DON'T
‘ The truth is…
.
.
.
.
.
.
I do…I’ve been liking you for a long time now, stupid’
‘ HAAAA?!!! ‘
Off immediately cover both of his ears when Gun exaggeratedly yelled, and he feels like regretting his decisions in life when he saw the student almost ripping himself from grinning.
‘ Phunsawat ‘
‘ You really like me sir?! As in like me romantically?! ‘
Gun kept repeating that same question with his eyes wide open, hands trembling that Off needed to held Gun’s hand to snap him out of it,
‘ I like you but that doesn’t change anything ‘
Gun gave Off a ridiculous look while opening his arms wide, ‘ that honestly changed everything sir? ‘
‘ that doesn’t change anything because I have no plans moving forward with you ‘
‘ eh?! You admitting that you like me back is considered to be us moving forward? ‘ Gun frown.
‘ I have no plans dating you … for now ‘
Gun tsked. ‘ Sir why are you making things complicated? You like me, I am madly in love with you why can’t we be together?! ‘
‘ what did you just called me? ‘
‘ sir? ‘
‘ exactly, I’m your professor Phunsawat make sense now? ‘
Gun gritted his teeth out of frustration.’ But—‘
‘ If you’ll be reasoning out that people won’t mind well even if that is the case, in my side I do mind, I don’t want to date my student because the moment I date you no matter how you look at it, there will be people branding me because of that, I don’t want people to over read my actions towards you and compare it with the other students. It’s too complicated. And I don’t want you to get judge badly because of me ’
‘ but you like me ‘ he whispered still gritting his teeth
‘ not everyone who like each other can actually be together ‘
Gun crossed his arms, pouting. Off was merely trying to figure out why Gun didn’t put up a fight after his answer, grinning after some minute Gun grabbed his arm clinging to it while giving him a melting type-of-smile.
‘ w-what are you smiling at? What’s up with your sudden uplift of mood? ‘
‘ tee-hee-hee you like me, you actually like me back *wiggle Off’s arm* I’ll respect your decision FOR NOW, I never thought of it until now, you do have a point, people at the university strongly believe I have no chance with you that’s why they are letting me do whatever I want, at times like this I’m unintentionally being reminded that you are older than me, and that you are indeed ahead me. Hmp fine as of now I’ll control myself no matter how bad I want to jump on you knowing that our feelings are mutual. ‘
Off rolled his eyes hiding his smile. ‘ stop trying to impress me by acting considerate in this situation *touch earlobe* why did I even slip that fact out of my mouth. Can I still take it back? ‘
Gun hurriedly lean his head against Off’s chest before shaking it from left to right rapidly making Off chuckle.
‘ No way! Starting today you are reserved especially for me! you can’t go on blind dates, hmm like someone else and be in a relationship if it’s not me, are we clear on that sir? Ok. No objections‘ Gun stated firmly.
‘ you didn’t even let me answerand even if I say no I don’t believe you’ll go home until I answer yes to you‘ Off nodded looking away thinking.
--
‘ he he he ‘
Aom and Tina are exchanging looks trying to figure out what’s going on inside Gun’s mind as of the moment, their friend just kept on smiling and giggling all day long, even his sketchpad was full of doodles, scribbles of his name and their class adviser. The moment the bell rang, Gun like a dust disappeared with the wind that his friends can’t help but to be suspicious, at the same time that they were curiously figuring things out… Off was shocked when Gun out of nowhere pulled him out of the fifth year building hurriedly running inside the closed and restricted old botanical garden pavilion located near behind the fifth year building.
Off tapped his feet on the bamboo-made floor sizing the student up and down, ‘ what are you up to? ‘
Gun grin ‘ hiding? ‘
‘ Phunsawat we are not allowed here ‘
‘ I guess it’s part of the human nature to be greedy, after knowing you actually like me back.. I think it will be hard for me to control myself so…, I did my research yesterday and according to it at times that I really want to be with you alone and to nurture the feelings you have for me to make sure you stay liking me until we move forward, we must spend time together where you and I don’t need to restrict each other too much so we should find a secret place where we can secretly meet, ta-da! No one will be brave enough to disturb us here because there are rumors that this pavilion is haunted. ‘ Gun asked proudly stated. The latter pouted when the professor lightly hit his forehead.
‘you are making it totally sound like we are in a relationship when we are actually not, you watched too much drama hahaha *shaking his head* and haunted you say? Haha tsk! I’ll go ahead I have a lot on my plate today because of that pageant. ‘
Off ruffle Gun’s hair before covering his mouth as he laugh when he’s already walking with his hands inside his pocket outside yet he can still hear Gun’s tantrums.
