I.L.Y. - A MewGulf AU

Chapter 18: Do you hear me, my love?

"Mew."

The one spoken to stood turned away from Gulf, attention focused on the pan as he continued cooking some vegetables. Gulf was about to call him again, afraid he hadn't heard him the first time, but the man eventually turned around slowly. He had a smile on his face, which quickly disappeared as he saw the tears on his nong's face. Forgetting about the pan on the stove, he walked up towards Gulf with his hand out. Gulf expected Mew to brush away his tears and was about to close his eyes, but the hand stopped right before it could touch his cheek.

They weren't at that stage yet.

"Nong," Mew's hand dropped and instead he called the younger with a voice full of worry, "What's wrong?"

There was nothing more awkward than the way the two men seemed to force a space between them instead of just hugging each other, but Gulf decided it wasn't the time to bring that up right now.

"C-Can I ask something serious?" The nong stuttered at first, but managed to get his question out. Mew nodded in reply, frown apparent on his face. Ever since their latest outburst, they'd grown somewhat closer, but would always treat carefully around any topic that could bring out a discussion. However, after what Gulf had just discovered, he knew he had to address it.

"You keep claiming our love, I mean," it wasn't easy to say thought, and Gulf found himself struggling for words. It also didn't help that as soon as Gulf said the words 'love', Mew's frowned even harder. "The fact that you keep saying my love, Gulf's love, and even your own, is a lie," he spoke slowly, trying to find the right words. He had never been really good at communicating, especially about serious stuff like this, but if it was with Mew it was somehow easier. Also, he felt like he somehow owed this world's Gulf this conversation right now. The other had written his feelings on a paper in fear to confront the other in person, but he himself was braver than this world's Gulf. He never had Mew to lean on after graduating. Instead he had to rely on himself. Somehow, he guessed that that was the big difference between him and this worlds' Gulf.

"Where does this thought come from?" He eventually found the right words.

Mew opened his mouth, then closed it again. Suddenly, he turned around. Gulf was about talk to the other again – he thought the other was avoiding the question again -- but then he saw that the elder just turned off the stove before handing him some kitchen paper to wipe his tears. After clearing his face, he saw that Mew was busy setting the table. Deciding to help the man so it would go quicker, he grabbed some plates and held them out. Mew put the vegetables on the plates and Gulf added a scoop of rice next to him.

"It's complicated," Mew eventually said when they both were sitting down to eat.

"I have time," Gulf answered annoyed. He was about to repeat the question, but then he remembered what Mew had said last time. "You told me that you were confusing Tharn's feelings for your own," he tried to encourage the man instead.

Mew took a bite of his food, reminding Gulf to do the same, and slowly nodded. "I think so yes."

You think so? Wasn't he sure about this before?

"Why-" Gulf started but was interrupted.

"How much do you know about my past, N'Gulf?" The husband asked suddenly, surprising Gulf. He was confused for a second. However, the other was already talking again before he could answer.

"The story about my... co-actor before you, I mean, my Gulf," he specified.

Gulf mouth opened by itself, he hadn't expected this conversation to go this way. He quickly hid his surprised expression by taking another bite. Yes, he had researched about him before, but he hadn't thought about it much. The question whether Mew and this worlds' Gulf had talked about Art hadn't been important anymore, and now that he knew that the man definitely loved Mew a lot, there was no real reason for him to bring it up anymore.