Invisible String| WinTeam

CHAPTER-17

"I got this for you," Team spoke handing Win his black coffee as he smiled at the older.

"Why did you not buy anything for yourself?"

"I forgot to bring my money so I only had the money to buy this and I know you need to drink black coffee before an exam."

"No one has ever cared for me like this before and I could really get used to this," Win said as he ruffled the younger boy's soft hair.

"Okay, I don't mind because I intend to be like this for a very long time. Now, before you say anything cheesy, your exam starts in five minutes and I don't want you to be late so go."

"Okay Team. I will see you after my exam."

The boys waved at each other as they looked at each other with adoration. Team turned back to go to his own class. Although he was done with his exams, Win still had one more to go. It was the last day of school before the winter break started and Team almost gasped when he realized he was going back to his home in three days.

He really didn't want to. Not only did he hate going back in general but he would also have to spend time away from his boyfriend. Win and Team's relationship was still new and that meant that Team wanted to spend every moment with Win.

"There is something I have been meaning to ask you Team," Pharm spoke suddenly, getting his best friend's attention. It was a free period for them and Pharm had been reading a book while Team was scrolling through his Instagram feed.

"What?"

"So.... You are dating P'Win, does that mean you are gay?" Pharm questioned and although, Team didn't have a picture-perfect answer to his question, he still tried to be truthful while answering Pharm's question.

"I don't know. I have never been attracted to girls but then again, I haven't really been attracted to guys either but now that I think about it, I would rather be with a guy than a girl but it doesn't mean I would never consider dating a girl, you know?" Team did not want to label himself not only because he wasn't sure what label would fit him but also because he hated labels in general. He could be anything he wanted to and he did not need labels to describe who he was and who he was going to be in the future.

"That makes sense. I am happy for you."

"Thanks Pharm. I actually have been thinking about this. I might not have a label for myself but I think it is fine to not have one."

"Of course, it always is."

"There is another thing that I want to ask you," Pharm spoke again.

"What?"

"Did you have sex with P'Win?"

Team blushed the deepest shade of pink as he let out a small 'no' and slapped his best friend's back lightly as Pharm giggled.

"Me and P' Dean did it after a month of being together and you guys have been together for two months." The truth was that they had done many things but not that. They hadn't even talked about it at all. There were times when Team felt that things were escalating but then Win would stop or Team showed a bit of hesitation driving the older boy away. Team felt that he was ready now. He just didn't have it in him to say that to Win.

"I think we will do it eventually so don't worry."

"I am sure you will," Pharm winked as Team rolled his eyes.

Pharm went back to the book he was reading while Team had more important issues to think about.

Team shivered a bit as he looked down at his own hands. He was wearing a blue sweater over his uniform because it had started getting chilly. Team actually didn't like Winter because it reminded him of all the memories that he hated to be reminded of. If his nightmares were bad then the nightmares he had during this time of the year were worse. He usually woke up in cold sweat and tears streaming down his face and it was a strenuous task to physically get up and take a shower when he was feeling like a wreck.

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Finally, Win's exams were over and he was out with Dean having snacks and making timetables for swimming. Their swimming activities were zero to none in that season but they had to be prepared for when they were back at school. Dean didn't talk much and neither did Win who worked in silence. Win won't be leaving the city during the winter break because his parents lived in the same city as him and even if they didn't, Win wasn't sure if he would go out of his way to meet them.

Team on the other hand, was going back to his own home in three days and the thought of separation didn't sit well with the blonde who wasn't eager at letting go of the younger boy even if it was for just a few days.

"How am I going to survive this?" Win spoke to himself but to his dismay, Dean had heard him.

"What are you talking about?" Dean asked as he crossed his hands over his chest looking suspiciously at his blonde.

"Team is going back to visit his family and I am going to be here all alone and it is making me sad."

"I get where you're coming from but you've got to let the boy have his own life. It is just for a few days, right?"

"For ten days."

"It is just for ten days and now I know you have problems with your family but you have me and Pharm. We will keep you company and the winter break is for a month which means you will still be spending twenty days with your boyfriend."

"No, I don't want to be with you and Pharm, that will make me feel more alone but you're right, I should let him live his own life."

That was the end of discussion. Win was not going to stop the younger from going away because they had a healthy relationship and a few days of separation wasn't going to ruin it. Also, it was the right thing to do. Just because he didn't have a good relationship with his own family did not mean Team would also not have one. After all, Win wanted Team to be happy even if it meant it was somewhere away from him.

Walking back to his house, Win wondered if Team was already sleeping. Team had actually started to sleep alone, provided it was in the older boy's bed, it was still progress. At first, Team had refused to take the spare key to his apartment but soon he agreed. Win had once found the younger to be already asleep in his bed when he came late and that made Win feel very proud. His baby was finally sleeping normally. It had happened only three times since Win and Team had been sleeping together but it was a big deal for Team and so it was a big deal for Win.

He quickly opened the door only to see that Team was fast asleep. It was only when Win moved closer that he realized that the boy on the bed was shivering badly. He had a single thick blanket on top of him and his face was on display for the older. When Win looked at the younger boy's face, he realized that Team was crying, silently without a single sound escaping his throat and his eyes were shut close. Team was shivering so bad that it scared the hell out of Win.

It was a nightmare. It was a nightmare like that day when Team had a panic attack under water but Team was shouting and crying then and he was quiet now. Win remembered how frightened he was, how he started shaking when Team's face went pale and his heart was beating like crazy. He thought he was going to lose Team and it was a terrible experience he didn't want to relive.

But now it was back and Win did the same thing he did back then. Win shook Team by his shoulder in an attempt to wake him up. Team's silent cries turned into a muffled cry as the younger let out hiccups. In an instant, his eyes opened and he momentarily stopped shivering only to feel the chills again as he looked at the older in confusion, the same way you do when you're woken up from a deep slumber but it was far from that, it was a nightmare and there was nothing good about that.