‘ aish! Right I forgot we don’t have a label yet and as long as I’m still a student he said there’s no way we will move forward!! Ah! And here I thought now that I know he like me back and found a perfect secret place I can go lovey-dovey with him! I even cleaned this place during my vacant time argh I skipped meals for it yet its all for nothing! Meanie!’
Everyday Gun wear this strange cheerful expression, he became more optimistic than ever and improved greatly in his field, the reason behind it? no one knows except for Gun and the professor who seems to be getting younger and hotter each day.
--
-A month ago before Gun start being too cheerful-
Wednesday- morning after the secret hideout talk
‘ I’ll be giving back your sketch pad so you can add or change some details on your designs and patterns before actually making the actual product, I placed my comments at the right most upper part of the page. I will really appreciate it if you somehow consider my comments and apply it to your works. ‘
Off one by one returned the sketchpad to each student on the contrary Gun glimpse back to Off when he saw a small paper folded in the middle of his sketchpad. Off touched his earlobe indicating he was being shy making Gun smile softly.
Let’s hunt ghost.
7 pm
--
‘ let’s hunt ghost is that a catchphrase now every time we’ll meet here? ‘ Gun asked excitedly at Off who is standing at the end corner of pavilion,
Tss what are you doing Off? Sneaking at the back of the building in this pavilion with one of your student? Not to mention meeting him at night? Ah man you are such a disgrace
‘ Sir? Sir? ‘ the adorable student asked with worried voice when Off remain stiffly at the corner.
I at least want to meet his expectation of sneaking here with me even just for one time, just to satisfy his fantasy, damn blame those Pomeranian like eyes glistening with thrill stating he found the perfect hide out. How can I turn them down when he was basically waiting earlier, psh I’ll just hurriedly wrap this up, tell him we should go home—
‘ AHHHHHH! ‘ Gun screamed when the dim light coming from an old bulb blacked out, jumping to the now frozen professor, both hands were tightly clenched, gulping from their closeness.
Off hurriedly pulled Gun closer to his chest moving to the darker corner of the pavilion when they heard footsteps outside, the darkness enveloped them that they can’t even see a thing, * Off grip Gun’s waist firmly* Gun inhale and had a hard time breathing not because of the possibility of being caught with a professor in this forbidden area but due to the seductive manly smell coming from the latter, he grip his hand tighter on the latter’s shirt as the footsteps come closer to the pavilion,
*badump*
*badump*
*badump*
*twitch*
.
.
.
‘ y-you really do like me ‘ Gun whispered, Off covered his mouth ‘ shh ‘
Gun keep moving, adjusting from their cramped position.
Off groaned lowly ‘ P-phunsawat, s-stop playing and keep still—‘
‘ s-sir ‘ Gun moaned in a hush, holding Off’s shoulder tightly
Off’s eyes went wide and cheek started blushing, completely ashamed
‘ fuck ‘
Gun jolted tilting his head at Off, amused even though he can’t see Off’s face he can imagine him blushing furiously just like the way he is.
‘ did you just say fuck sir? ‘
The footsteps were long way gone when the bulb suddenly flickered back to light and both of them ran off sitting to the opposite corner of the room, totally not facing each other.
‘ you just said fuck ‘ Gun sounded amused breaking the awkward silence. In order to cover his embarrassment Off snickered childishly, ‘you on other hand moaned psh‘
Gun grin turning around to face Off ‘ I’m a healthy young man sir it’s normal to react like that in a cramped position and after brushing my thighs to my love ones’ hard on ‘
Off’s cheeks flared countering an attack still facing the wall ‘ I’m a grown man, it’s also normal to have a hard on if the one you’re attractive to keeps squirming and brushing his thighs to your crotch ‘
‘ plus the fact that you are turned on with our situation? So ... you’re easily turned on when the lights are off sir?‘ Gun whispered near Off’s ear, making the latter stumbled landing his butt on the bamboo-made floor, Off fake a cough realizing Gun is near again, and when he saw Gun gazing down with his eyes batting, he grab Gun’s chin to face it to a different direction while covering his visible hardness.
Gun laugh slowly moving closer to Off, cornering the professor.
