Chapter Text
He hates himself. Liming just swore to himself that he wouldn’t care if Heart got shot and rotted to death. But yet here he is, standing at his gate, with a plastic bag full with bandaids and ointment. The images of Heart, his face full with bruises and wounds, just kept playing in his head. He would want to ignore it, but those very thoughts were keeping him awake at night, he failed to fall asleep.
It’s already 11 PM. It’s dark out, most people are probably asleep, but here he is, standing at Heart’s gate like a burglar waiting to break in.
He should press the doorbell, give Heart the medicine, and go back. But it feels awkward to do so since they were never actually close to being doing something like this for each other. Heart was only there to steal and copy his homeworks, and Liming simply was his victim. They have no friendship outside of that, so he’s not in the place to be worrying like this.
Sighing, Liming thought perhaps this would not just work out, and he should just discard the idea and go back home.
But as he was about to walk away, he saw a blinding light coming his way. Covering his eyes against the glaring light with the back of his hand, his eyes were squinted slightly until the light came nearer and nearer. Then it stopped just a few feet away from him. As the light turned off, he finally figured the light source turned out to be from a bike.
And of course, it’s that weird guy again.
“Oh, Liming. You’re here.” The guy said, taking off his helmet.
“Good evening, phi.” Liming said awkwardly.
“I see you’re coming here to help Heart with his wounds?” Ou said, noticing the plastic bag Liming was holding. Jumped slightly, Liming immediately hid the plastic bag behind his back.
“No...” Liming answered. The guy then chuckled.
“Don’t be shy. Come, let’s get in.” The guy said, now holding Liming by the arm as he dragged Liming inside. Liming involuntarily let his body dragged as he doesn’t have the energy to put up a fight with someone that’s almost twice his size. He might have turned into a pancake if he actually tried anything with this guy.
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“Heart, your friend is here to treat your wounds.” Ou said happily as he pushed Liming slightly to step closer to Heart who was sitting on the couch. The other boy looks bewildered, confused as to what Liming is doing here at his house so late at night.
“Liming? What are you doing here?” Heart asked, setting down his can of beer on the coffee table.
“... Your wounds.” Liming said, putting down the plastic bag on the same coffee table.
“Oh, thank you.” Heart said, still confused, but accepted the plastic bag nonetheless.
“I should leave now…” Liming said, ready to step away, when Ou grabbed his shoulders and forced him to sit down next to Heart on the couch. Liming’s eyes went wide slightly. Taken aback what actually happened in a blink of an eye. He looked at Heart awkwardly, unsure what to say and how to behave at the moment.
“What’s the rush? Join us for a few drinks.” The older guy said. Liming turned to Heart with helpless eyes, begging him to help him leave, but of course, Heart is stupid. He didn’t get Liming’s signals at all. The boy even proceeded to hand Liming a can.
“I never drink before.” Liming said honestly. Kind of hoping that those words will be the ticket to excuse himself out.
But of course, the cunning guy, Ou, took those words for him to convince Liming to have his first sip instead.
“Really? Then why not try to take a sip?” Ou said, popped up a can, before he offered the opened can to Liming.
Let’s be honest. Liming has always wanted to try alcohol. But his uncle always kept his eyes on him whenever Liming stepped around the beer cooler. But as much as he wanted to taste the alcohol he has always wanted to try, he wouldn’t want to do that with Heart around, especially with this weird guy he could deem as a stranger. Heart seems like he trusts this guy a lot, but Liming could barely trust Heart in the first place.
“You will like it.” Heart said. Liming watched as the boy didn't hesitate to empty his can in front of Liming before he popped open another one just right after.
“You can’t always have this chance, you know.” Ou said, chuckling slightly.
Liming hates how he’s really tempted right now. He badly wants to take a sip. If he really passed up the chance now, he might not have another chance to taste the alcohol he has always wanted to try.
Liming then hesitantly accepted the can. He slowly took a sip, feeling it on his tongue before he swallowed it down. His face scrunched slightly at the bitter taste. But he can see why people like to drink now.
“There you go! How was it?” Ou asked excitedly.
“... Not sure.” Liming answered. But he still took another sip, slowly getting addicted to finishing the entire can.
