#but man that scene when Wai takes Pran home and Pat’s waiting there

[charthanry]

OurSkyy2xBBS: My Initial Reaction to EP13

This will be full of spoilers, so please watch the episode first!

Ohm and Nanon seemlessly transitioned back into being Pat and Pran. Their chemistry was alive and thriving! 

The passage of time was well done. It felt like Pat and Pran continued on with their lives without us. These specials are just a peek into what they’ve been up to. Kudos to Ohm and Nanon for living these characters so believably. It felt like they were never gone.

The scenes felt a bit recycled from the series. I guess if it ain’t broke, why fix it? 

We got the fake fight with Pat ending up with a shiner and Pran there to nurse him back with some healing lovin’ instead of pharmacy bruise cream. Also, shout out to the curtain drop only this time much less dramatic and more comical. I loved the curtain-shadow misinterpretation by their dumbass friends, ha! Well played, BBS.

Pa’s uncanny skill at bad timing is hilarious and I love that Pran is the one who points it out. Pat’s not the only one getting thwarted here, though he consistently shows otherwise, Pran wants that loving from Pat too. It’s so in-character of them both.

Ohm’s high-pitched “Hia Pran” made me LOL, I had to replay it several times. Ohm really has awesome comedic timing. It’s more difficult to pull off than it looks and relies heavily on delivery.

They’re still competing with each other, but more so due to their environment than any hidden animosity between them. Just like in the OG series.

They consistently help each other and their open communication is still relationship goals. I love that this time it’s Pran that allows Pat to see things (e.g. the bench) in different ways. This calls back to their EP3 bus stop scene. I love how the communication and help goes both ways. Their’s is a true partnership. Neither taking more or giving less.

Pat still gives into Pran, but now it’s more thoughtful. It’s less about Pat winning or beating Pran at something and more about Pran’s success being Pat’s success. They are a team. When one is happy, they are both happy. Again, this shows maturity and relationship goals.

The livingroom tent camping called back to the end of EP4 only with happier results. Their conversation also calls back to the EP3′s bus stop scene where Pat asked Pran if he liked -it- and EP4′s “would you like me?” and now we get Pran’s answer: “I like you. You’re always there for me.” This might’ve been my FAVORITE call back of the episode.

Pat’s friends still gets Pat into shitty situations. The amount of times Pat got kiss-blocked in this episode alone can be its own drinking game. I love this running gag and feel like it’s leading up to a BIG PAYOFF.

Anyone catch Pat saying “you called me out for this” and Korn says “how else would I get you to leave your BOYFRIEND” right in front of Mo and Chang? Was that an NG because at this point Mo and Chang should still be in the dark about Pat and Pran, right?

Pran waiting up for Pat to come home from a night of drinking, did anyone else get EP5 vibes here? Where Pat sat in front of the dorm building waiting for Pran’s return? 

Pran calling Pat out on publicly shunning him while secretly apologizing was A+. There’s no repression of hurt feelings here. Open communication is the way of it. And I absolutely LOVE this for them.

Pat makes everything more fun. I imagine the trek up that hill would have been more entertaining for Pran if Pat were there teasing him and calling him an old man. They’d probably race to see who could get to the top first.

Unless it was mistranslated/subbed, they finally changed their caller IDs to each other’s names instead of “just a friend”. End of an era, sadly. But also, I wish it was more creative naming, like LOML or That 5-minute Guy or the one who FEEDS me, hell, I’d even settle for Dimples and Fierce Eyes.

Overall, the episode went by much too quickly. I wish we got a little bit more domestic Pat and Pran. I missed Pat’s scent kink except for the little mention of it in the elevator scene. I want to see them both waking up and getting ready in the morning as well as them turning in for the night. I want to see shared PJs (where Pran wears the top and Pat wears the bottom and nothing else). Them dividing the household chores where Pran comes up with an entire chart with a whole smiley-faced sticker reward system and Pat just stares at him lovingly like, that’s MY MAN with his charts. Going grocery shopping together where Pran has a checklist and Pat is throwing things willy-nilly into the cart. Making dinner together where they get distracted making out and dinner ends up ruined. I guess I’m greedy and want MORE.

