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His apple pencil clicks against the table where he finally sets it down.
Thee feels a little bit better about himself now that he's gotten through the last chapters of Head and Neck Anatomy. Then there's only Oral Histology left where he has to review 150 slides he can probably squeeze that in tomorrow— and then there's the practical exam.
Thee's lips draw into a thin line.
No. no, he won't stress about exams right now. Not when he's at the beach with his friends, and he doesn't have any work lined up— at least in the next twenty four hours.
He's here for vacation. He reminds himself.
Thee stretches, hands clasped overhead, his spine releasing a satisfying pop and rolls his shoulders, wincing slightly. He lets out a groan as the tension in his muscles work itself loose.
"Thee."
A figure emerges from the dimly lit hallway, and Thee startles hard enough that his elbow almost knocks off his tumbler from the table. He grabs it then looks up.
"Shit dude, you scared me." Thee exhales, hand on his chest.
PK is standing there, hair disheveled, and rumpled pajamas hanging off his frame. Eyes half—lidded like he'd just woken up.
"You should sleep too," PK says. Then he turns and shuffles towards the restroom.
Thee glances at his iPad. 1.03 AM.
Thee had excused himself three hours ago, slipping away while the rest of the Homme B boys were still going at it in the theatre room upstairs. Around him the vacation house is almost quiet, save for the stand fan he'd turned on when he started his mini study session, gone is the muffled bass from the speakers and laughter slipping from the second floor.
Party's over it seems.
As if his body had finally caught up on him, he lets out a yawn, his eyes tearing up slightly and Thee runs a hand down his face to wipe them away.
It's a good thing he'd already showered before sitting down— fresh and clean in his sleep shirt and shorts. Now all that's left to do is climb the stairs to their shared room and conk out.
Thee gathers his things, turns off the fan and goes.
Although no one among his roommates is a light sleeper, he'd still hate to disturb anyone's sleep.
Wave and North had just finished a two—day back to back concert, and they'd been cramming practice in the days approaching D—day. Last night, both him and Hugh were there for all seven hours of it, then had driven home late, then had woken up with barely any decent sleep to make the drive to Rayong.
If they're not eating or swimming, or doing any recreational activity, the four of them were stealing naps the moment their bodies hit a flat surface.
Thee turns the door handle slowly, easing the door open with as little noise as possible.
The room is dark except for the nightlamp's warm glow and a sliver of moonlight peeking through the gap in the curtains covering the glass doors leading to the balcony.
Thee stands in the doorway letting his eyes adjust.
North is on the floor mattress, burrowed completely into his blankets, motionless. P'Hugh is occupying the single bed, his snores filling the room. Thee couldn't hold it against him. It was Hugh after all who had driven them for the entire two hours this morning refusing Thee's offer of switching drivers, and he'd done it cheerfully, with snacks, and a playlist.
Thee sets his iPad on the TV stand and makes his way to the king size bed at the far end of the room.
He stops.
His bedmate was not in the position where Thee had expected to find him.
Wave is horizontal. He's sideways across the mattress, his head was nowhere near a pillow, and his legs are hanging of the edge, there's also a rumpled bath towel loosely clutched in his hand.
Thee's eyebrows scrunch in worry, and he briefly considers if Wave has passed out from exhaustion.
Thee takes a step closer, then another and really looks.
Despite his position, Wave looks peaceful, his breathing is steady and mouth slightly open.
He's just asleep.
Thee runs down his options.
There's the couch on the living room, but they'd been treating it like a launching pad all afternoon when they were playing card games. And besides, he's on vacation. Thee deserves a proper bed.
He could wake up Wave.
He really didn't want to wake up Wave.
But if Wave continued to slept like this, he's going to feel all kinds of aches in the morning. Thee sighs.
Thee approaches, crouches at the bedside, tries to keep his voice as gentle as he can.
"Wave."
Not even a twitch.
Thee tries again with a hand on Wave's shoulder and a slight jostle. "Wave?"
Wave's brows pinch, crease forming between them. His lips smack together a few times, eyes remaining closed.
He really, really didn't want to startle Wave awake.
So he leans even closer, his face now inches from Wave's, close enough to smell the clean fresh scent of Wave's body wash and the faint mint of his shampoo. Thee lowers his voice into something soft and coaxing.
Like he's done a couple of times when he senses Wave is not in the best mood or the handful of times he finds Wave at sulking at him.
"Are you awake now? It's phi. Can you open your eyes for me?"
