The Way
Four days after the drunk incident
Gun was pretty much over the roof when Off told him to meet after class, he even bought a new perfume, carefully chose his clothes before meeting up with the professor in nearby café from his dormitory, they were quietly enjoying both of their frappe and paired strawberry cake
‘ Phunsawat ‘
The way Off called his name was so soft and gentle far from the tone he use whenever they were inside the university, Gun smiled softly,
‘ how are things at home? ‘
Off almost laugh hearing the student’s question he find it funny how it should be the other way around, teachers are the one who should ask students like that. He return a smile,
‘ My family finally listened and told me they’ll respect my decision if I want to stay single for the meantime but… once I reach thirty and still have no one they’ll ready a set of blind dates for me ‘
‘ hmm thirty? They don’t need to worry about that we’ll be together by then’
Off pretended not to hear the subtle signal the latter was giving him and changed the topic,
‘ and about my exes I witnessed their wedding and didn’t find any bitterness in me. I’m actually happy for them ‘
‘ that’s a good news! That means I don’t need to worry about them too and will have no problem involving your past in the future ‘ Gun nodded while his hand is under his chin, making Off sigh.
‘ Phunsawat ‘
‘ can’t you just call me in my name? ‘ he pouted
‘ like someone else ‘
‘ huh?’
Gun gave a confused reaction and felt upset for some reason hearing Off continue his sentence.
‘ like someone else not me, I- really find you as a nice kid, your company and presence is somewhat comforting too at times, I wouldn’t mind if we get closer and treat each other as friends when we are outside the university but that is only possible if I know you won’t see it differently, romantically. ‘
Gun lowered his head looking at his shoes while playing his fingers, a long silence came before Off called his name again even softer this time that Gun can’t help but melt.
‘ Phunsawat—‘
‘ Ok ‘
The handsome professor looked shocked for a moment but smile when Gun continue his sentence staring at his eyes smiling.
‘ I will try stopping myself from liking you romantically as long as you don’t shut me out again ‘
Being close to you is enough, I already came this far I won’t let us step back from one another again.
I’ll handle my feelings for you myself. This is enough. Gun deeply thought while staring at the professor telling him to eat the strawberry cake.
Two years later
Time has come wherein the once sophomore Gun reached his fourth year, a year closer to one of his bucket list… to become Off’s actual student.
‘ boo! ‘
Gun stumbled and glare at Tina who’s being scolded by Aom for scaring him, the two hugged Gun
‘ AHHHHHHHHH! We’re almost there! I can’t believe we’re fourth years now! ‘ Tina dramatically said while wiping her non-existent tears.
Aom gave Gun a side-eye and rolled her eyes when she saw her friend staring to the opposite building that belongs to the seniors, fifth year students and professors.
‘ So… any improvement with stiff? Or you’re still in the student-teacher friend zone? ‘ Aom teased.
Gun sighed leaning his head against his friend. ‘ Stop rubbing it to my face already. ‘
Aom let out a sweet laugh rubbing his back. ‘ there, there, at least you two are still close right? It’s better than nothing? ‘ she said in a comforting tone while glancing at the professor who’s currently waving at them as he make his way towards their direction.
Gun nodded smiling and waving back, the couple step back a little when the professor arrived.
‘ So, how’s your vacation kiddos? Jittaleela? Manaying? Phunsawat? ‘
Tina frown hearing how the professor recited their names
‘ Oho, Sir can you please stop making yourself sound older? ‘
Off chuckled at the cool kid’s reaction. Tina rolled her eyes before smirking
‘ well, we enjoyed our vacation right babe? ‘ she winks at her girlfriend making the latter shy kicking her feet slightly.
‘ Psh. Let’s go inside the room, be a good girl and reserve our seat ‘
Tina snicker ‘ kill joy ’ before saluting and giving her lovely girl a kiss on her cheeks.
‘ Sir, we’ll go ahead first ‘ Aom bid goodbye giving Gun a pat.
‘ meh those two really have a habit of showing off their love huh ‘ Off commented shaking his head at the young couple before giving Gun a teasing look.
‘ I wonder how you’ll act when you get yourself a lover ‘
Gun almost rolled his eyes thinking, ‘ if only you accept me you’ll know psh ‘
‘Anyway you didn’t answer my question? ‘ he repeated slightly messing Gun’s bangs.
‘ Nothing special. Me and my childhood friend spent the vacation catching up, I also draw and painted when I was bored ‘
‘ childhood friend? ‘
‘ her name is leeya ‘
‘ is she pretty? ‘
*nod*
‘ you two are…. Close? First time hearing about her from you ‘
‘ totally she knows everything about me I didn’t know you’re interested knowing things about me outside the university ‘
‘ ah… makes sense but I won’t mind you telling me stuff not related to your studies and university after all we’re good friends ‘
Gun was intrigued when Off slightly adjusted his tie irritated, he does that whenever he feels uncomfortable,
‘ Sir? You ok? ‘
Off finally asked something Gun was hoping not to be confronted.
