Toxic [2gether]

Part 28

"Phukong! Have you seen Saraw-" Tine faltered standing in the doorway to the balcony, noticing a dark, familiar silhouette against the setting sun. "Sarawat?" He asked. The musician only inclined his head, hair covering his eyes and blinked owlishly over his shoulder at Tine. "Is everything alright?" Tine probed concerned, taking a step out into the dusk. Sarawat lifted one hand, crooking one nimble finger to beckon Tine over. Mystified Tine sauntered closer, eyes sparkling curiously in the eerie evening light.

As soon as he was within reach, Sarawat grabbed him by the biceps and hauled him in, cradling Tine to his thumping chest, their knees bumping. The fair skinned man spluttered, bracing his hands on Sarawat's solid shoulders, stubbornly fighting the pull. What was going on?

"I'm sorry," Sarawat mumbled into Tine's neck, swaying a little unsteadily against him and making their tall bodies collide like tidal waves. "Please don't leave." Tine felt flabbergasted, his round mouth opened slightly in astonishment. What? Then it instantly dawned on him. The conversation with Type.

"How long have you been back home?" Tine asked hurriedly, trying to pry the other man off of him to look him in the eyes, fingers firmly gripping Sarawat's shoulders. The musician would however not budge, only tightening his embrace on Tine, bringing their bodies even more flush together and making certain body parts slide tauntingly against each other. Tine's heart beat faster at the sly move even though his mind was slightly unsettled. Sarawat was acting a little weird.

"Long enough," Sarawat muttered close to his sensitive ear and heat swept along Tine's back. He exhaled then and felt the stubborn fight finally leave him, only making room for desire. They had said to be honest with each other, so Tine should shape up and make a serious effort to share his sincere thoughts and feelings. He had never really felt the urge before, it had been easier to stow everything away under the cheery exterior. His exes never saw beyond that, accepting his actions at face value and were never concerned enough to delve deeper.   

Tine wrapped trembling hands around the sturdy shoulders huddling uncharacteristically against him. He was beginning to feel nervous but also very much excited, psyching himself up a little bit. Everyone took a chance at love and no one was any wiser. Just look at his brother, freakishly stubborn and rigid but he had still found his happiness. Why could not Tine do the same? What was he really so afraid of?

The abundance of Sarawat's feelings, his mind supplied. Tine was scared of the power and the responsibility that was so easily granted him. Shallow relationships were easy, he never had to put his or the other party's heart at stake and when people left it was only expected.

"I would never leave," Tine murmured, feeling these words resonate though his very being and settle deep within his core. What were they if not meant for each other? Through all these years their paths have been endlessly entwined, it had to mean something if the universe was trying to bring them together time and time again. Sarawat remained quiet, only burrowing his head further into the smooth warmth of Tine's skin. His fluffy hair was tickling Tine's cheek. "My brother's just being a bigot, acting protectively only when it fits his own agenda."

"What about your panic attacks? Are they serious?" The musician mumbled. Tine exhaled heavily, his breath tickling Sarawat's neck and the other man squirmed in his embrace, rubbing his cheek against Tine's shoulder. A tiny smile pulled at Tine's pink lips. Sarawat was acting surprisingly cute. He sniffed the air a little, a far too familiar scent prickling his nose. Had Sarawat been drinking? It was not prominent but the tangy scent of alcohol was indeed present. Oh, well. Tine opted not to delve on it for now.

"They happen sometimes but it's pretty rare now. I, uh, got a hard start at work so I'm still recovering from that a little. The corporate world is no joke."