Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ayan first noticed something was wrong with Akk, on the second day after he was transferred to Suppalo. And no, he doesn’t mean the whole ‘pulling the brakes on the truck so it almost runs over the students’ issue, or the whole ‘ Suppalo curse’ he keeps hearing about. He also doesn’t know how those two things are connected. Yet. 

But the problem with Akk is different from all of this.

See now here, Ayan has a mission. He came to Suppalo to avenge his Uncle. Uncle Dika worked in this damn school for years, he was happy and excited when he got the job and everyday since, telling Aye about his students and what they’re capable of. He made Ayan want to study too, want to follow in his footsteps, and want to come to this school his Uncle Dika loved. But then something changed. He suddenly quit  in the middle of the semester and transferred to Parot School.

After he transferred to Parot, Dika stopped smiling, stopped talking about school and his students and the teachers. Few times he did open the conversation he told Aye some cryptic weird things which made the teen worry for his Uncle and dislike the Suppalo school in general. As the months progressed Dika closed in on himself, avoided his sister and Ayan and refused to leave his house. Then a month ago he…

When he first started at this mission, once the funeral was over and he talked to his mom, Ayan went to Parot School, trying to find answers there, but Uncle Dika only worked there for a few weeks and people there didn’t remember him well enough to tell Ayan anything. Which brought an entirely different sort of pain to him. How could people just forget that an amazing teacher, an amazing human being like Dika existed?

He did learn one thing though, teachers in Parot all told him that when Dika came there from Suppalo he looked so heartbroken and sad, and despite their best efforts he couldn’t seem to get used to working in their school. So with that information in mind, Ayan transfered to Suppalo, ‘cause he is sure that the answers are here. It’s this school  that hurt his Uncle. It took him away. Made him disappear. 

Ayan came to Suppalo, practically begged his mom to let him enrol in Suppalo in his last year of High School, so that he can discover the truth. Aye needs to know what happened to his Uncle Dika. Needs to bring justice to this unfair system and punish those who hurt his precious family.

And on the first day in this new, shitty, terror inducing imitation of Orwell’s ‘1984’ like setting Ayan saw Akk - who is apparently also the Head Prefect - pull the breaks on the parked truck, set it in motion towards the protesting students and then run to save/break them up, looking like a superhero in a cape as though he is not the culprit to begin with. 

So that made the other boy suspect number one in Aye’s book. 

Then Akk looked right at Ayan after having saved the protestors and something sparked between them. He can’t explain it, but when their eyes met, something happened, something that made him want to get under this boy’s skin, learn all his ticks, and bring the truth to the light. Partly because of the whole truck thing, but mostly because even at first glance he could see the mask that Akk wore so proudly. And something inside Ayan, something broken, hurt, bleeding, wanted to break that mask and see if he would find a twin soul in that boy, a soul that was just as broken, just as desperate.

But instead of walking up to the boy and demanding answers, Ayan did one thing he was sure would get Akk to chase him. Aye ran and just like he wanted Akk followed. His blood sang then, something in him coming alive, making him forget for a moment about the grief, ‘cause now he had a new goal and a new target and either Akk will get him answers or he will become his downfall.

Hiding in the bathroom Ayan waited for his enemy, setting himself up to pretend to be using the urinals, so as not to cause suspicion. The Head Prefect burst into the bathroom and his eyes locked on the hip tattoo right away as if he forgot for a second why he was chasing the new kid in the first place, Aye knew that he got him. After that it was obvious what the shorter boy needed to say, how to act to make the other teen flustered and nervous, what he needed to get him to either run the other way or become angry enough to give in to Aye. 

Akk is a mystery to him and Aye loves mysteries. Loves solving them, loves playing with theories and right now the biggest mystery is how Akk is related to the curse.

Despite knowing he had an upper hand in some aspects, it still shocked him when Akk asked Teacher Sani to let Ayan sit with him, but totally expected it when, leaning closer, the Head Prefect whispered his warning. 

Ayan smirked. It was obvious that the taller boy was looking to gain an upper hand, but Aye won’t ever let that happen. Not when he is enjoying Akk’s attention so much. So putting his hand on the other boy’s thigh, high enough to make him nervous, but low enough not to break any boundaries, Ayan leaned close and whispered. “Catch me if you can.”

The flustered look on Akk’s face made him giddy and smug. 

Akk is cute when he is ruffled and apparently teasing him is Aye’s new favorite thing to do. 

To pass the time in this boring school, of course. 

Nothing else. 

He will play and tease and annoy the Head Prefect until he finds out what happened to his uncle, then he will take his revenge and leave. 

Yep, it’s purely out of boredom and for investigation.

****☀️🌙****

Then on the second day, when he came to school, something had shifted. 

Not in school. Not in his classmates, they all looked and acted the same as yesterday. He saw Kan and Wat in the distance teasing each other as they walked into the building, pushing and pulling at one another. Thua followed behind, looking like he wasn’t paying them any mind but a small smirk on his lips told otherwise. 

Teachers looked like commanders, walking among the students as though they were soldiers greeting them with bowed heads and unified greetings. They were strict and annoying and all so brutish and judgmental. 

So it wasn’t Suppalo that changed, it was Akk. 

As Ayan stepped inside the school grounds, dressed as usual in his favorite Eclipse hoodie over his uniform, with the hood thrown over his head, he spotted Akk not too far ahead and came to a stop. At first Aye wanted to ignore the other boy, it was too early and he had a rough night and was not in the mood to talk to the Head Prefect. But something in the way the taller teen was standing - shoulders hunched in, head bent down - made the new student uneasy, deciding to approach him instead.

Akk raised his head and looked at the building with an empty gaze. His eyes were red-rimmed and puffy as if he had been crying the whole night and hadn't slept a wink. He was holding something around his neck, chain rubbing at the skin and turning it red, knuckles white with how tight his grip was. It looked less like a comfort and more like he was holding the necklace to ground himself with pain. That didn’t sit right with Ayan at all. Akk shouldn’t hurt himself in order to battle whatever was bothering him. Aye didn’t want that.

Closer he got, the more the shorter boy could distinguish the small trembles going through the other boy’s body, his shoulders shaking, teeth biting onto the lips, exhausted eyes filled with terror, as if he wasn’t about to go inside the school, but instead was about to step into a war zone. 

If anything Akk looked how Aye felt. Terrified, lonely, anxious, heartbroken, but clearly determined. 

Is this the real Akk hiding behind the mask?

No, it can’t be. He won’t show it in front of the school he cherishes so dearly. 

Right?

“Looking so anxious.” Ayan spoke, coming to a stop right behind the Head Prefect. “Did you forget your homework?”

Akk jumped, quickly hiding his necklace under his button-up, before turning to face the other boy. Aye expected numerous reactions from the taller boy - anger, frustration, deflection, sarcasm - what he didn’t expect was the utterly devastating look in his eyes as he looked at Ayan. 

Akk looked as if he just saw the answer to all his prayers and simultaneously the bane of all his troubles. Like he wanted to hug Ayan and never let go or like he wanted to run the other way and hide so no one can find him.

Akk is confusing. So confusing right now.

What the hell is this boy doing looking like this?! 

Aye raised a brow, waiting for him to say something, but Akk just continued to stare at him. “Why are you standing there like a statue, Head Prefect?”

“Ay-Ayan… You…” Whatever Akk was trying to say never made it pass his lips, as the boy simply shook his head, gathered his wits and squared his shoulders. He was obviously putting on an act, mask all cracked now, but still holding. Ayan didn’t understand it, but he will play along for now. “You’re not wearing your uniform.”

“I told you already, I’ll wear it when I want to.” He scoffs. “Do you wear it because you want to or someone made you wear it?”

Akk averted his eyes, biting his lip again. If he keeps doing it, they will bleed. When the prefect looked back, there was something dangerously familiar in his gaze. It’s the same look Aye sees in his own reflection every day, ever since his uncle died. “It’s the rule.”

“You’re tame.” He mocked. “No wonder you’re the Head Prefect. Following such senseless rules. Although right now you look like an abandoned puppy. Did you lose your master?”

“It’s not funny, Ayan.” Prefect gritted his teeth. 

“These rules are archaic and old fashioned and you’re blindly following them, like a mindless puppet. You don’t even care if other people get hurt.” Shorter teen didn’t know why he was spouting all this nonsense, Akk was clearly hurt and instead of trying to understand, Ayan is aggravating him further.

The Head Prefect suddenly grabbed him by the hoodie and pulled him close in frustration, eyes now blazing with something darker. “Stop already! You don’t know anything!”

Good. Get angry. Anger is better than pain. Better than sadness.

It was after all how he was dealing with his Uncle’s death, not through sorrow, but through fury.

“Is the rule keeper breaking the rules by using violence against me now?” He continues, leaning closer.

Akk’s eyes were locked onto his, as if he was afraid that Aye will disappear if he breaks eye contact. His gaze softened though, into something suffocating and sweet and not familiar. “I know what you’re doing Ayan. Stop. Please” He muttered the last word pleadingly. 

“But I’m telling you.” Ayan didn’t stop though. It’s time to end this and leave or he will do something stupid, like hug the big puppy prefect and not let go until he stops being sad. “You punch me once, I’ll kiss you once. Want it?” He asked, puffing out his lips. 

He expected Akk to push him away, become flustered and a blushing mess, or even become angry and really punch the new student, but none of that happened. Instead his gaze softened as his eyes roamed over Ayan’s face - from his eyes to his lips to his nose and back to his eyes over and over again. 

Shorter boy could have sworn that the Head Prefect’s eyes filled with tears as he started to lean in, but before anything could happen an announcement came calling the Prefects to the Student Welfare Department and the moment was broken. 

Akk practically ran without looking back.

What the hell?!

****☀️🌙****

Akk was out of his seat and running from the class as soon as the bell rang, not even hearing Khan and Wat calling after him with worry. 

Did something happen this morning in the Welfare Department? Or even before that?

Akk ran - obviously Ayan followed. Following him without even understanding anything. But Akk didn’t look okay. He looked like he was on the verge of panic and even if Ayan wanted to consider him a suspect and an enemy, he couldn’t leave him alone. 

Not when he looked like this.

Aye was glad he followed the Head Prefect when he got to the roof and saw Akk sitting at the edge. Ayan’s first reaction was to run and pull him away, to shout and scream and tell him not to be stupid, but he didn’t. Aye had to remind himself that Akk wasn’t gonna jump, he was just sitting there. 

He wasn’t in any danger. 

He is not Uncle Dika. 

So Ayan, stood at the door and just watched the other boy sit at the edge of the roof, back to him and legs hanging from the side. He was gripping his necklace again, playing with the silver pendant. Weren’t necklaces against the rules? Was Akk breaking rules he enforced? That didn’t sound right.

Akk brought the pendant close to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss, eyes closed, before hiding it in his hand again, gaze locked at the distance with such agony, exhaustion and longing that for a moment Aye was taken back, hand going to his own Eclipse pendant, which was his Uncle’s and which brought him comfort and calmness whenever he held it. 

Did Akk lose someone too? Is that why he looks so broken and lonely? 

Was that person a family? Lover? Friend? 

Why does Akk look just like how Aye feels right now? 

Abandoned. Grieving. Alone. Exhausted. heartbroken. 

No, Ayan is not broke. Akk can’t be broken either. 

There is no reason for him to be broken. 

Right?

Ayan must have made a sound as he took a step closer to the other boy, ‘cause Akk straightened right away, hiding away the necklace under his shirt and turning around, jumping onto the roof as he buttoned up. 

As their eyes met something passed in Akk’s gaze, too fast for Aye to decipher. Within the second Head Prefect mask was back on, but his eyes lacked the heat and anger as he looked at the shorter boy, walking closer. “What are you doing here? Students can’t enter the roof.”

With a cocky smirk, Aye crossed his arms. “Then why are you here? Breaking the rules, prefect? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I expected better from you.”

Akk’s cheeks turned a cute shade of pink as he looked away. Ayan expected him to say something mean, deflect or shoo him away, but as the taller boy turned towards him again, his eyes were soft, almost… Almost caring. “I just needed a minute and some fresh air. The classroom was suffocating.”

“Are you sure you’re ok, Akk?” The shorter boy frowned, stepping close. Akk didn’t move away, but he avoided eye contact looking anywhere but at Aye. “You looked tired earlier too.” There were dark circles under the taller boy’s eyes and he obviously had been crying. “If you need to talk…”

The bell rang, breaking the moment and Akk retreated further into himself. “We should go back to class. You shouldn’t be late on your second day, Aye–Ayan.” 

Did Akk just want to call him by his nickname?

No, that’s…

“Akk…” Aye tried to ask, but the prefect was already walking away, practically running down the stairs, leaving the new student in a stunted silence. 

The next period was science and as Ayan took his seat next to Akk, he noticed the other boy more relaxed, some tension from earlier leaving his shoulders, but he still wouldn’t look at the teacher or the desk, continuing to write in his notebook. 

Biting his lip and deciding that seeing Akk subdued like this for whatever reason annoyed him to no end, Ayan took the pencil and drew a little cat at the edge of Akk’s notebook. The other boy frowned but said nothing, simply letting him do whatever he wanted as he finished his little art project with a dialogue bubble that read, - “Smile, you’re too gloomy for such a sunny day, bigfoot.”, - and pushed it towards the taller boy.

The Head Prefect snorted as he read the words, cheeks pink and big boba eyes once again filled with light as he looked at Ayan, shaking his head, mouthing. “Shut up, Shortstop.”

Aye totally didn’t acknowledge the way his heart fluttered as those big sparkling eyes looked at him like he just put all the stars in the sky. 

It was just his imagination anyways. Play of light. 

Weird ass day with no explanation. 

****☀️🌙****

Ayan was at the bleachers, writing down his thoughts and speculations of Suppalo and the rules here, trying to piece together some evidence about his Uncle and this place. So far he didn’t have much, but what Uncle Dika said about strict rules seems to be correct. 

As he made another note, he heard distinct footsteps from behind, so he closed his notebook and turned around. Akk, Khan and Wat were standing behind him, observing him like he was some unknown species. Although Akk’s gaze didn’t seem judging or suspicious, if anything he looked relieved to see him. It’s like he is expecting Aye to just disappear at any moment. Which was weird. They saw each other in class not even an hour earlier. 

“Why aren’t you in class?” Khan demanded, eyes on the brown notebook, before Aye put it away.

Shorter boy smirked. “Just chilling. Is it also against the rules?”

“Wow, he is just as annoying as you said, Akk.” Wat snorted. 

Akk didn’t say anything, just kept looking at Ayan, before turning away. “Let’s go, we need to finish our rounds.”

Wat and Khan looked taken aback. “Wait, what? You’re just going to let him do what he wants?” Khan demanded, throwing his arm over the Head Prefect’s shoulders and walking  beside him, Wat one step behind. 

“That’s not like you, Akk. You should teach him a lesson.”

Akk shrugged light enough to not dislodge Khan’s arm. “He’ll do what he likes anyways and we have rounds to make.”

Khan and Wat’s shocked faces mirrored Ayan’s as he quickly gathered his things and followed the trio. Something was seriously wrong here. 

Yesterday, Akk was on his ass, acting like Ayan is Enemy of Suppalo number one and right now he is like a mellowed cat who is letting Ayan do what he likes. 

What the hell? Is this some type of reverse psychology technique? Is Aye missing something?

Just then, they heard a commotion somewhere to the side and the three prefects quickly ran there, with Ayan hot on their heels.

Namo cornered another student and was taking his phone away, keeping the other boy from reaching for his device. 

“Give it back!” The boy shouted.

Namo raised the phone, looking condescending at the boy. “Don’t you know it’s against the rules to use your phone in school?”

The boy tried to take the cell phone back, but Namo pulled away. “It’s mine. Give it back! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Or what?” Namo smirks. “I’m the student prefect.”

“But what you’re doing is theft. Not what the prefect would do. Give it back!” The boy reached again, struggling against Namo as the other boy kept the phone away. 

That’s when Akk appeared from behind, grabbing Namo’s arm and taking the phone from him with a pissed off look. It reminded Ayan of the Akk on the first day of school when Aye just transferred. 

So the Akk the Head Prefect was still here to deal with rule breakers, but then why does he act so differently with Ayan?

“Ai’Akk. Ai’Khan. Ai’Wat.” Namo was shocked. 

“You can’t use your phone in school.” Akk turned to the other student, ignoring Namo for now.

The student looked desperate. “But I need to use it right now, Phi’.”

Akk gritted his teeth and for a moment Ayan was sure that he would say something mean and take the phone away from the nong, but to his and everyone’s surprise the Head Prefect just sighs and hands the phone back. “Go to the Prefect Club and make the call there. From now on, if you need to use the phone, come to the Prefects and do it, if I see it outside we will take it.”

The boy stood shocked for a second, before taking the phone with a smile. “Thank you, Phi’.” He thanked them and walked away, leaving the three prefects and Namo alone. 

“You’re just going to let him go, Akk? He broke the rules.” Namo demanded.

But the trio ignored him, instead turning to him with exasperated glares, hands on their hips. Namo smiled awkwardly walking back into the wall. 

“You can’t pretend to be a prefect.” Khan commented. 

Wat pointed at the blue band, making Namo shift awkwardly. “That. Where do you keep getting that?”

“I want to be a prefect.” Namo whined, looking pitiful, cornered by three tall people who obviously were done with his bullshit. “Accept me in your Prefect Club, please. Na. Na. Na.” He begs.

Ayan decided not to listen to the rest. Instead choosing to head to class. Just before he turned the corner he looked towards the prefects once again, just to see Akk already looking at him, something flashing in his gaze, before he turned away.

What the hell?!

****☀️🌙****

Their next interaction, which was quickly turning from the weirdest to the most exciting part of this shity day for Aye, happened next to the bulletin board. The new student was looking at all the flyers that the World Remembers Gang hung, searching under and behind, looking for any more clues about his Uncle. Just as he was about to give up and move on, he raised another flyer and saw it. It was a small post, like a newspaper clipping about Christmas club activity with the World Remembers and right there, with his arms wrapped around the nongs was Uncle Dika. Quickly taking out his phone he snapped a few pictures.

“You’re being too obvious.” Akk suddenly appeared beside him, looking almost tired, but just as determined. Ayan noted that his eyes were no longer red and exhausted. 

(He didn’t question why it made him feel grateful).

Shorter boy raised a brow. “What? I’m checking out the flyers. World Remembers seem cool.”

“Ayan, don’t.” Akk sounded exhausted, pinching between his eyes, before once again looking at the other teen. “Don’t get involved with them.”

“Why not? Their protests are fun and righteous, joining in and helping sounds like the right thing to do.”

“They will think you’re the one behind them.”

“Thinking that rebels need someone backing them up is outdated, Akk.”

The Head Prefect rolled his eyes. “Well, you said it yourself, this school has archaic rules. So don’t get involved with World Remembers or it will put a target on you.” 

It can’t be - Ayan thought with delight - Akk is using sarcasm with me. Now this is fun.

“Why not?” Aye teased. “Are you worried about me? Are you afraid I’d be cursed like them?” He grins.

Akk twitches as if recoiled, before gathering himself and staring back with determination. He looked almost protective and insistent, those big boba eyes glimmering with something breathtaking and secretive. For a second Ayan forgot to breathe. “You already know about that, that’s all the more reason to not join them.”

Ayan sighs, tired from repeating the same thing and not understanding Akk at all. “They have the right to question what’s not right and I have the right to choose to support them.”

“It would be chaos if everyone started to question and act on it.”

“But they’re not happy, Akk. People don’t protest when they’re happy.” Akk gritted his teeth, not arguing with him, but looking increasingly more worried. “Do you honestly think it’s ok what this school is doing to them?”

The Head Prefect shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. But you can’t join them.”

“Why not?” Ayan demanded, stepping closer. “Give me one reason and I won’t. Hm?” He purses his lips.

Akk stutters, looking away. Shorter boy sighs, shaking his head and trying to let go of the building frustration. It’s obvious to him that Akk is not trying to argue to be difficult, but Ayan just doesn’t understand why Akk is arguing with him in the first place. 

He is not stopping him because he thinks Aye’s guilty, or because he is against the World Remembers or because he believes these rules. So why? Or maybe he does believe these rules and is just tricking Ayan to look the other way. In that case Akk is a terrible actor.

God, this is so frustrating. 

New student grumbles and looks back at the taller boy, just for his eyes to land on the crooked pin on Akk’s jacket. 

Distraction in any form is always welcome - especially if it ends this conversation.  

With a sigh, Ayan leans in and takes the pin off, which makes Akk jump and try to move away, but stays frozen when Aye pulls the lapel back. 

“Stay still, perfect.”

“What are you doing?” Akk sounds choked up, like he is holding back a wave of emotion.

Taking out the pin Aye looks up at Akk, for once in the last few days not sarcastic, but honest, which makes the other boy look at him with big shining eyes. 

“Your pin is tilted. It’s not like you at all. Here let me fix it for you.” Akk doesn’t take his eyes away from him as Ayan tries to pin the item back. “Here, and now you look like the Perfect Club President again.”

Done with the pin Aye steps away, looking up at Akk and expecting him to be embarrassed or frustrated or flustered or shy, but the taller boy shocks him once again. Of course he does. This day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

The Head Prefect looks close to tears, big doe eyes filled to the brim as he stares down at Aye, lips moving but emitting no sound. Ayan feels like he just kicked a big puppy. 

Before Ayan could piece together any sort of understanding, Akk turns and flees down the stairs.

By the time Aye understands what he just saw, the Head Prefect is long gone and the new student is left with the same question he kept asking himself the whole day.

What the hell? 

****☀️🌙****

The next day Ayan starts actively implementing his plan, his confusion with Akk notwithstanding. He will deal with the Prefect later, but right now Aye needs to do what he came here to do in the first place and that is to find out what happened to his Uncle.

He comes to school earlier than anyone else, which is annoying and frustrating as he doesn’t like to wake up so early, but he has a mission and he needs to do it before annoying students and teachers roam around. So he comes early, sneaks into the English Department and just before he can enter the room, Akk interrupts him, as always.

“I told you, you’re being too obvious. You’re gonna get caught.” He sounds exasperated, just like Aye feels. 

Closing the almost open door, Ayan was just peeking through, he sighs and turns to Akk who is rapidly walking towards him. He looks up at the other boy, when he comes to a stop right in front of him, eyes shining with curiosity. This boy is so interesting to him, like a puzzle Aye can’t wait to solve. “You’ve been following me everywhere.” Taking a step closer, he whispers, intentionally making his eyes bigger. “Are you into me, prefect?”

The Head Prefect looks down at Aye as if he is a step away from either kissing or punching him. “I’m just giving you friendly advice.”

“Ooooh…” He smirks. “You sure you don’t think of me as more than a friend?” Ayan leans in.

For the first time in days Aye sees Akk’s lips go up in a crooked side grin as he steps closer and almost corners the shorter boy against the department door. “For a small guy, you sure talk big.”

Now Ayan does take offense to that. He is not short, thank you very much, it's Akk who is too tall. “I’m small and what?” Leaning up he challenges back. “What can a big guy like you do to me?” He doesn’t even notice how close they're standing or that the Head Prefect has indeed leaned in enough that the two boys are almost breathing the same air. 

“I can do more than you think.” Akk throws back, full out smiling now.

Aye grins back. “Do you even know what I’m thinking?”

They are so close now, Ayan can practically feel Akk’s body heat. But once again, before anything can happen, a sound to the side distracts Akk and he gently pushes Ayan away, taking a step back and greeting Mr. Sid.

“Come on. I’ll give you the materials Teacher Sani asked me to find for you.” Akk smoothly announces and opens the door to the English Department, nodding for Ayan to go in.

The shorter boy looks between Mr. Sid and Akk before giving a short nod and entering the room, prefect coming right behind and closing the door.

“Whatever you're looking for, hurry up. Teachers will be here soon.”

But Ayan didn't move, he stood in the middle of the room and kept looking at the other boy like he just spoke in some foreign language. “Why are you…?”

“Ayan!” Akk snapped. “Move fast and ask later. You're looking for Teacher Dika's space, right?” He nodded to the last table by the window. “It's over there. Now hurry.”

“How did you…? Akk what's happening?” Aye demanded, feeling as if he got stuck in some type of alternative universe.

Sighing Akk shook his head, eyes once again turning sad and anxious. The playful, flirtatious boy from earlier was gone and Aye mourned his loss like nothing else. 

What the hell?!

Ayan took five steps towards the table before turning back to Akk, who was leaning on the door, head leaned back and eyes closed.

“Akk…” His voice came softer than he expected, making the Head Prefect look at him. “Tell me the truth. Is the curse real?”

Akk looked away and then back at Ayan, eyes now sad and resigned. That's when the shorter boy knew that he was telling the truth, already aware that lying is pointless. “What do you think, Ayan?”

“I think flower pots don't have arms and legs, they can't move by themselves.” 

“Hmm.” Akk nodded, closing his eyes once again and leaning on the door as if needing it to hold him upright.

Now Ayan definitely needs to figure out the puzzle that is Akk. The Head Prefect is so strange and mysterious to him and it makes Aye, without shame, follow the guy everywhere he goes.

Was he becoming a stalker? Maybe.

Did he care? He should.

Will he stop? Absolutely not!

Ayan needs to find out what’s wrong with Akk? What is the Head Prefect hiding? Why does he look like he is grieving?

He might also want to have Akk, once again, look at him with shiny big boba eyes filled with happiness and not anxiety. 

But that’s for only Aye to know and if anyone else asks he is taking this to his grave.

****☀️🌙****

The nightmare starts the same way it does every night.

Uncle Dika standing at the edge of the cliff about to jump. 

Aye ran to him. 

Trying to save, trying to stop. 

Being too late every time.

This time was no different.

Dika stood at the edge, white shirt waving in the wind like a flag, eyes resigned and his smile sad. He looked done, heartbroken, like he had given up. 

Ayan was running, a brown notebook clutched in his hand, coming to a stop just a few steps away from his Uncle. Pleading and begging for him not to do it.

Static. Broken glass. Piercing Scream.

Something changes.

Dika disappears and now it's Akk who is standing at the edge of the hill, with a white shirt, brown pants and a resigned look.

No, this doesn't make sense. 

Why would Akk be here?

Why is he jumping?

Why is he in Ayan’s dream?  

His run is desperate now. He has to get to Akk. 

Aye can’t reach him.

Can't save him. 

Akk turns to him with a broken smile. He says something looking at Aye, but Aye can’t hear him. 

He is getting farther away.

It sounds like ‘Goodbye!’

It terrifies him.

This isn't right. 

Akk is not dead. 

He shouldn't be. 

HE CAN’T BE!

Then Akk turns away.

Jumps.

Falls.

He’s gone. 

Ayan screams.

“AKK!!!”

Chapter Text

Is this what hell felt like? Akk is about 99.9% sure that he is in fact in Hell.

He didn’t even understand how he got in here. 

One moment he was entering his second year in university, getting ready to move in together with Aye into their very first apartment not far from the campus. Preparing a little Valentine’s Day surprise to celebrate all three events with the love of his life and the next Akk was getting a call from ER about his boyfriend being in an accident. Before he knows it Akk is sitting outside of the surgery room with Khan, Wat, and Thua, waiting for Aye’s mom and his own parents to arrive, while doctors are fighting to keep his boyfriend alive.

 Doctors spend 14 hours on Ayan, 14 long hours of waiting for the surgery to be over, just for the doctors to come out and tell Aye’s mom and Akk -  who refused to leave Khun Mae alone - that due to the accident Ayan had a hemorrhage in his brain, numerous broken bones, ruptured left lung, as well as cracked ribs and as an icing to the cake fell into comma. To say that Akk wanted to murder the driver who ran the red light and hit Ayan’s car, would be understatement - unfortunately, the bastard died in the crash. So maybe Akk should be grateful that Aye is still alive - comma or not. 

The hospital told them that they will be observing Aye for the next week and will interfere if another blood vessel ruptures. Thank god for that, because the very next night Ayan went into shock and doctors took him into another surgery, trying to save him from his own brain. That month alone Ayan had 3 different surgeries, 2 to stop the bleeding in his brain and one on his lung which collapsed in the middle of the night. Akk has never known fear like he did since the moment Ayan was admitted into ICU.

For six months Ayan didn’t wake up from the comma. Six long months of Akk sitting by Aye’s hospital bed 24/7, reading to him, talking to him, listening to music with him, just for Ayan to continue sleeping. He wrote so many letters to his boyfriend, so many entries in the journal with events happening around them, while Akk stayed here with Aye. He didn't go to university, didn't meet anyone outside of the hospital, barely went home to change and shower, before rushing back to the hospital. It is fine though, he will return to everyday life when his shameless woke up and they walk out of here hand in hand. 

Right then though Akk had to stay by Aye in case he woke up. 

Ayan shouldn't be alone when he wakes. 

When! Not If!

The bleeding wouldn’t stop, so doctors were worried about Shortstop, but the ex-head prefect believed that Ayan would pull through. He won’t just leave him. 

But then…

Akk doesn’t know why he ended up on that hill, the same hill Teacher Dika used to end his life.

Lie. Lie. Lie.

Was it to pray?

Lie. Lie. Lie.

Or to follow Ayan to the stars?

You’re a coward, Akk. Such a coward.

One way or another, that morning on the seven month mark, Ayan went into cardiac arrest and like a coward Akk ran away and so here he was on the Hill. It’s all blurry after that, almost like a dream. 

He is still not sure if that person was real. Or if they meant what they said.

She gave him an option to save Ayan and Akk agreed, not worried much about the consequences. 

Akk blinked once and when he opened his eyes instead of the abyss under his feet, he was back in Suppalo, standing at the gate of the school dressed in his uniform, wearing the Head Prefect arm band as if the last 2 and a half years were just a dream and he never left.

He looked at the building which still, almost 3 years later, haunted his nightmares and went into panic, his breath coming in gasps, vision blurry and mind running a mile a minute trying to reason with his heart.

Closing his eyes, Akk grabbed at Aye’s necklace, thankfully still around his neck - a nice nurse gave it to him together with Ayan’s bloody clothes after the surgery, Akk burned the rest and never took off the pendant since that day - and took deep calming breaths like his psychologist taught him. He will forever be grateful to his boyfriend for forcing him to seek therapy once they were back after his brief suspension. 

Akk barely managed to calm down, whipping away his tears and straightening as to not let the other students see his weakness. Suppalo is a cruel place, and any show of vulnerability can become his damnation - this is the school he studied at, now with Aye and his therapist opening his eyes, Akk can see the cruel truth more clearly. 

Just as his breath returned to normal, Ayan came sneaking up to him, teasing and prodding, trying to get a reaction out of the Head Prefect, like he so liked to do back when they first met and still likes to this day, it’s just less cruel and more flirtatious. Maybe it has always been like that, but Akk was too afraid back then, too beaten down and tame.

When he saw Aye, three years younger and still grieving for Dika, Akk’s first instinct was to hug him. Throw his arms around the shorter boy and never let go. It's been 7 months since he looked into his boyfriend’s eyes, heard his voice or even seen him outside of the hospital bed. So when he saw Ayan the Head prefect wanted to take him in his embrace and never let him go. 

He almost did it too, if not the last rational cell in his brain, pleading for him to rethink, to stop.

This is not his Aye. This is not his boyfriend. Yet. This Ayan has just lost his uncle and came here for revenge. He doesn’t know the truth. For him Akk is still the enemy, still the Head Prefect who follows the rules of the school that took his beloved uncle away.

Akk held back. But it hurt him to do it. It felt as if he lost Ayan again, when he couldn’t just hug him like he got spoiled into and expected. Hell, he can’t even call him ‘Aye,’ having to catch himself at the last minute. It's too soon. Too suspicious. 

It will come, Akk. Aye will be your boyfriend. Just follow the script. You know what happens.

He does know, but he also wants to change it. I want to make sure that many of the things that happened that year don't happen. Akk spent majority of that week after being back in Suppalo once again, altering between having breakdowns - wherever he was faced with Teacher Chadok or woke up in his dorm bed without Aye by his side or after a nightmare - and thinking, remembering all of the events and trying to find way on how to help Ayan and World Remembers and most importantly how to avoid Thua outing him and continuing the Curse thing. 

It all gives him a headache and by the end of the week he is exhausted. Kan and Wat notice, of course, concerned about him and trying to help him even though the prefect refuses to answer any of their questions. To Akk’s utter delight Ayan notices too and that somehow makes him more curious about the Head Prefect than he was the first time they lived through these events, which by extension turns Akk’s future boyfriend into his stalker. 

Akk might be enjoying this a little too much.

But Aye obviously stalking him, because he thinks Akk is acting strange, makes the prefect feel giddy and wanted and seen. 

He spent 7 months without Ayan's attention. He is allowed to be stupid.

Shut up!

With each passing day it becomes harder to hold onto the script, going with the flow and making slight changes, when all he wants to do is tell Ayan the truth and finally get to kiss him. Aye is Akk’s personal kryptonite, and he is so afraid that teacher Chadok or Teacher Waree will figure it out. It terrifies him just to think about the target they will put on Aye if they think he is ‘corrupting’ Akk. 

So instead of reporting about the shortstop being suspicious, like he did in the past, the Head Prefect reported nothing to Teacher Chadok and simply acted like he was keeping an eye on the new student, while he ran around breaking the rules. 

But no secret stays secret forever. 

Akk’s love for Ayan is too strong to let him fully be the Head Prefect everyone knows. And Aye is too mischievous to act discreetly.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The girl is cute and nice, blushing as she hands Akk a red heart-shaped box right in front of the school gates. It’s Valentine’s Day today and after Akk woke up and had to talk himself down in front of the mirror when he saw the date, reminding himself that Aye’s accident is still two years away, he quickly changed and made his way to Suppalo - trying to remember exactly what happens on this day and later.

Akk smiles gently and hands the box back. “I’m sorry, I can’t accept your feelings.”

“May I ask why?” She asks politely, which makes Akk feel worse, but even back then he knew he would never be into girls. He just took a long time to accept it.

“I, umm…” What did he answer back then? It’s hard to remember. Probably something stupid about needing to study and concentrating on his future. “I already have someone I like.” Akk said instead, holding himself from apologizing - he will never regret loving Aye, never.

The girl nods, hugs the box close to her chest and runs away. Akk continues inside, suddenly remembering the teasing which is meant to happen this morning and groaning in barely repressed frustration. 

Just like he remembers Kan and Wat are sitting behind their joined table, uniforms filled with heart stickers and roses in their hands, just like everyone else in class his best friends were fooling around, proud of receiving so many stickers from different people. Akk always considered this day pointless. It wasn’t a holiday, it wasn’t anything grand, just a simple day where people felt obliged to give gifts and confess their feelings to each other – which mostly ended in embarrassment if the other person didn’t return their feelings. So, he never actively participated in Valentine’s Day, rejected all the gifts, and chose to simply joke around with his friends and study, like he did ever since he got into Suppalo on Scholarship.

That belief, just like everything else in his life, changed when he met Ayan, especially when they started to officially date. On their first Valentine’s day as a couple Akk was so nervous, spending weeks prior thinking about what kind of present to get his boyfriend, what will they do and how they will spend it. In the end, the Head Prefect settled for something heartfelt and authentic, just how Aye likes. His shortstop never cared about expensive or flashy things, it was always true feelings spoken aloud, show of affection and time given freely that made him smile. So, Akk did just that. 

For a week he hid in his dorm room, practically avoiding Aye as he made a scrapbook from scratch with pictures and Ayan’s doodles – which he always loves to make on Akk’s notebooks and which Akk started to also do once he realized how much giddiness Aye’s happiness brought him when he looked at terrible art his boyfriend made – and small momentous they gathered together. Taller boy filled the pages with memories and spent days writing little love notes under each addition, telling his boyfriend how grateful he was and how all these memories made him happy. 

When Akk gave the gift to Ayan on Valentine’s Day – after the homemade meal Ayan prepared for them and over the bought chocolate cake they decided to share between them as they sat on the living room floor of Ayan’s home, with some movie playing on the background – tears filled his boyfriend’s eyes, lips trembling with all the emotions he could read in his gaze. Before the Head prefect could panic though, Aye jumped over the cake and embraced his boyfriend with all his might, raining kisses all over his face as he laughed. 

They never finished that movie or that cake that night.

So yes, before the accident Valentine’s Day was something Akk enjoyed and looked forwards to with Aye. But right now, stuck in Suppalo as a teenager, with Ayan not even considering him a friend, Akk was back to hating the day, more so for the fact that it’s on this day that his boyfriend will have the accident, which will inevitably take him away from Akk.

Just like in the past, the Head Prefect comes to class and slaps Kan across the head, which starts a back and forth of teasing, joking and annoyance between the three best friends. When Wat asks “Seriously, don’t you like anyone at all, Akk?” and Kan uses the rose as a microphone to lean close for an answer, Akk freezes for a second, eyes darting between his best friends. 

His heart screams: Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. His boyfriend’s pretty face flashing in his mind, just like it always does, but of course he can’t say that. 

He must have been quiet for too long, because Kan and Wat exchange a look and lean closer, eyes glimmering, like two mischievous cats that just caught the canary. “Oooo… Look at this reaction, my friend. Ai’Wat, I think our boy is in love.”

Wiping away fake tears, Wat throws his arm over Kan’s shoulders and nods. “He has grown so much, darling. Our little boy is now a man.”

After another boost of mocking shoulder slaps, Kan uses the arm that is not around Wat to pull Akk close with a demand. “Tell us, Akk. Who is she? Is she from the neighbor school? Or maybe someone from back home?”

“It must be the girl who gave you chocolate this morning.” Wat announced, clicking his fingers. “I saw you!”

“Uuuuuuy….” Kan practically jumped in excitement. “Does that mean she just confessed? Are you dating her. Ai’Akk how can you hide it from us!”

How the hell did the conversation got here? Pushing his friend’s arm away Akk frowned. “She didn’t… I don’t… You’re both wrong!”

“Oh, so it's not her.” Kan pouted. 

Wat narrowed his eyes. “Who is it then?”

Aye entered just at that moment, making Akk freeze as his eyes locked onto the boy who looked… Pissed. He looked angry and pouty and just like he did when Akk used to talk about his Peer Mentor during the orientation week. When they started their Junior year in University Akk met his peer mentor who was an amazing person and who helped him to get used to the new life on campus and introduced him to all his professors and in general made things so much easier for him. 

Once the first month was over, few of the mentees gathered to throw a small ‘thank you’ dinner for our mentors for the help that month and Akk bought his Phi’ a small present, since she didn’t only give him her notes, but helped with the whole dorm mess, when he and Aye wanted to share a room, but the university wouldn’t allow them. So, he got her a small something, went to dinner with 10 different people that night and when he came back to the dorm, Ayan was already waiting in bed, not sleeping, with this same expression. 

Akk would know. He remembers. Because he spent the next three month teasing his boyfriend about it, up until Aye got flirted with one night, when they went to the bar with Kan, Thua and Wat, by someone guy who was as tall as Akk, with tattoos and the kind of bad boy aura, which probably made many people attracted to him. Akk saw Ayan talking to the tattoo guy by the bar and something possessive and dark bloomed inside of him, making the ex-head prefect move between them, put his arm around his boyfriend’s waist to pull him closer and glare at the guy, who simply chuckled, took his beer and left. 

After the guy was gone Aye took Akk’s face between his palms, hands as warm as they always have been and looking into his eyes teased with a bright like sunshine smile. “Aww, is my Bigfoot jealous?”

After that, to the annoyance of their friends, they spent weeks teasing each other about being possessive, obsessive, addicted and… Jealous. Because at the end of the day that’s what it was. 

Aye loves Akk attention only on him, and for Akk even the thought of Ayan’s eyes looking away from him for even a second makes him all grim and moody. They’re boyfriends. They’re jealous and possessive, and as long as it's not toxic - Aye said it’s fine. But…

This doesn’t explain why Ayan is jealous right now. When he just transferred to Suppalo and is barely friendly enough with Akk? Their standard setting is to get on each other’s nerves at this point of their relationship, so it can’t be the Head Prefect that he’s jealous of. Could it be someone else?

He felt frustration at that bubble up inside of him, hurt and suspicion, over the fact that Ayan might be interested in someone else, consuming him and making him sick with nausea. Before he could overthink this, Kan called his name. “Ai’Akk, are you even listening to us!” He grumbled. 

With Ayan taking his seat right beside him, not even once looking up, seemingly ignoring the trio, Akk didn’t feel like continuing the conversation, so opened his bag and pulled out his books. “Enough of this. Teacher is coming.”

If anything, this made his best friends’ eyes shine. “He’s deflecting. There is something going on there.” Wat announced.

“Mission: Find Akk’s lover is in Action.” Kan used his pen as a magnifying glass as if he was some type of a detective, continuing to joke with Wat and pretending to be investigating the mystery.

Akk wasn’t paying them any attention though. He felt Aye twitch and grit his teeth more at Kan’s word, so the Head Prefect turned all of his attention to him. Ayan looks like he does when jealous, but it doesn’t mean that’s what he is feeling. Did something else happen?

For the rest of the class, he kept his eyes on Ayan, observing him, trying to see what’s wrong. Once the teacher was in and everyone was back in their places, Akk moved his sole attention to the new student, noticing clearly the dark circles under his eyes and whitish complexion. Did he not sleep well last night? He probably had another nightmare.

Aye’s nightmares never went away, they lessened once they were in university, but they didn’t completely disappear. When Ayan was stressed or anxious over something he would have a night terror, tossing and turning, screaming for Dika and Akk, before waking up in cold sweat. Ever since that night in his dorm in Suppalo, when Aye spent the night for the first time and Akk held him after a nightmare, it became their routine. Ayan would stay over; they would tease and flirt before falling asleep and waking up wrapped around each other like octopuses. Which also meant that whenever his boyfriend had a nightmare Akk would wake up first and either shake him awake gently so as to not frighten him or will hug him until Aye woke up himself.

One way or another, Ayan always calmed down once he was in Akk’s embrace and slept right through the night. When they entered university and moved into the same dorm room Ayan almost never had nightmares, the only times he did were during times of great stress, like during exams or when his mom moved to Nepal for her job or when Akk broke his wrist and as each other’s Emergency Contact Ayan got the call. The worst of all was probably the night terror he had a week after their summer vacation when Akk refused to go to England with him and Aye had a mental breakdown thinking that they would break up. 

‘Separation anxiety’ – his therapist called it – and Akk had it too, he was just busy taking care of Aye to really let himself feel. Once Ayan could sleep through the night, Akk proceeded to have his own anxiety attack, waking up at night with tears and screams calling for his boyfriend to not leave him.

They were unhealthily attached and too intertwined to ever get separated – in Kan’s words. He also called them crazy, but Kan’s opinion is not valid, ever since he chose to study Law when Thua applied to Law School.

Long story short Ayan always had nightmares and when Akk is not there to hold him and reassure him – which barely happened since they got together, even before university – he didn’t get enough sleep. Because once his shortstop wakes up from the nightmare, he stays awake, doing his homework or reading or going for a swim instead. 

Ayan was also unusually quiet all morning. Through all their morning classes, he sat with his head in the notebook, writing what the teacher said and subtly moving away from Akk, when the prefect shifted. He refused to look, talk or even acknowledge the taller boy, which pissed him off and worried him all the same. So, when Teacher Sani left and Namo came to sit by Wat, he kept his eyes on Ayan, hoping to see him relax and smile. Akk’s world is dark without Aye’s smile and the little troublemaker was too gloomy now. If they were closer, he would prod and tease, right now the Head Prefect had to turn to his friends for help and an opening.

“And you, Akk?” Namo smirks. “Does a quiet man like you talk to lots of girls?”

He feels Ayan shift, head propped up on his hand, but the taller teen is close enough to feel the anger. Strange. “I don’t care about that stuff.” Akk says, eyes briefly moving to his desk mate, worried when Ayan still won’t look at him, his shoulders pulled up in defence. Why is he acting like this?

“Are you sure? You’re so hot!” Namo comments, which makes Ayan tense, leaning back, clenched hands dropping to his lap. 

Right, Akk forgot about Namo’s blind admiration of him and Ayan’s conviction that it was not ‘admiration’ but ‘crush’. 

He never liked how close Namo was to Akk or the fact that he followed him everywhere. The Head Prefect only understood that Aye was jealous all this time after the incident back in Akk’s hometown. Is it still the same? Is his Shortstop jealous?

“You know nothing, Namo.” Kan intervenes and Akk cheers, there you go friend , help me test my theory about my future boyfriend. “Akk is a hermit. He will keep his virginity to himself forever.”

Ayan silently laughs, hiding his happiness as he lowers his head, but his shoulders relax and suddenly he is no longer looking murderous at anyone. Bingo! Delightful laughter wants to escape the Head Prefect as his stomach flutters. Akk has his answer. 

Aye is jealous.  Who cares about reasons or timing. His shortstop is so cute.

“Stop teasing him about this. Poor him.” Wat wants to mend the situation, trying to protect his friend’s feelings. But Akk’s sole focus is on Ayan’s smile. He couldn’t care less about his friends thinking that he is a virgin. Technically this Akk is a virgin, but the future Akk has done lots of things with his boyfriend.

“Is it true Akk? Are you still a virgin?” Namo teases.

Ayan looks at Akk with a cheeky grin, a challenge hidden there. Akk wants to kiss him. 

His friends laugh and he gets an idea. Dropping his pen the Head Prefect stands up, moving around Aye. “I need to bring the materials from the library for the next class.” With that he moves to the door. 

“Oh, wait, I’ll help.” Wat says, but Akk stops him.

“No need.” He shakes his head towards his desk mate. “Ayan can help. Let’s go!”

Everyone, including Aye, looks at him in shock, but the new student still obeys. Taking his bag, he follows him outside. Briefly the prefect hears his friends say.

“Is he mad because we said he’s a virgin?”

“I think so.”

“Good. I’m lazy right now.”

****☀️🌙****

“Where are you taking me, prefect?” Ayan complained. “Do you want to make me disappear now that I know your virgin secret? Or maybe…” Even without looking, Akk could hear the suggestion in the boy's voice. “Oh, Akk we can't do that in the middle of the school day. You have a reputation to hold, and I do have standards…”

“Ayan!” Akk tried to sound stern as he turned to glare at the boy, but he couldn't hold back the amusement in his voice. Sighing he stopped, having finally found what he was looking for, right where it always is behind the school. “We're here.” The prefect announced, kneeling.

Singto has always been his source of happiness in Suppalo, just like his friends were, not to the level Aye is, being with the dog never fails to calm him down and make him smile.

“Hey there Singto.” Akk smiled, petting the puppy.

“To dogs you’re so nice and smiley.” 

“Be a good puppy and I’ll smile at you too.”

“Ai’Akk. No need to be a dog, just pet it.” Ayan grumbled, sitting down and playing with Singto, scratching behind his ears.

After a few more minutes Akk cleared his throat trying to act natural. “You… Umm, you look tired today.”

Taken back, Ayan simply stares at him, before mischief fills his features. “Are you worried about me, prefect?”

Cheeks heating up, the taller boy looked away and down, concentrating on the dog instead. “Forget it.”

“I’m fine.” Aye smirked, hand joining his over Singto, fingers getting tangled in his fur, almost brushing. Akk could feel electricity zapping through him, being this close to Ayan always does that to him – be it right now or in the future, that never changes. “It’s cute how worried you are.”

“I’m not worried.” He denied harshly, heart rate increasing. His face was probably flaming red. “I don’t want any student to get in trouble.”

“Oh, how diligent you are.” Short teen mocked, leaning back. “Such a good Head Prefect.”

The Prefect rolled his eyes. “Asshole. See if I care next time, you have a nightmare!” Scoffing as he turned to look at his future boyfriend.

Aye frowned. “Who says I had a nightmare?” 

“Umm… I… Well, you said you had a rough night so I just assumed it must be a nightmare.” Akk stuttered, wishing he could be aloof and calm, like he used to be back in high school when they first met and not a stuttering mess who was trying to hide the truth about their future and his true feelings. Although, even back in Suppalo Akk was a stuttering mess, trying to hide his growing feelings for Ayan. 

“Hmm.” He didn’t look like he believed him anyways, standing up with a last pet on Singto. “I have an important question for you.”

It’s the Head Prefects turn to frown. “What?” Did Ayan figure out something? Does he know? Aye is way too smart sometimes, it won’t shock Akk if he knows by now. Not that Akk is good at hiding anything anyways.

“So, you’re…” He stopped as if considering how to form his next words. Akk’s heartbeat increased, he was feeling anxious. Stepping in, Ayan shouted-whispered into his ear, a grin evident in his tone. “You’re still a virgin?” He sounded too giddy for his own good. “Are you really a virgin?”

“Shut up!” Akk demanded in frustration, suddenly angry at his own stupidity. There is no way Aye would ever figure out that Akk is from the future. He has no reason to. 

The shorter boy’s bright smile almost made the tease worth it. Almost. “So, it’s true.”

Timeline never mattered; Ayan’s smugness always gets on Akk’s nerves. In the future he stopped him by kisses and tickles and teasing back, right now though he could do only this. Grabbing the shorter boy by the lapel of his jacket, the Head Prefect called him close. “You’re getting on my nerves, Shortstop.”

Aye looked shocked for a second, before smirking and taking a step forward, looking up in challenge. “What are you going to do about it, Bigfoot?”

They had this interaction so many times, so many words exchanged, and the same challenge thrown back, just to hear the same reply. “I’ll punch you.”

“Same rule applies. You punch me, I…” Ayan pursed his lips.

Last time they had this same conversation outside of the bar after his Birthday during that summer break. Back then they both laughed and didn’t kiss, this time they can’t kiss either, but after years of being in a relationship Akk knows that his boyfriend back here wasn’t as confident as he pretended to be and how to make Ayan short-circuit and pull back. Letting go, he smirked, making the other boy pull back a little.

“Go ahead then, Ayan.” The short teen blinked rapidly, trying to understand what he just heard. “Do it.”

“You… You didn’t punch me.” That’s the weakest comeback he could come up with right now, when he is still shocked by Akk’s sudden change of attitude. 

It’s the Head Prefect’s turn to purse his lips now, advancing on the other boy, making his step back until he was cornered, back hitting the wall. With an arm on either side of Ayan’s head, he trapped him in, faces now pulled close together. “We don’t really need it, do we? Let’s just skip to the fun bit.”

“You… What…” Ayan.exe stopped responding. Akk wanted to laugh at the adorable blush. “You’re acting strange. Why are you acting strange?”

Smirking, Akk leaned in, whispering in the boy’s ear. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Aye.”

Pushing away he left, leaving his future boyfriend in stunned silence.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Akk was too giddy from his interaction with Ayan, so he didn’t see where he was walking. Still thinking about his boyfriend and how red his cheeks were to see in time Teacher Chadok approaching, until it was too late to avoid him.

“Akk, it’s good that you’re here.” Teacher Chadok said, right outside of the Student Welfare Department. “Come in.”

Anxiety consumed him, suddenly any notion of happiness completely gone, leaving behind only fear, darkness and all-consuming terror. It’s been three years since Akk was last here, three years of therapy and healing, and all it took to see Teacher Chadok for just a second, to forget all the curing and revert to how he used to be. Nervous, afraid and hiding like a scared animal behind the mask of the Head Prefect to keep his heart, his feelings, his truth safe and sound.

Now, truthfully, Akk knows about the real Chadok and his relationship with Dika, knows that right now Teacher is hurting just as much as Ayan after his fiancé died right in front of his eyes. And maybe, since Akk is right now also battling with grief over his own boyfriend who is stuck in a never-ending coma, he should understand the teacher better, but… He can’t. Panic and fear and trepidation over what Chadok will want and if he will take away Akk’s scholarship and future if he disobeys are still fresh in his mind. 

Akk is more afraid now that he worked through it with his therapist and Ayan and his friends, which allowed him to see the true extent of gaslighting which Chadok put him through. ‘Cause that’s exactly what it was, manipulation, gaslighting, brainwashing – whatever one might call it. He was still a teenager back in Suppalo, naïve and filled with dreams of becoming bigger, better, of going to a good university and finding a good job, dreaming of the day he can become someone amazing, someone who can help his parents, repay them for all that they have done. He wanted to fulfil his parents’ dreams, his own dreams, he wanted a better future for himself and them and his future spouse and now he knows that Chadok played on that, used it to make Akk do what he wanted.

When Akk first came to Suppalo on scholarship, he was still just a country bumpkin, getting into fights because of all the bullying and annoying rich kids who wanted to make his life a living hell for being a scholarship kid and not one of them. He met Kan and Wat in his first semester of junior high and they have become inseparable since then, fighting and defending each other from everyone. Then teacher Dika talked to him, and he met Mes and Akk stopped. He decided to stop using his fists to prove a point and instead aimed for power and strength to show all of them what he is capable of. So, he studied harder, did everything the teachers said and listened to Chadok until Mes left and he was announced as the new Head Prefect. 

His therapist told him that Teacher Chadok shouldn’t have asked him to control the entire student body by himself, when it was his job to do it, he is the adult. Akk argued that, he didn’t listen to her or to Ayan or even to Kan and Wat, who all told him the same thing. Admitting that will mean that he was weak and pathetic and that he got used like a puppet. It took months for him to finally accept it, months of tears and panic attacks and waking up in cold sweat in Aye’s arms for Akk to finally admit that – Yes, Chadok dangled his scholarship and his future in front of him like a beacon to use him and Akk got manipulated into becoming the curse. 

He remembers coming out of the psychologist’s office with red eyes and begging Aye – who always waited outside, just like Akk waited for him during his sessions - to take him somewhere that is not there. His boyfriend took him to the beach, where they sat for hours until Akk broke down and let everything spill, telling his lover how he feels, how much it hurts and how he wishes he realized the manipulation sooner, then he wouldn’t have hurt anyone. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Aye said nothing during his rant, just wrapped his arms around the crying boy, held him close and whispered words of love and reassurance to him, until his hiccups subsided and he was lulled to calmness by Ayan’s steady heartbeat.

Now, back in the past, standing in the middle of the Student Welfare room with his hands shaking, sweat running down his back and heart beating so fast it's like it will jump out of his chest, Akk feels like he is drowning. He is so scared. Scared that Chadok will be able to manipulate him again. Scared that he will be brainwashed by this teacher to do what he wants. That he will become the curse again, will hurt people, will betray Ayan, will be the same used puppet as before. 

Akk refused to look at his teacher, eyes downcast as his mind raised with all the possibilities. Chadok might use the scholarship again, he will need information on Ayan and World Remembers, what if Akk spills everything. Akk needs to be strong and change the past, he needs to make sure that there is no target on Aye, but how. This man could so easily manipulate him in the past, can he stop him from doing it again? What if he can’t? 

He needs to protect his boyfriend. He needs to protect his friends. But how? Akk is not strong enough, not without Ayan’s support or Kan and Wat backing him up. What if Chadok uses him again? What if…?

“You’re going to get permanent wrinkles if you frown so much.” Ayan’s voice suddenly rang in his ears, a memory like a balm pouring over his burning scars. 

“I just… I don't know how to solve this problem.” Akk mumbles, hunched over his algebra homework, he had to take it during the first semester of university for some extra points and he hated every moment of it.

“Well, overthinking it won’t help.” Ayan announced, slapping the book closed, making Akk jump back with a frown.

“Aye!”

“Let’s go get ice cream.”

“I have homework.”

“Which you’re stressing about.” Standing up he grabbed the taller boy and pulled him to his feet. Technically Akk is way stronger than Ayan, but the ex-head prefect would never use his real strength with his boyfriend in case he hurts him. Also, because he loves to spoil him, knowledge which his shortstop uses to his advantage a lot. “You won’t solve anything if you’re stressed. So, let’s go get ice cream and then I’ll help you.”

“But…”

“Come on, Akk. Na~ Na~ Na~” He whined, making Akk laugh and finally agree.

Just like always, hearing his boyfriend’s voice, even if it is in his own memory, calmed the prefect down. Akk focused on his own breathing like his therapist taught him, using reason to deal with panic which comes from his past trauma and not from actual danger. His brain is too used to be in fight or flight mode, so whenever he is faced with a troublesome situation his basic mode is to overthink the outcome and mostly in a negative way. His therapist taught him a breathing technique to calm his mind and let it reboot before making any decision. It helped him a lot, while he has started with therapy and later while prepping for entrance exams.

Breathe in. One. Breathe Out.

Yes, Teacher Chadok used his scholarship and future to manipulate him in the past. Akk was then a teenager who just wanted to be perfect and make his parents proud, so he didn’t see it until Ayan opened his eyes.

Breathe in. Two. Breathe Out.

Akk is not the same scared boy from back then. He is a nineteen-year-old university student, who has graduated and won a place in one of the best universities in Thailand and got to study there with his boyfriend and friends. 

Breathe in. Three. Breathe Out.

He is about to move in with the said boyfriend and has long dealt with what happened in Suppalo. Being back to the past in his seventeen-year-old body means nothing, he is still three years ahead of this period and knows what happens.

Breathe in. Four. Breathe Out.

Teacher Chadok was Uncle Dika’s fiancé, he watched Dika die and that, along with guilt is eating away at him. He is hurt and grieving and is being manipulated by the director too. 

Breathe in. Five. Breathe Out.

He might not be innocent, but he is also a victim in a way. If anything, it’s the director who is evil.

Breathe in. Six. Breathe Out.

Yes, Teacher Chadok might try to manipulate Akk and use him as the curse again. But Akk won’t allow it to happen. He won’t hurt Ayan again. Won’t betray him. 

Breathe in. Seven. Breathe Out.

He will change the past. He will save Aye.

Breathe in. Eight. Breathe Out.

No one will hurt him again. No one will use him anymore.

Breathe in. Nine. Breathe Out.

He is stronger now. He is smarter. He has something worth fighting for. His future with Ayan, his life and dream. He will fight for it.

Breathe in. Ten. Breathe Out.

Ready!

Hiding his still slightly trembling hands behind his back, Akk stood straight, raising his head, but looking at the far wall, still not completely ready to look right at the teacher. 

“Have there been any developments about Ayan?” Chadok demanded. Akk felt his breath hitch, but he tried to keep himself neutral. If he remembers correctly, he hasn’t told Chadok about Aye yet, so there is no reason for him to target the new student. “I heard he is rebellious against our rules.”

“He’s getting used to the system here, sir. I’m personally educating him on Suppalo rules and regulations.”

“That’s not what I heard. I’ve been informed that he is the one behind the protest.”

“W-what? No, the protests started way before he came.” Akk made a mistake, he knew it the second his voice broke, and teacher Chadok raised a brow. Damn it, Akk! Don’t show you care!

“Are you protecting him, Akk?” The teacher demanded, moving closer.

Head prefect cleared his throat. “N-no, sir. I’m just reporting on my observation.”

“The fact that you haven’t told me about this new kid, while I keep hearing about all the troubles he has caused, makes me believe that you have in fact been brainwashed by him.” There was something dangerous in Chadok’s demand, making Akk take a step back. 

“No, sir. I’ve been keeping an eye on Ayan, and he hasn’t done anything.” The Head Prefect stood his ground. He won’t allow the target to land on Aye, not this time. He needs to be safe. Him and World Remembers need to be kept safe. 

“The protests have increased since he came, and it looks like he is not wearing a uniform and has been actively ignoring the prefects and the teachers.”

Akk squeezed his hands into fists behind himself, nails biting painfully into his skin. How does he fix this? 

“No, sir. I’m watching him diligently. He is not behind the protests.”

Teacher Chadok slammed his hands on the table. “Are you talking back, Akk?! I have information from a reliable place, who told me about Ayan’s involvement with the World Remembers and it seems like he also managed to brainwash you into siding with him.”

“No, sir. I…”

Rounding the table, teacher Chadok comes close, looming over the teen. “You’re the Head Prefect, you must set an example to students. Deal with Ayan and the World Remembers as fast as possible. Report back to me about everything he does.”

Biting his lip Akk lowered his head, trembling in his shoulders even more obvious. He didn’t know what to say or what to do. How does he help Aye? How does he help his nongs? What does he do now? Who is this informant in the first place? Is it Thua? Namo? Or someone entirely new? Someone is going over Akk’s head and is kissing up to Chadok. Which makes sense in a way, if teacher Chadok can’t gaslight Akk, then he will use someone else. But who?

His worry and fear over Ayan’s well-being blinds him as the Head Prefect fights to clear his head and think about a clear answer. On instinct his hand goes to his necklace, which Akk kept ever since his boyfriend’s accident. Big mistake.

Teacher Chadok frowns. “Jewellery is against the rules, Akk. What’s the meaning of this?”

The Head Prefect tightens his hand over Ayan’s pendant, afraid it will be taken. “I’m sorry, sir. I forgot to take it off before coming to class. It won’t happen again.”

“You’ve disappointed me, Akk. Get yourself together and do your job as the Head Prefect. Don’t make me regret choosing you for this position.” His voice was stern, filled with barely suppressed anger. Putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder he continued. “Your future depends on this, Akk. Suppalo needs you.”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Aye was taking a much needed nap after the morning that he had had, mind still trying to connect the dots about Akk’s behavior, as well as his own. 

Now in all honesty, he had a terrible sleep last night. Just like it always is after a nightmare. When Aye woke up in a cold sweat from that dream about Akk - another question should be why he was dreaming about that guy in first place - he couldn’t go back to sleep, so instead he woke up, took a shower, poured himself some coffee and started on his homework for next week no less. The issue was though he couldn’t concentrate, the vision of Akk on that hill, jumping after looking at the shorter boy with such hopeless devastation got stuck in his mind, replaying over and over again like a broken record.

It made him feel the same way he felt when he learned about his Uncle’s death. Like his world came crashing down. But it made no sense. Uncle Dika was everything to Aye, while Akk is, for the lack of better term, a stranger.

