Feeling.

Feeling Good

There is a strange tension between Win and Bright. Not a bad one, but more of an awkward one. They both become very friendly with one another, and they start to fall back into the old pattern of friendship. But Bright keeps thinking about how weird this is.

The thing is, they both admitted they loved each other, but it was under terrible circumstances. Win cried out his love for Bright in the middle of a fight, and he threw his love in Win's face, using it to make him feel guilty. None of this is happening the way he wanted it to.

He just wants Win to know how deep his feelings for his truly are. But Bright doesn't know how to bring it up when they are busy rebuilding their trust.

Win sends Bright this cryptic smile when he walks in on a random Tuesday morning. His overnight shift had just ended, and Bright is working the day shift.

"What are you doing here still? After an overnight shift you're usually the first one out the door, ready for some sleep."

Win laughs. "I just have a couple last minute things to take care of," he says vaguely.

Bright furrows his brow, shaking his head. "Whatever that means."

"Have a good shift, Chivaaree," he says, his voice sincere but oddly serious.

"Enjoy your night off, Metawin," he returns.

Win just sends him this tiny nod, Win's eyes so knowing, before running out the door.

Bright works through his shift, the strange exchange still replaying in the back of his mind. Something about the way Win looked, the way he spoke. It was like he was trying to clue him in on a secret without saying the words.

His shift goes by pretty fast, his mind busy overthinking all things Metawin related.

"What do you say we start up a competition at The Apan tonight?" Tay asks as he pulls his locker door open at the end of their shift.

Bright sighs, rubbing the back of his neck as he considers this option. "What kind of competition?"

"Does it matter? Darts, quarters, pool. I'll go for any."

Bright laughs lightly, "I think you may have a gambling problem, Tawan," Bright jokes.

"It's not a problem if I keep winning," Tay says, but Bright hardly hears him when he pulls his locker door open, his eyes darting down to the red envelope that falls to the ground. He bends down and picks it up.

The words Happy Birthday Bright are scrawled on the front of the envelope in familiar handwriting.

"So, is that a no?" Tay says, and Bright realizes that he hasn't heard a word Tay has said.

"Sorry, yeah, no. I'll just see you tomorrow," Bright says, shoving the envelope into his pocket as he quickly changed. Tay grunts in protest but doesn't say anything more.

Why is this red envelope so familiar? He thinks about it the whole way back to his car. And then he remembers the red envelope that Win had brought to his birthday dinner. He vaguely remembers seeing him throw it in his bag. He never even thought about it after that.

Bright starts his truck and blasts the heat before he tears into the envelope, a little card falling out.

He opens up the typical hallmark card to see Win's familiar scrawl all over the inside.

Bright-

He pauses. This is going to be a lot. He closes his eyes, resting his forehead against his steering wheel, allowing the heat-and his nerves- to warm him up before returning to the card. He thinks back to his birthday dinner. Things were so awkward between them. The whole night felt off, he was so distant as he awkwardly made small talk with him and Tine.