I’m happy we got these specials. But I’m a greedy bitch and WON’T say I’m SATISFIED with what we were given (at least not yet). P’Aof has a special way of ending his episodes so my expectations are high, my hopes even higher, and I have zero doubts this team will stick the landing. They’ve been here before.

Also, I thought Ohm’s hair would bother me more than it did, but it grew on me. Ohm pulls it off. I’m a fan. Also, Ohm’s singing is so much improved, so proud of my guy for working on it because it shows.

Post-credit scene to beat the “Pran, it’s not a Porno!” in the works?! PLEASE. Have a feeling this is where we get Pat licking Pran’s finger from the promos.

[bellarkeandclintashaandsuch]

Bad Buddy Episode 5 Thoughts:

This got a little out of hand

- No!!!! I forgot how sad our little Pran was when we left him!

- What is he putting on his toast?

- Are you my wife, Pat? So now Pran is referring to them as a couple. Mmk.

- Pat’s like, look at me! I’m so cute! Please don’t kick me out! And Pran can’t help but smile. ):)

- The ceiling in this apartment seems low. But that seems kind of nice, so then you can reach the top shelves in the kitchen. Maybe it’s just in the kitchen?

- He’s got a photo of candy corns on his wall.

- He called him Dimples!

- Don’t touch my stuff! *immediately opens up Pran’s notebook*

- “I don’t know how to flirt. Can I give you dumplings instead?” I wonder if Pat’s going to get some dumplings soon.

- Oh, my gosh! I absolutely thought he used Pat’s name as his password. This is slightly better. Pransocool. He is right.

- Does Pat not get it? Oh, no. He got it.

- Or not hahahaha. So Cool brand

- Aww, look at the soft smile on Pat’s face when he sees the photos on Pran’s computer 🥰 Pran was definitely going through old photos of Pat wistfully

- Oh, no! Wai’s too observant.

- Haha Pran grabbed him from behind.

- He hasn’t gone into his room, bud. Did you think he’d show up shirtless?

- The look on Pran’s face when Pat starts smelling his shirt. 😂 He’s like why did this have to be the man I fell in love with?

- Ink’s like finally my high school ship is going to sail!

- Aww, poor Pran. Remembering Pat saying he likes Ink.

- Pat does not lack confidence, that’s for sure.

- Loving this part 2 intro drawing a line between Pat and Pran’s eyes.

- Aww, Pat’s unlucky in love? Buying things for girls who turn around and dumb him :( Just date Pran. Problem solved.

- Pa’s like, it’s happpeninnnng!

- I can’t wait for the gif sets with these indicators of attraction between Pat and Pran.

- He’s just going to leave his “date” with Ink early to pick up drumsticks 😂

- What were the numbers? Number 1, there’s a hint from physical contact or something? Mmk 👀

- Oh, suddenly the drum sticks don’t matter so much?

- Ohhhh, that’s a smile! He looked away!

- Is that your date? Which one was this? Wanting to know if they’re taken is Number 3, I believe.

- Oh, dang! Pat’s thinking about the numbers himself! And now he’s panicking. I did think that Pat would notice Pran showcasing the signs. I like that he’s noticing it in himself instead :)

- I like this music

- Aww, sweetie! He looks so distressed!

- He can’t open the condiment…

- I hope Pat sees his little drawing of the note Pat left him 🥺

- Oh, no! Pran saw their date! :(

- 😂 maybe I’m just excited…

- Have you eaten?

- I’m not jealous, though. *wears a scowl while Pran talks to Wai on the phone*

- HAS HE EVER SPENT THE NIGHT HERE?!? Why is that so important to you, Pat?

- Please tell me that Pat realizes he’s jealous right now. Or is he like, hmm photo of Pran and a woman. I feel nothing. Thinking of Pran taking him friend home makes me burn with rage, but that’s nothing.

- He slept right where you did 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Do you know what you’re doing, Pran? Pat’s about to implode

- WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME, HE SAYS! Pat! You aren’t dating, yet!

- I do have to say, I did not expect Pat to have this realization before confessing to Ink. But I like this.

- Pat! You big dork! Pran’s idea is “born to be together” and Pat’s like seeing each other every day? Sounds like us! You’re right. We’re born to be together… as rivals! What a great song idea!

- How do Pran’s friends know the song if they just got it last minute?

- Love me some protective Wai.

