Haoting face is bruised, a fresh cut formed on his lips from the punches Sunbo threw at him yesterday.
They gathered at Haoting's apartment. Emergency meeting. Even the twins joined despite their busy schedules.
They watched the short clip again. One of the students posted the whole video of the kissing incidence. Some others sent random clips taken from the night directly to Haoting.
It was clear that it was not what they expected.
Although the music was blaring and conversations in the background were deafening, the voices in the video are clear.
'Now, everyone, freestyle poses!'
Some of them makes a V-sign, some put up funny faces, some links their arms around each other, grinning happily. Haoting sat nearby the edge of the long bench, clearly a bit drunk. He ruffles his hair and winks at the camera. Everybody scooted closer to be able to fit inside the frame.
'One, two, three, say Cheese!'
CHEESE!!
'One more! 1, 2, 3, say Hell Yeah!'
FUCK YEAH!!
'Ok, last one, last one...1, 2, Girls!! The fuck you're doing?!!'
One girl in a short black skirt grabs Haoting and kiss his lips, another clung to Haoting shirt and peck his neck.
The nearest students scrambles to pull off the two girls from Haoting sides. Less than 3 seconds, they peel them off. The video cut off with the sounds of some glasses scattered and students yelling and cursing. Then it ended.
The twins looked at Haoting, not saying anything. Sunbo is still pissed with Haoting being so careless. Not his fault but still..
He clicks on other clip probably from earlier of the night.
'I love his smile so much. He is the centre of my universe'. Haoting bragged about Shigu. Happiness is apparent from his face.
Yong Ching clicks on some other videos.
'This is called a Rosette Nebula, it looks like a Rose petal in space. Shigu loves this particular clusters of stars. He could named the deep-sky objects as easily as remembering Pokemon names. It's impressive!'
Another clip.
'He drinks tonnes of water. He carries his water bottle everywhere. He could forget his phone, but he never forget his water bottle. I never thought I would be jealous of a water bottle. I gave up my Nintendo Switch to buy him that phone. I love him more than Switch. I just want to be loved more that that damn bottle.'
... Haoting sighs heavily.
Sunbo gave the phone back to Haoting. Yong Ching standing behind them quietly, looking over the video clips. The twins sat on the floor.
'He will be back tomorrow. You had girlfriends before. A kiss might mean nothing to you. Whatever you say or promise him, think it through. No one can help you but yourself.' He picked up his keys and squeezes Haoting firmly on his shoulder. 'Let's go Yong Ching, I'll help fetch you home.'
The twins did the same and leave.
Yong Ching hugs his brother and follows the boys. She couldn't find a word to say. She looks up to his brother, to her they are the ideal couple. This is their first conflict after 2 years. Everyone is worried, especially about Shigu's reaction. No one is able to reached him since 2 days ago.
*
Shigu did not look at his phone at all since his call with Zhigang. It was in the bottom of his bag, hidden from sight. His phone is probably out of battery anyway.
He glanced through the marks and recommendation paperworks he received from his instructor, but he felt numb. It does not make him happy. He dreads going back home. He did not know what to expect.
CLICK. He unlocked the door.
He walks into the house and find Haoting standing abruptly in the living room. Looking at him with pleading looks.
He said nothing and walks to the bedroom. He walks pass Haoting and keeps his face straight.
Haoting follows him.
'Babe, I'm sorry'
Shigu placed his keys and bag on the desk. Silence fill the room. He turns to Haoting. 'Why are you apologizing?'
'It was a misunderstanding, I swear! I can prove it!', Haoting closed their gap quickly but Shigu put his palm of Haoting chest, stopping him midway. Then he crosses his arms in front of him.
'If...Just... If you saw me kissing someone else. Would you be willing to listen to my explanation?'
Haoting tries to picture it in his head. But even his mind hated the idea so much that it was ripped apart before it was formed. Men? Women? Kiss? His Shigu?
'It happened.' Shigu tries to organize his thought. ' I know you well and trusted you... I still trust you after seeing that photo. But I am disappointed. ' He tries to control his breath. Each word is uttered with heavy emphasis. 'Those two girls were the one that I met when I visited you last time, right?'
Haoting nodded.
