Work Text:
“Ah!”
Chain immediately paused his movements, his brain cooperating as no thoughts entered as well. He was waiting for another signal, just one more before he decides to actually drop everything and run over.
“Chain,” the other’s defeated voice reached his ears immediately—causing him to put down the newly-washed plates and walk over to his family home’s couch. With eyes he could only describe as puppy-like, Pun stared up at him from the floor.
“What happened?” His lanky limbs plopped down beside his friend, curious-eyed as the other looked like he was suppressing sobs. The boy opened his palm, showing Chain an almost yellow tooth sitting on top of it—blood still on the other end. With a chuckle of surprise, he took it from Pun’s hand. His other one moved to pull the other’s palm that covered his mouth, slightly still in shock.
“Let me see how bad it is.” He murmured, pulling as the other whined and moved away.
“I told you to stop eating so much while it’s loose, didn’t I? I did, right?” He heard the other click his tongue as he turned around, sulking. With a roll of his eyes, Chain only sighed and leaned back on the leather couch.
“You even ate steak. You’re lucky mom finds you cute, or I wouldn’t have allowed such a lavish request.”
“Your mom finds me cute?” The other finally turned back to him, eyes widened as his voice was still muffled by the hand on his mouth.
“That’s all you got from what I said?” Pun only pushed lips together, leaning back on the couch as well.
“Let me see,” he tried to murmur again. This time, the other complied—showing him the spot the tooth fell off from. Inching closer, he pressed his thumb against the boy’s lower lip—signaling him to close his mouth. And another time to ask him to smile. With a nod, Chain moved back to his spot.
“It’s not noticeable, you’ll be fine.” He reassured him, pulling a tissue paper from the table to wrap around the tooth. Pun only huffed beside him, crossing his arms for whatever reason.
“What now?” He asked, placing the tissue-wrapped tooth on Pun’s hand. Trying to, rather, as the other had it clenched.
“How am I supposed to kiss now?”
The question caught Chain off guard, brows knit together as he scoffed. Pulling Pun’s chin down, he threw the tissue inside the other’s mouth with a satisfied smirk—causing the other to click his tongue once again.
“What are you talking about? Kiss who? And who told you that you had to have a complete set of teeth to kiss someone?”
“Tan.”
Unsure why his body reacted a certain way, his head whipped unbelievably quickly towards the other who only sat there pulling the tissue out of his mouth.
“Tan? Our classmate Tan?” He confirmed, tone sounding like something he’s never heard himself sound like before. Pun wanting to kiss a classmate they had, it sounded absurd to him. Uncertain if that was the right word for it.
“Yeah! He told me I had to have complete teeth to kiss someone! And now-“
“Wait.”
With a sigh, he scratched his temple as Pun faced him.
“Tan told you? He’s not who you want to kiss?”
The disgust on the other’s face was evident, shaking his head as he pulled his knees up to his chest in a more comfortable position.
“Why would I wanna kiss Tan? He’s a classmate.”
“Well, you didn’t answer who. You just said ‘Tan’.”
“Tsk, well it’s not him. It’s not anyone! It was him talking about a pretty guy he saw and said he wanted to kiss,” Chain nodded at the confirmation. “… then he started saying I couldn’t kiss anyone because my tooth might fall off. Now it did.” He continued.
“It’ll grow back. And you shouldn’t listen to Tan anyways, do you believe a word that slips out that guy’s lips?” He murmured, closing his eyes sleepily after glancing at the clock.
“I don’t know. I’ve never kissed someone so he might be right.” Pun mumbled, catching the other’s attention as his sullen voice reached his ears again.
“It’s not true, he’s probably just teasing you. You only kiss with your lips, Ai’Pun, we’re in high school.” He responded, opening his eyes to ask the other to get some sleep upstairs.
“But, have you experienced that?” The other’s curious eyes caught him perplexed, blinking a few times as he failed to understand the sudden nervousness in his system.
“What?” Chain watched Pun huff in frustration, legs sprawled out again.
“Kissing someone! Or finding someone so pretty you think about kissing them!”
Chain tried to think, lost at the question and not understanding why the image of Pun sat in his head as he struggled to respond. A few blinks before he found himself rolling his eyes and shaking his head as a ‘no’.
“But I do know I don’t need my teeth complete for it, and that yours will grow back if you’re so definitive about Tan being right. Are you so sure you’re kissing someone in between your waiting time for growing that back?”
“Someone might want to kiss me… am I ugly for you to think I won’t be kissed soon? We’re in our third year of high school.”
“Whoever wants to kiss you, would probably not care whether your teeth are complete or not. That’s the point, Pun.” He murmured with finality, standing up to finally go to bed.
“Chain, try it.”
His steps halted, almost tripping over the first step of their wooden stairs.
“Are you crazy?” He asked with genuinity, only answered with a nod.
“Quick, do it. I just want to see, this’ll keep me up at night. And if I’m up all night, I’ll just bother you. And if I bother you, well that’s your fu–“
Pressing a quick peck on Pun’s lips, Chain’s hand clenched on the handle of their home’s wooden staircase as he leaned lower for it. And within a second, he pulled back—looking over everywhere but the stunned boy who he wasn’t sure he could face at the moment.
“You’re right.” Pun murmured, only earning a nod from Chain who opted to turn around and go up to his room as planned—leaving the door open for Pun to enter and sleep as well.
That night, it was Chain who was kept up all night instead. It was his first kiss. Pun was his first kiss.
.
.
.
“Were you able to sleep a wink? Look at your eyebags. Was I snoring?!”
“No. It’s fine, Pun. I was just preoccupied.”
“Okay.”
“Mm, here’s your bag. I placed your toothbrush back while you were dressing up too.”
.
.
.
It was mid-senior year of high school when Pun placed his chin on Chain’s shoulder, brows knit together as Peem—one of their friends, asked what his problem was.
“Why do we have to think about what to take for college? I don’t know what I want yet.” He complained towards the four—or three if he had to admit Q wasn’t listening.
“That’s your problem,” Tan replied unhelpfully as Pun only pouted even more.
“You’re no help,” he murmured.
