Catch me (when I fall)

SarawaTine Chronicles Part: 3

3.

The annual Summer trip for Music Club has rolled around again. Sarawat whines about wanting to stay home with his boyfriend. It's a close call because he even pulls out a full-on pout and sparkling Bambi eyes. Tine saves his dignity by pulling out- as per usual- the responsibility card.

"You know it won't make any sense for the actual Co-president of the club to bail on club activities. You do know that right?" and Tine allows himself a little steel in his voice. It seems to do the trick; after that there is a sullen silence with Wat aggressively packing his bags. Tine sends a private thank-you to the gods above. That is, until he realises he's being unfairly and completely ignored. 

Two hours of this particular brand of silent treatment leaves him a little desperate though. Furthermore, they've finished packing everything away so the strained silence surrounding them becomes all the more evident. Wat's bundled up at the edge of their bed, in a good imitation of a sulky burrito. He's got his earbuds in a petulant attempt to block out any and every attempt at conversation. As Tine resignedly sits himself down at his side, his boyfriend angles himself away. 

'Oh,' Tine thinks, 'so that's how it is then? Well then, two can play this game.'

With this mission in mind he retrieves his own phone from the depths of their bed-sheets. Then begins the act of scrolling through his ig. The next half-an-hour of  their cold war consists of pointed keyboard-clicking and exaggeratedly interested ah-has. Tine's resolves slowly chips away into a very pathetic state and then dies a miserable death. 

He scoots over a little to Wat's side and allows himself a little peek. Sarawat is still facing the wall, of course he is, the absolute child. His position, however, allows Tine a comprehensive view of his phone's screen from where it's cradled in his hands. Tine lets himself look and then does a double-take because the screen's black. Wat's still got his earbuds attached though, and he hums unintelligibly every now and then. Tine manages to save a smile and a scoff by the skin of his teeth. Then he stretches over and plucks the phone, earbuds and all, away from Wat. 

The effect is instantaneous. The most put-upon expression rests upon his boyfriend's face. There's even the characteristic scrunch of his eye. A sudden grumpy cat meme floats up in his head and Tine is torn between snickering at the comparison and being offended since he's receiving it. He let neither emotion surface. Instead, he tilts his head and offers Wat a small placating smile. Sarawat is not amused.

"Come on! This is unjust treatment for a boyfriend who means well! Think about it- we can relive our memories and even check out our 'Nuisance' plant," Tine exclaims. He must be playing it right because Wat's frosty demeanor visibly cracks. Tine carefully inches closer and watches as Sarawat's eyes flit down to track his movement before flying back up to his eyes. Tine tilts his head a little bit more imploringly and lets out a little, "Please, na na na?"

That does the trick. There's a huff of surrender from Wat and ice from his features melt away into nothingness. Tine has a brief moment of triumphant relief before he's being pulled in by a sneaky arm. He goes down with a thud as his chin meets Wat's broad chest and two arms curl around him. The position is, needless to say, a tad bit uncomfortable and Tine has to shuffle around. He rests his head so that his ear is right above his boyfriend's heart and allows his arms to splay out whiles his legs tangle up with Wat's. Sarawat lets out a quiet sigh above and Tine is delighted to feel it before he hears it. 

His boyfriend-turned-pillow vibrates when Wat says, "Fine. I guess you're right. We need to check up on 'Nuisance' anyways."

Tine allows himself to rise up and level Wat a good long look. This is rewarded with a sheepish admission of- "alright, alright. I might want to spend my time with my chic-chic boyfriend."

It's enough and Tine settles back down with a man whose mission has been satisfyingly accomplished. He nuzzles into the collar of Wat's night-shirt while his boyfriend weaves his right hand with Tine's left. Tine gives their woven fingers a playful squeeze and he inhales in a punch of pinewood with undertones of Wat's natural scent and traces of their dinner. Then, he sits up only distantly registering Sarawat's questioning hum. 

"This," Tine points out, while pinching the shirt between his thumb and forefinger, "is my shirt. Wait- Saraleo- did you pluck this out of my camping bag?"

The cowed silence confirms his accusation and Tine doesn't even let Wat blink at him before he launches off the bed and stalks down from the loft. After that it's Sarawat who has to deal with a frustratingly mute boyfriend with cute pleas for forgiveness and his best puppy eyes.