Wave's eyelids flutters "P'Thee?" he mumbles, voice thick with sleep.
"Yeah, it's me. Can you move a bit? Your feet are off the bed."
Wave's hand come up to scratch his neck. "Mmm'kay."
Thee straightens up from where he's crouching and watches Wave rolls to his right sluggishly. His face bumps into a pillow that was supposed to be under his head and immediately latches onto it, snuggling his face into fabric with a soft, contented noise.
A helpless smile tugs at Thee's lips.
Yeah, this is not going to work, he doubts Wave is even half awake right now.
Thee has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. Literally.
Thee makes a quick work of pulling the comforter out from where it's pinned beneath Wave's body. He gets on one knee on the mattress for leverage and hovers over Wave his left hand supporting his weight.
"Phi's' going to help, okay?"
"Hmm." comes out Wave's muffled reply.
Thee slips his arm under Wave's shoulder, then removes the pillow Wave's hugging before slipping his other hand underneath Wave's knees.
With the pillow gone, Wave automatically latches on to the nearest object, blindly reaching.
His arms wrap themselves around Thee's neck.
At the same time, Thee lifts him.
Wave's eyes fly open.
Their eyes lock in the dark. Wave's gaze goes from hazy to sharp in an instant, awareness crossing his face. For a heartbeat, Thee’s mind scrambles. He doesn’t move, painfully aware of their position—Thee leaning over Wave, their faces inches apart, he has Wave in a princess carry.
He hears Wave breath hitch.
"Sorry," Thee whispers, feeling embarrassed. "Just a sec."
Wave is surprisingly light and Thee manages to reposition him in two swift movements.
Wave's hands slip down from his neck the same moment Thee lowers him.
Thee gives him the pillow back and Wave takes it wordlessly, hugging it into his chest.
"Comfy?"
Wave nods, and Thee can't help the smile forming on his lips. There's something deeply satisfying about taking care of Wave—or maybe, the fact that Wave even lets him. Every time Thee looks after Wave, he feels like the most accomplished person alive.
After drawing the comforter up and tucking Wave in, Thee rounds to the other side of the bed and sits at the edge. He rubs the back of his neck, feeling the tiredness seeping into his bones now. He looks over.
Wave's face half hidden by the pillow he is hugging, only his eyes visible above the fabric. Those eyes are fully awake now, dark and fixed on Thee, with the kind of intensity that sends a flutter inside his chest.
Thee would never catch Wave look at him this much in broad daylight. In public, he's more careful with it, he'd quickly shy away when their eyes meet ever so slightly, ducking his head, or suddenly find something fascinating on his phone. But when it's just the two of them, Wave looks without checking himself.
"Sorry for waking you," Thee says. "But you would've been sore if you slept like that."
Wave shakes his head. "S'fine."
Thee reaches down and brushes Wave's hair back from his forehead— his fingers coming away damp. "Your hair is still wet." Wave just stares at him.
Thee leans across toward the headboard and grabbed the discarded towel. "Rise up a bit," he instructs.
Wave obeys, lifting up just enough for Thee to slide the towel beneath his head, covering the pillowcase, then he proceeds to fold the other half and begins rubbing Wave's hair slowly, not wanting to be rough about it.
Wave closes his eyes, then blinks them open again slowly, like he's trying to fight sleep.
Somewhere in the background, a phone notification dings once.
With most of the moisture gone from Wave's hair, Thee switches to a gentle petting motion, scratching Wave's scalp with the pads of his fingers.
"I'll fall asleep if you keep doing that," Wave murmurs.
"Then sleep."
A hand closes around Thee's wrist, stopping him. "But now I don't want to sleep yet."
"Okay."
Thee sets the towel aside. He lies down, gets under the covers, and turns to his left so that he's facing Wave.
Wave squints at him. "Your glasses."
"Right." He completely forgot.
But Wave's hand is already there, gently pulling them off his face. He folds them and holds them out.
"Thanks." Thee takes them, places them on the nightstand, and lies back down.
"P'Thee."
"Hnn?"
A rustle of bed sheets sounds— when Thee glances over, P'Hugh is tossing in his sleep.
"I should..." Wave sets the pillow aside and closes a little of the distance between them.
Thee feels himself do the same without thinking about it—like his body knows what it already wants while his brain is still catching up. They drift toward the middle, the space between them shrinking inch by inch.
Thee's hand finds Wave's waist, palm settling at the small of his back. It's just the most natural position for how close they've gotten. That's what he tells himself anyway.