Uncle Dika took care of Ayan since he was a little kid. When his dad left and mom had to work almost all day, sometimes not coming back for days, Dika was the one who cared for the little boy - teaching him, mentoring him, never making him feel lonely or unloved or unwanted. Uncle Dika was Ayan’s idol and a father figure, the one he went to when he needed advice, the one he came out to when he first figured out his sexuality, the one he went for comfort when his first crush broke his heart and who told him that one day he will meet a very special person who will make him forget what heartbreak ever felt like.

When Dika died, Ayan’s world was destroyed by him. He doesn’t understand what happened, what pushed his uncle to take his own life, but he is sure that it's this damn school which broke that angel of a man and forced him to leave the people he loved. So as soon as he got Dika’s journals and read them, he transferred here looking for answers. Akk became the first suspect after the whole truck thing and Teacher Chadok is even more of a suspicion person as he was the one closest to Uncle Dika, who apparently worked in the Student Welfare Department. That didn’t remove Bigfoot from the suspect list, just shifted him into the mysterious section. 

Maybe Ayan is biased, since he wants Akk not to be behind Dika’s issue or for him to be on this school’s side. 

Last night, Ayan spent hours trying to understand Akk. The boy who on the first day almost caused the Three Jums accident and who on the second was completely different - with circles under his eyes, regret in his gaze and who looked at Aye like he had all the answers. Akk is the mystery Ayan wants to solve, a puzzle which just doesn’t fit anywhere yet - not with Suppalo and Chadok and not with Three Jums and Dika. So maybe, because the shorter teen spent all day observing the Head Prefect he saw him in his dreams, but it didn’t explain the panic he felt after the nightmare or the worry which consumed him, barely holding himself back from finding the boy and making sure he was safe and sound. And Alive.

Grieving for Dika is natural, worry for Akk is not. They just met a week ago. They are not even friends, so Ayan didn’t understand why he was so worried all night, practically rushing to school just to see the boy and see for himself that prefect is ok.

That is to say, as soon as he did arrive to Suppalo, he felt his blood boil, fist tighten and whole mood getting worse when he saw that girl confessing to the Head Prefect outside of the school gates - made his confusion even more permanent, ‘cause why the hell should he care if Akk gets a girlfriend or not?

Despite telling himself “I don’t care” the whole morning, his mood was sour as he entered the class and spent the entire morning ignoring Akk, paying attention to the teachers and looking anywhere but at the boy who was trying to grab his attention. He could feel Akk’s worry too, since Ayan probably looked even worse than he felt, but again he didn’t want to look at the other teen. That is until Namo opened his big mouth - his obvious crush on Akk, making Aye pissed - and Kan, like an amazing person, revealed that Akk isn’t only single, but actually has never had a lover. 

Upon hearing those words, Ayan’s mood went from minus 100 to plus ten thousand. Smiling despite himself. It all started getting better when the Head Prefect used the most obvious lie in the world and dragged the shorter teen behind the school, where he met the cutest dog and got to flirt with, by the prefect. 

Ayan thought that by teasing Akk about his virginity he will get a blush, amusing the shorter boy by it, but instead, enigma that he is, the Head Prefect instead flirted back, cornering Aye and making him the confused, flustered mess. 

The asshole also had the audacity to smirk and leave in self-satisfaction. 

Ayan will get him back for that just you wait.

During lunch break though, exhausted from a sleepless night and all the thinking about Akk and this school and the whole morning debacle, Aye found a quiet moment to nap and gather more energy for the afternoon classes. That’s exactly when someone came walking into the room and gently tapped him on the shoulder.

Opening his eyes, he scoffed, taking out the earphones. “What do you want?” 

“You’re in the classroom, you can’t use earphones.” Akk stated, looking down at him. There was something in his gaze, Aye couldn’t quite understand. 

“But it’s break time. We don’t have class now.” Ayan objected, which only made the other boy look kinda annoyed. “What kind of person are you?” Putting his earphones back, he went to lay down.

Akk had other plans though as he gently cupped his face and removed the pieces, taking them away. 

“Give them back.” Shorter teen complained, reaching for the earpods, but the Head Prefect just pulled them away. 

“You already have a target on you, no need to add more.” At his frown, the taller teen elaborated. “Teacher Chadok is keeping an eye on you, ‘cause you refuse to obey the rules.”

“None of your business!” Ayan snapped, shocking Akk. He stood up, reaching for the earphones again, standing way too close to the prefect who refused to step back. “I refused to obey these stupid rules, I told you.”

“Ayan…” Akk sounded exasperated, keeping the items behind his back.

“You’re violating my rights.”

“What?”

“The rights to my assets and my body.”

“You’re being ridiculous. What do human rights have anything to do with this?” 

“Rule keeper like you can never understand.” Aye mocked, this time managing to take away the earphones.

The Head Prefect grabbed his hand then, holding it down, not trying to take the pieces back, but also not letting go. Akk sighs again, still holding Ayan’s hand. “Ayan, please. I just don’t want you to get in trouble.”

He sounded so genuine and worried that the shorter teen froze, heart pounding as for the first time in the last 5 minutes he realized how close they were standing. Akk’s hand was warm over his own, eyes earnest as they gazed at one another. “Why?”

“Teacher Chadokm values this school more than anything, he doesn’t like when rules are broken. Right now World Remembers and you are causing trouble and he doesn’t like it.”

“No, I mean…” Ayan sighs. “Why do you care? Aren’t you the Head prefect you should be stopping me too. Just like with three Jums.”

Akk avoided his eyes, finally letting go of Aye’s hands. “I…”

The door to the classroom opened at that moment, teacher Sani walking in. As it turns out she needed help with the announcements, so like a good student that he is Akk, of course, agreed and since Aye refused for him to run from their conversation he followed. 

They were hanging the Suppalo regulations onto the Announcement Board when Akk spoke again. Ayan was looking at the Student Welfare Department, eyes still glued to the space where apparently his Uncle worked alongside Teacher Chadok and had a turbulent relationship with him - or at least that’s what Mr. Sit said when Aye went looking for him. Which made sense. Uncle Dika was a kind person who loved his students and who wanted everyone to have freedom to express themselves and be free. Teacher Chadok on the other hand was a stickler for rules and hated when someone stepped out of line. Ayan thinks that's what Akk was trying to warn him about.

“They removed all of Teacher Dika’s belongings from there, just like they did in the English Department.” Akk suddenly announced, making the shorter teen turn to him in surprise. “After he left, they told us he was a traitor that left for our rival Parot School and we never mentioned his name again.”

“He is not a traitor.” Ayan gritted his teeth, continuing to hang the announcements.

The Head prefect stopped, turning to look at the other boy. “I know. He was an amazing teacher, we all loved him actually. He was the one who…”

Aye frowned, another question popping up, something he has been wondering ever since Akk helped him that morning. “Akk, how do you know that I’m looking for Teacher Dika?”

“I…” He stuttered. “I heard you talking to Mr. Sit, you were asking him about the English Teacher who left.”

“I did that after we broke into the English Department. You knew about it from before that.” Aye took a step closer, making the boy blush and shift back, eyes moving around avoiding the shorter teen’s.

“I… I…” Suddenly straightening he looked right at Ayan, eyes determined. “I saw you with the flyers, remember? You took a picture of Teacher Dika and World Remembers clipping from Last New years celebration.”

“Ooooh, so smart.” Aye mocked. “I’m surprised you didn’t think something stupid like he is my lover or something.” 

It was an obvious joke, but the Head Prefect blushed, clearing his throat. “Are you writing an online fiction? Who would even think that? Crappy plot and logic. Poor readers who try to read that.”

Why is he over explaining? Such a weird Bigfoot.

“Don’t change the subject, Akk.” Ayan demanded. “There is no way for you to know I’m looking for information by only seeing me by the flyers.” Also, why are you acting like you know the truth, Akk? No one knows what happened to Uncle Dika. No one but me and my mom.

Akk avoided eye contact again, before looking over at the announcements. It’s like a lightbulb lit up as he suddenly announced. “Teacher Dika also considered these rules outdated. He said that Suppalo gentlemen followed these rules for 100 years and while in the past they applied, they seem too archaic right now. You have the same idea, so I just figured he might have influenced you too.”

“You should have been a detective, Sherlock. Such nice deduction skills.”

Shifting his eyes, the Head prefect continued. “You also came from Parot School where he transferred, maybe he brainwashed you there.” Ayan was beginning to realize that when Akk couldn’t meet his gaze, he was lying. How does such a bad liar get away with stuff? One look and you can read everything. He is avoiding the truth, lying to Ayan so that he will shift his attention somewhere else and not to the fact itself. 

Akk knows more than he lets on. The question is - How?

“Aren’t you enforcing these rules too, Bigfoot? How can you badmouth them so much?”

“Even I have to admit that these rules are no longer effective, we live in a modern world after all.” Eye contact one again, he’s telling the truth.

Ayan smirks. “Your precious school will think you have no roots.”

Akk rolled his eyes, some of the mirth seeping into his gaze, so much mischief and playfulness that it threw Aye off for a second. He didn’t know Akk could be playful. “Of course I don’t. I’m not a tree.”

This sounds like something I would say, not the strict Head Prefect. 

 “If I’m brainwashed by Teacher Dika, then it looks like you’re brainwashed by him too.” Shorter teen smirks, leaning in. “We’re both rebellious now.”

And just then the Head Prefect smiled and Ayan lost his breath. It felt like sunshine after a long period of rain. Like a supernova which created whole galaxies and all the stars scattered right into Akk’s eyes. Aye could feel his own lips stretching up into a big grin. Right now, at this moment, he forgot about pain and grief and uncertainty, forgot about this damn school or Chadok or even the curse, all he could see was Akk and all he wanted was for Akk to keep smiling at him like this.

The Head Prefect leaned impossibly close, bending slightly to come to Aye’s height. “What do you say then, Shortstop, wanna start a revolution?”

For the first time in weeks, Ayan wanted to giggle like a little girl. His cheeks hurt from smiling so much. 

Can he really keep this moment? Keep Akk close and happy and warm next to him. Keep him alive.

I don’t know. But I want to. I need to. Bigfoot doesn’t belong on that hill in my nightmares, he belongs here with me - smiling and carefree. 

That nightmare won’t come true. I’ll make sure of that.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The very next day, during Teacher Waree’s class on ‘Mala Nam Thai’ era Ayan was actually listening for once. History was the subject he loved and while he didn’t agree with this school’s system and Teacher Waree’s teaching methods, he always made sure to study hard and pay attention in class. Uncle Dika always told him about the importance of education and its role in people’s lives and the development of their world views. After all, without studying how can you form enough knowledge to develop critical thinking. Without knowing history one can’t fight for their rights and their future. Without literature or linguistics no one can form clear sentences to deliver the message they wanted to everyone. Despite his rebellious streak and annoyance by the school, it's the system that he hated, not education itself.  

Uncle Dika said that it’s good to have different opinions from other people, to have ideals and dreams and plans to change this world, but first Ayan needs to study, he needs to educate himself on everything, even stuff not taught in schools and learn to listen and read between the lines. It's thanks to Uncle Dika that Aye became such a nerd, his love for learning and reading unmatched by anything. Hell, he even read ambiguous philosophical books ‘cause he loved to debate those with his Uncle and get his ideas on them. After Dika’s death Ayan stopped debating them with anyone, just reading and taking notes for later, but never voicing his opinions or wanting to hear what other people say. 

Akk seems to be paying extra attention too, both of them taking notes as the Teacher spoke, although at one point Ayan noticed that Akk was fidgeting, eyes darting between Aye, Wat and Teacher Waree. Strange.

Before Ayan could poke him for answers, Teacher calls Wat to answer, seeing that he was distracted. 

“Wasuwat!” She called loudly. “Are you hearing me?”

“I am.” Wat stood up nervously. 

“Teacher,” Of course, Kan intervened to help his friend. “You’re loud and clear. Of course he hears you.”

If anything, Teacher Waree looked even more enraged. “Kanlong, people who have been well-educated by their families know they shouldn’t interrupt when adults are not speaking with them.” She snapped, making Kan lower his head in frustrated embarrassment. “So? What were Field Marshal Plaek’s policies?”

“Such as…” Wat started. “The cultural revolution that required the wearing of hats.”

“Why wear hats?”

“To symbolize equality?”

“Equality?” Teacher Waree’s tone turned mocking, which pissed Ayan off. He glared at her, just as Akk shifted next to him, tensing. “In ‘Mala Nam Thai’ era?” Shaking her head Teacher moved towards the board. “The Mala Nam Thai Plan was established to bring Thais up to the same level of civilizations as western nations. He was a dictator and a nationalist. Why would he want equality?”

Ayan raised his hand at that, standing up, shaking Akk’s hand when he tried to grab at him. “Wat’s answer isn’t wrong.”

“Not wrong? The rich’s hats and the poor’s hats were made of different materials, to begin with. Do you think having anything covering the skulls makes everyone equal? What a dumb answer.” She scoffs, which makes his classmates laugh.

Ayan still remembers his talk with Uncle Dika on this topic, still can see clearly his uncle’s face as they discussed what happened at that period and what can be considered what. “It’s true Field Marshal Plaek was a dictator. But he was a member of the People's Party. And we can’t deny that he was against the old power and reclaimed equality for citizens.”

He could see Teacher Waree tensing, eyes blazing as she glared at him. Akk held onto his wrist, pulling at Aye to sit back down. “Stop it, Ayan.” Shorter teen looked at him in betrayal, he thought they were on the same side now, yet it looks like Akk is still playing his role as a prefect. 

Shaking the Head Prefect’s hand, Ayan wanted to continue, but before he could utter another word, Akk raised his hand and stood up. “Do you think wearing uniforms is important, teacher?”

Teacher Waree looked taken aback by Akk’s sudden question. “Of course. To maintain orderliness.”

“The same goes with wearing hats. Nothing different to wearing school uniforms. That’s what Wat and Ayan meant. It creates equality and reduces inequality. More importantly, Teacher Waree, school uniform originated in Field Marshal Plaek’s era, the one you just called a dictator.” Without meaning to by the look of it, Akk’s voice took a judgmental tone, sounding almost like Ayan.

“Are you talking back to me, Akk?” She raised a brow.

“No. I’m just sharing information. There are several articles written on this topic, which proves that historical ideals cannot be summed into a single concept, as their interpretation and application might differ. There are actually a few academic books Ayan and I found in our library that proves it.” 

“Are you siding with Ayan and arguing with the Teacher? As a member of the prefect club you should set an example.”

“I’m not siding with Wat or Ayan, teacher. I’m answering the question and like you always ask of us, I am referencing the theory behind Ayan’s answer from a textbook. Good education should be receptive and open to development. Not putting us in a frame and judging who is right or wrong. Right teacher? Am I right?”

There is a deadly silence in the classroom, as all the eyes turn to Akk. Ayan couldn’t take his gaze away from the Head Prefect either. He couldn’t believe that he not only sided with Aye’s point of view, but also talked back to the teacher to protect him. Akk just put himself at risk to prove a point and somehow knowing it, realising its implication to Akk’s position makes the shorter teen worried, wanting to reach out and take his hand - slight shake of Akk’s head stops him though. This is not the time.

“If that’s what you feel, then alright. Since Akk is so sure that there are academic materials, then pair up and do the report of Field Marshal Plaek, which is due next Monday. You must reference at least 15 notebooks.” Taking her bag she walked away, Thua - bless his soul - still doing the expected chant with the class, even though no one felt like it.

Turning to the Head Prefect, Ayan reached for his hand. “Akk…”

Akk looked at him with something unreadable, but before he could ask or demand, Kan came and threw his arms over them, one over Akk’s and the other over Ayan’s shoulders. “You two were so cool. Teacher Waree didn’t know what hit her.”

Wat was the next to come to them, leaning with his hands onto the desk. “Thanks, Aye and Akk. She would have made my life hell if not for you two.”

“My friend is the coolest.” Kan announced, pulling Akk closer. “You were okay too, Aye.” He mumbled, making Aye scoff, but he wasn’t really paying attention to anything but Akk right now, the Head prefect smiling and joking with his best friends, but his eyes were distant. Unseeing. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

After class was over Akk went looking for his boyfriend by the bleacher, where he always loved to hide to read or rest from the other people. Honestly, Teacher Waree’s class left both of them feeling bitter and unsettled, especially Akk. He knows that Teacher Chadok will hear about it and it will cement his idea about Akk being brainwashed by Ayan, but the head prefect couldn’t help it. He knew what would happen as soon as the teacher called Wat and was expecting it when Aye reacted, always ready to come to their friends and classmates’ defence, proving those who are ambitious and self-assured how wrong they are. 

Ayan is righteous, that’s what Akk loves about him. 

So when he watched the train wreck that was the lesson, the Head Prefect couldn’t stay quiet. Ever since this happened the first time around and it led to teachers bullying Aye later on, Akk felt guilty and regretful, imagining what would have happened if he did in fact speak up. So, despite teacher Chadok’s warning and knowing the target it will aim at not only his beloved but himself as well, Akk just couldn’t stay quiet. Not when his friend and future boyfriend were both targeted. 

He knows that Teacher Chadok will call him soon, demanding answers and will probably dangle his scholarship and danger of losing it and his future over his head, but when Akk and Aye graduated, no, even before that, when they came back after his suspension Akk promised himself that he will never allow anyone, not even himself, to hurt his Ayan ever again. Now, being back to the past doesn’t change that fact, he will protect Aye, he will make sure he finds the truth and that no one hurts him. He doesn’t ever want to see the love of his life cry because of Suppalo or anyone else. So the Head Prefect will protect him and his friends no matter what.

And if he loses his university scholarship, then… He will find another way. Work to pay for his tuition. Apply for another scholarship. Doesn’t matter. He will think of something.

Suppalo-Akk was too scared to risk it.

University-Akk knows that he has Wat and Kan, his parents and most importantly Ayan by his side. They won’t abandon him. If something happens that endangers his future then he knows they will be there to help.

The bleachers are empty when the prefect gets there, but Ayan’s bag and hoodie are there. His original hoodie, which he later gives to Akk, and buys a new one for himself. In the duration of their relationship those hoodies shift, from one wardrobe to the other, changing between them until Akk wasn’t sure which one was which, but always wearing it proudly. He loves when his hoodie smells like his boyfriend and he knows Aye loves when his things smell like Akk too. Case in point - with how much he loves stealing Akk’s clothes it’s easy to decipher. 

My shortstop is too cute.

Sitting on the steps, Akk brings the hoodie close to his nose, inhaling Ayan’s unique smell. It’s been months since he last smelled his boyfriend without the stench of the hospital and medicine stuck to his skin. Even his Eclipse hoodie and the white hoodie they later bought as a matching set of Blue and White couple hoodies lost their smells, since Akk refused to take them off for as long as Aye was in the hospital. Their new apartment, with still unopened boxes and suitcases wasn’t lived in, so Akk refused to go there either, choosing to sleep either in the hospital by Aye, or on the rare occasions Ayan’s mom managed to kick him out so he can shower and rest, ex-head prefect went to Ayan’s house, to their room, got into their bed and cried himself to sleep - because even the bed didn’t smell like his Shortstop anymore.

As he already established, missing Ayan made him stupid, so without caring how it looked, or who might see, he sat on the bleachers and smelled his boyfriend’s hoodie, even though there is still some time before they get to be boyfriends. This is too complicated.

Anyways! Aye’s smell is good. It calms him down.

“What are you doing with my jacket?” Ayan, the Suppalo version, suddenly asked, appearing close by. His eyes were narrowed, calculating. 

Dropping the jacket like a hot potato, the head prefect hurried to explain. “I was wondering if you forgot it and if I should keep it for you.” Shortstop made an impressed face, nodding. “Don’t leave your things unattended.”

“Don’t be nervous, I just asked.” Those plush lips pulled into a cheeky grin. 

“I’m not nervous.” He asked suspiciously.

Ayan raised a bag full of dog treats, nodding to follow him. 

Singto was where they last left him, chilling in the shadows, away from prying eyes. 

“Drink up. Singto do you want some? Singto.” Akk urged the puppy to drink, but got ignored. It was refreshing to know that no matter how many times they met, Singto was always the same.

Aye dangled the treat in front of him, but got ignored too. “Do you want this?” Suddenly a threat appeared in front of Akk, making him look up at his future boyfriend, who was smiling cheekily. “The dog doesn’t want it, so it's yours.”

“You eat it.” The Head Prefect laughed. 

“Show the dog how to eat.”

Akk leaned back in amusement, pushing the hand away. “You do it.”

While washing their hands after playing with the dog for a while Akk couldn’t take his eyes away from Ayan. He missed simply existing next to his boyfriend without worrying about him or trying to guess the next event, or thinking about how to change the future. Once Akk and Aye dealt with their secrets and the head prefect spilled everything, letting down his walls their relationship only got stronger. After the interaction with Waree, even the first time around, they somehow got to be friendlier, although their constant fights lasted up until Akk helped Aye with the teachers and allowed him to cry on his shoulder. 

Sure, Akk and Ayan, even in the future have their little arguments and debates, they’re, after all, two completely different people, but most of their days are spent flirting, teasing and with enjoying their moments, they rarely argued after the summer break, as if Akk’s birthday and their talk, about how Ayan hiding it for that long made Akk feel unloved, was a catalyst for them to step up in their relationship. 

“You know you’re strange.” Aye announced, leaning onto the sink. “First day you told me all about Suppalo rules, chased me and targeted me. Now you’re arguing with teachers with me and backing me up.”

Akk looked away, before returning the eye contact, knowing how much his boyfriend appreciated it, always telling him that he knows when Akk is honest by his eyes. “I wasn’t arguing with her, I was just debating my point.”

“Stop stealing my words.” He snorts. “What changed? Why are you suddenly on my side?”

That made the head prefect stutter, not sure how to answer or get out of it. He didn’t want to lie to Aye, but he also didn’t know how to explain the truth. Maybe he should tell Ayan about time travel and the curse and everything. Just how?

Instead Akk smirks. “Nothing. I guess the puppy is too cute.” Splashing the water at Aye, he ran from the bathroom. 

Hearing amused. “Hey, wait!” Coming from behind as Ayan follows him.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Last class of the day was Judo. Akk’s glad about that. He always loved any physical activity, especially Judo, as it let him let out some steam and clear his head. After the crazy week and exhausting day the Head Prefect was ready to get done with the lessons and go home. Figures that he won’t be able to get his much awaited rest anytime soon.

“Ayan, where are you going?” The Teacher demands, as soon as Aye stands up, trying to walk out as if he is not in a complete view of the whole class. 

Shorter teen turns around, asking with enough snark to grate on anyone’s nerves. It used to annoy Akk to no end, until he realized he enjoys it more when he can snark back, so he started to be just as obnoxious as Aye, which balanced their relationship enough for it to turn into teasing and not fighting. The prefect looks between the teacher and his future boyfriend, ready to interfere if needed. 

“What is it, sir?” 

The teacher gritted his teeth. “You must take the makeup tests to catch up with your friends, got it?” The man looked as if he was trying to bring Ayan down from his bratty pedestal, where he always looks judgingly at their, admittedly, terrible teachers. “And you can’t remember a damn technique.”

It didn’t help that Aye looked like he couldn’t care less about this class. His shortstop never cared for sports or physical activity, except for the obvious one, always preferring being Akk’s silent cheerleader and not an active participant. In Suppalo he has no choice though, not when it comes to classes. 

The teacher turned to class. “Guys, I need a volunteer to train and help him learn.” 

Ayan looked uncomfortable, looking anywhere but at his classmates. Akk hated it. Before a well meaning Wat could raise his hand, the Head Prefect did it instead. “I volunteer, sir.” 

I’m the one who teaches, Aye. The only one who can do it. Who is allowed to do it.

Aye looks at him in gratitude and something else Akk has a hard time to identify right now, but he doesn’t look at him, keeping his attention on the teacher who smiles. “Yeah, I knew you’d volunteer, Akk. This evening, you two practised the basic techniques you just learned.”

The head prefect looks at his shortstop, worried about the look in his eyes, not remembering if Aye ever looked like this at him or anyone. It takes him all class and up until the time they are left alone in the hall for Akk to realize what it was. 

Despite being a public speaker when it comes to arguing his point with the teachers and taking his classmates or friends’ side, standing by them and speaking up for them - Ayan hates attention. Suppalo Akk won’t know this until much later but Future Akk already has heard about it from his own boyfriend and has tested it multiple times. Aye is an introvert, he hates being looked at and being at the center of attention, unless he is ranting and arguing and proving a point, when he can concentrate and get lost in his mind as he uses his knowledge as his sword and shield. 

So standing in front of the whole class, being scolded by someone, getting looked at by classmates who don’t even like him, it must have been Hell for him. 

Once they were left alone in the sports hall, the look was gone from Aye’s eyes and instead he was left looking unsure about his next move and what this practice will look like. As they bowed and stood into positions, Akk made a choice that he would change how he acted in the past. Instead of using this opportunity to take revenge on Ayan for all the teasing and throwing him around instead of teaching him the techniques, the Head Prefect got to actually teaching his future boyfriend, enjoying it all the same, ‘cause Aye is still terrible at Judo and it’s too easy to simply pick him up and throw him down. 

Aye is tiny. Akk adores him.

Finally after a few times of showing the shorter boy the basics, Akk instructs. “Get up.” He reaches his hand towards Ayan, who was sprawled on the mat looking frustrated at the taller boy. “Up.” Finally giving his hand, he let the head prefect to pull him onto his feet. “Come here. Come closer. You throw me this time. Do it.”

Aye smiles, happy for the reversal of the roles. “Okay.” He grabbed Akk, standing into the right position. 

“Go on, now.”

“I’ll start now.”

“Go.”

Shortstop’s smile disappears as he tries and fails to even move Akk, who does nothing but just looks at him. 

“That’s all you got?” Akk prods, knowing it will annoy the other boy.

Instead of throwing, Ayan pulled, the two of them ending up on the floor, with Akk on top of Ayan, arms and legs still tangled together. Time freezes just then, the head prefect losing his breath as he stares right into Aye’s eyes, those half-moon, feline eyes he missed looking at for 7 months and even when he came back in time Akk still kept his distance, not able to be this close to Ayan, afraid that he won’t be able to hold himself back, hold himself in check. Now, laying on top of the other boy, looking at the love of his life, all Akk could think about is how much he misses Aye, how much he wants to be with him, wants to spend not two, not ten, but a lifetime with him and if what She said is right and they’re soulmates, then he also wants to be with Ayan in every lifetime.

Akk smiles brightly, looking at his world. “You’re weak, Shortstop.”

Aye once said that at this moment he was so dazzled by the Head Prefect’s smile that he couldn’t even look him in the eyes, while Akk - past and present and future - would rather sacrifice anything than stop looking at Ayan in this very second. 

“Will you let me go?” Shortstop demanded, trying to get his footing back. 

No. No. No. I can’t. I won’t. Never. “Never.” Akk said, suddenly serious.

 Aye scoffs. “I said let me go.”

“If you want to be free, try to squirm free.” The Head Prefect tightened his arms around his future boyfriend. “Suppose you can do it.”

The look in Ayan’s eyes right then, was filled with shock and, to Akk’s delight, wonder. Suppalo Aye doesn’t expect Akk to be so brave or forthcoming - while in the future, especially once they are free of this school, Akk becomes more free and flirty and sometimes just as shameless as his lover.

They stare into each other’s eyes, not breaking contact for a few long seconds. The Head Prefect practically sees the moment his shortstop makes a decision, as he smirks and brings his hand to grip the nape of Akk’s neck. The taller boy’s breath catches at that, heartbeat rapid as Aye pulls himself up, lips impossible close and that infuriating, charming and sexy smirk on his lips. 

Ayan’s eyes hold Akk captive, as he whispers right against the prefect’s open mouth. “What’s wrong, Bigfoot? You’re tense. Hm?”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

It’s their First year in university, the very first semester. 

However, Akk and Ayan still somehow managed to get themselves in trouble and had to fight their way out of it, with some help, and were now moving into their shared dorm room together. While the university was not that far from Ayan’s house and he had the car to go back and forth, since Akk refused to start living together so early in their relationship, right after High School, Aye moved into dorms with him instead.

How is this not living together? Akk didn’t know, but it was pointless to argue with Aye anyways. So he agreed to this arrangement, taking it as a trial run to see if they can live together and if they do, then next year they can finally get their own place.

Ex-head prefect was busy unpacking the boxes and hanging their - now mixed thanks to one particular Shortstop who loved stealing his stuff - clothes in the closet, while Ayan made a mess of the beds, pulling them together and shifting the side table to make more space. In less than an hour, the 2 person dorm room became a couple’s bedroom. 

“Aye~” Akk called, turning to watch Ayan pull the last side table to its place. “What are you doing? We barely managed to convince them to let us move here. They’ll kick us out if someone complains about the noise.”

Even with his back to him, Akk could feel his eye-roll. “No one will complain. People are still moving in.” His shit-eating grin was back as he turned around. “If they do, we can always move to my house. I’ll drive you around, I promise.”

“Aye!”

“Ok, fine. I’ll try again next year.”

Ex-head prefect chuckled, pulling last of the items from the box, frowning when he saw brochures for an exchange program to England. Ayan changed his plans of going to the UK to study when Akk didn’t go with him, choosing instead to apply to the same university, only different majors, reasoning that he can always do his MA there. They had a big argument and even a bigger talk about it, to which Ayan simply said that, while he does trust their relationship and how strong it is, he won’t leave Akk alone in Thailand and go anywhere, especially when Akk was beginning his therapy and being away from him made the shorter teen uneasy. 

So Ayan decided to stay and Akk agreed, with the condition that if at any point Aye does want to leave or if he will find some program that is good for his future, he will go and Akk will wait for him here, no matter how long it takes.

Is this what it is? Did he find some new program and is now planning to leave next year?

Akk’s heart hurt, even though he long accepted that they might have a long-distance relationship and he was ready for it, it still made him uneasy knowing that he won’t be close to Aye for long periods of time.

Heavy head landed on his shoulder, as strong arms wrapped around his waist. “Ah, I see you found them.” 

“Do you want to apply?” Akk asks carefully, keeping his voice neutral. Something must have shown or his boyfriend knows him too well, ‘cause instead of answering, Aye blew a raspberry onto his neck, making kk squirm and laugh. “Aye~!” He turned, trying to push away.

Ayan didn’t let him go though, arms strong around him, as he pulled the taller boy closer. “Hm, I was thinking we both could apply.” His fingers drew patterns over Akk’s spine, calming him down.

“What?” Ex-head prefect frowned, hands coming up to hold onto his boyfriend’s arms. “Aye, you know I…”

“It’s a two-year scholarship program…” Shortstop cut in, moving a piece of hair behind Akk’s ear. “They offer it to the second year students with the best grades. If we both manage to get the highest GPA, which I know we can, then we can both apply for it, go to the UK together and graduate there, before coming back.” His eyes were earnest, happy to get this opportunity and shining with hope that his boyfriend will come with him too. “This way I don’t leave without you and you don’t have to worry about money. It’s all covered by the University.”

Akk smiled, caressing Ayan’s soft cheek. He would rather die than ever take away this hope and happiness from his eyes. “That is, if we both manage to get the best grades and are chosen, Shortstop.”

“Have some faith in yourself, Akk.” Aye snorted at that, almost offended. “You were the Head Prefect who got top scores and was admitted to both prestigious High School and this University on full scholarships. And I am a genius. There is no way we won’t win.”

“You’re so full of yourself.” Taller boy shook his head.

“Should I be full of something else then.” He snarked, which earned him a flick to the head.

“Shameless!” Akk smiled.

Ayan pursed his lips, eyes glimmering with something dangerous. “That’s for future AkkAye to deal with. Right now…” Tightening his arms, the shorter boy pulled his boyfriend closer. “I think we should christen this room.”

Akk realized too late what the other boy was planning, getting pulled until they landed on the now joined beds, ex-head prefect’s hand going behind Aye’s head on instinct to protect him in case there was something hard or sharp behind him. 

With arms now bracketing the shorter teen, Akk rose up, legs still tangled together. “Aye, what are you doing? We still need to unpack.”

“You need to relax, Bigfoot.” Hand sliding into Akk’s hair, Aye pulled himself up, a smirk evident on his lips. “You’re tense.” He whispered against Akk’s lips.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Past and Future synched together in Akk’s mind, the image of his Aye in their dorm room teasing him mixing with the vision of the current Ayan edging him on to make the Head Prefect fluster and run. 

Before he knows it, Akk is crashing their lips together and kissing Ayan, like he did in their dorm room. Full of passion, familiarity, want and love. Love and longing. I miss you, Aye.

Aye freezes for a second, shocked at the action, before his eyes close and he is kissing back, moving his arms to fully embrace Akk by the shoulders as the other teen wraps his arms around his waist, pulling him close. Lips moving against each other in a dance that is way too familiar to one and is still new and confusing to the other. 

Kissing Ayan, to Akk, always felt like coming home. Ever since their first kiss in his childhood bedroom. To Akk, Aye’s kisses meant safety, understanding and acceptance - since that moment on, every kiss they shared was filled with warmth Akk didn’t think he could or even want to share with anyone else. Ayan’s arms were strong around him, pulling him impossible closer, Akk returning the embrace, shifting his legs so he is nestled between Aye’s thighs. This position is familiar too, making his blood sing at finally being back in his lover's embrace.

They kiss until air becomes a necessity and then Akk regretfully pulls back, leaning his forehead to Ayan’s as they try to catch their breath. 

“Akk…” Aye whispers, breathless, arms loosening their grip, instead fingers getting tangled in prefect’s brown locks. “What are you doing?”

The Head prefect frowns at that, opening his eyes to look right into his boyfriends and promptly wishes he didn’t. Ayan looks at him in shock and confusion, dark eyes searching him for answers, mind blank over why they suddenly went from bickering on a daily basis to making out on the judo mats. 

But most terrible of it all, is not confusion, not worry and not even mystery of it, it’s the fact that for the first time in his life Akk doesn’t see ‘love’ in Ayan’s gaze after they kiss. Ever since their first kiss, even before that Aye looked at Akk with love and warmth, right now warmth and softness is there, but there is no love. Akk feels like dying. Like he is losing Ayan again.

Reality comes crashing down on the Head Prefect, bringing tears into his eyes. 

This is not his Aye.

This Aye doesn’t love him.

Reaching up with a soft touch, Ayan wipes Akk’s tears. “What’s wrong?”

“You…” Akk stutters. “You’re not my Aye.”

“What?”

As if burned Akk lets him go and stands up, straightening his uniform, refusing to look at the other boy. A boy he just kissed. A boy who doesn’t care about him. Doesn’t love him. Who is a stranger.

“I’m leaving. I just remembered I need to be somewhere.” Akk mumbles and runs away, not looking back, even though he could hear Ayan calling him.

“Wait! Ai’Akk!”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Blind in panic and desperation to get away, to hide, the Head Prefect somehow makes it to his dorm room. Opening the door and barely waiting for it to close, before Akk is leaning against the hardwood and breaks down in sobs crumbling to his knees. Almost wailing in pain as his hand grabbed the necklace. 

It hurts. It hurts so much. Aye… 

Aye. He doesn’t know me. Ayan doesn’t love me! It hurts! 

Heartbreak hurts. Being unloved hurts. Losing his love over and over again is agonizing.

Finally he lets himself break down. Letting out everything that he has kept inside for the last 7 months, ever since that damn call, ever since he first saw his love in ICU, ever since he was told that Ayan might not wake up.

“Aye.” Sobs wracked his body. “Ayan. Aye. Aye. Come back.” He called, pleaded, and begged.  Nails biting into his skin over the eclipse pendant, as it left a dent in his palm. “Please, Aye, please come back to be. I need you. I miss you.” 

No one answered. 

Akk felt so alone, crying in the darkness, clinging to the last piece left of his boyfriend, not knowing if the future he remembers will ever become reality. 

He just wanted his Ayan back.

Chapter Text

Ayan has been trying to find Akk the whole morning. As soon as the Head Prefect ran from him, Aye followed but couldn't catch up. It was almost as if the other boy vanished into thin air. 

After looking everywhere in school Aye tried to call his cell, getting the Head Prefect’s number from all too helpful Thua, but his call was dropped. If he didn’t know any better, then Ayan would think that Akk recognized his phone number and decided to reject the call, every time, so Aye would stop calling. It wasn’t possible though, as Akk never asked for his number and while he could have found it in the school registry, somehow Aye doubted that.

Refusing to give up he kept calling the whole night, just for the phone to be switched off. So Ayan came to school early hoping to catch the prefect during his morning round, but the other boy still managed to avoid him.

Aye was growing more desperate and frustrated with how Akk was acting. It wasn’t about the kiss, not in the slightest. Sure, he was confused by the boy’s sudden kiss, but it doesn’t mean that he hated it. Beyond the shock was this warm pleasant feeling that bloomed in his heart as the soft lips met his and he was engulfed in a warm embrace. It wasn’t Ayan’s first kiss by far, but it was the first time a kiss made his brain shut down and for butterflies to flutter in his stomach, heart singing with how familiar and comforting that felt.

No, what upset him was what happened after the kiss. While Ayan’s brain was still rebooting from the experience, Akk’s soft, caring gaze turned into one of pain and regret, as if he just saw something in Aye’s eyes and it broke his heart.

“You’re not my Aye.” He said and ran away. Akk looked close to tears as he said that and Ayan felt his own heart break at that. Bigfoot should never look this devastated, should never cry, especially not because of Ayan. Was it because of the shorter boy though?

It should be, or why is he avoiding him?

I’m the one who got kissed! I’m the one who should avoid you, you stupidly adorable Bigfoot. Why are you the one who’s running? Why am I chasing the person who kissed me and ran like it’s a sin?!

“You’re not my Aye.” Akk said and Ayan spent the entire night, while working to reach him, trying to decipher those words.

Who IS your Aye then? If it’s not me then who?

Okay, maybe he was jealous of this imaginary Aye, who apparently could make Akk kiss him like his very life depends on it and look at him with a broken expression as if Ayan just destroyed his world, when he showed confusion over his actions. Is there another Aye in Akk’s life? He apparently loves this guy more than anything if he can kiss him like this?

Stop! Wait!

He is concentrating on the wrong things. He just needs to know why he got kissed and why did the Head Prefect run away. But Ayan is jealous. WHY?!

Why do I care if Akk is in love with someone else. Someone who is not me. Someone who shares the same name. Once he finds his Bigfoot he will demand answers - stop, back up.

Akk is not HIS.

Ayan needs to get a grip. He is acting irrational.

He’s just pissed that he got kissed as a replacement for some Aye.

Yep, that’s it. Totally reasonable.

Ayan found his target in front of the school, a few minutes before the class, right where World Remembers were having their protest about uniforms. The three Jums were standing at the school stairs with protest boards and microphone demanding for the school to cancel the uniforms. Many students were gathering around, some looking sceptical, others beginning to agree with the protestors.

“We are students, not prisoners.” One of the Jums said through the speaker. “No to school uniforms.” They chanted in unison. “Give us back our freedom. Give us back our rights.”

Akk, Kan and Wat along with the other prefects came running up, standing in front of the nongs.

“Hey! Why are you guys making noise?” Wat asked, standing in front of the nongs, while for once Akk kept back.

Seeing Akk made Ayan’s heartbeat increase but he ignored it for now. First, he needs to help the juniors and then drag Akk away and demand to know who this Aye person is…

Wait, no! Demand why he kissed him!

Damn it, Ayan, get a grip.

“Because it's break time, we’re protesting now. We’re not bothering any class.” On of the Jums stated, looking proud of himself as he faced the prefects.

“Right and we have the right, don’t we?”

“But you’re bothering other students.” Kan stated.

“We don’t think so.”

“Akk, Wat, help me take them.” Kan and Wat moved in unison to take the stuff from the three Jums.

The Head Prefect didn’t move as his friends stepped up, reaching for the stuff.

“What are you doing?”

“You have no right to do this.”

“Give that back.” The nongs started resisting.

Ayan was ready to step up and help the situation, when he heard Akk called out. “Kan, Wat, stop it.”

His friends freeze, staring at him, while the three Jums take their stuff away, glaring at the trio.

“Akk, what are you doing?” Wat wonders.

 “We need to stop these protests; didn’t you say that yourself?” Kan had his hands on his hips, looking menacing between Akk and the juniors. “You three should be afraid of the curse, if you don’t fear us.”

“But you don’t have the right to take our stuff.” Jum whined.

“We’re student prefects. We have to stop those who break rules.” Wat announced. “Akk say something to them.”

Akk sighs in exasperation, rubbing between his eyes. Taking the loudspeaker from Wat he hands it back to Jums, who look at him like he has grown a second head, all the other students silent around him. “This is enough for today you three. You made your point already.”

“Ai’Akk…” Kan began, but the Head Prefect talked over him.

“If you continue, teachers will get involved. You’ll get in trouble.”

The three Jums exchanged shocked looks, not arguing, but unsure what to do either. They didn’t expect for Akk to suddenly be so understanding with them or for him to give them a friendly warning. Everyone knows, protestor or prefect – doesn’t matter, everyone knows that if Teacher Chadok gets involved it won’t end nice for anyone. Akk is looking out for his nongs, acting like a senior for once and not like a Head Prefect abiding by strict rules. Jums and others didn’t know how to act, didn’t know if it's another game or not.

Ayan realized it too. If they stand there any longer Chadok will come and then not only protestors, but prefects will be in danger too. So stepping behind the juniors he whispered. “It’s enough for today. This is enough to make their heads spin.”

At his request, three Jums nodded in agreement. “Yes, Phi.” Gathering their things and leaving. “Nong, Nian, that’s it for today. Let’s go.”

As they left, Ayan looked at Akk in smug satisfaction just to see him watching the shorter teen with wide eyes, twitching as if he was ready to run away. Again. Damn it, Akk! Not again! Before the Head prefect could make another move, Aye grabbed his wrist and pulled. “We need to talk.”

“Hey! Akk!” Kan shouted after them.

“I need him now; you’ll get him later!” Ayan announced, pulling the obedient Akk behind him towards the back of the school, where there is privacy for them to chat. He briefly wondered why the prefect wasn’t struggling or trying to shake him off, when they both knew he was strong enough to stop Aye and leave, but didn’t question it until they reached somewhere away from prying eyes.

“Who's your Aye?” Is the first question he asks. Turning to him as soon as they are behind the building, by the metal fence. Ayan was standing on the small stone step, for once becoming taller than Akk, who was standing off the foot walk. “I mean…” He backtracked at the prefect’s wide eyes. “Why did you do it? You can’t just kiss me like this and run away.”

“It was just a mistake.”

“What mistake, mistake doesn’t kiss like that Akk. It… I’ve never…” He blushed, Akk did too, avoiding his gaze. Ayan has never been kissed like this before, with such love and passion - like he is the centre of Akk’s Universe. Like he means everything to him. Aye felt accepted for who he is, no secrets, no pretence, just Ayan himself was enough. It feels intoxicating and addicting.

He hates it. He wants more of it.

“You’re hiding something.” The shorter teen demanded, taking a step closer.

Akk looked at him like he just punched him. “Stand back.” Those big doe eyes widening with anxiety, as he steps back.

“Nope, you’ll tell me what you’re hiding.” Ayan demands, moving forward. “You know about Teacher Dika. You’re protective of me. You kiss me like you love me and then… What the hell do you mean I’m not your Aye? Then whose Aye am I?”

Okay, maybe it does bother me.

“I… I misspoke. I’m sorry for kissing you. It was…”  Aye could get lost in those shining eyes as the prefect kept looking at him, refusing to look anywhere else as if his brain had just shut down. “Ayan, stand back.”

“Why? What might happen if we’re close?” He smirks, pushing now standing right over Akk, for once looking down at him. “You’re afraid we’ll kiss again or what.”

“Stand back!” Akk desperately said.

“Tell me the truth, Akk!” Ayan demands, grabbing his hand and pulling him closer. His heart is pounding having Akk this close. He is the one acting strange now. “Why did you kiss me? Why did you run away? Who is this Aye?” Ayan could feel his breathing getting more aggravated as he got more anxious, the Head prefect frown looking at him, hand still held fast in the shorter boy’s shaking grip. “I don’t understand you at all. First, you hated me and blamed me for being a troublemaker, now you’re protecting me and siding with me, talking and acting like I would with the three Jums and the teachers. You know about Uncle Dika and…”

Ayan took a deep breath, trying to control his anxiety, but it was getting out of hand, he could feel himself going into panic. Akk’s eyes widened, his hands now holding Aye’s, as he took a step closer. “And you’re helping me get answers. But I feel like you already have all the answers. You kiss me like I mean something to you and then say I’m not the one you should be kissing and then run away, like I somehow offended you. I don’t understand and it frustrates me. You running away from me frustrates me. I… I…”

Before he can fall any further into the anxiety attack, he is pulled into a warm embrace, his mind quieting as he feels a strong arm around his waist and gentle fingers combing through his hair, soothing the pain he wasn’t even aware was there before. Ayan hid his face in Akk’s neck, inhaling his scent, letting his brain quiet down from the thoughts circulating in it, allowing himself to feel safe and protected as he battled his anxiety.

‘Cause that’s what Akk makes him feel. Safe and secure. Protected - like nothing can ever touch him, hurt him as long as Akk is here, as long as he is in the taller teen’s arms.

“Shh, it’s okay, Aye. I promise it’s okay.” Akk shushed him, fingers now rubbing the nape of his neck, not loosening his arms at all. “Breathe. With me, okay? Breathe in, breathe out.”

Arms going around the Head Prefect he held onto his uniform jacket, Ayan tried to match his breathing to Akk’s, feeling his heartbeat slow and steady against himself. “Just tell me the truth, Akk. Please, I need to know.”

Akk flinched against him. Thinking that the taller boy will let him go, Aye tightened his arms, but Akk didn’t move away, he just shifted a little, fingers once again, getting tangled in his hair, petting him like he is a cat.  “Okay. Don’t be upset, Aye. I’ll tell you everything, I promise. Don’t be upset. Calm down.” Ayan felt Akk give him a little kiss to his temple, which made his heart skip beat.

Finally coming out from his, admittedly very comfortable, hiding place in Akk’s neck, but still not letting him out of his embrace, Aye narrowed his eyes. “You’ll tell me everything? No secrets. No holding back.”

“Hmm. I promise.” Akk smiled gently cupping the other boy’s cheek. Ayan can spend his entire life simply looking into his big boba eyes and never leave. “Just… Give me a little time, please.”

“How much time?”

“I don’t know. But I just need to gather my thoughts first, then I’ll tell you.” There was determination in his tone, even though his eyes portrayed fear Ayan didn’t quite understand.

“Okay, then.” Aye pouted threateningly. “But if you don’t do it I’ll really be upset this time.”

He doesn’t know why he is holding his own feelings over Akk’s head, but it's obvious that the Head Prefect cares for him and his wellbeing - judging by the whole hug they are still in right now - so he might just try his luck with this for a bit longer.

Akk chuckled, nodding. “I promise, Aye.”

“Good. Now hug me some more.” With that he pulled the boy close and held him.

Akk sounded confused, frown obvious, even though Aye couldn’t see his face from his hiding place in Akk’s shoulder. “Are you still upset?”

“Hmm.” He mumbled. He wasn’t upset, calmer now that Akk promised to tell him everything - after all, against his previous ideas he did trust Akk. But Ayan is enjoying his Bigfoot’s embrace too much to let him go right now.

Yes, he is MY Bigfoot. You can’t have him, annoying, mysterious ‘Aye’.

****☀️🌙****

“Naphthalene consists of a fused pair of benzene rings.” Chemistry teacher continued to explain, the entire class taking notes and listening attentively. Even Akk was paying attention, while Ayan was watching Akk, or more like looking into his notebook as he wrote. The Head Prefect is way more interesting than any lesson anyways. “What is the other name, students?”

Kan raised his hand. “Smells bad.”

“What smells bad?”

“Wasuwat just farted, ma’am.” Kan announced, making the whole class laugh - except for Aye, who was too busy observing his desk mate.

“Mothballs, ma’am.” Thua answered.

“That’s correct.” Teacher agreed, continuing with the lesson.

It looks like Ayan’s constant staring finally caught Akk’s attention, as the prefect turned to him confused. “What are you staring at? Pay attention.”

That makes Aye only smirk, picking up his pen and writing something in his notebook before pushing it towards the Head Prefect, tapping the words for him to pay attention.

Akk leans in to see, what’s written in the notebook. “Have you thought about it yet? ‘Kiss-y face’”

The Head Prefect looks up at him, eyes kinder than they were before. Aye smirks cheekily at him, poking at his hand with his pen. Sighing, Akk takes the notebook and writes back. “It’s barely been an hour, Aye.”

Ayan drew a little crying cat. “But I can’t wait anymore, Akk~!” He wrote in the conversation bubble.

Akk rolls his eyes. “It’s not the time.” He said, getting back to his notes. “Stay focused.”

Another doodle, this time in the head prefect’s notebook. Shortstop drew two cats hugging, Akk pretending to be annoyed but allowing him to do it, nonetheless. Speech bubble, over their head, read. “Thanks for the hug, perfect prefect. It was warm just like a warm cup of coffee.”

Aye smirks, pretending not to notice how the taller boy's cheeks turn red and he avoids looking at him for the rest of the class.

****☀️🌙****

All of Ayan’s good mood and Akk’s tentative smiles evaporate when the entire upperclassmen gets called for an assembly right after class. The Prefects standing by Teacher Chadok’s side, looking stricken, while Akk looks as if he is about to flee given a slight chance. Aye hasn’t seen the Head Prefect looking this nervous and anxious since the second day of his transfer, when he found the boy shaking by the school gates. Right now, Akk looking like this makes the shorter boy want to grab him, take him away from this place and go hide with him somewhere where no one will ever find them.

Akk clenches his fists as Chadok talks, Ayan mirroring it, looking over the student body and the prefects, who look like statues, standing straight and not daring to step out of line.

“If you can’t abide by the school rules, you will grow up to be law violators.” Teacher Chadok says with conviction. “Criminals. Got it?”

“Yes, sir.” Everyone says in unison.

“Today, our representatives will lead us in reciting the pledge. Come in.” He orders.

The World Remembers trio walks in, heads bent down and looking as scared as little bunnies stepping in front of the wolves. Ayan looks at them, his blood boiling in anger, glares at the teacher who is forcing them and then at Akk, who looks guilt stricken, his complexion going white, eyes downcast. Aye wants to imagine that the taller teen feels the same anger he does, but tries to hide it as someone who's under everyone’s attention right now. He is not successful though and Ayan grows even more worried.

“You’ve got something to say? Well? Or do you want me to invite your parents here?”

Ayan shifts, ready to speak, but when his eyes catch Akk’s the head prefect shakes his head desperately. ‘Aye, please don’t.’ He pleads with his gaze. Those pleading eyes is the only thing stopping the shorter boy from acting right now.

“I…” One of the nongs speaks.

“I what?” Teacher Chadok cuts him off sharply. “Say it. Repeat until it plants in your subconscious.”

“I pledge…”

“Start over! Together.”

“I pledge to never again breach Suppalo’s rules.”

“Say it.”

As they repeated the pledge over and over again, Ayan discreetly took out his phone and started recording.

“Now, everyone, say it together.” Teacher Chadok ordered and the entire room started chanting. Ayan still recording.

Aye looked over at Akk who was already looking at him, the two of them the only ones who weren’t mindlessly repeating these words. Akk looked tired, as if the entire world was on his shoulders. His eyes sad, shoulders slammed.

What kind of crazy school is this?!

****☀️🌙****

When Akk enters the Student Welfare Department he is already prepared for what Teacher Chadok might say and what he will demand. Akk clings to his memory of Aye from this morning and happiness he felt over realizing that Ayan is not as indifferent towards him, as he thought last night. Ayan might not be ‘in love’ with him yet, but he was already feeling something and to Akk that was enough. For now.

After running away from his Shortstop, Akk hid in his room the whole night, refusing to answer any texts and calls from his friends. When Ayan’s number flashed on his cell screen, Akk’s first instinct, like always, was to answer, but he didn’t. He wasn’t ready to talk to his future boyfriend and wasn’t ready to explain why exactly he kissed him back in the gym and then ran away as if he just got burned. Ayan’s number wasn’t even recorded in Akk’s cell yet, given the fact that at this time period he hadn’t asked for it yet. If his memory serves him correct, then Akk will get Aye’s number when they will work on Teacher Waree’s assignment together.

Now, how did Ayan got his number is another question, but last night Akk was too tired and heartbroken to think about it, so when the same number flashed on the screen for the third time, he turned off his cell, got under the covers and didn’t get out until Kan called him in the morning to ask if he is coming for the morning rounds.

Just like Akk remembered the three Jums were protesting and in his tired mind the head prefect didn’t have any power to pretend to scold them, when he agreed with their ideas if not their methods about banning the uniforms. So he let Kan and Wat handle it, but stepped in when it seemed as though someone might get hurt. When Ayan took his arm and pulled him away Akk panicked, but didn’t even try to break his hold and run. One, because Aye’s hand was warm against his and felt too familiar. Two, because Ayan looked like he didn’t sleep a wink last night, and seeing him this worried and hurt, especially when the prefect is the reason, killed Akk.

Truthfully, the Head Prefect didn’t even understand where the conversation was going, just desperately trying to come up with a believable excuse over his actions and avoidance, when he noticed how distressed his Shortstop was. If Akk must name one thing that changed drastically between meeting Ayan and starting to date him, it will be the fact that Akk became attuned to Aye’s emotions and kind of programmed his mind to react to it accordingly. In the beginning of their relationship, it was the shorter teen who always read Akk’s distress and acted accordingly to calm him down, however after the first time Aye had a nightmare in his dorm room the head prefect became just as synchronized with his shortstop.

After that night, whenever Ayan grew upset, sad, annoyed, angry or agitated Akk was there to help him work through it, becoming a silent support when needed and taking action if Aye wanted it. It was weird to everyone, their friends, family and classmates who met them in university included, how in sync the two are. How, Akk’s happiness is mirrored in Ayan and Ayan’s is reflected in Akk. It would have been strange for the two of them too - how, Akk can practically feel Aye’s giddy energy even before he calls with good news and Ayan always turns up at his door, when Akk is feeling anxious - if the head prefect didn’t completely adore their dynamic.

Safe Space.

That’s what they called each other during their summer break after Suppalo and it has finally put all the puzzle pieces in its place. They were each other's safety, comfort, protector, lover, friend and so much more. It felt amazing having this connection. It felt even better having it with Ayan, because he never doubted that his shortstop returned those feelings completely. Trusting your partner, being in a relationship with your best friend - it can’t be explained no matter how much Akk tries. So when their friends tease them, AkkAye just smiles and lets them think what they want, teasing and joking back.

To Akk, as soon as he saw how tired and nervous, but most of all how unsure and heartbroken Aye was over the prospect of Akk kissing him as replacement for someone, his own fear and anxiety became secondary as he pulled his future boyfriend into his arms and soothed him, like he always does. Giving him comfort and safety until he is ready to put his armor back on and become the cheeky Aye everyone expects. Only Akk knows the real Aye and that’s the biggest gift Ayan has ever given to him - his trust and his heart.

Now, the idea that Aye was getting upset over his future self also crossed his mind, but Akk was too distracted to think about the implications, so he embraced his shortstop and pretended to believe him, when Ayan stated that he is still upset and spent the time until the bell rang hugging Akk in the backyard. The Head Prefect can read his boyfriend just as well as the other can read him, but a lie or not, Ayan wanted to cuddle and who is Akk to refuse. Aye always got what he wanted from him - freely and happily given.

As happy as he was though, as soon as Teacher Chadok held the assembly to punish the three Jums, Akk knew that he would be called in next. He didn’t do his job well, so of course the teacher would demand for him to step up.

Akk came in, walking right behind Teacher Chadok and standing straight like a soldier, hiding his shaking hands behind his back. He needs to be strong for this.

“The Prefect Club has awarded our school a long-lasting prestigious reputation.” Teacher Chadok started, reciting the same thing the head prefect seems to have heard a million times already, ever since he joined the prefect club up until he left it. Turning towards the teen he continued. “You, as the club’s current president, I hope the school’s reputation isn’t ruined under your watch.”

“Yes, sir.” He says, briefly wondering what would happen if he does talk to Teacher Chadok about Teacher Dika and tell him that he knows the truth. Will Chadok believe him? Will he stop like he did once the truth is out? Akk wants to ask him, but She said that fixed points in time can’t be changed, which means he can’t hurry the events or shift them. Everything needs to happen at the right time, so Akk can slowly change the chain of events and hopefully prevent Ayan’s accident.

This is exhausting, not being able to do anything, even when he knows the truth.

“What happened this morning with the protestors?”

Taking a long breath Akk stood straight, he can do this. He has to. “They were protesting at the stairs before classes. Prefects managed to calm them down before they could escalate it.”

“That’s not what I heard.” Teacher Chadok raised a brow. “You were too soft with them, Akk. Why were their things not taken away? They should have been dealt with faster.”

Come on, Akk, you practiced this. “Using force seems to aggravate them more, sir, so I decided to pretend to be on their side and gain their trust, that way I can troubleshoot better without other students getting involved.”

“Will that work?”

“If they see that the prefects are not some monsters, but are also fellow students who are trying to help and keep the peace, I believe they will be more inclined to listen to me.”

It was a lie. A total lie, but it was the only thing he could do right now. The only thing that will remove any suspicion from him as he gets close to Aye and tries to help the World Remembers gang. It’s not full proof or bulletproof, but it's something. Akk needs to find who is behind the Curse now that he has stopped, who burned the flyers and stop them before things get out of hand. He also needs to confess to his nongs and tell them about the flowerpot and the car, but even if it is his second time doing it, Akk is still scared. He needs a little more time.

“Alright, you may act as you see it, but remember to put them in their places. They need to know what happens to those who don’t follow Suppalo rules.” Chadok hinted.

He means the Curse. He means ‘Be the Curse, Akk.’ Teacher Chadok always meant it, subtly hinting and manipulating the head prefect into it, he just can’t believe it took for Aye to point it out, for his therapist to work through it with him and for three Jums be scarred for life with the burning doll for him to understand it. He feels stupid, so stupid.

It’s ok, Akk - He tells himself - He can’t control you now. You know the truth. It’s ok. The voice in his head strangely sounds like Aye and it makes it 100 times better.

“How is the new kid doing?” Teacher Chadok continued.

The Head prefect paused, looking for a best way to answer. “I don’t think he came to mess with our school. He has a hard time getting used to our rules as his old school was more lenient and didn’t seem to care how their students acted. I’m watching over him to ensure he fits into our school, sir.”

Teacher Chadok doesn’t seem to believe him, but says nothing. Not for the first time Akk wonders if Chadok knows that Ayan is Teacher Dika’s nephew and that’s why he has always watched him.

“I heard he spoke to the World Remembers this morning and they stopped their protest.” Teacher Chadok looks at the prefect with a disappointed gaze. “They seem to follow what he says. That’s proof enough that he is the one behind them.”

No use to argue with that, unless Akk figures out who the informant is. For now he needs to play his role and warn Aye to keep a low profile. Yeah, and it will snow in Bangkok tomorrow. - he thinks with a snort. “I still don’t have any proof of that, sir. But I’ll keep looking.”

Thankfully, whoever this informant is still doesn’t have teacher Chadok’s full trust. Teacher still trusts Akk more than them, so that as always works in the prefect’s favor.

“They have no idea what the curse will do if they keep on being stubborn.” Teacher Chadok not so subtly suggested, tone of voice an obvious indicator to Akk - old Akk, Suppalo Akk - what to do next.

****☀️🌙****

Akk was doing his rounds with Kan and Wat, when the three of them came across Ayan and Thua, whispering something under the overhang, Aye’s hand on Thua’s shoulder as he leaned close.

Now admittedly, back then, when Akk first saw this, he was probably as jealous as Kan is right now - seeing the person he refuses to admit he likes close to some other boy. He remembers feeling an intoxicating amount of sadness and frustration at thinking that maybe Ayan liked Thua and was flirting with him like he only seemed to do with Akk. Suppalo Akk thought of Ayan as someone beyond his league, someone who loved freedom and free speech and had ideals and would never even look at some rule-abiding puppet like Akk, who was too afraid to disobey and do what’s right. He thought that all the flirting his Shortstop did was a diversion, to get the head prefect off his back or to confuse him, thinking that, in reality, he meant nothing by it. Even after Akk admitted that he likes Aye, he still felt anxious imagining Ayan leaving him for some other boy who shared his world views and ideals - rebel like him, strong and independent and so cool.

Now though. After dating Ayan for 3 years. After everything they went through together. After Ayan kissed him in his childhood bedroom and held his hand through the storm of Thua’s Betrayal, his suspension, last year of high school, first year of university and many more adventures and troubles they faced - Akk knows for sure that there is no competition when it comes to Ayan’s feelings for him and for his feelings for Ayan.

Honestly, how blind he was back then to see this and think that Aye might like Thua or anyone else, when Ayan spent 99% of his time (1% dedicated to his investigation) flirting and chasing and stalking Akk.

He stands by Kan and Wat, and watches as Aye tells Thua something, while Kan looks like he is about murder Ayan for even daring to breathe the same air as Thua. If Akk is blind, then Kan is an idiot, who not only didn’t see his feelings for Thua, but was oblivious to Thua’s feelings for him too, actively ignoring it and dating a bunch of girls - in result hurting everyone involved.

Akk is not the only one who notices Kan’s longing gaze as Wat also pays attention, leaning his head towards his best friend and looking back at the head prefect who shrugs holding back a smirk. Wat prods at Kan. “Hey! What’s wrong with you? Why are you making a grumpy face? Don’t tell me you’re jealous of Thua and Aye.”

That gets Kan’s attention, finally making him turn around in frustration towards Wat. “You won’t stop accusing me of liking Thua, will you? You want a problem?”

“What?” Wat says. Akk looks away from them then, looking over at where the other two are, still chatting totally unaware.

Akk never had an issue with Thua, up until he outed him in front of the entire school and even after that he did forgive him - mostly because of Kan - but honestly, Akk still thinks he deserved it after everything that he did. Ayan, on the other hand, is still angry at Thua and once when Akk asked him about it, he said he will stay friends with him for Kan, but Thua won’t ever be someone he will trust or rely on ever. Especially not after watching Akk crumble and break down at school steps that day.

