Archive of Our Own

i.

May

The coffee shop was bustling in the early morning of Monday. It was a relative peace that came with said chaos that companied university students on the start of their weekday. Long went the highs of the weekend, and in came the downs of the new study week.

It was interesting to obverse, if you asked May. Sometimes she would get a group that were too rowdy, the weekday high getting to their heads and making them scream atop their lungs. They'd get more than a few weird looks from their patrons, and May had to, not so kindly, tell them to shut up. She wasn't getting paid enough for it, but rent was due soon, so she did what was asked of her.

Other times, she would get the sleepers — as she liked to call them. The ones that looked ready to knock out on their chairs, or leaning against their friend's shoulders as they ordered their large cups of coffee. They were May's favourite — quiet, no chaos, no problem.

It hadn't been long since she started working at Coffee Bean, but surprisingly enough she remembered the faces of most of her customers. Granted, they made it easy for her — with their out of the box personalities or usual coffee orders — but May never considered herself someone who could memorise faces so easily.

But it bought her a sense of peace, seeing the same people come and go through the months, their lives unfolding before her eyes like she was a part of it.

Like Bee from Economics — a second year — who had recently broken up with her boyfriend while queuing up for an iced mocha. May had tried not to prey into their business, but it was safe to say that was the most entertainment she had gotten all month.

Bee had been in absolute tears all week, and every time May had seen her, the poor girl's eyes were bloodshot. May may have given her an extra size cup than she initially asked for, with extra cream on top. No additional charge. Her manager didn't need to know about that.

It was only after a week that Bee had returned to her cheery self again, even going as far as to greet May and giving her a small bag with a present. It was a homemade dessert, a mixed berry cheesecake.

"For the extra cream." Bee smiled softly, her voice a low whisper so no one else could hear them. "I don't know if you like cheesecake, but I can guarantee you that this recipe has never failed me, Phi."

May had finished the whole thing in one sitting.

Or for example Sam from Archology — a first year — who looked miserable every morning he would walk in to get an americano. She overheard multiple conversations between him and his friends, about how the course was draining him and he wasn't enjoying it. He was doing it for his parents, apparently. May wasn't quite sure, for once again, she didn't want to prey. Instead, she would give Sam a helping of sponge cake along with his coffee order, hoping that would be enough to bring the briefest of smiles. Of course, her boss did not need to know that either.

The following month, Sam had completely changed. He was smiling, his hair cut shorter, a bounce in his step as he walked. He presented her with a painting, a bouquet of sunflowers in a blue vase. It was the most beautiful painting she had seen.

"Thank you for the cakes." He said, his voice light and cheery. "They really helped."

The painting still hung on her wall at home.

May had seen many different kinds of students, their lives playing out in snippets in this small coffee shop. She knew she wouldn't be working here for long, just until she found a better paying job, and each time her heart ached a little at the thought.

She'd miss their greetings, miss their cheerful smiles and loud voices. Or perhaps... she was simply growing old.

The sound of the bell ringing brought her back from her musing, her eyes darting to the door to see which young soul had wondered in today.

It was North, an adorable first year who had a smile that could melt glaciers. He might not have been the smartest cookie she served, but he was definitely one of her favourites. He always had a bounce in his step, so relaxed and free in his way of living that May was almost jealous.

She glanced down at her watch, raising a brow as he approached the counter. "You're early today." She commented, surprised. Nong North was always late for class. "Do you have an exam today?"

North put his hands together in a wai, greeting her with a smile. "Not today, Phi. That's next week." He chuckled.

"The usual?" She questioned, already inputting his order. She wasn't a fan of green tea, but North was obsessed with their green tea smoothie. Be it morning or afternoon, the kid would get it. Sometimes, his friends would buy it for him.

North nodded, reaching for his phone to pay. "Oh, one americano as well, Phi. Only one shot of espresso though."

May gave him a look of surprise, craning her neck to look outside for any of his friends. "For Nao?" She asked, remembering the one time the boy asked for four shots of espresso due to an all nighter he pulled for an early morning exam.

North gave a sheepish smile, shaking his head. "No, it's for—"

"North, are you done?"

May's head snapped up at the sound of a deep, velvety voice that seemed to roll through the coffee shop. Her eyes widened in surprise, locking onto the figure of a strikingly handsome man who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. The sunlight streaming through the glass windows caught on his sharp jawline and styled ash brown hair, making him look like he had stepped straight out of a magazine.

A ripple of excitement swept through the shop as a group of young women passed by, their giggles and hushed whispers betraying their admiration. One of them squealed softly, the sound trailing behind her as they exited, glancing back over their shoulders.

May's lips quirked into a teasing grin as she turned to North, her mischievous eyes dancing with amusement. "I didn't know you had such a handsome friend, Nong North," she said, her tone light and playful. She noted with some satisfaction how North's cheeks turned a vivid shade of pink. "Let me guess — this americano is for him?"

North gave her a sheepish smile, his posture relaxing despite his obvious embarrassment. "Yes, Phi May," he confirmed, before gesturing toward the tall stranger. "This is Phi Johan."

The man — Johan — returned May's gaze with a warm smile and a polite wai, his movements graceful. His eyes, a deep and captivating shade of brown, met hers briefly before flicking away, giving him an air of quiet confidence.

"And this," North continued, turning to Johan with a grin, "is Phi May. She makes the best green tea smoothie you'll ever taste."

May rolled her eyes with a playful scoff, waving off the compliment like an errant fly. "Flattery's not going to get you a discount, North," she said, though the corners of her mouth betrayed a hint of a smirk.

North tilted his head, narrowing his eyes at her with a smirk of his own. "Maybe next time, Phi," he quipped, his voice brimming with mock innocence.

She let out a breezy laugh, light and unbothered, before grabbing two plastic cups to start making the drinks. Her movements were practiced, almost automatic, as she reached for the ice and ingredients, but her mind wandered, drawn to the pair on the other side of the counter. Every so often, she would glance up, her brows knitting slightly in curiosity.

North and his friend... well, they seemed like more than just friends. Maybe it was her age showing — her university days felt like a distant memory, and she had to admit the younger generation expressed their friendships in ways that often baffled her. But something about their dynamic caught her eye. It wasn't the occasional laughter or the quiet conversation; it was the way Johan's hand lingered just a little too long when he pinched North's cheek, the gesture soft and almost tender. Or the way North leaned into Johan's shoulder, not with casual friendliness, but with a kind of ease and comfort that spoke of something deeper.

Still, she couldn't help but wonder if she was reading too much into it. Maybe her imagination was running wild — after all, it wasn't like she knew Johan or how their friendship worked.

She hadn't known North for very long, but she knew enough to recognize that something was different today. Usually, North would have his nose buried in his phone by now, completely absorbed in one of his mobile games, barely glancing up as he waited for her to finish his drink.

That was the North she had grown familiar with — the one who strolled into Coffee Bean just a little too late, his face a mix of panic and nonchalance as he hurried to order. Even in his rush, he never forgot to offer a bright smile or a polite nod to anyone who greeted him, though his attention often seemed elsewhere.

But today, North seemed unusually present. His attention wasn't on his phone, nor was he scanning the room with the detached air she'd come to expect. Instead, his focus was entirely on Johan. The North she knew was independent, a little aloof, content to keep to himself — but the way he leaned toward Johan, his posture relaxed and his smile softer than she'd ever seen, hinted at a side of him she hadn't noticed before.

This North wasn't the North she was accustomed to. This North was different in a way she wouldn't really put her finger on it.

It was the way North looked at Johan that caught May's attention — a gaze so focused, so unwavering, it was as though no one else in the room existed. His dark eyes followed Johan's every move, mirroring the way the older man's gaze lingered on him.

Her breath hitched when North suddenly leaned closer, his body tilting toward Johan as he rose up on his tiptoes. There was a softness to the motion, like it was something he did often, something natural. He reached for Johan's ash-brown hair, his fingers combing through with a familiarity. North whispered something; his voice too low to hear over the ambient chatter of the café.

Johan raised a single brow at whatever North had said, tilting his head ever so slightly to give the younger man better access. The subtle shift in his posture was unhurried, confident, as though he already knew exactly what North was up to. A moment later, North pulled something tiny from Johan's hair — a stray thread or perhaps a piece of lint — and grinned up at him with a bright, toothy smile. With an exaggerated puff of air, he blew it away, his boyish expression making him look younger than usual.

Johan's response was just as telling. He looked down at North with a fondness so plain it made May's chest tighten. There was no mistaking the warmth in his gaze or the gentle amusement that tugged at the corner of his lips. Without a word, he reached out and ruffled North's dark hair, the motion affectionate and unguarded.

Then, just as May was about to pick up the finished drinks it happened.

Her hands faltered, and her breath caught in her throat. Johan leaned down, the motion smooth, ignoring the bustling coffee shop around them. His hand lingered on North's shoulder, steadying him as he pressed a quick, fleeting kiss to his lips.

May froze, her grip on the cups precarious. For a moment, she thought she was seeing things, but the scene before her confirmed otherwise. North's wide eyes snapped open in shock, his entire face flushing a deep, rosy pink. He whipped his head around, scanning the room in a frantic attempt to see if anyone had noticed.

Of course, someone had. Two girls seated by the window burst into a fit of giggles, their hands covering their mouths as they whispered excitedly to each other. Mortified, North ducked his head, trying to shrink behind Johan's larger frame, his flushed cheeks visible even as he attempted to hide.

But Johan didn't seem the least bit fazed. In fact, he looked downright smug. A faint, self-assured smile played on his lips as he reached out to pat North's hair, his demeanour calm and collected. He seemed completely unbothered by the attention, his posture relaxed as though he owned the moment — and maybe, in some way, he did.

May blinked, her mind racing as she processed what she'd just witnessed. Boyfriend, she corrected herself silently, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the shock. Definitely boyfriend.

"Your drinks are ready." She called out, sliding them on the counter.

"Thank you." Johan smiled, holding out the green tea for North. "Let's go, I’ll drop you off to the library."

So not only did North not have an exam so early in the morning, but he didn't even have class? Yeah, this was not the North she knew.

North gave her a grateful smile, face still lightly red. "Thank you, Phi. I'll see you later."

May crossed her arms over the counter, leaning forward. "Have fun with your boyfriend." She teased with a smirk.

"Goodbye, Phi May!" North called out, pushing his boyfriend out the door. He blushed a deeper red in embarrassment at being caught by her, but the shy smile on his face was undeniable.

She sighed, watching the two walk off with Johan's arm around North's shoulder.

Looks like she won’t be quitting her job any time soon.

ii.

Nao

If there was one thing Nao knew well, it was his best friend — North. He had known the guy since middle school. Sat next to each other in one maths lesson, bonded over their hatred for the subject, and have been inseparable since.

North wasn't a complicated guy. He had an easy-going nature, the kind of presence that instantly put people at ease. There was nothing fussy or pretentious about him — he was straightforward, grounded, and strong-headed in a way that felt refreshingly uncomplicated. To Nao, North was like a gust of clean air, a reprieve from the stifling weight of academic expectations and the constant pressure that seemed to suffocate middle school life.

When Nao needed quiet, he knew he could find it with North. The two of them could sit together in comfortable silence for hours, the absence of words never awkward but soothing. But when Nao wanted chaos, North was more than willing to deliver. Whether it was dragging Nao into some wild, spur-of-the-moment adventure or filling the room with laughter over some ridiculous joke or poorly thought-out plan.

And if Nao needed advice, North was the first person he'd turn to. It didn't matter how big or small the problem was — whether it was about homework, a petty argument with a friend, or the weight of a deeper worry — Nao would always end up at North's side. He had lost track of how many times he'd poured out his troubles to his best friend, who would listen with an almost lazy confidence. North would offer solutions — sometimes absurdly impractical, sometimes startlingly insightful.

But it way North approached life itself that amazed Nao. He was blunt, unflinchingly honest, and never one to sugar-coat the truth. If North liked something, he said so without hesitation. If he thought something was wrong, he would call it out without a second thought. There was no overthinking with him, no agonizing over possibilities or outcomes. North didn't get caught up in the endless loops of "what-ifs" that plagued other people. He didn't care to overanalyse; he simply acted.

It was this simplicity — this clarity—that made North so unique to Nao. In a world that often felt like a maze of expectations, rules, and doubts, North was like a compass, pointing straight ahead without a flicker of uncertainty. He wasn't perfect, but he didn't need to be.

A sabai sabai guy, as North proclaimed himself to be.

Now, imagine Nao's surprise when North — didn't take things too seriously North — had spent more than half the day staring at his phone for a single message.