"This okay?" he asks.
Wave nods. Then— a little slowly, almost shyly— he rests his own hand loosely at Thee's waist.
Wave flickers his eyes up at him for a second.
"About yesterday. I haven't really had a chance to say it, but— thank you for coming."
Thee smiles, "Of course, I wanted to be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
To his surprise, Wave sends an annoyed look his way.
"What?" Thee asks, chuckling when Wave makes a tchh sound.
"Nothing. My brain wanted to do something stupid." Wave says.
Thee's eyebrows furrow, "Hmm? What stupid thing."
"Never mind," Wave says. And Thee lets it go but he doesn't miss the way Wave arms shift slightly so his hand rests on the back of Thee's shoulder.
Wave licks his lips, "And for coming here too. I know you have exams coming up." Wave doubles down, "And I'm not saying you came for me, obviously that's not— I just. Thanks for coming along. I just like that you're here."
"I like when you're around," Wave continues. "In general. Not just— here." A pause. "You take care of me so well. And I— you make it really easy to just. Be myself." His purses his lips, almost like he's hesitating then it's gone and he's looking at Thee with the sweetest smile. "You make me really happy, phi. Thank you."
Help me. Wave is so fucking cute when he's being open and honest like this.
Thee opens his mouth. Closes it. He can't immediately find any of his usual language, can't locate a single one of the things he'd normally say without thinking. He is lost for words.
Because Thee is usually the one who says things first, always— the one who volunteers the compliment, who doesn't think twice about telling Wave he did well, that he looked good, that Thee is glad to be wherever Wave is. Words come easily to him. He's always been like that.
But all of a sudden Wave's saying these kinds of things to him instead.
Thee feels his heart doing something ridiculous against his ribs that he hopes it's not a serious medical condition.
Wave must've misread his silence because Wave starts pulling away, muttering, "Shocks, that sounded so embarrassing."
Luckily for Thee, if words fail, action takes over. And Thee just does.
He pulls Wave in. It takes a second for Wave to register what's happening before he's goes in easily. Thee pillows Wave's head under his bicep, and curls both his arms around Wave, hugging him completely. Wave tucks his face into the curve between Thee's neck and collarbone, his free hand holding onto Thee's shoulder.
"It's not embarrassing." Thee says firmly, "Don't think being honest is embarrassing. It's not, Wave."
Wave stills for a moment then practically melts in his hold.
"I like this too," Wave murmurs. "I like when you hug me. You always smell so good." Wave sniffs and the action tickles Thee's skin so he lets out a tiny laugh.
"I like hugging you too." Thee says instead because saying just I like you sounds too important.
For now, he has Wave right here so Thee holds him as close as he can.
Because even with Wave being in his arms, he is already, quietly missing him.
"You make me happy too, Wave."
Wave makes a surprised sound.
Thee smirks, "Why is your face so warm?"
Wave shushes him, then dips his head.
And bites him.
Right below his collarbone, through the fabric of his shirt— not hard but sudden enough that Thee startles.
"Ow—"
Wave is already shaking. His shoulders are going, his body vibrating with the effort of not making a sound, still buried in Thee's chest.
Thee pokes his side. "What was that for?" Thee pokes his side
"The stupid thing I wanted to do." Wave answers.
Thee opens his mouth. He should not say the next thing. He is going to say the next thing.
"Do you want to know what stupid thing I want to do right now?" Thee says before he can stop himself.
Wave goes still.
Then he pulls back— just enough, just the distance needed to look at Thee— and their faces have never been this close. Like impossibly close. Thee swallows, suddenly very aware of every centimeter between them.
Thee should really learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes.
Speaking of mouths. His gaze drops there without meaning to.
Wave's lips.
He pulls his eyes back up. But Wave is watching him. No—Wave's eyes are directed at his lips.
"Wave," Thee says carefully.
Wave wets his lips. "Can you do the stupid thing now?"
Thee leans in.
And the next second, somehow, they’re kissing.
Thee’s heart nearly stops at the feeling of it.
Wave’s lips are warm and soft against his, and Thee kisses him carefully at first, slow and tentative, afraid that one wrong move will ruin everything.
— and then Wave's hand comes up and grabs the back of his neck and pulls close, their mouths slanting together and the kiss deepens and Wave makes a the type of sound that Thee feels more than hears and oh, oh, that's dangerous.
Wave's teeth catch his lower lip and Thee's brain goes completely offline.