The head prefect still feels warm, thinking about how angry and protective his boyfriend is of him.

Regardless, he never had a problem with Thua and if he can avoid it, he never wants to have it with him anymore. Maybe he can somehow prevent Thua’s revelation.

“If you don’t have a crush on him, why are you making that face?” Wat continued, pulling Akk’s attention to his friends.

Kan looked lost for words, biting his lip. “I’m afraid Aye would mess with Thua’s head, just like he did with the World Remembers gang.”

 “Are you sure?” Akk is the one to speak now, smirking as he looks at his best friend. It’s so much fun when you know what happens between Kan and Thua in the future.

“Yes.” Kan snaps at Akk. “Don’t you agree? Isn’t Aye a head spinner?”

“Hmm, well he is incredibly cool and smart.” The Head prefect gloats a little, always happy to tell people about how smart his boyfriend is.

“Right.” Kan says, before snapping back in shock. “Wait what?! Did you just praise him? You said he is a troublemaker!”

“That’s not always bad.” Akk shrugs.

Wat smirks. “If you want to know, why don’t we go ask them?”

“That’s right.” Akk agrees.

“No.” Kan stops them before they can move.

“What? You want to know but don’t want to ask?” Wat mocks Kan, who is practically fuming. “Don’t you think it's all in your head?”

“I… I’ll ask Thua later. We’re making rounds here. Let’s go.” Kan announced, going down the stairs and calling for his friends. “Come on!”

As they get down, Wat turns to the two boys. “Hey Thua. Hey Aye. Kan is…”

Before he can speak Kan slams his hand over the boy’s mouth and drags him away. Thua and Aye look at them in confusion. Seeing Akk still standing behind the bushes, Aye smiles and waves, the head prefect waves back with a grin of his own before Kan wraps an arm around his shoulder and drags him and still struggling Wat away.

****☀️🌙****

Kan finds Thua in the library, hidden among the books, doing their report together. Something liquid, warm fills his heart as Kan comes close, leaning onto the shelf, looking from between the books, just talking to the other guy.

“What are you looking for?” Kan smiles. “Need some help?”

Thua looks unbothered, kinda distant, which makes Kan uneasy. He doesn’t like when Thua acts as though they haven’t been friends for years. “It’s okay. I’ve got everything.”

“You’re doing our group report, why didn’t you tell me?”

Thua avoids his eyes. “You always come to sleep. I can do it myself. Do you have any business with me following me here?”

“I just came to see who you’re meeting.” Kan couldn’t help the annoyance leaking into his tone.

“Who? Who do you think I’m meeting?”

“Aye.”

“What if I’m meeting him?” He sounded confused. “Do I need to be followed?”

“I’m worried about you. I mean…” He fixed his words right away, afraid of being misunderstood, or maybe afraid that Thua will finally see right through him. “You should watch out for Aye. The teachers are suspecting he’s messing with our school.”

Thua sighs, looking imploringly at the other boy. “And you’re afraid I’d be affected by the curse? Like the gang?”

“Hell, yeah.” Kan latched onto that like a drowning man onto the raft in the open sea. “Your dad graduated here. You should know about this pretty well.

If anything Thua looked almost pissed at that, looking from Kan to the books in his hand before sighing and asking.

“Hey, Kan?”

“Hm?”

“Don't you think Akk and Aye are close?” He wondered, not meeting the other boy’s eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“It's just that, lately I've been noticing them spending more time together and today they seemed friendly with each other, in class and… outside too.”

Kan hmm’s, walking around the shelf, to stand by Thua and take the books from him so he can keep looking for more materials. “I don't know. Why do you care?”

“It's just, Akk is the Head Prefect and Ayan is a rule breaker, somehow their friendship is unusual. I feel like Aye is someone Akk should punish for his wrongdoings and not befriend.”

“True, Akk always was against anyone who broke rules and threatened Suppalo's reputation.”

“Exactly, so why is he giving Aye so much freedom?”

Kan shrugs. “Akk, has changed a lot since Aye came. Maybe he looks at stuff differently now.”

“You think Aye influenced him?” Thua looked at him puzzled.

“Maybe, but honestly I'm glad to see this Akk. He is happier and less stressed. It's way better than when my friend is constantly worried and looks anxious.”

“You don’t think it's unfair that he lets Aye get away with breaking rules, while he punished others for lesser things?”

“Akk was never unfair to anyone, those who broke rules got disciplined, according to rules. Maybe Aye made him change, I don't know, but if he did, it's not a bad thing. I think we all will be happier with an Akk who is not controlled by rules.”

****☀️🌙****

The same evening, a little after classes there was a terrified scream from the World Remembers Club’s members, which led to many students coming running into the club room and surrounding the crime scene. All the posters and protest boards that belonged to the three Jums were covered in red, it was splattered on the lockers, floors, walls and everywhere. Those who looked could imagine that it might be blood. The curse finally caught up with the protestors and punished them, by warning them with blood and fear to finally stop.

“Is that real blood?” One of the students asked.

“Shit! This is scary!” Someone else added. “Must be the curse.”

“When will you guys learn?” One of them demanded, turning to the Three Jums, who couldn’t take their eyes away from the red splatters.

Nian grabbed at their leader in desperation. “Must be the curse.”

“Oi, come on!” Another Jum demanded, annoyed. “No way!”

“The curse, my ass!” Their leader snapped. “Someone is behind this.”

“Who is?” Nian worried.

“That’s blood.” The students gathered around continued. “The curse, for sure.”

Akk and Ayan came stepping in between the gathered crowd, pushing their way to the middle. Akk ignored the World Remembers Gang who glared at him, as he stood by the shorter boy looking over the mess in front of them. Who did this? Akk wondered, heartbeat increasing. Last time, he remembers Teacher Chadok calling him to the roof and hinting at Akk that he needs to take action, so after that talk Suppalo Akk splattered pain all over the club room so that he could scare the nongs. But that talk didn’t happen this time and who Akk is right now, from the future and more mature, would never do this even if it did happen.

That means Teacher Chadok had a talk with someone else and someone else did the Curse thing, following teacher’s instructions. It scares Akk. ‘Cause he is not sure who this person is, he doesn’t even know how to find them and then stop them. There are many suspects, both inside and outside of the Prefect Club.

When Akk and Ayan finally break through the crowd, they freeze at the view in front of them. Last time, after Suppalo Akk did it, he never went back or stayed long enough to actually notice what he had done, now that he sees this the head prefect is horrified by what he has done in the past and what this new Curse has done. It looked like a scene from a horror movie, red painting the walls, floor and the board, their juniors looking so terrified and scared as they realized that someone, Curse or not, wanted to hurt them.

If Akk was just a seventeen year old, who is being manipulated, then these three were just fifteen back then and were getting bullied by forces who were far beyond even Akk’s perception. When the head prefect first realized it and worked through it in therapy, he spent a whole week in bed, as guilt and regret ate away at his heart. Aye stayed with him through it all, not forcing him to move on, but just existing with him in his dorm room, reminding Akk to eat, shower and move sometimes - mostly he left him to work through his feelings though. When the taller boy was ready Ayan held him as he explained his guilt through sobs and worked out a plan with him how they can help more people like three Jums.

Now, actually seeing the result of the action done by the Curse, Akk could feel bile rise up, something getting stuck in his throat.

“Here comes the devil.” Tallest of the Jums says as they glare at the head prefect.

“Do you like it? Punishing us.” Another one said, trying to seem stronger than they are.

“Authitorian.”

Akk ignored them, standing to the side as he watched Ayan look over the red splatter and bend down to see what it actually was. The prefect wanted to explain it was paint, but with Jums suspecting him and the shorter teen not knowing the truth, it will cause even more problems.

Aye touched the liquid, rubbing it between his fingers, before sighing and standing up. “It’s paint.” He announces, eyes on the students.

Akk nods, glad that this new Curse didn’t suddenly go beyond what Akk did. “Alright, everyone who is not from the World Remembers leave. If you have club activities go there, if not go home.” He used his authoritative Head Prefect tone, he perfected over the years. The students listened, not wanting to get on the Prefect Club President's bad side or to aggravate the Curse which follows the troublemakers.

Three Jums looked unhappy that he was there, but said nothing, as Akk stood by Aye’s side, their shoulders touching, while the nongs spoke.

“Is it because we broke the pledge?” Nong whined, eyes still glued on the ruined poster.

His friend snapped, shaking him. “Nong! The pledge, my foot! I saw your fingers crossed when you said it.”

As if suddenly realizing what they said, the trio looked over at Akk, eyes wide, but stubbornly not apologizing. They might not fear him as the Head Prefect, but at least they had enough brain cells between the three of them to realize that talking shit about the pledge and school in front of the President of the Prefect’s club is not wise. Not that Akk cared about that part, but maybe these kids should at least respect him as their senior. Just like they respect Ayan. Although, unlike Aye, Akk made their life a living hell by trying to stop their protests and all, so maybe they are a little justified in distancing him. Tiny bit though.

“Are you guys nuts? Stop being paranoid. Especially you, Nong.” The third one chided his friend.

Non shook his head, looking as if he was a second away from fleeing. How did these kids manage to ruffle the Suppalo, I will never understand. “Well, it’s scary.”

“This means what you’re doing is working.” Ayan commented, not even caring that he is supporting the protestors in front of the Head Prefect. The thought that Aye now trusts Akk and knows he is on the shorter teen’s side, makes Bigfoot want to dance in happiness. If he could dance that is. “It bothers someone’s allegiance to Suppalo so much that they threaten you.”

The three Jums smile, looking between each other. “So all this just to threaten us?” Nong demanded, showing the ruined stuff.

“The curse is not a living entity, it can’t splatter paint and ruin items.” Akk spoke up, gathering their attention. They didn’t seem eager to have him here, but were quietly accepting it seeing that he was not doing anything but actually trying to investigate.

“Listen to that and stop being scared, Nong.” Tallest of the three said. “They just want us to feel frightened and stop protesting. Right?” He demanded glaring at Akk.

The Head Prefect raised a brown. “Are you guys going to stop?”

The trio looked between themselves before snorting. Nian was the one who spoke this time. “If we were, we would already stop when the flowerpot almost fell on us.”

“Good.” Akk smirks, looking over at Ayan who is watching him with the same determined expression, Turning back to the World Remembers gang he continues. “Then I expect you guys to continue what you’re doing and leave the Curse to us. Aye and I will deal with it.”

Jamnan looked at his friends and then back at him like he just grew a second head. “You want us to continue? Didn’t you spend all this time stopping us?”

“Is this another ploy?” Nian asked, eyes narrowed. “Are you playing us?”

“He probably wants us to continue so he can go tell the Student Welfare Department and they will call our parents.”

“I…” Akk took a deep breath, it’s now or never. “I’m sorry for all of that and for the…” This is harder than it looks, he can’t. Not yet. “For taking your things and always interfering. I do think it’s time for someone to make some changes though.”

“Why did you change your mind suddenly?” Nong seemed to be the only one who was willing to believe him.

“Someone told me these rules are archaic and old fashioned and that following them like a puppet makes me an ally in hurting other people.” The Head Prefect looked over at Ayan, smiling a little. “It’s also the modern age and things need to change.” He turned back to his juniors.

The three Jums exchanged another look. “Say, we believe you, how can we know you won’t betray our plans and rat us out?”

“You don’t have to trust me right now or tell me what you’re planning. Just don’t stop. Aye is right, what you’re doing is working.”

I know it from personal experience. After this incident Chadok becomes more desperate and demanding as the director puts more pressure on him. It also put more pressure on Akk, but Ayan stopped him before he could destroy more than he already did. The Head Prefect just hopes they can find this new Curse before he hurts anyone - willingly or not.

“You guys need to send them a sign saying their threat didn’t work.” Ayan gives them an idea, eyes finally leaving Akk to look at the World Remembers with a smirk, mirrored in the taller boy’s lips too.

Jamnan grins. “Nong, Nian, it’s time we intensify our protest.” The three put their hands together and cheered.

****☀️🌙****

Even if Ayan didn’t quite want to admit it, what happened with the World Remembers gang shook him. Showing the transfer student once again what the school was capable of doing, when someone disobeyed their commands. In the pin board he made last night everything circled back to Akk, he was standing at the centre of it all and was being controlled by the bigger power to keep the three Jums and everyone under control - the red string he tied showed that Akk’s strings were in Chadok’s hands while he himself was controlled by the director.

But if Akk truly is the puppet used by Suppalo to release the curse, then why did he stop? Why did he change? And Akk did change. A lot. He went from a stuck up Head Prefect who wanted World Remembers to be afraid of him and for Aye to obey him, to this soft boy, who encouraged their juniors to keep fighting and covering for Ayan, when he knows, for sure, that Teacher Chadok should have been on his case long time ago, blaming Aye for the protests and wanting him gone. The fact that he is not doing it and has no solid proof, is thanks to Akk, who is using himself as a diversion for him.

Chadok is too busy looking for a new underling now that Akk is not so easily accessible and that is making him weak.

Which begs to question, if Akk did betray his master and is now on Ayan’s side, then who is the one who is doing Chadok’s bidding? That paint splatter in the World Remembers Club Room wasn’t Akk, as the taller boy was with Ayan when that happened, the two of them playing with Singto behind the school before going home. Spending some alone time with Akk is the best part of Aye’s day and he enjoys any attention he gets from him, even if it is a fleeting wave. But like this, hidden from prying eyes, being their real teenage selves as they play with the puppy, give the shorter boy a chance to see the real Head Prefect. Akk who hides under all the shields that Suppalo forces him to cower under.

He spends the whole night theorizing about the possibility of Akk being the Curse and then simply stopping, because something or someone made him stop. (Ayan hopes it's him and not some mysterious Aye, who Akk apparently wants to kiss) - I’m getting off topic again.

If Akk is not the curse, then who is? Who is the one who took over? Is it one of the prefects? One of their classmates? Maybe it's Chadok himself.

The next morning, the World Remembers gang were laying down in front of the Student Welfare Room and chanting their protest. The students were around them, along with teacher Sani who came out the door with wide eyes and a panicked look. She asked and demanded that they stand up and for them to speak to her inside, but the trio refused. Ayan came to school just as the protest was heating up, running into Akk who was standing by the wall, slightly hidden from view, close to the Student Welfare Department. Before the shorter boy could say anything he saw the pained look on the Head Prefect's face, so instead he held himself back and just stood by him, their shoulder’s touching as they watched everything unfold.

Finally, Wat, Kan and Namo came rushing in, teacher Sani asking them to help move the three Jums, but no one was able to do it as the boys refused to shift. Aye moved his gaze to Akk, watching in silence as the other boy bit his lips, close to tears. He wanted to reach out, to soothe his pain and ask what’s wrong, but something told him that, if he dared to even move, the head prefect would run like a frightened bunny. Akk grabbed his hand as they watched the prefects practically drag the protestors away. When Akk, Kan and Wat along with other prefects got called to the Student Welfare department by Chadok, the head prefect turned white and Ayan understood what happened, without either of them saying the word.

Akk is not doing his job. And while Ayan is happy that Akk is beginning to think for himself and is choosing justice and the right path, he also knows that this might cost Akk more than Aye can ever imagine. Truthfully, Ayan is not sure what is at stake for the head prefect and why he has kept to the role obviously not fitted for his fragile heart, but he knows that Akk’s fear doesn’t only come from the fact that teacher Chadok is unhappy with him and might remove him from being the Head Prefect. No, there is something else here. Something Akk is afraid to lose and is still risking because he wants to help them.

Ayan is proud of Akk for stepping up and siding with World Remembers, for thinking for himself and not allowing himself to be brainwashed, but he is also so worried. Worried because there is something teacher Chadok is obviously holding over Akk, something big if he was willing to be the Curse and risk other people’s life, and that something might cause the head prefect a lot. Aye just wishes he knew what it is, so he could help the other boy to solve it.

After the incident with the World Remembers Gang that morning, Akk and Aye didn’t have much of a chance to talk. The Head prefect looked exhausted and hopeless the entire day, eyes hollow as if he just mentally checked out, actively avoiding Ayan every chance he got, going to do his rounds when Aye tried to talk or blaming being in class, whenever the Shortstop doodled on his notebook to get his attention. By the end of the day, Akk completely disappeared and after looking for him right after class, he finally gave up and texted Wat, who simply said that Akk left before the last period due to a headache. Shorter teen asked for Akk’s dorm with an excuse to check on him, but Wat didn’t answer.

While waiting for the address, hopefully Wat will have some pity on him, even though they are not that close of friends, Ayan drove to the Cafe for All, needing some alone time in a space where he felt safe and accepted. He didn’t want to go home, as it was empty and somehow, spending another night theorizing and thinking about his uncle, while he was still worried for Akk, also didn’t sit right with him. So after also texting Kan and Thua, asking for Akk’s dorm address, with promises of any favor, Aye headed to the cafe to wait for their answers, which hopefully will come soon.

P’Golf greeted him at the door with the warmest smile and told him to pick a seat, while she went to get his usual order ready. Aye looked around for any available spaces, preferable by the window, when his eyes caught the last person he expected to see in the Cafe for All. Smirking in satisfaction, Ayan made his way to his target who spent the entire day avoiding him like a plague.

Akk sat by the far window, back to the main entrance, eyes glued to the backyard as he played with a straw of his red drink. There were notes and books open on the table, which meant to the shortstop that his bigfoot had been here for hours already, doing homework, while Ayan ran around like a fool looking for him. He wanted to be annoyed at the audacity, but somehow relief overpowered anything else, when he saw that Akk was more relaxed now, face back to its usual color and eyes not as devoid of life as they were after meeting teacher Chadok.

“Are you stalking me, prefect?” He teased, sitting down right across the other boy, smiling wide when Akk turned to look at him in shock.

The head prefect’s eyes were wide, something passing through them too fast for Ayan to recognize, before settling on panic and then embarrassment. Was he flustered about being caught in Diversity Cafe? Not that Aye didn’t know Akk’s true self, recognizing his own first experiences when he first came out to his Uncle after realizing that he had a crush on a boy. And it’s not like Akk made it a secret that he was interested in Ayan, anyone with two brain cells could see how the head prefect looked at the troublemaker. Maybe Akk himself didn’t realize it? But then again, he flirted and teased back, so that’s unlikely.

Whatever. Aye will figure it out.

“Aye? What…? What are you…?” He mumbled, eyes moving around, before he sighs, dropping his head onto both of his hands, elbows now propped onto the table. “Of course, you also come here when stressed. I forgot.”

“What did you just say?” Ayan is not sure he heard him right. How would Akk know where he goes when stressed and upset?

The head prefect sat up straight, cheeks still painted a cute shade of pink. “Nothing. What are you doing here?”

“Oh, I was looking for this little bunny that keeps avoiding me all day. Better question is, "What are you doing here, Akk?””

If anything, Akk’s cheeks turned even redder, extending to the tips of his ears as Aye leaned close, propping his arms on the table between them. “I… You’re not the only one who knows this place. I read a review and came to check it out.”

“Oooh…” Ayan was impressed with how fast the boy comes up with lies. They are not believable, but he is too cute for trying.

“Oh, I didn’t know you two knew each other.” P’Golf suddenly appeared by their table, putting Aye’s order in front of him and a little cake in the middle. “Here is a little present on the house for my two lovely regulars.”

“Regulars?” Shorter boy asked amused, barely hiding his smile.

“Yeah, Akk, here, has been coming almost every evening for a couple of weeks now and you, I have known for years, since the first time Dika brought you, all blushing and timid, to meet us.” P’Golf froze as she finished, looking almost apologetic at Ayan, whose mood soured, suddenly hit by the memory of his Uncle and how accepting and loving he was when he first brought him here and told him he is not alone.

Akk seemed to have gone quiet too, expression turning sad as he looked between the two, as if he also understood the pain Aye was feeling just then. Maybe, it’s just wishful thinking, but the shorter teen wants to believe that Akk does know and feels it.

P’Golf put a comforting hand on Ayan’s shoulder. “He will be glad to know you’re making friends, or…” She tased, looking between the boys. “Maybe more than friends.”

“N… Friends. We’re friends.” The head prefect reassembled a tomato by this point as he cutely stuttered.

Aye pursed his lips, leaning close. “More than friends.”

“Aye!”

P’Golf laughed, leaving them alone, delighted to see Dika’s Ayan back to his playful and cheerful self. That boy spent way too long in grief, she just hopes Akk can make it better.

Trying to get some footing back, the head prefect leaned in, teasing. “So, you were timid at some point, huh? Hard to imagine a shameless person like you being shy.”

Ayan repeated the motion, enjoying being close to the other boy. “What can I say, it comes from experience. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two.”

“Shameless!” Akk snorted, but didn’t move away. “You’re all talk anyways. I bet you didn’t have that much experience to begin with.”

“Wanna check and see.”

“Ayan!”

“Aww, what happened to calling me ‘Aye’? I don’t like it when you’re distant.”

“Behave then.”

He chuckled, leaning back and taking a sip of his ice americano. “So, Mr. Head Prefect, how do you know about this place?”

“I told you. I read a review online.”

“Show me then.”

“I don’t have to do anything.” Akk scoffs, taking a long sip of his drink, eyes going over to the window again.

They are silent for a few minutes, just existing, drinking their drinks. Akk watching nature and Ayan watching Akk. He is halfway through his coffee, when the shortstop finally asks. “Why don’t you ask me why teacher Dika brought me here to meet P’Golf?”

Akk is obviously too lost in his head to fully recognize the space around him, because when he answers, he does so without thinking or remembering that he is in the past. “Why would I ask why your uncle brought you here? You already told me that he felt safe and accepted here and you deserved the same thing when you came out.”

They both froze at that - Aye because the meaning of the words sank in and Akk because he realized what he said, what he revealed to Past Aye, Aye who is not his boyfriend yet and who hasn't told him this story yet.

The head prefect looks at the shorter teen in shock, suddenly standing up. “I need to go!”

Aye is out of his seat before he can think, grabbing Akk’s arm and holding him in place, uncomfortably bent over the table to reach him. He didn’t care though, he knows if he lets the other boy walk out, he will never get his answers.

“Akk!” His hand tightened, afraid that bigfoot would break his hold and run again. “You promised me the truth; I need it now. You had your time, now give me answers.” He felt his eyes well up. “Please.”

Akk stood frozen, staring at shortstop for a long time, before reaching for his cheek with his free hand and wiping the tears as gently as he could. “I’ve always been weak to your tears, Aye.” He whispers and all of a sudden Ayan could see the same avalanche of emotions he saw in the brief second after their kiss, before the other boy ran away. Akk was looking at him like he was the centre of his universe, his whole world, his eyes shining with love, affection, understanding and acceptance - it took Ayan’s breath away.

He didn’t even know someone could look at him like this. That someone can make him breathless, can make his heartbeat like this with just a look. There were million galaxies, hidden in Akk’s gaze, his heart and truth mirrored in those big boba eyes, as he looked at his shortstop.

“I’ll tell you, let’s just sit down.” The head prefect returned to his seat, not pulling his hand away, but patiently waiting for the other boy to take his seat too. Aye kept holding his bigfoot’s wrist, afraid that he would disappear if he did. Akk simply shifted his wrist to loosen the grip, until he could hold Aye’s hand in his, intervening their fingers over the table, notes and drinks forgotten between them. “I don’t really know how to start, so why don’t you ask, and I will tell you.”

“How do you know Dika is my Uncle?”

“Right to the point, huh.” Akk takes a deep breath, calming himself. Aye mourned the loss of those eyes, until they were back on him. “You told me that yourself. You told me about Uncle Dika. How he raised you. How he took you here when you first told him about your crush on that boy from your old school. How he is the one who made you love history, literature, and philosophy. You told me he inspired you to become a teacher and to follow your passion.”

Ayan was frozen, mind unable to understand. “I… told you?” A nod. “When? We just met, Akk. I didn’t even know you a few weeks ago and we have been busy since then to really talk.”

“Well, you haven’t told me yet. You will tell me, when we go to my hometown after…”

“What? What do you mean ‘will tell you.’ How can you know if I didn’t yet.”

“I guess there is no easy way to say it, huh. Aye, I… I’m from the future.”

Shorter teen felt his brain freeze, before letting out an awkward laugh. “Come on Akk, you could have come up with a better lie than that. Did you read it somewhere? Or maybe Uncle Dika told you about me and you kinda figured out our relationship when I transferred.”

“It’s the truth, Aye. I know it’s hard to believe, but…”

“You want me to believe, you time travelled back to high school to what exactly? Hold a rebellion?” Ayan scoffs.

“Not exactly.” Akk mumbled.

“You could have told me you’re not ready, Akk. Just don’t lie, ok.” Finally, Aye let go of the other boy’s hand.

Akk reached towards him, taking hold of his wrist this time, eyes resigned. “I’m not Aye.” reaching around his neck, he removed his necklace, hiding it in his palm as he reached it towards Ayan to take.

Frowning shortstop took the item, bringing it close and only then opening his palm to see what’s inside. “But… This is…”

He knows it’s Uncle Dika’s pendant; it can’t be anyone else's. Removing his own Aye held both beside each other and saw that they are identical, down to the little scratches on the surface and the size of the moon and small imperfections. While it could be just another copy made, it’s not. Ayan knows that Uncle Dika customized this pendant himself, so unless he made two at the exact same time, exact same way, with exact same force and used both at the same time, these two necklaces can’t be anything else but the same necklace. They’re not even identical, they are simply the same.

“Uncle Dika said that he holds this necklace whenever he feels lost or anxious or in need of support and it works like magic. Later, after he… You take the necklace and wear it despite it being against the rules and use it to calm yourself in times of stress. I’m the only person you even let touch it, let alone wear it. This was precious to Uncle Dika, it’s precious to you and it will always be precious to me.”

“I gave it to you?” Ayan looked up.

Akk avoided his gaze, pain flashing in his gaze before he turned back with a nod. “Yeah.”

As Akk spoke another thing caught Aye’s attention. There were two silver rings attached to the chain, one with a blue stone installed into the metal, crescent moon engraved around it and the other with a red stone in the metal and a sun drawn around it. Inside the rings were words - one had Shortstop while the other with Bigfoot - engraved, which strangely made his heart skip.

“We’re married?” Ayan asks, looking up.

Akk smiles, shaking his head and taking the pendant with the rings back, putting them on. “They’re promise rings. We got them before you left for England, kind of a promise to wait for each other.”

“I left you?!” He practically screams in disbelief. That didn’t sound possible, especially if he loves Akk enough to tell him about Dika and give him his necklace.

He must look as scandalised as he sounds since Akk laughs. Another head shake. “You didn’t go in the end. Decided to stay with me and then apply together.”

“Akk, I don’t understand. This is… It all sounds like something from some sci-fi movie.”

“It’s a long story, Aye.”

“Tell me. Try, please.”

And Akk did. They sat there, in the corner of the Diversity Cafe for maybe hours as the Head Prefect recounted his own reality and everything that happened between the two of them in it. How they met, how he kept following Aye while reporting back to Chadok, how Ayan seemed to use flirting and teasing to get Akk off his tail. He told him about being the Curse and how Ayan found out, how they spent the night in Akk’s dorm where he saw for the first time Aye having nightmares and how after that night made sure to always be there to hold him when he did. How someone else took over being the curse and the two of them joined forces to find them. The prefect recounted their time in his hometown and their first kiss, with red cheeks and stuttering voice. He was just as shy, face colored in delicious pink as he avoided looking at the shorter boy while he recounted the night, they became boyfriends and kissed under the water.

They spent hours in the Cafe for All, talking, Akk answering every question with open honestly and apologizing when he couldn’t tell him such things - ‘You will know when the time comes, Aye. I can’t risk you interfering yet.’

Ayan didn’t like it but understood all the same. If Akk is here to change the outcome of the past, then it only makes sense that he will be cautious about it and will make sure that no one interferes, since that might actually mess everything up. Shortstop knew that logically, but it still annoyed him. It also annoyed him that Akk didn’t quite tell him why or how he came to the past, just gave some vague answer about being sent here all of a sudden.

It's obvious he is hiding the reason, but Aye decided to allow him be mysterious for now.

The two of them forgot about the time, too engrossed in their talk, that they didn’t notice how fast the time passed and that it was already late evening. It wasn’t until P’Golf came to kindly shoo them away that Akk and Ayan noticed how empty the place was and left with red cheeks and smiles, thanking the owner for her understanding as she just grinned “Ah, to be young and in love.”

As they come to a stop by Ayan’s car. Akk spoke. “Thanks for listening, Aye and thank you for not treating me like I’m crazy even though it seems like it.”

“Hmm…” The shorter boy smiles. “Honestly, I still can’t believe that kinda thing can happen, but… I trust you, Akk. I know you won’t lie about something as big as this. But…”

“What?”

“About being the Curse and what teacher Chadok did, you know you have to tell everyone, right?”

Akk looked like a kicked puppy at that, looking away. He hates Chadok for what he did to this pure-hearted person. “I know. I’ll tell them.”

Taking his hands, Aye leaned in, just so that he could look right into those big boba eyes, shining now under the light of the streetlamps. God, how can anyone look at this perfect boy and even think about hurting him, using him. All Ayan wants to do is buddle him up and hide him from the world, until the world learns to appreciate the gift that is Akk. “But you stopped, Akk, that’s what matters. They’ll understand. Your friends and the nongs, they’ll understand that you were used.”

“Hmm.” He nodded, reluctantly eyes not leaving the shorter teen.

What Aye didn’t say though was the fact that even if Akk did stop, someone else was doing it instead. Chadok was using someone else to stop the protestors and they needed to find who it was and stop them. For their junior’s sake as well as Akk’s. ‘Cause Aye has a feeling that whatever this new Curse is doing or whomever they are, they might hurt Akk in the process too. And Ayan would rather sacrifice the entire world than let Akk take a fall for anything that is not his fault. Probably not even then.

“I should go back. It’s late.” The head prefect announced, not making a single step away from Aye or attempt to let go of his hands.

“I’ll drive you.” Shortstop announced. “I’m your boyfriend, after all.”

“I don’t remember agreeing to date you.”

“Au? We will date in the future.” Aye makes a wide-eyed questioning look.

Akk grins shaking his head. “Try harder, Shortstop.” He finally lets go, but doesn’t move away, which is a good sign in Ayan’s book. “Oh, don’t forget about the report we need to do for Teacher Waree’s class. Due date is Monday.”

“Ah!” Ayan pretends to think about it. “Should we do it now?” He asks, leaning in with a smirk. “Do the report at my house tonight.”

The head prefect blinks, eyes getting impossibly bigger as he stares between the other boy’s eyes and lips. “It’s late already. I’ll just do my part and send you the file, so you can edit and finish.”

“No way! Do it together! Get it done together. That’s how it was meant to be.”

“Aye~ I’m tired and it’s still Friday tomorrow. Let’s do it later.”

Ayan narrowed his eyes, although his tone was still teasing. He knew Akk didn’t really mean his words, easily convinced if Aye pushed just a little more, if his blush and longing eyes were any indicator to his heart and true feelings - which Aye knows they are. “Are you scared of being alone with me?”

Even the tips of Akk’s ears were red, lips pursing, as he vehemently denied. “Scared, my ass. What can a small guy like you do?” He advanced trying to intimidate, although to Aye he looked more like a kitten.

“Exactly! No need to be scared. Come on.” Taking the head prefect’s hand into his, the shorter teen pulled him towards the passenger seat, opening the door. Akk resisted for half a second, before getting in and taking Ayan’s bag when the latter threw it at him. “Take this.”

Gleefully Shortstop rounded the car and got behind the wheel. “What’s wrong? You’re so tense. Didn’t I ever drive you in my car?”

“I’m not.” He denied. “I just didn’t expect to get a free ride.”

“Always ready to divert and answer. Such a fast thinker.”

“Just drive, Shortstop. Let’s get this project over with.”

Aye pouted. “I’m starting to think you don’t want to spend time with your boyfriend anymore, Bigfoot.”

“I want to spend time with my boyfriend. You’re not him though.” Leaning over the console, he teased looking right into shorter teens eyes. “Ow, why the long face, did I hurt your feelings?”

It was annoying how confident Akk was in denying him, even while he blushed and looked ready to be kissed. As the head prefect leaned back in his seat with a satisfied look, Ayan nodded, a new plan forming. As soon as Akk settled, Aye practically jumped over the console and the seat, hand grabbing at the seatbelt, face just an inch away from the prefect’s who looked right at him with shocked eyes. The shorter teen softened his gaze, looking between his lips and eyes, not making any moves to pull away and get closer. Akk’s brown orbs were moving from one side to the next, before also briefly moving to his lips and then back to stare into his eyes with such longing, Ayan lost his breath.

It will be way too easy to lean in and steal a kiss from this boy. And he won’t even oppose it. Probably.

“Aye, what are you… doing?” He whispered against the shortstop’s lips.

Ayan pursed his lips, moving back and fastening the seat belt. Barely holding back, a smirk at the disappointed look on the taller teen’s face.

“Nothing.”

“Drive already!” Akk sounded annoyed, settling in his seat, and petulantly looking out the window.

****☀️🌙****

Once they got to Ayan’s house, the house owner led the two of them up the stairs and to his room, Akk following quietly behind him, briefly looking around.

“Is Khun Mae away?” He asked, as they entered Ayan’s room.

Shorter teen hmm-ed. “Yeah. She had to leave for Tokyo last night.”

“Ah.” Akk says, dropping his bag onto the bed and taking off his jacket, it warmed Aye’s heart how familiar the boy seemed with this room.

“I assume she still does that in the future.”

“Yeah. She moved to Nepal in our first semester in university, though.” At Ayan’s frown he continues. “After that you moved to Campus dorm with me, it was a last-minute issue, so we had a fight with the admission office, ‘cause they wouldn’t allow us to switch, even though it was just a first week and no one has moved in yet. My peer mentor helped us a lot then. It’s thanks to her we got to live together.”

Shortstop nodded, also leaving his stuff in a heap on the bed - taking off his hoodie, button up, socks and shorts - standing in front of Akk in just his trunks and white tank-top. “I must miss her.”

“You do.” Akk explained, it was soothing how easily he was telling Aye everything he needed to know, without being forced. The head prefect took out his books and went to Ayan’s desk, setting everything up. “We went to visit her a few times in our junior year. Nepal is beautiful.”

As Ayan watched him settle in, he bit his lips. “It kind of feels weird, you know. You keep telling me all these amazing pieces of the future I haven’t even lived yet, and it sounds like a fairytale, but I’m so afraid it will never happen that I keep overthinking.” He said in all honesty, wishing he could see Akk’s eyes to gauge his reaction.

The head prefect’s shoulders tensed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Keep telling me. I want you to. Makes me wanna keep on fighting.” Akk says nothing. “I’m going to take a shower now. I feel gross.”

“Okay.”

Not liking the heavy atmosphere in the room, Aye suggested. “Do you want to take a shower with me?”

Akk turned back to him indignant, red as a tomato. “Shameless! Just go take a shower. Stop wasting time, I want to go home.”

When he came out of the shower, his clothes, which he had carelessly thrown over the bed, were neatly folded. His button up, socks and shorts were thrown into the laundry basket, while his hoodie and school jacket were placed under his school bag, right alongside Akk's own. For a second he wondered if Akk went through his bag and had seen the notebook, but before he could check, Akk spoke as if reading his mind. “I don’t need to check to see what’s in Uncle Dika’s journal Aye. I already know.”

“Since when do you call him, Uncle Dika and not Teacher Dika?” Ayan says instead of answering, taking out the brown leather journal from the bag and moving to sit beside the head prefect who has already started on their project.

The taller boy shrugs. “I don’t know. You talked about him a lot when we were in my hometown and I guess… I somehow took your habit.” While he spoke, Akk kept his attention on the notebook, not even once looking at Ayan and that bothered him more than he could explain.

Putting the journal down he tapped at it, making sure that Akk looks over before continuing, even though the prefect’s gaze remained on the leather cover and not on the other boy. “I let you read this?”

“Hmm. We read it together actually.” With that he returned to his notes.

Something is wrong. “Akk, look at me.”

“Why?”

“Just look at me.”

“Ayan it’s late, I’m tired. Let’s finish this and I’ll leave.”

Leaning close Aye tried to catch the other boy’s gaze, but he masterfully avoided it. “Akk, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just wanna go home.”

“You’re calling me ‘Ayan’ and avoiding my eyes. Something is wrong. So, look at me.”

“No.”

“Akk, please.”

Done playing nice, Aye grabs the boy by his cheeks and forces him to turn towards the shorter teen, face cutely squished between his palms. His heart painfully constricts as he looks at Akk’s eyes. The head prefect’s eyes are filled with tears, gaze sorrowful, tortured over something beyond Ayan’s control and he hates it. He hates it. He is ready to fight the world to get rid of this look forever. Akk deserves the world. He deserves to be happy and to always smile and be carefree. He shouldn’t ever look like his entire world is breaking down. Not for anything or anyone.

“What’s wrong, Akk?” Ayan asks, gently whipping the boy’s tears.

“I…” He reaches for Ayan’s ‘Caturday’ shirt with tentative fingers, gripping at the fabric. “I miss you, Aye.”

Forcing the other boy to meet his gaze, Ayan states. “I’m right here, Akk. I’m with you.”

The head prefect shakes his head. “It’s not the same. You’re not… You’re not my Aye, not yet. Even if you say you believe me, you don’t know me yet. Not like I know you. For you we’re still strangers. We haven’t lived through all those things. Our bond is not formed yet.” He looks at the shorter boy, eyes shining with uncertainty. “And I don’t know if it ever will. I’m so scared it won’t, Aye. I’m so scared that this time you will see the kind of a mess I am and decide it’s not worth it. I’m scared you will leave and…”

“Shh, stop. Akk Stop!” Throwing his arms around the other boy, Ayan hugged him close, one hand tangled in his brown locks as the prefect hid his face in Aye’s neck and the other thrown over his shoulders. Akk clings to him desperately, fingers grabbing the shirt so much shorter boy is scared it will rip, but he will allow Akk to ruin thousand shirts if it means he will find comfort and stop crying.

“I’m scared, Aye.”

“Shh, it’s ok, Akk. I promise it’s okay. I’m right here and I’m not leaving. Never.” Taking a deep breath Ayan continued, ignoring his own tears pouring down his cheeks. Seeing Akk cry is so painful that the shortstop's own heart feels like breaking. “I’m your Aye, Akk. Who cares if I remember or not, or if we have to live through this damn school hundred times over. I'm the only Aye you have. I'm the only Aye you're allowed to love. I care about you, Bigfoot. Please tell me you know that.”

The head prefect nodded against Aye’s neck. “I do. I trust you.”

“Good. I promise you we will find out how you got here. We will find the Curse and stop it. I’ll help you anyways I can, Akk. I swear to you. And after all of it is done, we’ll get you back home, ‘cause if the future Aye feels about you what I do, then he’ll need his Bigfoot back, ASAP.”

“Okay.” Came an amused mumble.

They stayed like that for a while longer, Akk nestled in Ayan’s arms, his big frame hiding in Aye’s embrace, hidden from the world and the shorter boy, with his face buried in the other’s hair, happy to just hold him and exist. Akk said that past Aye doesn’t feel the same way as future Aye, but he couldn’t be more wrong. Ayan is not sure if what he is feeling right now is love, but he feels something for Akk, something warm and strong and powerful, something that makes him want to protect and care and make the head prefect happy and safe. He is sort of irrational with it in a way, ready to burn down the world if it means Akk will smile and prepared to destroy Suppalo if it dares to make Akk sad again.

Is it love? Maybe. He has never actually been in love before, so it’s hard to say. But Ayan is sure it is something and that falling in love is not that far away.

Once Akk calmed down, Aye moved back, hands still strong on the other’s arms, while the prefect kept his on Ayan’s waist. “Want to tell me what brought this on?”

The head prefect’s pout is so cute that the shortstop all but coos. “It’s just being back in your room, in this house, I guess.” He sighs. “Suddenly, I remembered all the nights we spent in this house, cuddling and watching a movie, studying for the exams or just fooling around. Over the three years this became my house too and being here, knowing that for you it’s the first time, while for me… I lost count.” He snorted. “It just became too much, and I couldn’t hold myself back.”

Smiling gently, Aye caressed the taller teen’s cheek. “It’s ok, Akk. You can be weak…” Leaning their forehead together he whispered. “At least with me.”

Akk took a sudden breath, shuddering, moving his hands to Ayan’s shoulders, but not pushing him away. “You said that before.”

“Good, ‘cause its true.” Smiling, Aye stayed like this for a second longer, before leaning back. “Just be honest with me, Akk. Always, okay? Whatever you’re feeling, even if you miss future Aye and want to talk about something related, or if you’re overwhelmed with everything, just promise me that you will come to me. I’ll always listen to you. Okay, Bigfoot?”

The head prefect nodded with a smile and finally leaned back, wiping his eyes. “It really is late. I should get back.”

“What? No. Don’t leave.”

“I don’t want to bother you.”

“You won’t. Stay the night. Please Akk. I’ll feel so lonely if you go.” Aye begged, pouting.

Akk rolled his eyes. “You live alone, Aye. It’s not unusual for you.”

“But now I got the demo version of having you here and it’s way better than being alone.” Leaning in, the shorter teen made sure to look at the other boy with inviting gaze, feline eyes turning to halfmoons as he looked from the other boy’s eyes to his lips. “You said you missed me, and you’re already used to being here. So come on, Akk, please stay.”

Akk looks at him with a barely suppressed smile and finally nods. “Okay.”

Ayan claps happy to have gotten his way. “Great! Go take a shower, I’ll get you some change of clothes and clean up.”

By the time Akk came out, dressed in one of Ayan’s shorts and a matching ‘Caturday’ shirt, his one white with blue writings, the shorter teen has cleaned up the room, putting away their books and laptop to continue over the weekend, when he drags Akk here on Friday after school. He was hopeful over the prospect of Akk spending the whole weekend in his house with Aye and of them leaving for school together on Monday. Ayan was sure he can convince his bigfoot to do it once he is done with Thua and his mom on Saturday.

He even separated his pillows, putting them parallel to each other, getting under the covers on the left of the bed and leaving the right free. He just took off his necklace and put it on the leather journal on his nightstand, when Akk came out, took his own necklace with the rings and placed them on his own side table and got under the covers, turning towards him. Ayan mirrored him, laying on his side, with an arm under his head and just watching his Bigfoot.

“Thanks for staying with me tonight, Akk.”

“Hmm. Anytime.” Closing his eyes, but thankfully not turning away, Akk mumbled. “Goodnight, Shortstop.”

“Goodnight, Bigfoot.” Aye also closed his eyes, shifting closer to the other boy, their foreheads almost touching between the two pillows.

And if sometime during the night, Aye ended up in Akk’s arms, head nestled under his chin, while his perfect prefect holds him in strong arms, face buried in shorter boy’s hair and if the same night the two of them have the best sleep of their life, devoid of any nightmares – then it’s no one’s business but their own.

Chapter Text

When Akk woke up Friday morning, arms wrapped around Ayan and heart singing with joy, he forgot everything for a minute. About the accident and 7 months of grief, about Suppalo and the new Curse, about Chadok and his mission. The only thing that existed in this world were him and Aye, everything else didn’t matter. Tightening his arms around the love of his life, the boy tried to rest some more, smiling when Aye snuggled into his chest, mumbling something about it being too early.

It's been way too long since the last time Akk was allowed a quiet morning to cuddle with his boyfriend (this Aye wasn’t his boyfriend yet, but still). Even before coming back to Suppalo and meeting Aye again, the head prefect’s mornings consisted of waking up on that uncomfortable sofa by Ayan’s hospital bed, greeting his sleeping love with a kiss to the forehead, waiting for few minutes for him to open his eyes, getting upset when he doesn’t and then barely touching the breakfast a nice nurse brought him every morning. The rest of the day was spent facetiming his parents and Aye’s mom, then a visit from his friends and some schoolwork before he had dinner by Ayan’s bed and watched some show they started together or wanted to watch, all the while talking to him hopping that he can hear him. Now that he thinks about it, Akk’s morning became so routine an expected that he didn’t even notice how monotonous they have grown.

Now though, for the first time in what feels like a lifetime, the head prefect gets to wake up with his boyfriend in his arms, listening to his soft breaths against his neck as they just exist in the moment, not really hurrying anywhere. When his alarm finally rings, he leaves a soft kiss on Aye’s forehead and with practiced ease untangles himself from his arms and heads to the bathroom for a shower. Ayan has never been a morning person and over the years Akk has grown accustomed to being the first out of the bed, getting ready for the day while Aye got few more minutes of sleep. He would shower, dress, get both their bags ready and prepare breakfast before going back to wake up Ayan, who would grumble and complain and pull Akk into a mandatory 5 minute cuddle session, before finally waking up and going to shower.

Akk found it incredibly cute how his spoilt boyfriend will eat breakfast like a grumpy kitten angry at the world and only after his first cup of coffee will decide to annoy Akk demanding kisses and then get back his usual Shameless self. By the time they left the house or dorm room, Akk will be thoroughly kissed, until his lips are swollen and Aye will look like a satisfied cat, pink cheeked and bright eyed. Their puppy love, honeymoon period never ended in the two years they have been dating, much to their friends annoyance, and while Akk still got shy, he secretly enjoyed them. 

Maybe, that’s part of the reason why those 7 months were so torturous for him – he got spoilt by Ayan and his endless affection, so suddenly being deprived of it killed him.

Used to that dynamic, despite the sabbatical period of Ayan’s hospitalization, the head prefect got back to their usual morning routine right away. After the shower, he gets dressed in his school uniform and goes downstairs to prepare them a fast breakfast. Before they started dating, Aye usually didn’t bother much with food in the mornings, choosing instead to drink his coffee and then hurry to school – he lived alone so it wasn’t that unusual. But after Akk started sleeping over and they started to wake up together, the head prefect made sure that his Shortstop didn’t just drink black coffee on empty stomach. 

Ayan comes down, rubbing his eyes like a little kid, just as Akk is done with preparing the meal and has placed two cups of coffee on the table, still dressed in his casual clothes he went to sleep in. His hair is still mussed from sleep and there’re imprints of Akk’s shirt on his cheek, from where he slept on Akk’s chest all night. He looks so adorable that the head prefect want to coo and pinch his cheeks, but an annoyed glare from the shorter boy stops him.

“It’s too early. Why are you smiling?” It sounded like an accusation, but came out as a whine.

Akk sat down on his side of the table, nodding to the other chair. “Good morning to you too, sunshine.”

“I don’t eat breakfast.” He said, but still sat down.

“You should or no coffee for you.”

Another glare, before Ayan took the utensils and dove into his food. His eyes widened at the first bite. “Didn’t know you can cook.”

Akk smiles at that, starting on his own porridge. “Had to learn in junior year, as someone woke up too late, dragged me for a ‘morning date’ and made me late for classes.”

“Mornings are evil, but I’m willing to go through them if it gets me your cooking and time.” Aye smiled cheekily.

“Eat already. We have school.”

“I’ll drive us.”

“You also need to shower and get dressed and doing you hair takes you freaking hours.”

“You’re complaining. Why are you complaining so early in the morning.” The shorter teen whined.

The head prefect rolls his eyes. “I won’t complain if you hurry. Today is…”

Akk froze remembering what day it was. This is the Friday before Ayan meets Thua and his mom in Café for All and Kan and Akk follows them. It’s the first time Akk sees Aye over the hill and witnesses his vulnerability. For his heart and mind that’s the point in time when Akk fully decides to protect Aye at all costs, even if he still pretends otherwise for a while longer. But that’s not what catches his attention, the day before that meeting in the Café of Diversity, is the day Ayan gets bullied by their teachers, because Teacher Chadok wants to teach him a lesson and beat him down. 

God, even now, it sounds so cruel for anyone to do, especially a teacher. 

Akk is not sure if it will happen as he didn’t tell anything to the teacher, but someone has been reporting about Ayan to him and, most importantly, Aye is obviously rebelling and siding with World Remembers, so Teacher Chadok might still go along with his ‘discipline’. It’s also the day Aye cries in front of the head prefect for the first time, letting down his walls – as shocking as it was back then – past and future Akk never want to see that broken Aye even again.

That day, Akk saw Aye break down and then witnessed him on that hill totally broken and swore to protect him. He might have denied his feelings, but he knew that the shorter boy is important to his heart, so come Monday Akk went to all of the teachers and lied to all of them about Ayan acting good and to leave him to the Prefect Club, when he himself was well aware of the fact that his Shortstop was too stubborn to give up and that Prefect Club will never be involved, if anything Akk himself will continue the boy under the pretence of control.

How the hell did it take this long for me to figure out I had a crush on the Shameless rebel? 

If the first night in Ayan’s room when they did Teacher Waree’s assignment was when Akk realized that he might start to have feelings and the first night in his dorm when Aye had a nightmare is when he wanted to kiss him and understood that his feelings are more than a crush – then its this day, today when the head prefect goes against his own fears and Chadok for once and starts to protect Ayan in his own imperfect way.

“Akk?” Ayan’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “Where did you go to, prefect?”

Shaking his head Akk, smiled. Somehow, so lost in his head, he didn’t notice that they were already done with food, and his Shortstop was already finishing his coffee. “Nothing. Let me clean up.” Standing up he started putting the dishes away. 

“Au, first morning together and you’re already so distant. This relationship is doomed.”

“We don’t have a relationship, Aye.” The head prefect pointed out, turning to lean with his back to the sink, waiting for the other boy to be done so he can wash up while he gets ready. 

In a dramatic flair he dropped his cup onto the table, which tipped over, thankfully empty. Hurrying over to the kitchen island he leaned over it. “You’re cheating!” He announced, eyes wide.

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“That’s not an answer, Akk. 3 years of dating and you cheat. You’re cruel.”

“We haven’t been dating for 3 years.”

“Not for me, but for you yes. Are you denying our future together, prefect?”

Stepping close, Akk put his hands on the island and leaned in. “Stop spouting nonsense and go get ready. We’ll be late.”

“You cheat. You lie. You shoo me away.” Aye replied pursuing his lips. “Do you even love me?”

Done with the conversation and ridiculous diversion, Akk leans over the little space they have over the island and leaves a smooch over Ayan’s pouting lips, before smirking. “Go get changed, Shameless. We have a long day today.”  Noting a bright blush on his future boyfriend’s cheeks and ignoring his own, Akk turns back to the sink, already aware of what’s coming. 

“Akk~” Just like he expected Aye whines in the most obnoxious voice and rounding the kitchen island he comes behind the head prefect, hugging him close by wrapping his arms around the taller boy’s waist from the back and putting his chin on his shoulders. “Give me a proper kiss. That wasn’t a kiss. I need my morning kiss.”

Ignoring his new backpack Akk silently chuckles and continues to wash the dishes. “Be a good boy and go change first. I’ll see about your reward later.” 

“No! No, no, no. Give me a proper kiss first. Akk~ Akk~” He kept mumbling, amusement evident in his tone as he saw the prefect laughing.

Whatever today brings, Akk promised himself that he would protect Ayan once again. This time fully, like he should have done from the very beginning. No matter what the teachers or the Curse is planning, Aye needs to be safe. 

I’ll fix it, Aye. I swear to you. The past and the future, I’ll change it.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Just like many things, this part of the past shocked Akk too. Maybe he should have expected it, after all, he is not the same Akk, so why should the past be same. If he remembers this day correctly, and he remembers everything about Suppalo in clear HD resolution, especially things concerning Ayan, then the same morning Chadok and the teachers come up with a plan to make Aye ‘fit in’ to Suppalo so they bully him. Yes, bully. Adults bullied a teenager, there is no nicer way of saying it. 

It all started in Teacher Waree’s class about 18 th century philosophers. Just like usual, she started her lesson with some basic questions. Aye looked bored, choosing instead to doodle in his notebook, while Akk played attention to getting ready to interfere when the questioning started, before things escalated.

“From what we studied, can anyone name any well-known philosophers in the 18 th century?” Akk already raised his hand, hopping that she will answer, but just like before Teacher Waree went for the one she marked as a target. “Ayan. Answer that.”

Akk looks at his Shortstop, who takes a deep breath and stands up, the head prefect knows his boyfriend is a genius, but this is different. This is not a test to see how intelligent he is, but in fact to break down his will. Of course, Akk will try to help him. “Thomas Hobbes.”

Next she will ask about his ideals and then mock Ayan’s answer, which will put Aye in a competitive mode and Teacher Waree will answer to his challenge with a challenge. It’s a trainwreck in the making and everyone knows it. Akk was thinking when the best time is to answer instead when Teacher Waree spoke.

“Good. Akk.” She suddenly called.

The head prefect’s eyes widened, before he composed himself and stood up, ignoring Ayan’s confused look, choosing to look at Teacher Waree instead. “What’s his ideals?” He stuttered and she smirks, the same mocking look on her face he remembers directed at Ayan, not pointed at him. “It seems the best student in class didn’t even study. It’s unfitting to your title.”

Akk was still confused over what was happening, not expecting this change, at least not like this. Not for the first time he is grateful for all those nights he spent with Ayan, on the floor of his dorm room or Aye’s room, reading and debating different historical figures. 

His Shortstop opened his mouth to answer the question, but the Head Prefect beat him to it. “Every human has the liberty and the freedom to engage in any activity that produces disorder. Therefore, they agree to find themselves the ruler in order to bring peace to society.”

Everyone, Teacher Waree and Ayan included, looked at Akk in amazement. Back in the day he remembers spending many nights with his boyfriend as they talked about Hobbes, while preparing for the exams. 

The teacher nods. “Which means there must be the ruler and those who are ruled. That’s the nature of society. Akk, as the Head Prefect, you are the ruler over the student body, and you are ruled by the Teachers as do other students. That’s how school systems are supposed to be. Both of you sit down.”

Ayan keeps on standing, so does Akk, both looking at each other, already knowing the argument brewing. If the shorter boy speaks now, then the teachers will target him more and while the prefect doesn’t know why Teacher Waree involved him, it’s obvious that he is just a side piece to Ayan’s punishment. Why? He doesn’t know.

“But the ruler in Hobbe’s opinion must come from the power that is given by the people.” Akk speaks up, remembering Aye’s exact words from that day. “Not by force. As prefects are the representatives of the students, they should be chosen by students too, not by teachers.”

“I didn’t ask.” She glared. “If you want to answer that much, tell me what Montesquieu’s principle is.”

“The separation of power into three branches, Legislative, Executive, Judicial.”

“John Locke?””

Akk sighs, trying to pull from memory something he hasn’t used in over a year. No matter how much of a nerd his boyfriend is, after starting university and too busy with their own subjects, they didn’t have much time for discussions and debates. 

Teacher Waree prods. “You can’t answer it.”

“His ideal is that freedom and liberty are fundamental human rights that all humans are born with.”

She stares at him for a long time, nodding. “Seems like you’re earning up to your title, Akk. Be sure to respect the powers given to you. Sit down both of you.”

As Akk and Aye take their places, the shorter teen reaches for his hand under the table, squeezing. The Head Prefect smiles at him with a nod, interlocking their fingers on his thigh. 

*****

The next class is Thai Grammar. Akk is already prepared, knowing that whatever they have planned with continue till the end. 

“What are the synonyms of the word ‘Phra Arthit’?” She looks right at Aye first. “Akk.”

He freezes, before gathering his wits and standing up. “Suriya, Tinakorn, Tiwakorn.” 

“And the synonyms of ‘the moon’? 

*****

“Ayan, is the substance X’s boiling point higher than that of substance Y and Z?”

“Yes, it is.” Aye answers right away.

“And why is substance X soluble in water.” The chemistry teacher turned to him. “Akk, answer.”

*****

That continued through the entire day. Sometimes they would call Ayan first and then switch to Akk as soon as the shorter teen answered. It felt as though they are using Aye to bring Akk down. Like they are trying to put the two against each other, making Ayan give some random answer, which inevitably puts Akk on the spotlight to continue with the boy’s thought, as if it’s his own. Now, if Akk hadn’t graduated from Suppalo not even two years ago and hadn’t been studying so diligently to keep his scholarship, he would not have been able to answer anything. 

Maybe that’s what it is? They want to show Akk that Ayan is smart and cunning and if Akk doesn’t keep up then he will lose it all to this boy, who he is protecting? That doesn’t make sense. Maybe he is wrong and that’s not it. 

First time around Teacher Chadok came up with this plot to show Aye that he does not fit it, that he doesn’t belong to Suppalo. Akk suspects that this time, Teacher Chadok is doing it to scare the head prefect and remind him that his scholarship and future are in his hands, that if he stumbles and fails he will lose it all. In a way it’s true. If Akk was unable to answer any of those questions then Teacher Chadok would have called him in and punished him, but now that he has managed to keep up and answer – he is the Head Prefect and a Scholarship kid for a reason, not only to Suppalo but to Thailand’s biggest university too – Akk wonders what Chadok will do. 

His scholarship can’t be taken away if his grades are still excellent, just like his behavior. But he might lose his Head Prefect title, which will put Akk at a disadvantage in getting into a good university with a scholarship too, but honestly, Future Akk doesn’t care. He’ll find a way. Work and pay his way through or apply for some kind of student loan. He doesn’t care. He’s here to save Aye and that’s all that matters to him. Right now, Teacher Chadok still trusts him, still thinks he can control him, so he won’t throw the Head Prefect away that easily, but if the whole Curse thing escalates then he doesn’t know what will happen.

Last time, Akk got away with a suspension, thanks to Teacher Chadok and Teacher Sani stepping in. Will Chadok still step in if Akk betrays him?

**** ☀️🌙 ****

After the last morning class, Akk excused himself from his friends, when they were about to head for their usual rounds before lunch and practically disappeared, not giving Kan, Wat and especially Aye to ask him anything. Like always, the bleachers were empty in the middle of the school day, as many students prefer to hide away at the more secluded places, probably playing on their phones. Akk remembers those places, remembers going with his friends and penalizing so many rule breakers, taking their phones, games, etc., just to bring them to the club room.

Everything they took from the students disappeared from the club room by the end of the day. Akk suspected either Kan or Wat or some other prefect were discreetly returning them, but he didn’t really care. In hindsight, even then Akk realized how archaic it was to deprive students from simple pleasures during their break time. Maybe if he wasn’t as afraid of losing his future as he was back then, Akk would have actually done something about it. Not to the level that the World Remembers or Aye did it, but something.

Getting onto the steps the head prefects remembers consoling, talking and plotting with Ayan on, he lays down, with his jacket neatly folded under his head and closes his eyes. He needs just a few moments to ground himself after that roller-coaster of a morning, not the entire week? Month? Whatever. Akk feels like he has been like a rat in a wheel ever since he came to the past. His only saving grace is his friends and future boyfriend.

There is a cool breeze in the air today and as the boy lays there, murmurs of the students around growing distant, Akk dozes off. It might be minutes or hours later when he comes too, shifting as he feels his surroundings changed. Instead of his jacket there is something soft under his head, gentle fingers brushing through his hair and a voice, so familiar and lovely humming a song he recognizes from some show he watched not that long ago. It feels way too intimate and close to his heart. They have done this so many times, been this close and alone and private for so many moments - in Akk’s old dorm, in Ayan’s home, in Akk’s hometown and their shared room, in Suppalo and in University, while traveling and on the beach - million memories and no words to describe these feelings.

He calls it, being in love and being loved the right way. But somehow this feels more than just love. Stronger, more resilient, more sustainable, more alive.

Akk lets himself stay in this moment for a little while longer, forgetting about Suppalo and the past and the accident and the hospital and the future and Chadok. They don’t exist right now, they don’t matter. What matters is Akk with his head on Aye’s lap and his Shortstop with his fingers buried deep in his hair. 

“Having a nice nap, prefect?” There was an open amusement to his world, warmth that he only showed to Akk.

Opening his eyes the head prefect looks at his future boyfriend upside down. Ayan is unfairly pretty from every angle, the fact he remembers pointing out multiple times, sometimes drunk and sometimes sober, which always ends with kisses all over his face and sunshine smiles. It’s the truth though and Akk has never lied to Aye, not since that beach. “You’re beautiful.” He says, eyes remembering the pretty pink which never fails to color his boyfriend’s cheeks.

“Did telling me about time travel give you a confidence boost, Bigfoot? Where did my shy prefect go?” He jokes, those feline eyes shining with something close to love, betraying his true feelings.

It takes another minute of Akk laying on his lap, looking at each other in silence, before Aye asks. “They were really cruel today.”

“Not the first time they did it.” The head prefect sits up, grinning like a fool when he notices Ayan’s ‘the Eclipse’ hoodie thrown over him. Taking the black material he softly plays with it between his fingers, eyes not meeting the other boy. “They tend to be cruel when things don’t go their way.”

The shorter teen raised a brow. “They have done this before?”

“To you actually. In the past… My past, Ayan was the one who went through this kind of thing.”

“What did you do then?”

“Nothing, at first. I sat there with you like this, it was… Was the first time I actually realized how cruel teacher Chadok can be and how fake your tough rebel boy walls are. I didn’t stop them, couldn’t stop them until later. Afterwards, I gathered my courage and went to talk to the teachers about letting the Prefect Club handle you.”

“And it resulted in me corrupting their Golden Boy into becoming my boyfriend.” Ayan teased again.

“You wish!” Akk finally looked at the other boy. “It took you a long time to get me to date you.”

“Is that so?” He jokes, taking the hoodie from the head prefect the shorter teen helps him put it on, as if it’s a safety blanket, then sliding closer he smirks, letting their shoulders touch. “You were pretty cool though. Answering all of it like that. Especially in Teacher Waree’s class. I didn’t expect for you to read such books.

“I wasn’t used to. But you’re a bad influence.”

“Me?” He sounded delighted at that.

“Uh-huh. You love doing that actually. I mean My Ayan loves doing it. He reads stupid complicated books and then spends hours retelling them to me, making me read them too and then we sit down in either our dorm or his room and debate for hours. It's fun, I like it.”