A few cans after that, and Liming is totally buzzed up. His vision was spinning slightly, glaring lights and doubled visions. But the alcohol in his system felt so nice, he felt his body getting light as he rested his back against the couch. He turned slightly to see Heart mirroring the same condition as him, but the boy was still drinking.
Ou has stepped out to smoke, so it leaves the two of them alone in the living room, surrounded with empty silence.
“Why are you stupid?” Liming spoke.
Heart then gave him an offended but confused look.
“You’re so stupid, Heart. So fucking stupid, that I can use your brain as an oxygen tank. You always stole and copied my homeworks, flunk your exams then got yourself into troubles like this. There isn’t a day where I’m free from being worried about you… getting entangled with your shenanigans.”
“Stupid Heart.” Liming complained, throwing his empty can on Heart.
“If I’m stupid, then you’re just as stupid, Mr.Second Last.” Heart retorted, pushing away the empty can that was settled on his lap.
“At least I’m smarter than you by 10 points!” Liming fought, now kicking Heart’s side with his feet as he fell laying on the couch, neck resting on the arm rest with his legs laid on top of Heart’s lap.
“We’re not even friends. Why am I so troubled by you anyway? And why am I always the victim of your stupid shenanigans. I’m not smart, but you always wanted to copy my answers. If I don’t let you copy my answers, then you’ll steal my workbooks. There are a ton of other students smarter than me. Just let me live in peace!” Liming continued to complain, continuing to kick up his feet, whining.
“You just said you’re smarter than me, you should have figured that out already.” Heart said, putting down his can of beer. Liming stopped kicking his legs.
“Figure out? Figure out what?” Liming lifts up his body from laying on the couch. But with his legs on top of Heart’s lap, when he sat up, their faces were immediately faced against each other. So close that Liming could feel Heart’s breath on his lips.
“That I want to be your friend. But you rarely talk to others. It’s so hard to start a conversation with you, unless I pull those stunts. It worked, didn’t it?” Heart said, his voice was soft as he spoke, seeing how close they’re against each other at the moment.
“...You’re so annoying.” Liming flat out responded. But a small smile wears on his face unknowningly. He didn’t know why he was happy to hear that coming from Heart. But knowing that Heart wanna be his friend really made his heart feel giddy.
Upon seeing his smile, Heart immediately mirrored his smile. Chuckling slightly.
“I’ll not steal your homework anymore. Just talk to me like this.” Heart said. Liming doesn’t know when it happened, but Heart was already holding his hand, clenching it slightly.
“And don’t copy my homeworks anymore.” Liming added, resting his head on Heart’s shoulder. He doesn’t know why he did that, but it just felt right to do that at the moment, and Heart’s shoulder felt so comfortable to lean on.
“That, I can’t really promise that one.” Heart replied, chuckling. Liming just shook his head, but chuckled too, as they intertwined their fingers together.
Perhaps it wasn’t a mistake to come by Heart’s house tonight.
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When Liming blinked his eyes open the following morning. He was surprised to find himself in Heart’s bed. What more, he was actually sleeping on Heart’s chest, snuggling to his side like a koala.
He could feel his face turn red. What the fuck is he doing in his bed like this? He was supposed to only give Heart his medicine last night. But then he remembered he was convinced to have a few drinks with Heart and Ou last night. But the rest of it was a blur to him.
“Oh, Liming. Morning.” Heart said, sleepily opening his eyes, and tried hard to fix his sleepy view on Liming.
“You were so drunk last night, so I carried you to my room.” Heart answered, rubbing his eyes with his hand.
“You carried me?” Liming gasped softly, couldn’t believe that Heart went out his way to do that for him.
“Yes. You don’t like that?” Heart asked, now his attention was fully on Liming, sleepiness immediately leaving his eyes, as he turned serious, full of concern.
“No… I just think I’m too heavy, it must be troubling you a lot.” Liming said.
Heart chuckled.
“Yes, you are indeed heavy.” Heart admitted honestly, Liming pursed his lips.
“But it’s fine. I wouldn’t want you to sleep in the living room. It’d be too uncomfortable.” Heart said, and his eyes were staring softly into Liming’s eyes, Liming just realized Heart was playing with his hair, fingers running through his locks. Liming froze.
What happened last night?
Think, Liming, think. What did they talk about last night? Something about homework and figuring out… Oh, Heart told him that he wants to be his friend. But is this really what a friend would do with each other? Cuddling in bed and playing with one’s hair like this?