‘ Oho don’t be selfish I just felt how big it is earlier sir, but didn’t saw it since the lights were out come on just a glimpse, give me a good spoiler aside from feeling it ‘
‘ Shoo! Move Phunsawat don’t come near me and watch your mouth ‘
‘ Aw, Sir don’t be a kill joy. I’ll show you mine to be fair, we can even compare which one is bigger when turned on—‘
‘ SHUT UP! ‘ Off demanded annoyed at how his student is playing him, but when he heard Gun’s laughter, he joined laughing right after he looked at Gun properly, he realized how they were reflecting one another, from their position of holding their own crotch as if hiding it, reddened face, and embarrassed eyes. Gun was simply throwing jokes like that to make their atmosphere lighter, and it did because later they found their selves walking outside the university shyly smiling at each other even when they are on the opposite side of the road.
‘ are you cheating on Gun? ‘
Off glared at his sister when their parents in the dining table glared at him at the same time. Ever since his parents met Gun they were fond of him including his sister, and when Baifern the chatterbox announced to their parents that he is actually attracted to the student they were both excited for Gun to graduate so their son will finally have the guts to be with Gun.
‘ stop talking nonsense adopted ‘
‘ you look like someone who got laid, blooming and smiling like crazy since earlier so I thought-oh well, it’s been so long since you got some action and that was not even a full action! hahaha ‘
‘ can we please not talk about my sex life? ‘
‘ yeah right! Non-existent sex life! HALF-VIRGIN! Hahaha ‘
‘ Baifern, dear stop teasing him. Have sympathy on him he’s pent up for a long time and have to endure everything for a long while again, since he’d taken a liking someone younger than him. I have my full confidence that this time it will be worth it though‘
‘ MOM!’
Off’s mother gave her son a kiss on the head. ‘ Fine. We’ll stop teasing you ‘
Off’s father patted his son. ‘ Just don’t give in to any temptation for now my boy, as much as I like Gun and I want you to have a steady relationship already since you are not getting any younger, I personally think it’s better if there’s no more student-teacher gap, hmm either way I fully trust your decisions ‘
Off then blushed remembering what happened at the pavilion, he smack his head
stop being horny tch
From then on they will meet at the pavilion during the day, for early breakfast before class, during lunchtime, or even just a random time where they feel like meeting. It will be just them inside the empty pavilion with Off scolding Gun for non-stop throwing double meaning jokes or lines, Gun watching Off doing lecture presentation, simple daily things. Despite the sexual tension building up between them at times that they are alone inside the pavilion, and the romantic atmosphere between them they didn’t do anything naughty crossing the imaginary line between them because of their status in the university. There are times where they will argue at trivial things like lovers that they will laugh off at the end of the day and exchange looks at the classroom when they will randomly reminded of it.
Exams week came, compared to other years Gun is extremely inspired studying for the exams this time around making Aom and Tina suspicious, Gun rarely with them too, in preparing for the examination Gun usually give tutorials and study with almost everyone every day before the actual week of exam but this year Gun only studied with them thrice but definitely productive. Little did they know, the remaining time, days Gun was studying alone at the pavilion with Off, it is not considered being unfair because Gun really studied alone, Off even once didn’t help him that’s how strict he was at being not biased no matter something is going on between them, he was just there mainly to be look at by Gun.
‘ why are you even here if you have no plans helping me study? ‘ Gun whined when for the nth time Off didn’t do anything when he asked a question regarding a difficult topic.
Off shrugged flipping the book he is reading, and adjusting his specs,
‘ to inspire you to keep studying? To be look at when you start being drained? To be your extra hand when you feel like eating but both hands of yours are occupied with books and pen? ‘
Little by little the frown became a sweet smile as he proceed memorizing the theoretical techniques in pottery. He will occasionally poke Off’s thighs before pointing his pen to his mouth, he will continue writing on his flashcards while Off feed him some chips. And when Gun felt a little bit sleepy, he lay down on Off’s lap… there he will flip the flashcards with questions and answer it, while Off is busy still reading a book.
--
‘ FINALLY! FREEDOM ‘
Class 5A chirped the moment the ring bells indicating the exam week is over,
‘ Gun any plans for your birthday? ‘
‘ how about we party tonight?! ‘
Each student nodded as Aom and Tina excitedly plan for a party while Gun was still looking lost, right…. He forgot the last day of exam is his birthday, he slowly glanced at their class adviser and saw the latter busy scanning their exam papers.
Psh. I bet he also don’t know it’s my birthday today. *sigh* I better not disturb him, he is probably busy checking papers all day
‘ Gun ‘ Aom whispered.
‘huh?’
‘ You’re spacing out hahaha, your crush have been calling your name like thrice now. ‘ Tina teased.