Ayan looks like Akk just told him that unicorns exist, looking at him with wide, almost teary eyes. “I hold debates with you. Over the stuff I read.” 

“That’s right.”

The head prefect was lost by the reaction, not understanding the significance of it. Yes, ever since the two of them started officially dating and the whole Curse mess was over, Ayan made it his personal mission to ‘educate’ Akk on all modern and non-conventional thinking out there. He brought them both literary and academic books, researchers and sci-fi novels, articles and classic literature, insisting for the head prefect to read, before they sat in either of their rooms with a bunch of snacks in between and started talking, debating and analyzing whatever book it was that week. 

In fact, the first ever book that Aye wanted to discuss with him was Orwell’s ‘1984’, which Akk read even before going to that book signing night. When his boyfriend learned that the head prefect actually read it, he brought his own copy to Akk’s dorm, with a bunch of sticky notes and spent the whole weekend going over his favorite parts with him. Not only books and articles, Akk and Ayan went to different debate clubs, book nights and discussion clubs too, each of them leaving an impression on the young boys, enough to change their view and become the next topic of their chats for the next week.

Embarrassingly enough, it took Akk couple of minutes to figure out, hand reaching to hold his Aye’s cheek and wipe the tear that escaped. “Right, you only used to do it with Uncle Dika.”

Sometime after they said goodbye to Teacher Dika in the ocean and scattered his ashes, Ayan told him many stories as we remembered his Uncle, both sad and happy, while crying in the prefect’s arms. He talked for hours about Uncle Dika and what he meant to him and how he grew up listening to the man and his theories and stories and how he was his father figure, best friend and partner in crime all in one. His shortstop also told him that when he was twelve his uncle started bringing him these big complicated books on politics and philosophy, ask him to start reading and when young Aye was too tired or disinterested, started holding debates after every chapter read - both to explain his young nephew what he read and to make Ayan actually interested in reading and learning. As it turned out, middle school Aye wasn’t into his studies as high school one.

After Dika died Ayan didn’t have those debates with anyone anymore. He would simply read the books, for school or otherwise, write his thoughts in a journal as if it was a thesis and then forget it. Only Akk made him want to try again. Want to share his knowledge and excitement of learning with again. He also said that Akk is smart, so knowing he will understand Ayan’s passion and indulge him, instead of ridiculing it or being intimidated by it, also helped him to take that step.

“I’m glad it’s you, Akk.” He whispered.

“Me too.”

“What will you do now? About Teacher Chadok and the rest?” He asks after a while, handing the prefect a drink with a sticky note. “Today looked like a warning and a punishment.”

There are two cats kissing on the pink note, which Akk smiles at before pocketing the paper. “I don’t know.” He opens the can, turning it between his hands. “I haven’t told him about you and I have barely done anything to stop the protestors lately, I think he might not be so happy about that.”

“You sound worried.”

“If he takes away my Head Prefect title, I might also lose the University Scholarship. I remember the first time around it was my future he held over me.” The head prefect spoke into the tin can in his hands. He knows how important it is for Ayan to have eye contact with Akk when they are talking (“ That’s how I know what you’re feeling, Akk.”) but right now the taller teen can’t bring himself to meet his future boyfriend’s eyes.

Sure, he doesn’t care about his title or his scholarship like he used to, but it’s still his future that’s about to be taken away from him. Without a Suppalo Scholarship Akk has to work extra hard to pass the exams and then get more than 2 jobs just to afford to study, sure he can find another program and apply, but getting your scholarship from a prestigious school revoked won’t look good on any resume. The best universities might not even accept him even if he does score full scores.

Unlike him, Aye has options. He can leave to UK and study there in the program he was chosen for, or pay his tuition and go to their old/future Uni, but Akk is different. He won’t be able to afford to study full time without financial aid, and he refuses to have Aye pay for anything. He already gave up on his dream to study abroad for Akk before ( “I didn’t give up, Bigfoot, I postponed it so we can go together. It’s more fun with you.”).

 Sure, Akk can always go to a community college, but over the years his dream has shifted from studying to make his parents proud to build a good life for himself to, study with Aye, grow with Aye and make their parents proud together as they build a good life together. He loved it when they started in the Best University together, when they shared life in their first dorm room, when they worked together in Cafe for All, ‘cause Akk didn’t want to burden his parents and Ayan realized that Akk won’t accept his money or presents bought using his mom’s money, so he earned his own to spoil his boyfriend. The Head Prefect even enjoyed spoiling his boyfriend every month, regardless if it was some special occasion or not. He took him to little dates, movies, bought him sweets and boba tea and a million other ways. It’s his dream to spend his whole life loving and caring for Aye and being loved and cared for back. Can he still have that dream if he loses his scholarship?

Probably. But it will be more challenging. He doesn’t want to subject Aye to that life, when he gave up so much for Akk.

“Akk.” Ayan called, taking one of the prefect’s hands into his own and rubbing his thumb over the back of it. “We’ll find a way, Bigfoot. I promise.”

Not saying another word, he leans his head on Ayan’s shoulder and closes his eyes. “Let’s talk later, Aye. I’m tired.” 

When he felt tears slowly make their way down his cheeks and tip of his nose, no one said anything. His amazing Shortstop just wiped them with his fingers, sniff-kissed him and then sat there together with him until the tears dried up. 

This is enough. Just being with Aye is enough. If I lose my future, my scholarship and have to work everyday of my life to afford to stay by this amazing person’s side, I’ll do it. I’ll be fine, as long as Ayan is here. I’ll be fine.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Ayan was sitting on the stone wall, at least the lower part of it, enjoying the drink he got from Akk, after the bleachers, as a thank you. Akk was in the Prefect Club where he left to meet Kan and Wat and say goodbye before driving home with Aye. Shorter teen isn’t sure how he managed to get so lucky as to get Akk to spend another night with him, but he sure is not complaining. 

This morning gave him a whiplash of a realization on what this school is capable of doing against someone who doesn’t follow the rules. Seeing Akk in tears and exhausted on those bleachers made Aye want to buddle the boy up and take him away or burn down the whole school that hurts innocent kittens with big deer eyes and bright smiles. 

The only bright side to this horrible day was the fact that Akk allowed Ayan to be so close to him. Let him be his comfort and safe space and tell him his feelings, even if he avoided some of it, but it’s ok, Aye can wait. No matter how painful it was to watch his Bigfoot break down, it still meant the world to him to know that Akk let down his walls for Ayan and allowed him to see beyond the mask. It also shocked him, in a pleasant way, that Akk has become someone he feels safe and comfortable enough with to talk, argue and debate/discuss things with. From Akk’s story yesterday, Ayan kind of did gather that the prefect will be his everything in their shared future, but he kinda didn’t expect this. Maybe he should have. 

Immersed in the music playing in his ears, Ayan looks around, finally noticing Thua not that far away from him, talking on the phone. Quickly taking out his earpods, he calls out. “Hey. Are you okay there?”

“Still in school?” Thua wonders, walking closer.

“Yeah. Your mom isn’t picking you up? You want a lift?”

“It’s okay. She has to run an errand. My dad will come instead.”

“Oh. Your dad who’s an alumnus here as those guys said?” Ayan points out, noticing how Thua practically deflated. 

“Hmm. He wanted me to go here, like him.” The boy explained. 

Noticing his unease, Aye couldn’t help asking. “Are you okay?”

“I am. How is Akk?” He suddenly asked, making the shorter teen turn sharp eyed at him. “It was a tough day for him today.”

Ayan smirks, nodding. “Pretty tough. But he’s fine now. I’m taking him home later.” Something passed through Thua’s expression, too fast for him to decipher, but his eyes looked less friendly somehow. 

“Aye.” Thua started carefully. “I’m not sure what your relationship with Akk is, but if I were you, I’d be careful.” Frowning Aye jumped down from the wall, facing the boy head on. “Akk is loyal to teacher Chadok.”

“I won’t abandon him.” A harsh reply. Aye should have felt bad, but something in Thua’s manner of speaking about him, the way he said his name and was trying to turn Ayan against the boy, made shortstop uneasy. No, it made him angry. Akk has never done anything to deserve being treated like this. Even with the whole curse thing, he was brainwashed and manipulated into it. It’s not his fault.

Thua looked taken aback, but quickly gathered himself. “Fine. Be careful then.” Aye bit back what he wanted to say to that. “Bye now.”

“Hey, Thua.” He made a promise to help his classmate and he will. “Don’t forget our appointment this Saturday.”

“Um.”

Why does it feel like he is hiding something? 

 **** ☀️🌙 ****

“Aye! Aye, please… Aye come back! Ayan!” 

Akk? That’s Akk’s voice.

Where is he?

Ayan can feel himself standing somewhere dark. Cold and Alone.

He can hear Akk’s voice, but he can’t see him. 

Akk! 

She shouts, but no answer.

Prolonged beep sounds make him cover his ears.

“Time of Death…”

Shock. His eyes snap open.

Ayan comes to lay in the hospital room, attached to a heart machine, with an IV line to his arm. His head hurts, he can’t feel his arms and his body feels as though it has been put through a wringer. 

What happened?

“Aye? Son, can you hear me?” He looks over at his mom’s tired face, she looks exhausted, dark circles under her eyes. She looks like she did when Uncle Dee died.

“Mae?”

“Oh, Aye, thank god.” She gently brushed his hair.

A name rang in his ears. Memory hazy. He felt like he forgot something.

“Akk? Mae, where is Akk?”

His mom’s expression turned sad, avoiding eye contact. “He…” Instead she shook her head. “Let me get the doctor.”

“Mae! Where is Akk?” He tried to sit up, ignoring the pain he was feeling.

“Aye, son, you just woke up. Calm down, ok. Let the doctor check you first.” 

His heart trembled in worry. Bad feeling taking over as he realized that his mother was hiding something. Grabbing her hand he begged. “Mae, please. Where is he? What happened? Where is Akk? Where is my boyfriend?”

His mom looked close to tears now, grief engulfing her expression. Even before she answered her mouth Ayan knew. “Your heart stopped, Aye. Akk thought you’re dead and he… We couldn’t find him in time.” The rest grew hazy as he felt his own heart break. “He went… just like Unce Dee… He couldn’t…”

“No. No. No” Ayan kept chanting, trashing the hospital bed, trying to get up and go to his boyfriend. “Akk won’t leave me. He won’t do it! No. You’re lying.”

He kept trashing in bed.

He felt hands holding him down.

No, he needs to get to Akk. 

Ayan kept fighting invisible hands, trashing and begging to let him leave.

Another white noise.

He is on the hill again, watching from the distance.

There is Akk, standing at the edge.

He turns. “Let's meet soon, Aye.”

Ayan runs. He can’t reach his boyfriend.

Akk leans over the edge.

Falls.

Jumps.

Akk! 

Akk stop! No! Please! Akk, please! Akk! Akk!

Ayan! Aye! 

Someone is calling him. It sounds like…

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“Aye! Aye wake up! Aye!” Akk keeps shaking him, voice growing desperate as the boy in his arms keeps trashing and begging.

“No… Akk… Please… No, please…” Aye kept mumbling, hands desperately grabbing at his shirt where the necklace is.

Getting an idea, Akk leans over the boy’s form and grabs the silver pendant, putting it into his future boyfriend’s hand, holding his own over the clenched fist, and wrapping his free arm over his shoulders, pulling him close. With the hand not held by Akk, Ayan grasps at the head prefect’s shirt and slides closer, hiding his face in the boy’s chest.

“Shh…” Akk soothed, rubbing over his arm, petting his hair and pulling the shorter boy closer. “It’s ok, Aye. I’m here. I’m right here. Shh…”

It took a few minutes for Ayan to finally wake up, pulling away from the prefect and looking up at him with tear filled puppy eyes. It broke Akk’s heart seeing his love so hurt by whatever he saw in his nightmare. When he tried to pull his hand wrapped around Aye’s over the necklace away, the boy reacted fast, breath hitching as he grabbed him, fingers interlocking and forcing him to go back to their previous position. 

Smiling gently Akk leaned in and placed a soft kiss onto the boy’s sweaty forehead. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

Ayan shook his head, going back to hiding his face under the prefect’s chin. Akk squirmed, ticklish there. “It’s ok, take your time. I’m right here with you.”

Ayan needed a few minutes to gather his thoughts. He didn’t know how valid what he saw was or if it was close to reality even, but somehow it felt so real that he can still feel it inside. His heart was beating too fast and the image of Akk jumping off that cliff, of his mae crying as she tried to tell him that his lover is gone, it felt all too close to reality. Even though logically he knows it was a dream, even if Akk is right here in his arms, Aye still feels as though he lost him. As if he lost this precious boy he is starting to fall in love with.

“Akk?” A tiny voice broke the silence..

“Hm?”

“Before you came here… to the past. Was I…? Why was I in the hospital?”

The head prefect froze, unintentionally recoiling as if hit, but he didn’t let go of his future boyfriend. He knows he gave himself away by reacting like this, he knows he won’t be able to lie his way out of this. “Did you see it in your nightmare?”

“Yeah. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just didn’t know how to explain it, Aye.” Moving his face away his shortstop looked up at him with a cute pout. “Your accident. Talking about it, remembering it. It’s just so painful for me.”

Unclenching his grip from Akk’s shirt, he brought his hand up to caress his cheek. Something haunted his gaze, something broken and unsettled. To Akk it looked the same as when he comforted Aye outside of the tent back in his hometown, when grief over his uncle consumed him. He pulled the boy closer. 

“Please tell me.” Ayan begged, one hand on his cheek, while the other wrapped around the necklace and Akk’s. 

“It was just a freak accident, Aye. Some idiot ran into the red light and hit your car on the driver’s side. He died on the spot and you… you fell into a coma.” The head prefect’s voice broke. He sounded pained as he continued. “When I came back here it was seven months to the day that you were like that.”

Ayan bit his lips, wanting to ask more but something in Akk’s gaze held him back. Rubbing his thumb over the back of the taller boy’s head he sighs. “Why did you come back?”

“I told you, to change the past. To help you and the juniors.”

“No, I mean… How come you suddenly ended up in the past Akk?”

Something passes through his gaze, making Aye feel uneasy again, remembering the void look on Dream Akk’s face right before he said farewell and jumped. The look was gone as soon as it came though, not giving Ayan enough momentum to address it. “You were in a critical condition and I didn’t know what to do and if you would ever wake up.” Leaning his forehead to the Shortstop's, the prefect closed his eyes. “I couldn’t lose you, Aye. Never. Before I knew it, I ended up at the gate, on the second day of your transfer.”

“So you never…” Ayan whispered, eyes also closed, being this intimate with Akk healing something inside of him, making him able to breathe once more.

“Hm?”

“Nothing. Just stay with me, Akk. Stay with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Aye. As long as you need me, I’ll be with you..”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The next morning, as Ayan was getting ready to go meet Thua and his mom, Akk left to go back to his own dorm, much to Aye’s chagrin, as the shorter boy spent almost an hour trying to convince the prefect to go with him. Akk just smiled, kissed his shortstop on the head and left, saying it was something Thua needed to experience and Aye is the one who has to help him. His future boyfriend doesn’t look happy about it at all.

Just as the head prefect was leaving through the gates, someone grabs his arm and pulls him away from the door and towards a car. Akk panics, shouting “Hey!” as he pulls his hand away, glaring at his perpetrator, just recognize him right away. “Kan?”

“What are you doing here?” Kan demands crossing his arms. He looks pissed and Akk can’t blame him, suddenly coming out of someone’s house early in the morning, when he left them last evening looking like a kicked puppy and refused to answer any of their calls, gives his best friend the right to be pissed. When the house he just came out of belongs to the boy you supposedly follow to make him follow the rules is even more suspicious.

“I…” Akk stuttered avoiding eye contact. “Wait, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to follow, Aye. I think he is meeting Thua.” Kan scoffs which makes the head prefect smirk in understanding. 

“And you care because ?”

The other boy obviously flushed. “Stop talking like Wat! I don’t have a crush on Thua. I’m just worried that Aye will get him in trouble.”

“Sure, sure, friend.” Akk mocks, earning himself a glare. “This is purely based on a worry for your friend and not because you’re worried that Thua might be going on a date with Aye.” His voice is filled with mockery and amusement, making his friend glare at him more. 

Kan crosses his arms defensively and petulantly points out. “You just came out of Aye’s house early in the morning. Maybe it's you who's dating him.” He sounds proud of getting an upper hand.

Too bad for him, Akk has long accepted his sexuality and after going through the process of coming out to his friends and family once, some more consensual than the other, he is confident in himself and in who he is dating. Ever since leaving high school and joining the LGBTQ+ association club in university Akk has grown a lot, he met lots of different people, joined the parade, was part of a equal rights movement - all thanks to his boyfriend - and was there to kiss his Aye and celebrate with his friends on the University frontyard when the bill for Marriage Equality passed.

The head prefect shrugs. “Not yet, but he is flirting with me. Relentlessly.”

Kan’s eyes became as big as sources, mouth moving over empty air. “What? You… What? Huh? Why didn’t you tell us?”

Figures Kan will be upset over Akk not being honest about it, rather than liking boys. “I was going to tell you and Wat when I was ready. I’m sorry.” 

And he was. The head prefect spent so many years hiding who he really is, lying to himself and others, it took Ayan to literally stalk him and bombard him with love, safety and understanding, for Akk to even start feeling accepted and come out of his shell. He also felt incredibly guilty over the fact that his friends learned it when Thua practically threw it in his face along with accusations and truth about the Curse. 

Akk never felt so scared and broken as he did on those steps. If not for Aye being there to hold him together, Akk doesn’t think he would have survived. He didn’t want to. He just wanted to disappear. Just like…

 Putting his hand on the prefect’s shoulder Kan nodded. “It’s ok, friend. Just tell us when you’re ready.”

“It won’t change anything right?” Taller boy sounded unsure, timid, just like Suppalo Akk did all those years ago. But he supposes, no matter how much time passes, coming out to people who really matter to you is never easy. Besides, he doesn’t know if this time stuff will be different or not. 

“It will.” Kan said seriously, making Akk frown. “Now when you give me shit about Thua, I’ll tease you right back over your epic crush on Aye.” He laughed, making the Head Prefect laugh too.

Ayan’s gate opened just then, his car pulling out. Kan pulled at Akk’s arm. “Get in the car.”

Lost about his friend’s actions he did as told and only once inside, with Kan tailing Aye, did he speak. “What are you doing? I told you there is nothing between them.”

“Maybe not. But I need to know why he is meeting Thua.” For all his joking, the boy really did sound worried.

Sighing Akk leaned back in his seat. So much for letting Aye go alone.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“Welcome to Cafe for All.” The owner greets with a bright welcoming smile.

“Hello, P’Golf.” Ayan greets with a wai.

“Hi, Aye. No Akk today?”

“Nah…” He pursed his lips. “He’s busy today.”

She smiles. “I see. The ones you’re meeting are here.” She nods towards the table with Thua and his mom.

“Alright. Thank you, P’Golf.” The boy says and heads towards the table. “Hi, ma’am.”

Thua’s mom smiled. “Hi.”

“Did I keep you waiting?”

“Not at all.”

Kan and Akk came in, later opening the door with confidence and greeting P’Golf with a sunshine smile and a wai, while his friend came behind, looking around the Diversity Cafe as if he just walked into an interdimensional spaceship. 

“Oh, hi Akk.” P’Gold smiled in greeting. “Aye said you won’t be coming today.”

“Yeah, I decided to surprise him.”

She nodded to Kan. “Welcome to Cafe of Diversity. It must be your first time here.”

“Yeah.” Kan greeted politely, still looking awkward. If Akk didn’t tell him about his sexuality just a few minutes ago, just learning that he is a regular here might have glued Kan in on it anyways. “It is.”

“The first time is usually exciting. It’s normal.” P’Golf commented, making Akk snort recalling his first time here and for Kan to blush a little as he wasn’t sure if they would be misunderstood by being here. His friend was always in denial and always weirded out by the strangest things back in Suppalo. The head prefect knows he was in the closet, but Kan took it to the next level. “Do you want to sit separately or join Ayan and his guests?”

“Well, sit with them, P’Golf. Thank you.” Akk announced, ignoring Kan pulling at his arm with an alarm.

“Perfect. They’re right over there. Take your seat and the staff will take your orders shortly.” With that she turned and headed back to the counter, her dress whooshing behind her.

As Akk is about to take a step towards Aye and Thua, Kan pulls him back. “What are you doing? We’re supposed to be following them in secret!”

The head prefect rolls his eyes, brushing his hand off of his arm and pulling his friend towards the others. “Aye knows your car and we’re barely discreet. Let’s join them.”

“Ai’Akk!” Whatever Kan was going to say got swallowed up as they came to a stop by the table and the occupants turned to them with surprised looks.

“Kan?” Thua looked shocked to see him here, but something in his eyes shone with gratefulness to having him here as an extra support all the same.

Nothing compared to the way Ayan’s eyes practically lit up like fireworks as he saw Akk standing close to him. “Akk.”

Not losing himself, Kan greeted Khun Mae with a wai, Akk mirroring the gesture. “Hello, Khun Mae.”

“Hello. I didn’t know your friends were joining us today.” Her question was addressed to Thua, who looked lost.

“No, they…”

“We were just passing by, actually. Sorry to interrupt.” Kan commented, trying to pull Akk away, but he wouldn’t budge.

Aye suddenly stood up, pulled the chair, which was next to Thua’s mom, close to his own and then grabbed the head prefect’s arm and sat him down on it, going back to his own seat. Their chairs were close enough for their arms to touch now, the taller boy almost attached to Aye’s left side, from arm to toe. Akk smiled at his Shortstop’s silliness. “You’re already here, so come join us.”

Just then one of the staff brought another chair for Kan, who sat across Aye, eyes trained on Thua. The servers brought in their drinks, leaving them alone after that. 

“Ayan’s is right. I would love to meet Thua’s friends.” Thua’s mom said, looking at them and then around. “The cafe is really cute. It’s comfortable here.” She smiled.

Ayan discreetly took Akk’s hand into his own and put it over his thigh, under the table. When the head prefect tried to remove it with a glare, he ignored him, pretending to watch Thua and his mom. After a few seconds of struggling Akk gave up on his trapped right hand and used his left to enjoy his drink. Last time they were too far away to listen, this time he is kinda hoping to get more input on Thua and his home situation. Maybe then he can stop him from continuing the curse thing and outing him in front of the whole school. 

Okay, Future Aye might not be the only one still bitter about it.

“It is, mom.” Thua smiles brightly. It’s the first time Akk has seen the boy smile so big since junior high, when some idiot outed Thua to their classmates. It’s good to say that Kan, Akk and Wat found those bullies and taught them a lesson right after. The damage was done, but at least they made sure it wouldn’t escalate. Kan, who was protective over Thua even before that, became even more so after he was bullied for who he is.

Maybe Akk is not the only one who is thinking that as he sees Kan also observe Thua with practically a starstruck expression.  Even the head prefect had to admit that Thua is cute when he smiles. As if sensing his thoughts Ayan pulls at his hand, making him turn to the shorter teen. Prefect smiles which his future boyfriend mirrors. No one is cuter than my Shameless.

“We’re glad you and Thuaphu like it. Akk and I come here often, it’s amazing.” Ayan points out. Akk pinches him to not say too much, but gets ignored. 

She doesn’t seem to be bothered by the boy’s revelation as she asks. “How are you doing in the new school? Must be quite tough to adjust.”

Aye smiled, hand squeezing Akk’s. “Not at all. My friends help a lot.” He looks at the three of them, but his eyes linger on Akk the longest before looking back at the woman. 

“Akk, Kan and Wat are good. Thuaphu told me they helped him adjust too when he first came here. I’m glad he’s making friends.”

It’s Kan who answers now, glaring at Aye, as if daring him to steal the spotlight again. Akk wonders how they look from the side, four boys making heart eyes at their crush, while one keeps glaring, one keeps playing finger-fighting, one looks close to either tears or panic and last looks done with their shit and just wants to drink his coffee in peace. 

“Thua is a great man, Khun Mae. He always helps us in school and life.” Kan looks over at the other boy, eyes understanding. “But he doesn’t like asking for help himself and often hides his true feelings from us. He makes us feel comfortable, but he is often alone.” 

Thua looks at him in shock as if not expecting to be called out like this. Or maybe that Kan actually notices him more than he assumes. “Kan, stop.”

Kan looks guilty, but not sorry. Ayan continues instead. “Thua, whatever you think or feel, you can talk to your mom.”

Mother and son look at each other, Thua looking worried, before his mom asks. “Is it about Dad?”

His face says it all, yet he lies. “No, Mom. It’s nothing. They’re just rambling.” Everyone looks at him, urging him to speak up. 

“Ever since I remarried,” She continued. “I’ve never seen you express any feelings. I thought nothing was wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong, Mom. Dad is… nice to me.” He convinces no one.

Akk and Aye look at each other, while Kan clenches his fists over the table. 

“But it’s his method, isn’t it?” Thua’s mom prods. “He’s so different from your real dad, isn’t he? I know my son is patient and strong. But you have the right to express your feelings. No matter how busy I am, if it’s about you, I will always listen.” She takes his hands into her own. “Do you understand?” 

“I do.” 

Turning to the boys, she smiles. “Thank you, guys, for finding a way to tell me about this.”

“Of course. I’m sorry if we put you in an uncomfortable situation.” Kan sounded surprisingly mature.

“It’s alright. I know you mean well to Thuaphu. Kan, Akk, Aye, please keep taking care of him.”

“We will. He’s our friend.” Akk announced with conviction, noticing Thua’s shocked stare. Maybe the first time around Thua never felt like they were friends, he felt alone and abandoned, so this time Akk will make sure he knows.

“Should I cancel my appointment so that we can continue chatting?” Thua’s mom turned to her son, wanting to know what he is comfortable with.

Thua smiled, shaking his head. “Please don’t. You’ve got work to do. I’ll stay with my friends for a while longer. I’ll see you at home.”

“Are you sure?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Please look after him guys.”

They all wai and said goodbye to her. As she left, a weird silence fell over the table. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it felt as though something heavy was hanging in between them and no one wanted to address it yet. 

It was Kan who broke the silence, hand reaching to take Thua’s. “Can we talk? Alone?”

The boy looked like he wanted to deny it, but after looking at the other teen’s sincere expression agreed. “Okay.”

As they stood up, Kan turned to Akk. “Can you get home?”

“I’ll drive him.” Ayan announced, even before the head prefect could say anything.

Kan nodded, winked at Akk and took Thua’s hand, leading him outside.

“Who said I want to go with you? I can go by myself.” The prefect teased.

As he expected his Shortstop pouted, whining. “Come on, Akk~ Let’s have a date!”

“What date? We’re together practically 24/7!”

“Mmmm~ Na~”

 **** ☀️🌙 ****

Just an hour later they ended up on the cliff, each with a white rose, placing it right to the edge. Akk felt a vertigo being up here again, hand gripping Aye’s, afraid of what might happen. Of what he might do. 

Temptation was stronger than before, which confused the prefect in a way. 

He did it, because he lost Aye. He did it to meet his boyfriend again. To be with him in another life. Right now Ayan is right here, so why? Why does Akk still feel like getting close to the edge? Why does he still want to disappear? Why does it feel like it will be a happy accident if he suddenly slips and…

“You never told me…” Ayan began, interlocking their fingers, eyes looking into the distance. “Did I ever figure out what happened to Uncle Di?”

Shaking himself free of dark thoughts, Akk decided to concentrate on the one thing that matters, one person for whom he transcendent time and space. Ayan. Aye next to him. His Shortstop’s hand was warm in his own. His Shameless’s voice. His boyfriend’s presence. His energy. The sound of his voice. It was enough. It has to be. This is what Akk fought to get back. This is why he survived.

The love of his life was here. So the Head Prefect won’t jump. Won’t fall. Won’t disappear. Not until Aye is here. Not while Ayan is alive.

Opening his eyes, he looks over at his future boyfriend’s beautiful profile. “We did.”

“What was it?”

“I… I’m sorry, Aye. If I tell you now it might change too much. I can’t risk it.” Akk lowered his gaze. He felt shame and guilt over not being able to grant his love this one wish. But he knows, he knows how this will affect Aye and he knows how his shortstop will react. Worst of all he knows how Teacher Chadok will react right now, before the right time comes. Akk really can’t risk it.

Gentle touch to his cheek makes the prefect look up. “Don’t apologize, I understand. I know you would tell me if you could.”

“I’m just scared, Aye.” Akk raises his hand to hold onto the other’s wrist, leaning into his touch. “I saw how you reacted the first time, so I know that until the right time comes, it won’t work in your favor.” Unless Teacher Chadok is ready to face his own feelings, Ayan will never get his resolution. Uncle Dika will not get his closure.

Putting his other hand onto the head prefect’s cheek, Aye leans his forehead against his. “I trust you, Akk.”

They stay like that for a while longer, until their legs hurt and then they’re sitting at the edge, still holding hands, looking over the beautiful view, the lake and forest under their feet.

Akk refuses to look down. He refuses to give voice to the dark thoughts resurfacing the closer he is to the edge. It’s confusing to him. Scary. Terrifying. It feels like salvation, yet he knows. Deep down he knows, he can’t hurt Ayan like this. Never.

In desperate hope to change the course of his own thoughts and somehow lift Aye’s mood, the Head Prefect Starts talking. “You know, Kan and I did follow you like this before. Back then we thought you were meeting your lover in the Cafe of Diversity.”

“Kan must have gone mad when he saw me with Thua.” They chuckle a little, before the shorter boy sighs, leaning his head onto the taller teen’s shoulder. “Tell me, Akk. Please.”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

On Monday, when Akk entered the Student Welfare Department, Teacher Chadok was alone, standing behind his desk. “Ah, Akk. Come in.”

“Good day, sir.”

“I heard what happened on Friday. You did a good job being able to answer all those questions. Deserving of a President of the Prefect Club.” Teacher smirked, looking down at the boy. Even with the praise his tone of voice was condescending and belittling.

Akk took a deep breath, standing straight like Teacher Chadok always demanded of him, shoulders back and eyes trained right ahead. Even if he seemed cool and unbothered, something inside of him trembled in fear, a little boy filled with hurt and trauma, beaten down by the expectations put on him from the adults that meant to protect him. 

“Sir, was it you who asked the teachers to do it?” He tried to keep his voice steady.

Teacher nodded. “You’ve gone weak lately, Akk. Ever since that transfer student came you have been neglecting your duties. I wanted to see if you’re still worthy of Suppalo. So Teachers and I agreed that you need to be tested and evaluated to see if you deserve the privilege given to you.”

“I understand, sir.”

“I’m glad that you passed, Akk. This is what a proud member of the Prefect Club, a student of this school should be. Smart, resilient and following the rules.”

“Yes, sir.” Akk wanted to vomit.

Putting his hand on the teen’s shoulder, teacher Chadok spoke, voice laced with barely concealed order. “This is also how you should deal with those rebels. They need to stop, unless they want the Curse to fall upon them.”

Akk felt something inside. 

Something Dead. Dark. Demented. Broken. With claws and sharp teeth. Scream for blood.

For the first time in years Akk felt scared of what was inside of him. The same thing that Aye so gently and kindly cradled in love, until it softened its edges and turned it into something bearable, something soft. Something Akk could hide and mask. 

Something that loved Ayan more than life and would never hurt him, but hated Akk so much that it emerged just to destroy him. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Akk was walking aimlessly towards the school gates. Eyes unseeing. Mind empty. It felt as though he didn’t exist anymore. Like his body was moving on autopilot. 

He felt nothing. Saw nothing. He was nothing. 

Even his heartbeat wasn’t there anymore. 

Strange. Can a human survive without a heart?

Is he a human? 

He has been a used doll. A puppet in a game for so long.

Sure, he escaped. He didn’t do it anymore.

He healed.

But it didn’t matter. He didn’t feel whole. Didn’t feel human.

He shouldn’t have come back in time.

I should have disappeared.

I should have died.

Everything would be better without me.

“Hey!” Ayan’s voice rang in his ears, until Akk saw him running up just to stop right in front of him. “Where are you going? I thought we’ll go to Cafe for All.”

The Head Prefect avoided his eyes. “Not today, Aye. I’m going to my room.”

As he tried to move, Ayan stood in his way again. “Akk, what’s wrong? What did teacher Chadok said to you?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.” This time the prefect didn’t try to move, knowing that his Shortstop won’t let him until he got his answers. 

Something in his face must have shown, because Aye moved closer, hands wanting to reach out to Akk but not daring to yet. 

He’s worried about me. He shouldn’t be. I don’t deserve it.

“Talk to me.” He begs.

Akk shakes his head, moving around him and continues to walk. “Later.”

“Hey!” Ayan cuts the taller boy's way again, both of them standing right in the middle of the road now. “Tell me, what’s wrong Akk? You’re clearly upset.”

The head prefect was about to deny everything again when he heard it. The sound of a motorcycle zooming by, right towards Ayan, screaming for him to get out of the way. But Aye was still looking up at Akk, eyes filled with worry, refusing to move until the prefect spoke. 

In panic, Akk grabs Aye at the last second and pulls him into his arms, right as the bike zooms by almost hitting the shorter teen. With Ayan now safely in Akk’s embrace they stare at each other. The head prefect could feel his heartbeat increase, hands beginning to tremble. 

“Aye…”

There is ringing in his ears. 

Scream. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Ayan says something, but Akk can’t hear him. Letting the boy go, he stumbles back, holding his ears. 

Screeching noise. Someone screams.

Someone is screaming. There are hands at his wrists, pulling Akk back. He closes his eyes. Someone is trying to hold him. A voice. Familiar. Another noise, this one is louder.

Akk is the one screaming now. He falls to his knees. 

Blood. There is blood in his hands. He looks at them in shock. Whose blood is it?

Someone is calling his name. 

But he can’t breathe. There is so much noise. 

Akk looks up and feels nauseous. 

Ayan is covered in blood. He is bleeding. Why?

He didn’t get him by that bike. Akk saved him.

Aye is not hurt.

Except he is.

You couldn’t save him. You failed him. You’re useless, Akk. So useless. Waste to this world. You had one job. To protect him and you failed. Aye is dead! He is dead because of you.

Akk wants to scream. He told me ‘no’. This voice sounds so familiar. His own voice, twisted in hate whispering in his ear about how useless he is, drowning out every other sound.

You should disappear. Maybe then Aye can live a happy life. He died for you. Because of you! He died and you survived. Why? You should have died instead.

Aye. Where is Aye?

Akk clutches at the hoodie in front of him, where Ayan was just a minute, an hour, a forever ago. That hoodie. His safety net. Ayan’s first ever gift to him. Their hoodie. He pulls, but his fingers hurt. As if he is being stung by a million needles. 

Burning. His body is burning.

Someone kept calling him. Who? Why won’t they let him just disappear?

**** ☀️🌙 ****

2 years and 7 months later.

Akk is sitting by the window, sofa-bed open to accommodate the variety of notes he has scattered over it, his pillow and blanket folded neatly in the closet until later. Aye’s hospital bed is just a few steps away, the boy peacefully sleeping (“He’s in a coma, Akk.” “Shut up, Kan.”), while Akk works on the term paper, all the while talking and discussing it with his boyfriend. 

Professors were understanding when Aye’s and his own mom spoke to them about having Akk take online classes instead, sending him assignments and having him join in on online lectures. Even though the ex-head prefect had no intention of completing his second year without Aye by his side, he still appreciated it. He told his parents that he got into the university with Ayan and he wants to graduate with him too. They understood and supported him, but still asked him to try and continue his education. They said Aye wouldn’t be happy if Akk dropped out of uni and Akk knew they were right, so he agreed to continue his studies, but told them on no uncertain terms that he is not finishing until Aye is graduating with him.

It was the middle of the night, Ayan’s mom had long gone home to rest. Telling the young man that he will have to go home and clean up, rest and pack some new clothes when she comes back. They took turns with Kan, Wat and Thua to look after Aye, giving a chance for Akk to rest and go home, even though ex-prefect rarely left for more than 2 hours tops. And when he did, he drove to Ayan’s home, refusing to even step foot into their new flat without his boyfriend, packed up some books, clothes, took a quick shower and returned to the hospital within 2 hours. 

They didn’t understand Akk’s need to be the one by Ayan’s side when he wakes up. He didn’t want his Shortstop to wonder even for a small moment that Akk is not there.

Around 3 a.m. something happened. Akk is not sure why it happened, but suddenly there was a long beep sound and nurses and doctors came barging inside Ayan’s room. Akk was forced outside by a male nurse, even as he kept asking “What’s wrong? What’s happening?” and kept calling Ayan’s name, but was ignored. 

The last thing he heard as the door closed was a doctor shouting. “He went into cardiac arrest, get me…”

Akk’s whole world stopped just then. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else felt real. 

He could hear doctors shouting. Machine being used to get Ayan’s heart working again. Briefly he thought about calling someone. Ayan’s mom maybe, but he didn’t feel real at that moment. It felt like a nightmare.

“Nong. Nong.” Someone was calling him. When did he drop to his knees? “Should I call someone for you?” Akk looked up at the nurse’s face, shaking his head.

“How… Aye.”

She seems to understand him, her expression turning sympathetic. “They’re doing the best they can, nong.”

His ears were ringing. He could still hear the long beep. It was the heart monitor, he realized. Aye’s heart stopped. That’s what that noise was. 

He couldn’t breathe. 

Everything was spinning. 

Too much noise. Too many sensations.

Aye, please be ok. Please come back to me. Aye, please.

The door opened and he heard the dreaded. “Announce the time of death… Call the parents…”

The rest was lost as Akk ran away. He ran and ran and kept running. Unseeing he just ran. He didn’t want to hear anything. Didn’t want anyone’s sympathy. Didn’t want for the doctors to tell him that he lost his boyfriend. That his Aye is gone forever. 

No, he didn’t want to hear it. 

It’s not true. It’s not true. It’s not true.

Aye is not dead. He won’t leave me.

Before he knows it, Akk is standing at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the same dark abyss that took Uncle Dika away. 

If Ayan is gone. Then there is no Akk.

I don’t want to live where he doesn’t exist. I don’t want to exist if he is not there.

His Shortstop. His sunshine. His Aye.

“Let’s meet soon, Aye.” He whispers and without another thought tips over the edge.

AKK!

Someone screams his name.

Then only darkness.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

When Akk opens his eyes again, an eternity later, he is laying at the backseat of Ayan’s car, covered in Aye’s The Eclipse hoodie, head nestled on his thigh and his Shortstop’s fingers tangled in his hair. The scene looks familiar and heart-warming, but when he looks up at Ayan’s tear soaked face, his heart drops. 

Ayan in this moment looks so scared and heart broken. He probably has been crying for hours, after he brought the head prefect into the safety of his car and sat with him while Akk came down from his panic attack. 

“You scared the living daylight out of me, Akk.” Ayan’s next words sounded threatening as he put his hand on Akk’s cheeks and leaned down until their noses touched. “We’re going home and whether you like it or not you are telling me what happened after my accident, Akk. Or so help me…”

“What?” The head prefect challenged, nuzzling their noses together. “What will you do, Shortstop?”

“I’ll take you in front of the Student Welfare Department and kiss you right over Teacher Chadok’s desk, Bigfoot. Passionately.”

Akk’s eyes widened. Something in Aye’s gaze told him he was serious. 

Maybe it is time for the truth.

Even if the truth will hurt his Shortstop.

No, it will crush him.

Chapter Text

“Will you stop pouting, Shortstop?” Akk says amused, sitting from across Aye in the corner of the Diversity Cafe. Ayan glares at him over the lid of his drink, lips pursed around the straw and eyes red rimmed.

Cute. He slurps loudly refusing to answer and the prefect silently laughs, shaking his head, he takes his own drink and leans back.

After Akk woke up in the backseat of Ayan’s car, to the shorter boy’s broken face and semi-serious threat about forcing Akk to either tell him the truth or kiss him in front of Chadok, the head prefect promised to reveal everything about future Ayan’s accident and what happened after. They spent some time in the car, just talking and giving both time to calm their nerves from the earlier scare before Aye was ready to drive them home. Akk’s only request from his future boyfriend is that he takes them to Cafe for All, where he feels at peace instead of either of their rooms where memories are too strong.

Akk still felt fragile after that panic attack and just a thought of being anywhere related to their past scared him. He didn’t want to go back to those dark thoughts again or be bombarded with what they had, lived through and what he may have lost forever. Diversity Cafe is a different story all the same. While it is part of their past, future and present, it is also somewhere that Akk only ever had happy memories, with Aye, his friends, while working here or during dates, it didn’t matter. There is nothing that ever gave him anything but true happiness in this cafe, even when he was depressed right at the beginning of his therapy and wanted to disappear in Suppalo. As if this place was surrounded by some untouchable magic. 

Akk smirks. “Are you upset because of what I told you will happen or because I dragged you here, where you can’t pace and shout at me like I know you want to?”

Ayan glares again, putting his coffee down. “I can be upset over more than one thing, Bigfoot.” Leaning back he crosses his arms.

“Aye~” He leans forward, putting his forearms on the table and getting as close as he can to the boy over the table. “Come on, you promised you won’t be upset.”

“You lied to me, Akk.” His Shortstop slammed his hands on the table, which caused a few heads to turn their way, they both smiled awkwardly with a bow. Ayan turned around, leaning on the table too, face now close to the other. It reminded the prefect of the first ever time in the past when they came here, after Aye kidnapped him from school and ‘blackmailed’ him to come to, which now he knows, was their first date.”You killed someone I love, of course I’m pissed.”

“I’m alive though, Aye. I traveled in time when I jumped, so I’m not dead.”

“And that excuses your lie, how exactly?”

“Technically I didn’t lie. I just didn’t mention it.”

He pursed his lips adorably, eyes as big as saucers now. He’s freaking adorable. “Don’t play with words, prefect! You told me I was in a coma but ‘forgot’ to mention that I went into cardiac arrest and you…”

“I’m sorry.”

Aye shook his head. “It’s not about an apology, Akk. I’m pissed, but also hurt. You just… Your life matters Akk! Why would you ever think ending your life for any reason is a smart choice?”

“I wasn’t thinking, okay?” Akk sighs, hand reaching to hold the other boys. “You were gone, Aye. I lost you and at that moment nothing else mattered. It still doesn’t. I don't want to exist in a world where you’re not constantly by my side.”

“Akk~” Ayan held onto his hands with a death grip. “I don’t want you to disappear. I want you to have a happy life even without me.”

The head prefect shook his head, recoiling as if hit, but Aye held his hands fast not giving him a chance to move. “I can’t, Aye. I won’t! Don’t ask it of me. I won’t be able to make that promise and keep it. I don’t wanna break any promise made to you.”

They stared into each other’s eyes for a while, leaning uncomfortable over the table, hands grasped between them, faces so close the notion of space didn’t exist with them. Akk desperately wanted to nuzzle the boy’s nose and kiss him. P’Golf will understand. In fact, everyone in this cafe will understand them and not be judgmental if they start kissing. 

Although, Akk does remember one time when P’Golf shooed them out of her cafe when they were making out. They were too intense then and were supposed to be finishing their shift - so maybe it was expected for the owner to do it. Oh, well. It’s Aye and Akk does silly things when it’s about his boyfriend. 

Seeming to realize that forcing Akk to actually give up on his choice, after Aye, is gone is impossible, the shorter teen changes tactics. Honestly, Ayan can read him better than anyone so is it really surprising that he knows how his brain functions even now. “How do you even know what you heard was about me?”

“What?” Akk frowned.

“You were panicking, Akk. So maybe you misheard or got confused.”

“I didn't. I wasn’t.”

“Really? Just like you could tell me exactly what I said and what happened earlier when you also had a panic attack.”

“I…” Akk stuttered. “Aye, that’s not the same.”

“All I know is that you heard someone say something about death and got scared, but in my nightmare I woke up after that cardiac arrest.” He finally leaned back, not letting his hands go.

“That was just a dream.” It’s the head prefects turn to pout. 

“And yours was an irrational decision made in panic and with no solid proof.” Letting go of one of Akk’s hands, his Shortstop reached for the taller teen’s nape and pulled him close. “We both don’t know which is real. So maybe we’re both wrong.”

Could it be true? Did he make a mistake?

When Akk thinks back to that day, nothing is clear. It's all a jumble of noises and panicked thoughts and dark corridors, rushing figures and confusion. Even at his best, when he tries to understand what exactly happened, he doesn’t clearly recall anything after Aye’s heart monitor went crazy. He knows he was ushered out of the room, so that doctors can do their job and save his boyfriend’s life, he knows there was nice nurse who tried to comfort him, the rest is just white noise. He isn’t even sure he saw anything beyond Ayan laying on that bed with people rushing around him.

So, maybe he did hear wrong? Maybe in his panic and desperation for the shorter boy, in his anxiety Akk misunderstood what he heard? Is it possible? Could his Aye still be alive? 

His heart felt warm at that. Tentative happiness and hope wanting to raise its head as Akk started to imagine a different outcome to that day. A fantasy where Ayan’s heart didn’t stop. Where doctors managed to save him and his Shortstop woke up. 

Akk looked into his future boyfriend’s eyes and then down to his lips, before going back to his big feline faze. “Stop giving me hope, Shortstop.”

“If hope can save someone precious to me then I won’t stop. I’ll save you, Bigfoot. Both of us.”

Akk opened his mouth to say something, when a camera flashed right next to them. They pulled away from each other, just to see one of the waiters smiling sheepishly by their table. “Sorry to interrupt you guys. But you two looked so adorable together that I had to just take a pic. I love recording cute couple moments.” He put the polaroid picture on the table between them. “Here. Again, I’m sorry.” With that he left.

They looked at the retreating figure, before both gazed down at the small picture, which hasn’t developed fully yet. Ayan’s face lit up, turning that megawatt smile towards the other boy. “Now we have a new memory of our date!”

The head prefect rolled his eyes affectionately. “Are you going to get into photography now?”

“Why not?” Raising his hand he mimicked taking a picture with a camera. “I bet I can record every moment of our lives like this. Together. Happy.”

Something inside of Akk warmed at that. The last lingering shadows of dark thoughts and fears fully disappear now that he can see the prospect of another forever with Aye. Sure, the future's not set in stone and they still don’t know what will happen and Akk is still afraid that he won’t be able to fix the past, but Ayan is here, alive and happy, so it’s fine. He doesn’t have to know what the future holds, he just wants to enjoy his time with his future boyfriend and live everyday in love and happiness, till their old age. 

Akk is more determined than ever this time. He will fix what happened in Suppalo and then he will prevent Ayan’s accident no matter what.

“Are you going home after this?” The head prefect asks, fingers of one hand still linked with the shorter boy’s. “Can you drop me off at the dorm, I have homework to finish.”

Ayan slurped his drink obnoxiously. “Nope. You’re not going anywhere without me.”

“What?”

“I’m sticking to you like glue for the whole day. No, for your whole life, Bigfoot. You better get used to it.”

Akk blinked, brain not quite catching up yet. “Aye! I have stuff to do.”

“P’Golf, another of this, please.” The boy shouted, pointing to his empty cup. “It’s ok. I have my books with me, so we can study at your dorm, or if you want we can go to mine, but you need to pick some change of clothes for yourself first.”

“Don’t talk, like it makes sense. Go home and I’ll go to my room. We can see each other tomorrow.” Akk sighs exasperated.

“Nope!” Aye announces, popping the ‘P’.  “I’m spending 24/7 with my boyfriend.”

“I didn’t agree to be your boyfriend.” The head prefect said exasperated.

“Yet.” Aye shrugs.

Akk loves this adorable, infuriating fool.

“Ayan!”

“Hmm?” His future boyfriend widens his eyes, slurping from the empty cup, teasing the prefect.

Akk shakes his head with a smile, taking a long sip of his own drink. They’re going to be here for a while.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The next day Akk stood by the vending machine, picking up some drinks for himself and Ayan before the Judo lesson, lost in pleasant thoughts. Yesterday Aye kept true to his word and literally attached himself to the taller boy like an octopus.

After they left Cafe for All, Ayan declared that he was hungry and dragged them to a cute beachside food truck. It was the same truck they found after Akk confessed to being the Curse to Aye in the past. The same two ladies were operating it too, smiling kindly at the boys and offering them extra meatballs. The two sat at the farthest table, eating and chatting about Ayan’s old school and Akk’s hometown, about their lives before Suppalo, their friends and in Aye’s case his first crush who was also his first kiss and his first heartbreak. 

“You teased me about being a virgin,  but you’re no better than me, Shameless.” Akk teased.

Delicious pink covered Aye’s cheekbones, as he stabbed the meatball in cute aggression. “At least I kissed someone.”

“I’m still your first time though. Your first love. First boyfriend. First partner who lives with you. First to meet your mom. First to go to your house. Your first everything actually.” The head prefect shrugs.

“And I’m yours, Akk. Or did you forget, virgin boy?” His Shortstop was embarrassed. Ayan always said and acted like a petulant child or like a spoiled kitten when frustrated. Akk enjoys every moment of it.

“Yes. Yes, you are Aye. First and Last.”

“You… You can’t just. URGH! Akk!” 

The day kept getting better after that too.

They finished their meal, went for a walk, where Aye held Akk’s hand, up until they got into the car, only then letting go and grabbing it again to put under his own over the shift gear as soon as they were driving off towards the dorms. 

In the prefect’s room, Ayan kept teasing and joking, snooping around the place, while Akk took a shower and got ready. After the head prefect came out of the bathroom, his Shameless jumped off the bed and came close. 

“You smell incredible, perfect prefect.” Leaning into Akk’s neck he sniffed. “I want to smell like you too.”

“Shameless!” Akk hits him with a towel and pushes him to the shower. “Go take a shower, you stink.”

Once inside the room, Aye doesn’t close the door, instead leans out the doorway with a sly smile. “Wanna join me?”

This time the prefect throws a pillow, making his future boyfriend laugh. When the door closes, Akk falls into bed, smiling like a fool in love and giggling. 

The way that yesterday started and was going, Akk never thought that he would end it so blissfully - safe and comfortable with his boyfriend again. The two of them sat on the floor cross legged on each side of the table, doing their own homework and sometimes exchanging smiles and jokes. It all felt so natural and nostalgic that the head prefect didn’t want that moment to end. 

Ayan who calmed down during their studying, giving both chance to catch up, became even naughtier once they got into bed. Akk silently got into his own side of the bed, after turning off the lights and putting both their phones to charge at his desk. Aye was already under the covers, laying on his side with his head popped up in his hand, watching the prefect with sparkling eyes, almost expectant.

“Goodnight, Aye.” Akk mumbled, pulling the blanket up.

“Au? Why are you lying so far away?” The shorter boy sounded whiny, shifting closer. “Come close.”

The prefect sighs, amused despite himself. “Aye, go to sleep. It’s late. We have school tomorrow.”

“If you want me to sleep then come cuddle me.” He was almost on top of Akk right now.

Opening his eyes, Akk turned his head to glare at him, but even to himself he knew that he probably looked fond and too in love. Ayan must have seen it too, ‘cause his smile grew. “It’s too hot to cuddle.”

His Shortstop threw a leg over the two of his and his arm over the taller teen’s torso, trapping him to the bed as if afraid to let go in case Akk runs away. As if he can ever run away. As if he will ever want to. “It’s never too hot to cuddle your boyfriend.” He mumbled, nuzzling his head under the head prefect’s chin. 

“I’m not your boyfriend, Aye.” Despite his words, Akk wrapped his free arm over Ayan’s shoulders and put the other one under his own head, relaxing into the sheets.

“Yet.” His personal koala bear said, tugging him closer. 

They slept with twin smiles on their lips and the next morning woke up with all their limbs tangled together in a way that Akk wasn’t sure where Ayan began and Akk ended. 

The head prefect was up first, as his future boyfriend never loves to wake up early, but before he could leave the bed Aye tightened his hold not letting him leave. Akk laughs, trying to (but not really) to remove the arm over his stomach. “Aye~ Let me up. We’ll be late for school.”

“5 more minutes.” His spoiled puppy mumbles, nuzzling close, nose stuck into his next, breath tickling. Seems like Ayan found his new favorite spot.

“Fine, but don’t you dare complain about breakfast later.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Blindly he reached his hand and held a finger into Akk’s lips. “Now, shh. Hold me close.” Bringing his arm back around the prefect he hugged him close and went back to sleep.

It bears to be said that they were indeed late, as Aye did drag him for a quick breakfast before driving them to school. Wat and Kan were done with their rounds, both eying the two of them with sly smirks when they entered. Akk flipped them both off as Ayan laughed. 

With a tank the drink fell into the opening, breaking the head prefect from his thoughts. 

Quickly picking them up, he took a few steps before pausing again as he felt his phone vibrate. Putting both drinks in one hand, he pulled out his cell phone and stopped once his eyes landed on his new wallpaper, an unbidden smile gracing his lips. 

Yesterday, after they left the Diversity Cafe with their new polaroid pictures, two of them actually asked the same waiter to take one more so that they could each have one, Aye got another idea. Once inside the car, he pulled out his phone and pulled Akk close for a selfie, saying that he will pin the polaroid into his bedroom wall, but this one is for his phone background. The head prefect resisted at first, but Ayan pouted and like always Akk folded like a house of cards.

Unlike their first picture, which Aye used to sort of blackmail him - although it's not really a blackmail when you can ignore it or delete it - in order to drag him to Cafe for All and which Akk never deleted from his phone and kept it as a memento, even after years and thousand pictures the two boys shared. This picture lacked a shocked faced Akk who was suddenly kissed by Aye, instead in this photo Ayan was smiling leaning his chin over Akk’s shoulder and the prefect was smiling, eyes filled with devotion and love. He never thought he would ever smile like that again or that he would see Aye smile like that at him again.

Truthfully, Ayan took probably fifty pictures, until he chose the ones that he liked and sent them all to Akk, urging him to make one his wallpaper and choosing the next best one to put onto his own phone. 

Just like almost 3 years ago, the head prefect was standing by the vending machine, holding his drinks with one hand and the phone with the other, smiling dopey at the picture of himself and his crush (well, crush then, boyfriend soon), when the said crush comes leaning over his shoulder, breathing right into his ear.

“Why didn’t you answer my messages?”

His breath so close to his neck, tickles Akk, who in turn straddles and turns shocked towards the other boy, almost dropping his phone, but catching it at the last minute, holding his hands over Ayan’s, who has his own fingers wrapped around the device. 

Aye looks from the photo on the screen to the head prefect and back again, sunshine smiling returning, face and eyes practically lighting up as if his biggest wish got granted. “Ow, did my boyfriend miss me so much while we were separated?”

Akk felt himself blush, pulling the phone away and standing straight. “Miss you, my ass, we were just together. And I’m not your boyfriend.”

“It’s ok to play hard to get, Akk, but don’t tease me too much, or I’ll be sad.” Pursing his lips and widening his half-moon eyes, Aye leaned close.

The head prefect couldn’t help his own smile appearing on his lips. “Aye, people might see.”

“So what? Can’t two male friends talk in the hallway?” He asks, leaning down to pick up the drinks, handing one to Akk and taking the other for himself.

“What friends stand this close when talking, Shortstop?”

“Really close best friends, Bigfoot. The ones who can’t take their eyes off of each other. And touch all the time.”

Raising a brow, he shakes his head in amusement, pocketing his phone. “Why aren’t you at the dojo?”

“We’re paired up. Did you forget?” The shorter teen spoke convincingly. “Judo isn’t a one-man sport, you know.”

“You act up so much that no one wants to pair with you.”

“I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”

Akk felt flustered as Aye smiled smugly at that. 

Not missing a beat, his Shortstop put the drink into his backpack, took the head prefect’s hand, as if they’re not in the middle of the school hallways with students loitering around, and dragged him towards the dojo. Akk followed like a lost, but very eager puppy. 

Halfway to the class a memory flitted in Akk’s mind, pulling himself and Aye to a stop. Ayan looked at him questioningly over his shoulder, not letting go. “Aye, will you do something for me?” He asked with a tentative voice.

Ayan fully turned to him, nodding to show that the taller teen has his whole attention.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Akk made sure to keep his eyes on Thua the whole class, taking in how he moved and where he went and for how long. He knows today is the day Teach Dika’s Notebook goes missing and he knows that Thua will be the one to take it. In the past Akk never would have imagined that Thua is someone capable of doing something like this - stealing other people’s possessions, becoming the Curse or even outing someone’s relationship in front of an entire school, just because he ‘wanted everyone to tell the truth.’ It still hurt that someone he considered a friend and trusted would betray him like this. Even two-three years later, Akk has still not forgiven the boy enough to trust him, nor has Aye.

Now though, as he observes Thua, the prefect doesn’t know how he missed all the tells. The way the other boy is constantly watching Akk and Aye, the way he always seems to be pensive and judging when it comes to how they interact. Suppalo Akk would have thought it's because he has grown too close to a boy, even though Thua isn’t someone who would judge people for sexuality, well he won’t judge others, but apparently he judges Akk for having one. When Thua leaves for the bathroom Akk knows that the game is up, this is the moment he stole the notebook, made AkkAye fight in hopes they will hate each other and then hid it in Teacher Chadok’s room blaming the man who admittedly did a lot of wrongs.

All of them are guilty. All of them have hurt people. But unlike Thua, Akk stopped and redeemed himself. Teacher Chadok will forever live with the shadow of Teacher Dika, his lover and friend who died right in front of him. But Thua? What did he lose? He wasn’t even outed as the next Curse. 

On the other hand, Akk doesn’t want Thua to pay. Doesn’t want him hurt. The boy made a mistake, but honestly maybe all of them are guilty for pushing him there too - his stepdad, his mom, Aye, Teachers, Akk, World Remembers, Kan, probably especially Kan. Aye said one time, under the blanket of darkness, cradling the prefect’s head on his chest, playing with his hair that the reason Thua outed Akk and Aye’s relationship is because he was jealous and petty. Because while AkkAye were flirting and dating, Kan still avoided his feelings and Thua couldn’t take other people’s happiness over his own. But again his boyfriend is still bitter towards Thua, so he might be talking through hurt. But Akk doesn’t want anyone to get hurt this time around.

Once the class is over, Akk lets the other’s go to the changing rooms first, staying to ask the teacher something before following. He needs to make sure that Aye loses the notebook and is angry enough for this. 

Akk comes in just as Aye slams the locker door shut, causing everyone to turn towards him startled. The door is barely closed behind him when Aye grabs Akk’s uniform and slams him to the wall. “You jerk. You took my notebook, didn’t you?”

Pushing Ayan off, he curses. “What the hell? I didn’t.”

“If it’s not you, then who?” They’re standing toe-to-toe now, glaring at one another. Akk forgot how scary Aye’s anger is or how scary being at the centre of attention is, but he held on. This is important. 

“I don’t know. But I didn’t take it.”

“If you don’t give it back to me, I’m telling everyone what this stupid school did.”

“Stop spouting nonsense.” Akk demanded, voice threatening.

“All of you.” Ayan called. “Do you know what the curse of this stupid school actually is?”

I’m sorry, Aye! The head prefect mentally apologized, as he grabbed Aye by the uniform and threw the first punch, holding back some of his stretch. Akk has never in his life hit Ayan again, after this one time in Suppalo when they both got lost to their anger and fear. “I told you to shut up!”

Ayan recovered way too fast, returning the punch. “Give it back to me, jerk!”

“I didn’t take it!”

“You did, Akk!”

Kan and Wat rushed to them, barely managing to separate the two, still struggling and fighting. 

“Stop!” The teacher shouted coming in. “I said stop!”

The show is done.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Once they got checked by the nurse, Akk and Ayan got back to talk with the teacher about what happened. The head prefect barely holds himself back from checking on his Shortstop to make sure he is ok. Eyes constantly moving to the other one. 

“Bastards! Now I have to report this to the Principal.”

Right, time to do damage control, so they are not in trouble. “Teacher, please don’t report it. I’m begging you.”

“Why didn’t you think before you threw that punch, then?” 

“You can punish me all you like.” Akk continued, knowing how to phrase his words well so that the teacher won’t report them. Being a good student is good for some things, after all. “I’m asking for one thing. Don’t report it to the Principal. Or else I’ll lose my scholarship.” Does he sound pitiful enough? Probably, ‘cause the teacher softens and even Aye looks at him with worry.

“Fine. I won’t.” The teacher sighs. “Only because you’re an alright student, who always looks out for others.”

“Thank you, teacher.” He smiles and bows, nudging Aye to do the same. “Well… What do you need me to do?”

“Not only you. Both of you.”

The boys exchange a look, nodding. The teacher leaves and the two of them head towards the stairs where Kan and Wat are waiting, looking worried. His best friends exchange urgent looks, before looking at AkkAye who came down the stairs and stopped at the bottom step.

“Hey, Akk. Aye.” Wat turns to them. “So what the hell was that all about?”

The head prefect waits just enough for Ayan to be on the step above him, before he is turning and grabbing the boy’s face with both of his hands. “Are you ok?”

Aye smiles, holding onto the taller teen’s wrists. It felt nice to be taller than the prefect for once. “I’m fine, Akk. You barely used any strength.”

“I still hate it.” Moving the boy’s head to examine the wound.

His Shortstop released one wrist to take a hold of Akk’s cheek, thumb gently brushing under the band aid. “I hate it too. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Ai’Kan. Why do I feel like a third wheel right now?” Wat sounded shocked.

Kan fake-gagged. “This is so sweet it makes me sick.”

Akk rolled his eyes, turning to his best friends, releasing Aye’s face to take a hold of his hand instead. “You guys are immature.”

“And you two are acting weird. First you fight, now you look a step away from kissing.” Kan said, wrinkling his nose.

“Yeah. I mean, Akk has changed since Aye came along. What with all the understanding of the students' issues, letting them use phones and stuff like that. But this is even weirder.”

“It’s not a bad thing.” Aye defended.

“It’s not, I like this new changed Akk. Doesn’t make it less weird though.” Wat explained, Kan nodding along. “So tell us what’s going on.”