“Q and I’ll be taking up fine arts,” Peem added to the conversation, making the other nod his head slowly.
“What about you, Chain? What are you taking up for college?” The boy asked, breath hitting the other’s neck as he spoke. He wasn’t sure if all his friends actually left, or it was his mind deluding him that it was just them two since it sure as hell fer like it.
“Dentistry,” Chain replied. To his surprise, the other jumped up and walked over to face him. Wide eyes staring back at his, as the boy’s mouth stretched into a smile.
“Really?” Seemingly overjoyed by what he said despite his confusion.
“That’s so cool! You’re so smart, Chain!”
Pun’s words made him suppress a smile, nodding off the beam of pride in his chest.
“Ho…” He heard the other sigh, defeated once again.
“I wish I knew what I wanted like you guys,” he murmured. His tone bothered Chain, like he was losing faith in himself and his capabilities.
Personally, he thought Pun was amazing—although sometimes hard to deal with. Not that he was complaining, yet he knows other people didn’t have the amount of patience and understanding he—and their friends, had for the boy. Yet he’s seen how Pun talks to people, how he manages to make friends left and right despite his quirky ideas.
“Maybe you should get a course that has a wide range,” Tan suggested out of the blue. Seemingly half kidding, although the suggestion sounded like him trying to help a bit.
“Mm, there are always ones that are people related. You like helping people around. Don’t you, Pun?” Peem. Pun pondered a bit, looking up to think about Peem’s question.
“Although it probably doesn’t work right all the time, right?”
Tan added, earning a slight glare from Chain.
“I guess so,” the boy replied as he returned behind his friend and dug his face on his shoulder once again like it was a throne made for him.
“Q,” he watched Peem nudge the artist a bit who took off his earphones. “what do you think Pun should be in the future?”
“Chain’s secretary.” The boy mumbled after thinking a bit, placing his earphones back and picking his abandoned pencil up without looking back again.
“Oh. That sounds fun, no?” Pun perked up from behind him, only making him chuckle.
“What faculty would you be in just to be his secretary, idiot? Don’t listen to Ai’Q, he just wanted to be out of the conversation.” Tan called out, pointing at the boy who was too busy to even notice.
“Listening to Q’s always better than listening to you, friend.” Peem teased, sitting up as the guidance counselor arrived—ready to ask the same question Pun’s been bothering himself about all day.
“Maybe I really should just be your secretary, Ai’Chain.” He heard the other mumble through his breath before lazily walking back to his seat.
“I think you should try what Tan said and ask the councilor what would be good to take for that, people are… normally drawn to you.” Chain tried to offer as advice.
“People are drawn to me? Who?” The question made him pause, unsure what to answer exactly.
“People.” The only response he could come up with before turning away from Pun.
“Which people? I don’t notice that,” the boy added. Chain ignored him, focusing on the instructions given.
And as they were called one by one for the counselor to ask them the dreadful question, he peeked at the paper the man held to find his friends’ names. He saw the expected, Q and Peem writing the same course in the same faculty. Might as well have written they’re going to the same university too and it wouldn’t surprise him. Meanwhile, Tan wrote engineering—much to his surprise. And Pun?
‘Political Science/Dentistry(if that’s the required course to be Chain’s assistant’
He chuckled, catching the councilor's attention who immediately covered the paper up with a firm look.
“Sorry,” Chain mumbled as he looked down at the floor.
“Chain, right?” the counselor asked, to which he nodded at.
“The dentist.” The man added, making his cheeks flush a bit as he nodded once again—despite the slight confusion.
“Are you as confident as that boy that you’ll make it in dentistry?”
Chain slightly smiled at the question, nodding once again.
.
.
.
“Why did you write that?”
“Aow, why? We’d stick together that way. Don’t you want to work with me in the future? Do you want to get rid of me?”
“You’re exaggerating. Here, your bag.”
“Bye-bye, Chain! Take care on the way home.”
.
.
.
“We lost him, Chain.” Pun’s panicked voice halted Chain’s steps as he looked over at Tan who completely stopped walking, jaw open as he stared at one side of their university. It was freshmen year, and as newcomers who didn’t have friends in their faculties yet—it was more convenient to go home together.
Which now led them to standing on opposite sides of Tan, finding whatever he was looking at.
“Pretty,” the boy mumbled—much to their amusement.
“Who? Where?” Chain asked, watching Pun who tried his best to navigate where Tan was staring exactly.
“Oh. That one again?” the boy pointed, making Tan slowly nod as he clutched his heart dramatically. “Curse the cupids for making me perceive him again, my heart hurts.”
“Look at you,” Chain murmured as he pulled on him to keep walking.
“You don’t understand, Ai’Chain! He’s so pretty, I’ve never seen anyone that pretty. Not even Pun compares!”
“I’m pretty????” Brows furrowed as the smallest one asked.
“His eyes are so round and his smile’s so sweet. His brows, his cheeks, his hair!” The boy rambled on as they continued walking, reaching the faculty of the other two.
“You two will never understand unless you’ve fallen in love. I’m a real adult now, I’ve been trapped by a beautiful god and I can’t get–“ Earning a hit on the head by Chain.
“That, since we met you that’s all you’ve been teaching Pun. Love, kissing, those things.” He scolded.
“Well I’m his father, I should teach him these things.”
“Yesterday you said I was your pet,” Pun responded confusedly.
“I feel bad for your future children if you’re his dad, asshole.” Chain added, pointing at Tan in a serious manner.
“Yeah, I get it. Okay. No more teaching Pun about falling in love. He doesn’t seem interested anyway. Why’s no one catching your eyes? Huh, little guy?” Tan.
“I don’t know, how would I know if someone caught my eye?”
“See! He needs me, Chain! Our little friend needs me!”
Chain ignored the two, walking over to enter the classroom Peem and Q usually would stay at to finish artworks due the next day. As he stepped in, the other’s head immediately shot up—eyes pleading at him as he gestured towards their other friend.
“Chain, I’m dying and he’s fucking fine. He’s almost done!” The boy complained as he walked over, looking at the two’s works. Q was adding finishing touches, whereas Peem was in the middle of still adding details to his main work.
