It was you all along

07

a/n: just a heads up! this chapter is literally 4k + words i honestly didn't realised it until i was done writing it lmao buuut it's i would say probably my favorite chaps of all (so far) cause i uwu-ed so hard while writing this <3 also, would recommend you guise to listen to 'you are my everything' by Billkin 

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Finally, after what seemed like forever, the door opened and Frong had left, leaving Mew and Gulf behind. Gulf could tell Mew didn't look very good - he was troubled and the creases between his brows were prominent. Nevertheless, Mew concealed it with a smile as he shot Gulf an apologetic look for making him wait though Gulf didn't mind it the least. The two went to grab lunch as arranged at a nearby restaurant. It was nothing too fancy but the atmosphere was cosy though surprisingly, it wasn't crowded despite lunch hour so they were able to fit a seat easily.

Gulf ordered himself some chicken porridge and Mew followed suit. The latter clearly wasn't in the mode to eat, but he was trying to because he knew Gulf hadn't and knowing that made Gulf's heart swell. They were silent for most part of lunch - Gulf would occasionally initiate some small talk but it'd soon die down and they were once again submerged in awkward silence as they busied themselves with eating. Gulf didn't want to ask Mew what happened earlier, not until the brunette was ready to talk about it himself, so despite the curiosity that lingered in his head, he kept mum.

After much deliberation, Mew however finally spoke and Gulf couldn't be more happy when he did because the silence was literally unbearable and the only sounds were their spoons moving as they dug into their porridge.

"Sorry about earlier," Mew faltered, "Frong and I don't exactly have a good relationship as you'd probably tell."

Mew took a long drawn sigh and Gulf made no intention to comment as he listened intently, nodding occasionally as if to urge the brunette to go on which Mew did.

"Frong isn't my biological brother but we used to be as close as brothers until.." Mew stuttered with shaky breaths, "Until he betrayed me." There was hurt and disappointment in the man's tone but much to Gulf's surprise, there wasn't any resentment or anger. Mew told Gulf with much difficulty, how Frong and him used to hang out very often . Mew would go to his place and they'd spend hours playing console after school back in grade 8. Whenever Mew had problems, Frong was there - he was like Mew's pillar of support when no one else was and it made Mew feel secured and wanted since Frong was like his older brother, his only family. It was Frong's birthday, Mew recalled and so he went to Frong's apartment without the former knowing in hopes to surprise him. But what he wasn't expecting was for Mew to overhear Frong saying that he only got closer to Mew because he pitied him since Mew didn't have a lot of friends and he was just being kind.

At this point, Mew was sniffling as he laughed bitterly at his own stupidity perhaps. Mew was a fool to have believed that Frong actually cared for him and that they were brothers who would stick with each other through thick and thin. But he should have known - he was destined to be alone even Gulf left when he moved away. Mew was furious not at Frong, but at himself for being so naive and ever since then, he vowed to never trust anyone easily - it was a way to protect himself because hiding beneath that strong facade was just a little boy who desires to be loved. And so he worked tirelessly from day to night to get where he is today because as a 13 year old he thought the only way to get recognition was to climb up the social ladder and become powerful, which he eventually did with much hard work and determination. If the world was going to be so cruel towards him, then so was he.

Mew looked up at Gulf. The boy's eyes were red but as soon as they made eye contact, Gulf quickly wiped his tears away in embarrassment. Mew let out a silent chuckle - even though Mew was the story's protagonist, Gulf was the one sobbing.