Akk and Aye exchanged another look, before the head prefect said. “It’s a long story.”

“Well, we have time till the next period, so start talking.” Kan urged.

The taller teen rubbed the nape of his neck with his free hand. “I knew for some time that someone was eying Aye’s journal and had an inkling that it might get stolen at one point. So Aye and I staged a fake fight so that the person would think that he managed to drive a wedge between us. We had to wait for it to be stolen first and when it did, I was sure that they were watching.”

“Why? What’s so special about it?” Wat wondered.

“It belonged to someone really important to me and they left it with me when they… When they died. I use it to write some private things.” Ayan sounded hesitant, still not fully ready to trust Kan and Wat, like Akk seems to and like future Aye will. The head prefect squeezed his hand, smiling when the boy looked over.

 Kan and Wat frowned, but it was the former who spoke up. “Why would anyone want your journal? What’s so special about it?”

“I think…” Akk hesitates, this time Aye being the one to encourage him with a squeeze of his hand. These are my best friends. I can trust them. Kan and Wat have been there for me for years. Past and Future. “It’s Teacher Chadok.” His friends bore a comically equal wide eyes shocked look. “He used to. Often he used to ask me to spy on the World Remembers Gang and report back to him. Giving me orders to stop them and… interfere. Since Aye came to this school, Teacher Chadok suspected that it’s Ayan who is backing the Three Jums and increased his… pressure over me.”

“Akk…” Wat wanted to ask something, but Aye shook his head. If Akk stops now he won’t be able to say it, not until it’s too late.

“I didn’t understand it at first, but he often hinted at using…” God, this is so hard. Akk is looking at their feet now, still afraid to face his friends. “Any means necessary to stop those who disobeyed the rules. Even if… Even if it meant to bring back the… the Curse.”

“Curse?” Kan sounded confused. “How can you bring back the Curse? It’s a legend of this school. I mean we use it to…”

“It’s a legend that started when the Prefect Club was established and Teacher Chadok was the President of the Prefect Club. He used it ever since to make sure that students are too afraid to disobey.” Ayan explained, now standing next to Akk, touching their shoulders, fingers intertwined. Having him so close grounded the prefect.

“But then that means…” Wat didn’t finish his thought as Akk finally raised his head, eyes filled with tears as he looked guiltily at his friends. 

“I brought back the Curse. I pushed that flowerpot and then removed the breaks on the truck to scare everyone.”

Kan tried to move forward. “Akk you…” Wat held him back.

“He was manipulated into it, Kan. Akk was brainwashed and controlled by Chadok to do it.” Ayan stated defensively, standing a little in front of the taller teen.

“Of course I know he was forced to do it, Aye!” Kan rolled his eyes, pushing Wat’s hand off. “As if I don’t know my friend’s soft heart. I’m pissed though, ‘cause he didn’t tell us.”

“Why didn’t you tell us Akk? We would have helped.” Wat’s voice was way kinder than Kan’s.

“I didn’t know.” The head prefect bit his lips, nodding for the Shortstop to move aside, smiling at him and the others in gratitude for the chance to explain. “Until Aye came along and showed it to me, I didn’t even know that I was being used or manipulated. I thought I was doing good. I thought I was helping people. Helping this school. I never thought I could ever hurt anyone.”

“Throwing that flowerpot and the car was reckless, Akk. What if someone got hurt? What if someone died?” Kan demanded.

Akk felt like crying again, Aye’s voice rang loud beside him. “He knows that already. No need to rub it in.”

“You fool!” Kan said and pushing Ayan aside hugged Akk close, Wat coming behind him and giving the head prefect a hug too. “Next time stick to just stealing their stuff.”

Akk snorts, shaking his head against his best friend’s joined shoulders. “That wasn’t me actually.” When they both moved back with wide eyes , he laughed. “That was done by the same guys who were smoking in the bathroom the other day. I found the stuff and returned it later. But the rumors already started by then.”

“Idiot!” Wat scoffs, hitting him at the back of his head. “How can you stand him, Aye?”

“I’m working on it. He’s learning.” The four of them laugh. When the laughter dies down, Kan and Wat move back, while Aye takes Akk’s hand again, the shorter boy says. “Well, now you know who the Curse was.”

“When did you learn though?” Wat comments.

“The very first day of my transfer. I saw him pulling the brakes on that truck and then running to save the Three Jums.” Shortstop explains.

Kan raised an amused brow. “You saw him almost kill someone and decided ‘Damn, I need to date this jerk’? You have a weird taste my friend.”

“You know?” Akk’s eyes widen, even as his future boyfriend laughs.

Wat rolls his eyes. “Except for today, you guys are so obviously flirting and caring for one another that I’m shocked the teachers still haven’t caught up to it.”

“So you two think it’s teacher Chadok who stole the journal?” Wat asked, after the laughter died down.

“Akk stopped the Curse business after the truck thing. But the World Remembers Gang’s flyers were burned and their club room was splattered with paint. Also, Teacher Chadok seems to know about me and suspect my involvement with the rebels.”

“We think someone else took my place as a Curse and is right now working with Teacher Chadok to bring Three Jums, Aye and by extension me down.” Akk explained.

Kan nodded, exchanging a look with Wat. It feels good having his friends by his side, in his corner. “Is that the person who stole the journal?”

The head prefect shook his head. “I have a suspect, but I have to check first.”

“You won’t tell us?”

Aye scoffs. “He won’t even tell me. Says he needs to figure it out first.”

Wat nodded, ignoring both Kan and Ayan’s displeased scowls. They were similar in that - protective of Akk and wanting to help him, one more than other, of course. “Okay, while you go after your suspect, we will brainstorm who might be the new Curse.”

Akk smiled at that. “Thank you guys. But… I don’t want to put you in danger. Teacher Chadok has already targeted me and Ayan, I don’t want you two…”

“Shut up, Akk!” Kan scoffs. “We’re best friends for a reason! Of course, we’ll help you!” Wat nodded and Aye squeezed his fingers, smiling brightly. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Just in case something did change in this timeline, Akk went to the Student Welfare Department to confirm that Teacher Chadok indeed was away in Bangkok since yesterday, so he couldn’t have been the one to steal the journal. Sure, he might have ordered someone to do it, but the head prefect had a very strong suspicion that it was done by the same person who did it last time. 

After the Student Welfare Department Akk headed towards the bleachers where Aye was waiting for him, reading his book. Briefly he had an idea to hold a debate date over ‘1984’ tonight in his room with Ayan as he remembered how passionate and excited he was in the past, after Akk read that book. When they left that book event, Ayan followed Akk and offered him a ride to the dorms. He remembers one thing led to the next and they ended up staying up late that night, chatting and analyzing the book. It was one the first non-date-dates they had that month, before officially getting together.

Aye was sitting cross legged on the bleachers, nose deep inside the book like he always is. Before the head prefect could get closer, he saw Thua approach the boy. Akk paused by the metal fence, listening. 

“Why are you reading here?”

“None of your business.” Aye answered harshly over the top of the book. Earlier, at the vending machine, when Akk explained his plan, he told Aye that he should be broody and angry after the class. Especially at Akk. They need Thua to think he managed to do what he was trying to do in the first place. Sure, Aye didn’t know Thua stole the journal or the prefect is sure he would have been demanding the boy to bring it back already.

The boy sighs. “Come back to class, Aye. We had a quiz just now. If there is another in the afternoon class, you’ll miss out again.” Ayan ignored him looking down at the book, Akk shifted he wanted to approach, but it wasn’t his time yet. “Are you really not going back to class?”

“Yeah.” Ayan grumbled, not looking up.

“If you do this, our class will be in trouble too.”

“Yeah. I know.” Shortstop sighs. “I’ll go. Just let me finish this chapter.”

Thua leaves and Akk follows, taking a deep breath. It’s time to interfere before things escalate like they once did. 

He catches up to him in the corridors, right by the lockers. “Hey, Thua.”

“Ah, Akk. What are you doing here?” He stops, looking kinda surprised to see the prefect here. Kan is usually the one who follows him around like a lost, insecure puppy. 

“I need to talk to you.” The head prefect comments, sounding more confident than he feels.

Thua nodded. “Sure.” Akk smiles motioned for him to move slightly to the corner, so that they could talk in private, there were too many students around. “What’s wrong Akk?”

It’s like ripping a bandaid, quick and less painful. “I know you took Aye’s journal.”

Looking at Thua’s unassuming and innocent face, Akk almost apologized, even if he knew it was him, but it still felt as though he was blaming the innocent. “What? No, I didn’t. I was in class with you.”

“Yes and you left for the bathroom in the middle of it.”

“Akk, I understand you’re upset that Aye blamed you and you fought with him, but it wasn’t me.” That wording sounds wrong. The head prefect stays silent. “I know you guys were getting close and this probably ruined that, but you shouldn’t blame people without any evidence.”

Ah, now it makes sense. Akk is supposed to hear those words and panic, like he would have done before he came to terms with his sexuality. Suppalo Akk would have blushed, mumbled, apologized and ran away, but this Akk won’t. “Yeah, Aye and I are friends and I don’t want to see him hurt.” Thua looked shocked at that. “Which is why I didn’t tell him or Kan about you. I’m the only one who knows and I was hoping we could solve it just with us.”

“I…”

“I know why you did it, Thua.” The head prefect softened his voice, making sure to not sound accusing. The boy will run if he feels threatened. “You know, don’t you? That I brought back the Suppalo Curse?” The way he avoided his eyes was an answer enough. “You know and you wanted me to come clean about it. You think it’s unfair that I used to punish so many students for some small things, while Aye and now the World Remembers Gang gets away with stuff. You want people to know the truth. You want me to tell the truth. Right?”

Thua finally looked up, sighing. “Why did you stop?”

“What do you think?” Akk smiles. “Aye showed me that the way Suppalo uses old rules to control kids is not how it should be done in a modern world. Sure, discipline is important, but no one should be forced to obey strict rules and be shaped into the same mold. We are all individuals, all special in our own way and we deserve to be free to express it. Sure, we have to study and build our future, but school is for education, not for destroying one’s personality and beliefs. Do I think that World Remembers is doing stuff the right way? Not entirely, but they have every right to voice their opinions and stand their ground. Ayan could see it from the first day and has been trying to tell us. Maybe, if we listened, nothing would have escalated.”

“Teachers won’t like it. Neither will the principal or Teacher Chadok.”

“Times are changing and if this school wants to survive it needs to adapt.”

Thua looked at him as if he just revealed a final scripture and opened the secret to life. “You’ve changed Akk. The old you, would never disobey Suppalo or Teacher Chadok.”

“Is it bad?” Akk smirks.

The boy shakes his head. “Kan says, everyone is a lot happier with calm, smiling and supportive Akk, rather than with constantly stressed and anxious one. And I agree. You’re a lot better now. And you look happier.”

“Aye is a bad influence.”

They both laugh, before Thua asks, eyes worried. “What will you do about Teacher Chadok? You have been neglecting your duties, I heard other prefects say that Teachers aren’t happy with it.”

“I’ll talk to him.” The head prefect announced. “Will probably also quit the President of the Prefect Club position too. But first, I need to find the Curse.”

“The Curse?” 

“Hm. I stopped when Aye transferred, but someone has been continuing it. The flyers and the pain in the club room was someone else.”

“I hope you know…” Thua didn’t get to finish, as Akk smiled, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder. 

“It’s not you, I know. But I need to find them before they make everything worse. Kan, Wat and Aye are helping too.”

“I’ll help too.” He announced. “I want to stop it too, Akk. You might not trust me but I think I can help.”

The head prefect was taken aback, but the honesty and unfiltered worry in the boy’s gaze, made him answer easily. Thua was never an enemy, he was just lost and hurt and used like all of them. “Okay, thank you Thua.”

Looking over his shoulder Thua nodded for Akk to follow. “It must be someone who is loyal to the school and to Teacher Chadok. Someone who is as desperate to prove themselves. Do you have anyone in mind?” He stops by the upperclassmen lockers. 

“Few. But I don’t want to jump the gun just yet.” 

“Good.” Opening his own locker, he ramage around and pulls out the brown leather notebook, handing it to Akk. “I’m sorry about this Akk. I never wanted to hurt anyone.”

Akk smiles again, taking the journal and hugging it close to his chest. “I know. Thank you, friend.”

Thus smiles too, relieved. “Of course, friend.” His smiles turned worried as he mumbles. “Please don’t tell Aye… or Kan.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

I’m glad this got resolved. I’m glad there was no betrayal like before. Maybe I can change the future after all. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Akk texted Aye to come see him in the backyard, next to the greenhouse, before heading there himself. Singto was there as always, just chilling and ignoring everyone, giving even Akk a cold shoulder as the boy tried to feed the puppy.

“Take a bite, Singto. Singto eat.” The dog scoffs, moving out of Akk’s hand. “Singto.” The dog ignored him and turned its back, walking away. Akk huffs in annoyance. “I’m not buying you food anymore. You arrogant bastard.” 

He stood up, brushing down his pants, just as Aye came around the corner, frowning on his face. The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Akk stepped closer. 

Ayan bit his lips, eyes growing worried as he observed the taller teen’s serious demeanor. “You couldn’t get it back?”

“Aye…” The head prefect mumbled, looking at his future boyfriend with big remorseful eyes. Aye looked down, shaking his head already disappointed. Barely holding back a smile, Akk reached behind himself and pulled out the journal from under his sport jacket, tucked safely into his belt. “Take better care of your stuff.”

His silly Shortstop looked up so sharply that he almost broke his own neck. The way his eyes shone and his face lit up like he just got everything he ever asked for, made Akk feel like he could conquer the world. His boy deserves all the happiness in the world. 

Grabbing the journal he hugs it to his chest. “They gave it back.” 

“Uh-huh.”

Akk was so bedazzled by Aye’s beauty that he let down his guard, not noticing how his Shortstop took a step closer, grabbed the nape of his neck with one hand and pulled the prefect down, landing a quick kiss onto his cheek. 

“Aye!” The head prefect admonished, straightening up to look around, but doing nothing to remove the hand still on him, massaging his nape. “We’re outside!”

“So what?” Ayan teased. “Can’t I show my gratitude to my amazing boyfriend?”

Leaning in close, Akk smirks. “I’m not your boyfriend.”

“Akk~” He whined, removing his hand. “You keep saying that a lot you know. It breaks my heart.”

The head prefect pursed his lips, eye’s big and locked onto Ayan, like they always are. “If you want it to be true, you need to ask first.”

“Will you say ‘yes’, Bigfoot?” He leaned even closer now, their noses touching.

“Hm…” Before he could give a teasing answer back, the damn sprinklers opened and started spraying him. “Damn it! Not again!” 

Ayan jumped back before the water could hit him. Lucky bastard. 

Mr. Sid ran up, trying to hold the sprinkler down in the most ineffective way, while the Shortstop laughed loudly. By the time that the water shut down, Akk was drenched to the bone. “Sorry, nong. The timer is a little off. Are you alright?”

“I’m not sir. I’m completely soaked.” The head prefect complains, looking at his future boyfriend who seems to be having the time of his life.

Shaking his head to quiet his chuckling, Ayan moves forward and grabs Akk’s arm, pulling him away. “Come on, prefect. Let’s find something dry.”

They hide in the shade of some tree, the head prefect putting his soaked shirt and jacket over the back of the bench, as Ayan pulls out his hoodie and hands it to him. “Here. Put this on. Do you have your uniform with you?”

“No.” The taller teen sighs. “It’s dojo day, so I didn’t bring it.” 

“It’s ok, Akk. I’ll drive you to your dorm.”

Akk shook his head. “No, I…” Before he could finish his phone rang, his dad called, like he expected. “Hi, Pa.”

“Your aunt is already there, son. Can you go meet her now?”

“Do I have to go now, Dad? Can we reschedule?”

His dad sounded apologetic. “Your aunt is leaving soon. Just see her for a few minutes. She’s waiting. You have to go now.”

Akk sighs, looking down at the way he is dressed. His aunt is not as understanding as his parents and he is afraid of seeing him like this, she will just go complaining to his mother and father about how unkept and lazy he has become. His aunt wants him to look like her son from her second marriage. She married a rich man right after her first husband died and their son is the next heir to the fortune. She has this idea that now that Akk goes to prestigious school he should make ‘rich’ friends and act like one of those snobs too.

Meeting her is never his favorite thing. Even when he went to see her before university with Aye and openly told her that they are dating, all she cared about was if Ayan is from a rich family and was going to a good university to have a good degree. Upon hearing his last name and who Aye’s mom was, Akk’s aunt practically glowed, congratulating Akk on going by her footsteps. She is AkkAye’s least favorite relative of his. 

But it was a request by his dad and Akk couldn’t say no. “Yes.”

As he hung up, Ayan leaned his head to the side, looking up at him cutely. “Everything ok?”

“Yeah. I have to go see my aunt soon.” He looked mourning at his drenched stuff. “Last time I showed up in nothing but your hoodie, she called my dad and gave him a lecture about how disrespectful I am and bad-behaved. She wouldn’t even listen to my explanation.” Another sigh. “I’m kinda dreading meeting her again.”

Ayan hummed in understanding, taking his hand into his. “Let me drive you?”

“It’s ok, Aye. She is not really someone I want you to meet. Last time she was insufferable. I’m pretty sure you wanted to snark her to the ground too. I had to…” He bit his lips, blushing as he remembered what he did that night as a thank you. That’s not a conversation for broad daylight. Judging by Ayan’s amused expression and raised brow he understood. “Thank you for not snapping at her, later on.”

“I have a feeling I loved that ‘thank you’.” He said all sly and teasing. The head prefect felt his cheeks burn as he avoided his gaze, when he turned back Ayan’s smile was gentle, eyes still holding the same glee though. “Come on, Akk. Let me drive you to your dorm, you get changed and then I’ll take you to meet your aunt. It’s faster with a car.”

Akk looked at his wet stuff and then back and his future boyfriend, before sighing. As comfortable and safe this hoodie made him feel, he wanted to avoid his aunt’s judgment as much as possible. “Okay.”

“Let’s go then!” Aye smiled bright, took the wet shirt and jacket and headed towards the parking lot, the taller teen following him amused. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The very next day Akk and Ayan came to school together. Walking and flirting oblivious or simply not caring about their surroundings as they headed to the classroom. They have been spending more time together lately, Aye keeping his promise on being stuck to Akk the whole day, every day like a glue. Akk couldn’t be happier. 

So they were teasing and pushing each other in the glass corridors, when they heard some upperclassman loudly cussing at someone else. 

“You faggots!” Some guy shouted. Akk and Aye froze, exchanging a confused look, but it wasn’t addressed to them. Coming a little close to the railing, they saw Three Jums arguing with some other students.

“And?” Jumnon challenged. “Does it trouble you that this is the way we are?”

The first guy sneered. “So you don’t know?”

“Know what?” Nong demanded. 

“It does trouble all of us.” The guy answered, passionately, waving his hands in a dramatic manner. “Wherever I go, everyone asks, if I go to a faggot school.”

“Who asks that?” Akk demanded loudly, making everyone, including the arguing students to look up at him. Letting go of Aye’s hand, the head prefect headed down, to stand between the three juniors and the two bullies, Ayan not far behind him. 

“P’… P’Akk.” The bullies mumbled. “We… we were just…” The bravado from before was completely gone, leaving them in an awkward mess.

“I will need the names, if possible or if not, then the name of the school where those people are from. If they use such harsh words and slurs to address Suppalo then it should be on the Prefect Club to solve.” The prefect announced with conviction, glaring down at the duo. “No one, inside or outside of Suppalo has any right to slander, hurt, bully or curse at Suppalo students. As the President of the Prefect Club it is my duty to report this and deal with those people. So come to the Club room and we will record the names.”

By the end of Akk’s speech the two bullies looked as white as a sheet, practically shaking. Looking between the Head Prefect and the rest of the student body. Akk didn’t need to look behind him to know that the three Jums were smirking with self-satisfaction.

“Why are you protecting them P’?” The second bully said, voice shaking slightly. “They are the reason the Curse is back. We are all obeying the rules but these three keep causing trouble.”

“The Curse only attacks those who break the rules, if you don’t break any rules you have nothing to fear.” Aye butted in from beside Akk. He had a mischievous smirk on his lips and gleaming eyes which spelled trouble. “Unless you two want to tell us something?”

“No! N-no. We didn’t break any rules.”

“Hmm. But bullying is also a rule breaking, right Head Prefect?” Ayan turned to Akk.

The prefect knew what his future boyfriend was playing at and was more than happy to follow. Crossing his arms he nodded. “That’s right. Causing any sort of disturbance to lessons or other student, including hurting or bullying other students is also considered as rule breaking. Maybe I should also take you in for that too.”

The duo looked at each other and then back at Akk before shaking their heads violently and running off. Ayan and Akk laughed, turning back to look at the World Remembers Gang who were watching the two of them with grateful smiles. 

Akk is glad he could help this time. 

When he looked around and saw Thua among those who were watching them, he smiled and nodded at his friend, relieved to receive the same gesture back. 

At least this time he made a difference.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

After the classes were over Akk and Ayan headed to the dojo to clean up as a part of their punishment for their ‘fight’, three days ago. Honestly, it wasn’t as gruesome as he first imagined it to be, just kinda annoying and tiresome. But listening to his Shortstops mumbled complaints and looking at his cute pout while spending time with him has always been the favorite part of anything for the head prefect. In fact, Akk is sure that if Aye is ever arrested, he will even find a way to sneak into jail as a judo instructor or a volunteer or even commit a small crime, just so that they won’t get separated. 

If Akk is ever arrested, well, it’s safe to say that it will probably be Ayan’s fault, and they will get arrested together. The time they were in a Equal Right march and almost got arrested when police raided it and tried to break it up – notwithstanding. 

 Barely done with his side of the mat, Ayan groans and dropping the rag, sprawls over the pads. Akk spares him a glance, not able to hold back from grinning at his overdramatic future boyfriend. No matter past or future his Shortstop always hated any physical activity, moaning and whining if being forced to do anything beyond just walking somewhere. Even when they were moving to their new apartment he whined and pouted so much that Akk finally gave in and rolled his eyes, allowing Aye to just lounge around while him, Kan and Wat moved everything in. 

( “You have a backbone made out of jelly when it comes to your sweetheart, Akkie.”

“Shut up, Kan!”)

Putting his arms under his head Aye sighs. “Has it really been only three days? And that Kala-guy wants us to do this for a whole month?”

The head prefect smiles turning to look at Ayan and for a moment, before answering, just stares at the beauty before him. Aye’s profile is illuminated by the sunlight coming through the windows, casting him in a warm glow and making him look like some magical being. Not once has Akk questioned if he deserved such an ethereal beauty in his life and has been grateful for having his love and him by his side every waking moment. 

Shaking his head, Akk says. “His name is Kalakul. Why do you always mispronounce his name? You know you will be in trouble if he hears you.” 

“It’s so peaceful with no one around. Kinda relaxing.” He settles comfortable, while Akk works. 

“Hmm.”

“Ai’Akk.” Ayan suddenly calls, turning to lay on his side, popped up on his right arm, legs bent. He looked way too comfortable for the place they were in and as the prefect looked at him, he started to remember the countless mornings they spent together, where Aye always had the same pose when Akk woke and left the bed before him, while his Shortstop stayed put and teased him, until he either got back to the bed or his boyfriend jumped out of the bed and on his back demanding kisses. “What inspired you, motivated you to become a student prefect?”

“Why?” He frowned.

“It kinda feels unfair. The other Aye knows so much about you and here I am, grasping at the straws.” His fingers kept drawing shapes on the mat under him, eyes downcast and lips pursed.

Was he pouting? What “other Aye”?

“There is no other Aye. What are you talking about?” Akk was growing more confused.

Those words seem to make the shorter teen even more petulant and he stated. “Yes, there is. You said it before, remember?” Now he was looking at Akk and somehow the head prefect started to understand what was happening. “There is Your Aye and me, who is not your Aye.”

Flowers of happiness bloomed in Akk’s chest, making a smile appear on his lips. Ayan frowned at him clearly annoyed, while for Akk this felt like a present from the Universe.  Is Aye jealous of himself? God, this is the best day ever!

Sitting up cross legged and looking at his Shortstop with adoration, the prefect said. “You’re the only Aye I have. Past, present or future. There is no one else.”

The way Ayan’s face lit up, annoyance completely disappearing from his eyes, made every trouble Akk has ever gone through, every pain and worry, so worth it. He’s pretty sure he can do anything just to keep that smile on Ayan’s face. His Aye deserves the world and Akk will do anything to give him the best.

“Answer me then! Come on, I wanna know everything about you, perfect prefect.” He sounds like an overeager puppy now, minus the perky ears and wagging tail. 

“When I first started here, it felt like I had a sign on my forehead labelling, ‘country bumpkin.’ You know how this school is. Kids that go here are barely better than the teachers who teach. So I got bullied a lot for being s scholarship kid. I actually got into lots of fights and punched a few bullies back then.”

Aye looked surprised. “You got into fights? It’s hard to believe.”

“Of course.” Akk felt proud, smile growing. “But that led to me being taken to the Student Welfare Department.” His Shortstop was listening in awe. “That’s were I first met Uncle Dika. He was the assistant teacher of the Department back then. The way he talked to me and gave me advice, it turned my life around. He was just so… understanding.” 

When the head prefect looked into his future boyfriend’s eyes, there were filled with tears. He looked so gloomy, like a puppy who was about to be abandoned. Not thinking, Akk slid across the mats and sat in front of Aye, who was also sitting cross legged now, and held his face between his palms wiping his tears. “Aye? What’s wrong?”

Shaking his head Ayan tried to smile, sniffing. “Nothing. I’m fine.” Holding onto Akk’s wrists he pulled them down, placing their joined hands onto his lap. They’ve been holding hands a lot lately and Akk never felt better – well, maybe only when they finally left Suppalo, and he could safely date Aye. “It’s just… I keep constantly forgetting that you met Uncle Dee. That he has influenced your life too and that if he…”

Releasing one hand, Akk held the boy’s cheek again, shushing. “I asked myself that a lot too, you know? Especially when being the Curse started to catch up to me and I started to understand how terrible I acted. I kept asking myself what would have happened if Uncle Dee never left Suppalo, if the principal never… asked him to leave and he didn’t go to Parot, but stayed here with us. Would I still do it? Would I even think of hurting others?”

“He wouldn’t have allowed it. He loved his students.”

“He also loved his dear nephew, you know? I remember him talking about you to me, during one of our make up lessons I had to take as a punishment for the fight. I forgot about that much later. My therapist helped me to remember, and I told you about it. We spent a day on the beach talking about Uncle Dee and his life after that.”

Ayan smiles, sadness still lingering in his gaze, but it was still something. “What happened next?”

“Teacher Dika was working with Teacher Chadok, and it was him who took me to meet P’Mes. He was the President of the Prefect Club back then. You know when I first met him, it just sorts of clicked. Even now when I remember it, it made sense back then. That’s the moment I knew I wanted to be like him.”

“Ah, so that’s your first crush.” Aye sounded quite pouty again, picking at his uniform pant leg. 

“Jealous?” Akk smirks.

His Shortstop rolls his eyes. “Pfft, Thua showed me a picture, he’s not that handsome.” 

The head prefect leans over and pinches his cheeks, cooing. “Aw, such a cute puppy.” 

“Ai’Akk!” Aye swats at him in annoyance, trying to glare, but it looks mostly like a pout.

“Don’t worry, na~. P’Mess might have been my first crush, but you are my first love, Aye. My last and only one too.” 

The sparkle in his big feline eyes gave Ayan’s happiness away. Honestly, Akk forgot other boys even existed since the moment he met his Aye. There is no need for jealousy at all. But Jealous!Aye is an adorable Aye, so Akk sometimes takes advantage of it, before he reassures his love. 

“So cheesy. Give me a kiss then.” His Shortstop practically crawled onto his lap, hands on the taller teen’s shoulders. “Akk~ Give me a kiss, na~”

“Spoilt!” The head prefect huffs, but putting one hand on the boy’s waist and the other on his nape, leans forward. At the last second he bypasses Ayan’s lips and lands a sniff-kiss onto one cheek and then the other. As Aye bursts into delighted giggles, Akk continues his smooch onslaught onto the boy’s forehead, nose, chin and finally lips. By the time the prefect pulls away, his future boyfriend is a blushing mess, but as content as a cat. “There. Happy?”

“Very.” A proud cat that got the canary indeed.

After a few more minutes of relaxed conversation and smiles, Akk sighs, turning serious, both hands on his future boyfriend’s waist not wanting him to move away from his lap. Ayan straightened at his worried expression, leaning in with his hand now massaging his Bigfoot’s nape. “Hey, Aye, can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything.” Came an answer, without hesitation. 

Maybe I’m not the only one ready to do anything to keep the person they love happy .

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The Three Jums were in the club rooms when AkkAye came to find them, the ugly doll from Akk’s nightmares between them as the boys chanted about not giving up. 

The head prefect could feel himself shaking as he stood by the door, trying to gain some courage for what he knew he needed to do right now before things escalated. Ayan’s hand in his is the only thing grounding Akk and holding him back from running away. 

Earlier, while they were getting changed in the dojo, Akk asked Aye if he was willing to come with him to the World Remembers gang club room and help him talk to them. Last time the choice to tell them about the Curse and apologize was taken away from him, so this time Akk wanted to do what’s right and confess. ‘Cause even though Thua is now seemingly on Akk’s side and they’re way more friendly than they used to be, he still doesn’t know if he can fully trust anyone at this moment. Someone is continuing the Curse thing and as painful as it sounds, except for Aye, Akk is not sure whom to trust, so he trusts no one.

“You ok?” Ayan asks worriedly, squeezing his fingers.

Turning to the shorter boy he tried to smile. “I’ll be. Just…”

“I’m here, Akk. You can do it.”

With a last nod, they went in.

Three Jums turned towards them and greeted them with a wai. “P’Aye. P’Akk. Hello.”

 “Hi, guys. How is the prep going?” Aye smiles, coming to a stop in front of them.

Nong exchanges a look with others before answering, voice cheerful. “We’re almost ready, P’. This one will be amazing.”

“It will show that we’re serious and have supporters.” Nian announced. 

Non was looking at where Akk and Aye were still holding hands. “Thank you for your support, P’.” He commented, smirking, giving away what he was thinking about the two of them here together, holding hands. “Will you two also be there?”

“Of course.” Ayan announced.

“We’ll be there.” Akk added. “I’m glad you didn’t get scared and gave up.”

“No curse can stop us. We’re stronger. Right Nong? Nian?” 

“Yes!”

At the mention of the Curse the head prefect flinched, the band on his arm growing heavier. He needs to do this. His juniors deserve it. But Akk has always been a coward. Case in point, the first time around and the whole mess with Thua and his sexuality. 

Aye squeezes his hand, leaning in. “Akk, you don’t have to right now, if you’re not ready.” He whispered.

Ayan has always been protective and Akk could kiss him right now, take him and run and ignore this like he did before. But he can’t. He knows he can’t. Not anymore.

“P’ do you want to tell us something?” Nian asked carefully.

“Akk?” His Shortstop prompted gently.

Taking a deep breath and grounding himself, the prefect started, eyes looking between the three. “I… I want to apologize to the three of you. About the Curse.” The Three Jums exchange a look but remain quiet. “The truth is… There is no… Um, there is no such… I brought back… the Curse.”

The way that the three juniors stared at him in shock, horror and confusion, while all the while subtly taking a step back from him. It hurt. I deserve this. I hurt them. 

“I was the one who pushed the flowerpot and pulled the breaks on the car. There is no such thing as the Suppalo Curse. I’m sorry, so sorry. I just wanted to stop the protests. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I swear. I’m sorry, Non, Nian, Nong. I… I didn’t want to… I’m the Head Prefect. I just wanted for everything to be good. To make everyone’s life easier. I’m sorry… it’s all my fault I…” By the end he was crying, voice breaking down. 

“Akk. Ai’Akk it’s enough.” Ayan forced him to turn towards him, grabbing his neck and using his thumbs to wipe his tears. The shorter boy’s voice rang confident and loud. “It’s not your fault, Akk. Teacher Chadok is the one at fault. This school shouldn’t have put this burden on you. It’s their fault.”

“But I did it. I’m responsible for hurting them.”

“You were manipulated. You’re no different than any of us, Akk. You’re a teenager. Everyone has a freedom to disagree with the system that they are pressured against and if the school doesn’t like it then the teachers should deal with it. Not you. Not a student.” Raising his head, Aye made him look into his eyes, which were also filled with tears. Aye always cries when Akk does. Always feels what his boyfriend feels. “They used you Akk. That’s the truth.”

“Is… Is it true P’Akk?” Non spoke up. 

The Head Prefect nodded, finally turning to the juniors, after Ayan made sure his face was mostly cleared up from the tears. “Yes. I… Teacher Chadok asked me to…”

“More like - brainwashed.” Ayan scoffed.

“To stop the protest in any way necessary and tell me…”

“Forced you, Akk. Get your story straight.” His Shortstop seems to be unable to just silently listen anymore, taking over instead. “Teacher Chadok kept holding his scholarship over his head and strongly hinted for him to use the Curse to get the protest under control or his future is gone. He practically manipulated him to use the Curse against you.”

“Aye, don’t say that about a teacher. You’ll get in trouble.” The prefect begged.

Ayan glared up at him, eyes narrowed. “So you would have done that if he didn’t ‘ask’?” He demanded.

Akk shook his head. “No, never.”

“See! So get your story right.”

“So the school knows.” Non suddenly announced, sounding pissed. “The school knows that the Curse is not real and someone was trying to hurt us, but they did nothing.”

“That’s why you should continue! They know you’re right. It’s working.” Aye announced.

Nian seems to be the gentler of the three or at least the only one who was still willing to talk to Akk. Not that he blamed them. “Since you confessed, does that mean there will be no more Curse?”

“I stopped after the truck. I don’t want to do it anymore. That’s why I started supporting you three.”

Nong blinked, looking at the others and then back at the head prefect in confusion. “But P’Akk, the flyers and the paint…”

“It wasn’t me.” He shook his head. “We think someone else is using the Curse now. But don’t worry, Aye and I will find them. I truly am sorry, you three. What I did, whether forced or not, was wrong.”

Non was the one to speak now after a silent conversation with his friends. “Thank you for telling us, P’Akk. We’re not sure how to act right now…”

“It’s ok. Take your time. You don’t have to forgive me right now. But just know that I am truly regretful and I will do anything to help you and stop the new Curse from harming you.”

“Thank you.” Non thanked him again. It was obvious the juniors were still cautious of him and hurt, but Akk is glad he was able to properly apologize this time and to tell them himself. 

When he looked down at Aye, his future boyfriend was smiling up at him with proudness shining in his gaze. Aye trusts him. World Remembers now know the truth. Thua gave back the journal. It all seems to be going well. The head prefect just hopes that everything after this will not ruin all they have built.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“What a long and emotional day. I’m exhausted.” Aye said, swimming closer to lean on the pool wall on Akk’s left.

After they were done talking to the World Remembers Gang, Aye refused to let Akk stay alone that night - with another stupid excuse which wasn’t believable but was cute - and dragged him to his own house. Once there, the prefect wanted to maybe do some assignments, bu Ayan pouted and complained about being hungry, so the two ordered something to eat and changed into something comfy until the delivery came - Akk didn’t even ask how some of his shirts and shorts ended up in his Shortstop’s closet. 

After the dinner was over Aye started whining about being too hot and sweaty, so before Akk could even think about why this was a bad idea, they ended up in the pool, the head prefect wearing one of his future boyfriend’s swimming trunks, which admittedly wasn’t as tight as he thought it will be thanks to Ayan’s eternal need to be comfy in anything oversize. Case in point, his love of stealing Akk’s stuff. ( “We’re boyfriends, Akk~ It’s not stealing, it’s sharing. It’s our shirts and our hoodies. Get it?” )

Anyways, here they are. Deep into the evening, drinking juice and swimming in the cool pool, like some male leads in a BL series. They did a few laps, competing on who can swim from one end to the next faster - Akk becoming the winner of course. ( “It’s not fair. You’re a Bigfoot.” “And you’re weak, Shortstop.”) As they chatted and flirted and teased each other, the prefect realized that his heart grew calmer and how anxiety over the earlier events had completely evaporated. Aye’s plan worked. Like always.

As Aye went for another lap, Akk stayed leaning with his back onto the swimming pool wall, arms strengths out and head leaning back to watch the moon, visible this evening. As Aye swam close, the head prefect switched his attention towards him, as the boy came to lean on his front against the wall, grabbing his juice.

It’s honestly unfair how beautiful Aye looks from every angle in every lighting. During the day, as he is illuminated by the sunlight Ayan looks like an angel sent from heaven as the embodiment of every blessing Akk has ever received, like his every wish has been granted. While during the night, under the moonlight, he looks like a siren, gorgeous and untouchable, incarnation of Akk’s every desire, ready to pull him to his damnation, to which he will fall gladly if it means being in this ethereal creature's presence even for a second.  

Akk didn’t know that love existed until he met Ayan. He read about it in the books, saw it in the shows his mom watched and in the movies his friends took him too, but he didn’t know if it really existed. And even if it did, his parents have been together and in love for decades now, Akk wasn’t sure if it will ever find him. Especially after he realized that he has no interest in girls. He was scared, alone and terrified of any prospect of the future. Of either being forced to marry a girl to make his parents proud or living the rest of his life alone hiding who he truly is. 

Then Ayan crashed into his life came crashing into his life and turned everything upside down. Not only did Akk started believing in love, it's impossible not to when Aye would look up at him with those feline eyes and smile like the sunshine after years of winter. But for the first time in all his life Akk truly believed that he can have that romance like life, just like in the series,  in real life too. That Akk can hold someone's hand, kiss them, have dates and flirt and have sex and do a million more things with his lover. No matter how much he resisted it in the beginning, once Akk allowed himself to feel and enjoy it became irreplaceable. All thanks to his Shortstop.

Using Akk’s moment of distraction Ayan jumps (as much as water allows him) and corners the head prefect against the wall of the pool, caging him with his hands on either side of his shoulders. 

Akk looks down at him with a smirk, well aware that he can easily pick him up and away if he needs to, but playing along for now.

“You're unfairly pretty in the moonlight.” Aye says it as if it's an offence, all the while floating closer till their chests touch. His nose bumps into the mole on Akk’s cheek, the one he always loves to kiss and nuzzle. Leaning back he narrows his eyes. “I'm Jealous.”

“Of what?” Akk asks with a chuckle.

“Someone might see you all gorgeous Adonis-like and steal you away.”

“Who can steal me away Aye? You're being ridiculous again.” 

“No one! No one can steal you away.” Aye announced, bringing his lips to the taller boy's ear. “You're mine. My boyfriend. My Akk. If someone tries to steal you I'll fight them.”

Using the moment of distraction Akk grabs Aye’s hips and switches their positions in one smooth move. Now it's his Shortstop with his back to the swimming pool wall, caged in between  Akk’s arms and his legs trapped. 

The head prefect can feel the boy's heartbeat increase, chest raising and falling against his own. “I told you already, Shortstop.” Moving close he makes the tips of their noses touch. “Ask me first before calling me your boyfriend.”

Momentary shock, Ayan seems to be in, evaporates and he smirks, wrapping his arms around Akk’s shoulders, using them to pull himself closer and up. “Why don’t you ask me yourself then, prefect? Since you’re so bold now.”

“Nah…” The head prefect shakes his head, inching closer. “Gotta keep the continuum going. I told you before, remember, fixed points in time can’t be changed.”

“So asking you to date me is the fix point in time, huh? No way to avoid it?” Aye puts a small kiss to the tip of Akk’s nose. 

In a bold move, Akk puts his hands under Ayan’s thighs and lifts him up, making the boy yelp and wrap his legs around the prefect’s waist. “Even if there is a way, I don’t wanna find it.” Their foreheads are touching now, gaze locked together. 

“Okay, then.” Moving his lips to Akk’s ear, Aye whispers. “Akk, shall we get together?” Little shit has the audacity to smile cheekily as he moves away. Almost a challenge.

He’s so lovely. So ethereal. So angelic. So true. So soft. So intimate. So kind. So beautiful. So perfect at that moment that Akk truly has no choice but to fall in love all over again. How can anyone resist this adorable dork? How can anyone hurt him? Akk is so glad that Aye chose him again. So happy that the one he loves, loves him back. Ayan is Akk’s and Akk is Ayan’s. He won’t ever let that change. Won’t ever let anything or anyone take his Shortstop, his Shameless, his Aye away from him. Never!

“Hm?” Akk pursed his lips, pretending to think about it.

Just like he expected Ayan whined, gently pulling the hairs at the nape of the prefect's neck. “Ai’Akk. Don’t tease!”

Akk laughed silently, nodding. “Okay. Fine.” Just like that very night in Akk’s dorm room - in the previous past when Aye asked him to be boyfriends and he finally gathered his courage enough to agree - Ayan’s face lit up like fireworks, a smile so big it must have hurt his cheeks.  

Just seeing that smile, those sparkling like galaxy eyes, was enough to take Akk’s breath away. In his happiness Ayan leaned in and Akk followed helplessly, finally kissing the love of his life again, this time not confused, not lost and not scared, but as truly himself, truly happy, blindly in love.

Kissing Aye always feels like coming home for Akk. To him it means safety and understanding and warmth of a cup of coffee. Every fear he felt, every doubt, every insecurity and question - they all evaporated as soon as their lips touched.  As soft lips moved in sync, bodies hugging in the water, pulling each other closer and closer, it didn’t matter anymore what the future will be or where they are. Most important thing was that they were together. They will always be together.

Too fast for Akk’s taste, Aye moved back, leaning his head against the prefect’s. “Who taught you to kiss like this, Bigfoot?”

“My boyfriend.” Akk said, just to watch his lover smile, squeezing close to him in an embrace.

When their phone pinged in unison with a FB notification, breaking the silence, they groaned in annoyance. 

Thinking that Akk will let go of him, Aye hid his face in the taller teens neck and mumbled. “Ignore it.”

Instead of an answer, Akk just tightens his arms around Ayan's waist and buries his nose in the boy’s dark hair, feeling his boyfriend’s smile against his skin.

I’ll never let go. Nothing can be as important as Aye in this or any other moment in time.

Chapter Text

2 years and 7 months after the Eclipse.

The first thing Ayan registered was an annoying beep sound right by his ear and the distinct smell of medicine in his nose. He could hear someone talking, crying beside him, but when Aye tried to move his entire body burned, it felt as if he was run over by a truck. When he tried to remember why he was hurting though fireworks exploded behind his eyelids as his head started to throb. Right, no thinking for a while then. 

“Aye? Son, can you hear me?” It was his Mae’s voice, calling him. Ayan tried to answer, but what came out was a groan, there were needles stuck in his throat. “Thank God. Wat, can you go call the doctor? It’s ok, son, take your time.” She brushed his hair gently, soothingly like she used to do when he was a child and hurt himself.

Why is she calling Wat and not Akk for help? This doesn’t sound right. 

“Mae…” He mumbled, finally opening his eyes, squirting at the brightness of the hospital room, but stubbornly keeping his eyes open. “Water.” He mumbled.

“Here, honey. Slowly.” His mom supported his head as he took small sips, finally getting rid of the needles in his throat. 

After a few long minutes he has finally adapted to the light, his headache moderated after sitting quietly. He was indeed laying in the hospital with his Mae by his side holding his hand, Kan and Wat were standing by the foot of the bed, both looking haggard and tired, dark circles under their eyes, dressed in black. They must have been scared for him, Aye realized. Neither of the three looked as if they slept for days.

“Where…?” 

His mom didn’t let him finish, asking right away. “Do you remember what happened, honey?”

“Hmm.” He nodded.

The memories were starting to come back to him. Leaving his last class on Valentine’s Day, going to Akk’s favorite shop to buy some cake to take back to their new apartment. Akk was at the flat, getting everything ready ‘cause they finally finished moving in and wanted to celebrate the day together in their own very first flat. Ayan remembers being happy and excited, driving carefully, when suddenly someone ran the red light and then… He doesn’t remember. 

Akk must have been terrified to get the call. Aye knows he got the call as they are each other's Emergency Contacts. 

How long has he been here? Where is Akk?

“Mae, where is Akk?” Ayan finally asked, confused when the three exchanged anguished looks, avoiding his eyes.

Thua was the one who spoke, voice strangely hoarse. “You should rest, Aye. Let the doctor check you first.”

“No, I wanna see Akk. Where is he?” Akk wouldn’t just leave Aye while he was in the hospital. He knows his Bigfoot, no matter how much he complains and acts cool, if it’s about Aye he is more protective than even Ayan himself. “Call him.”

“Aye, son, doctor is coming to check on you. Let’s first make sure that you’re ok.” His Mae was talking gently, but he could clearly see her tears, voice as broken as Thua’s. Beside them Kan’s expression kept crumbling, barely holding tears, now flowing down as he took a hold of his boyfriend’s shoulder.

This was all turning scary. Why do they look like they’re at the funeral? “Mae. Kan. Thua. Where is Akk? Where is my boyfriend? Why isn’t he here?”

“You… You’ve been in a coma, Aye.” Kan sniffed.

“Ai’Kan.” Thua scolded.

“Coma?” Ayan asked. “Is that why you all look like this? For how long?”

“7 months, Aye. Akk waited for 7 months for you to wake up.” Kan choked.

“Waited? Did he leave? No.” Ayan chuckled dryly. “Akk wouldn’t abandon me. Mae, did you send him away to get some rest? Call him, tell him to come. I promise to make him sleep after I see him.” He feels like he is missing something. Something terrifying is eating away at his mind, but he refuses to acknowledge it.

Mae covered her face with her hands, shoulders shaking as she cried. Before Ayan could react and take a hold of her, she spoke again. “He… Your heart stopped, Aye. Two days ago your heart stopped and Akk… It was late at night and we didn’t know.”

“No. No. Mae… Stop… Don’t say it…” Ayan could feel what’s coming. Heartbreaking and twisting and burning even without hearing those dreaded words. Words he seems to be cursed to hear about every person he loves. 

“We couldn’t find him in time, son… He was… Just like Uncle Dee…”

“No! no! Stop! You’re lying! You’re wrong!” Ayan started thrashing, trying to get out of the bed, ripping his IV and pushing the monitors away. “Akk won’t leave me! He won’t do this to me! No! Akk! Akk!” He could feel hands trying to hold him down, someone calling for him to calm down, but he can’t hear them. He doesn’t care.

All Ayan wants right now is to find his boyfriend. That’s the only way he can stop the pain in his heart. That’s the only way he will ever feel alive again. His very soul is ripping to shreds, lungs burning from screaming, but he can’t calm down. He’s dying inside and the only one who can save him. Who can make it stop. Who can help him is Akk. 

Akk who is gone, just like Dika. Akk who left him. Akk followed him to the stars because he thought Aye abandoned him. 

His Akk. His perfect prefect. His boyfriend. His Bigfoot.

No. No. No. It’s not true. 

It’s a lie! A nightmare. He just needs to wake up.

Ayan keeps screaming. Trashing. He keeps trying to escape the hands holding him back.

They have to keep him sedated for three days after that, as every time he wakes up, he starts crying and screaming for Akk, which is probably bad for his still healing wounds, but he doesn’t care. If Akk is not with him why does it matter. 

Every time Aye wakes up he tries to run away. Every time the nightmare starts he dies again. It’s like an endless circle of hell that he is stuck in.

It’s my fault! It’s all my fault. I left him first. I left him alone. Akk. Please, please come back.

For three long days and three long nights he balances between crying and sleeping, doctors keeping him on meds as they do his check ups. Go and figure he is in perfect health now. But emotionally he is dead. His soul is dead. His heart, well, it’s useless now.

Ayan is not sure how he manages to do it, but after three days of being sedated he finally finds a window to escape. His mom is busy talking with the doctor, the nurse is busy and his friends are at their homes. So using this small window of opportunity Aye sneaks out of his room, only putting on his Eclipse hoodie over the hospital gown. It still smells like Akk and he chokes on another wave of grief that hits him as Ayan realizes that it's probably the last piece of anything that still has his boyfriend’s distinct smell.

Shaking his head the shorter boy continues, knowing that he doesn’t have time for anything right now.

Someone must be watching over him or maybe it's the devil at work, but no one stops him on the way out of the hospital. Even the taxi driver doesn’t ask many questions as he gets in and pays him with the money he finds in his hoodie pocket to take him to the only place he knows Akk would have used. The only place no one would have looked for him. Well, no one but Aye, of course. It’s their place. It’s his cursed place.

Once at the hill, Ayan comes closer to the edge, wishing to still have Uncle Dee’s necklace to hold on to or his promise ring, which became another source of comfort after a red faced Akk gifted it to him ( “Just so you know, I’m not proposing. It’s just a promise that I’ll wait for you to come back.” “Aww, Bigfoot. You’re so adorable.” ), but his Mae said they took them off when was brought in after the accident and gave them to Akk, so his boyfriend must have been wearing them when he…

Aye looks down at the flowers scattered over the edge, left by their friends and family, probably. The strength he was barely holding on to finally broke, like the rest of his sanity as he looked over the edge and suddenly envisioned Akk, broken, alone, scared and grieving over there, finding no other way to get to Aye, but through his own death. 

Ayan fell to his knees with a scream, letting out all the pain and tears free. 

“Akk! Akk… Please…” Finding nothing else, Aye grabbed at the lapels of his hoodie, pulling it close, trying desperately to cling to Akk’s scent, to his warmth, anything and nothing left anymore. It didn’t matter anymore. Nothing matters. “Come back. I’ll do anything. Please, whatever power is out there, please. I’ll do anything, just give him back.”

“Do you honestly mean that?” A woman’s voice cuts through the silence, making the boy jump and turn, staring at her with wide eyes. 

She seemed familiar somehow. Long dark brown hair, bangs falling into her eyes, cheeky smile and chocolate brown eyes shining with mischief. It felt as if Ayan had seen her somewhere before. Ah, that’s right. “You… You’re that lady from my dream.”

Vaguely, but Aye remembers seeing her in his dream right before he woke up in the hospital. 

He was standing in a bright white room, where there were no windows, no doors. Nothing. It was all just empty and white. Then she appeared before him, smiling just like now, but while her gaze was filled with mirth here on the hill, back in that room it was cold and harsh. Like she was angry at something and came to seek retribution. 

“Your life is precious, Aye. More precious than his own.” She spoke with contempt, fury coloring her tone. “Now show me, is your love just as strong?” 

She didn’t seem angry anymore, if anything the woman now looked almost happy. 

“Who are you?” Ayan asked, standing up and whipping away his tears.

She pursed her lips. “Humans call me by many names. Karma, Kismet, Fortuna, Destiny. But I prefer Fate.”

“Fate?”

“Hmm.” With a smile she nodded towards his hand. “I’m the owner of those strings.”

As Ayan looked down at his hand he could see a red string stretching from his finger somewhere far away, disappearing beyond the edge of the hill, stretched as if it was about to break and yet it was shining bright red, illuminated from within. 

The name came to him without much thought, the legend he has heard a million times and always found admirable. “The Red String of Fate.” Aye said in admiration using his other hand to touch the string with the tips of his fingers.  Reverent and somehow calmer. 

“Yep.” She says proudly. “It connects you to your…”

“Akk.”

“I was going to say your Soulmate. It’s amazing how fast you two assume it's the other.” Even though Fate sounds like she is scolding them, her voice is strangely affectionate.

“Did you save him then? Is Akk alive? Is he ok?” Ayan asked, suddenly hopeful. 

“Well, let’s just say, he made a deal with me.” She pointed at herself, at Aye and then at the edge of the cliff as she listed. “Your life in exchange for...”

Something inside of him froze, as the boy cut her off, demanding with a slight step forward. “Take my soul instead.” Fate blinks at him, eyes wide and almost lost puppy like. She kinda reminds him of Akk, back when they were in Suppalo and he was just growing into admitting his feelings for the Shortstop. “That’s what the deal was, right? His soul for my life?” Aye didn’t sound so sure anymore.

Her face morphed from confusion to understanding to the kinda pout Akk has when Aye is being obtuse on purpose and teases him constantly. “Do I look like the Devil? Or even a genie? I’m not that narcissistic.” 

Ayan feels like he is getting a whiplash. Just a few minutes ago he was dying from grief, then he let hope grow in his chest and now he is scared of trusting that feeling, ‘cause when has ever a powerful being helped someone without any profit for themselves. 

“Okay, what was the exchange for then?” He tentatively wondered. 

The smile was back on the girl’s face as she skipped over and took a seat at the edge of the hill, patting the space beside her for Ayan to do the same. Slowly he followed, sitting at a small distance. This close she kinda looked like Akk too, her features a softer and more feminine version of his boyfriends, lips just as soft looking though, shape of her nose and eyes mirror of Akk’s. “I saved him at the last second and he begged me to save you. Which I told him I can’t do.”

“Aren’t you Fate? Isn’t it literally your job?” He sounded condescending, but powerful being or not, this close up she didn’t look older than him and it was hard to take her seriously when she kept pouting.

“Don’t interfere, Aye. Now where was I… Ah, yes, I can’t interfere, because…” Now Fate was glaring at him. “Your accident is a fixed point in time and it can’t be changed. You can only change the results. Now, I don’t know how Akk thought it would work, but he made a deal with me that I have to save you if he can change your past and make sure that the accident shifts to someone else.”

“Is that even possible?” Aye wondered, disbelieving.

“As I said, fixed points in time can’t be changed, no matter what. But just because the accident has to happen doesn’t mean it has to happen to you. So in all his desperate genius, Akk said he will shift the accident and save you. So I sent him back in time to Suppalo to do just that.”

Ayan blinks at her, stupefied and then jumps on his feet in frustration. “What the hell?! What kind of a plan is that?! That doesn’t make sense. How…? Who…? Oh.”

“Yep.” Fate stood up too, looking just as disappointed in Akk’s choice as Aye does. “He forces himself to live through his Suppalo years and risk ruining his future, just so that you, my dear Aye, won’t have an accident. Akk will.”

“That… Urgh! Akk!” He groans. 

“Yeah, believe me I know.” She sounds so done with this. Before Ayan can even open his mouth, she raises her hand and stops him. “Don’t you even dare to say what I know you will, Ayan. Don’t. This is not a game.”

“You did it for him, do it for me too. Send me to the past. Let me help him. I can save both of us!” He is growing desperate now.  

“And if you can’t?” She challenged.

“Then you take both of our lives.” Aye was sure of it. If Akk is no longer in this world, he doesn't want to be in it either.

Fate’s expression morphed into one of fury, eyes blazing with such dangerous energy that Ayan took an involuntary step back. “You are a fool, Ayan! Do you even know what you are about to give up?” Her voice echoed around then, the air growing colder. “You and Akk take this life too lightly. You can’t handle the price of what you will lose if you do this.” She stepped back, smile turning sad. “You see, Ayan, Red Strings of Fate can twist, stretch and pull, but they can never break, they can’t be cut, burned, destroyed. No matter what, they remain stable and ensure that soulmates meet no matter what. There is however one exception. If you take your own life, then I will remove that string and make sure that you will never find your soulmate again.”

“That’s…” Aye wasn’t sure what to say.

“If I remove that Red String you will never find Akk, no matter how many times you are reborn or which universe you’re in. Wanna know the price? Do you want to see what you will lose, Ayan?” Fate’s voice gained strength as she raised her hand and clicked.

A whole galaxy of stars exploded over their heads, little bubbles with scenes like movie clips floating over Aye’s head. His breath caught as he looked, feeling overwhelmed with a whole galaxy of stars and clips around him. Once the initial shock passed, Ayan started to notice the familiarity of those movie clips, stepping closer to see better what they were. When he saw Akk’s familiar face in his Suppalo Uniform sitting with Aye leaning on his shoulder, realization dawned. These are clips of him and Akk, their lives, but… Also, not only theirs.

Another bubble floated close with confidence and Ayan saw himself, dressed in jeans, white tank and black fur cardigan sitting behind a bar with a whiskey in hand and watching the lead singer in a leather jacket, old boots, jeans and band shirt, perform on his guitar, a familiar smile on his lips. Aye always wondered what Akk’s voice would sound like if he let loose once and sang himself instead of letting Aye do it. After that time during his birthday Akk never sang again and Ayan missed it. Yet, he somehow knows that Sand not only sings for his Ray, but he also writes him songs and makes sure his boyfriend is the first to hear the demo version.

As Aye reluctantly watched that bubble leave, his gaze shifted to another one, flying somewhere to the left. This one showed Akk with glasses, sitting behind a computer and smiling at his client, another boy who looked like Aye. Somehow he knows their first unofficial date will be in the chicken food stall and the official one will be at a small restaurant by the beach where Alan will tentatively ask Gaipa if he wants to date him.

Right behind this bubble is another one, with glasses wearing Akk standing by the sitting Aye, this time with short hair, necklace and short sleeves, smiling as they tell their realtor that they found their dream house. Alone’s hand massage’s Kaitong’s nape, as they smile at each other, full of love and understanding.

Ayan’s breath catches and he turns around, seeing different bubbles and scenes - some with two girls wearing strange alien hats as they sit on the roof, some with two boys chatting after a competition, or Akk with bird tattoos coming to some village to finish his final project and meets the village chief’s son, there is even one where they’re famous stars with fans and many more. 

To his left he notices another bubble, smoothly flying towards him and Aye’s breath catches when he sees Akk in this one. He is older now, covered in tattoos, dressed in an interesting way, flirting confidently with a short haired Aye, with something dangerous in his eyes, that gets overshadowed by love he feels looking at the boy in front of him. They are in the tattoo shop, Kant lying on the chair, while Bison is on his hips, smirking down at him, letting him know that their play won’t be interrupted this time, what with both their brothers busy.

How the hell do I know their names?

Ayan turns to ask Fate just that when he catches her staring into one of the bubbles and moves closer to see what has her smiling so sweetly. Tiger and Lynx are laying on the plush carpet, with the cats and smiling lovingly at each other. He knows their Cat Cafe will go through a harsh patch, but he is glad they’re happy and he is glad it works out. 

“Fate,” Aye starts, unable to take his eyes away from the clips still hanging above. “These are…”

Fate turns to him then, something in her looks so broken that for a moment Ayan is reminded of Akk on that beach after the shorter boy learns about the head prefect being the Suppalo Curse. He wants to hug her and comfort her, just like he did Akk all those years ago. 

“Thousands of lifetimes. Thousands of destinies. An infinite number of Parallel Universes and you two meet in every single one of them. And in every single one of them you fall in love, despite the odds or hardships. Everytime, no matter what happens, you meet him and then everything just falls into place.” She composes herself, closing off the ounce of emotion she earlier showed. “Your bond is the strongest I’ve ever witnessed. And you want to give it up.”

Ayan shakes his head, they are back on the hill, no more galaxies or movies floating around. “I’m not giving up, Fate. I wanna fix it. I know I can save both of us.” 

“But these lifetimes you saw are the price you’ll pay if you fail, Aye. Are you ready to risk it?”

“I have to try. If I don't, Akk will be stuck in the past trying to save me and then come here and do this all over again if he can’t. I… I wanna save him and our future.”

Taking a deep breath Fate gave a nod, eyes harsh as she looked at him. “Okay, fine. Let’s make a deal, but this one will be different from Akk. Oh, don’t look at me like that, I can’t have you two love sick fools running around the past with your memories intact, it will be chaos.” She huffs petulantly.

“Like what?” Aye was worried now.

Fate purses her lips, thinking. “First of all, you won’t have your memories. You’ll go to the past as Aye of the future, but with no memories. Second, if you can’t fix it by the time your life reaches this exact hour, this exact day, this exact year, then I will come and personally rip your Red String and then hand you over to the Reapers. And three, there will be a time limit. You have till the Eclipse to do it, if not, time reverses and you start all over again.”

“But that means…”

“You'll be stuck in a time loop, with no memories, relieving the same events over and over again, like a broken record, until you manage to change anything.” Her smirk was self-satisfied and dangerous. This was a punishment wrapped in a pretty box. “You’re about to shift the foundation of your bond, change the lives of so many people. I can’t just allow you to do as you please, Aye. Because you’re indeed right, if either of you can’t change the outcome of your accident and Akk’s decision then you will come to me again and we will be forced to do this again . So instead, I’ll get you stuck in the loop until you do change the future. That way chances of you destroying the Universe to save each other is lower too.”

Aye’s voice broke. “And if we can’t, we’ll never leave Suppalo.”

“Oh, don’t look so heartbroken, Aye. I’m feeling generous today.” Fate steps close, her features softening. “I’ll let you remember some things about this reality, at least in a dream form, so that neither of you strays. And, you do have an advantage over the Suppalo!Aye.” This time her smirk is more like his than Akk’s.  “After all, Akk is already out of the closet and madly in love with you. He knows the future and you already saved him once with way less than that.” 

What choice do I really have? I can’t lose Akk. I can’t let him die. And I sure as hell can’t let him relieve his worst nightmare because that adorable idiot is trying to save me.

“Do we have a deal, Ayan?” Fate asks, extending her hand.

Aye takes a deep breath, closes his eyes. “Deal.” He shakes her hand, not noticing the smile slipping from her lips and her eyes turning pained.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Where did it all go wrong? 

Last night, in the pool it was all so perfect. Being with Akk, kissing him, flirting, admiring his beauty. Honestly, Aye thought it was unfair how ethereal the head prefect looked last night in the moonlight, like a magical fae which came down from his castle or a masterpiece carved out into a perfection just Ayan’s eyes. Akk is his own personal sunshine, his perfect Adonis under the light of the day, illuminated by the sun and blessed by the heavens, but at night, under the moon Akk becomes his magic, his Universe, his impossible fairytale come to life. Just his. Ayan doesn’t know what he did in his previous life to deserve this, but he is grateful to have met Akk.

