Roundabout Way to You

40. Bike ride

The night was quiet, except for the faint hum of passing cars in the distance, as Sarth and Anwit sat on the floor of Sarth's newly renovated apartment, staring at the wall they had painted together just hours before. 

Their latest project—a large, abstract wall piece they had hung—stood proudly on the freshly painted surface, blending colors and textures that somehow represented the balance between Sarth's vibrant personality and Anwit's quiet elegance.

Sarth was in a good mood, feeling accomplished and satisfied with the progress they had made. But as he turned his head to look at Anwit, his smile faded slightly.

 Anwit's expression was solemn and blank, his eyes fixed somewhere distant. Since finding out the truth about his father's criminal past, he had been struggling, and though he had helped Sarth tirelessly with the renovations, the light in his eyes had dimmed. 

The once-bright smiles, the laughs—they were replaced by nods and brief hums. It was starting to worry Sarth.

Sarth cleared his throat, trying to break the silence. "Hey... you think we did a good job with the place?"

Anwit glanced at him, his lips barely curving into a polite half-smile. "Yeah."

Just that single word. Sarth's smile faltered, but he pressed on, determined to bring some warmth back into the conversation. "Well, it wouldn't have turned out half as nice if you hadn't helped me pick everything out. I mean it, Wit, your eye for design made this place look way better than I had imagined."

Anwit only nodded slightly. 

The quiet, indifferent reply hung in the air, and Sarth could feel his patience waning. He couldn't keep dancing around whatever wall Anwit had built. Standing up abruptly, he dusted off his hands and looked down at Anwit. "You know what?" he said, grinning. "We are going for a ride."

Anwit blinked, taken aback. "Now? It's almost midnight, Hia."

Sarth just shrugged, pulling Anwit to his feet. "Exactly. Midnight is the best time. The roads are empty, the air is cool, and we will have the world all to ourselves." 

He grabbed his bike keys and gave Anwit a look that said he wasn't taking no for an answer.

 Anwit hesitated for a moment, but then let Sarth lead him to the garage. Though he didn't seem particularly excited, he didn't protest.

Sarth handed him a helmet and helped him secure it. "Come on," he said as he hopped on the bike. "Just trust me."

With a deep breath, Anwit climbed onto the bike, settling in behind Sarth. As the bike roared to life and they headed onto the open highway, a cool breeze whipped around them, the sensation so freeing and exhilarating that Anwit couldn't help but close his eyes. 

The worries he had been carrying started to feel lighter, carried away by the wind as the city lights blurred past.

After some time, the bike slowed down and came to a stop at an isolated spot overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking—the city lights spread out like stars beneath them, twinkling against the dark, silent sky. 

Anwit's eyes widened, and for the first time in days, he let out an awed breath. "It's... beautiful," he murmured, more to himself than to Sarth.

Sarth smiled, pleased. "Glad you like it." He led Anwit to a flat rock nearby, where they both sat down to take in the view. 

The air was cool and gentle, the city below was quiet, and Anwit's shoulders visibly relaxed as he looked out over the sparkling landscape.

As they sat there in silence, Sarth glanced over, noticing that a small, genuine smile had crept onto Anwit's face. Not wanting to miss the rare moment, Sarth instinctively reached for his phone, quickly capturing a picture of Anwit, that soft smile making him look so peaceful.

Anwit noticed, his cheeks coloring slightly. "What are you doing?" he asked, a little embarrassed. "Why are you taking a picture of me? The scenery is right there," he said, pointing toward the view.

Sarth shrugged, grinning mischievously. "I already took a photo of the scenery. Now I am taking a picture of something even more beautiful."

Anwit's face warmed, a blush rising up his cheeks. He ducked his head, fidgeting with his hands as he muttered, "You have gotten better at flirting, haven't you?"

Sarth chuckled, nudging him playfully. "So... do you think it is working?"

"Ladies will love it," Anwit replied, avoiding Sarth's gaze.

Sarth's expression softened, and he looked directly at Anwit. "What about you? Do you like it?"

The question caught Anwit off guard. He stammered, unsure of how to respond, but Sarth didn't give him time to collect himself. 

The playful smile had disappeared from Sarth's face, replaced by an earnest look in his eyes.

"Anwit," he said quietly, "Be my boyfriend, na."

Anwit's mouth opened in shock. He looked down, his mind racing, his heart pounding in his chest. "Hia, I... Are you messing with me?"

Sarth shook his head, a gentle smile curving his lips. "No, I am not. I mean it. I have wanted to say something for a while now, but I didn't want to push you before you were ready. You have been there with me through everything—the renovation, the late-night chats, everything. And I have realized that all I want is to be there for you, too."

Silence stretched between them, and for a moment, Sarth wondered if he'd overstepped. But Anwit's voice, soft and hesitant, broke through the quiet.

"I... I don't know, Hia." He looked out at the city lights, his expression conflicted.

Sarth reached over and gently placed his hand on Anwit's. "Hey, I get it. This doesn't have to be a yes or no thing right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

Anwit looked down at their hands, feeling a strange warmth spread through him, his heart beating a little faster. "I just... need some time to think about it, Hia. This is all new to me, and with everything that's happened..." His voice trailed off.

Sarth squeezed his hand gently. "Take all the time you need. I will be here."

They sat together in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts as they watched the lights flicker in the distance. 

For the first time since he had learned the truth about his father, Anwit felt a sense of peace. He was still uncertain, still a little lost, but knowing that Sarth was there, patient and willing to wait, brought him a strange sense of comfort.

After a while, Sarth cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "So, does that mean I am not completely hopeless at flirting, then?" he asked, a small grin reappearing on his face.

Anwit chuckled, the sound quiet but genuine. "Maybe you are not hopeless. Maybe just... a little hopeful."

Sarth laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet night. He placed an arm around Anwit's shoulders, pulling him close. They stayed like that for a while longer, just sitting together under the vast sky, feeling the gentle night breeze wrap around them. Neither of them said anything more, but somehow, they didn't need to.

There, on that isolated hillside, surrounded by nothing but stars and silence, they found a moment of quiet understanding that didn't need words.