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To his surprise, Pond’s able to navigate past the red solo cups and push his way through the crowd to reach the bathroom. Joong’s apartment is especially packed tonight. Yes. It’s Friday. He understands that, but it's only the second week of the new semester. There’s nothing to really celebrate. Nothing to unwind from. Pond doesn't even know how Joong knows this many people to invite.
Pond doesn't even know why he came tonight. He’s not in the mood to get laid, which is possibly and honestly the only reason he ever shows up. He doesn't drink, so the promise of free alcohol never serves as incentive either.
He finally reaches the bathroom after clearing his throat one too many times trying to get this one drunk couple to stop blocking the door. He swiftly gets inside, happy to be free of the sweat and noise.
Before Pond can stare at his reflection and contemplate whatever, like he'd originally planned to do in the shelter of Joong’s bathroom, he notices he's not alone.
Wide-eyed, he immediately redirects his gaze to the muffled sobs coming from Joong’s bathtub. He can't tell who it is, just that they're pressing their head further into their knees, hoodie pulled far over their head. Pond’s not sure if they’ve even heard him come in. He doesn't want to startle whoever it is on the off chance they haven’t heard him. "Uh. Hey. Are you alright?" He asks tentatively in between the pause the person takes to catch their breath through all the tears.
The crying stops, but the person doesn't lift their head.
At the lack of response, Pond tries again. "If, uh, something happened, you can tell me. My friend Joong—do you know Joong? I hope you know Joong. He’s the host. Maybe you don't, I don't know. If you need help, I can help. Do you need water, a phone to call someone—" Pond’s rambling. He knows he's rambling. It’s not his fault. He kinda tends to panic when someone's upset. Comforting has never been his strong suit.
Luckily, his struggle to offer consolation ends as the person lifts their head to glare at him, their hood sliding off in the process. It’s a boy. Pond knows him, albeit barely. Pond doesn't know how he knows him, but he's definitely seen his face somewhere. Maybe in passing at school or at a previous party at Joong’s. He starts blinking at Pond slowly, trying to re-adjust to the fluorescent bathroom lights. Pond’s sure it's not easy to do while his eyes are wet and red-rimmed.
The boy wipes his eyes and nose on his sleeve. Pond tries not to get distracted by the fact there are tiny little cartoon bears on his hoodie. He wants to tell him he thinks it's cute, but he knows now probably isn't the time or place.
Bear hoodie guy blinks once, twice, and clears his throat, "No."
"No? I asked a lot of questions, what do you mean—"
"No, I’m not alright. You asked earlier if I’m alright. I’m answering," the boy says as if it's the most obvious thing.
Pond should probably feel a bit offended, but he's willing to blame the bite in his words on the reason why he's here crying in Joong’s bathroom. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't know you."
"Okay," he pauses, "My name is Pond. Now you know me." The boy looks Pond up and down. he's squinting slightly, and Pond can't tell if it's because he's debating whether to actually talk to him or if the lights in the bathroom are still bothering him. "Seriously. Anything you need. Someone to talk to? Need me to find someone and bring them to you? A lift home? Company?" Pond doesn't want to offer to leave, but he absolutely will if bear hoodie asks him to.
The boy looks apprehensively at Pond and Pond’s not going to push any further if he doesn't want any help from him. "What about the party? Don’t you want to stay since you 'know the host?'"
"I’m not really feeling it tonight. I was going to leave after," Pond gestures around the bathroom, "all this. I have to take the green line back to my place before the trains are suspended for the night."
"What stop do you get off at?"
"West Centre station."
Bear hoodie smiles at him for the first time all night, "You're the stop after mine. Would you mind if I rode with you?"
Pond can only grin back, "Sure," he extends his hand out to the boy to help him out of the tub.
Bear hoodie's cheeks flush a bit as he accepts Pond’s hand. Pond doesn't let go until he makes sure the boy has safely climbed out.
Once out, they’re exactly at eye level with each other. He’s practically Pond’s height, if only a few centimetres shorter. And despite his eyes being red-rimmed, his nose slightly snotty, Pond can confidently say that bear hoodie is pretty.
Now’s probably not the best time to tell him, Pond’s mind interrupts.
The boy slips his hood over his head again, covering his eyes, and lets Pond guide him through the crowd and out of Joong’s apartment.
🌃
He holds the door open for bear hoodie and is hit immediately by the rainy air. Fortunately, the metro is only a five-minute walk from Joong’s apartment.
Every time Pond has been at Joong’s, the street lamp in front of Joong’s place has been dull and practically on the edge of burning out; however, tonight, it’s shining brighter than ever.
The walk to the station is silent, but not uncomfortable. Eventually, they reach the platform for the purple line, rushing on the last train for the night before the doors shut. As he boards, Pond turns behind him just to make sure bear hoodie is still there. That this moment right now is real.
"Would you like the window seat?" The boy clears his throat and asks Pond.
"Are you really willing to give me the best seat? Don’t you want to enjoy the view," Pond tries to supply teasingly.