After all, to Aye, Akk is not only his love, but also his safety, his comfort, his best friend and partner in crime. So once the walls were down and secrets were out, he started to crave every second spent with the prefect, seeking him all the time, ensuring that there is not a single chance that he might escape his presence. It scared him at first. This obsession with Akk, with his happiness, with his comfort, with making sure that he is not sad or anxious, that he is always smiling. Isn’t his obsession justified though? isn’t this need to have Akk and hide him from the cruel world acceptable? Akk is sunlight and warmth, that has been used and abused by teachers of Suppalo and adults who didn’t value him, has been ignored and taken for granted, so it’s Aye’s job, his self-proclaimed mission to make sure that Akk is not only protected, but also never hurt.

Ayan saw Akk’s darkness and pain when the boy first told him about being the curse and he loved him anyway. Wrapped that darkness, those burnt edges, those sharp fangs and claws inside of a fluffy blanket, fed it warmth and love and understanding and accepted it, Aye cradled it until the real Akk came out. Akk that is not sharp tongued, but soft. Akk who loves his friends and family. Who is protective and strong. Who is kind even to strangers and smiles even when he finds a silly post-it note on the fridge. Akk who called Ayan ‘the enemy’ and yet cuddled him the whole night when the boy had a nightmare. Who talked to the teachers for him, who evaded Chadok and changed his view for Aye. Who agreed to Ayan's silly idea to stay together the whole summer because he was going away to UK for university and who cried and kissed Aye breathless, when his Shortstop didn’t go. 

After that darkness dissipated what was left was a black kitty, who loved to be petted and needed attention. Who thrived and grew in the right hands and Ayan was ecstatic that this perfect angel, this precious person chose him, imperfect, damaged Aye with problems to be by his side. Who took Ayan’s hand and never let go. Akk gave as much love to Ayan as he received back. 

That night in Aye’s house as they enjoyed a late night swim, he thought that this was it. They’re finally managing to fix everything, to move forward. His notebook was back. Akk’s secret was out. Now they only needed to find the other Curse and be done. He wanted to enjoy the rest of his high school days with Akk. Happy and in love.

Of course, life can’t be that easy.

After spending long hours just making out in the pool, they finally left to go get ready for the bed, as tomorrow was still a school day, unfortunately. They took their respective showers, separately much to Ayan’s chagrin and got ready for bed, both snifting to the middle to cuddle, when notification after notification started floating in from both their phones. Frowning at one another, they each leaned over and took their cells opening up. Aye saw dozens of messages from groups chats, individual chats and mostly FB posts and comments. 

Going straight to Facebook he opened the latest post from the anonymous page, linked to both Suppalo and World Remembers accounts, and almost dropped the device in shock. First video should have been the most terrifying one, as it showed the creepy doll from the World Remembers Gang club room, burning in the Suppalo backyard, with the boys' names written on it. The caption read - ‘If you don’t stop the Curse will stop you.’

It was the second post that terrified him the most. It was posted just five minutes ago, with over hundred comments already, with a caption - ‘#RealSuppaloCurse.’ Attached to the post were a series of pictures of Akk from the day he pushed the flowerpot near the English Department and from the day Aye transferred, when the head prefect pulled the brakes on Mr. Sid’s car. Both pictures seemed to have come from the security camera footage, both in bad quality, but clearly showing Akk. The last attachment was a short video, taken from a phone, where Akk is talking to the Three Jums and his voice is clearly heard when he says that he is the Suppalo Curse, cutting before Aye makes him confess about the rest. 

The comments are brutal. Some calling for justice, others saying that Akk is doing the right thing. It scares him how cruel people can be towards the teenagers. 

Dropping his phone Aye turns to Akk just to see him in tears, hands shaking with his phone still clutched in between his palms, eyes glued to the screen. Leaning over he reads what his boyfriend is seeing. It’s a text from teacher Chadok, a short message - “Come to the Student Welfare Department tomorrow morning.” 

Not thinking much about that jerk, Ayan grabs the phone, drops it somewhere in the bed and gets on his knees, grabbing Akk’s face in his hands. “Akk, look into my eyes. Akk. Ai’Akk. Look at me. Come on! Look at me, Akk.” Finally, he manages to turn his face, heart breaking at the utterly broken look on his Bigfoot’s face.

“They will make me take full responsibility for it. I’ll take the fall. I’ll lose my future, Aye. My parents will be so disappointed in me.” His Bigfoot keeps mumbling.

“It’s not on you, Akk. You stopped. You didn’t do it. Someone else burned the doll.” Ayan reasoned.

Akk shook his head. “But I started it. I brought it back. Those pictures show my face. They think it’s me. I did it, Aye.”

“No!” Shorter teen announced. “You’re not taking the fall for this. If they blame you I’ll bring Chadok down too and the principal and this whole school too. They’re not the only ones who can use social media. I’ll protect you, Akk. You’re not alone.”

“I can’t, Aye. Everyone will be so disappointed.” Akk was full out crying now, mumbling and probably not hearing half of what Ayan said.

“Screw everyone, Akk! Think of yourself first!” Aye demanded, shaking the prefect, hands now strong at his nape. “Your feelings matter more. If you only think of others then you’re disregarding your own feelings, Akk.”

“Aye…” The head prefect wanted to push away.

Ayan wasn’t having any of that. In a shift move Aye moved onto Akk’s lap, pulled him close so that his face gets hidden in the shorter teen’s neck and wrapped all his limbs around him, as if his weight alone can hold Akk from disappearing. With one hand massaging Akk’s nape, Ayan said, his own tears now flowing freely. “I told you before. You can be weak, Akk, at least with me.” 

As Akk broke down in his embrace, clinging to the shorter teen as if he was a last lifeline, Aye promised that he would stop this Curse, find him and then ruin both him and Teacher Chadok for what they did to his Bigfoot.

The next morning Akk disappeared.

Even though Aye made sure to sleep wrapped all over the head prefect like a koala bear to make sure he won’t leave without him, somehow when the shortstop woke up, Akk was gone and his side of the bed was empty. 

Cursing aloud, Ayan got ready and rushed to school, knowing for sure that’s where he would catch him, but Akk wasn’t anywhere to be found. Kan and Wat also didn’t seem to have seen him. When the three of them tried to call Akk’s phone was turned off and when in a stroke of genius Kan suggested for Thua to call, in case Akk blocked them, it also said it was out of service. 

At that point Ayan started to grow more worried.

Where is Akk?

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Since he knows that Akk had a meeting with teacher Chadok this morning, which he probably went to, since his boyfriend is incapable of refusing an order, Ayan headed to the Student Welfare Department. 

Shockingly it’s empty. No sign of Teacher Chadok or Akk. Even Teacher Sani wasn’t in. 

Ayan cursed aloud, turning to leave, when Namo suddenly appeared, walking towards him with a cold smirk. “Akk is long gone, Aye. You won’t find him here.”

“What do you mean?” Aye frowned.

“I heard from him this morning. Talking to Teacher Chadok…”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“What’s the meaning of this?” Chadok’s voice was harsh, standing menacingly over Akk. “Is this how you protect Suppalo?! By letting such people do as they please.”

The head prefect was looking down. “I’m sorry, sir.” His voice broke, holding back tears.

“I told you to stop those protestors, to make sure they don’t hurt Suppalo and look what you did. Now our school’s name is smeared all over social media. What’s more our President of the Prefect Club is seen hurting our students. The board has been calling since last night demanding answers.”

As the teacher's voice grew louder Akk’s tremors increased, visibly flinching, unable to meet the man’s gaze. “I'm trying to find who's behind the posts, sir. I might need some time.”

“I’ve given you enough time, Akk! You should have prevented this before it reached this point. Since the day that the Prefect Club was established this is the worst they have ever done and it’s on you.” He shook his head. “As the Head Prefect you should have done a better job. You should have acted like you deserve this armband.”

“Sir…” The prefect looked about ready to either faint from anxiety or flee, face all pale now. “Do we…? Would it be so wrong to listen to them?”

“What?” 

“We live in a modern day and what the World Remembers Gang wants is for school to listen to them. So if we listen and try to understand this might die down faster.” When Teacher Chadok kept glaring at him, with no answer, Akk clenched his fists and continued. “Isn’t this what Teacher Dika would have wanted too? He loved Suppalo and wanted it to grow along with his students and while…”

“Enough! How dare you…?” 

“Teacher Dika didn’t betray Suppalo, sir.” The prefect cut him off, not looking straight at him, despite shaking like a leaf. “And I think you know it too. He couldn’t stay when the principal forced him to either leave or abandon his relationship. Teacher Dika left and he hoped you would follow him to Parot, but then…”

“Enough Akk!” This time Chadok’s voice echoed through the room, filled with fury and concealed pain. It will always hurt to be reminded of your mistakes. “I don’t know where you learned all of this, but Teacher Dika betrayed Suppalo for Parot and…”

“He left to protect your relationship and waited for you, sir. I think you also know that if Teacher Dika was here he would have helped the World Remembers…” 

“Stop!” Teacher Chadok’s face was broken down now, eyes reflecting barely hidden back emotions, which he quickly covered under a mask. Between one breath and the next he concealed everything behind a stone exterior and looked down at the head prefect, voice as cold as his eyes. “You should take full responsibility for what happened, Akk and quit the President of the Prefect Club position.”

Akk's expression shattered, eyes filling with tears. “But sir…”

“Hand over your band. I’ll announce the rest in the assembly.”

“What about my scholarship, I can’t…”

“The clips clearly show that you hurt our students Akk, so as a lesson and punishment you will be removed from the Best Boy Award list and quit as the Head prefect as for your scholarship, the principal will gather an assembly and we will discuss it there.” There was a tinge of regret in the man’s voice as he reached his hand out for the armband.

Akk closed his eyes, unable to hide the pain in his expression as he reached to take off his armband. “Yes, sir.”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“He gave up his band and left. I saw him walking out of the gates a few minutes after that.” Namo said it so casually, that it made Ayan’s blood boil. 

Akk’s entire world just crashed. His future, his scholarship and his self-worth and yet this person was speaking as if it meant nothing. As if Akk deserve it. 

“Why didn’t you stop him?” Aye demanded taking a step forward. 

Namo shrugs. “Why should I? He did a terrible job so these are the consequences.”

Now pissed beyond reason, Ayan grabs the boy by the lapels of his jacket and pulls. “How dare you? Akk has done nothing but to help all of you and this is how you act? Why is he taking the blame for something that he didn’t do?!” Now the boy was shouting.

The other boy grabbed the shorter teen’s wrists and tried to pull his hands off, eyes widening in panic when Ayan refused to let go. All those Judo lessons with Akk were finally paying off, Aye’s strength increasing even while he is still unable to throw Akk. “You’re right, it’s not Akk’s fault. It’s yours. Akk was doing so well. He was an amazing President of the Prefect Club, he controlled this school, punished those at fault and made everything better, then you came along and brainwashed him. He became softer. Siding with the rebels, talking back to the teachers and worse, saying some bullshit about Teacher Chadok feeling guilty about Teacher Dika, when we all know that man is a traitor. It’s your fault that Akk stopped and it’s on you that he lost everything now.”

“You knew he was the Curse?”

“Of course, I knew. And I helped him do his job whenever it felt like he was slacking off. Suppalo is great as is, we don’t need the likes of you or those juniors changing anything.”

“You jerk!”

“It’s the truth. Akk was the favorite, now look at him. He lost everything because he believed your lies.”

Aye felt like exploding. Worry and grief and anxiety consumed him. But before he could do anything rash, he pushed Namo away. “I’ll deal with you later. I have to find Akk now.” Ayan ran, getting back to his search even as Namo stayed back smirking.

Damn it, Akk! Where are you?

The first place he checked was the rooftops and then the classrooms, which of course were empty. Akk wouldn’t go there even if he was still in the school grounds, but Aye still needed to check. Next came the bleachers, where some students were not-so-secretly playing on their phones and the backyard where Singto was alone. The school day started already and people were piling to classes, but Akk was nowhere and it’s not like his Bigfoot to skip lessons, so Ayan grew even more worried. He has to find Akk!

He wasn’t so sure why he was so anxious, but no matter how much Aye tried to calm himself down, the panic grew, something scratching at his mind, like a distant memory trying to find an outlet. Logically he had no reason to think about Akk being in danger, even if this was such a soul-crushing event for him, but it’s like everything inside Ayan screamed for him to find his Bigfoot, find him and keep him safe - I can’t lose him. Not like this. Not again. He has to find his boyfriend. Fast.

He just reached the school gates, already ready to run towards his car and continue outside, when Wat’s call came through. Ayan picked up as fast as he could. “Ai’Aye, where are you? Teacher’s already here.”

“Is Akk in class?” He demanded.

Wat seemed to be taken aback. “You still didn’t find him? I haven’t seen him since he went to the Student Welfare Department. What’s wrong?”

“Damn it.” Aye cursed. “Teacher Chadok took away his Head Prefect title and he might lose his scholarship too.”

“What?”

“Do you have any idea where he can be?” 

“I’ll try calling again.”

Ayan sighs. “I looked everywhere, but he is not in school. I’ll look outside. Let me know if you guys find him.”

“I’ll get Kan and Thua too.”

“Thanks.” Aye hung up, running to his car.

His instincts pulled him towards the beach, making him walk all around the warm sand as if somehow Akk would appear from the sea like a mermaid in the fairytale. He even stopped at the small food stall he took Akk to, the other day and asked the two aunties working there, but they also haven’t seen his boyfriend. 

Next Aye drove to the dorms, but after knocking for 20 minutes at Akk’s room door and getting no answer, he headed back downstairs. The security told him that Akk hasn’t come back since yesterday.

Lost for where to go Aye headed to his own house next, hoping that Akk will somehow go there to seek a safe space to unwind - even though he logically knew that the prefect didn’t have the keys to get in. Checking all over the house, in and out, Ayan had the results he expected in the first place. Akk was not there.

Once he got inside the car, the shorter teen texted into the group chat with Wat, Kan and Thua, which Wat created earlier to make sure they keep each other updated on finding Akk. It seems like no one can get a hold of the head prefect yet. His phone is turned off and no one in school has seen him, except for Namo. Ayan smiled when Thua told them that Kan punched him when he started spouting nonsense about Akk and that he ‘had it coming.’

Turning off his phone, Aye reversed his car and headed to the Cafe for All. It was the last place he could think of, where Akk might go to find some peace. But his hope was crushed when P’Gold said she hadn't seen Akk in days either, growing worried at Aye’s hopeless look. Quickly thanking her and making her promise to call if she sees his evasive Bigfoot, Ayan ran back to his car.

“Where are you Akk?” He asks no one, as he tries to call his boyfriend again. Once again he hears the same message about the number phone being turned off.

Now, ever since this morning, when Aye woke up and saw Akk missing, there has been this irrational fear beating at his ribcage. This anxious energy running through his body and dark thoughts, thoughts and visions and scenes from the nightmares came to mind, those he tried to evade and run from. But as the day progressed and it became harder and harder to find Akk, those thoughts became more insistent. 

When he closes his eyes Aye can clearly see Akk at the edge of a cliff, he can still hear his own scream for him, can feel his Mae’s hand in his as she tells him the news, he can even smell the antiseptics in the hospital room. As if millions of bees buzzing in his ears, vision after vision of the same events in different settings come floating from the dark corners of his mind he tried to fight for so long.

Taking a single breath he lets the guys know where he is going and drives towards the hill. The same cliff which took his Uncle away and the same one he keeps seeing in his nightmares over and over again with his precious boyfriend at the verge of doing something irrevocable.

Ayan’s heart feels as if it will beat out of his chest as he slowly approaches the cliff, relief replacing it only once he doesn’t see Akk and notices no clear marks of anyone even being here. 

Then where is he?

Aye looks over the cliff and beyond, the scene so beautiful and yet giving him tremors. His nightmare sneaks up on him again, the vision of Akk, in white floating shirt and brown shorts, holding onto the necklace he got from Aye, attached to their promise rings too. He always turns to where Aye is standing, eyes filled with the kind of grief that pierces through the shorter teen and eats at his soul. Looking into Ayan’s eyes Akk says goodbye and then…

Aye shakes his head, dissipating the vision. 

No! He won’t let it happen again! Not again. I won’t lose Akk. I can’t lose him.

Wait! Again? How many times has it happened before?

The memory, which has been scratching at his mind, suddenly breaks free, sending Ayan to his knees with a pained scream.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

As Akk sat on the beach of his secret island, he felt peace finally envelop him.

He knew it was cruel to ignore Aye’s calls, as well as his friends, knowing full well that his boyfriend is definitely worried. He felt cruel doing, yet as soon as he reached for his phone to call the other boy, his hands shook, fear consuming him. What can he even say?

That he ran away again. That he is so weak and pathetic that he ran instead of facing his problems. That he feels useless and like a burden to his family and friends and most of all Aye. Aye who is so kind, understanding, gentle and loving and warm and perfect. Ayan who is stuck dealing with Akk, when he deserves so much better. 

Of course, he knows that Ayan loves him and treasures him and doesn’t think of him as a burden, but just because he knows it, doesn’t mean that the cruel voices in his head quiet down. Unless he is in Aye’s arms or in his presence, then the evil demon inside of Akk turns into an obedient kitten, cuddling in his Shortstop’s lap and forgetting anything but warmth and love.

This morning, Akk woke up at sunrise, held tightly in Aye’s arms and spent the first 30 minutes just looking at the perfect boy in front of him. Be it back in the past or in the future or in some other version of reality that keeps replaying in his mind, Akk wants to get better for Ayan. Because Ayan deserves the world and refuses for Akk to ever walk away, the ex-head prefect always decides to better himself to grow and become stronger, just to be able to stay by Ayan’s side. 

Because the fear of Aye leaving him for someone better is real and Akk feels as though if he doesn’t heal and doesn’t deal with it, doesn’t heal himself, then he will lose the only best thing in his life. Anyone will tell him that he should heal for himself, that the priority for him should be himself, but honestly, the only reason that Akk even grew strong enough to recognize his own strength was for Aye, so is it so wrong to want to be better for the person he loves?

As Akk watched Ayan sleep, he realized how lucky he was to have this boy and remembered why he came to the past in the first place. To save Aye. To fix everything. He wants Ayan to have a happy life and Akk wants to be with Aye till the end of his life. Of course, if he wants that to happen, then first he has to deal with The Curse and Teacher Chadok.

With a Herculean effort, the ex-head prefect untangled himself from his boyfriends arms, left a kiss on his forehead and after getting dressed, left to meet Teacher Chadok, with a solid plan to quit as the Head Prefect and maybe convince him to reconsider using someone else - he wasn’t as hopeful about the later one. Akk just hoped to be done with everything before his boyfriend and friends arrived, so that they can go back to searching for the new Curse. 

The talk went as well as he thought it would, with Teacher Chadok not only shutting him down and out, but also with him taking away Akk’s title, his Best Boy nomination (which he frankly didn’t care about) and a threat that the principal and the committee will decide if he still will have his scholarship or not. 

Truthfully, Akk didn’t expect that to hit him as hard as it did. Ever since he came back to Suppalo and began this journey to save Aye and fix their past, the ex-head prefect has been ready to lose his title and scholarship. He has made plans to start working in the Cafe of Diversity or take on some other jobs to save up for University and get himself through it without relying too much on his parents. He even thought about applying for other scholarships offered by different universities as his grades were amazing and he does study in Suppalo, which is an advantage. The only problem was his last year of high school, but Akk knew his parents won’t ever let him drop out or fail and he was grateful for that, so he hoped he could start working enough shifts and maybe ask his parents for support to get through the year even without a scholarship.

See, Akk thought of all of it. He even came up with a logical argument with Ayan and already won it in his mind, ‘cause he knows that his boyfriend will be the first to offer to help him financially. Ex-head prefect would rather live through the whole year of Aye’s whining than accept that money. He wouldn’t feel right using Ayan like this, even if he knows his Shortstop truly wants to help and would never hold it against him.

But as he stood in front of Teacher Chadok and watched him take away his armband, he was forced to listen to his explanation of how the principal and the committee will look at this incident and decide whether he is worthy of the Suppalo Scholarship. 

After Akk left the Student Welfare Department he was numb. He felt exhausted and broken. The realization that his future might be taken away from him, that he might not even get to finish high school was heavy. 

It’s funny really, he spent the last few months getting ready for it and when the time finally came, he felt broken and tired. 

His dream of getting into the best university, dream of becoming someone big and influential and making his parents, Ayan and himself proud was suddenly ripped away. And he had no clue what to do. 

He was just too tired.

When the first call from Aye came, he wanted to answer more than anything else. Tell his Shortstop where he is and ask him to come. To let his boyfriend comfort him and make him feel like everything will be alright. He just wanted Ayan to be beside him, just like always. 

But when he saw his reflection on the screen of the phone, Akk recoiled. He looked like a zombie. Like a dead man walking. What would Aye think if he saw him like this? He promised that he was ready for the consequences of his actions, but if Ayan sees him this hurt he will think it’s his fault. He can’t let Ayan blame himself, can’t let him have even a fleeting doubt about Akk regretting this. ‘Cause he doesn’t regret his choices or protecting Aye or choosing to come back and fix stuff. Akk doesn’t! 

Yet, it still hurts knowing that his future is in the hands of the very people who so mercilessly drove Teacher Dika to suicide.

Making a choice to turn off his phone wasn’t easy, but Akk knew he needed to do this. Ayan is protective and righteous, which is why he loves him, but he has to do this by himself first. He has to figure it out by himself.

So Akk walked out of Suppalo and headed to his dorm room to get some clothes and necessities, before heading to the bus stop and buying a one way ticket to his hometown. His parents are already expecting him and his friends to come and do the report together, so they won’t be surprised he came early. What will probably surprise them is the news which he brings. But he has to talk to them, explain everything and then call Aye and let him come to him, so they can figure out what to do about the Curse. 

Akk spent the whole bus ride home coming up with the conversation and what to say. Going through different scenarios of what might happen when he tells them - some scenes in his mind were too real as if they have already happened, while the others looked new - one script just as terrifying as the other.

His parents met him with open arms and loving smiles. Hugging him, making the boy feel welcome. Akk’s Mae dragged him to eat something, while his Pa started telling some silly story about neighbors. They talked and joked like they used to do when Akk was still in elementary school and he would come home with a toothy-grin and a tale about what kids in school did. He was so happy back then. With no care in the world.

After lunch he walked to the beach knowing his parents would follow him. Now looking worried, holding hands as if to get strength from the other.

Akk turned to them with tears in his eyes. “I did something terrible, Pa, Mae. I… hurt people. I…”

“The school already called us, son.” His Mae said in the gentlest voice possible, touching his face and brushing his tears away. 

His Pa, just like always, had an understanding smile on his face as he patted his shoulder. “When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen, son. You’re not alone.”

“We just want to hear your side of the story.”

The ex-prefect hugged them then, noticing how tall he got, how frail they seem now that they have aged. He still remembers the days when he was small enough to be engulfed by his dad’s arms, or hide behind his mom without being noticed. When she would carry him on her hip just as they boarded the fishing boat and the days when his dad taught him how to fish too. The same skills he later started to teach Aye on every visit ( “It’s not fair you know how to row a boat and I don’t, Bigfoot. It’s only logical that boyfriends must share skills.” “Oh, so I have to teach you everything I know, Shortstop?” “It’s your duty as a good boyfriend, Akk. What if I get stranded at the sea and can’t get back.” ‘That’s ridiculous, Aye. Why would you…?”).

As they sat on the beach, in front of their house, Akk told them everything. About the bullying when he first started high school, about Teacher Dika and P’Mess and about becoming the Head Prefect. About Teacher Chadok and his strong ‘suggestions’ regarding the protestors and his assurance that Akk stops them at every turn. About the Curse and how he started. About what he did and how much he regretted it. Finally, about Ayan and how he stopped once the new student transferred. He told them how Aye changed his worldview and helped him support the World Remembers, how he hid everything from the teachers and tried to help subtly, how in the end someone else became the Curse and the videos online. 

Akk spoke for what felt like hours, making sure they knew everything, and heard all the details from him. Even if this was the second time around, it was still hard, or maybe it was harder because unlike last time Aye wasn’t here.

By the end of his story, Akk was in tears and his parents looked so broken-hearted that the guilt he felt inside increased 10 fold. “You must be so disappointed in me. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, honey.” His Mae said through tears, hugging him close.

His Pa, from his other side, gently rubbed his back. “We’re always going to be proud of you. You’re our son.”

He nodded against his mom’s shoulder. As she spoke, he could hear the unsureness in her tone. “Akk, son, tell us the truth. When your teacher wanted something and was asking you did he… Was he forceful, did he hurt you?” 

Akk leaned back looking from one parent to the other seeing how scared they were of having missed that. Of letting their kid be in a toxic abusive environment and regretting not being able to do anything. “No, no, he didn’t hurt me. Teacher Chadok always spoke about my scholarship and how Suppalo’s name was in my hands if I wanted to stay and study.”

“He used your future and you were scared of disappointing us.” His Mae finished and the boy nodded.

His Pa spoke next, making sure that his son is looking at him and putting all the conviction into his next words. “You can never disappoint us, Akk. Remember that. We want what’s best for you and we want you to be happy. That’s all we need. We’re proud of you son.”

Akk wipes away the new river of tears, sniffing. After a few long minutes of composing himself, his parents a warm presence beside him, he finally says. “I’m no longer the President of the Prefect Club and they want… they want me to take full responsibility for what happened with the Curse.”

“We’ll call the school and talk with them. They can’t blame it all on you, Akk.” His Pa announced.

“It’s useless, Pa. The pictures clearly show my face and I have no proof that I was asked to do it. There will be a committee next week and they will decide about my scholarship and punishment.”

His Mae brushed his hair, he could see how much they were hurt not being able to help him. “We’ll help you any way we can, Akk. If they take away your scholarship we’ll help with the rest of the year and we will fight them till the end if they decide to kick you out.”

“Mae…” He wanted to protest.

“You’re tired son. Let us help you, okay.” She smiled. “We love you.”

“Rest for now. We’ll figure it out later.” His Pa grinned, whipping Akk’s tears.

After that talk, Akk was completely emotionally drained, so while his parents left to start dinner, needing a few minutes for themselves, he took the boat and headed to his secret island to watch the sunset.

“Hey, Akk.” All too familiar voice said, as both Fate and the Reaper he met at that cliff, sat cross legged beside him.

“P’Fate.” Akk wai her and then turned to wai the other one too. “Reaper.”

Reaper frowned at him, pursing her lips like Aye does whenever he pretends like Akk offended him. “Why is she P’ and I’m just ‘Reaper’? I’m older too!”

“Oh, sorry P’.” He said, blinking in confusion. That seemed to only increase the Reaper’s agitation, as she crossed her arms, making Fate chuckle.

“Don’t mind her, Akkie. She is just pouty ‘cause she got scolded by her boss.” Fate’s smirk was also familiar, as she teases her friend? Are they friends? They sure acted like it.

“And who’s fault is that?!” Reaper shouted, throwing hands. 

She reminded him so much of Aye and his mannerism that Akk almost cooed at the way she was petulantly arguing with the other girl. Fate blinked her big eyes at the other, pointing innocently at herself. “Me?”

“Yes, you! If you didn’t stick your nose in, let me lose…”

“Easy now, Per. Let’s not argue in front of the kid.” That seemed to shut her up, as the Reaper turned back to the sea with a huff.

“Is she ok?” Akk whispered, leaning towards Fate.

She smiled, looking between the Reaper, who was still glaring at her and Akk, who looked kinda worried, and shook her head. “She’ll live. It’s not our first rodeo. Now you tell me, kid. How are you?”

Akk’s first response was to say that he was fine, but as he looked at her knowing eyes, the boy sighs. Pulling his legs towards his chest, he hugs them close and avoids either of their worried gazes. “I don’t know. My future is more unstable now than when I started. I don’t know what to do about Suppalo. I was an asshole to Aye for blocking him the whole day. And worried my parents. I feel horrible, P’.”

“But that happened before too, right?”

“Yeah.” Suddenly a thought struck him and he turned to Fate with sharp eyes. “P’ in our deal you told me that I can go to the past and change it, right? If I can, then you will save Aye.”

“Hmm.” She blinked.

“But I… I remember the same events in different forms. Like, I remember the first meeting with Aye and this one too and then there are scenes of us on the roof, hugging, fighting and kissing. Then there is a vision of the day of the Eclipse - in one we’re kissing, in the other Aye is crying alone, then there is one where I’m again on that cliff. There are too many things. I don’t understand.”

“That’s because, this jerk, put you in an infinite time loop.” Reaper announced.

“What?” Akk shouted at the same time as Fate cursed. 

“Ai’Per! Shut up.”

“Not so fun when I do it, huh, is it?”

Fate glared at her friend, before sighing. As she looked back at Akk’s betrayed expression she pursed her lips looking away. 

Seeing no answer coming Akk turned his big puppy eyes at Reaper, who looked suddenly struck, just like Aye does whenever the head prefect looks at him earnestly. “A day after you jumped and made a deal, Ayan woke up.”

“Aye is alive.” Akk’s heartbeat with happiness.

“He was. Then he learned about what you did, so he went crazy and came to the cliff too.”

“What? No, he…”

“Stop scaring the kid, Per.” Fate snapped, pulling Akk’s attention to herself. “He didn’t do anything. But he did make a deal with me.”

Akk was already scared. “What deal?”

“Send him to the past to help you with your mission, but with the condition that he won’t have any memories and will be stuck in a time loop unless he manages to change the past.” Fate explained.

“But, P’Fate. I remember so many Eclipses, changing the future so many times. Why didn’t it work? Does it mean we couldn’t change the future?” Akk was getting a headache from this, nothing makes sense.

“It’s because of Ayan!” The Reaper snapped, now sounding annoyed. “Everytime the Eclipse comes he thinks that you guys didn’t manage to change anything, so his fear doesn’t allow him to believe and that forces the deal to revert.”

“Revert?”

“The deal is that if he doesn’t manage to change the future by the time of the Eclipse then time loops and you start over. Since Ayan doesn’t believe he changed anything, time determines that his actions will follow that fear, so to save both of you it keeps you in the loop.”

As the ex-prefect looks more confused, Fate sighs, glaring at the Reaper. “In simple words, Aye’s deal is made to protect you and your deal is to protect Aye, but since that boy is scared that the future didn’t change and his accident will result in your death too, everytime the Eclipse hits, the future becomes uncertain and time loops to protect both of you from any mistakes.”

“Ayan created a time paradox?”

“More or less, yes. Kinda. Actually it’s your love that does it. You love Aye and want him to be safe. He loves you and wants you to be safe. But it’s impossible to keep you safe when the fixed point in time is Ayan’s accident. So either Aye accepts that and lets you make your choice, hopefully a different one or you accept that and don’t make that choice.”

“He doesn’t think I can make a different decision.” Akk sighs.

“Most of the time you don’t!” Reaper throws hands. “Everytime the Eclipse hits I get a note with your name on it marked for the exact day you made that deal. Oh, no wait, when I don’t get that note I get a list of all the people who will die because apparently Ayan did prevent an accident but it ended in a catastrophe.”

Fate throws the Reaper a death glare over the boy’s head, as he turns his eyes towards the sea, now filled with tears. “I just want Aye to be happy.”

“Ayan is happy Akk and he is alive. You just have to wait for him.” Fate says, sounding uncharacteristically gentle.

The ex-head prefect shakes his head. “But what if I wait and he dies or he doesn’t wake up. What if it's my sacrifice that brought him back?”

Fate sighs, but before she can talk Reaper grabs Akk by the shoulders and turns him around, eyes blazing and angry and hurt. She looks like Aye from that beach seemingly forever ago, right after he discovered Akk was the Curse the first time and forced him to confess and talk. Ayan looked protective then and Reaper looks just like him now. “See! This is what I mean. This is what creates the paradox. You have to trust Ayan, Akk and he has to trust you. You need to let go of this fear of some future which you already managed to shift. Is it really better to stay here in this hell than take a chance and actually live your life?”

“But if he…”

“No! Stop! Your life matters too, Akk. You can’t continue changing your destiny just because you want to link it with Ayan’s.”

“But he is my soulmate.”

“Doesn't that mean you have to die with him!” She shouts, shaking him.

Akk slaps her hands away and stands up, suddenly unable to breath, feeling panic rising. “I don’t want to! I don’t want to see Aye die. He has a future. He has a dream and…”

Reaper stands up too. “And you don’t? Akk, what the hell?!”

“For something’s sake, just shut up Per!” Fate suddenly shouts, turning Akk to her and glaring at her friend who glares back and huffs, crossing her arms. “Akk. Akk listen to me. Aye is alive. He is alive now and he is alive in the future.”

“But the deal…” The ex-prefect looks at her with tear filled eyes.

“Ayan’s deal is made to help you and nothing more. He is here in the Suppalo timeline just to protect you. Just like you’re here to save him. Nothing and no one can hurt him, Akk. I promise.” Fate spoke slowly, voice turning soothing. “I’m the one who created the loop, it's easy to disperse, it’s the paradox that’s harder, but it’s all on you, Akk. On you and Ayan. You have to trust each other to make a different decision when the time comes and then the future might actually change.”

Akk sniffs, nodding. “But you said you can’t change the fixed point in time.”

“I can’t. But timelines are not lineal. There are a million outcomes of every action. That’s what you both don’t understand Akk and that’s what creates this mess. To change the future you don’t need something grand, you only need to trust in each other.” She concluded, now both her and Reaper in front of him. One looking kinda pouty with crossed arms and the other calmer and more grounded. 

Like this, standing side by side, they reminded him of someone, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it.

“So it’s a chance game.” Akk nod. “I need to take a chance.”

“No one knows what will happen in the future, Akk. That’s what it means to be human. You enjoy every day the best that you can and dream of the future. You deal with issues as they come. That’s it. Your lives are short, so enjoy it, make the best of it. Stop trying to change what’s not meant to be done by humans.” Reaper speaks, now calmer than she was before.

“P’Fate, how long have we been stuck in this time loop?” The ex-head prefect asked tentatively. 

“Hmm, around 10, I guess.” 

“10 times?” 

“10 years.” Reaper snapped. “You two idiots have been stuck here for 10 years, trying to change something and not risking to see if you actually managed it.”

“You’re so bitter.” Fate rolled her eyes.

Akk suddenly felt so exhausted. He didn’t understand anything anymore, it all felt too much, too heavy. All he wants is to have a happy life with his boyfriend, is it really too much to ask?

“P’Fate, I know it’s not my deal, but can I ask you to change it.” The boy asked politely, turning pleading eyes at the two of them. “Can you remove the time loop from Ayan’s deal? Let us reach the Eclipse, like I originally asked and if I manage to change the future then so be it.”

“And if you didn’t?” It must be his tired imagination, but for a second Reaper sounded worried. 

The ex-head prefect nodded. “Then I guess I have to trust that Aye will fight to come back to me, just like I’ll fight to stay with him till our last breath. When we’re wrinkly and old, hopefully.” He added to the Reaper’s glare.

Fate looked at him for a long minute, observing him as if she was reading into his soul - maybe she was, reading into his darkest thoughts and fears and dreams just to understand what he was thinking. 

“Okay, then. So be it.” 

That’s too easy. I thought she would resist more. Akk frowned, about to thank her when Fate smiled at something behind him.

“You heard that, Aye?”

Akk turned so fast, he got a whiplash. 

There, only a few steps away was his boyfriend, hazzard and just as tired, with his hair messy and clothes eschewed and looking like the best thing Akk has ever seen. He missed him. He missed him so damn much. 

Has it really only been a day? It felt like a lifetime.

“Aye.” He said it like a prayer.

“Akk.” Aye’s voice sounded reverent.

With that the two of them moved, jumping into each other’s arms and embracing, unwilling to let even the air pass between them. 

They didn’t notice the two eternal beings smile at them, before disappearing. 

Akk was finally home.

Ayan was finally home.

Chapter Text

The hug ended way too fast in Akk’s opinion.

The two of them remained in each other’s arms for a while, before finally letting go, unwilling to step further than arm length away. As Akk wiped Ayan’s tears away, just as he did for him, and tried to smile, Aye kept looking at him as if he might disappear if he even dared to blink. That was painful. More painful yet was to know that it is Akk’s own doing that brought them here. He hurt the only person he never in his life wanted to hurt.

They sat down, facing the sea, Aye’s hand tight in his. He wouldn’t let go and Akk wouldn’t let him if he tried. They have been together everyday for the last few months, ever since the ex-head prefect came back and yet, for some reason it felt like they haven’t seen each other in years. He knows his Shortstop has a lot to say and he himself has a lot he wants to explain and justify. But can he really?

How do you explain to the love of your life that you decided to end your own life in a spur of panic while he was fighting to survive? How do you deal with knowledge that if you waited for one more day your soulmate would be back in your arms and you wouldn’t have to spend 10 years stuck in the past? 10 years!  Akk didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He lost 10 years of his life chasing the future, which will never come, ‘cause his boyfriend in a desperate attempt to save them put them in a time loop. This is all so confusing. No, more like heart breaking.

I did this. It’s all my fault.

“I’m sorry.” Was the first thing he said. Truth is, the ex-head prefect didn’t even know why he was apologizing. For dying? For not waiting? For making that deal? For not telling Aye? For breaking his deal with Fate? Maybe all of this.

Aye didn’t even turn to look at him, just shook his head. “Why did you do it?”

Which one? “I don’t know.” His Shortstop looked at him sharply, eyes glistening with both tears and annoyance. “I just couldn’t live in a world where you weren’t alive.”

“Tell me the truth, Akk. Enough lies.” His voice was gentle and it broke Akk. It would have hurt less if Ayan punched him instead of being this understanding. 

Ex-head prefect choked on his next breath. “Since the moment I got that call about the accident I… It felt like I was stuck in a nightmare, Aye. Nothing made sense. People kept telling me about how you will get better and you only need to heal. Our friends and family kept reassuring me that you will wake up. Even though I knew, logically, that you’re my Shortstop and that you will fight your way back to me, ‘cause you’re stubborn and protective and won’t leave me. But I… It felt as if I was under water. Drowning.”

“Akk…” His voice broke.

“No one ever left me alone, you know. Your Mae, my parents, Kan, Thua and Wat, they all took turns staying with me, talking to me, they even tried to convince me to go back to therapy, because I refused to talk to anyone. Maybe they knew I needed help, but I refused to admit it. I knew then and I know now Aye, that all I needed is for you to wake up and it will all be fine. So I stayed by your bedside, never left and kept pretending everything was okay, when in reality I could feel something pulling me down, deeper into the water.”

“Why didn’t you talk to someone, Akk? Our parents? Friends? Someone.” Ayan was now sitting on his knees, facing the taller teen, who was still gazing at the open ocean.

Akk bites at his lips knowing that what he says next will hurt both of them, but if he wants Aye to trust him again, there can be no more lies. “I didn’t want to disappoint them. You Mae already lost her brother and she was scared of losing her only son, our friends were dealing with their new semester and taking care of us and even my parents who had to leave their work to come to see me. They were already stressed and worried, so I had to be the strong one. I had to make sure they didn’t worry and could live their lives. It’s my responsibility to take care of you and them. They shouldn’t have to worry about me, when it was you who needed attention. It’s my responsibility and I didn’t want to disappoint them. I… I…” As Akk spoke he could feel himself panicking, anxiety consuming him, blinding his mind to the present once more.

“Akk. Akk look at me.” Ayan grabs at his face, trying to turn him around, but Akk is stuck in his head, replaying his worst nightmares. “Akk, it’s ok. Akk, look into my eyes. I’m here. I’m okay. Akk! AKK!” Aye’s scream finally snapped the ex-head prefect’s attention back to him, allowing himself to be turned fully. “I’m okay, Bigfoot. I’m right here with you. Breathe with me, okay. In. Out. In . Out.”

Akk made sure to not break eye contact, trying to match his breathing to his boyfriend’s as the latter moved one hand to massage his nape, while with the other took a hold of one of Akk’s hands and brought it to his own chest, right over his heart. “I’m alive, Akk. I came back to you. Do you feel it? My heart beats for you, Bigfoot.”

That makes the ex-prefect smile, leaning forward until he is hugging Ayan, face buried in the boy’s neck. His Shortstop embraces him back, one arm strong over his shoulders, other hand still on his nape. He could smell Ayan’s distinct smell - coffee beans and tinge of cinnamon - and his heartbeat against his own chest, using both to ground himself. Aye is okay. He is alive. He’s here in my arms.

“I’m sorry, Aye. I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry for not waiting for you. For leaving you alone. I’m sorry for forcing you to make that deal. I’m sorry for not being able to fix this. I’m so sorry, Aye.” Akk kept mumbling against Ayan’s neck, tears soaking his boyfriend’s shirt.

“Shh, it’s okay, Akk. I understand.” Aye shushed him, kissing his temple and shifting with practice ease without letting his Bigfoot go, onto Akk’s lap to make their hug more comfortable for both of them. Akk could feel Ayan’s tears speaking his shirt too, sounding choked at his next promise. “I’m here with you and you’re alive. That’s all that matters.” Leaning back he joined their foreheads together. “I’ll fix it, Akk. I promise I’ll save both of us.”

When Akk finally dared to open his eyes and looked right into Ayan’s, he saw love and devotion. 

Yes, it was buried under hurt and fear, but love was still there. Shining bright and unbreakable. 

They will fix everything else. They will find a way. As long as they love each other. As long as they believe in each other. Akk and Ayan will manage to beat the odds. That’s how it's always been.

Them against the world.

“We. We will save both of us.” Akk finally said, kissing his Shortstop’s forehead. 

****☀️🌙****

World Remembers Gang were out in front of the school again, protesting and calling for the others to join them. Many students, this time a greater number than the first has gathered around. 

“Protesting is a fundamental human right in a democratic society. You don’t have to agree with us. Just respect our right and liberty to express our opinions.” Nun spoke loudly through the loudspeaker. 

“That’s right.” The other two agreed.

One of the students from the back spoke up. “Liberty, my ass. You guys are outcasts. The Suppalo Curse will certainly doom you.”

“Nun, Nian are you scared?” Nong asked.

“We’re not scared!”

“If you’re not, go protest somewhere else.”

“Go.”

“Don’t listen to them.” Another student spoke up. “Keep on protesting. The suit is so damn expensive. Not suitable for Thailand’s climate. It should be canceled.”

“Right. I don’t want to wear the Suppalo suit anymore.”

“Me neither. It’s so hot. If you want to wear it, go ahead. But I don’t.”

The Three Jums cheered, not noticing more students turning to their side. “That’s right. Give us our freedom!” As the chants began again, a loud whistle was heard.

Teacher Chadok and Teacher Sani came down the stairs, Kan and Wat following behind. “Quit bothering other people.” Teacher Chadok ordered. “Your time is up.”

“You can’t just stop us.” Nong spoke up. “This is our basic right according to the National Education Act.”

“That’s correct. A school is a safe place that welcomes everyone and fosters the culture of avocation of basic human rights.” Nian announced. 

“Students are free to argue their opinions. As well as on social media.” Nun continued. 

“And did you happen to read this statement too? The students have the right to engage in particular activities as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others or violate school rules which abide by the Ministry of Education. And now you’re infringing on other people’s rights to study peacefully. You’re breaking Suppalo rules. Is that right Teacher Sani?” Teacher Chadok recited as if from the book, turning sharp eyes, from the fidgeting juniors, to Teacher Sani. 

Teacher Sani looked uncomfortable as she agreed. “That’s right.”

Nun pleaded. “But we want to see a good change in school.”

“Back to your class now!” Teacher Chadok ordered. “Namo, as the new President of the Prefect Club. Take all their stuff and stop this, it’s your first mission.”

The announcement more than anything made everyone freeze, Kan and Wat exchanging worried looks, as Thua looked between them and Namo, who was smiling self-satisfied as he came down the stairs and began to forcefully take their stuff away. Even the World Remembers gang was too shocked by the announcement to do much, but to give up without a fight. 

There was a commotion behind the teachers, students whispering about Namo and wondering what happened to Akk. Akk and Ayan have been absent and many speculated that they both have been either suspended or kicked out of school for supporting the Three Jums. Namo being announced as the new Head Prefect made everyone even more suspicious and by the end of the school day the entire Suppalo was making theories about Akk, Aye and the prefects.

****☀️🌙****

Kan, Wat and Thua groaned with exhaustion as the three of them dropped onto the floor of Thua’s room - now wearing their casual wear. The events of the day caught up to them fast and the boys were tired. 

“How’re Akk and Aye?” Thua asks from the floor, leaning at the foot of his bed, Kan right next to him, dropping his head tiredly to the boy’s shoulder.

Wat, who is sitting across from them, leaning against the bookshelf snorts at the view, wanting to tease Kan about his actions, but feeling too tired for now. “Aye texted me earlier. Akk is fine, he’s with his parents. Aye said he will go to him, so that he won’t be alone now.”

“Good. Akk must be really hurt.”

“No, surprise there. I can’t believe Teacher Chadok took away his title and gave it to Namo. Namo! Of all the people in Suppalo it had to be him.” Kan sounded affronted. 

Thua shifted slightly to make Kan more comfortable. “It makes sense though. He is just as obsessed with Suppalo as Akk was. So it makes sense that after Akk switched sides it will be him.”

“Can he handle it though?” Wat wondered.

His friend scoffed. “Exactly. Protestors are gaining momentum. More people are taking their side. And there are not many people who fear and respect Namo to listen to him like they did Akk.”

“You two are still prefects though. You need to do your duty.” Thua reminded the two.

The two prefects were quiet for a while, before Wat sighed. “To be honest, if we disregard their fierceness and demeanors, I’m starting to get their point.”

“Hmm.” Kan hummed. “I was skeptical when Akk started to help them, but now I feel like they’re not completely wrong either. What they want kinda makes sense.”

“I know right. The more I listen to them the less I wanna follow along with those stupid rules. I mean they’re not really hurting anyone and yet we keep stepping on their toes. Maybe Akk has the right idea from the start.”

Thua nodded. “Akk has changed a lot since Aye came. I think Aye showed him another way to view the world and Suppalo’s rules. Those rules are not effective right now, which is why I think you guys can’t stop the protestors.”

Kan sighs, sitting upright. “I can’t help, but wonder sometimes. We are all raised and taught the same way. But why do they think differently than us? I mean, sure they’re younger, but we are not that far apart in age for them to be this different.”

Wat shakes his head. “No we aren’t. Think about it carefully. Those who think differently read different books, watch different movies, or appreciate different types of art than us.”

“That’s true.” Thua agreed. “If you think about it. Aye reads books like George Orwell’s ‘1984’, that’s why his opinions were always strong in Teacher Waree’s class. The day before Akk was bullied by the teachers I saw him reading it too and I think that was part of the reason Akk began to change too.”

“You are what you eat.” Wat nodded. “What you take builds who you are.”

The three of them look at each other, understanding between them.

****☀️🌙****

When Akk and Aye came back to the mainland, Akk’s parents had already prepared the dinner and were setting up the table. 

“Oh, Akk. We were getting worried. Come sit, food is ready.” His Pa called, noticing Ayan he smiled questioningly. “Is it your friend?”

“Hello, Pa. Hello, Mae.” Aye wai greeting the two, Akk’s parents returned the greeting kindly.

“Pa, Mae this is Aye he is…” Akk froze, looking between his parents and his boyfriend, who was looking at him with an understanding smile.

Akk remembers coming out to his parents in so many different ways in the last 10 years (he still can’t believe they have been stuck in the past for 10 years) – sometimes it happened just like the first time, with him telling them he likes boys and then introducing Ayan as his boyfriend, other times he comes home with Ayan and introduces him right away with no explanation, there were even few where they figured it out themselves after seeing AkkAye interact during their visit – but every time his Mom and Dad accepted them with open arms and warm smiles. So there was really not much for Akk to fear when it came to telling his parents about whom he loved and who he is dating.

The truth is though, even if there was some fear left, during the last year of high school, when he hid their relationship in Suppalo and watched Ayan hold himself back for his sake, Akk swore that he would never hurt his Shortstop like that again. The ex-prefect still remembers the days when Aye would flirt with him and be all cute when they’re alone, but would pull back with a cautious smile when someone passed by ‘cause he knew that Akk was uncomfortable. Then Thua outed them and Akk told his parents and somehow life in Suppalo became easier, but Aye still held back unsure if Akk was ready for it and it hurt, it hurt to know that his touchy and flirty boyfriend whose love language was words of affirmation and physical contact, hid himself and became distant towards his lover around other people.

So the day they graduated from this toxic school, Akk kissed his Aye in front of the gates and made a promise that starting from that moment he wouldn’t hold back or hide his love for his Shortstop, and he made sure that the other boy also knew that he is okay with him being as clingy, cute and flirty as he wants to be. 

Ayan shines brighter than any sun when he is himself and Akk is hopelessly in love and wants to nourish in that light, even if it means breaking his own reservations and getting out of his comfort zone. He wants to be with Aye, he wants to be better with Aye and for him and for himself too. As Akk said millions of times, Ayan deserves the best and ex-prefect will do anything to give him anything, even the universe. It’s not hard or tiring – not when Ayan is his world.

Akk smiles at his Shortstop and linking their hands together turns to his Pa and Mae. He can feel Aye’s awed gaze on the side of his face. “Aye is my boyfriend. We study together and he came to support me.”

His parents look at them in shock, before exchanging a look between each other. “I’m sorry for announcing it so suddenly. I just… I hope you’re not disappointed.” Old fears had a weird way of resurfacing whenever Akk is faced with the same issues. 

The longer the silence continues the more nervous he gets, Ayan feeling his anxiety, squeezes his fingers and turns to Akk’s parents. “I’m sorry to intrude unannounced, Pa Khup, Mae Khup.”

“Ah,” His Mae snapped out of it first, smiling at Aye and coming close. “No, not at all. Welcome, Aye, right? It’s nice meeting you.”

His Pae also smiled, guiding Akk and Ayan towards the table and motioning them to sit. “It’s the first time Akk has ever brought anyone home. Let us get to know you.”

The boys smiled at each other the ex-head prefect relaxing once his parents began to ask Ayan questions and putting food into their plates. “You guys… You’re okay with this, right?” He needs to hear it, even if he knows, even if he heard it 10 times over, he still needs the confirmation.

His Mae smiles, taking his hand from across the table. “If you’re happy, we are happy, son.”

“We can never hate anyone whom our son loves.” His Pa completes looking between them. 

“Come on, eat now. We can talk later.”

With easy smiles and small talk the four began to have dinner, the conversation flowing smoothly, making the boys glad to be so readily accepted by Akk’s parents. In the future, or more precisely in the last 2 years, his Pa and Mae have practically adopted Aye into their family, treating him like their second son, while Akk grew closer with Ayan’s mom too, the woman calling him ‘son’ and often joining powers with the ex-prefect to tease Aye or joining Aye to convince Akk of something. It always warmed his heart to know that at one point their parents became their parents and more often than not AkkAye would say our parents rather than distinguishing between either. It often confuses people, but who cares, they are a big family now and neither of them would have it any other way.

After dinner Akk and Aye helped clean up and wash the dishes. 

“Now that I met your parents, you have to meet mine!” His Shortstop announced, handing him another clean plate to wipe.

“Oh, I have to, huh?” He pretended to think about it. “I don’t get a choice.”

“Yes, you have to. My Mae is gonna be back next week, I’ll take you to see her then.” 

“I don’t know, Aye. What if she doesn’t like me? Will you break up with me then?” 

Ayan glared at him, abandoning the dishes and turning to the ex-head prefect with hands on his hips. “Ai’Akk, you’re her favorite son-in-law. She loves you already.”

“I’m her only son-in-law, Aye.” Akk snorts.

Aye pokes him with his finger, getting closer to his face. “And it better remain that way for the future.”

Akk leans in too, smile back in place as he gazes right into his boyfriend’s eyes. “Doesn’t that depend on you, Shortstop?”

If he wasn’t standing this close it would be impossible to see the slight red ting on the apple of Aye’s cheeks, his ears going red as he flusters at their proximity, eyes moving between Akk’s and down to his lips before the gathered himself. It took the ex-head prefect a long time after they started dating to figure out that Aye, despite all his boasting and flirting was actually easily flustered when Akk started flirting back. Ever since Akk figured it out he has used this knowledge to his advantage numerous times when Ayan was getting too bratty, and he needed to be mellowed down. Well, making him flustered came second to Akk’s all time favorite and that’s kissing Aye breathless and as such rendering him speechless for at least a minute before the boy starts whining to kisses.

“If you think anything can get you out of this relationship you’re in for a surprise, Bigfoot. You walked into my life, I’m never letting you leave.” His Shortstop snarks, pursing his lips.

“Isn’t that plagiarism?”

“My alternative self said it, so it’s technically mine.”

“Hmm, does that mean I also technically belong to your parallel universe selves?” Akk pouted, nuzzling their noses.

Ayan scoffs, eyes narrowing. “You belong only to me, those jerks have their own versions of Akk.”

“Akk.” His parents walked in, making the boys jump away from each other, both red till the tip of their ears. “We want to talk to you, son.”

The boys exchange a glance, before the ex-head prefect stepped up. “Yes, Mae.”

His parents smiled at him kindly, gazes filled with unconditional love. It always makes Akk grateful and emotional, realizing how much his Mae and Pa love him, how much they did and sacrificed to raise him, give him the life he dreams of. How much they supported him without asking for anything in return, except for him to be happy. Their unconditional love and hard work always make him grateful to have them in his life. 

His Pa took his hands into his, bringing him close, so that his Mae can do the same, all the while putting a brown envelope into his hands. Akk frowns, looking between them. “Pa? Mae? What…?”

“This is some of our savings.” His Mae started, holding onto him fast when the boy tried to pull away. “Take it, son, pay for your last year of high school with it.”

His Pa patted him on the shoulder. “We want you to continue with your education son. Don’t think you have to give up on something because they might take away your scholarship. We’re sorry we didn’t see it earlier.”

“No, Pa.” Akk started but he shook his head.

“Don’t let your teachers or anyone make you do what you don’t want, Akk. Remember we’re on your side. If you need anything you can come to us.”

“But this is your life savings, Pa, Mae, I can’t take it. You wanted to use it to hire some help and retire. I can’t…” The boy could feel his eyes water, a few uncontrolled tears fell down his cheeks.

His Mae patted his head, brushing the hair off his face like he always does when comforting him. “Nothing is more important than you, Akk. We know how much you want to study at University, so take the money, son. We’ll find a way to help with the rest too.”

Akk wanted to protest again, but one looked at both his parents and he understood that any argument would be pointless. They have made up their mind to love, protect and care for him no matter what and it’s now his job to accept that help and work up to make his life good and deserving and be happy. That’s all they need from him anyways, for him to be happy and live the life he wants. Isn’t that just wonderful that he has such support. He is really grateful for them.

Nodding, the boy smiled and hugged his parents. “Thank you Pa, Mae.” 

They embraced him back, making him feel safe and protected. Akk felt another hand touch his back, Ayan’s support though silent, still just as obvious and strong. 

He truly is grateful for having all of them in his life. He loves them so much.

****☀️🌙****

Later, the parents retired to their room and the boys went up to Akk’s room to get ready for bed. 

The day seemed long and exhausting, and to be honest Akk is glad it’s coming to an end. It feels like lots of things happened today, starting from this morning when he went to meet Teacher Chadok, then this afternoon when he spoke to his parents and later with Fate and Reaper and then Aye once he realized they both remembered their deals and now his parents’ generous gesture. 

Yeah, such a long and exhausting day. 

The ex-head prefect let Aye take the first shower, while he prepared the pajamas for the two of them and cleaned up a little in his room, heading to his own shower once Ayan was out. 

Getting into the hot shower felt amazing for his exhausted muscles. Mind clearing and tiredness of the day finally catching up to him now that he has finally stopped and has retired to his own room. He can’t believe he gets to still study in Suppalo and may have a chance to go to university still. Although he doesn’t know what will happen with Teacher Chadok and the committee, it’s still relaxing to know that nothing is completely lost yet. And having Aye here again, right next to him supporting him, standing by his side gives him strength to keep on fighting – for the truth about the Curse, for his life and for their future.

Akk gets dressed and comes out drying his hair just to see Ayan sitting cross-legged on the bed, smiling up at him, with his hair down and wearing one of Akk’s shirts with his own shorts. His eyes were shinning with the kinda light he hadn’t seen since their first night in their university dorm room when they finally began to live together. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” The ex-head prefect asks with half a smirk, dropping his own towel onto the back of his chair right next to Aye’s.

His Shortstop’s expression grows cheeky as he shifts a little on the bed, to make way for his boyfriend to sit right next to him, their knees touching. “I haven’t seen my boyfriend in 7 months, why can’t I look at him?”

“What 7 months? My shower didn’t even take 20 minutes.” He snorts.

“Ai’Akk~ You know what I mean.” He whines. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you like this. With all my memories and none of the pesky confusion present.”

Akk chuckles, taking the boy’s hand into his, linking their fingers together over Aye’s lap. “I missed you too, Aye.  You have no idea how much it hurt thinking, knowing that you don’t remember me. Us.”

With his free hand Ayan gently touched the ex-prefect’s cheek, caressing. “Memories or not, I still fell for you quite fast, Bigfoot. It’s kinda annoying.”

“Hmm, nice to have our roles reverse for a change.” He mumbled, hopping his boyfriend wouldn’t hear.

Of course, his Shortstop catches it right away, sitting up on his knees now with both hands on Akk’s cheeks, eyes shinning like million stars trapped into dark depths. “What do you mean by that? Akk, tell me honestly, when did you fell for me?”

“Hmm, I already told you.”

“No, you never did. Tell me now. When did you fall for me.” Akk shook his head teasingly, which made Ayan whine louder. “Come on, Akk~ I already told you I fell for you harder and faster this time, but what about you. Tell me.”

“You know what I feel.”

“No, I mean in the original! When did you fall for me?”

Ex-head prefect sighs, lightly shaking his head, pretending to wanting to remove his boyfriend’s hands, but showing no real effort for it. “You never told me when you started liking me in the past. Our real past.”

“Oh, that’s easy.” Ayan sits back, hands back to holding onto his Bigfoot’s with his legs now thrown over Akk’s, as he turns still cross-legged to face his boyfriend. “I realized I started having feelings for you the first time you studied at my place for Teacher Waree’s class, but I think I started falling for you way before that. Maybe even before our first Judo match. Now it’s your turn.”

Without realizing it, Akk started rubbing his thumbs over the back of Ayan’s hands, eyes locked into his. “The time you fixed my pin.”

“That’s…” Shorter teen wanted to say, but the ex-prefect was faster, covering the boy’s mouth before he could speak. 

“I swear Aye, if you start teasing I’ll send you to sleep on the beach.” Akk threatened, his heart skipping a beat at the happiness shining in his boyfriend’s eyes, lips stretching into a smile against the palm of his hand. 

Gently taking his wrist Aye pulls it down, instead linking their fingers together again. “You’re so cute, Bigfoot. I wanna kiss you.”

“Shameless!” Akk counters, allowing himself to be pulled into a kiss still. 

Everything inside of the taller boy warms as soon as their lips touch, the tiredness and worry and anxiety and pain of the last day finally melting away completely, leaving behind only love and content. 

When they separate, Ayan leans their foreheads together, smiling, looking just as content as Akk feels. “I missed you so much, Akk.”

“I’m sorry for worrying you so much, Aye.” It’s now Akk who’s holding his boyfriend’s face, caressing his soft cheeks.

The shorter teen shook his head, eyes filled with open vulnerability. “You’re here, Akk, that’s all that matters to me. You’re here.”

“We need to…” Bigfoot was about to say, when Ayan suddenly pulled away, turning to look at the bedside table wiping his tears and masking his expression. 

“Did you finish the book?” Aye asks, nodding towards the ‘1984’ book lying on the bedside table.

It worried Akk, how fast Aye avoided his question or the way he quickly pretended like nothing was wrong. It felt identical to how Akk used to avoid his problems and feelings, which… No! Aye used to do that too. When he first came to Suppalo and was still grieving Uncle Dika, so he was avoiding the truth and running from Akk’s questions. Now he was doing the same and it both terrified Akk and made him worry. 

Ayan avoiding his feelings and the truth never ends well, especially not for Aye. He needs to open up and be honest. He needs to talk, just like he should have talked about Uncle Dee, then maybe they could have solved that mess earlier instead of shouting profanes at Teacher Chadok. Ayan hid his pain and grieved alone, because he thought he had no one to help him, now Akk feels like he is doing the same thing. 

And Akk desperately needs to make Ayan understand that he is not alone, Akk is here, and he needs to trust Akk with his feelings. 

He needs to let his grief and pain out. Before it suffocates him.

But it’s impossible to force his Shortstop to do anything before he’s ready, so the ex-prefect has to plan for the right time. That’s why for now the taller teen let the boy run away from the conversation, promising himself to make his boyfriend confess about it sooner or later. He can’t do the same thing he did when Uncle Dika died. Akk won’t let him. “Hmm. It’s been 2 years since I read it last, so I wanted to re-read it again.” 

The ex-head prefect lay back onto his side of the bed, smiling when his boyfriend grabbed the book and snuggled close, laying his head onto Akk’s shoulder as he opened the novel to where he had bookmarked it. 

“Ah, yes, before our date at the Book event.”

“That wasn’t a date.” Akk scoffs, wrapping the arm, which was under Ayan around his shoulders and pulling him closer, putting the other over his waist.

Aye smirks. “Stalking experience?”

“Ayan.” He chuckles, nuzzling into the boy’s hair and leaving a kiss there.

Akk feels Aye’s smile as he burrows deeper into his tall boyfriend’s embrace, throws his leg over both of his and starts reading the novel right from where the other has left off. With another sniff kiss to Ayan’s temple, Akk closes his eyes and relaxes into bed, both arms wrapped around his lover and heart finally calm, now that they are both where they are supposed to be from the very start. 

In the only safe place the two kittens have ever known.

****☀️🌙****

The next morning Akk and Ayan woke up in each other’s arms, tangled in a way that it was hard to say where one ended and the other began. 