“Instead of complaining, just draw.” Q mumbled, earning a glare from Peem who scoffed.
“Where’s Pun and Tan?” He asked, making Chain groan as he contemplated whether to even tell Peem the whole story or not.
“They’re out there,” he could only answer as he pointed towards the door.
“They’re not coming in?”
Shrugging, he walked over to fetch the two—both already by the frame. He could only notice Tan’s calculating eyes and Pun’s confused ones as he tailed the other from behind like a puppy.
“What is it now? What did you tell him?” He asked, only earning a shake of a head by Tan. Seemingly spaced out with a pout. Pun scratched his head, walking over to Peem and Q instead—eyes staring at the boy’s finished work while offering to help Peem with his.
“No, Pun! I’d rather punch our professor if I wanted to fail.”
Placing an arm around his neck and shoulders, Tan sighed. Mumbling a few words he didn’t understand. Or did, yet was unsure what it meant.
“Ai’Chain, when are you falling in love? Catch up, will you?”
“What are you talking about?” He quipped, earning another shrug from the other.
“Nothing! I’m just saying. Fall in love like me, will you!” Chain could only scoff as Tan crossed his arms.
“It’s not easy, you’ve had that crush of yours since high school. You think I have time to fall in love right now?” He reasoned out, ears heating up a bit for some reason.
“Right.” Tan could only reply, placing a hand to tap on the boy’s shoulder before walking over to the others.
.
.
.
“What did you and Tan talk about?”
“Hm? Nothing, he was asking me questions and I answered them truthfully. Then he just spaced out!”
“What did you answer?”
“The truth, like I said. I think I said your name too, and he just stopped responding. I don’t know, I don’t understand him either.”
“That’s fine. Where’s your bag?”
“Ah, shit! I left it.”
“Ai’Pun!”
.
.
.
Chain tiredly sat on the couch his friends reserved, walking into a conversation. Or more like Peem pulling Q’s arm while Tan watched—scratching his nape.
“What are you three doing?” He asked, sipping on a glass Tan offered.
“They were talking about something and wouldn’t tell me what it was,” he complained.
“Peem, stop being nosy. It’s between me and Q!” Tan reasoned out, seperating him from the other who just blankly looked at them.
“What is it?” Chain asked as well, earning a smile from Peem.
“Oh, I’d rather tell Peem than you.”
“Then tell me!”
“No!”
The conversation went on, with Chain opting to put himself out of it as the two argued. Glancing at Q who now was closing his eyes, he paused with a hit on Tan’s arm.
“Where’s Pun?” He noticed the other’s brows furrow, Peem sit back down and Q flutter his eyes open at the question.
“Ai’Tan, I told you guys to pick him up!” Chain stood up in panic, throwing his bag on the couch.
“We tried, but he wasn’t done yet.” Tan explained, glancing a bit at Q.
“So you just left him there?” He found his own tone a bit loud, only sighing to calm himself down a bit.
“He said he’d come find you when he’s done, Chain. Calm down.” Peem murmured, sipping a bit from his drink.
“He obviously didn’t find me,” he only replied as he walked off—calling a cab to take him back to the university with Q calling for him from behind.
Panicked inside and even as he rushed out of the vehicle, Chain didn’t know where to start looking. Trying to assess how Pun’s mind would work in the situation. With hurried steps, he opted to visit his own faculty first. Every step made him nervous, whipping his head around for any sign of the other,
With a halt, he caught a glimpse of the other’s back—staring at his hands defeatedly. Chain’s every step was joined with small mutters asking Pun to stay where he was, even if the other couldn’t hear him. To his relief, the boy stood there quietly—only moving when his steps neared. Quickly turning his head, Pun smiled.
“Chain, you’re here! I was looking for you, but I almost stepped on this injured bird.” He muttered worriedly, showing Chain the bird sat on his hands—struggling to stand up.
“I couldn’t go around more, I don’t know where to place him.” The doe-eyed boy explained further, shaking to fix his bag that sat around his body. With a sigh, Chain grabbed the strap from the other’s chest—motioning for him to help take it off as Pun carefully removed a hand off the bird and leaned it towards his left one.
Glancing around, Chain already knew where to go as he glanced at his watch.
“Let’s see if there’s still people,” he murmured towards Pun whose eyes lit up.
“Who? They can take care of her?” The other asked as he was being pulled over into a building nearby—continuously asking Chain questions while also petting the injured creature’s head.
“I thought it was a ‘him’?” Chain finally muttered, reaching the elevator towards the floor of a friend he knew.
“I don’t know, it’s either. Calling the bird ‘it’ just seems wrong,” Pun mumbled. “Where are we going? Can they treat her?”
“I have a friend here, he might be able to help. They keep some animals here, mostly for lessons or practices.”
“I don’t want them to keep her for practices!” Pun claimed, pulling his own hands away from Chain.
“They won’t hurt her, they’ll just keep her in until she’s healed. Actual vets will treat her, not the students.” He reassured, only earning a small nod from the other. “You don’t believe me?”
Pun didn’t reply as the elevator opened up, revealing a guy that surprised Chain. With a smile, he greeted him.
“I was just about to find you, man!” He quipped, pulling Pun outside as he explained the situation to Mek—his friend from the faculty.
“My friend found an injured bird on the way home, I figured you could help. Are there still a few of your professors in the building?”
“No, I’m not giving her.” Pun mumbled beside him, turning away as Chain slipped his arm around the boy.
“You can’t keep her, Pun. She won’t get better,” he reasoned out—turning to Mek a bit who only looked at them attentively. With a clear of his throat, the other tried to poke Pun’s shoulder—a manner that made the boy furrow his brows and turn back.
“We have veterinarians in the building that can help, Pun. They specialize in helping your little friend, don’t worry.” He watched the boy roll his eyes, sigh and nod his head as Mek who motioned for them to follow him.
“They were here before I decided to head home, but I don’t think you’re supposed to enter.” He explained as they walked, pointing towards a door.
“Can I take him inside? I promise she’ll be fine.” Mek murmured, looking at Pun who only looked at Chain with a glare.
