from deep in your heart (it's every answer that I've been waiting for)

The thing Tin hates the most about his older brother is the fact that, when he makes an effort, Tul knows exactly where to hit to make it hurt.

"Where is that Thai Program boy of yours?" Tul had asked when he noticed Tin was alone at home - a rarity since Tin had started dating Can. "Did he finally get tired of your incessant hovering? I hope you know that your desperation for love and attention can be really...unattractive," Tul says with a venomous smirk. "Careful, little brother, he may get tired of you quicker than you expect. I mean, he's never looked particularly amorous towards you both of the times I had seen him, so..."

Tin winces at the memory of Tul's words and his malicious smile. Usually, he could walk away unscathed from his brother's vicious spiel, but this time had been different;Tul's words had spoken what has been on Tin's mind for some time now.

The fact that he's sitting in the canteen with Ai Pete and his stupid boyfriend being all lovey dovey didn't help either. Pete smiling at Ai Ae, nuzzling his cheek in thanks when he arrived with Pete's lunch, just emphasized the difference between his relationship with Can and Pete's. Ai Ae definitely loved Ai Pete, it was clear through his actions. Can, if Tin thinks carefully about his behavior around Tin, seems to just tolerate Tin most of time.

Yeah, Can buys food for Tin every now and then when they are out and he pushes Tin to open up, but he never calls Tin just talk to him, he never initiates any type of intimacy between them, and still fumbles whenever they kiss. At first, Tin attributed it to lack of experience, but it has been a month since they started going out and Tin is starting to question if it's more than inexperience playing a part. The memory of Tin handing Can the fucking phone and telling him now he had a debt with Tin instead of his mother hit him hard enough to make him stand up. It's the sound of Pete's voice that makes him realize he was about to bolt out of the canteen.

"Ai Tin, where are you going?" Pete asks, looking startled and a bit confused.

"Away," Tin manages to say as he puts the strap of his bag over his shoulder. Everything feeling too much at the moment.

"What?" Pete asks. "What about Ai Can? He'll get here any second, what do I tell him?"

Tin doesn't say "I'm not sure he'll actually care," but it's the first thing that comes to mind.

"Say," Tin pauses and hesitates, before shrugging off. "Say whatever you want, it's not like it matters anyway."

He turns around and starts to walk, ignoring Pete calling his name. He needs to be alone and think. So, he walks to his car, mutes his phone and then drives away.

______________________

It's the commotion in front of his bedroom door that wakes Tin up. He frowns when he recognizes Can's voice, quickly getting up to see what the fuck is going on.

"What's going on?" Tin asks when he opens the door and sees his governess holding Can's arm, trying to drag him away from Tin's bedroom.

"Tell your Auntie here that I'm your boyfriend and I'm free to come here whenever I want to see you," Can says petulantly, sending a dirty look at Eli. Hopes warms Tin's chest, his heart skipping a beat because of Can's claim.

"It's fine, Auntie," Tin says, stepping out of the doorway of his bedroom to take Can away from his governess. "He's welcome here anytime he wants."

Auntie looks suspiciously between them, before releasing Can and stepping away.

"I'll be at the kitchen if you need me," she says to Tin while eyeing Can in distrust.

Tin nods, wrapping his hand around Can's wrist to pull him inside his bedroom. The second the door is closed, Can dislodge his arm from Tin's grip and looks at Tin angrily.