded the attention of his friends gathered around the table. "Guys, today is Mr. Boom's anniversary. We need to congratulate him. So, let's raise a toast together!" Mos declared enthusiastically, but a silent tension brewed among four individuals at the table.

Everyone took their seats. One of the Pirapat brothers was silently cursing his luck, while the other was elated at the unexpected encounter with his crush. "This is Tan, my husband. And this is Mix, our brother and friend," Boom began introducing the new arrivals. "Earth and I already know him," Mos interjected as Boom continued, "And here is Joong Archen Ayden! The most popular and youngest member of our group." Boom's eyes shifted to Joong, who was now seated across from Dunk, casting him an indifferent look. "Who doesn't know him? He's my racing idol," Lengso said excitedly, unaware of the silent animosity his best friend Dunk harbored towards Joong.

"Yeah, who doesn't know this idiot?" Dunk mocked internally. "Yes, my younger brother Dunk and I already met him at last night's party," Earth added. "Introduction, my foot. That damn Joong Archen was getting on my nerves," Dunk fumed silently.

As conversations and drinks flowed, subtle games unfolded. Joong versus Dunk in an unspoken battle of wits and charisma, while Mix and Earth navigated their own unspoken tensions from a recent drunken escapade.

"Wow, acting all normal as if nothing happened that night," Mix muttered to himself, recalling his drunken, childish behavior with Earth a week ago. Earth, though internally excited at seeing Mix, kept his cool. Noticing Mix avoiding his gaze, Earth decided to play along, understanding Mix's embarrassment from that night. Unbeknownst to Mix, Earth kept a discreet eye on him, his feelings carefully hidden.

Observing these subtle dynamics, Mos, Earth's best friend, tried to decipher what was unfolding between Earth and Mix.

"What's his problem? He's looking at me like he wants to devour me," Dunk thought, averting his eyes when they met Joong's intense gaze. Joong acted nonchalant, but his gaze spoke volumes, making Dunk nervous and flustered since the previous night's party. Joong chuckled at Dunk's behavior, finding him adorable in his anger. The first time Joong laid eyes on Dunk, he was captivated, and he had no intention of backing off now.

The tense atmosphere was disrupted when two alluring women approached the table. "Hi, can we join you for a drink?" one of the women asked, winking. One sat beside Joong, clinging to him in an attempt to seduce him, while the other took a seat next to Earth.

Though awkward, the group couldn't refuse them. "Let's have a drink, shall we?" the girl beside Earth said, raising her glass. Earth, out of politeness, clinked his glass with hers. "What a charmer! Girls clinging to him already?" Mix thought irritably, disliking the girl's behavior but unsure why he felt this way.

The evening took a dramatic turn when one of the women, seemingly intoxicated, stumbled into Earth's arms with calculated grace. "Oops, clumsy me," she giggled, her eyes twinkling up at Earth. Uncomfortable with the attention, especially in front of his crush, Earth discreetly signaled to Mos for assistance.

"P'Veronica, can you take her away? She's drunk," Mos intervened, understanding Earth's silent plea. "What a magnet for girls," Mix muttered just loud enough for Earth to hear.

"Let's go to our table. There are other beautiful ladies there," the girl beside Joong said, noticing her friend being escorted away. Joong brushed her hand away. "My table is beautiful enough," he said, his eyes locking onto Dunk, who looked annoyed by the girl's presence. Dunk realized Joong's words were meant for him but looked away, feeling a strange sense of possessiveness he didn't want to acknowledge.

As the night progressed, feelings simmered beneath the surface, with unspoken desires and rivalries adding layers of complexity to their friendships. Each glance, each gesture, hinted at a deeper connection waiting to be explored...

"Let's toast again to Mr. Boom's anniversary!" Mos announced, raising his glass high.

"Cheers!" echoed the group, their glasses clinking in unison.

"Excuse me, guys. I need to use the restroom," Mix said, standing up. The others nodded as he headed away.

"It's great having drinks with you all," Joong remarked, sipping his drink. His eyes kept darting toward Dunk, who was desperately trying to maintain his composure. Each time their gazes met, Dunk quickly looked away, his heart racing. The silent tension between Joong and Dunk lingered as the night wore on.

"Hey Joong, P'Mix has been in the restroom for a while now. Is he okay? He's such a lightweight," Boom noted with concern.

"Maybe he's busy 'releasing some heat' with someone," Tan joked with a mischievous grin.

"Stop being a pervert," Boom retorted, slapping Tan's arm. "I'll go check on him," Joong offered, starting to rise.

"Sit down. I'll go," Earth interjected. "I need to use the restroom too." Though Earth tried to play it off casually, Mos, Earth's best friend, noticed something unusual. Earth never showed this much concern for anyone except his younger brother, Dunk. Mos smirked, sensing the undercurrent of worry in Earth’s expression as he left the table.

"Khun Sahaphap, are you alright?" Earth asked gently, finding Mix slumped over the basin.

"Rinse your face. It’ll help," Earth advised, patting Mix's back. Mix looked up, his face flushed and exhausted.

"Why drink if you can't handle it?" Earth chided softly, watching Mix lean heavily against the counter.

Mix, his face red from drinking looked at  Earth's eyes."I know I have a low tolerance, but I just wanted to fit in," he admitted, his voice weary.

Earth frowned. "You don't need to push yourself. Why didn't you just say no?"

"Can you hold me?" Mix murmured, surprising both himself and Earth. Despite their past grudges, his exhaustion outweighed his pride.He is too exhausted to care about past grudges.His voice trembling with vulnerability.

Earth was taken aback. Just moments ago, Mix had been avoiding his gaze out of embarrassment from the previous night’s drunken antics. But now, he was seeking comfort in Earth’s arms. Earth hesitated, unsure if Mix would regret this too.

"Please, hug me," Mix insisted, his voice softer, eyes pleading.Seeing Earth’s reluctance. Without waiting for a response, Mix wrapped himself around Earth, resting his spinning head against Earth’s solid chest. The world steadied as Earth’s warmth enveloped him.

After a moment's pause, Earth gently hugged Mix back, his arms encircling Mix like a protective barrier. "Feeling better?" he asked softly, his hand stroking Mix’s hair.

"Hmm," Mix mumbled, his face still buried in Earth’s chest. In that embrace, Mix felt a rare sense of safety, as if Earth’s warmth was meant solely for him. The warmth of Earth's embrace melting away his exhaustion and fears. In that quiet, intimate moment, everything else faded, and it was just the two of them, finding comfort in each other’s arms...