“What? You said you wanted her healed,” he responded—confused at the sudden change in the other’s behavior.
“You can visit her the day after tomorrow to see how she is,” Mek tried to reassure the two as Pun sighed in defeat.
“We’ll come back. Treat her for sure,” the boy mumbled with warning eyes as he placed the creature on Chain’s friend’s hands.
“They will,” Mek reassured once again as he entered the room—Chain helping by opening and closing the door for him. With a tired sigh, he glanced back at Pun who still seemed upset.
“What’s wrong? Let’s go home,” Chain summoned him as he pulled on the boy’s arm.
“Why do you trust him that much?” Pun murmured, seemingly irritated.
“He’s a friend, and he’s studying to be a veterinarian. Of course I’d trust him with it, you should too.” He responded, tapping on the elevator button before leaning back—looking over at Pun once again. Staring back at him, the boy seemed tired and angry at the same time.
“What’s with you? Are you that upset? We’ll visit tom-“
“No, I don’t want to see him again tomorrow.”
“He’s a ‘he’ again?” He asked in slight amusement, only earning a glare from the boy.
“Not the bird, your friend!” Pun responded exasperatedly, entering the elevator as it opened and sitting on the floor.
“Ai’Pun, stand up. The floor’s dirty,” he softly scolded—pulling the boy up as the doors closed.
“I’m tired, I looked for you as soon as my class ended. And now I’m finding out you have a cool friend you trust more than me, let me rest on the floor.” The boy murmured, complaining as he leaned back on the wall of the cramped up space.
Chain wasn’t able to register much of Pun’s words, except the hint of jealousy he assumed he deluded himself about. Yet with a small sigh, he still pulled the other up like he usually would—both hands under the boy’s arms. Almost a hug, if he ever let himself know what properly hugging Pun would feel like.
“Hurry, it’s getting late.” He murmured, fully able to stand Pun up.
And as the elevator opened, the boy pulled back. Walking out first with shoulders slumped down, being tailed by Chain who would often turn the other’s body towards the direction they’re supposed to go.
Slightly enjoying the earlier conversation, if it didn’t mean being ignored by Pun the whole night.
.
.
.
“What’s with Pun?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t or you don’t want to tell me?”
“Both.”
“What a friend. Whatever, you’ll be forced to talk tomorrow anyway. He has your bag.”
“Ai’Tan, why didn’t you remind me I had his bag!?”
“This idiot, you’re more concerned about that than your own bag?”
“Whatever, I’m bringing it to him. Don’t wait for me.”
.
.
.
“You’re being weird,” Q murmured as he sipped on his drink. Unironically, it was them two again who were less intoxicated than their friends. Tan opted to make a phone call despite his tipsy state, Peem had his head on the table as he quietly napped, Toey—the two’s junior, was piled on top of him, and Pun was clung to Chain’s side like a koala. Nothing unusual, further confusing him regarding Q’s words.
“About what?” he tiredly asked, head starting to ache from the alcohol. It had been a long week of preliminary exams for their sophomore year, and the get together was a way to celebrate.
“You dated left and right all summer, yet none of them lasted enough for you to bring one today. At this point you’ll end up like Tan,” the other mumbled. Not in a scolding tone, more of like it was a fact. The way Q always talks when a topic concerns him more than he thinks it should.
“Come on, you guys told me to start dating.” Chain replied, earning a look from his friend.
“I didn’t, Tan did. And you listened, after knowing well that he’s really not someone you listen to.”
He could only chuckle, accepting that the other had a fair point.
“Mm, but you did too. Peem too. You three were telling me to do something with my lovelife,” He reminded Q. The boy only blinked and shook his head, sighing as he looked over the two sleeping figure beside him.
“We were vague, but that’s not really what we meant.”
Chain’s brows furrowed at the other’s reply, leaving him confused even as Tan came back.
“Man, I got broken up with.” The boy murmured with a pout, plopping himself down beside Pun who moved a bit—probably annoyed with the noise.
“That’s tough, isn’t he in your class?”
“Don’t remind me! It’s gonna be so awkward, I don’t wanna deal with that.” Tan exclaimed, placing his head on the other’s hip as Pun squirmed.
“Ai’Tan, don’t disturb his sleep.” Chain scolded, feeling the smaller one’s grip on him tighten.
“I just want a pillow, Ai’Pun! Stop being a baby,” the boy complained as Chain only sighed in defeat—letting Pun’s arms cage his frame.
“Oi, my ear.” He complained as the boy wrapped his lips around his earlobe—pulling it like some toy. It didn’t hurt at all, unlike some people would think. Chain’s initial complaint is probably how hot his ears would go everytime the latter does this. Which would be often.
“Man, he was a great kisser though. I’m really never dating anyone again. Unless my crush finally notices me.” Tan murmured sleepily, earning a sigh from Q.
“We didn’t need to hear that, we don’t really care.”
Tan’s face contorted at the comment.
“Ai’Q! You’re mean, pay attention to my stories sometimes. Kissing is normal for couples, just because-“
“I don’t care,” Q responded once again.
“Okay. I’ll talk to Chain then,” Tan huffed—looking up at Chain with hopeful eyes.
“Ai’Tan, that just disgust me. Don’t act cute.” He mumbled.
“You two are the worst, you care about everyone but me. Ai’Q cares about Peem and Toey. Ai’Chain cares so much about Pun. Who cares about me? No one, even my ex-boyfriend no longer cares about me. I hope you two don’t get good kisses when you get into a relationship.”
Tan murmured the last part like a curse, earning a laugh from Q and a shake of head from Chain.
“That’s impossible, Chain’s a good kisser.” Pun mumbled, eyes closed—seemingly still asleep as the three paused whatever conversation was going on.
“Huh?” Tan could only let out, sitting up to point at Chain who was just as surprised.
“H-he’s rambling, don’t mind him.” He tried to reason, heart speeding up a bit—aware it wasn’t because of the nervousness of the two knowing about a dumb kiss years ago.
“You kissed?” Q asked, looking unsurprised. Chain nodded, looking over at Pun who was now surely fast asleep.