The ex-prefect woke up, nuzzling into his boyfriend’s hair just as the car pulled in and Kan rang the horn. In answer Aye cutely squished his nose and nestled closer into Akk’s embrace, mumbling something against his Bigfoot’s neck. 

Akk laughed ticklish. “Aye. Kan, Wat and Thua are here. We promised to do that project with them remember?”

“It’s too early. Tell them to come later.” Ayan complained, tightening his arms around his boyfriend’s waist. 

“Aye~” The taller teen smiles. “Come on.”

“No. They’re big boys, they can entertain themselves for a while longer. I wanna cuddle my warm boyfriend.”

Deciding that arguing is pointless anyways, Akk grinned wide and twisted until his Shortstop was under him and began tickling the boy, getting deliciously loud delighted giggles in return. 

It took them around 15 minutes of tickling and fake wrestling and 5 more minutes of Aye kissing Akk all over his face before they finally left Akk’s room and headed to the front of the house, where their friends had already parked and were unpacking.

“Hey, guys.” The ex-head prefect greets his friends. “Did you have any trouble finding my house?” 

Wat shook his head. “No. We followed the location you shared with us.”

“Hey. You guys are just in time. Let’s get inside.” Aye greeted, standing beside his boyfriend, their shoulders touching.

“Okay. Let me grab my bag.”

“Oho~” Kan whistled coming from behind the car, carrying both his and Thua’s bag. “He’s already acting like a host in your house, huh Akk. You’re moving too fast my friend.” He smirks.

Aye chuckles nodding, while Akk shakes his head in amusement at his friends. 

“Hey Akk. Hey Aye.” Thua greets coming to stop by Kan.

“Hey Thua. How have you been?”

“Everything is good.”

Akk and Aye’s smiles slip as they see Namo also coming to join their three friends, greeting them with a grin. 

“Kan, Wat. Why is he here?” Ayan demands, glaring at Namo.

Kan shrugs. “Mo was waiting for us in front of the school. He didn’t have a project group, so we let him join.”

“You should have asked us first.” Shortstop scoffs.

Akk grabs his hand, whispering. “Aye, it’s ok. Calm down.”

“Come on, Aye. Why are you so serious? We can have him do most of the work. Right Wat?” Kan reasons, oblivious to Ayan’s hostility towards Namo. 

“Uh-huh.” 

“Let’s go inside guys. You must be tired.” Bigfoot says, linking his fingers with his boyfriend’s, to hold him back. 

As everyone heads in, Aye turns to him, lips pursed in agitation. It shows how far Akk’s gone for him to find even his Shortstop’s annoyance cute. He wanted to kiss those pouty lips until his love smiled again. 

“Ai’Akk!” Ayan whines, eyes back to staring right into his tall boyfriend’s. “We know he’s the curse! He’s the reason you’re in trouble.” 

“But we have no evidence to prove it yet, Aye. And he’s already here, we can’t just kick him out.” The ex-prefect explains, using his free hand to ruffle the hair at the nape of his Shortstop’s neck. 

Aye mellows like a cat at the caress, still pouting as he whines. “But I don’t want him in our house.”

“His situation and mine are not different, Shortstop. He’s also being used by Teacher Chadok, remember that.”

“No, it’s not the same. You’re just trying to calm me down.”

“Or you’re just being biased, Shortstop. Come on.” Akk smiles at that, ruffling the boy’s hair some more before helping to style it back to how it originally was, before they followed their friends inside.

****☀️🌙****

The day started fun. The boys set up a big tent right in front of Akk’s house, near the beach, left their bags there and then headed to the farther side of the shore to start on their project. Wat, Kan, Thua and Namo began looking for interesting life forms and pieces to record into their notebooks, while Akk and Aye sat not far away, hands clasped between them on the rock as they observed their friends and the sea. 

“Hey Wat, aren’t you filming videos today?”

“No, I’m being lazy.”

The ex-head prefect smiles as he watches his friends take pictures and enjoy themselves. He has done this more than 10 times, already and by this point he can probably write his own part of the project with eyes closed. Ayan too, of course. Which is why they ignored Kan and Wat’s teasing about this being their honeymoon and let them work while they sat around.

They felt Namo’s constant gaze on them, but ignored it. It’s not like they were hiding their relationship in this timeline. 

Thua took another picture and walked up to Mo, showing him. “Hey, will this do?”

“I think so.” Namo nodded, attention finally off AkkAye. 

As the two talked about the notes they took so far, the ex-head prefect noticed Kan turning to gaze at Thua with the kinda longing that was familiar to Akk himself too. He knows exactly how scary it is for Kan to admit his feelings for another boy, knows how much he’s hiding and suffering because he can’t explain it himself. 

Akk used to feel it too. When he first met Aye and felt an attraction like he had never felt before and developed feelings so fast and hard that it felt like a freefall right into the fire, yet instead of burning in flames he got engulfed in the warmth of the sun and found comfort like nothing else. 

Before meeting Ayan, Akk thought that falling in love and attraction was a myth. He thought it’s something that happens to people in movies, to people who are not Akk. Even when he met P’Mess and apparently felt his very first crush, he didn’t even know what that feeling was until much later and even then it was a candle flame, compared to the blazing inferno which Ayan sparked inside Akk’s soul.

So when Akk first started to feel more than annoyance with the new student and began to realize that it was attraction, that he wanted to hug Aye, to protect him, to kiss him and keep him safe. Hell, when he realized that the head prefect was falling in love with the troublemaker fast and hard he ran from his feelings. Akk tried to push Aye away. Didn’t let him kiss him on the boat. Denied his feelings after their first kiss. Ran from him to protect him. He ran and ran and kept running and Ayan kept chasing and chasing. 

He avoided his feelings up until Akk’s feelings grew so strong that even the thought of being away from Aye for even a second, the idea of Aye not loving him, of leaving, of getting hurt felt like physical pain. Ripping his heart with worry. So he stopped running and allowed his Shortstop to catch him, embracing him back with a warm hug. It was the best decision of his life.

That’s why Akk understands the fear Kan feels. The way he keeps running from his feelings, but unable to fight them as they grow with every day. He is scared of the strength of his love, the same love that pulls him close to Thua like a magnet and scared of Thua’s reaction and being accepted. Despite those fears though he wants to be with the man he loves, to protect him and make him happy. 

Akk’s glad Kan finally gets his shit together and confesses, but it is his indecisiveness in the beginning which hurts Thua the most. 

“Ai’Kan!” Wat calls loudly, making the boy startle and turn around. “Are you daydreaming? Look into the camera.”

“Why are you taking so many pictures?”

“Oh, come on.”

“Wat, is this your rock?” Kan points down.

“Why?” 

“Because you rock.” He smiles at his smart pun, which makes all of them laugh at their silliness.

Wat shakes his head through the smiles. “Just ignore his bad joke.”

“Hey, newlyweds!” Kan shouted, glaring at AkkAye who were laughing silently at his annoyance. “Come down here and do your work.”

The ex-head prefect grins at his friend and stands up pulling a complaining Ayan behind him to go down to the beach to join his friends. 

The day continued in a light-hearted fun way. All of them laughing and fooling around, refusing to think about anything serious at the moment. Truthfully, Akk has almost forgotten what it's like to spend some quality time with his friends like this. Sure, he, Kan and Wat meet on a regular basis and find time to hang out whether it's just the three of them or with their partners, coming back to the beach at least once a year and going on double and triple dates. But at the same time it’s also not the same.

After starting university, their workload increased and the distance between them. Sure, all of them were still in Bangkok but in different uni’s and studying different things. Wat was busy with his projects and movies in his Film Major, Kan and Thua began their junior year of Law School with some challenges. On the other hand, Akk and Aye, first had to battle the separation anxiety over Ayan’s plans going to the UK, then changing his decision and applying to the same university as Akk at the last minute. After he got in, they dealt with the homophobic admission officer who refused to move their roommates, claiming that the places were full and then it was the stress of new classes and new friends and new professors. Things kept piling up, so the time he spent with his friends grew less and less. Sure, during their second semester it got better, but that first half a year was hard on all of them.

Now, being back here with them - burdened by the Curse and Suppalo, but still together - reminds Akk why they became friends in the first place. Kan and Wat are his best friends and no matter what happened later in life they remained as such too. Even Thua, whose betrayal was always hard to forgive for both Akk and Ayan, became the part of their group. Honestly, Akk wouldn’t have it any other way. They were his rock and biggest help when Aye got into that accident and fell into a coma. 

The only thing the ex-head prefect does regret is not asking for their help when dealing with dark thoughts and Aye’s condition became harder. Ayan is right, he wasn’t alone, even if he felt like his whole world was crashing down.

As their friends played in the water, Akk watched Aye. His easy smile and relaxed demeanor. His boyfriend’s happiness made him happy too, the unease and hurt from last night letting loose. Feeling his gaze Aye would turn to look at him too, returning his smile, love sparkling in his eyes. They would maybe have a few minutes of shared bright grins and longing stares, before Kan, who was obviously watching Thua too, would tackle one of them with an annoyed huff. Akk wonders though, if Kan notices Thua watching him too or if he is still hiding from the obvious.

****☀️🌙****

After the sunset, they went back to where they set camp. Wat and Kan began to fiddle with the tent, moving and fixing it, while Akk prepared everything for the barbecue, while Aye stood around watching him dreamily, pretending to help. Namo and Thua were instructed to make the table.

“I’ll hold the post.” Kan instructs Wat. “You tie the string to the log there.”

Lighting the grill, the ex-prefect smiles at his boyfriend, who is lightly fanning the fire. Aye looks so proud of his contribution to it, that Akk wants to pinch his cheeks with cute aggression. His Shortstop is way too cute for words. 

“I want grilled squid.” Ayan askes, noticing his Bigfoot’s stare.

The ex-head prefect rolls his eyes in mock exasperation, turning to the grill. “Grill it yourself.” 

“Ai’Akk.” The shorter teen whines, stepping closer to his boyfriend, lips pursed, feline eyes wide. “Don’t be mean. Na~ Grill it for me.”

With a smirk Akk straightens up, looking down at the boy in front of him. “Why don’t you grill it for me for a change, ha? You have hands too.”

“I don’t like the ash smell on me.”

“I’ll smell too.” He huffs.

“That’s different.” Getting on his tiptoes Aye smiles cheekily, trapping all the stars in his eyes. “You always smell delicious.”

Akk forgot how to breathe.

“Ai’Wat! Why are we even here? I feel like we’re extras.” Kan complained loudly, throwing something towards them.

Wat’s voice was less irritated, but just as annoyed. “Ai’Akk, Ai’Aye next time you do this I’m dozing you with cold water.” 

AkkAye step away from each other, smiling and pleased with themselves. 

“Leave them alone, Kan. It’s obvious we’re interrupting their honeymoon.” Thua smiled kindly at them, putting the plates onto the picnic table. 

Namo brought out some more dishes, eying the two. “I didn’t even know you guys were dating. Explains why Akk changed so much.”

Aye gritted his teeth, about to reply when Akk’s parents walked up to them. 

“Guys. We’ll take a rest now.” His Pa announced kindly.

His Mae nodded at them, always welcoming to his friends and loving towards anyone Akk himself cared about. “You guys have fun. Make yourselves at home.”

“Goodnight, Khun Pa, Khun Mae.” Kan waved at them, others giving brief nods.

“Goodnight. See you guys in the morning.” His parents said in unison, leaving the teenagers alone to enjoy the rest of the evening. 

“Good night.” AkkAye said in synch, much to their friends' fake annoyance.

Ex-head prefect turned to his boyfriend first, getting a nod and smile back from him before looking at his best friends and their knowing smiles.

Once the food was ready, Kan brought out the cooler with the beer they brought and everyone took their places behind the table. In the end, Akk grilled a squid separately for Aye and made sure to plate it in a separate dish too, so that others won’t touch it, which earned him mocking whistles from his friends ( “You’re so gone, my friend.” ) and a sniff-kiss from his Shortstop, which made the teasing worth it.

“Take one.” Kan instructed, helping Wat put the bottles in the middle for everyone to take. 

Akk and Aye’s hands touched over the same beer bottle, to which his Shortstop narrowed his eyes in defiance, refusing to let go. Shaking his head in amusement, the ex-prefect let the bottle go, taking another one and leaning back with a smile.

“Now what?” Wat ask as everyone has their beer in hand.

Kan twists the cap on his own bottle. “A car is going at the speed of 200 km/hr.”

“And?”

“It’s too fast to brake.” A pause, with everyone’s attention on Kan. “It crashes!” He announces and opens his beer.

“One, two, three. Cheers!” They all stand up to cheer. 

First two rounds pass in an easy hearted way, with Kan’s jokes and Wat’s remarks, Namo and Thua joining in at times, while Akk and Aye observe them all, making a statement when needed.

Half-way through their thirst round, when all of them are already tipsy, Kan offers. “Guys, let’s play a game.”

“What game?” Wat whines.

“Guess who I am in Suppalo.”

“Let’s do it!” They all agree excited, too drunk to actually see where this might go wrong. 

Kan got ready to begin, when Thua shouted. “Kanlong!”

“No! I haven’t started yet!” Kan complained, getting into position again. Straightening up, he puffed his chest, making his voice deeper and expression harsher. “Suppalo’s reputation is in your hand, Akk.”

“Yes, sir.” Akk answered through laughter. 

Wat pointed at him. “Teacher Chadok.” 

“You’re right.”

“You don’t resemble Teacher Chadok at all.”

As Kan and Wat bickered, the ex-head prefect turned to Aye, who had grown quiet. Throughout the night, as they got more drunk Akk started to notice his boyfriend retreating into himself, not talking unless he is prompted and looking into the distance whenever Bigfoot turns towards him. His smile was forced too, eyes devoid of any mirth he usually carried with him and that worried Akk. 

He knows that Ayan is a lightweight and gets drunk easily. But drunk Aye is usually clingy and whiny and he tries to get onto Akk’s lap and kiss him and flirt with him more than usual, without a single care about where they are or whose around them. It always made their friends tease them relentlessly during their outings and few campus parties they attended awkward as hell. There were even a few times when Aye got jealous and glared at everyone because some imaginary person was trying to steal his Bigfoot away.

This tipsy-drunk Aye wasn’t the Shortstop he got used to in the last 2 years. 

This wasn’t Ayan who jumped into his lap at a party, while Akk was sitting on the sofa talking to his peer mentor about his studies, and kissed him in front of everyone while loudly declaring that Akk belongs to him. It resulted in Akk turning beat red and trying to get them off the sofa and out of the party, but Aye just complained about being too tired and snuggled close, hiding under the taller boy’s chin. 

This wasn’t even Aye who got drunk one time at a summer getaway they had with Kan, Wat and Thua, where he dragged Akk into the beach after everyone went to sleep and tried to convince him to have some fun on the open beach under the star and then pouted when Akk refused. It ended just like all his drunken escapades do, with him snuggling into Akk as they lay on the beach, after playing in the water for a while. 

No, this Ayan was the one from 2 years ago. The one who followed Akk with Kan and Wat to his hometown for the project. The one who was chasing Akk to both flirt and to annoy him, who was trying to make Akk confess about being the Curse. The Aye who was grieving Uncle Dee and who was hiding behind too many walls in order to hide that pain. Aye from 2 years ago was hurting alone, crying in darkness and was having constant nightmares without daring to ask for help. 

Now, seeing him like this. Knowing that it’s not the Suppalo version but future version that is grieving breaks Akk’s heart. The ex-head prefect knows that it's his Aye who is in pain and is aware that it’s his fault. Akk is the one who hurt him with his choices and decisions. It’s him who left Aye and betrayed his trust. 

The one Ayan is grieving is Akk and just like always his stubborn Shortstop is hiding it. Letting it eat him alive instead of lashing out and releasing his feelings.

I did this. I hurt him. If he grows to hate me. If he never trusts me again, it’s on me. It’s all my fault.

Akk wants to cry. Wants to apologize and beg for Ayan to tell him what he’s feeling. To shout and scream and curse. But he knows his boyfriend will never do it. Aye would rather destroy himself than burden Akk. 

How does this boy not see that he’s doing the same thing Akk has done? Why is it that they both have such a hard time with their feelings?

“Next round!” Kan announces, pulling Akk’s attention away from Aye. This time he uses the bottle to hit into his palm, while walking around, voice condescending. “Kanlong, people who have been well-educated by their families…”

“Aunt Waree.” Namo answers, looking happy.

“Correct!”

“That wasn’t even close.” Wat argues.

Using their distraction, Akk reaches to take Ayan’s hand under the table. His Shortstop looks at him with a happy surprise, squeezing his fingers in return. His pensive expression mellows down to look more peaceful, yet his eyes betray the darker thoughts lurking within.

“Next one!”

Kan walks closer to Namo, gently patting his head. “It’s okay. Take it easy. There are two sides to every coin.”

“Teacher Dika.” Namo and Thua answer at the same time.

Aye’s hand twitches in his and Akk holds him tighter, looking at him with worry. But Ayan avoids his eyes, his body vibrating with tension Akk recognized all too well. 

Gently removing his hand from Akk’s, Ayan sips from his bottle and stands up. When the ex-prefect tries to hold onto his hand and stand up, his boyfriend shakes his head and without a look back leaves them and heads towards the beach. 

It’s all my fault. I hurt him.

As he watches Ayan leave with slumped shoulders, Akk feels his heart shatter with guilt over his actions.

****☀️🌙****

Ayan walks aimlessly until he reaches the farthest part of the shore, feet touching the cold water of the sea as the waves crash onto the sand. 

Ayan feels like he is drowning. Nothing makes sense. Nothing matters. Everything hurts. 

He chokes on the tears that come spilling freely down his cheeks. This emptiness feels familiar to him. This pain and loneliness and guilt that’s eating away at his heart, feel like old friends who have returned after years of leaving him at peace. 

When his Uncle Dee died, Ayan was barely holding onto his sanity. Every breath he took, every decision he made revolved around his plot for revenge and his need for justice. He was afraid to stop even for a second, because when he did pause to take a breath he got submerged back into the water, dark waves pulling him under, guilt like a chain wrapping around his neck and choking him. Because his Uncle was dead and he was alive. 

His Uncle died because of this school and instead of finding the truth Aye was actually starting to fall for the head prefect. It wasn’t Akk’s fault, even back then he knew this, and yet knowing that he was allowing himself to be happy when his Uncle didn’t get a chance to live till old age made the teenager feel so ashamed and guilty that he could barely function.

He was grieving back then. Hurt and alone, clinging to some desperate idea of revenge which made him feel closer to his Uncle, when in reality he knew that the reason Dika died wasn’t some imaginary monster in Suppalo, but his own mind. His sorrow over Chadok and unfairness of principal and demons he was unable to fight for much longer.

Maybe if Aye acknowledged his grief and asked for help he wouldn’t have to suffer alone back then. But he didn’t trust anyone, even Akk, in those first few months in Suppalo, so he never told them his reasons for transferring or his relation with Teacher Dika. By the time he trusted Akk and shared everything with him, everything had already grown too big and they were battling enemies from more than one front. One of those enemies being the person they called a friend. 

When Aye finally gave his full trust to Akk and opened his very soul to his Bigfoot, something inside of him eased off. The chain around his neck broke loose and it became easier to breathe. It felt like Akk reached into the dark depth of the ocean and pulled him out of it, blanketing him with warmth and love, shielding all of the darkness from him. 

He never regretted that trust he gave and the one he received. Will never regret this love and understanding between them. They gave each other love and warmth and kindness, where before there was only cold, loneliness and pain.

Ayan is grieving right now too. He is well aware of it. Drowning in his own thoughts and heartache, once again alone and tied up under the water, unable to break free. He’s also well-aware that in order to break free of this all consuming pain he needs to talk to Akk, to ask for help, to get someone to listen. 

His boyfriend saved him once, without even being aware of it, Aye knows he can save him again. But how can he ask for help, when it’s Akk himself who hurt him?

Ayan doesn’t blame Akk for what he did. He doesn’t.

Akk has always been consumed by his need for perfection and afraid of disappointing people he loves, so it doesn’t surprise him that when overwhelmed and with no Aye to read between the lines and force him to be open about his feelings, Akk once again let his old fears consume him and they took control. His Bigfoot was afraid of losing him and he didn’t want to burden others who were also worried for Aye, so he carried everything on his own, which ended just as well as it would have ended in Suppalo, the day Akk realized what he has done and said “I just want to disappear.”

Aye saved Akk then, the same way his Bigfoot saved him, he can save him now too. 

I just need to get over this pain. That’s all. I just need to work through this heartbreak and I’ll be fine.

It’s so hard to breathe. He is drowning and drowning and the only one who can save him is the one he is afraid to trust again. 

So no, he doesn’t blame him. But he is angry with him. And angry Aye is the one who wants to hurt the one who has hurt him back. I don’t want to hurt him. Akk doesn’t deserve it.

That’s part of the reason why he is avoiding talking to his boyfriend. Another half is that his Bigfoot knows him the best and will figure out his deepest, darkest secret - his grief - right away.

Akk is the only one who can see behind Aye’s walls and make him talk, just the same way Ayan can see through all the shields his boyfriend puts out and make him open up. 

Now though, it's impossible for Akk to get to Aye, because Ayan has hid himself from the ex-prefect and is running from him.  Akk can’t help Aye because Aye doesn’t want his help. Not right now. Not when he is hurt and his trust is broken. 

He knows he can’t continue this forever. Can’t keep hurting Akk forever. But Ayan doesn’t know how to pull himself out of the water long enough to listen to Akk. 

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” The Reaper asks, smiling kindly as she appears in front of him. Standing between Ayan and the ocean, which keeps calling him. 

Aye quickly wipes his tears. “P’Reaper.”

“Loving someone. Trusting someone. It all looks pretty on paper, but in real life it’s a lot of work and a lot of pain.”

“But it’s worth it. Akk is worth it.”

“He is. So are you, Aye. You both deserve happiness.”

“I… I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I can do it.” He chokes on the last word.

Reaper shrugs. “I can’t help you there. Trusting him or not. Making an effort or not is something you humans have to decide for yourself.” She takes a step closer, completely blocking his view of the dark waters. “What I can tell you is… Akk regrets it, he knows what he did has hurt you and is willing to do anything to fix it. He is willing to do anything to rebuild your future. So it’s not him that needs to take action, it’s you, Aye.”

“You mean I need to trust him. Completely. Trust him to not hurt me again. To not… Not to hurt himself again as soon as I’m in danger.” Ayan comments, looking into her dark gaze. There is something there - almost like compassion - hidden beyond indifference, but it’s too well shielded for him to understand.

“Right now, Akk is feeling guilty and he will keep feeling guilty and he will keep letting you hurt him, until you forgive him.” 

Ayan froze at Reaper’s words, eyes widening. “I… I hurt Akk?”

“Don’t you?” She wondered, pursing her lips. “You intentionally hide your feelings, avoid him whenever he is trying to talk to you and evade all his attempts to make amends, because let’s be honest you are trying to show him, loudly, that you don’t trust him. Akk is feeling guilty and he knows your hurt feelings are his fault, so he is allowing himself to be your punching bag, all the while trying to fix your relationship. But a relationship is a two person thing, Aye, you both have to work on it, both have to trust each other and try to fix what has been broken, if not, then you can’t change the future.” Reaper scoffs. “You probably won’t have a future, because sooner or later Akk will break and you know it too.”

He does know. He knows Akk’s guilt will make him hide behind the mask again and pretend nothing is hurting, until Aye’s grief breaks both of them. “I don’t know how to start. It hurts so much, P’.”

“You can always give up.” Reaper shrugs.

“No!”

She narrows her eyes in annoyance. “If you can’t forgive him you have to let him go, Aye. I won’t allow you to hurt him or yourself.”

“I said I don’t know where to start. I never said I can’t forgive him. I just need time.” Ayan challenged, glaring at the woman. 

Strangely enough this made her smile bright. “Good. That’s a start then. As long as you’re willing to try to fix it and give him a chance, it will be fine.”

“I…” He sighs. “What if it’s broken beyond repair?”

“Hmm. Let me give you a secret, Aye. This will probably piss Fate off, but it's her own fault for letting me deal with our Bosses alone.” Reaper nods to his hand. “Your trust is damaged Aye, but it’s not broken. Neither is your future. If it was then you would have known.” She waits for him to raise his hand, watching the red string wrap around his body and then extend towards where his friends set camp, glowing from within. “You see, what the legend and that idiot Fate forgot to tell you is that Red Strings never force you into any bond or relationship, or else people would be single and waiting for their soulmates forever. Strings guide you and lead you, but they never force. It’s your choice whom to love or if you want to stay with a certain partner. It, of course, helps that the human eye can’t see the strings and as such never know if someone is meant for you or not.”

“I don’t get it.”

She smiles a familiar smile, eyes turning into half moon. “If your trust was truly broken, then the string would be dull and frayed, to show that your bond is gone and that you chose not to follow your destiny. But it’s shining and bright and filled with the love I see very rarely, so there is still hope, Aye. You just need to find strength in yourself to keep going.”

Cradling his hand with the string close to his chest Ayan smiles. “I’m just scared. This is the last try to change the future we have. What if it doesn’t work?”

“Give him a chance, Aye. At least he is trying to change something, unlike someone I know who is pretending like nothing is wrong.” Reaper looks at her raised hand and for the first time Ayan notices a cut dull string tied to her pinky. Did she lose her soulmate? Do Reapers even have soulmates? “I know it’s hard to trust, but you have to try or nothing will change.”

“Aye.” Akk’s voice snaps Ayan's attention away from the Reaper, making him turn towards his boyfriend who is standing a few steps away, looking between him and… “Who are you talking to?”

When Ayan turns back the Reaper is gone, so is the glowing Red String of Fate. “No one.” He shakes his head, looking over at his boyfriend who slowly gets closer. It’s hurtful how cautious Akk is around Aye now. 

Ayan knows it’s on him to take away this distance between them, go back to their easy familiarity. Yet, he can’t do it. Not yet. He just needs a little more time. To get his thoughts in order. To think of an action plan.

It would be so much easier if he didn’t trust Akk with his life or happiness or even decisions. But no. Ayan trusts his silly Bigfoot with everything and anything, blindly. Except for one important thing. He doesn’t trust Akk with the one thing Ayan values the most. His own life. 

Yes, that’s what makes his pain unbearable. It’s because he doesn’t trust Akk with his own life. He doesn’t trust Akk to not go off killing himself, the man Ayan loves more than anything, as soon as that damn accident happens.

Honestly, by this point he doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the cruel game Fate is apparently playing.

“Aye, we need to talk.” Akk cautiously says, standing right in front of his boyfriend.

Shortstop shakes his head. “Not right now. Let’s go back. We’ll talk later.”

“You’re hurting, Aye. Let me help, please.” The ex-prefect pleads, reaching for Aye’s hand.

“Damn it, Akk. I’m fine.” Ayan sounded harsher than he intended, involuntarily leaning away from his Bigfoot’s touch. 

Aye knew it was a mistake as soon as he did it, blinded by his need to avoid his emotions. Akk recoils as if hit, dropping his hand, expression changing momentarily - those big boba eyes losing their shine, turning dull and a nonchalant mask, shorter teen had thought he’d never see again, falling into place. 

Aye felt his heart break. Regret replacing fear of having his true feelings revealed.

I did this. I hurt him.

Now Ayan knows that his Bigfoot is only trying to help, that he is worried about him and is making sure that Aye doesn’t drown in his own grief again, like he almost did when Uncle Dika died. But the thing is, he feels hurt and detached and his trust in his boyfriend has been damaged, so now, he is afraid to be vulnerable with the only person he has ever let see the real him. The only person who looked beyond all his shields and walls and sarcasm, and saw the real Ayan, who is hurt, depressed, lonely and damaged, and still decided to stay. Who accepted all of Ayan’s darkness, held it in his hand and nourished it with his light until love grew where it was baren before and Aye has never felt cold ever again.

Aye never hid who he was after that, and he knows Akk has been real with him too. Akk has allowed himself to be vulnerable and open with him and has never lied, deceived or hid anything, always choosing to trust Aye with his entire soul, knowing that he will receive the same in return. Now though, for the first time since they met, since they got together, Aye put a distance where there hasn’t been one before. He recoiled against his Bigfoot who came to him with his heart open, distancing the boy with the same shield and sword Aye used during his first days in Suppalo in order to keep that school away from him and Akk off of his tail. 

So it’s not surprising that seeing Aye’s cruelty against his care, Akk has also chosen to protect his heart the only way he knows how, by putting on the Head Prefect mask he has crafted from marble and perfectionist expectations, the same mask which almost destroyed him in the past. The mask, which hid the real Akk - vulnerable and kind and gentle and soft - and turned him into a brainless puppet devoid of any human emotion.

Hurting Akk is the last thing Ayan wants to do, and he knows Akk would rather watch the world burn instead of hurting him. And he knows, of course he does, that the thing that hurts his Bigfoot the most is the guilt he feels for what he did. He blames himself for falling into depression and not waiting for Ayan to wake up. He blames himself for what he did, which forced Ayan to not only wake to the world where another loved one left him, but also made him forge a deal with Fate just so that he can have a second chance to save someone who chose to give up. 

Ayan knows how Akk’s mind works. He knows he is blaming himself and hurting, and seeing this distance that Aye involuntarily is putting between them kills him. 

They are hurting each other. And that’s what’s heartbreaking. 

‘Cause Aye, like he usually does, hides from pain and grief by lashing out and hiding, while Akk is desperately trying to cross that distance, break that wall and get to Ayan again. His Bigfoot is trying to save both of them, while Aye is over here rigging the game ‘cause he wants to punish him for what he did. 

Maybe Akk is also aware that the reason why Ayan is acting like this is because he is trying to punish him and hurt him the same way Shortstop was hurt and he is also allowing it. The ex-head prefect’s letting his boyfriend hurt him just so that the distance will be gone, and Aye loves him so much for this and hates himself for allowing it. 

His stubborn Bigfoot will never give up. 

But how much longer can Ayan truly push him before they both break?

Can he give them a chance to actually heal each other?

For the first time in their relationship, Aye is afraid to fully trust Akk with his heart, not because he doesn’t believe in his love, but because the memory of that day in the hospital is still fresh in his mind. 

Reaper is right though. He can’t keep hurting Akk. He can’t keep letting the boy he loves allow himself to be hurt, ‘cause he thinks that’s what Aye needs to finally be open about his feelings. 

The issue is how can he allow himself to be vulnerable again and trust blindly. 

And the most horrible thing? If Akk’s death is fresh in Aye’s mind and it gives him this much fear, then what about Akk? Isn’t the accident and those 7 months also fresh in his memory too? Just like the iron clad knowledge that while they can prevent Akk’s suicide, they can never avoid Ayan’s accident? 

Isn’t that breaking his boyfriend more? The knowledge that the future they’re trying to fix will inevitably put Ayan in the hospital and coma and force Akk into another 7 months of waiting to test his promise and determination.

Oh, Akk. Am I so lost in my own pain that I forgot you were grieving too? 

Ayan is angry and hurt, true, but how can he forget that Akk didn’t remove himself from the shorter teen’s life because of some selfish reason. It came following months of depression and dark thoughts and unwillingness to ask for help, ‘cause like a self-sacrificing fool he is Akk didn’t want to burden anyone with his own issues. 

Aye thought he is punishing Akk for his own death, but it's actually Akk who’s punishing himself for not only his choice and Ayan’s betrayed feelings, but also for the accident which can’t be prevented. That idiot is feeling guilty for things that are not even his responsibility. Again.

Trust goes both ways, as Reaper said. Ayan has to put his trust in Akk and Akk has to trust Aye, so that they can get each other out of this mess. 

Before the shorter teen could fully gather his thoughts and do damage control for his thoughtless actions, his Bigfoot spoke again.

“Let’s go back to our friends. They’re waiting.” Akk’s cold voice felt like a stab into Ayan’s heart.

Shortstop took a step forward, reaching for his boyfriend’s hand. “Akk…”

“Come on, Ayan.” If he thought Akk’s closed off demeanor was hurtful, then the way his lover smiled, sent chills of dread down his spine. His boyfriend, who even when angry never really lost light in his eyes and life in his smile, looked like a ghost of himself. 

Like all hope was gone. 

I did this to him. I hurt him.

“Let’s go back.” The boy finished, turning to leave, smoothly avoiding the hand reaching for him.

Aye felt his heart shatter into pieces. 

What have I done?

****☀️🌙****

By the time Aye reached back the camp, his friends had already started another game smiling and laughing at another one of Kan’s bad jokes. The shorter teen’s eyes zeroed in on his boyfriend, who was sipping beer and laughing along with their friends, but now Ayan was sober enough to notice the strained smile and dull eyes which Akk was trying to hide.

“Bottle, bottle on the table,” Kan chanted. “Who has the most disturbing face of them all?” 

Namo stops the spinning bottle and points at Kan, who whines. “Namo, play by the rule.”

Pushing down his guilt, Aye wipes at his eyes and heads back to the table, taking his place by Akk. His Bigfoot doesn’t acknowledge him or take his hand when he finally sits down, but the boy could feel Akk’s eyes following his every move all the same. 

“Aye, you’re finally back? Wanna play Truth or Dare with us?” Kan asks.

Not waiting for an answer, Wat urges. “Come on, let’s play. Let’s do it.”

Kan is the first to spin the bottle and it lands on Thua, which makes the boy laugh. “The first one. First one.”

“Hm. Ask away.” Thua says, resigned. 

“Do you have someone you like?” Kan prods, which makes Akk and Aye look at him sharp and Wat rolls his eyes, smirking. 

Thua looks scared and uncomfortable, looking around the table for help, but everyone is too drunk to actually notice and Aye is too focused on his own boyfriend to come to the boy’s aid. It worries him that Akk has yet to look at him. It’s weird for both of them actually. Everyone knows that Akk and Ayan love to look at each other and even before they started to date and confessed, their gazes would always be on the other. Now, though, it feels as if Akk is actively trying to hold himself back. Aye hates it.

Deciding to escape from his dilemma, Thua knocks onto the table. “I’ll drink. Give it to me.”

Everyone ‘boos’ at him. “You’re not bold.” Kan complains, all the same opening the bottle and passing it on to the boy.

Using their friends’ distraction, Ayan tentatively reaches for his Bigfoot’s hand, which is laying on his thigh and intertwines their fingers. He holds his breath as Akk freezes and looks down at their joined hands and then back at Aye. For a moment the shorter teen thinks he will let go and pull away, that he hurt Akk too much for the boy to forgive his small attempt to reconnect. 

Much to his pleasant surprise, Akk’s shoulders loosen and he smiles, one of his real smiles this time, leaning back in his seat and squeezing Aye’s fingers in answer. It’s fine, - his boyfriend signs,  - We’ll talk later.

“My turn.” They continue smiling and looking at each other, while Thua drinks with the cheers and then reaches for the bottle to spin it again. 

“Wat!” Kan says, as if no one can see who the bottle points at. 

“Bring it on, Thua.” Wat urges. “I can answer all your questions.”

Thua looks unsure what to ask. “Hm, what faculty are you applying to?”

“Why did you ask such a serious question?” Kan snorts. 

“Film!” Wat announces with conviction, pointing at himself. “I’m studying Film.”

Akk’s tone turns to a mixture between confusion and amusement. “What about the faculty your parents chose for you?”

“Screw it! This is my life!”

Their friends start laughing, Aye himself shaking his head as he and Akk share an amused look. They know how hard it will be for Wat to talk to his parents and how long it will take for him to convince him of his decision. Yet, they are glad that he finally does study what he loves and to tell the truth no matter how obviously hard it is, Wat enjoys it so much. His parents even begin to openly support him after Teacher Sani talks to them and Wat wins his first award. 

“Yes!” Kan cheers loudly. 

“I will do whatever I want.”

“Yes!” This time it's everyone who loudly shouts. 

“What a badass.”

“He’s only brave when he’s drunk.” Namo points out. “When he wakes up tomorrow, he’s back to being the boy who’s scared of his parents.”

“I’ll kick you.” Wat threatens as they continue laughing. 

Aye is keeping his eyes on his boyfriend, heart losing some of its heaviness now that real happiness is back to Akk’s smile and his demeanor is more relaxed now. His Bigfoot should always be happy and healthy and relaxed - anxiety and worry are not for him. His Akk deserves the best. Deserves the world. And Ayan will do anything to give him the entire universe on a platter just to keep him happy like this by his side.

As the laughter dies down Kan says. “Wat, your turn.”

The boy turns the bottle too much and it spins for a few seconds longer, before landing on Ayan. he has to admit, at least to himself, that he is feeling too tired and emotionally drained for any questions or games right now. He hoped that he could sit this one out, but even as that selfish thought took root, Aye knew he has to play along to not ruin everyone’s night. His tiredness must have been obvious or Akk is also more sober now too, ‘cause his boyfriend squeezes his fingers to gain his attention, asking with his eyes if he was okay. And Aye knows that if he gives a sign that he is not, that he needs a break, then Akk would do something to get the game and their friends' attention away from him.

Ayan loves his silly Bigfoot so much.

Instead of being honest, once again the shorter teen choses to hide from his problems. He’ll talk to Akk about it, he made that choice, but later, when they’re alone and private and can be as vulnerable and intimate with each other as they can be. Ayan may love their friends, but except for Akk he doesn’t want to be vulnerable with anyone else.

So he shakes his head, squeezes his boyfriend’s hand back and turns to Wat who seems to be still pondering about the question. 

“What should I ask you, Aye? Hm, it’s so hard.” He looked around, before a light bulb lit and he smirked menacingly. “Aye, tell us, is Akk still a virgin?”

“Hey!” Cute pink blush covered Akk’s cheeks and up to the tips of his ears. He glared at his friend stuttering. “Why are you asking Aye about me? That’s not how this works.”

“Au, because he’s the only credible source. You will definitely lie.” Wat reasoned, making the others laugh too. “So Aye tell us all the truth.”

Ayan was laughing as his Bigfoot used the hold on his hand to forcefully pull him close. Leaning his face close he loudly threatened. “You say anything and I swear no more sleepovers, Shameless.”

“Eh! That’s cheating, Akk. Play by the rules!” Wat complained, trying to pull his friend away, but the two boys remained bent over with their faces close and eyes connected, one smirking the other with narrowed eyes. 

Ayan’s smile widens, eyes moving between Akk’s and then down to his lips and back. He sits back and grabs his beer, eyes locked on his boyfriend as he takes a long drink, finishing almost half the bottle. “Happy?” He pokes, slamming the bottle down, the ex-head prefect’s smile is an answer enough. 

“Oi! Aye!” Kan complains, before deciding it’s not worth it to argue. “You’re such a good drinker Aye. We can’t let him beat us. Let’s drink!”

As their friends each take a bottle, Akk pulls Aye’s away, shaking his head. They both had enough drinks tonight. Seeing the ex-prefect’s pleading look, the shorter teen sighs, nodding and leaning back. Neither of them take another bottle. 

They need to talk later. Aye knows they need too. 

‘Cause is hurting and he is hurting and they need to solve this before it festers and grows into something they can’t fix.

****☀️🌙****

Their friends all piled into the tent at the early hours of the morning, sunrise less than an hour away. As Wat and Thua dragged a complaining Kan inside and helped Namo, who was already sleeping on the table to his side of the makeshift bed, Akk and Aye busied themselves with cleaning up and throwing away the beer bottles and used plastic plates and utensils. 

Once everything was clean and everyone was asleep, Akk took Ayan’s hand and dragged him for a little walk to sober up the rest of the way, before they sat on the stone steps, overlooking the many ships and ocean, not far from their tent. 

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, just watching the waves and twinkling lights at the distance from the fishing boats already on their way for their morning hunt. Sometimes Akk’s gaze would wander over to his boyfriend, watching his pretty profile, admiring his beauty. Quickly averting his eyes when Ayan turned to look at him. 

After what felt like forever, Aye finally spoke, voice tired and cautious. “You know, for the longest time I thought that that day on the steps of Suppalo, when I saw you break down in my arm after Thua’s betrayal, was the worst day of my life. I never wanted to see you like that ever again. Then the day I woke up from the coma and my Mae told me you… that died. It overshadowed everything and became the worst day for me and I thought nothing could be worse than that feeling. I was wrong again, Akk.”

“What do you mean?” The ex-head prefect urged, linking their fingers once again. 

Holding hands and physical touch has always been a comfort for them. A way to say ‘I’m here. I’m with you. You’re not alone.’ He lost count of nights and days when they would go to sleep or just lay around, doing nothing but holding one another, playing with the other’s hair, touching any part of their body at any moment - whether they’re watching a movie or walking or studying, anytime, anyplace - especially after a stressful event or anxious day or simply if they’re tired. Akk craves their intimacy and connection as much as Aye does.

“Back at the beach, when I snapped at you. Seeing you like that. Your eyes dull with hopelessness and pain. That. That is worse than anything else I ever remembered experiencing.” Ayan feels tears gather in his eyes, a reflection of the teary look on his boyfriend’s face. “I’m sorry for what I did, Akk. I swear , hurting you. Avoiding you was never my intention..”

“I understand, Aye. It’s ok.” 

His Shortstop shakes his head, turning to him with kicked puppy eyes. He remembers seeing it in one of the visions of Parallel Universes that Fate showed to him - Sand’s Ray was looking the same way - at that time the resemblance was there, but not as obvious, now Akk can clearly see they’re the same person in different realities. “It’s really not.”

“You’re hurting, Aye. You lash out when you’re hurt.” The ex-prefect gently reasons, using his free hand to wipe his boyfriend’s tears away. “It could be worse, you know. You can be like, Bison and pull a gun at me.” He adds jokingly hoping to lift the boy’s mood.

It works as Aye snorts, shaking his head. “I’m being serious, Akk.”

“So am I.”

With his other hand, Aye touched Bigfoot's face, gentle fingers playing over his cheeks. Akk can feel his own tears gathering, unable to not cry when his boyfriend does. “Please tell me you know you don’t deserve this, Akk. You don’t deserve my anger or me lashing out. Please tell me you know.”

He does deserve it though. He deserves it for making Ayan cry. He deserves it for breaking his promise and leaving Aye. He deserves it for hurting the man he loves. His Shortstop is right to be angry and lash out and hurt him, he deserves it for his mistake. 

“You don’t Akk.” His boyfriend whispers, eyes filled with pain, tears once again spilling.

The ex-head prefect could feel his own tears running down his cheeks too. “I said it aloud?”

“Hm.” The boy nods. “I’m bitter and hurt and angry. But not at you, Akk, never at you. I know why you did it, I understand. I wish you didn’t do it, but I understand why you did it. I also know you don’t deserve me hurting you or lashing out. I should talk to you. We have to communicate and find a way out together. I’m sorry I pushed you away.”

“I understand too, Aye.” Akk whispers, kissing his Shortstop on the forehead. “That’s why I’m not angry. But I want you, no, I need you to talk to me Aye. Let’s fix this together. We can trust each other again. Let’s try again.”

Ayan gave a short nod, sitting back, eyes locked onto the dark sea again, their hands still linked between them.

“For this to work though.” His Bigfoot started cautiously, choosing his words very carefully. That tone already made Aye’s hackles rise, but he used their joined hands to ground and calm himself. “You need to grieve Aye. Just like you did when Uncle Dika died.”

“You’re not dead, Akk.” His Shortstop’s whole body went rigid, hands tightening in his as he bit his lips.

Akk shook his head, gently turning to the boy's face towards him with a gentle touch. The pain he saw in those dark eyes broke his heart. The ex-prefect is ready to do anything, sacrifice anything just to take that pain away. “For you I was. Before you learned that Fate saved me, you thought I’m gone. If not for the deal, I would have been. Isn’t that why you came to the cliff? Because you thought I died?”

“Don’t you dare blame me.” He threatened.

“I’m not. I understand Aye. I did the same thing remember, but that’s exactly what I mean. You need to let yourself grieve for me, for the future and for this whole mess. Cry, shout, punch me if you need to, but do it and once you’re done forgive me and let's learn to trust each other again.”

“I do trust you Akk.” 

“Not with my life you don’t. I promise to grow stronger and try to live through your accident. Now that I know you will get out of that coma, I’ll try even harder Aye. I swear.”

His boyfriend nodded, letting the tears fall.

Akk smiles sadly, hand massaging the nape of the shorter teen neck. “You’re allowed to be weak, Aye, at least with me. Remember? That’s what we always promised each other. Break down, grieve and let me catch you. Let me help you heal from the very wounds I unintentionally inflicted.” 

Hearing those words. Feeling his boyfriend, the love of his life pulls him into his embrace, hiding his face under his chin, one hand ruffling his hair and the other still clutched in Ayan’s own hand finally breaks his not-so-strong hold on his emotions and he lets his pain loose. Grabbing at his eclipse necklace with one hand, he snuggles closer to Akk and cries. He cries like he did in the hospital after he woke up. Cries like he did for three days as everyone held him back from making a stupid choice. Cried and screamed and cried some more on that hill where two of the most important people in his life died.

Aye kept crying the way he wanted to sob when Fate told him that Akk is alive. That she saved him and sent him to the past. Like he wanted to cry when he remembered all those time loops and every fear he had every time they reached the Eclipse ‘cause he is worried that the future is not changed. He cried like he wanted to cry when he came to Akk’s hometown and found him on their secret island. Like he wanted to weep when he saw his Bigfoot alive. When he heard that he wanted to try to fix everything. When he promised to try harder and this time help Ayan change the future.

“I’m so sorry, Aye. So sorry for doing this to us.” Akk chokes, nose buried in his boyfriend’s hair, his own tears running freely. They are both scared. Both worried. This is their last chance to fix the future. Last chance to save each other. Their love will survive it though. It’s strong enough. Their bond is strong enough.

“I love you, Aye. I love you so damn much.”

It was so hard to trust someone who already broke his heart once. Who killed the person Aye loves the most, who took everything away. But can Ayan really blame him, after all, he did the same thing. Was about to do the same thing if Fate didn’t come. If they didn’t make that deal. If the time didn’t loop everytime Aye scummed to his fears.

He has to learn to trust Akk, believing that his boyfriend will wait for him this time. But that’s what loving someone is right? You have to trust that person with your heart, with your fears and happiness and vulnerability and believe that they will take care of you. 

Yet, it’s a two-way street. Your lover also has to trust you with their fears, heart, vulnerability and happiness, and it's you who has to protect it. Two years ago, despite all the odds - Chadok’s manipulation, Aye’s grief, Akk’s fear, Suppalo and the Curse - they did it. They put their trust in each other and stood side by side against all the challenges during High school and later in university. Ayan knows that when they pass this point, they will stand side by side, AkkAye against the world, for the rest of their lives too. 

There is no one Ayan would ever trust and love like he does Akk. And he knows, for sure, that there is no one Akk would ever love and trust like he does Aye. 

They need to work through this and they will do it. They will win and stay together. No matter what.

Aye has to trust Akk to wait for him, Akk has to trust Aye to fight for him, to not give up. Hell, if the accident switches and Akk is the one in a coma, then his Bigfoot has to trust Aye not to kill himself in order to save him or make another deal with Fate. Not that she will do it, they pissed her off the first time around with 10 time loops. Or maybe she will. Better not check.

This is terrifying.

But, as Fate said, unless they learn to trust each other to not make the same mistakes, the time won’t change, and they will be stuck in the same life over and over again. Going to extremes for the second chance with the same person, because their love is stronger than death itself.

“I love you too, Akk. I love you more than anything else.” Ayan confesses, feeling something come loose in both their chests.

Moving away from each other, they hold the other’s face in their palms, Akk smiles lovingly landing a soft kiss on Ayan’s lips, which the shorter teen readily returns, his own hands warm and strong on his Bigfoot’s cheeks.

His boyfriend squishes his cheeks as they lean away from their kiss, making Aye laugh. 

“Did you get any sleep yet, boys?” Akk’s mae calls, coming towards them with his Pa, both holding buckets over their hips. 

His Shortstop turns his face, wiping his tears, Akk doing the same before smiling up at his parents. If they notice their red rimmed eyes, puffy faces and wet cheeks, they say nothing. 

His Mae and Pa look at each other with worry, but before they can prod too much, the boys turn to look up at them with big shiny eyes, cute smiles and innocent faces. 

“We did, a little.” The ex-prefect says. Ayan looking over at his boyfriend with shiny eyes. He always loved watching Akk with his parents, their interaction always filled with unconditional love, acceptance and care for their only child.

“Pa, Mae, are you going out fishing?” Aye asks, looking at them.

“Yes, son. We’ll head out now and come back in the morning.” Akk’s Pa explained.

His Mae nodded. “We’re going farther than usual today. Akk, make sure to take care of your friends, okay.”

“Of course, Mae.”

“Pa, Mae…” Aye suddenly called out, smiling sweetly. “Do you mind if Akk takes me to the sea on that boat?” He pointed, earning a frown from his boyfriend.

“Oh, sure. Akk, take care of Aye. Be careful boys.” His parents instructed, leaving the two alone.

“Thank you.” His Shortstop smiles cheekily, turning to look at Akk in a self-satisfied way.

The ex-head prefect turns to him with narrowed eyes. “What are you planning?” His words lacked real heat. In the last two years they have done this enough times for Akk to get used to their routine. 

Everytime the boys visited Akk’s parents, Aye usually pouted and flirted his way to a night trip into the open sea. After first dozen times, Akk doesn’t even wait for him to start asking anymore, he just packs them a snack bag and prepares the boat, so that he can take his boyfriend into the sea where they lay under the starry sky for hours, simply watching the twinkling stars, the moon and enjoying each other’s company. It’s their safety away from home, alone in the vast ocean, with only the stars and each other. 

“I wanna fix something from our past.” Aye declares, grabbing his hand and dragging him towards the boat.

“What?” 

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

They laid on the wooden floor of the boat, fingers linked in between them, softly rocking on the waves, surrounded by silence, dark sea and the stars. The morning was about to break, but neither of them was in a hurry to go back, enjoying their solitude.

Akk remembers doing this countless times in the past, first alone and then together with Aye. Taking his boat into the open sea, away from any land or life, anchoring down and then simply laying under the sky, enjoying the soft breeze, sun or chilly nights under the stars. He always felt alone and detached when he used to take sail by himself, then when Ayan came along, they went together and suddenly the thing that gave Akk peace and comfort, became something he lovingly shared with someone who has become his home.

The ex-prefect remembers them having long, heartfelt conversations, holding hands in the middle with their eyes looking up at the stars. Sometimes there were no talks to be had and the two would just stay there in silence, enjoying each other’s company. But no matter which one it was, he loved sharing it with his Shortstop and having him near.

When Ayan grabbed his hand earlier and dragged him down towards the boar, saying “I wanna fix something from our past”, - Akk was confused. There were a lot of things, lots of mistakes born from Akk’s insecurities that the ex-prefect himself wanted to fix too, but they worked through most of them in the last 2 years of their relationship, talked and explained and communicated in a way that made their bond stronger and any lingering hurt none existent. So he didn’t understand what his boyfriend was trying to do.

“I kind of miss this.” Aye said, voice quiet as if afraid to break the easy tranquility between them.  “We’ve been so busy with university and moving that we haven’t come down here for a while.”

Akk makes sure to keep his tone low too, like this is a secret shared between just the two of them, he loved it. “Hm, true. When we go back… When you get out of the hospital we should do this. We’ll have some time before the next semester starts, so we can travel a bit, like we did after graduation.”

“I’ll probably have to start my second year late and graduate later than you guys.” Aye snorted.

“We both will.” The ex-head prefect mumbled, when his boyfriend turned to him he sighs already knowing what he’s about to ask. “I didn’t want to graduate without you, so I froze my attendance along with yours.”

“Akk…” He didn’t sound annoyed, just sad.

Akk shook his head, turning to him with a reassuring smile. He didn’t regret his choice. “It’s lonely to study without you, Shortstop.”

When Ayan looked ready to argue, the taller teen stood up, moving to sit up, with his back to the side of the bow of the boat. Sun has already risen, the sky is painted in beautiful blue, orange and red. The view felt like it came from a dream.

His Shortstop gets on his knees right away too, crawling to sit in front of him. “Are you avoiding me?”

Akk frowns, looking over at his boyfriend. “I’m not. I just didn’t want to argue.”

“Yeah?” Aye’s eyes fill with mirth as he crawls closer, now sitting in between Akk’s open legs.

“Yeah.”

“When you talk to me, look into my eyes.” The shorter teen smirks.

Familiarity of the words finally catches up with him, eyes widening with recognition and amusement as he realizes what his boyfriend is playing at. Raising his arms to lean behind him, relaxing into his place now that he is sure there is no fight to be had, Akk decides to play along, smiling back.

“All right.” He accepts the challenge and just like he did back then, lets all his hidden feelings shine through his gaze, taking Ayan’s breath away. It was the moment Aye saw the extent of his feelings back then, getting flustered for the very first time by the growing love Akk was feeling towards him and was transmitting through his gaze as their eyes met.

Just like in their original timeline, now too, relieving the same event, Akk took down his walls which no longer held any power and showed his Shortstop how he truly feels.

After they got together Akk didn’t really hide his feelings from Aye anymore. He told him everything, was honest and made sure they communicated with each other, ‘cause that was the only way they both agreed would make the other feel at peace and calm their anxiety. After years of mental abuse for Akk and months of depression and grief for Aye, communication and honesty was the thing that would always make them feel safe and secure. So, after they got together Akk didn’t hide anything and after the first time he said ‘I love you’ to his Shortstop he made sure he said it often, loving the way Aye’s entire body would light up at those words.

Words of Affirmation, Physical touch and quality time together - love languages as Ayan taught him - were their way of constant communication. There were no more shields and walls and secrets between them. Which is why it was so easy for Akk to show the full extent of his love for his boyfriend and watch in delight as Ayan’s cheeks deliciously reddened, lips parting in a soft gasp as if he expected to see something other than utter devotion and unlimited love in the other’s eyes.

Ayan is his sun, his world, those dark eyes were his Northern Star leading him home.

Being in love turned Akk into a poet, sue him.

That being said, Akk himself felt his heartbeat at a crazy rate, breathing becoming harder when in answer to his silent confession, Aye himself dropped down the last of his shield and looked at Akk how he always looks at him, when no one is around and it's just the two of them. Back in high school, during their senior year Ayan used to look at him like this all the time - eyes sparkling, filled with limitless love, deep devotion, looking as if Akk is the center of his Universe - which caused their friends to always tease and poke at them. When they entered university, Aye toned it down in front of people, only showing the full extent of his love when they were alone or when Akk was in distress, ‘cause for his Shortstop there was nothing more urgent than his boyfriend’s anxiety.

Now, back in the past, surrounded by sea, under the first rays of the morning sun, the two looked at each other like nothing else in the world existed except for each other.

Aye leaned closer, bracketing his hand on either side of Akk’s shoulders, trapping his Bigfoot in. “Back then something did happen, right?”

“Yeah.” The ex-head prefect spoke quietly, moving his own hands down, to gently rest them on the thighs, which were now placed under his own. “And it scared me so much. My feelings were growing stronger with every day and I knew without a doubt that you felt the same. It scared me because I couldn’t control them, so I pushed you away.”

Aye smiled gently, leaning a little bit closer, eyes still locked. “You know I was just as nervous. It was the first time I liked someone so much, the magnitude of what I felt for you terrified me and I was worried you won’t feel the same. But I could see it, Akk, I could see your feelings and your fear. I didn’t want to push. Didn’t want to scare you away. But I knew… If I let you run, I’ll lose you forever. And I didn’t want that.”

“I’m sorry I made you feel insecure. I’m sorry I ran from you. From what was growing between us.”

“Don’t apologize, Akk. I knew you were scared. It’s hard to accept yourself and your feelings, especially when it's towards another boy. Us being in such a toxic environment didn’t help either.”

“But you didn’t let go.” The ex-head prefect smiles, nuzzling their noses together. “You waited for me and you understood me. You gave me a chance to find my own answers.”

Aye kisses the tip of his nose. “You’re worth it, Akk. I meant what I said back then. I would have waited. For you, I will wait no matter how long.”

“It must have been so hard for you, Aye. To keep chasing. To keep waiting.” Akk leaned their foreheads together. “Can I ask? Why did you keep chasing me? Even though I rejected you?”

“I don’t know, honestly. I think it was because I knew it wasn’t your choice to reject me. It was your fear. It was the fear of disappointing your parents, of defying Teacher Chadok. It was even manipulation of Suppalo’s archaic structure and fear of change. But it wasn’t who you really were and that rejection wasn’t from your heart.” His boyfriend smiles, taking his face between his hands, Akk doing the same to him. “Your eyes reflect your soul, Bigfoot. They reflect your heart. And those big, sparkling, deer-like eyes always told me your true feelings, even when you tried hiding it.”

“You waited for my answer.”

“I wanted it to be your choice, Akk. Rejection or confession, I would have accepted it. As long as it's your choice and not something forced upon you.”

“And I choose you, Aye. In every lifetime, every timeline, every reality, every universe. Everytime. Forever. I choose you.”

As his Shortstop smiled at him dazzlingly, Akk didn’t wait for another moment, pulling the boy into a deep, loving kiss. Truly rewriting their first boat trip and his fearful decision when he leaned away from his crush.

Their lips moved against each other languidly, savoring the moment and intimacy that came over them whenever they were left without outside interference. Akk wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s waist, pulling until Aye took his rightful place on his lap, his own arms going around the ex-prefects shoulders, holding on tight.

It felt good kissing his Shortstop again.

Like sunshine after weeks of rain.

Like a first sip of coffee after waking up.

Like finally coming home.

****☀️🌙****

“I can’t believe you pushed me into the water!” Akk snapped, annoyed as he entered his room, Aye trailing behind him, barely holding back his laughter.

The ex-head prefect was drenched from head to toe, hair hanging over his eyes and water deafening him in one ear, which he quickly cleaned.

They had such a nice time on the boat at sunrise. Making out and cuddling, talking and sharing quiet secrets, just like they used to do in the past and their future. Then Akk offered to take them back, since the guys would be awake soon and they all needed to have breakfast and get going soon. Like a cute menace he is, Aye whined and pouted, asking Akk to let him sail the boat, which his Bigfoot allowed him to do, sitting at the stern and watching the shorter boy with amusement.

Once they docked close to the shore and Akk jumped off the side, reaching his hand to help his boyfriend down, Aye in a playful game jumped from the boat into his arms, but Akk lost his balance at the sudden motion and sent both of them thumbling straight into the water - Ayan landing on his chest.

When he sat up, coughing out the water, his boyfriend, who was equally just as drenched with his hair falling cutely over his forehead, was laughing like he just witnessed the best thing in the entire world.

Seeing his Shortstop this happy evaporated most of Akk’s annoyance, but he still kept up the pretense, knowing how much they both enjoyed when the other sulked and they bickered. Kan used to say they’re like an old married couple and honestly the ex-head prefect wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I thought you would catch me.” Aye giggled, walking behind his boyfriend and stopping in the middle of the room, dripping water everywhere.

Quickly rummaging inside his closet, he found towels, throwing one at the shorter boy and using the other to dry himself. “You could have warned me first.”

“Oh,” The boy smirks with sparkling eyes, stepping closer. “Does that mean if I warn you next time, you’ll carry me like a princess?” Instead of using the towel like it’s meant to, the little menace threw it over his shoulders, watching his boyfriend instead.

“I’m honestly running out of shirts to give you. Why didn’t you bring your own stuff?”

“I was in a hurry to get here, so I forgot.” Aye shrugs.

The ex-head prefect frowns suspiciously. “Yet you had enough time to go home and change from your uniform. But you didn’t have time to grab a change of clothes?”

His boyfriend smiles cheekily. “What can I say? I just love smelling like you.”

“Shameless! Dry your hair.” He ordered, feeling his cheeks heat.

Done drying his hair, Akk drops his own towel onto the hanger and grabbing the ends of Aye’s with both hands pulls the boy closer. His Shortstop’s eyes widen, desire flashing in them. The ex-prefect knows what any show of his power does to his boyfriend. Ayan has a not-so-secret obsession over Akk being taller and stronger than him, knowledge which they both used numerous times.

“Do it properly, Shortstop or you’ll get sick.” Akk smiles, taking the boy’s towel and ruffling his hair. Enjoying the way his boyfriend keeps looking up at him with stars in his eyes.

Aye only grins wider, wrapping his arms around the taller boy’s waist and pulling him closer. “I guess, you’ll just have to warm me up, Bigfoot.”

“Stop being Shameless and behave.”

“But Akk~ I am behaving.” He whines, nuzzling his boyfriend’s neck. “We haven’t been together for 7 months already. I’m running out of patience.” He kissed the beauty mark on the boy’s chin.

Akk snorts, throwing the towel over his own and wrapping his own arms around his Shortstop. “What happened to you waiting for me for however long it took?”

“It’s not the same, Akk. I miss my boyfriend.”

“I’m right here, Aye.” A smooch to his nose.

“You know what I mean.” He narrows his eyes.

They stand there in the middle of Akk’s childhood room, arms wrapped around each other, gazing into each other’s eyes and smiling. So similar and so different from when they were here together for the first time. Back then, Akk was scared of the love he was feeling, the desire growing inside of him towards this infuriating boy and Aye, still grieving and unsure, was standing in front of him, braving a confession even though he knew Akk wasn’t ready and would break his heart.

They are so different from those two teen boys now, even trapped in the past at 17 years-old, they are still different. Akk is no longer afraid, admitting, accepting and glowing with love for Ayan and his Aye, smiling, happy and comfortable in loving his Akk and being loved by him the same way.

“Aye?” Akk carefully asks.

Aye must feel the seriousness of his tone, ‘cause he straightens up, arms tight around him as he gives his full attention to the question. “Hm?”

“Can you ask me again? Like when we had our first kiss, can you ask me again?”

His Shortstop blinks up at him, processing his request, before smiling sweetly at him and stepping back with a nod.

“Look into my eyes, Akk.” Aye said, stepping up towards him.

With a deep breath the ex-head prefect nods. “I am. Always.”

“Tell me, how you really feel.”

Akk gulps, staying quiet.