"It’s night. it’s rainy. Not much of a view to enjoy." Bear hoodie mumbles, but he sits down near the window anyways, pushing his hood off. Pond’s more than happy to let him have the seat regardless.
They’re only five minutes into their train ride when Pond realises he still doesn't know the boy's name. He’s not sure if now's still the time to ask. While Pond goes through the mechanics of asking a stranger (does bear hoodie still count as a stranger?) their name, the boy leans down to rest his head on Pond’s shoulder. Pond feels like his ears are on fire. He looks down at his thumbs, playing with them and trying to find an idle way to pass the time. Pond wants to ask more questions, but he doesn't want to risk having the boy lift his head, stealing back the warmth he's giving Pond right now.
He thinks about how bear hoodie has only smiled at him once tonight. Pond doesn’t know why he’s keeping count.
"Can I ask why you were crying in Joong’s bathtub?"
Bear hoodie stops moving his thumbs, but he doesn't get up from Pond’s shoulder. A win, Pond thinks.
"It wasn't anything serious," the boy pauses, "and a little dumb too."
"It’s definitely not dumb if you were crying about it."
"I got out of a relationship, mutual break-up. It’s been a month. I swear I’m over it. It’s just. It was my first time trying to go out since then. I think the universe hates me a bit because the first person I see when I get there is my ex."
Pond hears the boy's voice wavering a bit and offers his hand. Bear hoodie takes it hesitantly. "Thanks. Anyways. I go up and talk with them, to see how things are going. The conversation was fine, but I think they were there with their new partner because when someone came up to them and asked who I was and they," the boy pauses, swallowing back potential tears. “They said I was nobody, and then they both left. I was fine with not telling anyone we were dating, but to be reduced to nobody? Considering we were best friends at one point. It hurts."
"I know this probably doesn't help, but they’re stupid. I would be proud to tell everyone that the guy with the coolest hoodie is my ex."
"Are you making fun of what I’m wearing now?"
Pond slightly panics, "What? No! I swear I love your hoodie. I love bears. I think bears are the coolest. I have three cats and dressed them up as bears for Halloween once and," Pond stops rambling when he realises that the boy is giggling.
"Three cats? Are you admitting to me, a stranger, that you're an absolute cat lady?"
"No. Okay. Kind of. I found Peter on the streets when I was younger, and MJ and Ned were from the shelter." He doesn't know why he's telling the boy his cats' names and origin stories out of all things.
"Tell me, Pond, do you make it a habit of picking up strays?"
Pond hesitates a bit, "Are you implying that you're a stray?"
"You’re being pretty nice to me, a guy you don't know. Letting me rest my head on your shoulder after I cried my heart out about something stupid—"
"It’s not stupid," Pond interrupts him.
"Crying about someone who says I’m nobody to them is pretty stupid. You’re nice pond, and I appreciate the company."
Pond’s glad the boy is still leaning on his shoulder and can't see the way he's blushing right now. "Is now a good time for me to ask what your name is?"
Bear hoodie laughs again, and Pond thinks it's the loveliest sound. he doesn't think he could get tired of hearing it. "It’s Phuwin. 'now you know me,' too."
“Phuwin.” Pond repeats, smiling to himself as he sounds it out for the first time. “Well, Phuwin—" the train announcement cuts him off, letting them know Pond’s stop is next.
Phuwin lifts his head off Pond’s shoulder. "Shiiiit! My stop! I forgot to get off." Phuwin groans, dropping his head into his hands.
"It’s okay. It happens.” Pond tries to justify. He doesn’t want Phuwin to feel like this night isn’t going his way. “I didn’t even hear them announce it either.” Which is true. Pond didn’t hear Phuwin’s stop being announced, but he may have tuned out from his surroundings the second Phuwin dropped his head on his shoulder. “I can walk you back to your place? You’re only one station off, how far of a walk can it be?"
Phuwin grabs his phone from his front pocket and types what appears to be an address from his current location. Pond peaks over his shoulder, "It says ten minutes. That’s not too bad."
"Pond. It’s a ten-minute drive. Walking is 35 minutes. We are not walking in this weather."
The train stops at the platform, and they both slowly get up.
"I know this sounds super sketchy, but you can stay at mine for the night. I can sleep on the couch, or you can sleep on the couch? Whatever's comfortable for you. If you take my room, you could lock yourself in just in case you're uncomfortable sharing a flat with a stranger for the night."
"Technically, you're not a stranger anymore, remember," Phuwin grins, "You know I’m Phuwin, and I know you're Pond. One question, though."
"Go ahead."
“Will I get to see the cats?”
"Definitely." Pond tries to suppress his smile as they exit the train.
🌃
Pond normally hates the fact that his apartment is directly in front of the train station. Hearing the trains pass throughout the day serves as an enormous annoyance whenever he's trying to study, but tonight he's grateful that all he has to do is run across the street to escape the downpour, which had become brutal while he and Phuwin were inside the train.
"Fuuuck,” pond complains out, “I know it's September, but this weather is miserable," Pond says as he reaches for the keypad to unlock his door. He pushes it open and gestures for Phuwin to enter first.