“It was way back, I told you he’s just rambling.” He explained.
“How way back? Like, way way back? Way way way back?” Tan asked, eyes widened as his hand tried to measure the twos heights based on how long ago it was.
“Back in high school.”
“For what?”
“Nothing, he wanted to try it.” He murmured.
“And you agreed because he wanted to try it?” Q asked.
“Yeah. We’re friends.”
“Chain, I wouldn’t kiss Peem on the lips even if he begged me too. Moreso Q, or you. Or even Pun, no matter how cute he decides to act.” Tan replied, tipsyness seemingly leaving his body from the current topic.
“Would you kiss me if I asked?”, Q raised his brow as he questioned Chain.
He wanted to say ‘yes’, just to end the topic. But he knew he wouldn’t. Nor would he kiss Peem, or Tan. Not even Toey who wasn’t officially a part of their friend group.
“That’s different, we were kids. And he was upset that time, I just wanted to make him feel better.” He tried to reason, it was half true. Pun was upset about not being able to kiss anyone, and he helped.
“Is that why he stopped sleeping over at your house?” Q asked, making his thoughts pause.
“Huh?” Tan asked for him, now leaning on the table curiously. The more the topic was prolonged, the more his demeanor seemed sober.
“Pun would always sleep at Chain’s house back in high school, but that stopped towards the end of it. Same time you popped up. Is that why?”
“He stopped asking if he could sleep over, that’s all.” Chain replied, sighing as he leaned back on the couch.
“Mm, to you. You don’t know the reason why he stopped,” Q pointed out.
“And if he said you’re good, then it wouldn’t be a negative reason. If it was negative, you wouldn’t be close anymore! Shit, I’m so smart.” Tan exclaimed, waking Peem up who bumped his head against Toey’s.
“There, you woke them up from your investigation.” Chain murmured to spare himself, trying to stand up and ask them to go get some proper sleep.
“Escaping, I see.” Tan suspiciously looked at him with narrowed eyes.
“Pun doesn’t like me.” He announced, urging the other to drop it.
“But do you like Pun?” Q asked, eyes straight on him as he froze. Peem, seemingly awake now—furrowed his brows as he looked up at him as well.
“Aow, he can’t answer.” Tan mumbled, smiling to himself as Chain only rolled his eyes.
“Let’s get some sleep, your backs will hurt in the morning.”
“Whatever, whatever.”
.
.
.
“Here, your bag.”
“Thanks… Are you dating someone new again, Chain?”
“Why do you ask? Are you gonna throw a fit again?”
“No! That girl was too clingy and asked too much of your time, Chain. That isn’t healthy for you.”
“I know. Thank you for looking out for me.”
“Did I say something weird last night? Ai’Tan keeps asking me if I remember anything.”
“No, I don’t think so. He’s probably just making you overthink.”
.
.
.
“Here, you can let her go yourself.” Mek motioned towards Pun who looked happy for the first time around the veterinary student.
“Can I?” He confirmed, to which the other nodded at. He handed him the small bird who lightly fluttered its wings on his palms.
“You know, it really took her a while to fly properly. We didn’t want to let her go yet unless she was able to fly around the facility safely. But now she’s good to go,” Mek smiled. He guided them outside, finding a place where ‘Liu’—as Pun decided to name her, could fly freely.
“Here,” the other pointed. “just lightly throw her up the air for a starting jump” he added with an encouraging smile. Chain could only watch, already slightly bothered with the smiles the were sharing—before catching himself and finding his irate ridiculous.
“Chain, look!” Pun excitedly pulled him over, pointing towards Liu who was now fluttering her wings up to a nearby tree. From the corner of his eye, he watched the boy stare at the bird in wonder—eyes glistening as his mouth was sporting a wide smile.
It took Pun a while to leave, yet his smile never left even as they walked away from the area. He thanked Mek himself, although Pun still thanked his friend one last time before skipping away from the faculty.
“That was so cool, Liu’s free now. She can go anywhere she wants to and meet new friends,” Pun mumbled. Chain felt uneasy at his tone, it sounded a bit sad. Like there was more to it than just the bird.
“Do you think we should do that too?”
Chain’s heart stopped for a second, his pace of walking slowing up as he registered the question. He was unsure if he heard it right, and he was equally unsure if he should ask and confirm it.
“You know, Tan said you might be having difficulty getting into relationships because you’re always taking care of me. And you know, it might be true. I might be starting to be a bother. When we were in high school, it was okay. But college is where you can find yourself and the person you would want to be with in the future, if I always interrupt… then I’d be a horrible friend, right?”
Their paces were now both slow, just wandering around the area aimlessly—yet Pun was in front of him and he could only follow.
Still, Chain couldn’t process the words coming out of the other’s mouth. He couldn’t think of where Pun was coming from, why he had such thoughts even if he mentioned Tan as the source of it.
Pun wasn’t a bother. In fact, he was Chain’s peace—despite his chaotic nature. When Pun asks to spend time with him, or asks him to do something for the boy—that’s when Chain feels more normal. It eases his mind off his stressful lessons. The future. Everything.
And if talking about finding the person he’d want to be with in the future, he’d lie if he said Pun wasn’t a sure one there. In fact, he might be the one he’s most sure about.
“Chain? Were you listening?”
He wasn’t.
“I said, maybe it’s best if we don’t hang out as much anymore. At least until college ends. And you can introduce me anytime to whoever you’ve decided to spend a future with,” Pun’s smiled added to the almost unbearable feeling in his chest.
Chain only clasped his lips together. And nodded. Despite his head and heart saying the opposite. He somehow wanted to try it, to see if Pun was right. To test how deep his attraction and feelings were towards his friend.
Even if he knew it wasn’t needed anymore. Because he was aware. Of course he knew. He was in love with Pun.
“Good! Sophomore year is over, and we have summer to spend more time together. But, once we’re in third year—you have to let me go na.” Pun cheekily said, pointing towards Chain who only nodded once again.
“You can’t get rid of me already during summer, Chain. I’ll haunt your dorm and your mom’s house,” he continued as he walked off.