His best friend dating Johan had come to a shock to Nao, mainly because Johan was everything North was not. The elder man was serious, while his best friend couldn't care less about most things. Johan got straight As, while North barely even handed in his coursework on time. Johan was rich, while North had to work multiple part-time jobs to pay for his dorm fees. Two different people, two separate worlds, an insurmountable possibly of colliding together.

But as Nao watched his best friend fall for the man that was known as Johan, he would wonder why he even thought the elder wouldn't match North.

What he didn't expect, however, was for North's life to be consumed by Johan. For North to be so deeply and irrecoverably in love with Johan as much as Johan was enthralled by North. It was strange — scary even — how the best friend he had known so well like the back of his hand had turned into someone he was meeting for the first time.

"Come on, this happened last time as well." Nao tried, shooting Kyu a look for some help. "Phi Jo will be back in three days."

"Yeah, exactly!" Kyu exclaimed, patting North on the shoulder. "You were depressed when he went to Boston, and what happened then? He came back a week early!"

They were in the canteen, their half-eaten lunch growing colder in front of them. North's noodles had long since been forgotten by his side, the boy slumped against the table with his head laying over his crossed arms. His lips were in a permeant frown, the usual joy that emanated from him snuffed out into the sad abyss that engulfed his form.

"I know..." was all North managed to say, sighing into the air as he glanced at his phone again.

Tiger groaned beside Nao, reaching for his own phone and dialling a number.

"Why must I always be the one to inform Phi Jo that you miss him?" He grumbled, hitting the call button. "Just call him, he'll answer straight away."

North pouted, looking up at Tiger. The usual teasing smile or sarcastic words that accompanied North when he spoke to the latter not present.

"I tried. He wouldn't answer." North replied, the automated message for the voicemail sounding through the table at that moment. He went back to staring at his phone, probably at the last message he had sent Johan.

Tiger frowned, trying again. It went to voicemail.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat." Nao scolded, pushing the bowl of noodles towards North. "He left for work for a week, not permanently."

North frowned even more, that black cloud of misery even more prominent.

"But I don't know if he is eating properly." North responded sadly, like it was enough of an explanation for everything. He sat up, still hunched forward as if the weight of missing his boyfriend was physically crushing down on him, voice raising in concern. "He had lost so much weight after coming back from Boston. What about this time? What if he gets sick and I'm not there with him?" He questioned, the edges of his voice fraying with concerned panic.

Tiger, who had been rummaging through a bag of snacks, shook his head quietly, focusing instead on the food in his hands. He seemed determined not to be pulled into North's spiral, keeping his attention elsewhere.

Kyu, however, was more attuned to his friend's emotions. Without saying a word, he leaned over and bumped his shoulder against North's — a small, subtle gesture of comfort meant to ground him.

Nao, on the other hand, could only stare. He had known North for years, had seen him through his ups and downs, but this... this was different. He watched his best friend with a mixture of disbelief and something like quiet shock, his expression unreadable as the words failed to come.

Twice he had seen North like this, and both times Nao couldn't get used to it.

North wasn't like this when he dated Jia. Far from it, really. He cared for her, like any good boyfriend would. He would buy her presents, video call her when he had the chance, would take her out on dates and shower her in compliments.

North loved her, but he wasn't in love with her. Because North would say he missed Jia when they were apart, but he wouldn't be acting like the world was falling apart. He would buy Jia all the presents she wanted, but sometimes he would look tired doing it. He was a good boyfriend, and he was devastated when he broke up with her, but that wasn't because of love, but simply because Jia was his first girlfriend.

"We can't just revolve our entire lives around one person." North had said two days after the break up, back to his usual self.

But Johan was different. When North looked at Johan, that was love. It was pure, unadulterated, love. A love so immeasurable that Nao didn't even know if North could move on with his life if they ever broke up.

His eyes would twinkle like the stars when Johan was in sight, unable to tear away his gaze. North didn't think too much, but when it came to Johan, he would over think every detail.

Did he eat, North would ask in class. How were his exams, North would wonder like Nao knew the answers. Did he want to eat pasta or noodles, he'd hear North mumble under his breath as he scrolled his phone for food recommendations. Was work stressful for him, was the first thing he'd ask when he saw Hill.

Nao could see his friend's mind on overdrive, and the surprising part was, North didn't look like he minded. Rather, he enjoyed taking care of Johan as much Johan took care of him.

North didn't like meddling in over people's business, but Johan was different in every way. Exception to every rule North had set himself.

"I doubt Phi Jo will be thrilled to learn you've starved yourself for him." Nao finally said, urging his friend to eat once more, voice stern. "I'm sure you don't want him to be upset."

That had seemed to do the trick, for North reached for his food with a resigned sigh and picked up his chopsticks. Because if there was another thing that changed about North, was that he cared about how Johan feels about him. A lot.

North never cared much about how people view him. If they think he's too loud, that's their problem, go some where quiet. If they think he wasn't good looking, go complain to his mum instead, not his problem. North didn't pay mind to people, would just shrug, roll his eyes, and go back to gaming.

But he cared if Johan was angry at him, panicked when he was disappointed in him. If Johan was worried, then so was North. If Johan was happy, then North would be twice fold. Johan's emotions were practically his emotions as well, and vice versa.

Nao didn't recognise this new North. Not one bit.

And yet — despite everything that has changed about his best friend — Nao couldn't find it in himself to be mad about it either.

The ringing of North's phone cut the silence at the table, his friend's movements so fast that Nao didn't even have time to blink. North held the phone to his face, the biggest smile anyone has seen in the past week breaking through the sadness.

He answered, barely being able to contain his excitement. "Phi Johan!" He exclaimed, giving them a smile and excusing himself from the table. "Phi, have you eaten? Is everything okay?"

"And just like that, the world has disappeared from his sight." Tiger tutted with a shake of his head, watching as North walked further away from them, his expressions animated as he talked on the phone.

"It's like the world hadn't been crashing down on him just two seconds ago." Kyu snorted, a smile tugging as his lips.

Nao smiled to himself, watching as North's face changed from bursts of happiness to quiet moments of concern, his lips pursed and brows furrowed. The light was back in his eyes, the dark cloud that shrouded him now vanished.

"Our friend's in love, can you blame him?" Nao chuckled, going back to his food.

North had changed, yes, but it was a good change.

He was still North, the one he goes to for advice and the one who would spend until the crack of dawn playing games. He was still Nao's best friend.

It's just that there was a side to him Nao never knew about. A side that completely belonged to Johan.

And when Nao looked at his friend, so enthralled and love struck, he thought... yeah, that suited him.

iii.

Easter

Exam season was always the worst part about university, and being a part of the medical faculty, it was a whole year event. If it wasn't actual semester end exams, then it was monthly review exams. If not that, then impromptu pop-quizzes in class. Easter knew he had it better than Hill and the rest of the "doctor gang", but sometimes it made him wonder if he had made the right decision.

"Phi Hill, what does this mean?" Easter asked softly, patting his boyfriend's shoulder to get his attention.

"Which one?" Hill leaned closer, his face just inches away as he scanned the page. Their shoulders brushed lightly, the faint warmth of Hill's presence sending a flutter through Easter's chest. Hill's finger traced the question thoughtfully, his brows furrowed in concentration as he began to explain.

Easter barely registered the explanation. Instead, his gaze lingered on Hill's profile — the sharp line of his jaw, the slight curve of his lips as he spoke, and the way his dark lashes caught the light. The rich timbre of Hill's husky voice wrapped around Easter, soothing yet impossible to ignore. A small, dreamy smile crept onto Easter's face, his thoughts far from the study material in front of them.

"Oh-ho, Nong!" Arthit's voice broke through the haze, his fingers snapping loudly in front of Easter's face. "You see my friend every day, and you still can't get enough of him!" He teased, his tone playful but pointed enough to make Easter jolt back to reality.

Easter's head snapped toward Arthit, his cheeks instantly flushing a brilliant shade of red. He ducked his head, covering his face with one hand as if that might somehow hide his embarrassment. From the corner of his eye, he caught Tonfah and Johan exchanging amused smiles, their laughter soft but unmistakable.

Initially, Easter had planned to study by himself. It was a quiet, straightforward plan, especially since North would be joining him after finishing his exam. But everything had shifted when Hill appeared, insisting he join him and his friends.

"Come on, it'll be fun," Hill had said, his smile warm and his eyes full of reassurance. "You won't bother anyone, I promise."

Easter had hesitated, worried about intruding on Hill's group. But then Hill had flashed him that smile — the one that crinkled the corners of his eyes and softened his entire face. It was a pleading, boyish smile that Easter could never resist.

And that was how he found himself sitting here, surrounded by Hill's friends, feeling both out of place and completely at ease all at once. He had tried to put up a fight, but deep down, he knew he was hopeless when it came to Hill. That smile was his undoing every time. Not that he'd ever admit it to his boyfriend, of course.

"Ai'Thit, stop teasing him." Hill scolded, but Easter could hear the satisfaction in his voice. Just great, he internally groaned.

"Says the one that can't stop smiling." Johan scoffed, flicking the page of his book.

Easter pretended not to hear their laughter, focusing on his work instead. For a few moments, nothing but the sound of pages flicking and pens scribblings could be heard. Easter watched them from his periphery, disbelief and worry swirling in his heart. The tension could be cut with a chainsaw with the way every one of them concentrated with no concerns for the bustling campus around them. They wrote away at their notebooks like no tomorrow, lips pursed and brows furrowed. Even Arthit was concentrating — the biggest shock of all.

But that all got broken when a familiar figure closed in on them, fluffy hair and bright smile as he ran over to Johan's side.

"Phi, you were right! The questions did come up in the test!" North chirped as he slid into the seat beside Johan, his voice barely concealing the thrill bubbling beneath it. His grin stretched wide, and his entire body practically hummed with excitement as he leaned closer to the older man, seeking his attention like a sunflower tilting toward the sun.

Johan, visibly tired but ever composed, rested his elbow on the table and propped his face against his palm. His eyes softened the moment they landed on North, the lines of fatigue fading slightly as a small, affectionate smile crept onto his lips. With his free hand, he reached out to pat North's head, his fingers briefly ruffling the younger man's hair. "Are you confident?" He asked, his voice low and warm.

North's response was immediate. He gave an exaggerated thumbs up, the gesture so dramatic it nearly brushed Johan's face, before pointing at himself with the same hand. "Aced it!" He declared, smugness dripping from every word. He wiggled his brows playfully, a glint of pure pride in his eyes. "I think it's gonna be the best score I've ever gotten!"

Johan's chuckle was soft, almost a hum, as his hand moved from North's head to his face. With a teasing grin, he reached out and pinched North's cheek, his thumb brushing gently over the bone. "Well done," he praised, the words laced with pride and fondness. "I'll take you out to eat tonight."

North froze for a split second, his eyes widening in disbelief before sparkling with excitement. "Really, Phi?!" He exclaimed, his voice rising an octave as he leaned in closer, the sheer glee on his face contagious. He jabbed his finger at Johan's chest, as if making sure the offer was real. "Are you sure?"

Johan nodded, his smile deepening as he gave North's nose a playful squeeze. "Really," he chuckled. "Pick anywhere you want."

Easter clutched his chest dramatically as he watched the scene unfold. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the sheer amount of cuteness in the room almost too much to bear. The way Johan gazed at North like he was the only person in the world, and the way North lit up under that gaze, it was all too much for him.

This is it, Easter thought, barely able to keep himself from squealing. I'm going to die from the amount of love in the air. His chest heaved as he pretended to clutch an imaginary wound, wishing with every fibber of his being that he had his phone out to record this moment. People say one can die in peace when it's doing something they love, and Easter couldn't agree more.

He'd happily submit himself to the afterlife if he got to forever witness these moments between his ship.

But the bubble of sweetness surrounding the happy couple was abruptly burst by Arthit, who clapped his hands loudly, the sound echoing around the table. His sharp gesture jolted North and Johan out of their cosy little world, snapping their attention back to reality.

"Tell me, Nong North, are we just air to you?" Arthit asked in an offended tone, dramatically motioning to everyone seated at the table as though presenting evidence of a great injustice.

North blinked, momentarily startled, as though he had only just realized where he was. He looked around sheepishly before his lips curled into a nervous chuckle. Pressing his palms together, he gave a small, apologetic bow. "Oh, Phi Arthit," he greeted with a sheepish grin. "Good afternoon! How is revision going?"

Arthit scoffed, rolling his eyes as he leaned back. "I see how it is," he said with a pointed nod, gesturing at Johan with mock disgust. "We really are nothing but dust to you, aren't we?"

