SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

Just Five Minutes

The more Arthit looks at the huge carnival ride, the more he regrets ever saying yes to riding it.

He can handle some simple fast rides, like a roller coaster with one loop, but this thing in front of him is a big no. He really wants to walk away from the ride and just tell Kongpob that he can't handle it, but Kongpob is so excited for it that he couldn't say no.

They stand in line for the attraction, which is basically a twelve-seater ride that will swing the riders around the entire carnival in a very dizzy and fast way. It terrifies Arthit just thinking about taking one of those seats. Maybe if he leaves now, he won't have to face death so soon, he thinks.

"Are you okay, P'Arthit?" Kongpob grabs his arm.

"Y-yeah," he mumbles as he pulls away his eyes from his boyfriend. "I'm good."

Kongpob doesn't look convinced. There's something in Arthit's eyes. "Are you sure? You positive?"

Arthit swallows. "Positive."

The people who rode it just got off, so they get directed to their seats. As soon as Arthit takes his seat, he holds Kongpob's wrist, who chuckles and doesn't say anything.

The operator locks their seats, and Arthit accepts his fate. The floor below them starts to cave in, and they are now hovering.

Arthit almost wants to throw up this early. "Kongpob—" He croaks. "Negative! I'm going to fucking die! I can't do this!"

Kongpob snaps his head towards his almost crying boyfriend. "P', you should've told—"

The ride starts swaying fastly, back and forth. Arthit closes his eyes and digs his face into Kongpob's neck. "Kongpob, I don't want to die!!!"

"You're not going to die, P'," Kongpob reassures him, but Arthit doesn't believe him.

When the ride starts gaining speed, Arthit changes his mind. He now wants to die. His world seem to go in slow motion, and he feels like he would pass out. He wants it to happen, but it doesn't come. With nothing else to do, he closes his eyes and waits for time to fly.

When he opens them back, the ride starts slowing down. His nails are dug into Kongpob's skin.

"I'm sorry, Kong!" He exclaims as he loosens his grip.

Kongpob doesn't say anything, and Arthit feels bad. He thinks he ruined Kongpob's experience.

When they get off, Arthit doesn't make eye contact with Kongpob. He is almost swaying while walking, which alarms his boyfriend.

"Wait here," Kongpob says when they see a bench.

After a few minutes, he comes back with a bottle of water. "Drink this, P'Arthit."

Arthit gets the bottle from his hand and mutters a soft "thank you."

"Are you okay now?"

And Arthit nods. "I'm sorry if I ruined your ride."

Kongpob places his hand on Arthit's lap while shaking his head. "You're more important than anything for me. You should've told me you didn't want to go."

In regular circumstances, Arthit would have already swatted his hand, but he doesn't want to disappoint his boyfriend more. Arthit puts his gaze on the ground. "I just wanted you to enjoy our date as much as possible." He wiggles his feet because of embarrassment.

Kongpob purses his lips to control his smile, but he fails because his boyfriend is being too adorable. "As long as you are with me, I'm having the best time of my life."

His boyfriend glares at him. "You're only saying that." He closes his eyes. "I want to make it up to you."

Kongpob gives him a questioning face.

"Tell me what you want."

Kongpob doesn't want anything. But this opportunity comes once in a blue moon, so he starts thinking.

"No funny business!"

"That will come tonight, P'."

Arthit moves the hand on his lap away and back to its owner.

Kongpob was about to complain, but an idea comes up to his mind. He beams a wide smile to Arthit, which makes Arthit regret asking him what he wants.

"Don't tell me we'll ride another trip-to-hell ride again."

Arthit is thankful that they are not falling in line for any of the dreaded ride's evil siblings. Instead, they are in front of a huge carousel. He sometimes thinks Kongpob's wishes are really simple. He hates himself for not giving all of them to him. "Do you want to ride that?"

"Yes, P'Arthit."

There are no other people in line, so they will be on the horses all by themselves. Arthit wonders if people are really into wild rides now.

The operator lets them in after checking their passes and tells them that the ride will be going on for five minutes and they can extend if there are no other visitors waiting. Kongpob whispers something to the operator. Then, the operator points at one of the horses in the carousel, which makes Arthit curious.

"What's that about?"

Kongpob ignores his boyfriend's question and goes straight to the said horse. It's the biggest one in the ride, and it has a decorative chariot behind it, making it the lead horse.

"Ride this one, P'Arthit," Kongpob tells him as he taps the back of horse.

"Can't I choose which one I want to ride?"

"This is the lead horse, P'. This is the most special one, so just ride on it."

Arthit gives up and climbs on the horse. "How about you? Which one will you ride?" Arthit looks around.

"Right... here," Kongpob says as he climbs on the same horse, positioning himself at Arthit's back.

"Hey! Is this even allowed? There are lots of other horses, Kong."

"I asked the operator, P'Arthit. Don't worry."

The ride starts to rotate, and their horse is already rocking up and down, so Arthit has no other choice. His shoulders are tensed, worried that others might see them.

"Relax, P'."

But his shoulders remain stiff.

"Your face was on my neck earlier."

"Shut up. I was afraid that time."

Kongpob chuckles. "You asked me what I want, and this is what I want." Kongpob says as he slowly slides his hands around Arthit's waist. "Just five minutes."

"But if you don't want..." Kongpob continues."I can get down. I don't want you to feel forced like earlier."

The rotation of the ride tours Arthit's eyes around, showing him that nobody cares about them. All are minding their own businesses.

Kongpob is right. He asked Kongpob what he wanted to make it up to him. So today, he'll grant everything he wishes.

Arthit tries to turn his head as much as he can to show Kongpob his face. He nods and gives his boyfriend a sweet smile of agreement. Then, he grabs the pole in front of him for support as Kongpob tightens his arms around him. They ride smiling.

The sun has just set, and the golden lights of the carousel brighten as the lovers on the horse revolve around and around. Kongpob rests his chin on Arthit's shoulder and kisses his ear.

"I love you, P'Arthit. Thank you for making sure I enjoy our date."

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A/N:

this has been sitting on my drafts for weeks now because it's basically plotless lmao but i really want kongart on a carousel because I'm sappy like that