“Who’d want to get rid of you…” Chain could only mumble to himself, following the other.
.
.
.
“Aow, does this mean no one will carry my bag when I go home from university next year and the year after that?”
“There, you finally realized what you’re missing.”
“I’ll miss a lot! Not just that.”
“Then let’s just not do i–“
“No. I want you to be happy and find your person already, I can’t just keep you for my own convenience.”
“Try it.”
“…….”
.
.
.
“Why’s Hia Pun walking around with a vet student?” Toey asked as he sat beside Chain and Q who ate quietly.
“Don’t be nosy,” Q murmured—eyes darting to Chain to which he only glanced away from.
“Aow, Toey’s just asking. Toey doesn’t see him hang out with you anymore, Hia Chain,” the boy pointed out—only stopping when Q criticised his current sketch.
“Tsk, you’re on your sophomore year. Look at this,” he pointed at something. Toey froze and scrambled for an eraser, while Q could only help him. Chain didn’t understand a single thing, finding the sketch fine.
As soon as junior year started, it was like there was a switch. Pun was nowhere to be found, and would avoid get togethers if it involved being left alone with him.
“Look who I found lonely in the canteen,” Peem murmured—a hand pulling Pun’s arm as he smiled at the group. Eyes never landing on Chain, or at least from the split second he glanced over.
“I wasn’t lonely, I was just buying a drink.” The boy reasoned out, glancing at Phum who seemingly wanted to say something but stopped.
“You haven’t eaten, Hia Pun?” Toey asked, to which Pun shook his head at.
“Aow, Toey thought you were going on a date with that vet guy.” Chain choked on his drink, making Q smirk as the others ignored it to his relief.
“Date? No, he was asking about Chain but I didn’t know he was here so… “
“Look at them talking, it’s like watching two puppies interact.” Tan suddenly murmured beside Chain, startling him.
“Since when were you here?” He asked, to which Tan only smiled at. Fang nodded at him, to which he returned.
“Aow, Beer. We’re surrounded by couples.” Mick murmured, to which Tan smiled at mischievously.
“Sure you are, buddy!” He replied, earning an elbow on his rib as Fang only laughed.
“I’ll go buy Pun something to eat,” Peem murmured as he pointed towards the nearby canteen—pulling both Pun and Phum with him as he waved towards the others.
“Steak?!” Pun excitedly asked, making Peem sigh.
“They don’t sell steak here, why do you look for that everywhere we go?” He heard the other reply as they walked away.
“I’ll take you out for some steak, I know a place.” Phum followed as the smallest one turned to him with a smile. Chain could only watch as the three walked further away, fighting the urge to remind them about their probably conflicting schedules.
“You miss him, Hia Chain?” Toey’s voice woke him up from his thoughts mid-bite.
“Oh. Even the kid sees it, friend.” Tan murmured beside him, placing an arm around his shoulder.
“Hia Pun looks like he misses you too. He has that same face he had when you were pretending to hit on Toey.”
Both Q and Chain turned towards the other, as Tan nodded.
“True.”
“What face? What are you talking about?” Q asked for both of them.
“Aow, you didn’t notice? Were you too busy looking at Toey, P’Q?” Toey teased, earning a giggle from Fang who watched the two.
“Worse than me,” Tan mumbled. With a sigh, Chain could only stand up and announce his departure from the ensemble. He had a class, and although 30 minutes early—he’d rather spend the rest of his break studying than to think about what Toey said.
Because frankly, all the distance only proved him one thing. His feelings were still there, even without seeing Pun everyday and spending time with him.
It wasn’t just a thing he got used to. It was something he wanted and craved. He was just unsure how to even tell anybody that. More especially Pun.
“We’re drinking tonight, Ai’Chain. Don’t forget,” Tan yelled as he walked away. Chain only nodded, waving as he noticed Pun get into the backseat of what he remembered as Phum’s car.
Right, he needed a drink for sure.
It was all that played in his head as he sipped from another glass, sitting next to Tan and Fang who couldn’t stop flirting beside him.
“If this was all I get to see, I would’ve stayed home.” He murmured in annoyance, earning a glare from Tan.
“You’ve turned bitter, buddy. You know what’ll fix that?”
“What?”
“Aow, you guys are here already?” Peem’s voice reached his ears as he turned towards the four who just arrived.
“Toey, hurry up and sit or he’ll get mad again about you missing his set.” Tan reminded, making the other rush to sit in between them to gawk at his boyfriend.
Chain sipped on his glass once again, subtly watching where Pun would choose to sit—eventually settling on a one-man couch.
“Where’s Beer and Mick?” Fang asked, yet Chain’s own ears tuned out the rest of the conversation. He couldn’t help but only observe Pun grabbing a glass and turning to him lostly.
“The bottle…” The other murmured, pointing towards the alcohol in front of him. Two seconds before it registered, and he quickly grabbed it to pour some on the other’s glass.
“Thank you.” He missed that. Taking care of Pun even in small ways. He always wondered who was taking the other home nowadays, carrying his bag that sometimes would carry books as thick as his. They understood each other in that aspect. And many more, if he was to be honest.
One time he saw Mick walk with the other, and it brought back a bitter taste in his mouth—one he knew was petty then and even now. It was no big deal, they were all technically friends. Yet like before, he felt possessive of Pun. Though these days, he knew why. It was all he could think about as his drinks doubled, as well as Pun’s who was now accepting shots from Q instead.
“We can take him home, Chain. Don’t worry.” Peem reassured even in his messy state, earning a nod as well from Phum who sat beside him.
He wanted to claim he wasn’t worried, yet the way his eyes immediately landed on Pun wouldn’t fool anybody. He’d like to think he was subtle, the past few months of his friends checking up on him was proof that he wasn’t. He had no idea how he looked to them, for them to know his every thought—but maybe that was just the beauty of having friends.
“Alright, let’s go. I’ll help you carry him to the car,” Tan presented with a wink. Chain could only watch as his friend and Fang walked over to lift Pun up from his seat. He looked around lost, brows furrowing as he peeked at who were on both his sides.