- Pran: I wrote this song with my high school friend. The song: Are we just friends? Pran: Don’t read too much into that. Or do.

- I love Wai and Pran’s friendship so much. I hope he doesn’t secretly have a crush on Pran or anything. But I am loving Pat getting jealous of him. And I think it’s even better if they are just friends on both sides. Makes his jealousy even more nonsensical.

- Ink is so perceptive.

- Aww, yeah! I’m glad architecture won. Considering it’s the only group we saw perform. And I love Pran’s friends more.

- I mean, why do you come here when you know Wai works here?

- Wai, don’t act like them.

- Wow, that got really intense. I was not expecting this fight between them.

- Why was Pran so angry off the bat, though? Or was he still pretending even though he was drunk? Is Pat also drunk? I still just love Wai so much. Constantly ready to throw down for his friends. I’m glad Pran got him to leave. I get so much anxiety when secrets are revealed, even if it’s for the best. 😬

- I particularly liked, it’s not the time to be silly.

- Ohm is really selling the myriad of emotions Pat is feeling right now.

- I’m sorry, is Pat going to be wearing a shirt that says Baseball Mom for an emotional scene?

- I don’t like you playing our song with someone else. 😭😭😭

- Stop doing this to me. We’re not a thing. We’re not even friends. Okay, Pran. I’m going to need you to stop taking a sledgehammer to my heart, please!

- He kept track of everything Pran did. 😭 And it was so depressingly lonely for him while Pran was gone! 😭😭😭😭

- This thing we have now! Name it! Name the thing!

- If we’re not enemies, can we be friends?

- I’m just typing everything they say, but it’s all so emotionally charged!

- Pran is crying! 😭

- Is Pat crying too???

- Pat kissed Pran!!!!! He kissed Pran! They’re kissing!

- Even when he moved closer I didn’t think he’d actually kiss him! This is only episode 5! Ahhh 🥰🥰🥰🥰

- And Pran pulled him back in! This is so romantic 😭 Pat was like, I’ve made up my mind. I have feelings for you and this cannot wait. And Pran was like well I’ve waited ages. I’m getting another kiss.

- Pran pulled away with a pained look on his face, and Pat pulled away with a relieved look on his face. I don’t like what that says.

- He walked away! Oh my gosh! Pat was like, this is great! We’ll be together now! It took me a minute, but now it’s all making sense. We’re in love! But Pran knows it’s not that easy. Pat really only had Pran on his mind, and thought the world would right itself once he allowed himself to give in to his feelings. But Pran knows they’ll have to deal with their families and faculties and it’ll be hard for them :(

- Sorry, babe. We’re only on episode 5. Can’t have your happily ever after, yet.

- I can’t believe they’re going to play the game of “whoever falls in love first loses” when they’ve already made out in a rooftop like that. They’re playing each other and themselves, and the director is playing us.

- I would like Pran to confide in Wai, so at least he would have someone to talk to about all this, the way Pat has Pa and even Ink kinda, even though she’s friends with them both.

[telomeke-bbs]

BAD BUDDY EPISODE 10 – MUEANG, CAN YOU DO ME A FAVOR AND MARRY ME TODAY PLEASE?

Pat’s encounter at the open staircase of the Architecture faculty is a scene with many layers of meaning, but perhaps one of the most heartwarming is that it can also be read as PatPran’s WEDDING in a way.

The orchestrated plan to take down faculty disapproval regarding PatPran’s relationship at first looked like the same kind of hazing that seniors put newcomers through, before allowing them into the fold. (The scene here echoes the freshie orientation in SOTUS, except that it’s the Architecture faculty, not Engineering.) And in the end it DOES fulfil that function, in so far as Archi disapproval is concerned. But somewhere along the way the scene also takes on the mantle of a Thai wedding ceremony – even Pat notices this and asks Pran why it’s like a khan maak at Ep.10 [1I4] 12:13. 😊

Thanks to the rambunctious, chatty and good-natured mob frequenting the comments section at the bottom of the Bad Buddy Series My Drama List webpage (shout out especially to PaMiKa, BenedictTan and Mermaid 👍) there is a link on there to Twitter (username: petalkiss) that helps clarify the scene.