'I warned you about them, did I not?'
Again, Haoting nodded. Shigu had mentioned it to him a couple of times about how he doesn't like how overly friendly those girls are but Haoting brushes it off. They're just Zi Xuan coursemates being friendly, he reasons.
'Can you promise me that you will do your best to make sure this won't happen - ever again?'
Haoting nodded fast but Shigu hissed, his composure gone. 'If this EVER happened again, I will do the exact things. THAT...is my promise.'
Tears fell from Haoting eyes.
Shigu walks away, grabbing his towel and slammed the bathroom door.
'I want to sleep alone tonight!' He yells from the bathroom. He turned on the hot shower and slumped to the floor. The tears came out again.
For the first time in many years, his heart hurts so much. More than anything he ever felt before.
*
Shigu laid down on the large bed alone. He locks the door. He doesn't want to see Haoting tonight. He might feel better to talk tomorrow but he doesn't want to talk now when he is still angry. Hurtful words will also leave a scar, even worse that physical ones.
He understood this well enough. Sometimes people's insult or mindless remarks hurt more than the physical bullying. He loves Haoting more than than his own existence. Haoting IS his existence.
He turns to his phone. The notifications bombarded him, the phone buzzing in his palm the second it comes alive.
He clicks on Haoting's messages. This is more than 2 years worth of notifications.
'Babe, please answer my call.'
'I'm sorry, I can explain'
'Babe, I swear I can explain, please'
'Curse me, beat me, just talk to me babe'
'I'm on my way home. Where are you? When are you coming back?'
'I have proof. Babe, please talk to me.'
Shigu clicks on the videos clips. He closed his eyes when he saw the sudden kiss.
He watches the other clips. He bites his lips as emotions surged.
He reads through the texts, all of them.
The latest one came in just less than an hour ago. After he yells at Haoting to leave him alone for tonight.
' I could not imagine you kissing or being kissed by someone else. I'm sorry for being selfish and wanting you for myself. I should have been more careful about the drink.
I promise I will never drink again without you by my side, not even when I'm just by myself.
I promise to never talk to those girls again.
I promise to never join any of those parties again.
Anything you want, I will do it.
I will sleep here for as long as you want. Hurt me as much as you want.
Forgive me, please, babe. I'm so sorry. I am careless. I'll work hard. Just forgive me. '
He got mad at Haoting for the 3 seconds mistake. He collects his thoughts, staring at the ceiling.
Then he received a new message.
'Good night love. I love you.'
Shigu clutched the phone tight. He wonders if every lovers in the world, at some point of their lives, would ever feel so overwhelmed as he is now.
"...Love..." He likes it more than Babe.
He walks to the door and unlocked it. Then he returns to the bed after replying Haoting's message. He put his phone face down on the night stand and cover himself under the warm duvet.
'I'm cold.'
...Message Seen...
Tap, tap, tap
He hears the door opened and closed. Footsteps closes in and the weight shifted on the bed. The familiar arms pulls him into a tight hug. Shigu turn his body towards the heat and placed his palms on Haoting chest. He can hear the fast heartbeats.
Haoting pecks him on his hair and rubs his back slowly, then he place his hand on Shigu's waist, caressing it with his thumb.
' I'm sorry love, I'm sorry.' He repeated his apologies.
Shigu said nothing.
He nuzzles his nose on the crook of Haoting's neck, then he bites him at the spot he was kissed by that woman. He licks it, bite on it again to frame it, suck on it hard, then bites at it again. Under the bedside light, the mark is already obvious. Tomorrow, it will be bolder once it's fully formed on the skin. Haoting cringed at the pain but he lets Shigu be. Shigu never marks him this way.
'Good night Ah Hao'
Haoting hugs him tight. 'Good night Love. I really really love you.'
Shigu smiles.
After 3 days, they finally able to sleep peacefully.
***
A/N: I hate angst. But they are unavoidable in relationships. If you read my first story on Wattpad about the alternative ending, they got married after close to 10 years. Relationship is a journey, mixed between the good and the bad. I want to highlight more on the good sides but the angsty bits are necessary too. But you know, just a bit, not till killing off the character out of nowhere * cough * cough* Damn original scriptwriter.