“Why?” The boy hoarsely asked, to which Tan shook his head at.
“You’re going home, Ai’Pun. Look at you,” he answered. From his seat, Chain could only watch the whole thing—despite Toey and Q staring at him from the side. He didn’t really care as much as he did earlier, too intoxicated to hide the truth.
“Ai’Pun!” Tan yelled, alarmed at how the boy freed himself from his grasp and walked back over to the couch—landing beside Chain.
Frankly, almost on top of him. A leg draped over him, as the rest of the boy’s body crashed on his chest. He was surprised, yet familiarity washed over him more than the shock.
Pun’s hot breath hit the side of his neck, causing haywire both on his chest and stomach.
“I’ll… tell Phum to take Peem home first.” Fang awkwardly murmured, pointing outside as Tan scratched his head—following his boyfriend.
“Let’s clean up, P’Q.” Chain heard Toey murmur, pulling him away as he was only left with the soft breathing of the boy beside him.
“Pun,” he started. Unsure how to continue. Besides, the boy was almost passed out—there was no use making conversation. “You can’t sleep here, you have to go home.”
“Take me home,” the other murmured. Obviously intoxicated. Yet the three words only drove him mad for some odd reason, probably the alcohol.
“Phum was presenting to drive–“
“No, I want you…. to take me home.”
Chain chuckled a bit, his ears enjoying how Pun whined—as odd as it sounded.
“Pun-“
“I miss you, Chain.”
.
.
.
“You didn’t bring a bag.”
“I’m sorry… for bothering you last night.”
“Mm. That’s fine, we’re friends.”
“We are…”
“What’s wrong, Pun?”
“Well…. have you found her?”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. I’ll get going. Bye.”
.
.
.
“Since when were we house party attendees…” Phum complained, earning a glare from Q.
“Come on, it’s for Toey. He helped organized this, just sit and drink.” Peem murmured, pushing his boyfriend towards a vacant couch.
“I’m hungry,” he heard Pun complain as he sat with the others. Finding a spot, Chain was stopped as a hand pulled on his arm.
“Chain, you’re here too?” Fah, his facultymate, greeted—offering a sweet smile as he turned to her.
“Oh, Fah. Mm, a friend invited me and my friends.” He replied, starting a long conversation with the girl regarding their thesis defense. Chain was curious about what he had to go through for it since they were bound to be called to defend soon, scratching his head a few times as he listened in—completely forgetting what he was there for.
He only snapped out of it once he glanced at the couch and found Pun’s spot missing. With only a look towards Tan, the other managed to mouth ‘went home’. His brows furrowed at the information, glancing over once again—now distracted.
“Fah, excuse me for a second.” He managed to let out, slipping out of the conversation as he rushed out the house—eyes set on looking for even a shadow of Pun.
His steps weren’t as hurried as he walked down the street, oddly feeling like he knew the area. His eyes searched left and right, squinting a few times to see clearly—yet the other was nowhere. Chain halted as he felt exhaustion, resting his back on a nearby lamppost with eyes closed—catching his breath. Thinking clearly for once and for himself, if he wanted to follow Pun. His brows furrowed as his phone rang, lazily pulling it out of his pocket with a sigh.
‘Tan calling…..’
“What?” He replied harsher than intended, yet the other ignored it.
“You caught him?” Chain could only sigh.
“No, he probably found a cab and went home already.”
“I told you he was going home, why’d you run out? Fah’s looking for you.”
Chain could only nod, he honestly couldn’t even care less. All his head could think of was finding a cab as well, wanting to go home instead of returning to the party.
“I’m going home too.”
“But-“
“Bye, Tan.”
He was lucky enough it was a known area, cabs come in and out. Finding one wasn’t hell—he figured as he sat inside one. With a simple mention of his address, his mind blocked out the rest of the ride—only woken up when a familiar figure sat outside.
Pun.
Chain paid the driver, steps barely touching the ground before he slammed the door shut and rushed over to the seated figure in front of his family home.
“Pun?”
Looking up with the softest pair of eyes he’s ever seen, the boy stood up. He looked away a bunch of times, in the same manner Chain always found adorable.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, knowing it would ease Pun’s worries and just talk about what he needed.
“I’m hungry…” Chain bit back his smile, nodding as he looked over at their door.
“Do you wanna eat inside?”
It took the other a few seconds to respond, even looking behind him for some reason.
“Where’s your… Fah?”
The question confused him for a second, even slightly forgetting who that was—only for three seconds. With a shake of his head, he only pushed Pun towards the door of their home.
“I don’t know, she’s not ‘my’ Fah.”
The house was quiet, like Chain assumed—it was night time and his parents were usually already asleep. Back in high school, this time would be the hour he and Pun would be left in the living room. He would be washing dishes while Pun waited, playing some puzzle or simply just messing around asking him random questions.
This time, Pun was quiet as he sat—looking up at him curiously.
“I’ll find what she cooked tonight and serve you-“
“You’re not going to eat?” The boy immediately interjected. He wasn’t really hungry, but the other’s face only made him nod.
“I will,” he replied.
Taking out the food left for him, putting it on plates and grabbing utensils was a thing he hasn’t done in a while. At least for two people, yet taking care of Pun was like second nature to him. He was reminded of that as he offered the plate with a small hum towards the other. The boy smiled, thanking him as he sat quietly and started to dig in.
Chain wanted to make conversation, besides—Junior year was ending. They’ve spent two semesters away from each other. For him it was torture, yet he never really asked how Pun felt—he never really had a chance. Or he was scared Pun was enjoying it.
“Your mom really makes good food,” the other mumbled in between bites.
“She does.” Chain could only reply.
“Have you found someone to meet her yet?”
The question was never new, yet it always catches him by surprise. Pun would always ask that ever since they decided to stay away from each other, and he wasn’t sure for what. If the other just wanted him to find someone already, or for reasons he doesn’t know.
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m curious.”
“Why?”
A few seconds passed, and Pun never answered. Even as he finished his meal and drank up the glass of water Chain placed in front of him—Pun never replied. He only sat there with the smile the other hated, it was an ingenuine one.
