SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

On the rooftop, under the falling stars

"P'Arthit..." Kongpob places his cold hand on Arthit's shoulder and shakes him gently, hoping the sound of his voice and the shock of the temperature would be enough to wake him, but Arthit just breathes a thick sleep sigh and doesn't move.

"P'Arthit," he says, raising his voice as loudly as he dares, knowing how thin the walls of Arthit's dorm are.

He kicks the leg of the bed, but to no avail. When Arthit puts his mind to something, there is no stopping him, especially if that something is sleep.

Kongpob slides his hand along the wall until he finds the light switch, which he flicks. Arthit groans as the light flickers on. Kongpob takes this as a good sign and jumps back into their bed. "P'Arthit," he says the third time, shaking him in a way that could no longer be described as gentle. "Get up."

Arthit breathes in a long breath that ends in a groan and scowls with his eyes still shut. "No."

"Trust me," says Kongpob. "Get up, or you'll regret it."

Arthit uncurls his legs into a stretch and buries his face into his pillow so that his words are almost inaudible. "Why? What are you going to do to me?"

"Oh. I have a lot in mind." Kongpob kisses Arthit right on top of the purple ellipse on his neck that is finally, finally starting to fade. Half of him wishes Arthit would wear a scarf. The other half has to admit that he's a little bit proud when other students' eyes linger on the hickey before they remember that staring is rude.

Arthit's face emerges from his pillow just enough that Kongpob could see that he is smiling, and Kongpob kisses him there again so that the smile becomes a sleepy, lumpy laugh. Arthit's eyes ease open, and he finally sits up. "Do you really have to be so kissy?" Ugh. What time is it?"

"4:12. We still have time."

"Okay," Arthit says as he stands up and heads to the bathroom.

When he comes out, Kongpob is already outside the door of his apartment. He's that excited.

"Wait," Arthit says. He then scavenges for jackets that they can wear. He grabs the oversized grey one, which he bought for himself but with Kongpob in mind, and another blue jacket. "Wear this," he says as he hands Kongpob his grey jacket.

They climb one flight, and then, they are on the rooftop of Arthit's dorm. Kongpob looks around. It seems like they are the only ones that decided to watch the peak of the August Perseid meteor shower. Maybe they're the only ones who know about it. Arthit didn't even know meteor showers have names before Kongpob told him.

Still sleepy, Arthit settles on the old bench in the middle of the area. "Kong, I don't think we will see them. It's too cloudy," he says.

"We still have a few more minutes. The sky might clear out by then," Kongpob says as he takes the space beside his boyfriend.

They stay silent for a while, and as always, sleepy or not, Arthit rests his head on Kongpob's shoulder.

"P'Arthit, why do you want to see the meteor shower this time?"

But the one he asked doesn't answer. He tries to peek at Arthit's face, but his low snores already indicate that he already fell asleep. Kongpob lets out a soft chuckle, which shakes his shoulders, making Arthit's head fall. He tries to support it with his hand and tucks Arthit closer so he won't fall again.

With Arthit's face out of Kongpob's view, Kongpob doesn't see his smile.

Arthit stays still, faking his sleep. He decides to enjoy Kongpob's soft touches to his face and the occasional fixing of his hair. Kongpob even pinches his cheek once. Arthit should've been mad if another person did it, but how could he be if it's his boyfriend?

4:33. They're supposed to see the meteor shower now, but the sky is covered by a thick sheet of clouds. Even Kongpob, who's looking up, doesn't see even one meteor.

One can say they wasted their time. They should've continued their sleep instead.

But on the wee hours, on that rooftop, under the meteor shower they don't see, in his oversized sweater, and on his boyfriend's shoulder... Arthit is happy that Kongpob woke him up.