"He sees no one but Johan when he's around people," Tongfah added with a knowing smile, his tone teasing as he rested his chin in his hand.

Before anyone else could respond, Johan scoffed, his gaze shifting to Arthit with the kind of disdain that only close friends could muster. "Why would he need to greet something that isn't human?" He shot back, his words dripping with sarcasm. Without missing a beat, he straightened in his sat and jabbed a finger in Arthit's direction as he looked at North. "You don't need to acknowledge his existence. He's not important."

Arthit's jaw dropped, his face a comical mixture of indignation and disbelief. "Ai'Jo." He called out flatly, giving his friend a pointed look. "You've become even more horrible since you got yourself a wife."

Hill, watching the exchange with a smirk, decided to join in. He picked up his pen and casually threw it at Arthit, shaking his head. "We'll see what happens when you get yourself one, Thit," he quipped, his tone dry but playful.

Johan, however, wasn't interested in dragging the banter any further. He let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling his eyes before turning his full attention back to North. His expression softened instantly, the edges of his smile curving with quiet fondness. "I've got time before my next class," he said, his voice dropping into that warm, steady tone reserved only for North. "You got physics tomorrow, right? How about I help you with some questions?"

North nodded, going into his bag and taking out his books.

And Easter... well Easter watched in pure fascination. Not because his ship was having a moment, but because North was actually studying.

The last time he saw North open one of his text books willingly hours before an exam, was to check if he left a movie ticket in there.

Studying just wasn't North's thing, as he calls it. North liked his course, he was set onto the path of becoming an engineer, but studying was where he fell short on. He somehow managed to get somewhat passable grades most of time — through sheer will power and luck, or through last minute revision, Easter would not know — but his GPA wasn't something to write home about.

He'd rather do anything but study — like gaming, hanging out with friends, sleeping. Easter had lost count how many times he had to force North to pick up a text book and get at least an hour's worth of work in before he started up his PC.

And well, that all changed when Johan came into the picture.

North began to study, and Easter still couldn't fathom that simple fact. Every time he'd see North with a text book on his desk that was opened and not being used for a mouse pad, he thought the light was playing tricks on him.

One time, Easter went to bed with North doing physics questions that Johan had prepared for him. He had woken up at 3am to go toilet, only to see North still at his desk finishing up the questions.

Easter had been sure his friend was possessed by a spirit.

"Remember the method I showed you last week?" Johan asked in a hushed voice as everyone else went back to their work, his pen circling round words and numbers on North's book. "Use that for this question here."

North's lips were set into a tight line, eyes determined and focused as he nodded along to his boyfriend's explanation. He furrowed his brows, huffing out his cheeks as he tried to answer the question, pen hesitant on paper before he flipped back pages to rejog his memory.

Easter wanted to cry. His North had grown up so much.

"Phi Jo khub!" Easter called out suddenly, his voice filled with dramatic flair as he clasped his hands together. Johan, mid-conversation, turned his head toward him, raising a brow in curiosity. Easter pressed his palms tighter, bringing them close to his face, and closed his eyes as if delivering a heartfelt prayer. "Thank you so much! God only knows where my dear friend here would have ended up if it weren't for you!" He declared, his tone dripping with gratitude and exaggerated admiration.

North's head snapped toward him, eyes wide in disbelief. "Ai'Ter!" He shouted, swatting at Easter's hands to break his overly theatrical gesture.

"What?" Easter shot back, glaring at him as though he were stating an undeniable truth. "Its true! Phi Jo is the only person who's ever managed to get you to study. He deserves an award."

"I'm not that bad." North tried to defend.

"When was the last time you picked up a book that didn't involve Phi Jo?" Easter challenged, quirking a brow.

North gave him an irritated look, threatening to throw his pen at him, which Easter retaliated with by making a taunting face at other.

Johan, clearly amused, laughed softly as he reached over to ruffle North's hair. The younger scrunched his nose, feigning irritation, but didn't make any effort to stop him. "He can do it when he really tries," Johan said, his voice warm.

"More willing than Thit, at least," Tonfah chimed in with a teasing grin. "North just needs to get a good grasp of the basics — that's all."

"Ai-shia Fah," Arthit groaned. "Why did you have to drag me into this, huh?"

Without waiting for a response, Arthit leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he stared directly at North. He lowered his voice, adding a conspiratorial tone as if he were about to impart some life-altering wisdom. "Listen here, North," he began, his tone slow and deliberate, his expression suddenly serious. "Life is not all about studying. If you don't enjoy it, then don't waste all your time on it. Have fun." He paused for dramatic effect, letting his words settle. "Life only really starts after university finishes."

North blinked at him, unsure whether to laugh or take him seriously. Arthit's words hung in the air for a moment, earning a mix of eye-rolls and stifled chuckles from the rest of the table.

Johan picked up a closed book and hit Arthit on the head.

"Speak nonsense to him one more time and I'll finish your life before it starts." Johan threatened.

"Says the one who doesn't like studying either." Arthit mocked, fixing his hair.

"At least I have a job. What about you?"

"Piranha fishing."

Laughter rang through the table, Johan and Hill sharing a look of disbelief as Fah shook with his head in exasperation.

Then, North's phone rang, the screen lighting up to show Tiger's name.

North rolled his eyes, picking up the phone. "I said no, Suea." He immediately responded, lips twisting in annoyance.

Easter raised a brow, mentally asking what happened.

Nao, North mouthed, making Easter nod in understanding.

"If you want him to visit Bangkok badly, just ask him," North huffed, his tone laced with exasperation as he glared at his phone. His lips pressed into a thin line, eyebrows knitting together as if his frustration alone could travel through the screen. "Why do I have to trick him into planning a trip there?"

The annoyance in his voice caught the attention of Tonfah and Arthit — the only ones who were unaware of Tiger's raging crush on Nao. They turned their heads sharply toward North, their curiosity immediately piqued.

Johan merely shook his head, less than interested.

"What— No! I'm not doing that, you idiot!" North snapped, recoiling from the phone as though the sheer stupidity of Tiger's suggestion might leap out and slap him in the face. His brows furrowed deeply, and his voice grew louder, a mixture of disbelief and irritation. "Ger, be serious for one second. You sound stupid."

The conversation clearly wasn't going to end anytime soon, so North made the executive decision to leave the table. He rose from his seat with a sharp sigh, his phone still pressed against his ear as he leaned down toward Johan. Whatever he whispered to his boyfriend made Johan's lips quirk up into a soft smile, the elder reaching out to pinch North's chin in a brief but affectionate gesture.

The group watched as North strode away, his shoulders still tense with lingering frustration.

"Still no confession?" Hill asked, his voice breaking the silence.

Easter heaved a dramatic sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the universe. "Still no confession," he confirmed, shaking his head with a deep frown.

Easter's focus shifted as he watched North retreat further into the distance, his tense frame gradually softening as he walked. A small, amused smile crept onto Easter's face. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as his eyes flicked toward Johan.

"Phi Jo, about what I said earlier, I meant it." His voice was light, almost a low whisper. "North changed a lot since you've become a part of his life, Phi. All his friends have noticed it." He chuckled, tilting his head as he sighed almost melancholically. "I still can't believe he studies so willingly now."

If Johan was taken aback by Easter's words, then he didn't show it. Instead, he looked over his shoulder, and only then did his face split into a soft smile, his eyes landing on North. "As long as he's smiling, it's all worth it."

"Trust me, Phi." Easter laughed, agreeing with Johan. "I've never seen him as happy as he is with you. He loves you a lot."

Johan chuckled, turning back around. "Yeah, I know."

Tonfah patted Johan's shoulder, smiling at his friend. "Looks like all that waiting really paid off."

"The universe finally moving to your will, huh?" Arthit teased, though Easter could hear the genuine happiness for Johan behind his words.

Hill sighed, giving Johan a knowing look. "He has exams tomorrow." He warned, making Easter furrow his brows in confusion. Tonfah and Arthit snorted a laugh, turning back to their text books.

Johan rolled his eyes, a smirk marring the corners of his lips.

Easter craned his neck subtly, his eyes flicking toward North to make sure he was still absorbed in his conversation on the phone. A mischievous glint sparkled in his gaze, and a quiet chuckle escaped him as a memory bubbled to the surface of his mind. He had to bite back the grin that threatened to stretch across his face.

Clearing his throat, Easter turned back to the group, his voice dropping in pitch, coaxing everyone's attention back to him. Especially Johan's.

"Also, Phi Jo, don't tell him I told you this, but..." Easter paused, his grin spreading wider as he leaned in slightly. His voice dropped even further, now barely above a whisper, but filled with barely contained excitement. "I asked him why he suddenly started studying so hard."

The group fell silent, and Easter could see the way Johan's brow rose in curiosity.

"He said," Easter continued, his tone almost teasing as he mimicked the softness of North's tone. "It was because you were the one teaching him. He didn't want to disappoint you. He said that when he starts working for you, everyone will see that his Phi Johan has the right partner by his side."

Easter's voice wavered as he recalled the exact moment. His chest tightened with warmth as he remembered the soft, almost reverent look in North's eyes when he spoke. The way North's words had been wrapped in so much certainty, as if the future he envisioned with Johan was something carved into stone. The way he spoke of Johan — so full of admiration, respect, and unspoken love — had nearly knocked the breath out of Easter.

He could still hear the certainty in North's voice as if their shared future was not just a possibility but an inevitable truth, woven into the very fabric of time. It was the sound of someone whose heart knew exactly where it belonged.

Artith let out a low whistle, breaking the quiet air, while Tonfah shook his head in amusement, his grin wide and knowing. But Johan — Johan was completely still, his pen frozen in mid-air as he stared at Easter in stunned silence. The surprise was evident on his face, his tired eyes wide as he processed what Easter had just revealed.

For a long moment, Johan simply blinked. His lips twitched, a soft chuckle escaping before he finally looked down at his notebook. He shook his head, his fingers tightening around the pen, his gaze flicking back to Easter, caught somewhere between disbelief and a soft, glowing joy.

Hill pulled Easter closer to him, whispering in his ear, voice holding slight concern. "If you want your friend to be safe, don't saying anything else."

Easter knotted his brows, looking at his boyfriend in confusion. But before he could ask what the elder meant, North had returned to the table.

He looked at them curiously, sitting back down next to Johan as he glanced everyone. No one made eye contact.

"What? Why is everyone—"

But he never got to finish that question, and Easter nearly screamed.

"Ai'Jo, you bastard!" Artith shouted, turning away with a disgusted look.

Johan reached for North with an intensity that took everyone by surprise, his fingers gripping around North's neck and pulling him close. Their lips pressed together, a passion that seemed to surge through both of them in an instant. North didn't hesitate; he melted into the kiss, his body instinctively leaning into Johan as if they were two halves of the same whole. It was like the world around them seemed to vanish, their lips moving in perfect sync as if they had done this a thousand times before. There was no self-consciousness, no hesitation.

"This guy..." Hill sighed in exasperation as he tried to look everywhere but the scene in front of him, words holding nothing but defeat.

"Jo, people are watching!" Tonfah tried, his voice a mixture of concern and disbelief. He slapped Johan's back hard, trying to get his attention, though it was clear from his tone that he was the last person in the group still tethered to any semblance of sanity.

He faintly heard the shocked gasps and loud squeals sounding through the halls, students stopping dead in their tracks as they caught sight of the scandalous sight, but his mind was somewhere else, gone from this world as it went hay-wired. His ship was kissing! His ship was kissing in front of him again! And this time, Hill wasn't covering his eyes!

Easter might have snapped a picture to tease North about it later.

When the kiss finally broke, Johan lingered for just a second longer, his thumb slowly tracing the curve of North's bottom lip. North, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, slowly blinked his eyes open, as if he had just awoken from a dream. His gaze was unfocused at first, distant — as if the world around him had ceased to exist.

Johan's voice cut through the stillness, clear and unwavering, the strength in his tone undeniable. "You don't have to care about what other people think," he said, his words firm, and his face only inches from North's.

"I only care about what you think," North replied instantly, breathless but confident.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Johan's lips, the playful arrogance in his eyes unmistakable as he leaned back, releasing North from his hold. "Good," he said simply, his voice almost teasing as he pulled away. There was something undeniably satisfying in his expression, as if he'd won a small but significant victory.

North's face immediately flared a bright, neon crimson as reality caught up to him. The heat spread across his cheeks like wildfire, and for a split second, he seemed to forget to move. His eyes grew wide, embarrassment taking over him as he instinctively hid his face, burying it in his arms, his body visibly tense as he tried to compose himself.