‘ if you were not that busy during vacation.. why were you avoiding my calls and messages? ‘
*bell rings*
The professor sighed and looked at his wrist watch smiling at Gun.
‘ Nevermind. That was so unnecessary to ask. Go inside. I’ll go to my advisory class now ‘
//
‘ Ok… what was that awkward looking conversation with you and sir Off? ‘ Aom whispered to Gun who was absentmindedly scribbling on his sketchpad.
‘ nothing ‘
‘ Gun ‘ she called in a firm manner making the receiver of that tone sigh.
‘ he just asked why am I not responding his messages and not answering his calls ‘
The sleeping student named Tina jerked up and went closer to her friends whispering to each other as the lecturer talk about rules and regulation during the class.
‘ eh??? You were avoiding him during vacation? ‘ Tina curiously asked.
‘ I was actually figuring out what to do with my feelings for him. My childhood friend Leeya advise me not to stay in touch with him during vacation until I figure myself out ‘
‘ So… did you find an answer what to do with your feelings? ‘
‘ I’ll stop thinking too much about it and just live the moment ‘
‘ huh? ‘ the couple chorused loudly receiving a hush sign from their lecturer.
‘ I’ll keep my feelings for him whether he will return the feelings later on or it may turn out with me ending up with nothing it’s ok . I’ll honestly tell him I can’t stop liking him and if he choose to shut me out because of it, I won’t give him that chance so good luck with him ‘
Tina and Aom patted Gun’s hand
‘ That’s the spirit! ‘
‘ hehe but if the thing with professor Off won’t work out, you still have a lot of options so don’t feel broken for too long *winks* ‘ Tina giggles receiving a questioning look from the two. Tina pouted her lips to a direction, Gun together with Aom saw Paris shyly looking back to the white board when he was caught staring at Gun. Then Tina wiggle at the nearest seat across the classroom door and there they caught Captain nodding furiously at the lecturer after he met Gun’s innocent eyes.
Aom bite her lips from laughing, ‘ right, I forgot you are actually popular and have so many options once you hit your head and stop waiting for Sir Off ‘
While the couple were busy chatting and betting how many times Paris and Captain will try asking Gun out this school year Gun was busy reminiscing his talk with his childhood best friend.
‘ If after all the time reflecting on your feelings and you still want him then just throw everything out! *grins* one way or another he will fall for you anyway. I mean come on who would not want you right? You’re literally an example of perfection! Maybe he just need a little push ‘
‘ a little push? ‘
‘ Yeah? He is a professor after all and older than you, it’s totally understandable if he believe that you two are better to only have a student and teacher relationship, and acceptable if he don’t want anything with you romantically… as of the moment ‘
‘ he’s not even my actual teacher until I reach 5th year ‘
‘ that is another factor my friend, it’s easy to avoid catching feelings with you too because you two don’t see each other and be together every day, I’m betting if you are his actual student he will surely fall for you in no time. ‘
‘ he only see me as kid ‘
‘ duh because you always act like a kid around him, chasing after him like a baby who need to change his diaper ’
*glares*
‘ hehehe what I mean is try playing hard to get, from your description about that professor he might want to do the chasing himself, hmm and also have you ever tried the jealousy technique? Like show him if he won’t claim you sooner or later someone else will do the claiming *clapping her hands proudly* ‘
//
Four months passed by quickly making the professor frown in confusion,
How come now that his building and Gun’s classroom is just a minute away yet they rarely see each other? The professor is always in deep thought and will find himself discreetly glancing at Gun’s classroom, just like now his students are busy molding their sculptures while he on the other hand is idling and feeling lonely not seeing Gun that often this school year, as if the latter is purposely wanting him to be missed, he knows from a fact Gun and him are in a good terms yet again Gun was somewhat distancing himself from Off that bothered him not until now,
‘ Sir? ‘
Off was startled and had that guilty feeling when a cute student with her natural beachy wave hair caught him spacing out. She grin.
‘ Meh… Sir if you miss him just go and call him out from his room you’re allowed to do that after all, make use of your authority being a teacher here *giggles* ‘
‘ Ms. Thanapat what are you even talking about?’
The student placed her hand under her chin leaning on the professor’s desk. ‘ Psh. No need to deny everyone here in class noticed how you glance towards Gun’s classroom you know? ‘
The professor blushed furiously at the information he gave his class a quick glimpse and noticed how they all look away acting busy.