According to Thai and Chinese traditions (let’s not forget Pat is Thai-Chinese and it’s suggested that Pran’s family is ethnic Thai/mixed), as part of the wedding ritual the groom visits the bride’s house (sometimes the hotel where the wedding will be held) and goes through a series of challenges, answering questions, shouting out declarations of love, etc., before he is deemed worthy enough and allowed to take the bride in marriage. (In Thailand this is actually considered part of the betrothal, but the wedding ceremony usually follows right after and both are seen as parts of one whole. In Chinese tradition, as far as I can tell, it's a precursor to the actual wedding ceremony, always on the day of the wedding itself.)

In the modern day the practice mostly involves a lot of light-hearted game-playing (sanuk in Thai, and known by many different names in mainland and diasporic Chinese communities) – all in the name of good fun, but this wedding custom (entertaining though it may be) has its roots in more archaic (and violent) times, when daughters were seen as weaker, precious things to be protected, and only allowed to be married off – often without much say in the matter – after the groom had proven himself worthy, paying a bride-price in the process (acknowledging her own worth, and the reality that her departure was also a loss for her family). And so she would go from the protection of her father’s house to that of another man’s – an idea that must sit uncomfortably in a lot of minds today. (Actually, I’m sensing that the directorial and screenwriting team also have some positive and supportive comments to make on strong women upending patriarchal restraints, with Pa and Dissaya leading the charge down the way blocked by Ming, but I will save that for another post.)

Setting their home lives aside for a bit, their faculties are also warring houses, and so we had Pran primly perched and isolated high above, waiting for pleading groom Pat to win over the patriarch of the Architecture family.

And it’s not surprising that Pat had to answer personal questions about Pran, shout out how much he loves him, and climb those mountainous steps to claim his beloved (although that romantic password reveal at Ep.10 [1I4] 11:40 was gasp-inducing in these troublesome times of personal data protection 🤣).

But it’s clear that Pran here is no powerless princess bride languishing passively in some ivory tower. Director Backaof and the talented screenwriters use this opportunity to throw some cold water on another BL trope (the meaningless role-gendering of male couples, accompanied by suggestions of imbalanced power dynamics). Whether or not the whole scene originated from Pran, it’s obvious he’s a key player and very much in control (from the phone call at Ep.10 [1I4] 8:30 and his knowing, cheeky smirks peppering the whole exchange, starting at Ep.10 [1I4] 9:52). Pat may have gone to the faculty like a knight in shining armor with Pran’s work file, but that was actually at sneaky Pran’s bidding, in service of a higher purpose.

When it becomes evident that the scene has evolved into a commitment ceremony with Pat’s question at Ep.10 [1I4] 12:13, Pran takes over the narrative from senior Joke at Ep.10 [1I4] 12:20. (Anybody have any idea why Joke appears tipsy so early in the day though? He makes me think of the drunk best man leading toast after toast at a wedding banquet, woozily emceeing the proceedings until a saner, more sober individual has to take over. 😂 And any significance to his nickname?).  

At this point we have PRAN stepping forward and issuing challenges directly to Pat – all at once he’s no longer the silent observer at his own wedding (unlike countless sequestered, voiceless brides in times past).

Then – significantly – they take steps toward each other on that staircase, and meet in the middle, signifying that this is a union of equals, where instead of rings, they seal the deal with the fist bump seen before at Ep.1 [4/4] 1.48 and Ep.6 [4/4] 8.35. And well we know – that fist bump showed how well-matched they were as rivals before, and it shows how well-matched they are as partners now. 😊

TLDR… ;) This scene can be read in a number of ways – it subverted some patriarchal norms, stomped a bit more on some BL tropes, demolished faculty opposition to PatPran’s relationship using faculty hazing tradition, and also commented on wedding customs in the light of modern relationships. But the romantic in me can’t help but see it first and foremost as PatPran’s commitment ceremony, or wedding, call it what you will – the very public formalization of their heretofore informal love relationship in the eyes of society. 💖💖💖

[Afterpost Edit: It turns out that Pran’s peer mentor Joke does have some significance, and his name ties in with Pat’s password reveal. For the analysis, do check out this link here. 😉 And for WAI’s own wedding (sort of), do check out this link here.]

[jacksjoke]

Title: good luck

Pairing: Pran/Pat

Summary: Extension of the scene where Pat puts medicine on Pran's shoulder in the episode 7 montage

Read on Ao3 or under the cut.