Liming might not be the brightest tool in the shed, but he doesn’t think friends should behave this way. But to be honest he has always wondered what it’s like to be Heart’s friend, talking to him about random things and what not. And since he doesn’t really have a friend to begin with, he isn’t entirely sure what friends would do together.
Perhaps what they are doing right now is normal between friends, and Liming just doesn't know that. He shouldn’t assume things, and embarrass himself. Also why would Heart like him when just told him he had always wanted to be his friend?
“Let’s go downstairs, I think Phi Ou is cooking something in the kitchen.” Heart said. Liming nodded silently.
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“Oh the boyfriends are here~ You guys ditched me last night. When I woke up, both of you were already gone.” Phi Ou said, setting down plates of fried rice on the dining table.
“You were knocked out cold, phi. And my bed could only fit two people. You weren’t invited.” Heart said. Liming turned to Heart slightly.
So he does have other people sleeping on his bed with him. For unknown reasons, Liming felt his stomach churning a little at the newly found information.
“Good mouth. Don’t you have school to attend to? It’s already 7.30 AM.” Ou said, taking a spoonful of fried rice.
“Shit! 7.30 AM?! My uncle is going to kill me.” Liming exclaimed. He should have been home last night, but now it’s already morning and he’s not home, his uncle would definitely flame him badly. Picking up his phone, he quickly rushed out of Heart’s house.
“Sorry! See you at school!” Liming said.
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“Hey.” When Liming looked up from his workbook, he saw Heart standing in front of his desk. Instinctively, Liming tried to hide his workbook, but Heart immediately let out a chuckle at the sight of that.
“Relax. I already promised you that I’ll not steal your workbook anymore, haven’t I?” Heart said, now already pulling on a chair from the empty desk next to Liming, he sat down on it.
“What’s your favorite anime?” Heart asked, leaning on Liming’s desk slightly. Liming’s brows puzzled slightly.
“I wanna get to know you. What’s your favorite anime?” Heart asked again. Liming fiddled with his pen.
“Chainsaw man.” Liming answered.
“I knew it! The anime is so hyped right now, I have a feeling you’re watching it too!” Heart said, smiling widely.
“Have you watched the recent episode?” Heart continued to ask, and Liming continued to answer, even though it felt awkward at first.
Befriending Heart isn’t that bad actually.
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“40 baht.”
Liming was about to pull out his wallet, when Heart beat him to it, and already paid the amount to the seller.
Heart then took the two bubble tea drinks, and gave Liming his. Smiling as he did so.
“Here.” Heart said. Liming muttered a thank you, he took a sip of his favorite drink.
“You really like to buy from this stall.” Heart said point at the stall, as they walked away along the side of the road. Liming nodded for a moment before he turned to look at Heart with puzzled brows.
Understanding what he meant by that look, Heart laughed slightly.
“I mean, I just so happen to always see you buying from that stall. You must really like it, that I always see you there.” Heart reasoned. Liming still felt the answer wasn’t enough, but decided to dismiss the idea.
“I have a rematch this weekend. Remember that punk who beat up my face? He kept demanding a rematch with me to prove he could win the race over me.” Heart said. Upon hearing the mention of that topic again, Liming immediately stopped on his track. Heart, who was still walking, only stopped a few steps when he realized Liming was no longer walking along him. The boy then turned around slightly, watching as Liming gave him an angry look, seeming holding back himself.
“I told you it’s dangerous. What if you got beat up again?” Liming said. His drink was hanging idly on his side, his appetite has gone now.
“It’s just a couple of punches, it wouldn’t kill me.” Heart said, smiling. Liming knew Heart could never take this matter seriously, it’s always looked like some dumb entertainment for him. And he hates how oblivious Heart is to the danger he’s exposed to.
“Heart… If you wanna stay as my friends, don’t join that race.” Liming was stern. He doesn’t want to see Heart covered in another set of bruises and wounds. It hurts his heart so much to see Heart in that kind of state. He doesn’t want to experience those feelings all over again.
Heart smiled.
“Alright, Liming. I’ll not join the race.” Heart said, reaching out a hand as he held Liming’s empty hand into his.
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It’s Saturday. Heart has promised Liming that he’ll not join the race, so they decided to hang out together instead. It’s already evening, the lights in the street were so bright and colorful that it’s a perfect view for a night walk. Liming rarely goes out because he doesn’t really have friends to hang out with. So when Heart came to his house, and asked him to go out, he was more than excited to go.