This is happening. Thee is kissing Wave. And he’s kissing him back.
His hand at Wave's back presses in and Wave lets out this soft, breathless sound against his mouth.
Thee’s stomach drops.
Heat rushes through him so fast it’s almost dizzying, it's enough to finally snap some sense back into him.
Thee breaks the kiss first and plants one last peck on the corner of Wave's mouth when the younger makes a small noise of protest.
"We're not alone, you know." Thee reminds him.
"Sure." Wave peers at him, still dazed, lips parted. “But we're the only ones still awake,” he says, voice still rough.
Thee’s jaw nearly drops and it takes everything in him not to close the distance between them the second time.
“That is very much not the point,” Thee says.
Wave huffs, warm breath against Thee's jaw. "You kissed me first."
"I did." The word comes out quieter than he intends. His thumb moves caressing the curve of Wave's hip. Then he lowers his voice even more. "But we just can't keep kissing."
"Why not?" Wave actually whines.
Because I don't want to have to excuse myself to the bathroom at two in the morning, is what he does not say.
Thee doesn't know whether to laugh or be concerned. Wave looks genuinely upset— brows furrowed, pout already forming on his lips.
And because Thee can, he ducks down and presses the lightest kiss to that pout. Nothing more. "Let's try to sleep. It's late."
A smile tugs at the corner of Wave's mouth. He tucks himself back under Thee's chin without a word, arms circling Thee's waist.
"I'm so happy," Wave breathes, then he goes still. "You're not like freaking out, right?"
Is Thee freaking out? Maybe a little. But for reasons that have very little to do with the fact that they just kissed.
They did that.
—Wave tugging him closer, the soft sound he made, the way his lips had felt against Thee’s.
Thee clears his throat, "Not at all."
"You are. " Wave accuses. "Any regrets?"
"I regret that it had to end," Thee says, before he can think better of it.
Silence.
Then Wave is trying to push himself up and Thee tightens his arm around him, keeping him in place.
"Wave." Thee says, trying to sound firm but it comes out more like a plea.
Wave laughs and presses kiss to the spot he’d bitten before. "Good night."
Thee closes his eyes and starts tracing slow, idle circles across Wave’s back.
His chest tightens.
Not in a bad way.
Because if he’s honest—really honest—it isn’t just tonight. It isn’t just the kiss.
It’s how easily Wave fits against him. How natural everything felt.
And somewhere between all of that, Thee realizes he’s wanted this for longer than he’s ever admitted to himself.
Is Thee freaking out?
Maybe he is.
Because now there’s no going back to pretending he doesn’t.
"Sweet dreams, Wave."
Thee stirs at the sound of someone snickering.
''He's awake, he's awake.''
When Thee tries to bring up a hand to rub at his eyes, he quickly realizes it's pinned by something heavy. Someone.
That someone is resting on his chest. Warm and familiar weight, rising and falling with slow breaths.
Thee opens his eyes, blinking a few times as daylight assaults his eyes, filtering through the curtains. In front of him, North and P'Hugh are standing at the foot of the bed, their phones aimed directly at him. At them.
"Rise and shine, kids!" P'Hugh exclaims, smile too wide like he's watching his favorite show.
Beside him, Wave begins to stir—squirming against Thee's chest and burying his face deeper into the hollow of Thee's throat. Thee's arm instinctively tightens around him.
"What are you guys doing?" Thee says, his voice rough with sleep.
"What else? Documentation." P'Hugh says simply.
"I have Otto on video call," North adds. "Say hi."
Thee groans. He reaches up with his free hand and drags the comforter over both of them, all the way to his chin. Wave's head disappears beneath it entirely.
"Nobody post that," Thee warns.
"I'm sending it to the GC."
Wave's shoulders shake with silent laughter against him. Wave's hand emerges from the covers and waves in the direction of North's phone. From the speaker, Otto's voice floated out: "Wave?!"
"We're sleeping in," Thee announces, and closes his eyes.
If he ignores them long enough they will leave eventually.
"Come on, P'Hugh," he hears North say, "Let's go disturb no further."
"Yeah, yeah."
Thee exhales.
The room goes quiet again. The comforter shifts— Wave pushing it back down, peering up at him. His hair is disaster. His face is creased from the pillow. He looks completely endearing, and Thee kind of wants to kiss him silly.
"Did you want breakfast?" Thee asks.
"No," Wave says.
"Okay." Thee feels his own lips curve into a smile, "Brunch it is then."