     Pran of the past would probably blame their night on Pat’s existence as a natural jinx.

     They’d ventured out rather than calling in take-away to the room, which was already pushing it, because Pat allegedly wanted to stretch his legs. It was Pran’s choice to either resign himself to a night of Pat doing exaggerated and obnoxious (read: infuriatingly attractive, somehow?) stretching on his floor… or take his puppy for a walk. He decided, after moderate internal debate coaxed by Pat’s big eyes, on the latter.

     Being worn down with such little effort was the first thing.

     The next was Pran’s real regret of not changing out of his jeans, seeing as the empty belt loops appeared to Pat’s gaze as free real estate. The walk was divided between Pran swatting Pat’s magician-quick fingers away from his damn pants and being yanked into Pat’s side whenever he lost. Needless to say, a 10-minute trip took about half that, for Pran’s sprinting away from Pat at record speeds.

     The meal itself was uneventful, as Pat didn’t do or say anything to cause another coughing fit on Pran’s end; although he did have a lively chat with the vendor, who craned his attention over Pat’s shoulder to look at Pran at the table. He beamed, nodding at Pat and saying something Pran couldn’t hear, and when Pat returned to Pran he was smiling widely too.

     “Why’d he call you over there?”

     Despite Pran’s plain suspicion, Pat just shrugs. “Nothing,” he says, every bit the innocent man. Pran isn’t convinced, but he just pushes out his lip and returns to his phone.

     He of course finds out what Pat had said to the vendor when, with their check, arrives an adorably small dessert set before Pran. Pran blinks up at the waitress, mouth opening to claim that he hadn’t ordered it, and she says, “My grandfather said you should have it.”

     Pran is no less confused, until he finds a ridiculous grin on Pat’s face once she’s gone. “Pat,” he says flatly. “Did you lie to them about my birthday for a free cake?”

     Pat looks offended at the idea. “I wouldn’t do that,” he says, sounding sincere. Pran waits for the inevitable. “I might have told him you agreed to be my boyfriend, and he wanted to give us dessert as congratulations.”

     Face stuck in disbelief, Pran glances at the vendor in time to see him wave and smile back at them, even giving a thumbs up. Pran grimaces, sending a wai, and extends his upper body across the table to give a solid thwack to Pat’s arm.

     Pat winces, but he’s clearly trying not to laugh. “You don’t like it, ja?” he implores, the affected tone reminding Pran of their pavilion role-play a year prior. He wants to be more annoyed with Pat’s audacity than he is, but as usual, he just shakes his head.

     “Hurry and eat this with me,” he says, sliding the dessert into the space between him and Pat. “Someone made me come out instead of leaving me alone to do coursework.”

     “You’d never choose work over spending time with your boyfriend and desserts,” Pat quips. He’s all too happy to dig his fork into the cake for a big piece, to no surprise of Pran’s, but instead of eating it himself, Pat offers the fork to Pran. His expression, though less playful now, is as sweet as it always is when he looks at Pran. Pran usually deflects such moments with a flirtation, but he just shakes his head.

     “I’m good,” he says. “Leave a bit and we’ll take it home.” Pat nods agreeably, but Pran can tell he’s a little down at Pran’s refusal. “I mean,” he says slowly, “it would be nice to eat with my boyfriend, and a view of the skyline.”

     Pat’s smile broadens at Pran’s words. “You got it, honey.”

     As they’re walking Pat doesn’t grab at Pran’s pants as he’d done earlier, but Pran can feel how close they are, side by side. A significant part of him wonders if Pat were to take his hand, would Pran let him? It’s dark, and hardly anyone is here.

     Maybe Pat would swing their arms midair and Pran would pretend to be above it all, threaten to push Pat off the pavement. But Pat would be laughing, calling him cutesy nicknames, and Pran wouldn’t dream of letting go.

     Rain comes, actually, not Pat’s hands. It doesn’t seem too bad, until it’s coming down hard and Pat is stuffing their leftover cake beneath his shirt like it would protect the cardboard from the deluge. Pran laughs at the sight, wherein comes the third mistake of the night. Distracted and not paying attention, a shop door opens to Pran’s right just in time to nick his shoulder.