Heart even bought them boba drinks again today. Taking a sip as they walked alongside the street of Pattaya. Beyond the rails, there is actually a beach for them to walk along, but Liming felt it’s already enough for them to walk on the street like this. Having Heart by his side like this is already enough for him.
He never knew that Heart could actually be funny and innocent. Around his friends, Liming deduced him as someone who’s spoiled, only knows how to boast around and talk about stupid things. But it turns out Heart is more than that, and he’s actually eager to listen to Liming’s boring stories. Compared to Heart, Liming doesn’t really have an eventful life, so he didn’t really expect for Heart to listen to him so attentively, he was surprised when Heart managed to recite back whatever Liming had told him, even the smallest things.
It’s weird, but for the first time, Liming felt he was heard and understood.
“Aren’t you bored hanging out with me?” Liming decided to ask.
Smiling at his question, Heart shook his head.
“Not once. I like hanging out with you. You’re genuine.” Heart said, leaning against the rails.
“Genuine?” Liming asked, baffled.
“Because you only see me as I am. You don’t care who I am, and you’re not taking advantage of me. I know I’m annoying.” Heart answered. Liming then pursed his lips. As much as he had to agree with the annoying part, he felt like Heart still hadn't explained himself enough.
“But this is just who I am. They only put up with me because they know my parents are influential. I’m not smart, I always talk about stupid things, so no one really likes to be around me. I know that. But I could care less.” Heart said.
Liming felt sorry for Heart. He didn’t know that Heart actually felt that way. He had always seen the boy crowded with his peers, so he always thought all was smooth-sailing for him. But it turns out, even Heart has to put on a front.
“Even though my family is rich, my parents rarely let me handle my own money so I can’t really do much. Those who were expecting I’ll spend my money on them, immediately leave the moment they found out about it. But some stay with the hope of the title, like you know, ‘I’m a friend of Inspector Supod’s son’, things like that. But I can understand them, they were just influenced by the adults.” Heart added.
“My parents even gave up on me, they didn’t expect anything from me. So I guess it’s easier for me that way? But of course, I really hate it when they are asked to come to school. I’d be really embarrassed.”
“To be honest, when they came, I knew they only came for the sake of coming, and then told me that I shouldn’t waste their time for something so stupid. It’s more embarrassing that they weren’t even mad at me for not studying harder. It’s like they totally acknowledge that I’m completely hopeless in life, that the least I could do is to not inconvenience them like that.”
Liming watched as Heart zoned at the waves on the beach.
“...My uncle told me to study hard. But no matter what I do, countless nights of staying up learning and studying, I just couldn’t do it. As much as I tried, cramming everything in, I think study wasn’t just meant for me. But I really want my uncle to see and acknowledge that I actually have tried. He thought I wasn’t just trying hard enough.” Liming said, swirling the straw in his bubble tea.
“You’re the most hard-working person I know, Liming.” Heart responded.
“The most determined and resilient. You worked the hardest, Liming.” Heart praised, smiling as he looked at the other boy next to him.
Liming felt his heart flutter at the words. It felt nice to know his efforts were acknowledged. And he was also happy to hear those words came from Heart. Lately, as he got to learn Heart more and more, he realized that what he feels for Heart wasn’t limited to what a friend should feel. He actually wished that they were something more, but Liming felt like that would be too wishful.
“Cheers to losers!” Heart exclaimed, laughing. Liming laughed too as he pushed Heart away slightly.
“I refused to call myself a loser but cheers.” Liming said, clanking their cups of drinks together. The two then happily took a sip of their drinks as they watched the night view of the beach.
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“Heart, I think the bikes have been following us for a while now.” Liming said, leaning closer to Heart as he spoke.
They’re on their way home, riding Saleng’s scooter that Liming borrowed. But Heart volunteered to drive, so Liming sat on the back. It should be a 40 minutes ride home, but for the past 20 minutes, Liming has been noticing this group of bikers following suit behind them. It’s too suspicious for a group of bikes to not just overtake their scooter.
“Really?” Heart asked, looking at the group of bikes from the side mirrors. Feeling that Liming might be right, he decided to speed up. But as he just fully swung on the throttle, the bikes kept up their speed too and immediately trapped their scooter. Heart badly wanna get them out of this, but the scooter could only go so far.