"Phi! What's wrong with you?!" North's shout rang out, but it was clear that his reaction was far too late.

Johan, on the other hand, appeared completely unfazed. His expression was the picture of smug satisfaction, a self-assured grin playing on his lips as he watched North's reaction with an almost affectionate amusement. He didn't seem the least bit bothered by the spectacle, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. His posture radiated a quiet confidence, relaxed while his friends sat around him, shaking their heads in a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

Easter thought he had died and gone to heaven.

"The show's over! Back to class!" Arthit yelled, dismissing everyone who was still gawking at them with a bored tone. "Nothing more to see! Go to your socials if you want a replay!"

A kick to Easter's knee was what brought him back to reality. He cursed under his breath, rubbing his knee with a frown as he looked at his friend. North was looking at him through his eye lashes, face still half-buried in his arms.

"What?" Easter hissed, whispering loudly.

"Stop looking like that." North argued, face still flushed.

A content smile made its way up Easter's lips, sighing dreamily as he tried to control his facial expressions. "I have succeeded as a shipper." He said, more to himself than anything, hand over his heart where it was still beating loudly. Easter was pretty sure he, himself, was blushing.

Hill looked at him in concern, but smiled nonetheless with a shake of his head. Easter was pretty sure his boyfriend was already used to him fanboying over JohanNorth like he always did.

"Phi..." North called out, voice low as he slowly sat up. He tried not to look at Johan, pursing his lips as he mulled over his thoughts for a bit. "Ger asked if I could join him and Nao for dinner. Well," he paused, rolling his eyes, "more like begged. Can we reschedule our dinner date for tomorrow instead?"

Johan raised a brow, turning to face his boyfriend. "He wants someone to crash his date with Nao?"

North shrugged, his earlier embarrassment dying away to a smile. "Something about moral support. Me being Nao's best friend and all." He chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "Ger said he was paying, so I said I'll think about it."

Johan hummed, leaning his face slightly in. "And what do you have to do?"

North's eyes widened, ears burning red as he looked around them. "Not happening." He said seriously, looking away from his boyfriend and facing forward.

"I guess you can't go then." Johan shrugged, looking away as well, tone bored.

Easter watched as North huffed, glancing at their surroundings once more. He scooted closer to Johan, raising himself slightly off his seat. He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting back down.

Easter nearly died a second time while the other three groaned in union.

"Guys, please." Hill sighed, looking at them with pleading eyes. "You're on campus, not your house."

"At this rate the dean is going to find out before your parents." Arthit tutted, scratching the back of his head with a disapproving look.

"As cute as you guys are, please tone it down, Jo." Tonfah pleaded, nodding his head to North, whose embarrassment was painted upon his face again. "I think your Nong will die before the day even ends."

Johan scoffed, the corner of his lip quirking into a sly smile. He leaned closer to his boyfriend, whispering something in his ear that no one else could hear.

Easter watched North's face burst into flames — if that was even possible at this point — but slowly, as seconds passed, his face soothed. His eyes softened, that sparkle in his eyes that Easter now associated with North shone through his dark pupils.

They had both returned to studying as if nothing happened, but Easter caught glimpses of his friend peeking over to his boyfriend.

Whatever Johan had said to North, must have been something pretty special, for the look North's eyes shined with was unmistakeably love.

Easter sighed, heart swelling with pride and happiness.

He leaned across the table, voice nothing but a whisper for the two of them.

"Love really suits you, North."

North smiled shyly, face dusting a light pink as he focused on his text book.

iv.

Sunny

North’s grandma had always harboured a deep desire for a daughter-in-law. Sunny had known this for as long as North had been old enough to date. Her mum’s fondness for her grandson ran deeper than her affections for Sunny when she was younger — not an uncommon thing for grandparents, really. Yet, the favouritism was hard to miss, especially during their visits. The moment they walked through the door, her first question was inevitably the same, laced with hope and anticipation: “Has North finally found himself a wife?”

It was a ritual by now, one Sunny had come to expect, though it never failed to make her roll her eyes internally.

When North was dating Jia, his grandma made it clear she wasn’t a fan. It wasn’t anything loud or overt — she had a way of cloaking her opinions in polite disapproval. But her distaste showed in the way her eyes would narrow whenever Jia laughed too loudly or in how she’d subtly shift the conversation back to North when Jia spent too long talking about herself. She didn’t like how Jia seemed to demand all of North’s attention, but never giving him any.

Sunny had to admit, she agreed with her mother on this one. Jia had always rubbed her the wrong way, though she never openly admitted it to North. When the breakup came, she felt a quiet relief.

After Jia was out of the picture, her mum’s persistent nagging for North to find a girlfriend seemed to cool, at least on the surface. But the moment Sunny picked up the phone or visited for tea, she found herself bombarded by the same relentless questions.

Is North seeing anyone? Has he got his eye on a nice girl yet? Is he waiting to get married after he’s dead?

She didn't tell her son about any of this, and wasn't planning to either any time soon. She knew he son very well, he liked taking care of people who were close to him — or more like, felt the need to take care of them — even if that care was at his own expense. She knew if North found out that his grandmother still wanted a daughter-in-law before she passed, North might just do everything to make that happen.

Sunny had always dreamed of her son finding the kind of love that would cherish him as much as cherished them. She wanted North to meet someone who would care for him as deeply as he cared for them — someone who would understand and adore him, someone who could match the boundless affection he gave so freely. Sunny hoped for a girl with a warm heart and a bubbly, joyful spirit, but also a strength of character to balance her son’s dramatic, chaotic, and undeniably sweet ways.

She pictured a partner who would laugh at North’s flair for theatrics but also ground him when the world overwhelmed him. Someone who would cherish every layer of him, from his boisterous laughter to his quiet, thoughtful moments.

What Sunny didn’t expect, however, was that the person she had been wishing for all along wouldn’t be a girl at all — but a boy.

The news had come as a surprise, not because she minded — of course not. North was free to love whoever he pleased. She had always wanted him to be happy, no matter the form that happiness took. Still, the revelation had momentarily caught her off guard. And to think it was him — the boy who lived two streets over, in the grand house with the manicured lawn and a gate that gleamed like polished silver. Truly, the world was a small place indeed.

And now said boy was in her house, sitting in her living room, making her son smile. Sunny swore there was honey dripping from North's gaze.

"Never in my life did I think my son was capable of bringing someone this handsome home." Sunny said, staring at Johan's features in absolute awe. From the sharp curve of his jaw to the bridge of his nose, the young man was absolutely gorgeous. Sunny didn't think people like that existed outside her TV screen.

All of a sudden, her house seemed shabby, too rundown for the young master that was decked out in clothes that probably cost more than what she earned annually. Honestly, Sunny didn't even think all the furniture in the house put together would add up to even the red shirt Johan adorned. And was that a Rolex on his wrist?

"Mum!" North hissed, giving her a mild glare.

"Tell me Johan, does this boy study? Or does he only spend all his time playing games?" Sunny continued, ignoring North's growing embarrassment.

Johan smiled, a chuckle escaping his lips as he pinched North's cheek. And to her genuine surprise, North settled down, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the couch with a small pout.

"His grades have been improving recently." Johan replied, then added teasingly, "though, his physics grades still aren't the greatest."

Sunny blinked, staring at her son like he’d suddenly sprouted another head. Her lips parted, caught somewhere between disbelief and laughter. “Really?” She managed, her voice tinged with incredulity. “The only thing this boy knew how to do back in high school was fight. I swear, I’m amazed he even made it through.”

“Mum,” North groaned, drawing the word out in a long, exasperated sigh. His expression turned sheepish, like a child caught sneaking the last cookie from the jar. “I’m not like that anymore.”

Johan raised a brow, a quiet question in his eyes that he did not voice. But he didn't have to, for apparently North heard very clearly.

“Not as much,” North amended quickly, his tone laced with an awkward, nervous laugh.

Sunny narrowed her eyes.

“North,” she said, her voice low and sharp, the single syllable enough to make her son flinch like a scolded puppy.

He hesitated, his gaze darting between his mother and Johan as though searching for an escape route. Finally, he scratched the back of his neck and muttered, “I may have gotten into a bar fight…”

The way he phrased it, more question than statement, made Sunny’s eyebrow arch even higher.

“But it’s all been paid for!” He added quickly, flashing one of those disarming smiles he always used to worm his way out of trouble. It was the kind of smile that had softened her anger countless times before, though today, it seemed less effective.

“With what money?!” Sunny demanded, her tone rising with disbelief. “North, you better not have gotten yourself involved in anything illegal or I swear to God—”

“I didn’t!” North cut her off, his voice louder now, almost defensive. His arms flew out dramatically, punctuating his protest with wild gestures. “Why would you even think that?!”

Sunny didn’t answer, her expression unimpressed as she tapped her foot against the floor.

Desperate to diffuse the tension, North pointed toward Johan, who had been sitting quietly through the exchange, watching with a mix of mild amusement and curiosity. “Phi Johan paid for everything!”

Sunny exhaled sharply, her shoulders sinking as she closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temple. “North, you—” she began, only to cut herself off with a heavy sigh. She inhaled deeply through her nose, trying — and failing — to push back the headache that was steadily bubbling to the surface.

When she opened her eyes again, she turned to Johan. Reaching out, she took his hand gently in hers, accompanied by an apologetic smile that softened her usually sharp demeanour. “Are you sure this is who you want to spend the rest of your life with?” She asked, her tone serious but tinged with genuine concern. “He’ll drain your wallet before you even make it down the aisle.”

“Mum!” North shouted, his voice practically dripping with indignation. His wide eyes and slack-jawed expression would have been comical if he weren’t so utterly appalled.

Johan, however, only laughed, a deep, rich sound that filled the room with ease. He shook his head, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “North is the only one I’ll ever choose to spend my life with,” he said, his voice steady and certain. Then he turned toward North, his expression softening, a quiet affection shining through the curve of his smile. “I just hope he doesn’t run away if I ever suddenly lose all my money.”

North scoffed, rolling his eyes as he bumped his shoulder lightly against Johan’s. “Run away? Who’s running away? You’re stuck with me, Phi.” His voice was filled with mock defiance, but the grin tugging at his lips betrayed his genuine feelings.

Sunny watched the exchange, her heart swelling despite herself. The way Johan looked at North — with unwavering devotion, with that quiet, unspoken promise — made her chest tighten in a way she hadn’t expected. Clearing her throat, she patted Johan’s shoulder with a warm, approving smile.

“Well,” she said, her tone light but laced with a teasing edge, “if North ever gives you trouble, just come to me. I’ll make sure to put my son in his place for you.”

North gawked at her, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and betrayal. “How could you?” He spluttered, throwing his hands up. “How could you treat someone else better than your own son? That’s not fair!”

Johan bit back a laugh, his lips twitching as he tried to keep a straight face.

Sunny simply shrugged, rising gracefully from her seat as if the answer were obvious. “He’s my son now too,” she said matter-of-factly, smoothing the front of her blouse. “I have to look out for him, especially since he’s stuck with a troublemaker like you.”

"But I'm your real son!"

Sunny and Johan chuckled at North’s dramatic outburst. Sunny lingered just long enough to watch Johan lean closer to her son, coaxing him out of his exaggerated sulking. It didn’t take much, from what Sunny could tell — just a soft smile from Johan and North’s pout melted away, replaced by his usual playful grin.

Shaking her head, Sunny clicked her tongue against her teeth in mild exasperation. Love really has changed that her son. It was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist when they looked at each other.

She let out a small huff of amusement as she turned and walked toward the kitchen. In the back of her mind, she pictured her late husband watching all of this from above, arms crossed with that same knowing, amused smile he always wore when life unfolded in ways that left her shaking her head. She could almost hear his laughter, light and teasing, as if to say, our boy’s just like we were, isn’t he?

Leaving the lovebirds to their quiet bubble in the living room, Sunny stepped into the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves as she prepared to make lunch. North had mentioned that Johan’s favourite dish was pasta, and while she wouldn’t call herself a master of Italian cuisine, she felt confident enough to whip up a hearty bolognese. She pulled out the ingredients with practiced ease, the clinking of pots and the soft chop of the knife filling the space with familiar sounds.

As she was dicing onions, North wandered into the kitchen, his steps light and cheerful. He greeted her with a sunny smile, and she raised a brow at him.

Without waiting for an invitation, North grabbed the spare knife and cutting board from the counter. He reached for the sieve of washed vegetables, but Sunny was quicker. She slid the bowl out of his reach, holding his gaze as she arched an eyebrow.

“And since when were you allowed in the kitchen?” She asked.

North grinned at her. “I’ve been cooking a lot recently,”

"Have you now?" She eyed him suspiciously.