     He stumbles only the smallest bit before Pat’s grip on his arm steadies him, but it’s still embarrassing as he apologises in return to the shop-goer and tries not to look too mortified. It’s pouring rain and they’re not even far off from their dorm, but they’re soaked through and Pran knows already that his shoulder will likely ache tomorrow.

     “Don’t laugh,” he orders Pat, whose mouth is closed into a tight line.

     “I would never,” Pat promises. He doesn’t let go of Pran’s arm as they take off again for their building, only releasing him once they’ve made it to the elevator. He sneaks glances at Pran that Pran couldn’t miss for anything; he knows Pat wants to say something, but when he glances at him, he just looks like he’s trying not to crack.

     It takes one sopping-wet stare from Pran for Pat to bend over laughing, and that’s all it takes for Pran to do the same.

     “I told you — not to laugh!” Pran scolds Pat, despite hardly having his breath.

     “I’m not!”

     They arrive at their rooms, chests heaving, and Pran thinks again of the past, when they’d raced up way too many flights of stairs to beat the other. This time they’re completely drenched with water, not sweat, and Pat’s eyes are glimmering in a way they hadn’t back then.

     Pran shakes his head, pulling his tacky shirt a little off his stomach. “That went well, I think.”

     Pat grins. “I think so too.” He points a thumb back at his door. “Change of clothes?”

     “You do know I live… right here? With my own clothes?”

     Pat pouts, like Pran is no fun, but has no problem following Pran into his room. “I’d rather wear yours anyway,” Pat crows. He gets the towels from Pran’s bathroom while Pran digs up some pajamas for the two of them.

     Pran holds out the clothes for Pat, then pulls his hand back. “If I catch you sniffing these, you’re out of here,” he tells him.

     “Yes, sir.”

     Pat eyes him, grinning devilishly, but Pran keeps his nerve to switch out of at least his shirt in the main room, the rest in the bathroom. He catches Pat’s frown as he goes, though, and can’t help smirking at him when he does.

     “I only let my boyfriend watch me change,” Pran teases, “sorry.”

     “Who wants to watch you?” Pat mumbles, unconvincingly returning to his own business.

     The rain was worth it when Pran walks out of the bathroom and he gets to see the look on Pat’s face as he realises what they’re both wearing.

     “Cut-offs?”

     Had Pran chosen to slice the sleeves off a couple shirts Louis no longer wanted?

     “Yeah. So?”

     “You got these for me,” Pat croons, using the excess fabric of Pran’s tank to pull him close.

     “You don’t have a monopoly on sleeveless shirts, Pat.”

     Did Pran keep them in his drawer on the chance he and Pat could wear them together? Maybe.

     He swipes a towel from Pat’s shoulder, pointing to the couch. The engineer sits right down on the floor to let Pran go about drying Pat’s hair. “Getting water all over my floor.”

     “Then dry faster.” Pran tugs hard at Pat’s hair, making him yelp, “Ai’Pran!”

     Pran grins and bends down to Pat’s ear. “Sorry, ja,” he murmurs. “I’ll be more careful.” Pat’s lip curls, his tell-tale hint of speechlessness, and Pran takes it as a success.

     They trade spots and when Pat’s got the towel on Pran’s hair he worries for a moment that going second may not have been the best idea. But Pat barely uses the towel at all before his hand drops to Pran’s shoulder. Pran freezes at the contact, and then Pat’s leaning down, not even pretending to care about hair drying.

     “Pat.”

     “You have a bruise,” Pat says, of all things. “From the door, I think.”

     Pran pauses at that. He bruises so easily, always has, but even this is a bit much. “Of course I do,” he sighs.

     “Does it hurt?” Pat asks, swiping a gentle finger over the spot.

     “Not if you don’t poke at it, a’kwai,” Pran manages to reply sarcastically, to which Pat pokes out his tongue. He doesn’t let go, though, and Pran softens despite himself. “It’s fine, Pat. At least this one’s on my good shoulder.”

     “Clever. Very witty, Khun Pran.”

     Pran shakes his head with a grin, eyes drifting to the windows as he stands up. It’s still coming down out there, possibly worse than before.

     “No skyline view tonight,” Pat reads his mind, not unless they want to get sick from standing in the cold rain. Pran is about to nod, but pauses, smiling quietly.

     “Let’s go somewhere.”

     “Can I grab swim-trunks first?”

