Just Friends

Chapter Nine

Gulf knew he was acting childish: pretending to be sick and making his parents worry about him only because he couldn't find the courage to go to school was kind of a low point for him. He just couldn't face him yet. He couldn't sleep a wink and Gulf was the kind of guy who could even sleep while standing up. The fact was...he didn't know how to feel about the whole situation. It wasn't that he didn'texpect the kiss from Mew: a part of him knew that all of that flirting wasn't only his way to tease him. What he didn't expect at all was his own reaction to the kiss. First of all, he had never kissed a guy before. Hell, he barely even kissed a girl. But in that moment he wasn't petrified: on the contrary, he could barely control his own body, his mouth wanting to explore more of his. If that wasn't a terrifying thought, then Gulf just didn't know what to make of it. Also, Gulf had just started coming out of his shell and getting used to spending time with people. The last thing he needed was to make things more complicated. A knock on the door almost made him jump, stopping his stream of thoughts. "You can drop the act now. Mom and Dad just left for one of their evening walks".

Grace peeped into his room, a devilish smile on her lips. "What do you mean? I'm totally sick". He pretended to cough, maybe overdoing it a little. "Yeah, sure. Remind me again how you were casted as the main lead in the school play". Gulf grabbed his pillow and threw it at her, who quickly dodged it. "I'm kidding". She sat next to Gulf, returning the pillow. "I know with Mew it's totally different". Gulf looked at his sister, his eyes going wide. "Excuse me, how do you even know his name?". Grace giggled, playing with a lock of hair. "Sorry, was that supposed to be a secret? First of all, everyone knows him at school and we kind of live in the same town, you know? Second of all, almost every night you lock yourself in your room and talk on the phone with him. I practically know the guy". Gulf shook his head, suddenly concerned about other things. "Do Mom and Dad know about my role in the play?". She frowned, making herself comfortable in her brother's bed. "Uhm, I don't think so. They probably think you're playing a supporting role". Gulf nodded, feeling relieved. "Good. I'm still...not ready to tell them. Even though I didn't really have a say in it". She grinned, pinching his cheek to annoy him. "Why? Are you embarassed to play in front of our parents?". Gulf glared at her, moving her hand away. "While I don't particularly like being at the center of the attention, it's not...that".

Sensing his brother was having a hard time speaking out, she came to his aid. "It's because he's a guy? Our parents are not so close minded, or so I believe. Or have you been up to something naughty?". Gulf almost chocked on his own saliva, the memory of the previous night still vivid. "GRACE, for the love of God". He could feel his own body heating up, especially his ears. "So you have been up to something naughty. I mean, wow, Mew Suppasit. Most of my friends would kill to be you. I mean, really". Gulf closed his eyes for a second in the attempt to restrain his own thoughts. "Nothing of that sort. We're just friends". Grace didn't seem to buy it, though. "Friends don't talk like you do". Again, Gulf's eyes went wide, surprised by how much her sister knew without him knowing. "Now you're listening to my conversations too? There's this thing called privacy, Grace". She sneered, sort of offended. "Of course not, I'm not a stalker. It's just...you sound so happy every time you talk with him". Gulf sighed, not knowing how to react. "Let me guess. That's gross?". She pushed him a little. "Actually, I was going to say it's cute". Gulf raised his eyebrow, surprised. "Are you sure you're my sister?". Grace snorted, glaring at him for ruining the mood. "Ugh, the same old you. I know what you're doing, oh yeah. You're trying to distract me so I can't poke my nose into your affairs". Gulf smiled innocently. "So you are smarter than I thought". She rolled her eyes, messing up his hair. "Well, if you're hungry there are some leftovers. I'm going to bed. Behave youself". She made a face, before closing the door behind her.

Gulf wasn't really hungry though. Not after the umpteenth phone call from Mew. He turned off his phone, so he wouldn't be tempted to answer the call. He had no idea what to say or how he would react if he was to talk to him. Just when he was about to turn the lights off, he heard a voice from a distance. He got out of bed, approaching the window. That's when he recognized a familiar face in his garden. Gulf quickly opened his window, worried. "Mew? What are you doing here?". Mew climbed the wall easily, while Gulf watched his every movement, scared he might get hurt. He reached for his hand, which Mew gladly took. A minute later they were in Gulf's room, awkwardly staring at each other. Gulf was about to say something but Mew stopped him. "Wait, I should talk first, if that's okay". Gulf nodded, sitting down. "Yesterday when you ran like that...and today, when I couldn't talk to you at all, it freaked me out. I didn't know how you were and you weren't answering your calls either". Seeing him so scared and worried, Gulf immediately felt guilty for behaving like a child. Mew bit his lip, looking directly at him now. "What I want to say is that I'm sorry. Really. I don't want to do anything to jeopardise this friendship. It's important to me. You are important to me". 

Gulf looked up, their eyes meeting. He ended up smiling and Mew sighed in relief. Gulf noticed how Mew was restraining himself from hugging him, still afraid of making the wrong move. "Well, that's it. Sorry for barging in. I...I should go". Mew nervously touched his hair and turned to the window. Gulf stopped him by the wrist without even thinking. "You should stay, it's late". Mew blinked almost imperceptibly. "Are you sure? I don't want to intrude". Gulf smiled, seeing him so nervous and well-mannered. "Shut up, you know I don't talk just for the sake of it". He opened his wardrobe and handed him a big t-shirt and sweats for him to sleep in.Mew grinned, taking his clothes off. Way too slow. Just the suggestion of his bare chest made his mouth water and Mew caught him red-handed. Gulf cleared his throat, now extremely aware of his embarassing pyjama and monkey slippers. "Well, good night". He quickly got into his bed, making room for him too. Mew chuckled, joining him. "Stop sniggering like that". Gulf almost had a heart attack when Mew reached in to turn off the lamp, his chest pressed against his back for a few seconds. "Sweet dreams". Mew's raspy voice against him was the last thing he remembered before falling asleep.

Of course Gulf had to wake up in the middle of the night. He figured it would have happened, so used to sleep alone and use all available space of his bed. What he didn't expect was to find himself completely curled up on Mew. He had never been the warmest guy, not even with his own family, and yet there he was, hugging him tightly, with his leg on top of him and his cheek against his shoulder. Mew's face was slightly turned in his direction, his lips touching his forehead. For the fist time, well ever, he felt safe. Mew suddenly woke up too, stroking Gulf's hair on instinct. When he actually noticed what was happening, he moved his hand away, much to Gulf's disappointment. "Oh, I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...".

But Gulf didn't care about that at all. Gulf's fingers found the nape of Mew's neck, pulling him towards him. Mew jolted in surprise and when their eyes met, everything came to a standstill. Gulf's heart drummed fast, sending a surge of adrenaline and confidence through his body. Then Gulf kissed him, holding the sides of his face. Mew didn't hesitate one bit, his hand on Gulf's lower back drawing him closer. The kiss started off slow and sweet – he actually meant for it to be a quick one – but Gulf could feel his body heating up as the kiss was building up. Mew's tongue asked for entrance and Gulf's lips parted in response, allowing him to slip his tongue on his mouth. Next thing he knew, Gulf was running his hand across Mew's chest over his shirt and could feel him react at his touch. When Mew bit his lip, a murmur of satisfaction escaped Gulf's throat, causing Mew to kiss him even more passionately. He ran his hands up and down Gulf's arms, sending shivers across his skin. Gulf lost track of the time, neither of them wanting to pull away and face the consequences.