North nodded eagerly; voice full of smug confidence as he pointed this thumb towards himself. "I could be the next best chef." He whistled lowly, closing his eyes as he basked in his own confidence. "I think I was born with a natural gift."

Sunny kicked her son, breaking him out of his make-believe world. "Only if you had that same confidence in your studies." She scolded, pointing the knife at him.

North rubbed his bottom with a sheepish smile, lowering her arm down and moving a safe distance away. "I've just been cooking for Phi Jo." He explained more honestly, moving to grab the carrot one more time. Sunny did not stop him this time. "He forgets to eat most of the time, or doesn't have time to because of work, so I try pack him lunch every now and then." He said, voice tinged with slight concern despite the smile on his face. He washed the carrot and his hands, rinsing the knife before starting to chop it into fine slices.

Sunny frowned, lips pursing as she carried on chopping the onions. "Is he always working? What about his studies?" She wondered.

North had informed her that Johan was busy working for his father's company, and she couldn't help but worry. Isn't that too much pressure to put on a child? And if he worked so much, and studied to be a doctor, then when did he have free time? As much as Sunny liked Johan, and worried for the boy, she didn't want his workaholic nature to hinger North's light. For that to be the reason why North isn't cared for or loved.

At the mere mention of Johan, North’s entire demeanour lit up like the sun breaking through overcast skies. The carrot he’d been chopping was promptly forgotten as he turned to face her, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“He’s amazing, Mum!” North gushed, his voice practically vibrating with pride and affection. “He gets all A’s on his exams, even with everything else he’s got going on! He’s always going to meetings, handling so much stuff — and somehow, he’s still winning every basketball game at the club with Phi Hill!” His words tumbled out in an animated rush, his hands moving wildly to emphasize his points. “He doesn’t even like studying, but he’s never missed a single deadline.

“And get this!” North leaned in, his grin widening as if he were sharing a secret too good to keep. “One time, he got called into a meeting just four hours before an exam. He walked in an hour late and still managed to get an A! Isn’t he incredible, Mum?” The pride in his voice was palpable, and his lovestruck gaze gave him away entirely.

Sunny paused mid-cut, turning to look at her son with an amused smile tugging at her lips. Her earlier doubts and questions dissolved like sugar in hot tea as she watched him gush, completely enamoured with the man he was describing. His eyes shone brighter than she’d ever seen, his voice brimming with admiration, love, and the kind of unshakeable confidence that only came from deep, unwavering belief in another person.

“You really love him, huh?” She asked softly, her voice tinged with a quiet warmth.

North’s cheeks flushed a warm shade of pink, and for a moment, his grin turned bashful. But then he gave her a shy nod, his smile softening into something tender. “Mm, more than anything,” he murmured, his tone low but full of sincerity.

Sunny’s lips quirked upward, but she tilted her head, watching him closely. “And he still takes care of you?” She asked, her tone playful but just firm enough to show she was serious.

Without hesitation, North answered, “Too well.” His voice was quieter now, the earlier excitement giving way to something more thoughtful. His eyes seemed to gloss over slightly as he glanced down at the cutting board, his hands moving to chop the carrot with precision. “If I say I want to go on a date, he’ll drop everything just to make it happen,” he said, his voice tinged with awe.

His hand stilled on the knife for a moment, and his smile turned wistful. “Even if he gets a call while we’re spending time together, he always apologizes without fail. And sometimes…” His voice faltered, and Sunny’s brows lifted slightly, noticing how his tone had grown shaky, the words catching in his throat. “Sometimes he’ll stay up all night finishing his work just so he can spend the whole day with me.”

Her heart constricted, her own emotions swelling as she listened to her son's words. North’s hand resumed its movement, chopping a bit more forcefully now, as though he were trying to hide the way his voice wavered. But even from where she stood, she could see it — how his emotions were welling up, how his hands were trembling just slightly.

How long — just how long had she prayed for her son to find someone worthy of him? To find someone just as precious and amazing?

“Even today,” North murmured, his voice soft, nearly lost in the steady rhythm of the knife hitting the chopping board. A small frown tugged at the corners of his lips; his brows furrowed ever so slightly. He kept his gaze down, focused on the carrot under his blade, but his thoughts were clearly far from the task at hand.

“He’s been so stressed this week,” North continued, his words tinged with a quiet ache. “Non-stop phone calls, back-to-back meetings, a deadline… And on top of all that, he’s been tutoring me.” His hands stilled for a brief moment, and he let out a shaky breath. “He’s exhausted, mum,” he said, his voice almost breaking. “And yet he still chose to be here. For me.”

His words hung in the air, soft and fragile, as though the weight of them might crack if spoken any louder.

Sunny watched him carefully, her heart tightening as she took in the sight of her son. A tender smile spread across her face, and she tilted her head, her voice gentle, careful not to disturb the tentative silence that had settled over them. “He’s it for you, isn’t he?” She hummed softly, her tone quiet but certain. “The one you want to spend the rest of your life with?”

North chuckled, the sound coming out rough.

"Phi Johan says he'd buy the world for me, but he doesn't see that there is no world without him in it. I want to grow old with him, mum. And as long as he needs me by his side, I'll be there for him in the next life as well."

*

North had wandered off to find Johan after finishing his share of tasks, leaving behind a neatly chopped pile of vegetables. The younger man had stepped outside to take another call from work, the reason why North had sought her out instead.

She had shooed him away a teasing smile, urging him to go find Johan. “Go, go,” she had said. “I can handle the rest. You’re just dying to be near him, aren’t you?” North’s sheepish grin had been answer enough, and he was gone before she could say another word, disappearing toward the back patio.

As Sunny worked to finish the meal, her son’s earlier words echoed in her mind, lingering like the aroma of the simmering bolognese sauce.

"He’s exhausted, Mum. And yet he chose to be here, for me."

The weight of those words sat heavy in her chest, mingling with the warmth that had been growing there all day. Johan was a handsome, kind young man — that much was clear to her from the start. His politeness, his patience, the way he looked after North without being overbearing… it was all very telling. Sunny hadn’t missed the way his eyes softened whenever they landed on her son, or the quiet, attentive way he listened whenever North spoke, as if nothing else in the world mattered in those moments.

Admittedly, he did have the look of a playboy — the kind of boy you’d expect to see in glossy magazines, surrounded by adoring fans. His sharp jawline, perfectly styled hair, and easy charm practically screamed trouble. But if she had to hazard a guess, she’d say Johan had long since left any playboy tendencies behind. The way he looked at North — like her son was the sun, the moon, and every star in between — told her everything she needed to know.

And yet, despite all of that, Sunny couldn’t completely silence the quiet doubts that lived in the back of her mind. She had seen her son hurt before, had watched him give his heart to someone who didn’t deserve it, and she never wanted to see him go through that again.

But the more North spoke about Johan — his voice filled with pride and awe, his eyes alight with unshakable love — the more those doubts began to ease. Sunny had always trusted her instincts, but perhaps it was time to start trusting her son’s too.

Johan was everything her son needed. A calm for his chaoticness, a patience for his carelessness. Johan was the silence for North's loud mind, the destination for when he lost his way.

Sunny climbed the stairs quietly, her steps light against the wooden floorboards as she moved through the dimly lit hallway. She had already checked the front yard and the living room to no avail. The house was mostly silent, save for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional creak of the floor beneath her. Her search led her to North’s room, where she noticed the door was slightly ajar, a thin strip of soft yellow light spilling out into the otherwise shadowed corridor.

She raised her hand to knock, her knuckles hovering just above the doorframe — but then she stopped.

Through the small opening, she could see Johan sitting on the small sofa tucked against the far wall of North’s room. The younger man was cradling her son on his lap, North’s legs stretched out lazily onto the empty space beside them. Johan looked completely at ease, his head nestled against North’s chest, his arms wrapped securely around North’s waist like he never wanted to let go. His face was soft in repose, his lashes brushing against his cheeks, a slight rise and fall of his shoulders.

North, however, was very much awake. A gentle smile graced his face as he gazed down at his boyfriend, his eyes brimming with a tenderness. His hand moved in soothing strokes through Johan’s brown hair, his fingers threading carefully, like each strand was something precious. And, softly, almost imperceptibly, North was humming — his voice low and warm, a melody so quiet it felt like it was meant for Johan alone.

The moment was serene, intimate, and so full of love that Sunny felt like an intruder just standing there.

"He’s exhausted, Mum. And yet he chose to be here, for me."

He must be asleep then, she thought.

She hovered outside the room for a while more, wondering if she should disturb them since the food would be growing cold. She raised her hand again, fingers settling on the door handle so she could push it open.

A soft murmur escaped his lips, incoherent from where she stood. His brows furrowed slightly, a shadow of discomfort flickering across his face, though his eyes remained closed. North immediately leaned closer, his gentle hum fading into silence. Slowly, carefully, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to Johan’s lips.

He pulled back just enough to whisper something, his words inaudible to Sunny, but whatever he said seemed to do the trick. Johan’s body relaxed again, the tension easing from his furrowed brows as he nestled deeper into North’s arms.

Sunny closed the door behind her, walking back downstairs.

"And as long as he needs me by his side, I'll be there for him in the next life as well."

She smiled to herself, giving the bedroom door one last glance. She had to admit, love looked best on her son.

Looks like she'll have to prepare her mother for a son-in-law instead.

v.

Hill

For as long as Hill had known Johan, work had been a constant companion to his friend. It clung to him like a second skin, woven into the fabric of his daily life. During classes, after the final bell rang at university, or even in the rare hours of downtime, Johan was perpetually occupied. His fingers were always dancing across a keyboard, crafting yet another email, or his voice was a steady murmur on an important business call.

Hill couldn't recall a single moment where Johan truly let his guard down.

But even so, Johan was still the life of the party. He had an easy charm, one that gave him the air of someone who was carefree, even lazy. He groaned at the thought of studying and complained loudly about responsibilities, but when the opportunity presented itself, he was unstoppable. Whether it was swaying on the dance floor, cracking jokes, or raising a glass with Arthit, Johan threw himself into partying with the same intensity he gave to work.

But Hill knew better. It was front — a front that he used to show people that the world wasn't weighing down on him. The nonchalance, the laughs, the wild nights — they were all a distraction, a shield. The exhaustion he wore wasn’t from staying out until dawn at some club but from poring over stacks of paperwork, his eyes red-rimmed under the dim lights. The flood of messages he constantly received weren’t multiple girls he was flirting it, but the relentless stream of questions whenever something went awry at the company.

Everything began to shift when North re-entered Johan’s life, but even then, Hill could still see the image Johan clung to — the polished, effortless persona that fit him like a suit of fine, tailored armour. Around Hill, Tonfah, and Arthit, Johan was always quick with his words, talkative and sharp-tongued. He poked fun at them constantly, teasing them with ease.

But when North was around, Johan’s demeanour softened. He spoke less, the ever-present edge of his voice fading, and for once, he seemed at ease. Hill couldn’t help but feel a flicker of relief seeing Johan truly relax, even if only for brief moments.

Still, no matter what, work clung to Johan like a stubborn shadow. It trailed him relentlessly, slipping into every corner of his life. Hill had long since stopped keeping count of how many times Johan had to abruptly excuse himself in the middle of a double date to take a call. Each time, he returned with a tight-lipped smile, irritation carefully tucked away for the sake of their boyfriends, but Hill could see the tension in the set of his jaw, the faint creases forming between his brows.

Then there were the times Johan simply forgot to eat. Hill could still picture the memory vividly during their first year of university: he, Arthit, and Tonfah practically dragging Johan to the table, prying his laptop and phone from his hands. Johan had grumbled the entire time, throwing them half-hearted curses for delaying his work. But as soon as the food was in front of him, he devoured it with the hunger of someone who hadn’t eaten in days. And perhaps he hadn’t. Hill had noticed the hollowness in his cheeks that day, the faint tremor in his hands from too much coffee and not enough sustenance.

And it didn’t stop there. If anything, it only grew worse. Coffee seemed to replace water in Johan’s life, fuelling him far more than any meal ever could. Hill swore it was practically flowing through his veins by now. Days would pass without anyone hearing from him, locked away in his study for hours on end. And if work took him to a different country, the silence stretched even longer. At times like that, Hill wondered if Johan was even alive or if he was running purely on the fumes of his iron will.

They say doctors make the worst patients, and Johan was a prime example of that.

So, when Johan finally reached his breaking point one afternoon, teetering on the verge of collapse, Hill couldn’t say he was surprised. Worried? Absolutely. Extremely concerned? Without a doubt. But surprised? No. He practically had to drag Johan into the infirmary of the medical building lest he faint onto the floor.