"For a guy in, what appears to be his early 20's, your place is insanely clean. I can't even tell a guy let alone three cats live here."
"Uh, thanks? I just don't like feeling disorganised. It might be a few before the cats come out. They're always a bit cautious when I bring someone they don't know here."
"Of course. they don't know my name yet either. I don't blame them," Phuwin teases again.
Pond shuts his eyes as he places his wallet on the kitchen counter. "Are you going to let that go?"
"Nope. It was cute," Phuwin grins, "by the way. I don't mind taking the couch. It’s your place after all."
Pond tries not to blush at the fact that Phuwin called him cute. "You’re the one who's had an unpleasant night. I’d rather you take the bed."
Before Phuwin can argue, MJ comes out from underneath the couch and rubs past Phuwin's leg.
Phuwin crouches down to pet her, "Nice to meet you. I'm Phuwin. And you are?"
"That's MJ."
"Why, hello, MJ. Aren't you sweet?" Phuwin holds his hand above MJ to allow her to slide her head under. "Even your cats are kind, just like you," He says to Pond, not looking up from MJ.
"To be fair, you haven't met Peter and Ned. What if they're vicious? What if they’re hiding in the office waiting to attack?"
"I doubt it. You seem like the kind of cat dad to instil positive values on your cat children," Phuwin glances up at Pond, "by the way, I'm taking the couch."
"Damn. I was so hoping to have it tonight, so I can sneak in a Spider-Man rewatch."
"Lucky for you, I’m not feeling tired, so why don't you watch your movies on the couch with me and go to your room when you're done."
Pond can tell they're going to fall into a cycle if he keeps arguing with Phuwin about where to sleep, so he sighs and plops down onto the couch.
Phuwin reaches for the remote on the coffee table before sitting down a couple inches away from Pond. "Take it away," he says as he passes the remote to Pond.
🌃
"You know, I haven’t really watched Tom Holland’s Spider-Man yet. I didn't think it would be good, but I think he may be my favourite." Phuwin says, head resting on Pond’s shoulder once again. Twenty minutes into the film, he felt the weight but chose not to comment on it and let Phuwin get comfy. If he finds himself draping his arm over Phuwin’s shoulders then that’s his business.
"Right! He’s my favourite, I know a majority of people would still ride for Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man.”
"They don't have good taste then," Phuwin chuckles.
"They’re not wrong. Maguire is good, Garfield’s too, but I just relate to Holland’s Spider-Man more. I don’t know." Pond tries to tone down how much more he wants to say on the matter, because he doesn’t want to scare Phuwin away right now unpacking his entire catalogue of knowledge on Spider-Man tonight.
Phuwin hums but doesn't say anything further.
"Phuwin?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think you'd want to hang out after this? After tonight?"
"Depends. Are you willing to get breakfast with me tomorrow morning? My treat. Think of it as a thank you for comforting me and letting me into your home tonight."
"I’d like that," Pond’s sure his cheeks are flushed, "but I wouldn't want you to pay. I don't expect you to owe me anything for something as simple as this."
"Then," Phuwin pauses. he reaches for pond's hand resting behind him, "Would you let me pay if it was a date?"
Pond’s quick to pause the t.v. "No, but can I still have that date?"
Phuwin sits up to face Pond, dropping Pond’s hand off him in the process. "Really?"
"I think I’d want someone who's nice to my cats and extremely pretty to be somebody to me."
Phuwin doesn't reply. He glances down at Pond’s lips before leaning in slowly to press the softest kiss. Already gone before Pond could respond.
"I think I’d like to kiss you again. If that's okay with you."
"It’s more than okay," Phuwin smiles warmly, wrapping his arms around Pond’s neck. Pond leans in, resting his hands on Phuwin’s waist.
Pond’s eyes flutter shut as he brushes their lips together gently. It starts off with a couple pecks, before growing heavier, needier. Pond feels Phuwin’s hands slowly creeping towards the base of his neck to pull at the strands of brown hair. and Pond? Pond wants to take him apart. He pushes Phuwin down into the couch, hovering above him. "I think we should go to bed. If we go any further, I don't think I’m going to want to stop."
Phuwin stretches his arms back behind Pond’s neck, "I don't think I want you to stop."
"But, I want to take you on a proper date."
"And you will, you're letting me pay for breakfast like we agreed. But right now, I want you to take me to bed if you'll have me."
"Let’s just compromise and split the bill."
"Okay," Phuwin agrees, "now, will you take me to bed?" He starts wiggling his eyebrows at Pond, who starts laughing.
Before Pond can go back to kissing Phuwin again, Phuwin presses a hand against his chest. "You’re not doing this out of pity right? I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything just because you saw me cry."
Pond leans down to kiss Phuwin’s cheeks, his nose, just about anywhere on his face, "I want this, I want you."
Pond’s met with the loveliest smile. He has the prettiest boy he's ever had the chance to meet under him. Yes, Pond’s only known him for a couple of hours, but he can confidently say that Phuwin shines so bright. And if Phuwin lets him, he’d like to keep him company for as long as possible.