‘ he said you forgot to put your class number on your questionnaire ‘ Aom explained making Gun frown, he surely placed his class number. He shrugged before going to the professor, when he went to reach for his questionnaire, he stare at Off confused. While they are both holding the paper, Off place a thin silver bracelet with a paintbrush lock design to his right hand,
‘ Sir? ‘
Off slightly lean towards his ear ‘ happy birthday ‘
*fake cough* ‘ you can go now Mr. Phunsawat, your classmates are waiting. All of you deserve to have fun after working so hard ‘
--
Drinking beers, dancing on the floor, everyone are having fun, the birthday boy wearing a party hat, and a sash that have 24th birthday is having the time of his life,
‘ hey Gun! I didn’t know you are this rich! Haha ‘
Gun chuckled at one of his classmate’s statement. ‘ huh? What are you saying out of nowhere? ‘
‘ Eh? Because of that bracelet, I thought you bought that from the auction ‘
Gun unconsciously touched the bracelet ‘ auction? ‘
‘ It was trending worldwide before, the famous jewelry maker Zenaire auctioned his handmade accessories last year in our country, he’s well-known to hopeless romantic people and couples because they said when you gift someone with his work it serve like an amulet as if it cast a spell that you and that person will be together for a long time. My sister is one of his fan, and I believe it’s legitimate, she confessed to her crush with Zenaire’s work some time ago and man they are about to get married next next month. Hahaha I think that bracelet of yours belonged to his collection called Sweetheart. Hmm *glance at Gun’s bracelet* come to think of it.. is that a gift if you didn’t bought it? are you seeing someone? ‘
Aom and Tina hurriedly interrupted and asked that classmate to get more drinks,
‘ go ‘ Aom signal him,
‘ huh? ‘
‘ You are seriously clouded with questions and the only person who can answer you that, is still at the university. Go ‘ Aom insisted smiling,
‘ I must say for a stiff, Sir Off is indeed romantic. Two thumbs up for him ‘ Tina commented grinning while draping her arm around Aom’s shoulder.
‘ but the party? ‘
‘ We’ll handle it from here, now Go *winks* ‘
--
Gun was panting when he arrived at the university, and when he saw that the faculty is already locked, he ran to one place he can think of after seeing Off’’s car is still at the parking lot, he was still wearing his birthday hat and birthday sash when he opened the pavilion and was shocked to see Off inside it holding a cake singing happy birthday song.
‘ h-how did you know? I’ll go here ‘
Off chuckled. ‘ I genuinely think you are smart and your classmates are observant so once they notice your bracelet, you will be clouded with questions and be back here to me demanding for an explanation with my birthday gift ‘
‘ that’s really manipulative of you ‘ Gun stated with disbelief.
‘ I know, adults tend to be manipulative sometimes, so always be smart. Happy Birthday ‘
Gun grin blowing off the candle before crossing his arms at the professor waving his bracelet after. ‘ So….. where’s the explanation? ‘
Off nervously touched his earlobe ‘ I was always been a fan of Zenaire’s works but never felt like buying one because I… cheesy and lame as it sounds, I’m one of those who believe about myths about his accessories, but last year-- *giggles* the same year I accepted my feelings towards you, he did an auction of his works here, I.. yeah that’s how it is, that bracelet is actually matched with the necklace that I’m wearing everyday *shyly showing him off from his undershirt the necklace with paintbrush pendant* ‘
Gun was entertained at the professor acting shy and like a kid revealing/confessing the story about the bracelet. Gun moved closer removing the cake from the latter’s hand, placing it at the corner.
‘ Sir… do you realize how cute you are right now? ‘ Gun whispered,
Off straightened his neck when Gun hold his face with both hands, ‘ Phunsawat… you’re too close.. this is sexual harassment ‘
‘ I’m not even doing anything ‘
‘ Phunsawat ‘ Off lowly called out
‘ I want to kiss you ‘ the birthday boy whispered making the latter’s body rigid.
‘ Can I kiss you? Let me kiss you ‘
Off was stuck on place when Gun started leaning toward his face, the student’s original thought was to tease the professor even more, not really thinking of doing it but when he saw Off closed his eyes slowly he can’t help but smile and tiptoed as his lips slowly landed to Off’s lips. The way Gun started moving his lips was so tender and soft that Off’s mind shut down, his body move on its own snaking his arms around Gun’s waist.
‘ Don’t hold back. Kiss me back Off ‘
Off opened his eyes when Gun dropped formality for the first time, and that’s when he lost it. He started kissing back as he start savoring the mixed taste of lips with a bit of alcohol, caressing Gun’s hair softly. He confessed emotionally between the kisses.
‘ I really like you Gun ‘
Better to wait…I did a great job suppressing these feelings after reflecting and discovering it
But a year later, what the hell am I doing kissing back this student of mine behind the fifth year building?