“Pun, talk to me.”
He wasn’t sure where it came from—maybe the desperation of wanting to prolong the time together. Maybe to actually want Pun to talk to him. Or maybe because he could sense something wrong. But he couldn’t stand it. Any of it.
“I think I’m in love with you, Chain.”
The sentence echoed in his head, stopping any other thoughts than what he just heard. Pun wasn’t moving as well, eyes closed as he seemed to squeeze the sentence out of his own body.
He wanted to ask ‘why?’ or ‘How?’ or ‘When?’ Yet all he could do was sit beside a shaky Pun, turning to him.
“Why do you think that?”
The other turned to him, pulling his knees up as he hugged them and sighed.
“I don’t know, I’ve been feeling weird about not talking to you. But then, when you’re talking to some other people—I get upset. I’ve always been upset. I guess, it’s just harder now when they get to talk to you and I don’t.”
Chain only listened, leaning his head back on the sofa as Pun rambled away his thoughts.
“I know what I said. And I still mean that, I just… I guess I didn't realize it would be this hard for me. So if knowing that bothers you, I’m sorry. I just had to…. let it out.”
He still didn’t respond, overwhelmed by the confession. Quite honestly, other than their studies—the two never had such an honest and intimate conversation before. He knew why he never presented one, he was scared to admit his feelings. And maybe, it was how Pun felt too.
“Anyways, I’ll get going. I just needed to say that,” the other murmured as he tried to stand up—only to be pulled back by Chain.
“Why are you leaving? I haven’t said anything yet.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Pun responded just as quickly.
“But I want to.” He replied. The boy could only nod, sitting down on the floor instead—in the same position. Chain inhaled a bit, bracing himself for his own words. Unsure if it would bring him relief or the opposite. But just like Pun said, he just wanted to let it out.
“You know… kissing you changed my life.”
“What shit are you talking about?” Chain almost laughed, hearing harsh words yet visibly seeing Pun’s reddened ears from his seat.
“I’m being honest, Pun. That was my first kiss,” he admitted. The other didn’t turn to him, only kept his chin on his knees—Chain figured it was his cue to keep going.
“I never really thought about love that way, it wasn’t a priority. It wasn’t something I wanted to think about, but you made me think about it a lot.”
Chain knew it was cheesy, mentally slapping himself in the head the more he spoke. But that was the thing, it was probably why they never officially talked about it in the first place—they were afraid of bearing their souls to each other like this.
They were always friends, and even when things shifted—only they knew about it. It wasn’t easy to suddenly be something more than what they were used to, especially if they were able to do the same things they enjoyed together.
If it probably didn’t get to a point where they had to put a distance in between their so-called friendship, he wouldn’t say these things. He’d be happy the same way they were before. To keep Pun in his life, instead of fearing the other could fall out of love for him when their time runs out. Or rather, fearing Pun didn’t feel the same butterflies as he did everytime they were left alone.
Their first kiss made him see Pun in another light. It was merely a crush, which grew into something more over the years. The boy matured, although still whiny as ever. Frankly, he wondered how it would feel to do that now.
“Pun,” he called out. The other turned, eyes boring into his as his cheeks seemed to have a slight flush to them—and he’d love to assume he was the cause.
“Can I try it again?”
Pun blinked a few times, probably deciphering what he meant. He watched as his eyes focused, seemingly understanding it as he slowly nodded. Chain contained his smile, nodding back as his hand reached to touch his nape—pulling his face lightly before leaning down.
At the first touch of his lips on Pun’s, he felt a slight pinch at his heart—unsure if it wanted more or less. His cheeks heated up as he felt the other move, slightly annoyed at how he knew how to kiss. Yet those thoughts were ignored as soon as he felt him deepen it, leaning up to meet him halfway. It was weird, because as much as he enjoyed it—the knowledge that Pun was comfortable and liking it was enough to make his heart jump.
.
.
.
“Mm, your bag.”
“Thanks. Bye, I’ll go in now.”
“Wait.”
“What?”
“Where’s my kiss?”
“Ai’Chain.”
.
.
.
“Doc, you’re working too hard.” Pun’s voice reached his ears, smiling as he held a few materials he wanted to practice with.
“I have to nail this, I don’t want to hurt any patients.” He reasoned out, looking over to the other who was now dressed up in a cute polo and tie.
“What are you doing?” Chain chuckled as he asked, finding it weird how the other was dressed up in the middle of the night.
“Aow, I’m trying on clothes to wear when I become your assistant.”
The smile on his face widened, nodding as he checked Pun’s outfit—making the boy turn around to show off the whole thing.
“Good, I’ll have the cutest assistant at the clinic.”
“Why does that sound perverted…”
He could only laugh, turning back to his tools. A few seconds and he felt Pun’s hands around him—rubbing his shoulders in what seemed like comfort.
“You did well, you know. I’m proud of you.”
Usually, he would make fun of him. Or tell a joke to evade what seemed like a cheesy moment for them, yet he only kissed Pun’s cheek as a reply.
Senior year wasn’t easy for the both of them, their faculties were already tasking to be in—but moreso the last leg. They were seperated a lot, both trying to study and do their best to graduate. They barely had time to meet up with friends, even each other. Pun would be too tired to comprehend anything at the end of the day, and Chain would come out later and later.
Yet they did it, and graduated. Now off to more tasking things like finding a job to pay rent with, as they decided to live in one place together.
Inititally, it was the gang’s house. Yet both Phum and Fang wanted to keep their friends to themselves, leaving them with Q who didn’t want to live with ‘a cheesy couple’ as he said. They didn’t know how they were seen as cheesy, maybe it was the touchiness Q was never accustomed to.
But they were happy, really. Chain’s convinced he can never be as happy as they were now.
.
.
.
“Doc, let’s close the clinic and go home.”
“You can go ahead, Pun.”
“No, I wanna leave with you.”
“So stubborn.”
“Aow? You hate me now?”
“No. Take my bag and sit in the car, I’ll be right out.”
“Okay, don’t take too long. Or I’ll miss you.”
“Quit it!”
“You’re blushing, Chain!”
“Go!”