“Is he okay?” Tonfah’s voice crackled over the phone, laced with worry.

“I told him to eat something this morning,” Arthit said sharply, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Hill could hear the way his voice frayed at the edges; the way he muttered a curse under his breath. “What did the nurse say?”

Hill sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he watched the nurse leave the room, her steps soft and professional. He managed a polite smile in thanks before turning his attention back to Johan, who was fast asleep in the infirmary bed. His friend looked oddly peaceful in this moment, lying beneath the thin white sheets. The steady drip of the IV in his wrist was the only sound in the otherwise quiet room.

“Lack of sleep and nutrients,” Hill answered simply, the words carrying a resigned tone as if the diagnosis were the most obvious thing in the world. He leaned forward on the stool next to Johan’s bed, his elbows resting on his knees. Shaking his head, he pulled the covers higher, tucking them gently up to Johan’s chest.

“Hey, Fah,” Hill said after a moment, his voice low but firm, “can you try to push back the deadline for his coursework?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a long sigh. When Tonfah finally spoke, his tone carried a hint of irritation, though it was clearly not directed at Hill. “I’ll see what I can do. Don’t know if my dad will agree, though. You know how he is.”

Hill nodded to himself, knowing Tonfah would at least try. As he shifted his gaze back to Johan, he caught himself studying the dark circles beneath his friend’s eyes, the lines etched into his face from weeks — months — of overwork.

“Just make sure he’s okay,” Arthit’s voice broke through the line, steady but hurried. The muffled sound of students shuffling into a classroom echoed faintly in the background. “We’ll head over there as soon as class is over. Have you told his Nong yet?”

"Yeah, I did. He'll be here soon." Hill hummed, scanning through the bombardment of texts he received from North.

And as if summoned, the door slammed open with a force that made Hill jump in his seat. His heart raced as his eyes darted to the doorway, where North stood, breathless and wild-eyed. His cheeks were flushed a deep red, beads of sweat clinging to his temple, and his chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven gasps. Tears lined his wide, frantic eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment as his gaze swept across the room, searching desperately. When his sight landed on Johan lying pale and still in the infirmary bed, his expression crumpled.

Behind North stood Easter, his face demeanour clouded with worry. His brows were knit tightly, lips pressed into a thin line as he hovered in the doorway. He reached out, placing a steadying hand on North’s shoulder, though it seemed to do little to calm him.

"I'm guessing he's there?" Tonfah questioned. "Take care of them. We'll go now."

Hill said a quick bye, pocketing his phone.

He stood just as North crossed the room in a few long, hurried strides.

“How is he?” North blurted out, his voice thick with fear and desperation. He barely paused to take a breath before continuing, “Is he okay? What happened?” His words tumbled over each other in a rush, his hands already reaching for Johan as if to confirm he was real and still there.

“North, breathe,” Easter said softly, his hand still resting on North’s back, rubbing slow, calming circles. But North barely seemed to hear him.

Without hesitation, North dropped into the stool beside Johan’s bed, gripping his boyfriend’s hand tightly, as though letting go might make him disappear. His own hands shook as he clasped Johan’s pale fingers between his own. “Phi Johan,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m not forgiving you for scaring me like this.”

His words wavered, trembling with emotion as he brought Johan’s hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to it with a tenderness that betrayed just how terrified he was.

"He hasn't been eating. Or sleeping." Hill explained calmly, looking at his boyfriend for reassurance. "He was about to faint, but I dragged him here to rest before it could happen. He's just sleeping now."

"I should have forced him to go to sleep yesterday." North cursed, his breath hitching as he tried to hold back a sob. "H-he had been so stressed lately and—" He wiped his face with the sleeve of his shirt, trying to compose himself. "He said just a few more days and he'd finally get a break. I knew I should have trusted my gut."

"North." Easter drawled, voice stern as he called him. "It's not your fault."

"He's right, this idiot did it to himself." Hill said, trying to make light of the situation despite the worry churching in his gut. Just how much pressure was Johan's father applying on him? How much worser would it be next time? "Stop crying before he wakes up and thinks I made you cry."

That got North to chuckle, voice rough with tears. "Thanks for looking out for him, Phi Hill."

Hill smiled. "I should be thanking you. He had been looking so relaxed since he's been around you that I was almost fooled."

North’s lips pressed tightly together as he kissed Johan’s fingers once more, his breath shaky. His gaze lingered on Johan, but it was distant, as if the light had been drained from the world.

His voice, when he spoke, was soft but heavy with sorrow. “I know he’s working this hard for me... for our future. But I wish he didn’t do it at the cost of his health.” The words seemed to hang in the air, more aimed at Johan than at either Hill or Easter. “There’s no point to it all if he’s not healthy.”

Hill felt a pang of sympathy, understanding all too well the kind of selflessness Johan was capable of, even if it was at his own expense.

He stood up from his seat, giving North a moment of space as he spoke, his voice gentle but purposeful. “You should tell him that,” Hill suggested, a small smile curving his lips. “Maybe then he’ll listen and actually take a long break for once.” He paused, his eyes flicking between North and the still figure of Johan in the bed. “I’ll be going now, okay? You think you’ll be alright on your own?”

North met his gaze, forcing a faint smile through the haze of his worry. He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke, thick with gratitude. “Thanks again, Phi Hill.”

Hill nodded back, reaching for the door. “Call me if you need anything,” he said, offering a reassuring glance before motioning for Easter to follow him.

“I will.”

As Hill and Easter started to leave, Easter turned back for a moment, giving North’s shoulder a firm, reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry too much,” he said, his voice steady and comforting, despite the concern in his eyes. “He’s just tired. Everything will be okay.”

North’s nod was barely perceptible, his eyes red-rimmed and heavy with the unshed tears he’d been desperately holding back.

They walked out the room, hovering outside the door just to make sure North was fine. He sat still for a moment, then, without warning, the dam he had been building inside him broke. The tears North had tried so hard to keep at bay finally fell, cascading down his cheeks like rain after a storm. His shoulders trembled, his body shaking with the force, but there was no sound, no sobs.

He leaned forward, pressing his face gently against Johan’s body, his tears soaking into the soft fabric of the sheets, as though he could pour all his love, his fear, and his helplessness into his boyfriend through this simple touch. His fingers curled around Johan’s hand again, holding on tighter this time.

Easter tried to go back inside, but Hill stopped him.

"I think he just wants to be alone for now." Hill said, voice fraying with worry.

Easter pouted, not looking the least convinced, but stayed put nonetheless.

Hill glanced at his friend, who was still unaware to all the worry and disarray he was causing to the people around him, scoffing internally.

Ai'Jo, do you hear that, he asked. Your precious Nong crying like you've gotten into an accident? Wake up you bastard. I've got an earful to give you for making us worry.

But a part him, deep down, was glad. Because when he saw North, distressed and unable to stop himself from crying, Hill saw the man Johan was a year ago. The one who was heartbroken and drunk himself to sleep with tears. The one that didn't want to remember anything because it hurt to even think about North's name.

"He's someone I can never have." Johan had said. "Even if I did, he'll never love me as much I love him."

Looks like the universe wanted to prove him wrong again.

Hill wasn’t sure if Johan could see it as clearly as others did, but to him, it was painfully obvious: North was as bad as Johan himself. They were incapable of living without the other, and Hill wasn't sure whether to be happy for his friend or worried. Then again, it wasn't like he had any place to talk either.

Johan had found a harbour in North, a safe place where his stress was laid bare. It wasn't something anyone could handle, for the pressure of it all would weigh down on them too. But North was exactly what Johan needed — strong willed, strong minded. Someone who took Johan's stress and kissed the furrow between his brows, someone who took the exhaustion and soothed it away.

He took one last wavering look, North's sobs now subsiding, his voice filling the empty space as he talked about his day to his sleeping boyfriend.

"Let's go," Hill said, taking a hold of Easter's hand. His boyfriend glanced back over his shoulder once more, before deciding to follow suit.

They complimented each other, Hill thought as they walked away, and one wouldn't see it unless they took a closer look at them.

It suited them.

Hill was just glad his friend's three-year crush was answered with an unwavering love just as strong as Johan's own.

He looked at the person walking next to him, their fingers intertwined, smiling to himself.

Maybe he'll invite Johan for a drink after the latter got some rest. For old times’ sake.

vi.

North

Dating Johan was like living in a dream, one that North didn't want ever wake up from. It was strange, really, how irreplaceable the elder had become in his life, like without Johan North's life just wouldn't make sense.

And to a certain point, that was true. Because when North looks back to every cross-road or happy moment of his life in the past three years, Johan would be there, present, unmoving.

And three years wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things — to most anyway — but to North, it was. It was three years of someone he did know the face of wishing him to smile. Three years of someone he did not know the name of watching over him, loving him, waiting for him.

It was still hard to believe. Three years. Three full years of Johan loving him despite North never knowing of his existence.

But when he looked at the man sitting next to him, lips pursed and brows knotted, exhaustion clinging to his from but still managing to crack a smile when he looked at North, North realised it wasn't hard to believe. Because he would do the same had he known Johan earlier. He would have waited and loved for three years as well. It was easy to love Johan, there was nothing complicated about it.

North smiled, brushing away an errant strand from Johan's face as the elder's eyes focused on his laptop screen.

North held up a scoop of khao pad, spoon hovering near Johan's lips for attention. "Phi," he drawled out, "your work isn't going to run away if you take five minutes to eat." He said, voice part whine and part exasperation.

Johan turned his head, flashing him the briefest of smiles before parting his lips, not even taking the time to assess the food before taking the bite. North was sure he could feed the man brunt bread right now and he wouldn't even notice.

Ever since Johan’s unexpected trip to the infirmary, North had been insistent—almost relentless—that his boyfriend get the rest he so desperately needed. He even went as far to tell Prang about the incident, which the elder did not take too kindly of, and immediately cancelled everything on Johan's schedule. And Johan, who was more than willing to indulge North in everything he asked, didn't seem too fond of the idea of taking time off work. But one scolding from Prang, and the boy conceded.

North could tell his boyfriend was restless to go back to work, and sometimes he would even catch him looking over some files before doing to bed. So, North made it his mission to distract Johan, to give him something else to focus on, something to replace the all-consuming work. He'd pull Johan into the kitchen, making them cook meals together. The process was more about laughter and playful teasing than actual cooking, with flour dusting the countertops and spilled ingredients forgotten in favour of shared giggles and stolen kisses, but still.

Some nights, North would drag Johan out for a spontaneous date or a simple evening stroll under the stars. And on days without morning classes, they’d sleep in late, tangled in sheets, waking up only when the sun was high in the sky.

Sometimes, though, North would playfully wake Johan early, coaxing him out of bed to tackle mundane tasks like grocery shopping or cleaning. The chores always ended in chaos — spilled soap, a mislaid mop, and the occasional argument over who was supposed to be doing what — but it didn’t matter.

It was pure bliss. That’s the only way North could describe it. It was only a week — just seven days — but to North, it felt like a glimpse into the future they could have together after graduation. It wasn’t the rush of grand gestures or overwhelming events. It was just them — together, in their own world, building something steady. And if you asked North, he’d say without hesitation that it was, without a doubt, one of the best weeks he’d ever spent in his whole life.

But the week had passed quickly, and Johan's work had piled up too high for even Prang to ignore. And while that peaceful lifestyle wasn't something they could maintain anymore, Johan promised they could still cook together, do chores together, and sleep in late once everything at work was back on track.

But for now, North was stuck to trying to get Johan to drink something that isn't coffee again, and reminding him to eat food because he knew his beloved boyfriend would just forget, or think starving himself was the most efficient method to getting more work done.

Sometimes, North half a mind to just storm into Johan's family home and give a stern talking to the man's father. Can't he see that his boyfriend is exhausted?! Granted, Johan wants to work, but shouldn't his own father at least be conscious of how much pressure he's putting his son under? North hasn't even met the man yet and he already had a bad opinion on him.

"Nong," Arthit said with a knowing look, glancing at Johan who was hunched over his desk, his eyes already tired despite it being early in the day. "I think you should've suggested a trip to Switzerland or somewhere far. He looked genuinely happy for that one week, and now—" Arthit shook his head, his voice trailing off in a resigned sigh, "he’s back at it again."

North let out a deep, frustrated sigh, the words ringing too true for comfort.

Johan’s sigh was heavy, as though he was trying to shake the fatigue from his bones. He tilted his head back, trying to stretch his neck, but even that small motion seemed like an effort. North felt a pang of worry twist in his stomach.