     “Not outside,” Pran rolls his eyes, grinning. “Come on.” Pat takes a step for Pran, but does an abrupt U-turn instead for the bathroom. “Pat!”

     “Just need to pee! Don’t be stingy!” He meets Pran outside the room, who's got a hand on his hip having been made to wait. Pat just smiles and says, flirty as ever, “Where’re you taking me, honey?”

     “Shut up and follow,” Pran counters, which is as good an answer as Pat could expect to receive.

     The elevator delivers them two flights above their own, Pat still unsure as to the reason. Pran leads them to the middle of the floor, where the hall goes left. There isn’t anything there except for an emergency axe in its box, a whole lot of floorspace, and a window overlooking the city.

     “My reading spot,” Pran says, “when it’s raining.”

     The buildings in the distance may as well be strewn with Pran’s fairylights for how they gleam through the water on the windowpane. With nothing but the sound of rain to hear tonight, it’s like Pran and Pat have the entire building, and city, reserved for just them.

     “You come up here a lot?”

     “It’s as close to the roof as you can get without being exposed to the elements, plus aircon,” Pran says. “I don’t come a lot, but often enough.”

     “With Wai and them?” Pat can’t help asking.

     “This isn’t their dorm,” Pran points out. He knows that isn’t what Pat is really asking though, so he goes on, “And it’s always been my place, for myself. I know about it… and now you know too.”

     Pat looks at him, then, a lovely smile crinkling his eyes into half-moons. Feeling bold, Pran pulls Pat by the arm to sit near the window. Pat drops down easily beside Pran, both of their legs criss-crossed to look out into the night.

     After a moment, Pran feels Pat’s fingers moving in soft circles over his back, suspiciously close to where Pran’s newest bruise had appeared.

     “Ai’Pat,” he says, but he doesn’t need to ask.

     “You didn’t tell me to empty my pockets before we left your room; it’s on you.”

     “So you stole my medicine from the bathroom?”

     “Why else would I go in there?”

     Pran turns to look at him, eyes smiling in his disbelief. “Maybe to pee, like you said you had to?”

     “I don’t remember that,” Pat claims. Pran shakes his head, still smiling, as Pat continues his work on Pran’s bruise.

     “It can’t possibly be that bad, Pat, come on.”

     “Yeah, because I’m beating it to the punch,” he retorts, like he’s too smart to be disagreed with. “It won’t hurt you if I don’t let it have the chance.” Pran would totally disagree, but he’s too fond in this second to try.

     Once he’s satisfied, Pat draws a tiny shape over Pran’s back and he says, “What’s that you just did?”

     “Huh?”

     “What did you draw?”

     “A triangle,” comes the fib, and then the lightest press of lips to seal the drawn heart onto Pran’s body. “All better, ja?”

     Pran wants to scream, or kiss Pat (etc.) until it’s not only done raining but also daylight, and maybe show that bruising easily isn’t always because of something bad. However, this is a competition, damn it, one which Pran promised not to lose. So he simply nods, adjusting where he sits so that he can rest against Pat’s chest. Pat winds their arms together to settle on Pran’s stomach, like he isn’t so obviously losing this bet.

     Pran wakes up to the 24-hour fluorescents glaring down at them. He’s glad to see the sun hasn’t risen, considering an eight a.m. class awaits him. He moves just slightly to look up at Pat, who had leaned his back against the wall sometime in the night so that Pran could sleep comfortably against him.

     Pat does these things, telling random vendors that they’re celebrating some made-up anniversary or trying to put his hands in the back pockets of Pran’s jeans; and then he does these things, applying medicine to Pran’s shoulder with careful attention or getting a neck-ache to avoid Pran having one himself. All different but real ways of showing Pran how much he cares.

     Pran loves him, has always loved him, for all those ways and more.

     It’s been nearly three months since the beach and scattered throughout the dramatic are these sorts of moments, right here, to keep Pran’s softer hope alight and warm. One of them will confess, despite their stubbornness, and as scary as it is to think of the inevitable aftermath, Pran has these moments to wish that every day can be as simple as this, Pat holding him close as it rains. Bet or no bet.

     So tonight didn’t go precisely to plan. A younger Pran would say that it must be Pat’s fault as his jinx. These days, Pran is more likely to say that it’s because of Pat — his luck.