The next thing they knew, one of the riders suddenly kicked the side of their scooter, resulting in the scooter to tip, and both of them instantly fell on the cold hard road. But as they were speeding as they fell, the impact was so big that it sent both of them flying and rolling nonstop on the cold tar.
Liming coughed out loud, feeling his head spinning. He saw Heart a few feet away from him, but he couldn’t do anything with his body paralyzed. He couldn’t move an inch, he could only see Heart getting beaten up by the gang. One after another. And Liming’s vision was totally black afterwards.
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“Liming!”
When Liming opened his eyes, he saw his uncle’s worried face towering over him. The lights were blinding his eyes, so Liming had to close his eyes again, before he slowly opened it again, adjusting to the harsh lights.
“I told you, you shouldn’t be riding at night!” His uncle shouted, but still held his hand nonetheless.
Liming tried to sit up, but just a single move of his muscle resulted in massive pain all over his body, especially his head. It was ringing so badly, he had to put a hand on top of his head, only realizing that it’s fully bandaged.
“Easy, you hurt your head badly. Fortunately there was no serious damage.” Uncle Jim said. Liming then started to look around. Slowly, he started to remember something.
Heart.
“Heart!!” Liming exclaimed. The boy quickly sit up, but fell down again as the throbbing was too much for him to handle.
It felt like his head was prickled with thousands of needles.
“Heart is in another room.” Uncle Jim said, knowing that Liming was trying to search for Heart.
“You should rest a little before you go and see Heart. It has actually been two days since you were admitted.” Uncle Jim added. Liming then look down to his hand and arm. All wrapped with bandages and gauzes. The tar has really fucked up his skin when they fell.
Giving in, he just listened to his uncle’s advice since he can’t really do anything with his current state anyway.
When Liming felt his body was getting a little better and stronger. He decided it’s time for him to go and see Heart. He missed seeing Heart, and he was extremely worried too. He couldn’t help Heart that night, his condition must probably be ten times worse than Liming’s.
Bringing his IV drip with him, he walked to Heart’s room that’s a few rooms away from him. The walk wasn’t long, so he could endure that much. But when he got to Heart’s room, he was met with Heart’s parents instead.
“What are you doing here?” Mrs.Jintana sneered, her eyes filled with hatred the moment she saw Liming enter the room.
“I want to see Heart…” Liming spoke.
“You’re always a bad influence to Heart. Back then you tried to steal our liquor and even blamed Heart for it. Now you brought him out and even got himself involved in some gang!” The woman was yelling but Liming couldn’t understand it. She’s misunderstanding things, but Liming feels just as lost to explain things to her as Heart never talked to him about this either.
“N-no, I never did that. Heart, tell your mother that wasn’t it. I never would do such a thing.” Liming said, looking at Heart who was sitting on the bed. Heart was only staring at him with furrowed brows.
“Heart, tell your mother that I wasn’t the reason for what happened that night.” Liming begged, but Heart continued to stare at him in silence.
“He’s deaf now because of you! My son is dumb now!” The woman continued to yell, shoving Liming away from entering the room further. Liming’s heart immediately dropped.
“Get out! I don’t want to see you again! Leave Heart alone!”
And as their eyes linger on each other, Liming was finally pushed out of the room entirely, and the door was closed right in front of his face.
Heart is deaf and mute? Liming couldn’t believe his ears. But that explained why Heart couldn’t respond to him when he tried to speak to him earlier. And as expected, his condition was way worse than Liming. It seems like he broke his arm too.
Liming badly wanted to see Heart right now, but if he tried to push his way in again, he might get kicked out entirely forever. For now, he just has to wait for Heart to completely be alone so that he can talk to him. Or communicate.
But hours turned into days, and days turned into weeks, and he didn't get to talk to Heart at all. Obviously, with lighter wounds, Liming got discharged way earlier than Heart, but he still came to the hospital in hope of meeting Heart.
He then was swarmed with their finals and running the diner, so he had to take a break from visiting the hospital. But when he came back, he found out that Heart had been discharged. He had no way of contacting Heart now, as Heart’s mom already threw away his old phone so that Heart could no longer contact Liming.
So the only way he can meet Heart is to go to his house, in hope that his parents are away.
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