Lucky To Have Stayed Where We Have Stayed

[PART II]

"Ohm," his friend says in a tone that's half-protesting, half-watery, making him feel indescribable relief at the thought that he isn't the only one who missed this. "You're crushing me. You're still as much of a brick wall as ever."

"Non," Ohm chokes out. He feels like he should be more embarrassed by how it comes out sounding like a plea - a prayer - but he's too overwhelmed to care. "Non. You're back."

"I am," the other man answers softly, rubbing his back in a soothing manner. "How have you been, Ohm?"

"Ssshh, later," he replies in a strangled whisper. "Just let me hold you for now."

Nanon hums then embraces him back fully, shifting his weight from foot to foot slowly and rocking Ohm from side to side. It should feel silly, but instead it makes Ohm sob, suddenly stricken by a random desire to slow dance with Nanon in a beautiful garden, under the shine of the moon and a thousand stars.

It's terribly cheesy and too out there, so he definitely doesn't share that vision with the man in his arms.

"I hate to ruin your moment, but I'm actually really hungry," Nanon says sheepishly, and as if on cue his stomach growls pitifully. That forces a surprised laugh out of Ohm. "Maybe let's eat first?"

"I'm sorry," he apologizes nasally and sniffles before pulling away. "I was just. I don't even know."

Nanon approaches the table, takes a handful of paper towels, and to Ohm's surprise wipes his eyes directly with it. Once he's satisfied that Ohm's eyes are dry, Nanon hands him the rest of it. "There you go. I'm not wiping your snot for you, though, so you better do that yourself."

"I'll take care of it," he answers, but instead of doing so he reaches up and wipes Nanon's eyes instead. The actor-turned-director just gazes at him with an unreadable expression as he does so, making him shift under the scrutiny, and when he's done he musters the courage to gaze back.

Time seems to stop as they stare at each other. Nanon's eyes project a sort of calm, while Ohm is sure that his are nowhere near as serene. The other man's expression softens at whatever he sees in Ohm's eyes.

"Let's eat?" Nanon asks gently, and the spell is broken. Ohm jerks as if waking from a dream, only managing to nod dumbly before turning around, wiping his nose, then walking to the table to take a seat.

They fall into idle, meaningless talk - superficial comments about the changes to their physical appearance, and gushing about each other's recent accolades - until all of the food that they ordered is served in full.

And somehow, the mood shifts completely as soon as the server leaves the room.

"Ohm," Nanon begins solemnly. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" He knows what for, of course. Doesn't stop him from wanting to hear the other say it.

"I'm not gonna say you didn't deserve it for being an asshole back then, but I'm still sorry for cutting you off," Nanon elaborates contritely, half-indulging him. "I was under a lot of stress, you know? Culture shock, readjusting to student life, the language barrier. It all piled up and the next thing I knew, I had blocked you everywhere."

"You could've unblocked me," Ohm says sulkily. He doesn't even bother hiding his pout. He could try and project himself as a more mature adult who doesn't sulk anymore, but what would be the point? This is Nanon. They know each other inside out. Pretending to impress him would be in vain.

"I could've, yes, but I was too prideful to do so." Nanon pauses to take a bite. "And anyway, life happened. I'd become too busy to worry about it, and the next thing I knew 5 years had passed."