‘ Ahh this is embarrassing tsk, don’t misunderstand I don’t like Gun roman—‘
‘ no need to explain anything sir romantically or not it’s obvious you miss him, its natural after him of years being your shadow and now a school year of him just occasionally showing up *winks*’
*bell rings*
‘ Alright class. All of you can go now ‘
Everyone stood up and when they were almost out of the room yelled inn chorused before laughing and running away from the classroom. ‘ Go for it Sir! ‘
Off shake his head smiling at his students.
Am I really the only one overthinking about Gun and I’s status? Why is everyone so accepting with this? Even my co-workers are actually asking if we had a fight or something as if it’s natural for us to be together all times.
@Adulkittiporn’s residence’-
' Ohoooo! Who’s that? ‘
Off immediately hide the sketchpad he was holding when his annoying sister pop up.
‘ I- I-I was just randomly sketching people. ‘
The unconvinced sister smirk at him.
‘ random? Yet every time I catch you sketching it was the same person? Same smile with dimples? Same eyes? hmm seriously Off… tell me are you seeing anyone? I’ve been catching you smile randomly while spacing out, and that particular smile. I only witness that whenever you are in love. So? Who? ’
Off was honestly lost and couldn’t answer, recently he unconsciously sketch Gun’s face randomly, that’s the result of him glancing and staring at Gun whenever he have a chance, he look at him that often that he memorized every inch of the latter’s features.
‘ Off you do know I hate it when you keep everything to yourself, you do know I am your ally right? So why hesitate to tell me *pouts* ‘
‘ adopted stop making that disgusting cute face of yours, you are old already to act like that ‘
‘ Mean ‘
His sister cling to his arm leaning her head against his chest. ‘ So? I’m still waiting ‘
Off felt like he have this extreme headache looking at his determined sister,
‘I think… I’m starting to feel attracted to one of my students well not exactly my student as of the moment but you get my point ‘
His sister stare at him dumbfounded making him sigh
‘ see? It’s ridiculous right? I’m not even aware when did it even start tch I just found myself stealing glances, being amused in every little thing that involve him, I keep missing him that’s why I’m sketching him before I knew it. I honestly don’t know what draws me into him. Is it the way he talks cutely around me yet with authority with others? The way he walks confidently? The way he smiles and act friendly with everyone? The way he is eating messily like a toddler, *wrinkling his nose* Argh! Adopted don’t just stare at me like that and help me figure things out! ‘
‘ HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ‘
Off looked at his sister who is currently losing her mind laughing.
‘ what kind of reaction is that? ‘
‘ hahahahha you are so picky and high maintenance when it comes to matter like that because liking someone for you is equals to marrying them one day yet you end up falling for a young student! HAHAHAHAHAHA Man! ‘
Off rolled his eyes pushing his useless sister.
‘ he likes me first just so you know ‘ he scoffed and smirked at his sister when the latter fall off the sofa hearing his statement.
‘ HUH?! W-WAIT! THE KID ACTUALLY LIKES YOU BACK?!!’
‘ truth is he fell for me first, even hit on me during our first meeting and actually pursuing me for years now tho he did told me he’s stop liking me romantically that’s why I didn’t overthink and let us be close ‘
His sister amusedly stare at him. ‘ Wow! Didn’t know you still have it in you to attract young ones hahaha’
‘ stop pissing me off ‘
‘ *chuckles* on a serious note what exactly is your problem then if you both like each other? ‘
‘ it’s inappropriate ‘
‘ oh? Wait how old is he? ‘
‘ twenty-two ‘ Off closed his eyes
‘ ahhh six years gap that’s fine ‘ his sister jus brushed it off like nothing and hugged him from the side when he saw frustration from her younger brother.
‘ You are actually bothered by it huh. And seems like you’re taking it seriously ‘
‘ of course! He’s young and I’m a professor at his university back then I’m not really that bothered him liking me even the university is taking it lightly but now that I may actually like him back.. it’s a different story. I’m scared I will lose control of myself, let go every principles of mine and one day …‘
‘ devour him? ‘
*glares*
‘ ok… I’ll stop teasing. Just step back for now, Off between us you are the one who often use this * pointing to Off’s brain* I’m pretty sure you’ll handle this well. Just step back for now then later on the moment he graduates go for it! ‘
‘ but… what if it’s too late then? Tch lately I’ve realized he have a lot of option you know and him being young is making me even more insecure tsk maybe that’s my turning point when I start to notice he’s actually not a child anymore and when I actually discovered that side of maturity in him ‘
His sister smack his head. ‘ Stop messing with your head. Just pick one either you go and risk it all right now or wait for the time that you can actually be at ease liking him without oppressing yourself. I mean you can risk it all right now tho I doubt a hidden relationship is your forte and that student of yours can handle it. I honestly advise it’s better to wait brother *pat* endure now and seize the moment after ‘
Better to wait…
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I did a great job suppressing these feelings after reflecting and discovering it
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But a year later
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what the hell am I doing kissing back this student of mine behind the fifth year building?