"Ai’Jo," Hill’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and concerned. He shot Johan a pointed look, the kind that said I’m not letting you off the hook this time. "You're really going to collapse this time if you don't take a breather. Did you even sleep last night?"

"A bit," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as if that might alleviate the tension there.

Hill, Tonfah, and Arthit exchanged glances. The three of them turned their expectant gazes to North, as if waiting for the real answer. North sighed, his lips pulling into something close to a grimace, and he reluctantly spoke up.

"He didn’t get to bed until four," North said, raising four fingers into the air, holding them there for emphasis. He didn’t want to, but he could feel his patience slipping away. "Woke up at seven."

Tonfah’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to Johan, giving him a look. A look that made his boyfriend sigh in defeat.

"Fine, fine," Johan muttered in a tone that bordered on bored resignation, though the underlying exhaustion was clear. "No more work."

North gave Tonfah a grateful smile, picking up more rice with his spoon. "Mm," he urged, pushing the spoon forward, "you have to finish this."

Johan pinched his cheek in response, but didn't argue with him.

"Must be nice to have someone that can feed you." Arthit sighed dramatically. He turned to Tonfah, leaning close to him. "Ai'Fah, give me some of your chicken."

Tonfah shook his head with an amused smile. He poked his fork through a chicken piece, feeding it to Arhtit.

"You're ridiculous." Johan rolled his eyes, reaching for his coffee.

"Married men can't talk." Artith countered, making North blush and bite back a smile.

The two began bickering back and forth, a norm for the friendship group, and North sat back and laughed in quiet amusement as Hill and Tonfah ignored the two, engaging in their own conversation.

Minutes passed like this, and North sent a quick text to Easter to let him know where he was. Out of his periphery, he saw someone approaching them, and he figured with was one of Hill's or Arthit's friends.

But upon hearing the soft, airy voice, North froze in his seat.

"Johan, can I talk to you?"

North glanced up from his phone. She was stunning, effortlessly beautiful.

Jude — a medical student in the same year as Johan, someone he had seen around campus but hadn’t really paid attention to before. Her long brown hair was pulled half up in a neat bun, the rest cascading down her back in soft, lustrous waves. Her blouse was crisp and perfectly pressed, tucked into a mini pencil skirt that hugged her figure in a way that seemed effortless yet deliberate. She was the kind of woman who could make heads turn without even trying, a picture of grace and sophistication. North did not like her.

Johan seemed to share the same opinion. Without so much as a glance in her direction, he simply sipped his coffee, his expression relaxed, calm, almost detached. "I’m busy," he muttered, his voice flat, not bothered in the least.

If Jude was bothered by the dismissal, she didn’t show it. Instead, she cast a quick look around the table, her gaze flitting over Hill, Tonfah, and Arthit. They all shrugged, indifferent, and went back to their meals without missing a beat. Her eyes finally settled on North, her brown eyes were sharp and focused, like the piercing gaze of a hawk locking in on its prey.

He didn’t cower, though. He refused to. Despite the flicker of unease curling in his chest, he met her gaze with a calmness that was more a defence mechanism than true composure. He had long since learned to deal with the looks — the judgment, the curiosity, the quiet whispers — that came with dating Johan.

Being with someone as charismatic as Johan attracted attention, and not all of it was friendly. There were always the petty girls who, for whatever reason, couldn’t seem to let go of the idea that Johan was still somehow theirs. North had learned to tune them out, to ignore the barbed glances and the subtle gestures that made it clear they didn’t like him. But that didn’t mean he had to like them back.

So, he did what he did best, flashed her a smile and bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"It won't take long." Jude tried again, her voice still holding that confidence and air of dignity despite the guy she was making clear suggestive eyes at not acknowledging her presence. "I won't keep you away from your... boyfriend too long." She gave a pretty smile, so fake North almost believed it was real, her lips curling around the word boyfriend like venom.

And North wanted to scoff, but kept the small smile on his face. How hard was it to accept that the hot guy you were into was taken?

"Please?" She added, tilting her head.

North reached out, tugging at the sleeve of Johan’s shirt, a subtle gesture that was enough to draw his attention. Johan’s eyes met his, curiosity flickering as North leaned closer, lowering his head slightly to speak quietly. His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

"You should go," North murmured, the words tasting bitter on his tongue even as he said them. His tone didn’t quite match his meaning, betraying his reluctance. "She doesn’t look like she’ll leave otherwise."

Johan turned his head slightly, his gaze searching North’s face. "You sure?" Johan’s voice was quiet.

North nodded, offering him a genuine smile, though there was a hint of wryness behind it. His eyes softened, the briefest flicker of affection showing before he spoke again. "Do we have a choice?" He asked with a soft snort, his attempt at humour falling a little flat but still earning a small chuckle from Johan.

Johan sighed; the sound heavy. He leaned in, his lips brushing against North’s ear, a light touch that sent a ripple of warmth across North’s skin. "Wait for me," Johan whispered, his voice low and warm, sending a shiver down North's spine. "I’ll walk you to class."

North’s heart skipped a beat, the warmth of Johan’s breath against his ear making him feel suddenly aware of how close they were. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, certain that his ears were burning red, but he still managed to offer Johan a sheepish smile. He nodded, not trusting his voice to work properly.

Before North could say anything, Johan pressed a brief kiss to his temple, a soft gesture that left a lingering warmth on his skin. It was a fleeting touch, but it said more than words could. Johan stood, his expression carefully neutral, the playful warmth that had been between them gone as he followed after Jude, his face an unreadable mask.

"That girl just doesn't know when to give up, huh?" Arthit tutted, looking at the pair as they walked off.

North frowned, eyes trained on his boyfriend for a few seconds before looking away. "Do you know her, Phi?"

"Mm, she has been trying to get Johan's attention for a while." Hill stated, taking a sip of his drink. "He doesn't pay any attention to her, but Jude doesn't know when to give up."

Tonfah clinked his fork against the inside of his plate, the down muffled against the noise of chatter around them. "I don't even think Jo knows her name." He added with a chuckle.

"You don't have anything to worry about." Arthit assured, pointing his fork at North and motioning him with it, face amused. "He'd rather die than give you up."

North chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not worried, Phi."

And he wasn't. He knew Johan wouldn't leave him regardless of how many beautiful women or men approach him and try get his attention. North was confident in Johan's feelings for him, confident in their relationship.

It's just that... when North looks over to his boyfriend, standing next to someone so pretty, he couldn't help the way his chest tightened. He didn't like it. It left a sour taste in his mouth.

It wasn't insecurity or anxiety that Johan might have second thoughts. No, that wasn't it.

Anger, his mind supplied. Jealousy, his heart whispered.

North didn't want to admit it, but it was true to some extent. Dating Johan was like living in a dream, and it was moments like this, when he'd see someone else standing next to his boyfriend that he'd realise that it wasn't a dream — but reality.

He didn't quiet hate it really, because a part of him did feel smug about the fact that he could have Johan all to himself while others could only imagine what it was like. But he really, really disliked it. Disliked others getting close to his boyfriend, smiling at him, making those heart eyes at him.

It was like a dark pit of mud in his stomach, threatening to consume him whole every time someone approached Johan, and the only thing North could do was flash them a smile and nod understandingly when they asked for his boyfriend.

He's mine, he wanted to say, to glare at them to leave them alone. He's already dating someone, get lost, he wanted to shout.

But to monopolise Johan to such an extent felt wrong. Too clingy. That just wasn't who North was.

"You're back." Tonfah's voice broke North out of his reverie, his attention once again stolen by his boyfriend.

The elder looked slightly annoyed, sitting back down next to North.

"What did she want?" Hill asked, his tone casual but the curiosity clear in his eyes.

Johan clicked his tongue, a look of mild annoyance crossing his face. "Wanted me to attend her birthday party," he said, shaking his head slightly, the edges of his lips turning up in an almost amused smirk. "Persistent, I'll give her that."

North furrowed his brow slightly. "What did you say?" He asked slowly, his voice quiet but laced with curiosity.

Johan’s smirk deepened, and he pinched his cheek in a playful manner. "Told her I have a boyfriend I need to go home to," he replied, his voice carrying just the right amount of teasing. There was a certain pride in his tone, as though he was almost amused at the situation.

North’s heart fluttered. He felt a warm flush spread across his cheeks, the sudden wave of giddiness causing his stomach to flip. His lips quirked into a shy smile. He tried to look composed, but there was no hiding the happiness that lit up his eyes.

Arthit raised an eyebrow in disbelief, clearly surprised at how easily Johan had brushed off the woman’s persistence. "And she took that as an answer?" He asked, leaning forward slightly, his voice tinted with scepticism.

Johan shrugged; his nonchalance evident as he looked up at the ceiling in mild disinterest. He didn’t seem fazed by the situation at all. "Who knows," he muttered, clearly ready to put the matter to rest. "I walked off before she said anything else."

North had to bite his lips to stop the laugh that threatened to escape. As much as he didn't like Johan's groupies, he almost felt bad for them when Johan treated them like fine dust in the wind. Almost.

"You can at least be a bit nicer to them." Tonfah suggested, chuckling.

"Maybe if they learned to leave me alone," Johan muttered, his voice sharp. He glanced down at his watch, his fingers tapping restlessly against the surface. "North, your lesson is in the other building, right?"

North checked the time, a wave of relief washing over him as he realized he had just enough time. He nodded, slinging his bag over his shoulder with a swift motion, the straps settling comfortably as he grabbed his cutlery to tidy up.

"I’ll see you later, Phi! Tell Ter I'll see him after." North waved goodbye, his smile genuine, eyes flicker over to Johan who was following behind.

"Will do," Hill nodded.

Johan gave a casual nod, his lips quirking into a half-smile. "I’ll see you in class."

He slung one arm over North’s shoulder, the weight of it warm and familiar, while the other hand clutched his laptop. Together, they started walking toward the exit.

Once they were a good distance away from the others, the bustle of conversation slowly fading behind them, North couldn’t help but glance up at Johan, the question on his lips too persistent to ignore. "Phi Jo," he began, his voice quieter now, almost hesitant, "are you sure you don’t want to go to Phi Jude’s party?"

Johan rose a brow, tilting his head slightly. "Do you want me to?"

North didn't need to think before he shook his head no.

Johan smiled.

"That's answer enough."

*

North finished plating the carbonara, making sure to plop the used pan into the sink under running water. He put the sauteed zucchini and squash in a bowl, placing it on the table next to the pasta. He quickly cleaned up the counters and stove, leaving the pots and pans for later. He glanced at the clock on the wall, the sun long since set behind the horizon and smiled to himself.

Johan has retreated into his study for a phone call, one which had lasted longer than intended. He told North to order take out since dinner time had long since passed, but after Johan left the living room, North had decided to cook for them.

He wasn't a chef by any means, his mum's cooking was much better than anything he could ever make, but Johan loved it when North made him breakfast once, so he made it his personal to cook for him whenever he got the chance. He especially practised making pasta dishes, since that was his boyfriend's favourite, and he was proud to say he was getting better at it.

His mum had once spent an entire month practicing to make carbonara because the annoying aunt next door kept bragging how good her daughter-in-law's carbonara was. Nothing but pure spite and pettiness fuelled his mum's dish. It was amazing though, but North had grown tired of it because of how often he had to taste test it for his mum. And so, he thought, why not make practise making that? His mum had the recipe down to perfection.

Ter and Nao had been his unwilling guinea pigs.

He walked over to the study, knocking twice before slowly opening the door. He peeked his head in, a smile forming at his lips when he saw his boyfriend. His eyes were strained on the screen, a furrow in his brows as he concentrated, his phone against his ears as he spoke.

"Phi..." He whispered to get the elder's attention, so quiet he couldn't even hear himself.

Johan turned his head, eyes catching his. He beckoned North side, putting his index finger against his lips.

North nodded, making an okay sign with his fingers. He walked inside the study, leaving the door ajar behind him. He walked over to Johan, standing in front of the man and reaching for his hand. He could hear the muffled voice of Prang on the other line, Johan leaning his head back as he listened, attentive, but uninterested, absentmindedly playing with North's fingers.

"Okay, that sounds perfect." He sighed heavily, rubbing soothing circles on the inside of North's wrist with his thumb. "Call me if anything goes wrong."

He cut the call after a few seconds, bidding Prang goodbye.

A small smile made its way up Johan's face, his brow raising in question. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" He asked, glancing at his computer screen for a second to check the time. "You have class in the morning."

"You know I have a hard time falling asleep without you hugging me." North replied with a sigh, lips forming a frown, intertwining their fingers. "You have to take responsibility, Phi Jo. My sleep has become yours." He squinted his eyes, pointing his finger accusingly at his boyfriend with a teasing warning.

