The climate in Hong Kong is warm everywhere, but Tiwa can still feel the humidity in the air. It is pleasant and welcoming. There is no doubt, but it doesn't help with what's going on in his mind. He works hard to figure out what Pravat means with the text about being careful last night, but he gets nothing. One thing he's sure of is that it's not with him. Then, whom should he be careful with?
"Be careful." - Pravat
He looks at the text for the umpteenth time and swallows the fear building in his throat. He senses something happening behind his back, and Pravat must have picked up on it to warn him. Tiwa guesses he needs to tread carefully now. If Pravat is taking it seriously enough to issue a warning, then it must be significant. Knowing him well, Tiwa has deeply engraved Pravat's name into his soul and allows him to humble his ego when necessary.
Throughout the entire three-hour flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong, Tiwa had been too preoccupied with a simple text to relax and take a peaceful nap to ease his exhaustion. Even after arriving at the hotel and attending to some important tasks, he had found it difficult to have a moment of solitude. He had felt deeply disturbed, and nothing seemed to help alleviate his unease. Eventually, he had considered seeking out Pravat to discuss the issue, but his brother's constant presence had made it challenging for him to do so.
He knows that dwelling on the past won't aid his concentration on the task at hand. With numerous responsibilities to attend to, he must clear his mind of any distractions if he wants the rehearsal to be successful.
He heaves a sigh and leans against the window, watching the passing vehicles nearby. The world is running toward a certain destination, but he's standing still. It's all because he has enclosed himself within a limit. He knows it's pathetic to describe when he's the one responsible for all this, but he can't do anything. He has to repay everything that is being provided to him.
He feels lonely even though he is surrounded by his bandmates, who are discussing new techniques and improvements in music. He knows he should join them but he doesn't want to. He constantly feels like he is losing himself as his mind wanders wherever it pleases. He tries to shake off thoughts of his childhood with Pravat, which he hasn't thought about in a while but fails to do so.
It was one of those days when Tiwa had been punished by his adoptive mother for something he unknowingly did. He was used to it, but he felt hurt. He hadn't started anything this time. It was his brother who had suggested going for a swim and had gotten hurt by his ankle, but she blamed him for that and punished him by making him kneel outside for a whole night. His siblings had opposed her words, but he had just shrugged and gotten out of their sight before they made the situation even worse.
The wintry night was harsh, with darkness and snow enveloping him as he knelt outside, feeling the cold seep into his bones. Ignoring his pleas for mercy, his adoptive mother refused to let him back inside. Frustrated, he furrowed his brows and dug into the frozen ground with his small hands, almost feeling like he was digging his own grave. He never sought out trouble, but it seemed to always find him when it grew bored.
There was a sound of crunching snow, whispering a movement of someone. He was alone, and then he was not. To prove his point, he was joined by Pravat, who spoke up and placed a hand on his shoulder. Taking about one trouble, here came the next one.
"Had you found any acorns? Pravat inquired, already having something planned.
"Huh?" Tiwa responded with a confused expression.
"You're digging the ground to find acorns, aren't you?" Pravat pointed to the ground where Tiwa had been digging and smirked playfully. "Not surprising, because what can I expect from a baby deer?"
"Y-You!" Tiwa groaned and pointed an accusing finger. "Get out of my sight."
"Aw! What are you doing, then?" Pravat asked, balancing his foot on another and wrapping his arms over his chest.
"Enduring punishment to absolve my mistakes," Tiwa said simply as if it were a well-known fact.
"Don't be stupid. Come on. Get up." Pravat grabbed Tiwa's wrist and forced him to stand up, but Tiwa pulled away and shook his head.
"Aren't you cold?" Pravat questioned, placing his hands on his hips and tilting his head to gauge Tiwa's reaction.
Tiwa's toes were like frozen little cubes. His fingers were much the same. He was shivering despite wearing a thick t-shirt, but he'd been trying his best to hide it. He began to nod before he abruptly shook his head.
Pravat rolled his eyes and shook his head before slipping his jacket off and putting it over Tiwa's shoulders. He then joined him, content to keep him company, and started teasing and laughing. His talking brought light to Tiwa's face, which had been dulled a moment ago. He suggested playing, but Tiwa shook his head, so when he opted without breaking the punishment, Tiwa agreed.
Spending hours playing and laughing with Pravat stirred a strange feeling in Tiwa's heart. He found himself wanting to hold Pravat's hand and spend more time together, though he wasn't sure where these feelings came from. Despite previously thinking he disliked being around Pravat, in that moment, Tiwa moved closer until there was no space between their sides. Feeling warm and safe, he couldn't resist leaning into him.
Tiwa's head slips without his consent and hits the window, bringing him back to the present. Startled, he blinks and takes a moment to realize what's going on around him while rubbing his aching head. As he looks outside, he sees that their bus has stopped at their desired destination. While all of their bandmates grab their belongings and step out, Tiwa remains in his seat, not making any attempt to move.
Realizing he needs to gain control and focus, he finally gets up from the seat and moves to grab his bags, but he finds his brother has handled all those already. He is grateful for that because he's not in the mood to carry those while his mind is already carrying a lot of emotions. He looks out the bus door and finds Pravat talking seriously with their manager about arrangements. Even though he is in a conversation, his eyes are glancing at Tiwa now and then.
With a sigh, Tiwa masks his emotions with fake arrogance and steps down the stairs. Unfortunately, his leg slips. Startled, he shuts his eyes in fear of getting hit on the face first, but thankfully, an arm wraps around his waist and keeps him in balance. From the touch on his skin and the sandalwood scent on his breath, Tiwa can tell who it might be.
Opening his eyes slowly and pulling himself back into better composure, he looks into Pravat's dark brown eyes and realizes his protectiveness over him. There is no play in Pravat's feelings, and it almost suffocates Tiwa.
"Be careful," Pravat warns with some hidden meaning under it, but Tiwa doesn't care this time because Pravat's embrace makes his pulse lose control, and the darkness of confusion fades away to bring a glow of safety to a certain part of his heart.
Tiwa opens his mouth to speak, but Jaran interrupts, pushing Pravat away and giving him a warning glare. Frustrated, Tiwa shakes his head and remains silent, allowing the situation to unfold as he usually does when he doesn't know how to handle a problem. Jaran gives one last look at Pravat and grabs Tiwa's hand before heading to lead the way to their temporary freedom.