Johan laughed, the sound soft and beautiful, a sound North had made it his mission to hear more often. He pulled North closer until he was standing between Johan's legs, his knees hitting the chair. "Is that so?" He questioned amusingly. "Then that means you'll forever have to stay by my side if you want to sleep."

North pretended to think it over, humming to himself. He then leaned forward, giving Johan a toothy grin. "Okay! I'm totally fine with that." He chuckled, making the man in front of him shake his head fondly.

Johan reached up with his free hand and ruffled his hair, playing with the curled strands at the nape of his neck. "What did you do then?" He asked, voice still light, but missing the earlier teasing tone.

"I made dinner." North announced as he stood up straighter, motioning to the kitchen outside. "I made carbonara this time."

Johan rose his brows, surprised, blinking in confusion. "You made carbonara?"

North nodded with an air of smugness. He swiped his nose with his thumb with a smirk, holding the thumbs up sign in the air. "It's not good as my mum's, but I guarantee you'll be asking for more."

"And you didn't burn down my kitchen?" Johan deadpanned.

North’s shoulders slumped, his lips twisting into a flat expression. "I’ll have you know the only time I ever burnt anything was when I was ten and trying to fry an egg." He huffed.

Johan’s laughter came quickly, warm and rich, and he reached over to pinch North’s side, making the younger man jump in surprise and squirm under his touch. "I’m joking," Johan chuckled, his voice softening as his hand lingered on North’s waist. "I’ll eat whatever you make," he added, his smile effortlessly charming, sending a familiar flutter through North’s chest. "Even if it’s a burnt egg," he teased.

North rolled his eyes, though the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch upward in spite of himself. His gaze drifted briefly to Johan’s phone. North’s brows furrowed slightly; his tone quiet as he bit his lower lip. "Everything okay?" He asked, his voice laced with subtle concern. "You’ve been on the call for a while."

Johan exhaled a long, exasperated sigh, rubbing a hand across his temple as if trying to ease the tension that had begun to knot there. "It’s just one of our business partners," he muttered, his voice thick with irritation. "They're being difficult, demanding to speak to me in person. Father thinks it’s urgent."

North frowned, lips pursing in distaste. "Tomorrow?"

"No, I'm meeting her next week."

North froze, blinking.

Oh.

Johan looked at him in surprise, furrowing his brows at the sudden quietness. "What's wrong?"

"The business partner is a woman?" He asked dumbly, trying to sound casual.

"Yeah?" Johan answered, though it awfully sounded like a question, looking at him in concern. "Why?"

North forced a smile, that muddy feeling pooling in his stomach again. "Nothing." He shook his head. He pulled at his boyfriend's hand, voice raising slightly to mask the unease. "Come on, up you get! The food's getting cold."

Johan didn't look the least bit convinced, but moved to North's will and got up from his seat regardless.

North made a move to lead them out the study, but Johan remained rooted in place, unmoving. "North." He drawled, making North stop in his tracks, voice even and stern. "What's wrong?"

North pressed his lips into a thin line, turning back around to his boyfriend. "It's nothing. Really." He tried, looking up at those dark eyes that could practically see through him. He could lie his way out of this, but lying was not something he did to Johan. No matter how much he didn't want to speak about it right now. "Just... overthinking."

Johan took a step forward, closing the distance between them, and North instinctively stepped back. The room seemed to shrink. Johan’s face was a mask of calm, his expression unreadable except for the single eyebrow that arched in silent wonder. "You never overthink," he said, as if it were a simple fact, as if he were reading from a textbook.

North’s heart skipped a beat, his breath catching. He smiled, though it felt more like a nervous reflex than anything genuine. He took another step back, his heels meeting the edge of Johan’s desk with a soft thud. The moment he stopped moving, Johan’s presence was overwhelming, his body caging him in as he gripped the table on either side, effectively trapping him.

"I don't," North replied quickly, his voice faltering slightly as he tried to avoid Johan’s gaze. His eyes flickered around the room, anywhere but at the older man who stood so close.

Johan’s face loomed just inches from his now, and North could feel the warmth of his breath, the intensity of his gaze making his skin flush. Johan’s eyes were steady and sharp, as if he could see through him, as if he could read every thought, every emotion that flickered across North’s face. North couldn’t help but feel exposed.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the rapid beat of North’s heart, pounding so loudly in his ears that it drowned out everything else. He didn't want to look at Johan, fearing what the latter might see in his eyes. There was a pause, an unbearable stretch of quiet that felt like it might swallow him whole.

And then, Johan spoke, his voice low, tinted with amusement, the edge of a smile tugging at his lips.

"You’re jealous."

North’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. His mind screamed for him to retreat, to escape from the relentless gaze of his boyfriend, but there was nowhere to go, no way out. Johan’s body still blocked his path, and North felt a hot rush of embarrassment flood his cheeks. His stomach twisted in knots, wishing he could shrink, wishing he could disappear.

"No," North finally managed to say, his voice weaker than he intended, the word slipping from his lips with an awkward finality. Internally, he cringed.

“You’re a terrible liar, my love.” Johan’s chuckle was deep, teasing, and it sent an even stronger pulse through North’s chest. His heart raced as if it had a life of its own. "Now," Johan’s tone shifted, softer, more earnest as he stepped even closer, his hand lifting to gently tilt North’s chin. "What's really bothering you?"

North huffed, his breath shaky, his hands unconsciously clutching the front of Johan’s shirt, pulling him a little closer without even realizing it. He looked up at his boyfriend, but couldn’t meet his eyes for more than a few fleeting moments. His voice dropped to a whisper, quiet even in the stillness of the room. "I don’t like it."

Johan’s brow furrowed slightly. "Don’t like what?" He asked, his voice tender, his thumb gently grazing North’s chin as he held his face, his touch grounding him.

North's throat tightened, the words crawling up his chest, each one harder to say than the last. "Them," he whispered, barely audible. The word felt like a jagged stone in his mouth, heavy and sharp. He swallowed, his chest tightening with discomfort, but he couldn’t stop now. "I don’t like it when they come too close to you. When they look at you even though I’m right there. When they think they can touch you." It felt hard to say — rough, jagged, painted in black. The pit in stomach swirled, his lungs constricting. "I don’t like it," he repeated, the words more fragile now.

Johan didn’t say anything at first. North couldn’t tell what his boyfriend was thinking, and that silence stretched on, suffocating him in its uncertainty. His pulse quickened, anxiety bubbling up as the quiet grew too heavy. When the silence became unbearable, North rushed to fill it with his own nervous ramblings. "I know it’s wrong to try and monopolize you like that, but—"

"North." Johan interrupted, fingers coming to caress his face, so soft it made North's breath hitched. His lips forming a thin line, waiting. "Who do you belong to?" He asked, even now his voice was levelled, carrying a softness North didn't often hear.

North's fingers twitched, the proximity between them making it harder to breath. All he could smell was coffee and sage, taste in on his tongue as he spoke. "You." North replied, voice steady as looked into Johan's dark eyes.

A slow, teasing smile ghosted over Johan's lips, the faintest hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. His breath, warm and intoxicating, brushed against North's skin, sending a shiver of desire spiralling down his spine. "And what happens when others approach you?" Johan’s voice was low, his words laced with a quiet possessiveness that only seemed to make North’s heart race faster.

North swallowed, feeling a tight knot form in his chest as his brow furrowed in confusion. "You don’t like it?"

"I hate it," he corrected. With a deliberate movement, he moved even closer, his body pressing completely against North’s, the heat between them becoming almost unbearable. North’s legs parted instinctively, making room as Johan slid one leg between his, his hand finding its place on North’s waist, pulling him in. The pressure of Johan’s grip on his side made North flinch. Every word Johan spoke seemed to seep into North’s skin, deep into his bones.

"If I could," Johan continued, his voice a hushed whisper that vibrated against North’s ear, "I would never let them see you. Never let them speak to you. Never let them touch you." His grip tightened, and North’s chest constricted. He felt trapped, but in the most consuming, intoxicating way.

"So," Johan drawled, his lips now so close that North could feel them against his own, "what makes you think you can’t do the same?"

North’s breath hitched, his heart thundering in his chest as if it might burst. He wasn’t sure if he was even breathing anymore. His face was burning hot, a deep crimson spreading across his cheeks, and his ears were ringing with the rush of blood. Everything around them seemed to fade away, the world narrowing until it was just the two of them.

"Wouldn’t you find that annoying?" North managed to ask, his voice coming out louder than he’d intended, echoing in his own ears.

Johan’s eyes softened, the intensity in his gaze giving way to something gentler, something warmer. His smile was slow, genuine, the kind that reached his eyes and made them shine with something deep, something North couldn’t quite name. "You never care about what others think, North," he said, his tone reverent, "And I love that about you." His thumb brushed across North’s waist as if trying to ground him, to reassure him. "It's what makes you so, so strong. And it’s because of that strength you managed to give me a chance."

The tenderness in Johan’s voice made North’s chest tighten. His grip on North loosened slightly, the pressure easing as Johan’s smile softened even further, becoming something that made North’s heart ache in the best way possible.

"Do it for me instead," Johan whispered, like a secret shared between them. "Care if others flirt with me. When they talk to me. Monopolize me like I do to you. Make me yours like you are mine."

Tears welled up in North’s eyes, the sudden sting of emotion making his chest ache. A lump formed in his throat, heavy and tight, as if the weight of everything he was feeling was too much to bear. Johan loved him, and sometimes, North forgot just how deep, how overwhelming that love truly was. It was an accumulation of three years. Quiet smiles, laughter, and the warmth of something that had only grown stronger with time. But it was also possessiveness, the kind that could burn, that could fill up every inch of his chest, leaving no room for anything else. All of that, laid bare right in front of him, to see, to hear, and yet, in some ways, it still took him by surprise.

"But it’s ugly," North tried to say, his voice faltering, his heart so full it felt like it might shatter. He didn’t understand how Johan could hide such intensity for so long. How could anyone feel this much, want this much, and never make a move? He was a fool, wasn’t he? To think that someone could love North so fiercely and still stay silent.

"Then paint yourself in it." Johan's hand gently wiped a tear from North's cheek, his touch soft, but his words were firm. "From the tip of your toes to every strand of hair, paint yourself in it. Just like I did with myself."

Before North could catch his breath, before he could process the weight of Johan’s words, their lips collided. It wasn’t a soft kiss. It was desperate, full of raw, unfiltered desire — a rush of passion that swept through both of them like wildfire.

North’s arms instinctively wound around Johan’s neck, pulling him closer, deeper into the kiss, as if he couldn’t get enough. Johan’s hands settled perfectly on North’s waist, pulling him in, their bodies pressing together in a seamless blend of heat and longing. There was no space left between them, no distance to be measured — just the overwhelming sensation of him — Johan — his body, his breath, his hands, his heart, all wrapped up in North’s own.

Their tongues met, the kiss a storm of sensation that set North’s body alight. Everything else faded, leaving only the overwhelming fire of desire that consumed them both. North couldn’t think of anything else. His mind became a blur, of the pulse of his heart as it hammered in his chest. I love him. I love him. I love him. The words repeated over and over, like a mantra, a prayer, a truth that North couldn’t escape no matter how hard he tried.

Heat swirled through his veins, tendrils of it wrapping around him like a vice, tightening with each press of Johan’s body against his own. He could feel every inch of the older man’s warmth, the beat of his heart, the tension in his muscles. It was overwhelming, intoxicating. Coffee and sage flooded his senses — Johan’s scent, grounding him. And in that moment, there was nothing else. Nothing but the heat, the passion, the love, and the certainty that they were both completely, utterly lost in each other.

When they pulled apart, North was breathing heavily, envious of how composed Johan looked despite the desire burning in his eyes. "Call in sick tomorrow." He demanded, whispered roughly against his lips.

"But the food—"

Johan shut him up with another hungry kiss, table pressing into North's back from the pressure. When they pulled back, North could already feel his lips swelling.

"We can heat it up later."

North chuckled, pulling Johan back in.

Ah, I'm so glad my heart fell for him, North thought, holding onto Johan for dear life. North just couldn't imagine a life without him in it. A world where Johan didn't exist beside him. A world like that just didn't make sense. Johan was there in the past, and he'll be there in the future, that North was irrevocably certain about.

Johan loved him for three years, never once wavering. And North would make sure to double the love he received in those three years and return it for a life time. And the next, and the next and the next one after that.

That, he could promise himself easily. Promise Johan easily.

Maybe love did suit him.