Taking his Bigfoot’s hands he places them on his face, sure that Akk won’t let go, he reaches up taking Akk’s face in between his warm palms, mostly grabbing his nape, thumbs gently brushing over his cheeks.

“I will tell you my feelings and you will tell me yours. Okay?” Aye smiles gently, just like he did in their original past, minus the trepidation. The ex-head prefect couldn’t look away from those feline half-moon eyes he falls in love with every second of every day. “It feels so good when I get to spend time with you like this. Your face is warm just like a warm cup of coffee. And I love it when I get to look you in the eyes.” His thumbs continue gently caressing Akk’s cheeks, the same way the ex-prefects fingers keep petting him carefully and slowly, both of their eyes getting moist. “I want to kiss you. Can I kiss you?”

His Bigfoot says nothing, only bends his head a little and closes his eyes, which makes Aye smile. Shorter teen leans close too, eyes closed, their noses touching. “Be it in the past or in two, ten, twenty years, it doesn’t matter, I want to stay with you, Akk. Forever. So please, don’t ever leave me again.”

Just like their first kiss which feels like forever ago in this very room, Ayan leans in and places the gentlest of kisses on Akk’s slightly trembling lips. Making their already perfect first kiss even more memorable, even more special, even more real. It reminds both of them that no matter what happens, or how long time passes or whatever they have to face, their love, devotion and care for each other is stronger than any obstacles life throws their way.

They’ll be fine. They’ll win. As long as they have each other, they will be happy.

Aye leans back, slightly, careful not to break the fragile bubble they have created around them. His fingers are still gently caressing Akk’s cheeks, mimicking the same motions his Bigfoot is doing with his own thumbs. “Can you tell me now how you feel about me?” Gazes still locked. “Can you, Akk?”

The taller teen’s eyes tear up as he seems to choke on his next breath, gathering his courage to speak. Just like always his Shortstop is patiently waiting for him, smiling gently as if they have all the time in the world. “Back then I was so scared to tell you. So worried about everything. Hearing you tell me how you feel made me so happy, Aye.”

“Tell me now, Akk.” Aye gently urged.

“Being with you made me feel free. You’re my sun, lighting up my world, giving me warmth, when I thought I would forever stay in the dark, cold and alone. When I look into your eyes, when I hold your hand, when I hear your voice, it’s like everything gets better. You make 10 years of time loops and every pain, worth it. Two, ten, even hundred years doesn’t feel enough. I want forever with you, Aye.” Leaning in, he joined their foreheads together. “I thought what I felt for you then was strong, but it’s nothing compared to what I feel now, Aye and it keeps growing.”

“I feel the same, Akk. My love for you only gets stronger. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Akk leans back again, this time wiping his boyfriend’s tears away, feeling him do the same. They always cry like this, their feelings for each other are too strong and always makes them emotional. “When you told me your feelings back then and I couldn’t answer, I thought I’ll lose you. I was so scared that I'd lose you, Aye. Even if I couldn’t tell you my feelings, I didn’t want to lose you. I know I am selfish, but I didn’t want to see you fall for someone else. I was a coward who ran from you. I kept being afraid and dreading the day you give up. Because how long can you actually wait before you realize I’m not worth it.”

“You’re worth it, Akk.” His Shortstop passionately announced. “I would have waited forever if needed. It hurt not hearing you say anything back, it’s true, but even though you didn’t answer I knew. Because your eyes told me everything I needed to know. They told me how much you love me and how much you’re scared that you love me.”

“I wanted to tell you so badly, Aye.”

“You did, Akk. You told me with your eyes. With your actions. With your care. Way before you said the actual words, I already heard you loud and clear. Everything you did for me screamed ‘I love you’, I just needed to be patient to hear you say it when you were ready.”

Feeling too overwhelmed by his own feelings, Akk pulled his boyfriend into his arms and hugged him with all his might. He felt Aye smile into his shoulder as he returned the embrace. The two of them stood in the middle of the room that held so many of their firsts, arms around each other, and felt calm and peace come over them. They knew, no matter what came after they’ll be fine. They’ll fix everything, they’ll go back and they’ll be happy. This time they both will work to fix everything and make sure that the future is better than it ever was.

****☀️🌙****

After Akk and Aye took a quick shower.

(“Yes, separately, Aye. We have guests over.”

“That’s it! You don’t love me anymore. This relationship is doomed.”

“You’re spoiled, you know that. Fine, come on, but I swear if you do something…”

“Hurry up, Bigfoot. We’ll be late for breakfast.”)

They got dressed - Akk letting his boyfriend wear another shirt and his old jeans which are too big on his Shortstop, so he had to roll up the legs as to not trip up, even underwear, so he can change into clean clothes - and headed downstairs where everyone had already packed up and were gathered behind the table, waiting for them.

“Morning, guys.” The ex-head prefect greeted, as the duo took their seats.

Kan smirks looking between them. “Oh, lovebird, looks like you had a fun night, huh? You never came to the tent.” He winked obnoxiously.

“Ai’Kan!” Akk snapped, kicking his best friend under the table, while his boyfriend laughed beside him.

Wat, never to be left behind when it comes to teasing his friends, grins. “I don’t think Akk is as innocent as he was anymore, Kan. Our boy totally got deflowered.” They wrapped their arms around each other, wiping away the fake tears as the others laughed.

“Assholes!” Bigfoot snapped, shutting up when his parents came carrying their food.

“Food is ready.” His Mae announced, finishing setting the table with his Pa. “Enjoy.” As they left the teenagers alone, his mom ordered. “Finish it all.”

“Sure.” Aye smiled, nodding.

Before either of them could start on breakfast, Wat called out. “Guys. Can I take a picture first? Just a moment.”

The ex-prefect looked between his friends, as Wat reached to take his camera. “You’ve been taking photos since yesterday.”

“Just let me do it. We’re on a trip after all.” Setting up the camera, he instructed. “Look into the camera.”

As everyone looked at the camera, Aye used that moment to link their fingers over the table, making his boyfriend turn to him with a small smile.

“Nice.” Wat said, done with his picture.

Satisfied, Kan went to take a bite, when Wat stopped him. “Hey, Kan, can I get another one with the surrounding?” Kan looked like he wanted to punch his friend, while others smiled in amusement. It was obvious everyone was hungry and couldn’t wait to start eating, interrupted only by Wat.

“Okay. Smile. Like that.” Finally he moved the camera away from the table. “And this is the surrounding.” He murmured, continuing to film.

No one waited this time, as they all dug into their food right away.

“This guy is just too much.” Kan complained, sticking a big spoon of rice into his mouth.

They ate in silence, making sure to plate and taste everything on the table. Akk missed his parents' food while he was away in university, not getting a chance to come for a visit and being stuck with only take outs Aye usually ordered for them, ‘cause Akk always forgot to eat while studying. There were also times when Aye would cook for them in his house or Akk would make something simple when he came over, both their skills improving with every meal they made for each other, enjoying the time they spent learning to cook and spoiling each other with home made meals.

“What your parents made tastes so good.” Aye whispered, leaning close to his Big foot’s ear.

Akk turns to him, feeling his cheeks heating up. “Jerk! Stop playing and eat.”

“Well, it smells good and tastes good. I’m just being honest.” He smirks, eyes sparkling.

Kan groans and throws a piece of a salad at them, making them lean away from each other and turn to their friends who are watching them. “Assholes! Stop flirting in front of my food already! I’m losing my appetite.”

“Next time you do this I’ll dose you with cold water.” Wat chimes in with a warning, eyes narrowed. Despite his friends' playful threats, Akk and Aye could see amusement and genuine happiness reflecting in their gaze. They were happy for the two boys finding love, it just annoyed them to be subjected to it constantly. Honestly, when Kan starts dating Thua and then Wat gets his own lover, Akk and Ayan also tease them endlessly.

“Ignore them, they’re are just jealous of you guys.” Thua gently says, smiling bright. Honestly, they have never seen Thua this happy during their Suppalo days, but afterwards, when they graduated, started University and he started dating Kan, the boy began to smile more and his constantly gloomy aura has shifted. It’s nice to see that version of Thua existing even in this version of the past.

Kan scoofs, pointing his spoon at AkkAye. “Jealous of what? They’re being idiots.”

As the bickering continued, the ex-head prefect looked at his Shortstop smiling, squeezing his fingers once before going back to finish their breakfast.

It felt peaceful like this. Making them almost forget about the return back to Suppalo and the trouble that keeps rising up.

****☀️🌙****

“Goodbye!” The boys wai Akk’s parents, thanking them for everything.

“Drive safe.” Akk’s Mae cautioned.

“Of course.” The boys promised, turning to pile into the car.

Akk smiled, going to hug his parents, Aye standing right behind him, grinning with an easy heart at how loved and supported his boyfriend is. Akk deserves it. He is so kind, gentle and pure-hearted that his Bigfoot deserves the world. Ayan is glad he has such a good support system at home and such loyal friends by his side.

“Bye Mae. Bye Dad.” His boyfriend squeezes both his parents in his arms, somehow turning his big frame small to fit into his mom’s arms, as she pats him on the back.

“Come home often.”

“Sure.”

“Take care, Mae, Pa.” As the ex-head prefect steps to the side, his parents turn to Aye.

When the shorter teen just stands there confused, Akk’s Mae steps up and hugs him too, his Pa ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately. “Take care of yourself, okay Aye?”

“Thank you for caring about our Akk.” Akk’s dad smiled.

Ayan could feel his heart filling with love and gratitude towards these amazing people, his own arms going around them for a hug. He notices Akk smiling over their shoulders, nodding at him that it’s ok to be emotional.

The truth is, ever since they started dating and Akk came out to his parents, Khun Mae and Pa also adopted Aye as their second son. They always pamper and spoil him when he comes to visit and never make him feel left out. They show their love to both boys and always introduce Aye as their son and proudly talk about him and his achievement as much as they do for Akk.

Aye’s own mom adores Akk too and she always joins hands with him to tease Aye when they have their monthly dinners at their house. Before she moved to Nepal she even made a big family dinner and invited Akk’s parents too. Then when the boys visited her after she settled in, his Mae made sure to spoil both of her sons with presents and food and care.

Realizing that both of their parents always have their back, will always love and support them, always warms Ayan’s heart and makes him emotional. After his Uncle died, he thought for the longest time that it will only be him and his Mae now, but then Akk walked into his life and then it wasn’t just the two of them anymore. Now Aye has an amazing boyfriend he wishes to spend the rest of his life with, awesome friends always by his side and two moms and an amazing dad who are always ready to lend him an ear, an advice or a shoulder to lean on when things get tough.

Aye will always and forever be grateful to Fate for bringing Akk into his life.

As the Shortstop steps back, he wipes at his eyes, relaxing when he feels his Bigfoot coming to stand beside him, taking his hand into his. “Pa, Mae, you take care of yourselves too.”

“Remember boys, you always have a home here, okay? So no matter what happens we’ll always be on your side.” Khun Pa patted both boys on the shoulders.

As the little family says goodbye, Wat runs up to Kan, stopping him before he gets into the passenger seat. “Hold on. You drive and I’ll take photos. Okay?”

“You’re useless my friend.” Kan groaned, going to the other side of the car.

“Be our driver.” Wat smirks.

Akk and Aye walk to the car, stopping when Kan holds up his hand. “Wait a minute. There is not enough place for all of you in the back.”

The ex-head prefect frowns. “Then what do you suggest we do? Run behind the car?”

“Didn’t Aye come here with his own car?” Kan scoffs, pointing an accusing finger at the two. “Use that.”

When Akk turned to his Shortstop with a questioning frown, the boy was looking at him guiltily, as if he just remembered it too. “I kinda forgot about it.”

The ex-head prefect rolls his eyes, jokingly ruffling his boyfriend’s hair, which makes him swat at his hands annoyed. He just styled it after all and hated when it got ruined. “Fine, I’m going with Aye then. You guys, be careful. See you in school.”

“See ya.”

“Can I go with you two?” Namo asks, sticking his head out the window, like a little puppy, eyes big and expectant.

Aye glares at him, pulling Akk close and putting himself between his lover and the other boy. Not only does he not trust Mo, but he also remembers the boy’s no-so-secret crush on his Bigfoot.

Kan mocks. “Do you honestly want to watch them flirt the entire way back? Get in and close the window.” He orders, finally getting behind the wheel and with a wave to AkkAyan drives off.

“I was kinda looking forward to sitting on your lap this time around.”

“Aye.”

“Next time then.” Happy to be left alone with his boyfriend again, Aye drags the amused boy behind him towards his parked car. “Let’s go.”

****☀️🌙****

Suppalo haven’t changed in the last few days that they have been away and yet, it also felt entirely different. As Akk and Aye learned the morning they have returned, Namo has become the new President of the Prefect Club and has been using his new found power to make the students' life hell. The prefects were patrolling everywhere, if someone is even seen with a phone their devices are taken away, those whose uniform is not up to 100% gets punished and sent to the Prefect Club.

When Akk was the Head Prefect - before the whole time travel and Ayan coming into his life - he made sure that the order was maintained and rules were kept. But, as most students came to realize, even before changing, Akk has never been cruel to anyone. Sure, he warned them and sometimes was harsh, but he never took anything from them and never directly reported to Teacher Chadok, the majority of what the students were doing. Akk and the prefects were only watching for the rulebreakers who smoked or bullied or even caused trouble for the school - like World Remembers Gang- but they never hurt anyone.

Now with Namo in charge it felt as if they were all in a military regime, where anything, including even a smallest transgression would be reported. Hell, students were getting scared of even standing in groups and talking, ‘cause the prefects usually came to break it up in case they were plotting something. If it got this bad in just a few days, what will happen by the end of the year?

When Akk and Ayan walked into school holding hands that morning, Namo and the prefects met them at the gates, stopping anyone who was coming through. All of them had little clipboards, they were ticking names and something else off as they watched the students pass by.

Namo stopped the boys before they could pass through, looking at them from head to toe. “Where are your uniforms?”

Akk and Aye had forgone their uniform jackets this morning and were wearing their matching “The Eclipse” hoodies, their uniform safely tucked into their backpacks. As soon as they came back from their trip to Akk’s hometown his Shortstop went and bought the second hoodie for himself, giving the original to Akk, so that they could wear it together every day.

“As a former President of the Prefect Club I would think you would be more diligent in keeping with the rules, Akk.” Namo continued.

Ayan narrowed his eyes at the other boy. “We’ll wear it when we feel like it.”

“Well, it’s your choice but I’m writing you a ticket and you will be marked into the ‘rule breaker’ list.” Mo announces, writing down on his clipboard.

Before Aye could go off on the boy who was deliberately trying to get a rise out of them, Akk squeezes his fingers and turns to Namo, voice harsh. “I know those rules better than you, Mo. Hoodies are not against the rules as long as students make sure to wear their proper uniforms in class and during lessons. We just came in and still have time to change. It’s not breaking any rules.”

Which was true, rules weren’t strictly against hoodies, as long as they weren’t worn in class. If they were prohibited, then Ayan would have been punished for it long ago and his hoodie would have been taken away.

Namo smirks, pointing his pen at their necks. “And jewelry. You’re both wearing necklaces, which are prohibited by Suppalo rules. Take them off and give them here. You can take them from the Prefect Club at the end of the day.” He opened his palm, as if expecting them to obey.

Taller boy rolls his eyes, but before he could say anything, his boyfriend glares at the new Head Prefect and scoffs. “That’s our property and you have no right to touch them or I’ll report you for stealing.” With that statement, Aye pushes past Namo and drags an amused Akk with him towards Teacher Sani’s class.

****☀️🌙****

“Don’t forget we have the mid-term next week.” Teacher Sani says at the end of the class.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Be prepared and study hard. That’s all for today.”

Thua says in English, gaining attention. “Class.”

“Thank you, Teacher.” Everyone chants in unison.

Teacher Sani smiles, leaving the room.

Kan and Wat along with Thua come to AkkAye’s table, practically surrounding them.

“Have you seen what’s happening to school?” Kan comments, looking annoyed. “Namo has gone power hungry and is now making everyone’s life hell.”

Wat nods. “Yeah, I didn’t think he would be that cruel once he became a prefect. It’s weird seeing him like this.”

“I heard students talking about how Namo is literally forcing them to either go by what he says or send them to teacher Chadok.” Thua added.

“I bet people miss having Akk as the President of the Prefect Club now.” Kan snorts.

“What about the protestors?” Aye asks their friends.

“World Remembers gang has been quiet lately. Many say it’s because of Namo, but I heard they’re planning another protest soon, outside of school.” Thua answers, eyes going to Mo and the prefects who leave the room for their rounds, after glaring suspiciously at them.

Akk bets Namo wants to break their little meeting up or interfere, but no matter how much power he holds right now or how brave that power makes him, he won’t dare to challenge Akk and his friends. Also he is still afraid of Kan and no one in Suppalo really wants to get on Kan’s bad side.

“I’m surprised he didn’t kick you two out of the club.” Akk points out looking at his friends amused.

Wat snorts. “I bet he wants to, but him getting to be the Head Prefect after you left is already causing trouble, he can’t handle us too.”

“I can barely recognize him.” Thua sighs.

“How come no one is talking about me and those pictures?” Akk wonders, frowning at the boys.

Kan looks at the others before shrugging. “Oh, well, the anonymous page has gone quiet after the posts and while many accused you after you left, World Remembers stepped up and said that it wasn’t you. That school is just blaming you to cover up for the real Curse. Then Namo became the Head Prefect and everyone kinda got too busy. I think few people still blame you for what happened, but when you left the club many more started questioning the validity of that post.”

“Many think you were just there at the wrong time and others say you were helping the Curse. I dunno, what they will do, but at the moment with no more Curse thing, I think many accepted that it was you and you stopped.” Wat finishes.

“I thought they would do more than accept it.” Bigfoot frowns. “Like demand answers or corner me or some shit like that.”

“As if we’ll let that happen. Anyone tries anything we’ll shut them up.” Kan announces with a puffed chest, making the others laugh.

“Akk, you think Namo might do something as the Curse.” His Shortstop asks, making everyone turn to look at him.

The ex-prefect sighs, thinking it through, before shaking his head. “I don’t know. If the Curse comes back then the anonymous post about me being the Curse will be disproven. Students will begin to believe that curse exists again and will fear the prefects even more.”

“But you won’t be at the center of attention anymore.”

“Hmm.”

“Maybe we can use that then.” Wat’s face lights up with an idea. “If the Curse comes back then we make our own posts about Suppalo lying and blaming an innocent student for something he didn’t do. We can prove that the Curse is not real and that Teacher Chadok is using the President of the Prefect Club to stop protests, no matter who it is at that time.”

“Will that even help?” Akk sounded skeptical.

“Maybe not, but if we create enough ruses in social media then they won’t take away your scholarship, Akk.” Ayan grabbed his hand, nodding for him to go with their new plan.

The ex-head prefect squeezed his boyfriend’s hand. “It feels like I’m putting our juniors in danger again for selfish reasons. I can’t do that, Aye.”

Thua is the one to speak up now, voice kind. “We’ll help you, Akk. And we’ll protect the Three Jums. Each of us can make sure they’re physically safe.”

“I… I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me again.”

Aye wanted to kiss his silly Bigfoot, with his big and kind heart, looking up at them with shiny boba eyes filled with gratitude and worry. Shorter teen wants to wrap the other boy up in a blanket, steal him away and pamper him and spoil him and keep him warm, happy and safe from all his Suppalo darkness. He can’t believe anyone will ever want to hurt his Akk or think that he has a single evil bone in his body. His boyfriend is made of sunshine and rainbows, always protective and gentle with anyone. Hell, he even forgave Thua for outing them, while Aye still has a hard time holding a decent conversation with the boy for more than five minutes without remembering what he did.

Massaging the nape of his Bigfoot’s neck, Ayan smiles at him. “We won’t do anything right now, okay. Let’s just watch and see if we can find any evidence, if we can’t stop him and the Curse comes back then we will do what Wat says.”

Akk looks at him like Aye is his entire world, smiling and nodding his agreement.

****☀️🌙****

Akk hid behind the door, listening closely to what Namo and Teacher Chadok were talking about. He, Aye and their friends agree to keep an eye on the new Head Prefect in order to gauge when he will make the first move so that they can interfere and stop him in time. Kan and Thua decided to patrol the World Remember’s club room, while Wat went to the back yard where the nongs usually gather. Aye and Akk were left patrolling the rest of hallways, leading the Student Welfare Department to their class. Akk sent Aye towards the classroom to check for Namo, while the ex-prefect headed to the rooftop. It was almost the end of the classes and many students were either leaving or staying back for some of the clubs.

“You told me that the consultant of that gang is Ayan.” Teacher Chadok demanded an answer, in his usual harsh voice. 

Namo stands straight. “He’s the reason Akk changed, sir. This morning I saw Akk and him wearing matching hoodies and during our project they were acting friendly. I think he has befriended Akk and has brainwashed him and the World Remembers in going against Suppalo.”

“Have you got any more evidence? Pictures, videos or anything else.”

“I’m trying, sir.”

“Try harder, Namo. You’re the new President of the Prefect Club, prove that it was the right choice to place you in this position.”

“Yes, sir.” Namo looked down in shame, avoiding the man’s eyes.

Teacher Chadok nodded. “We’ve let this problem continue for too long already. It’s time to nip it in the bud. Before something worse is going to happen to Suppalo.”

Akk closed his eyes, cursing under his breath as he realized that they were right all along. Namo will use the Curse soon to take control and punish the three Jums.

****☀️🌙****

Akk corners Namo behind the school, as he is leaving the building.

The boy looks shocked when Akk suddenly appears from behind the corner, advancing on him until Namo is cornered against the wall.

“Hey, Akk.” He greets awkwardly. “I should have known you’ll be here.”

“Stop what you’re doing, Mo. It won’t end well.” The ex-head prefect warns.

Seemingly managing to gather some of his bravado, Mo smirks. “You used to be my idol, Akk. Always so good at being the President of the Prefect Club. Helping Suppalo.”

“Don’t make anyone your idol. Think about what you’re doing. Don’t hurt anyone else.”

“You know, I don’t understand you, Akk. You used to be the best in this school. You are smart and was Head of Prefects. Used to be someone everyone admired and feared. Now you’re siding with protestors and rebelling against Suppalo. All because of some boy.”

Akk sighs, shaking his head. “Yes and I did horrible things for that title, things you’re about to do too.”

“Do you mean being the Curse?” Mo smirks. “Yes, I knew of that all along. And I helped you, Akk. I was always on your side whatever you decided to do.”

“If you know, then stop it and don’t do it. Don’t follow those orders.” Akk requests, keeping his voice even, although he can feel the worry raising inside of him.

“Suppalo trusts me, Akk. I won’t fail this school like you did.”

“It’s not worth it, Mo.” Bigfoot could feel his frustration rising, it felt like they were having two very different conversations.

Shaking his head Namo pushed the taller boy away. “Suppalo needs me and I’ll make it proud.” With that he leaves, leaving the ex-prefect alone and resigned.

Was I also this blind and stupid when I did all of those things?

Yes, yes I was. - The answer in the boy’s thoughts, came out sounding like his own boyfriend’s voice, much to Akk’s annoyance and amusement.

 ****☀️🌙****

Once the dark sets, Akk walked around the corridors patrolling the lower floors to see if Namo decided to do something with the World Remembers Gang club room.Aye was on the upper floors, while Kan, Thua and Wat were patrolling the rest of the corridors, around the cafeteria, dojo and yard. Akk doesn’t think Mo will actually try anything after their talk earlier, but they can’t take any chances.

It always made him uneasy to walk around the school at night. There was something mysterious and dangerous lurking in the air, hidden behind the dark walls of abandoned corridors. The hallways usually filled with life and chatter were now cold, shadowed in silence. Sometimes, when Akk used to do these rounds regularly, he would imagine that he was walking in the long corridors of an abandoned castle, like an adventurer seeking to unravel all the secrets of this lonely place. The boy will distract himself with the idea that there were magical creatures hidden in the small cracks, watching him move, guiding him. Some of them were friendly in his mind, helping him, protecting from the dangers, while the others were cruel monsters who only needed one chance to attack him.

During his junior year, before he became the President of the Prefect Club, Akk would be afraid of the Curse too. He would think that it’s the Curse he feels breathing down his neck when he leaves the school late. It’s the Curse hiding in the shadows, red eyes glowing as it watches Akk for any mistakes. Even right now, free of Suppalo and aware of what the Curse really is, the boy still feels as though this building is infused with dark magic. Filled with fear and broken dreams, reshape into a shadow demon ready to devour anyone who breaks the rules.

Truly, Suppalo has never felt safe for him, never felt like a school where he comes to study, learn and make friends, but rather it feels like a twisted survival game, where one wrong move will send the students to the gallows. Once, after another movie marathon, Aye jokingly said that Suppalo was like The Hunger Games and Akk was Katniss, which earned him a slap over the head. In a way, Akk things his boyfriend was right, not about the Katniss part, but about the Hunger Games - they fought, they escaped, but Akk still has nightmares and they both carry scars left by the very place meant to educate them.

As the ex-head prefect rounded another dark corridor, using his flashlight to guide him, his phone pinged. Putting his light away, he pulled out his phone, a smile lighting up his face when he realized who the text was from.

My Shameless 💞

I miss youuuuuu. Come back fast.

I’m lonely.

Akk shook his head smiling, about to reply back when he heard something move behind him. Quickly pocketing his phone, he turned around with his flash, lighting the hallways, but there was no one behind him. Taking a deep breath, he quickened his steps, wanting to hurry away from the dark corridors and creepy school.

As Akk hurried down the hallways and towards the stairs, he could feel someone watching him. Invisible shadow trailing in his steps, chasing him, but every time he turned to look there was no one there. He rounded corner after corner, feeling shadows getting closer as he hurried towards the stairs, something cold and slimy touching his shoulder when he tried to slow. He felt eyes trailing his every step, a warm breath on his back whispering something intangible.

The boy was afraid to look now, afraid of what he will see when he turns. Scared to see what is chasing him in the empty corridors, through the darkness. He just needs to get up the stairs and find Aye, it will be fine then. They will go home, cuddle under the blanket with some stupid movie on as Ayan tells him his stupid theories about Suppalo and shadow monsters and magic. He knows he will do it, because that’s the only way his boyfriend knows how to calm him down. It’s by turning his fears into ridiculous stories from fairytales. It works every time. Akk loves him to death for that. 

Finally he sees the stairs and rushes to them, turning off the flashlight now that there are lightbulbs everywhere.

As Akk goes to take the first step onto the staircase, he freezes, cold dread going up his back as he looks up to see what is casting the shadow over him. There on top of the stairs leading to the first floor stands a man, dressed in a black suit, with short dark hair and lifeless dark eyes. He is covering the exit, glaring down at Akk, hands clasped behind his back.

Startled, the ex-head prefect takes a step back, back colliding with the wall behind him. He is not trapped, he could run or call for help, he knows that, of course, yet he can’t move. With startled eyes he looks frozen up at the man, who is slowly coming down the stairs.

“So you’re the anomaly in the system. The one who is messing up the time.” He stands at the last two steps, looming over the teenager. “It’s your fault everything is a mess now.”

“Who…” Akk asks, making his voice sound less scared than he feels. “Who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter who I am. But you need to come with me.” When the man reaches to grab Akk’s hand, another figure appears in front of him, standing right between the teen and the man, looking furious.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“P’Reaper.” Akk mumbles, which makes the woman look at him over her shoulder, eyes softening momentarily, before she turns back to the other man with a glare.

“Ah, here is the half of the troublesome duo. Where is your annoying friend?” The man says, now looking less intimidated, despite standing against the girl who is half his size. “I believe this mess is caused by her and you’re just an accomplice.”

“I would rather you tell me, what the hell are you pulling here, K? It’s against the rules to show yourself to a living human.” She demands, arms crossed.

He snorts. “You allowed your friend to change someone’s destiny and play with time. I believe you broke the forbidden rule, Per, not me. Do you have any idea what kinda mess we’re all dealing with because of you two?”

“Time loop is gone and everything will go back to its place after the Eclipse.” Reaper narrows her eyes. “Everything can be fixed and we will do it. What do you want with Akk?”

“He is an anomaly. He is the one who started this, so he needs to end it.” The man moved to step around Reaper. “I’ll take him where he belongs and have him fix what has been broken.”

“He is not going anywhere. He is alive and shouldn’t have died. I would have known, I have the access to the same list, moron.” With a hand to his chest, Reaper stops the man, eyes not blazing with uncontained fury.

Akk leaned more into the wall, afraid to move or breathe as these two dangerous beings argued in front of him. He didn’t know who this man was or what his problem was with him, but not for the first time he wished he could actually ask for help and have the strength to stand against who seems like a more powerful, immortal being.

“Take one more step, K. I dare you!”

“Move Per! I don’t want to deal with you.” He made a move to push her when another voice interrupted.

“Do you wanna deal with me then?” An angry voice joined it.

“Fate?” Reaper said with shock at the same time as Akk greeted with relief. “P’Fate.”

“Hey, honey, I’m home.” Fate smiled at Reaper cheekily, coming to stand by her side, turning to grin at Akk. “Hey, Akkie. You feeling good?”

“I’m fine, P’.” The ex-prefect says, still somehow hidden by Reaper.

The man, K, scoffs at them. “Now you come. This is all your fault and you’re acting like nothing ever happened.”

Fate rolled her eyes, looking over at the other reaper, she was standing by P’Reaper’s side, shorter than K and yet her aura made her feel more dangerous than him.

“Where have you been?” Reaper demanded.

Fate shrugs. “Been busy. Sorry love. If I'd known rats had infested us I would have come sooner.” She side eyed the man.

“Fate.” He growled angrily.

“Why are you acting so bitter, K, didn’t get that promotion you wanted?”

“You’re pushing your luck, girl.” He stepped closer to her, wanting to corner the girl, but she stood her ground, arms crossed and smirked in place. “Do you have any idea what you did? You cause a disturbance in time and space. You changed the timelines of people. Brought back those who were supposed to die. Not only Death but Time is angry with you too and you’re running away from them like a coward that you are.”

Fate smiles sweetly, yet it sends chills running down Akk’s back. “I’m not running away, darling, I’m busy. I don’t have time to go chasing ghosts and shadows and anomalies, when I have an actual job to do and people to help. As Per already said, the loop is gone and everything will go back to normal soon and if something is wrong, then I will fix it. Me, K, not you or any of your friends.”

“Just because Real Fate gave your power, you think you’re invincible now.” K scowls. “You’re nothing but a pathetic human soul pretending to be a deity.”

“And yet here I am and you can’t even touch me.” Fate smirks. “Go away, K. And tell P’Time and P’Death I’ll come for some afternoon tea soon. Also remember and tell anyone who thinks like you. If you or those old men have a problem with me, they can come and talk to me themselves. I don’t need dogs barking at my door.”

K glares at the three of them angrily, before huffing and disappearing, leaving behind a foul smell.

“All of you reapers are so bitter, I swear.” Fate jokes, turning to smile at a pouting Reaper and shocked Akk.

Before the ex-head prefect could utter another word, Aye comes rushing around the corner and crashes into him, wrapping his arms around his Bigfoot. “Akk, you ok?”

“Aye? What’s wrong?” Akk asks, embracing his boyfriend back, before letting go.

The boy leaned back, grabbing the taller teen by the shoulders and checking him for any injuries. “You didn’t answer my text. I was worried.”

“You two are so cute.” Fate says, cooing.

Aye turns to the two women, wide eyes. “P’Fate! P’Reaper! What are you doing here?”

“Hey Aye.” Fate waves her hand. “Akkie will tell you everything. We need to go now.” She grabs Reaper by her hand pulling. “Per, I need your help with Alone!”

“What? You told me you have it handled!” The woman snapped.

“Well, I was wrong. I didn’t count on Kaitong breaking up with him. Come on and help me before it gets out of hand.”

“Fate you’re so…” The rest of Reaper’s words get swallowed up as the two women disappear.

The boys blink at the empty place the other two were just standing at, confusion coloring their expressions.

“They’re so chaotic.” Ayan snorts, hands still holding onto Akk’s shoulders, as if afraid to let go.

Akk’s own hands move to grab at his boyfriend’s shirt sleeves, nodding his head. “Yeah.”

What the hell just happened?

****☀️🌙****

After their brief interaction with Fate and Reaper, Akk and Aye went back to Akk’s dorm. Finally in the safety of their room, Akk told him about the other reaper, K, who appeared and what he said, making Aye worried about the meaning behind this man’s sudden interest in their little time travel and mission. Although Akk did reassure him about it, claiming that P’Fate took care of it, Aye still didn’t feel completely convinced.

“I think this reaper guy will cause us trouble. He doesn’t seem friendly.” Shorter teen huffs, laying sideways on his boyfriend’s bed.

His Bigfoot - who is mirroring him, but lying on the opposite side, so that their heads are level with each other and if Aye just turns they can do the whole ‘spider-man kiss’ - sighs. “P’s took care of it, Aye. He left.”

“For now, but you told me he was really pushy on taking you somewhere and all those talks about changing the timeline. It’s weird.”

“He said that the time loops cause disturbance to time and space, and that it was our responsibility to fix it. He wanted me to go back to where I belong.”

Aye frowns, turning his head to look at the other boy’s profile. “‘Where you belong?’ What the hell does that even mean? You belong here with me.”

The ex-head prefect bit his lips, thinking over his answer, before also turning to meet his boyfriend’s gaze. “I think he means my own timeline. Right from where P’Fate sent me to the past.”

That would mean. “No way!” Shortstop snapped, sitting up and turning towards Akk, who was also sitting up. “That’s not happening, Akk!”

Kneeling on the bed, his Bigfoot looked at him, eyes filled with understanding and that foolish self-sacrificing ideals which used to follow Akk around during his Suppalo days. “K made it sound like it was the only way to fix time.”

“I don’t care! We are fixing time. We’re fixing everything. What the hell does he even know?”

“Aye…”

“No! Our deal with P’Fate is clear as day. We have time till the Eclipse to fix everything and then we go back to our own future.” Ayan’s voice rang loud and laced with desperation. “I don’t care what some random reaper has to say about it, you and I, together, will finish our mission, change our future and then leave. Together.”

Silently crawling closer, Akk took his Shortstop’s hand, feeling them trembling with barely repressed fear of losing his lover once again. “All I’m saying is, what if we really hurt lots of people with our decision, Aye? What if other destinies got impacted because we just couldn’t let go of each other and kept replaying the same year over and over again. It’s been 10 years Aye, 10 times the time loops. Time couldn’t have gone unaffected.”

“Stop it, Akk!” Letting go of the boy’s hands, Ayan got on his knees and crawled closer, grabbing his Bigfoot's face between his palms, squishing his cheeks. “I don’t care about anything else, okay? I only care about you and your safety. If we don’t change that future and you’re gone, do you think I would want to continue to live?”

“Aye…”

“Answer me, Akk. You couldn’t even stand one day without me, do you think I can wait a lifetime to meet you as Ray or Bison or Gaipa or anyone else? Do you?”

“No, but…”

“Exactly! So we’re either changing the future and your choice, or I’m going to P’Fate and making that deal again. If She won’t do it then I’ll find another way!” By the time he finished, Aye was panting with exertion, eyes boring into his boyfriend’s.

Akk smiles at his Shortstop, heart stinging with pain over such a confession and yet understanding where it comes from. He doesn’t blame Aye and doesn’t think he is selfish or wrong, Akk would do the same thing. He did the same thing. While what K said is worrisome, yet the ex-head prefect already promised to never hurt his boyfriend again and he will never break that promise no matter what. So just like Aye, he will let the timeline collapse and the world burn if it means they get to be together. It’s a dangerous way of thinking and yet it’s their reality.

Taking his boyfriend’s face between his palms, Akk lands a smooch onto the pouty lips, on each of the cutely squished cheeks and then the boy’s forehead, tip of his nose and last on his chin, before leaning back and smiling into the wide siren-eyes reflecting the love the ex-prefect himself deeply feels. “I promise, Aye. I promise to change our future. I promise to never break your trust again. We’re together in this Shortstop. No matter how many reapers come knocking.”

“Good.” Ayan smiled, smooching his Bigfoot back. “Just stay with me, Akk. I don’t need anything else.”

****☀️🌙****

Although Aye was planning to stay with Akk the the whole night and then leave for school together the next day, his plan got thwarted with a pleasant surprise. Just as he came out of the shower, his Mae called saying that she just arrived and was coming home for a few days. Of course, Ayan was overjoyed to hear that as he missed his mom in the last few months that she has been away on a business trip. With a smile his boyfriend urged him to go and see her, happy to see the shorter boy so excited.

In a true, Aye fashion, Shortstop started whining and asking for his Bigfoot to come with and to finally meet his mom - again - just in this timeline too. But Akk refused, kissing the boy on the forehead in an apology. He wants to meet his mother-in-law soon and yes, he did miss her too in the last few months, but the ex-head prefect believes that Ayan should have a chance to bond and have some quality time just with the two of them before Akk walks into their lives again.

Sure, Aye denied and said that Akk is part of their family and they should do the mother-son-son bonding together, but his boyfriend was strong in his opinion, so after few more kisses and hugs and loads of cuddles, Ayan finally gathered his things and went home for the night. He also promised that he will get his Mae to meet Akk soon and then take them both out to dinner and spend quality time with his two favorite people, just like they always did before she moved to Nepal.

Being home without Akk, when the two spend practically every moment of every day together and had sleepovers every night was weird. Seeing his mother was good though and it reminded him how much he loved and appreciated her and how much she adored him and cared about her son. Truthfully, his Mae has been worried about him since Uncle Dee died, but seeing him smiling and telling her about his friends and boyfriend warmed her heart, making her realize that Aye was finally happy again, getting past his grief. The only thing that worried the woman was that school and its system, but Ayan assured her that he has everything under control and with Akk and their friends by his side he is not afraid at all.

They spent the whole evening having dinner, talking and spending the much needed mother and son quality time together, sharing funny stories and adventures. Aye also shared his worries with his mom about the Curse and Akk and the rebels, to which she did give him some valuable advice. Ayan just wishes he can ask her about the time travel and get her advice on that, but he was glad they had the chance to talk.

As it was school night, she let him go to bed early, with a promise to bring his boyfriend over soon and for them to have a nice family dinner together. Hearing his Mae call Akk son and family just based on his stories - even though Aye was aware how dreamily he spoke of his Bigfoot like he was the center of his world, which he is - made Shortstop incredibly happy.

As he said earlier, Ayan got used to spending the whole day with his boyfriend and going to sleep in his arms, just to wake up tangled around each other the next morning. So, when he went to bed, it was impossible to fall asleep, so despite it being late Aye called Akk wanting to hear his voice and felt his heart rejoice when his Bigfoot picked up right away and shily admitted that he couldn’t sleep either and was waiting for him to call. He loved his perfect prefect to death. The need to pinch his cute cheeks grew even more when Akk quietly requested if they could talk until he fell asleep.

When Aye woke up the next morning, his phone was right by his ear and the call was still going, neither of them had ended the call and had stayed connected through the night. I’m gonna kiss him breathless as soon as I see him. Which also meant that he could wake up his love with his voice gently calling his name until his boyfriend groggily said ‘Aye~, 5 more minutes,’ and practically melted the Shortstop’s heart.

After Ayan got ready for school, storing his uniform jacket in his bag along with his books, and pulling his hoodie over his blue shirt and dark shorts, he went to his closet. There on the lowest shelf, hidden behind some old albums, was the box filled with Uncle Dika’s journals, which Aye kept safe through the years, even after they said goodbye to him by scattering his ashes over the ocean. The box remained untouched after they left Suppalo at the corner of Aye’s bedroom closet, only to be pulled and looked at once in a while, when the shorter teen wanted to feel closer to his uncle again.

Placing the box on the bed, he sat sideways next to it, opening the lid and rummaging through the many paperbacks his Uncle wrote and Aye with Akk read some nights, especially on the day of Dika’s death anniversary. These journals hid secrets about Uncle Dika’s relationship with Teacher Chadok and their plans for the future. It broke Aye’s heart when Chadok told them that he ripped the pages off in fear and got rid of them, because it was probably those pages that could have told Ayan how his Uncle felt and why he was writing so much about the other teacher, words which made Aye initially believe that Teacher Chadok was to blame for his Uncle’s suicide. And in a way he was, same as the principal, but just like with every story, there were so many hidden secrets and by the time the boys learned the truth it was no longer black and white.

Chadok left his lover alone when he needed to fight for him. He let Dika suffer and leave and feel abandoned, not even hinting at his own feelings, selfishly forcing Uncle Dee to wait as Teacher Chadok continued to work for the same school that took away his happiness. Aye will always blame him for that, will blame him for not fighting for his boyfriend and for choosing Suppalo over the man he loved. Just like he will blame Thua for Akk’s suffering on those stairs. Unlike Thua though, Teacher Chadok is suffering for his mistakes, left to live with the knowledge that his lover died because of him, heart forever broken as he will never meet him in this life again.

Maybe I can ask P’Fate if Uncle Dee and Chadok are Soulmates. Although that somehow makes me sad to think about.

His mom comes in as he is listing through one of the journals, with a tray of orange juice and some light breakfast for him, as he doesn’t usually eat before school. Placing the tray at the bedside table, she walks around the bed to stand next to him as Aye stands up, abandoning the journal back into the box.

“I think… It’s time to let Uncle Dee go.” She says carefully, voice gentle.

“It’s… It’s not easy Mae.” Aye confesses, eyes downcast, before he looks back at her, unable to fully explain what he is feeling or who he is actually worried about. “I keep thinking what if we didn’t leave him alone back then. What if we noticed on time…” It’s not only his Uncle, Ayan sees at that cliff and not only him he is grieving, but how do you say that without sounding crazy.

“Aye… Aye!” His Mae takes his hands. “You can’t blame yourself, son. There was nothing we could do for him. His depression was getting better, Aye, you saw it too. But, sometimes it’s not enough and when he wanted to leave, when it was his time he left us. It’s nobody's fault, Aye.”

His Uncle’s depressive disorder was getting better, he was feeling better and happier and was enjoying life and apparently planning his future with Teacher Chadok, but the principal interfered and separated them. Chadok chose Suppalo over his love and Dika chose death over living in the world without him. It was a hard pill to swallow but Aye learned to live with that and accept it, but right now, hearing those words and thinking about what happened it's not Uncle Dee that he sees but Akk.

In University, after they left Suppalo, his boyfriend’s depression was getting better. Akk was going to therapy regularly and opening up to Aye, they were talking about their fears and worries and were open with each other about everything, not letting anything fester and bitter between them. Ayan always told his Bigfoot how he felt and if he ever had dark thoughts or insecurities, and his boyfriend did the same. They were healing, with therapy and each other they were getting better.

But life wasn’t always easy and while the principal forced teacher Chadok and Uncle Dika to break up, it was a freak accident and a careless driver who took Aye out of Akk’s life and forced Akk into not only watching his boyfriend battle with death, but also get stuck in a coma not knowing if his Shortstop will ever wake up from it.

Akk’s wish to disappear from this world has always been something stuck to their relationship, ever since they met. Even though his Bigfoot told him once that he didn’t want to die precisely, but just not be in this reality anymore sometimes when things got too hard, but that fear or Akk following in on Dika’s footsteps of leaving Ayan behind has always been a mark in his consciousness and Aye didn’t know how to get rid of it. But he trusted his boyfriend to keep his promise and not leave him and Akk kept his promise, up until Aye was stuck in a coma and there was no safety net for Akk to fall into when darkness became too strong and fear engulfed logical reasoning.

Akk said everything felt like a nightmare since the accident and Ayan can see it too. Can understand how panic and anxiety can consume your entire being, how depression and darkness and grief, like one could not imagine, can choke you from the moment you hear that the person you love is in danger. He knows because Aye felt the same. When he woke up and was told that Akk is dead, he felt like his heart broke and soul evaporated, like breathing was no longer possible and everything he heard, everything he saw was overshadowed by vision of Akk crying by his bedside and then choosing to follow him to the underworld, because he could no longer live in a world that didn’t have his safe space in it.

Aye almost did the same thing Akk did, so how can he not understand him?

Right now, Akk promises him that he won’t do it again. Since there is a chance that Aye will wake up from a coma and that vision was just a cause of Akk’s own panicked mind, he will wait and won’t do anything rush and Ayan believes him. He trusts his boyfriend blindly, because Akk has never lied to him. Not even once. But, what if… What if when Aye is in a coma and Akk hears about the accident he gets blinded by his depression again? What if this time Aye sleeps for 8 months instead of 7? What if it takes him a year, 2 years or even 5 years to wake up from that damn coma?

Will Akk still fight his depression and wait? Can he be strong enough to not let his anxiety take control of his mind as soon as Aye is in danger? Is he stronger than Uncle Dika and is actually able to win against his depression? To ask for help?

Ayan doesn’t know. But he wants to believe that his Bigfoot is strong. He wants to trust that their love is strong enough for them to still feel connected, even while one of them is in a coma. Ayan wants to trust Akk with Akk’s own life as much as Aye trusts him with his own.

“Mae…” Aye says, smiling at his mom a little.

“Hm?”

“There is someone else I’m worried about. And I want to… I want to try to save him no matter what.”

She smiles, touching his cheek. “You seem to care a lot about this person.”

“I do. He is so important to me.”

“Does he feel the same?”

“Yes. I know he does. I know he wants to help me too.” He never doubted Akk’s feelings. Not even for a second and he will never doubt them either.

“Then it will be fine, son. I’m sure you both can help each other.” His Mae reassured him, pulling Ayan for a hug, which he readily returned.

****☀️🌙****

Aye rushed to class, more than ready to see his Akk, after an entire night of being away from him. He missed him like crazy already and wanted to hear his voice which didn’t sound pixelated through the phone, look into his sparkling boba eyes and make him smile like the sun coming out through the clouds of his dark thoughts this morning. His hoodie was also missing Akk’s smell already, so Aye had a sneaky plan to steal the hoodie Akk was supposed to wear that morning and swap with his own, so that his Bigfoot will smell like him and Ayan will smell like Akk.

His disappointment was immeasurable when he got inside and didn’t see Akk in their seats. Frowning, Aye made his way towards Kan and Wat, who were talking from across their respective desks.

“Hey Kan. Hey Wat. Where is Akk?” He greeted his friends, putting his bag on the table.

Wat was the one to answer. “Hey Aye. Akk said he’s not feeling well. He went to the infirmary.”

Ayan frowned, he texted his boyfriend this morning and Akk didn’t tell him he was feeling sick. Suddenly worried, he picked up his back and headed towards the door.

“Hey!” Wat called. “Where are you going? Aunt Waree’s class is about to start.”

Aye simply nodded, before leaving the class and heading towards the infirmary and his Bigfoot. As he closed the classroom door he heard Kan snort. “Give it up my friend. Those two are attached at the hip. You can’t separate the two.”

“Maybe you should take a leaf out of his book and be brave too.” Wat joked, the rest lost as Ayan hurried away.

Akk was sleeping peacefully under the star blanket in the infirmary when Aye came in, smiling as soon as he saw his sleeping love.

“Your friend took some pills and is sleeping. Please take care of him.” The doctor instructed on his way out. Aye turned towards him, a little startled not expecting to see him there.

“Sure.” Shorter teen smiled, nodding. “Thank you.” He watched the doctor leave, before dropping his bag on the other bed and leaning over his sleeping boyfriend, checking for his temperature. “You’re good at scaring me, Bigfoot.”

Moving his hand from Akk’s forehead down to his cheek, Aye leaned in to whisper. “Akk. Baby, wake up. Akk.”

His boyfriend mumbled cutely, nuzzling into his hand. “Aye?” His heart melted at the hoarse voice and warm smile that graced Akk’s lips as he blinked his eyes open and saw his Shortstop.

“Hey, it’s me. Wake up.”

“I’m tired.” His Bigfoot complained, as Aye helped him to sit up.

Taking off his hoodie, he helped Akk to put it on. “I know, love. Come on, let me take you home.”

“We have school.” The ex-head prefect complained, even while allowing Ayan to dress him in their hoodie and then help him up the bed.

Aye chuckled. “You’re sick Akk. You need to rest now.”

“Okay.”

As they slowly walked to his car, Shortstop shot a quick text to Wat and Kan, letting them know that he was taking Akk home to rest. They answered him in a group chat with a thumbs up emoji, from Wat and a winking emoji, from Kan.

Getting his boyfriend into the passenger seat and putting his seat belt on for him like always - all the while Akk’s head lolled to the side against the seat already mostly asleep - Aye smiled brushing some strays hairs off his Bigfoot’s face.

Leaning in he whispered into the sleeping boy’s ear. “I’ll take care of everything, Bigfoot. Just stay with me.”

With a last sniff kiss onto Akk’s temple, Ayan quickly dropped his bag to the backseat, rounded his car and drove them both to his house.

Chapter Text

When Akk woke up it was already sunset, soft breeze was coming from somewhere behind him, maybe a window was left open and now the room was cooler than it felt when he first entered it. He was laying under the heavy duvet, head pillowed on the soft pillows, surrounded by Aye’s smell, which made the boy snuggle in deeper to get a whiff of his boyfriend’s unique odor. 

After a few long moments of simply enjoying the silence, the ex-prefect blinked his eyes open, a smile gracing his lips at the beautiful view in front of him. Akk already guessed that he was in his Shortstop’s bed, remembering bits and pieces from this morning. His boyfriend’s hand was tightly holding both of his, their foreheads practically touching in the middle, where the two pillows met, personal space none existent.  

Akk has a vague recollection of Ayan helping him up the stairs and into the bed, smiling and teasing him as he removed the taller boy’s hoodie, shorts and socks, leaving him only in his school shirt and boxers, before laying him down on the bed. He must have dozed off at some point cause Akk doesn’t remember his boyfriend leaving and then coming back with a basin and a towel, only blinking himself awake when he felt Aye gently giving him a sponge bath, all the while humming some familiar tune. 

Ayan wiped his sweat and brushed the soft towel over his arms diligently, making sure to be as gentle and caring as possible. Done with his task, the shorter teen helped his Bigfoot under the blanket and gave him some pills with water, before tucking him in. After that it’s mostly a blur, but Akk remembers grabbing at Aye’s hand and begging him to not leave him, to which his boyfriend only gave him a kiss to the forehead and promised to return soon. The ex-head prefect was going in and out of sleep, only fully settling in when he felt Aye get under the covers with him and take his hand into both of his.

Akk smiles once more at the memory and slides closer to gently smooch the sleeping boy between his furrowed brows and then at the tip of his nose. Aye didn’t stir but he mumbled something intangible, tightening his hands over the ex-prefect’s and getting closer, until he ended up nestled against Akk’s chest. 

He feels his heart fill to the brim with something soft and fluffy and explosive, like million fireworks exploded in his chest and yet instead of sparkles it rained down kittens. He loves his silly adorable tiny Shortstop to death. 

The last few days, after their return from Akk’s hometown was hard. The new structure of Suppalo under Namo’s command, his eternal need to get in Akk and Ayan’s way as to tell them they are ‘breaking the rules’, Teacher Chadok’s pressure on Mo and the new Curse, but most of all the meeting with the new Reaper. 

Actually, Akk has already calculated the dangers of Namo’s new title and Teacher Chadok’s desperation to stop the protests, so when they came back to Suppalo he already knew something is gonna be different and was ready to face the new challenges in order to protect his friends. What he didn’t count on was the fact that their actions and time loop had caused some kind of trouble resulting in reapers now coming to see him and take him somewhere. 

Sure, the ex-prefect thought of the dangers of coming to the past. When Fate first sent him here, Akk was worried to make a single wrong move, afraid that even a slight change to the past would cause unpredictable events, resulting in either someone else getting hurt or him losing his boyfriend forever without even getting a chance to spend two years with him, let alone a lifetime. So, Akk moved carefully and thought about everything twice before saying, not wanting to risk it. When Aye learned the truth and the two of them worked together, some part of Akk was relieved to have his partner-in-crime back, but he still worried of the future. Then, of course, Fate and Reaper told him the truth and apparently Aye also followed him to the past to help him, so it wasn’t just Akk fighting to fix future, but Ayan too, and that, like always, made his life easier and worries of changing stuff too much lower. 

Now it wasn’t just Akk who remembered their lives beyond Suppalo, but Ayan too and they were trying to change both the ex-prefect’s choices and Aye’s accident. Akk was guilty over how much he hurt Ayan with his decision to end his life instead of treasuring his life, like his boyfriend has always so desperately tried to make him understand and believe. He knows Aye has always feared Akk’s consistent train of thoughts about disappearing from this world and made sure to always be there, warm and true by his side, ensuring that Akk knows how much he is loved, needed and appreciated. It figures that as soon as his Shortstop is not there to remind him that his life matters, the ex-head prefect reaches his breaking point. 

It kills Akk to know that Aye is probably feeling guilty for it too. His perfect, amazing boyfriend is feeling guilty for something that is not his fault. Guilty over something beyond his control. Akk loves his adorable Shortstop to much. 

Which is why the ex-prefect’s determination to actually fix their future has become stronger. He is determined to not only change what happens in 2 years, but also prove to Aye that he can and will make a different choice and actually will decide to wait for him to wake up from that coma no matter what. Akk knows his boyfriend has a hard time trusting him with Akk’s own life right now, but he will show him, prove him that Akk won’t give up and choose a way out, but will actually fight till the end and wait no matter how long it will take. Even if it takes the rest of their lives, Akk will earn Aye’s trust back. No matter what. After all, they won’t give up on each other and made a mutual choice to stay and fight together, so he will keep on trying and keep on being strong.

That other Reaper is another question though. What he said about disturbances in the timeline worried the teenager and made him question their choices on trying to change their destinies. So many time loops could not have happened without something in the timeline shifting and changing and even though Fate said after the Eclipse everything will go to normal, Akk started to think that time loops caused the kinda damages that will remain even after they go back to the original timeline, no matter what Fate and Reaper says.

That is to say, the ex-head prefect has no intention of going anywhere with K or letting him ‘fix’ everything by getting him back to ‘where he belongs’. He promised Aye to stay with him forever and fight together until they can’t anymore and Akk would burn down this world rather than break his Shortstop’s heart ever again. Besides, Destiny is literally on their side in this, as well as a Reaper, so no matter what some old, grumpy man says, Akk will trust in Aye, in their feelings and in Fate’s promise and keep on fighting. 

He is just worried about the results of the damage done to time and space. 

How much destruction can two boys in love really cause? 

“You’re thinking too loud, Bigfoot.” Ayan chastises, voice coming from somewhere under the ex-head prefect’s chin. 

When Akk looks down, he sees two big sleepy eyes blinking up at him, with full lips forming a pout. So freaking cute. “Morning, Shortstop.” He says with a tone filled with affection and heart filled with adoration.

Raising the hand, which wasn’t still clutching Akk’s between them, and pokes his Bigfoot on the forehead, lips still puckering. “What are you thinking about instead of cuddling me, huh? What can be more important than me?”

“Nothing.” Akk chuckles, releasing one hand to gently brush it through his boyfriend’s slightly messy hair. “Nothing is more important than you, Aye.”

Cute blush colors the boys’ cheeks, as he leans back blinking. “You… Akk~ You can’t just say that when I just woke up.” Despite his whine, Aye’s lips stretch into a beautiful smile. Unsing his free hand, his boyfriend grabs Akk by his nape and pulls him down for a kiss. Their lips moved against each other softly, a simple transition of love and happiness, before they once again separated, leaning their foreheads together. “You don’t let go of my hand.”

Akk smiles. “I’ll never let go.” 

Ayan narrows his eyes again and in a swift move pushes Akk onto his back and climbs over him, sitting astride on his hips, with both hands now on either side of the taller teens’ shoulders. The ex-prefect puts his own hands on his Shortstop’s hips not pulling or pushing, simply laying them there, smiling gently at him.

“You’re way too flirty right now.” Despite his teasing voice and narrow eyes, the boy sounds too happy, which always makes Akk’s own joy increase. Aye should always be happy and smiling. “Where is my shy Bigfoot? What did you do to him?”

“Ow~ I thought you loved me in any way and form, Shameless. I guess I was wrong.” It was Akk’s turn to pout at his boyfriend.

Aye narrowed his eyes. “Oh, that’s how you think. Okay, then.” Not giving the ex-prefect a chance to reply, the shorter boy started raining kisses onto his Bigfoot’s face, extracting loud delighted giggles from Akk. 

“Aye! Aye, wait! AYE~” The ex-head prefect laughs loudly, putting his hands on his boyfriend’s shoulders and not really pushing him away.

“No, I’m not stopping until you tell me what you did to my boyfriend.” Ayan jokes, smile as big as Akk’s, as he continued to kiss his cheeks, nose, forehead, temples, chin and lips.

“Aye! Aye, wait! Wait!” This time the ex-prefect does seriously push the boy off, albeit gently and only enough to move his lips away from his ticklish neck.

“Hm?” Ayan pouts in question.

“Do you smell that?”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Ayan’s mom was downstairs, setting the table when the boys left the bedroom and came down the stairs. 

“Mae.” Aye greeted, taking Akk’s hand as they made their way towards her. 

She smiled sweetly at them. “Hey. You guys are awake? Come, I just made dinner. Let’s eat.” Ayan’s mae turned towards them, eyes going to their linked hands before she looked up, her grin just like Aye’s. 

“This is Akk. My Boyfriend.” Ayan introduced, sounding so proud, he almost looked like a peacock proudly showing off his lover.

“So this is the boy you told me about.” She nods, looking up at the ex-prefect. “You have a unique name. Akk.”

Akk missed her so much, it feels like it’s been forever since he has last seen her. “Hello, Mae.” He wai her with a smile, and she returns. 

Just like his parents did with Aye, Ayan’s Mae also practically adopted Akk into their little family, treating her as her second son and spoiling him with love and care no less than she did Aye. After their first meeting, whenever Khun Mae was in the city she would invite both boys for dinner, would take them out shopping or just spend quality time with them. When AkkAye started university, they would invite her to visit and go to the movies together or just stay home to spend some time as a family. Almost a month later after the boys started officially dating, Akk invited his own parents for a visit and introduced them to Aye’s mom. Their mothers became quick friends after that. Often talking on the phone and gossiping. During their summer break Khun Mae even came to Akk’s hometown for a visit and they spent an amazing family with their entire family together. 

Ayan’s mom and Akk even developed a secret obsession with a kdrama before she left for Nepal, so they would often watch it together and chat about it, while Aye just fondly smiled at them and enjoyed his boyfriend and mom getting along. 

“You guys must be hungry. Should we get started?” She nodded for them to take their seats.

“Sure, mom.” Aye moved to sit on her left side, while Akk took the right.

“Eat as much as you can.” They dug in right away. She watched them fondly before turning to the ex-prefect. “Tell me, Akk, does Aye pay attention in class?”

The ex-head prefect smirks at his boyfriend, who narrows his eyes, gaze commanding – ‘Play nice’. “I think you know what he’s like the best, Mae.” He comments, turning to her.

“Hey. Don’t you dare.” Aye threatens jokingly, making his mom laugh at them. 

“Let me guess. He is a troublemaker.” She teases, Akk joining in.

“Exactly, Mae Khup.” One of the first things Akk and Ayan’s mom bonded over is their love of teasing Ayan and caring for him. “In class he is always arguing with…”

“Try this.” Aye suddenly says, putting a big piece of corn into the ex-head prefect mouth. “My mom’s food is delicious. Eat up.”

It’s Akk’s turn to narrow his eyes, smiling at Khun Mae and back at Ayan. The older woman shakes her head at the two of them, clearly enjoying their banter. “Aye told me a lot about you, Akk. It’s great to meet Aye’s first boyfriend.”

“I didn’t plan this, Mae.” Ayan suddenly announced, pointing at his Bigfoot. “He is sick so I wanted to take him home, but he wouldn’t let go of me, so I had to bring him here.”

“What?” Akk frowned. “That never happened. I didn’t ask you to take me home.” He does remember his boyfriend coming to take him from the infirmary, but not much after that.

The shorter teen looked at him in triumph. “Yes, you did. In my car. You clung to my hand and kept whining. ‘Aye, don’t leave me.’ ‘Stay with me.’ ” Little shit even made his tone whiny, imitating his boyfriend.

The ex-head prefect blushed. “Ayan! I never did that.” He commanded, avoiding Khun Mae’s knowing gaze.

After she was done laughing and the boys were finished making faces at each other, Ayan’s Mae spoke up. “Are you feeling better now, Akk? Do you need medicine?”

“I’m fine, Mae. Thank you.”

With a nod, she went back to her dinner. Everything gets quieter for another few minutes. “So Akk, how did you two meet?” She asked the taller of the two.

Akk turned wide eyes at his Shortstop not sure how to answer, but Aye beat him to it. “He chased me all over the school, Mae and then threatened to punch me.” It was obviously a joke and Khun Mae snorted at that, looking between the two.

“Stop spouting nonsense, Aye.” He ordered, eyes almost pleading.

Aye pursed his lips, the very picture of innocence. “Au, but that’s how we met Akk. You chased, I ran and then you fell for me, and I caught you.” By the end Akk was all red looking between the laughing woman and his boyfriend.

In embarrassment Akk kicked his Shortstop on the leg, making the boy jump and glare at him pouting. “Stop it.” His voice was more pleading than commanding.

“This is domestic abuse. And in front of your mother-in-law, too.” Aye whined, making Bigfoot's eyes widen.

Khun Mae laughed loudly. Ayan smiled in triumph. And Akk felt more flustered than he did when he met Aye’s mom for the first time, and he shamelessly announced himself - Akk’s boyfriend.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

After the dinner, Khun Mae had to take an important call, so the boys offered to clean up while she talked and then later they all agreed to have some sweets while watching one of the shows Aye and his Mae have been into lately. 

“My leg hurts.” Ayan complained, drying the dishes Akk washed. “You’re quite strong for a sick person. Makes me think you were only pretending to be sick to get into my bed.”

“You’re so good at getting on my nerves.” The ex-head prefect smirks. “I have to get well fast to cope.” The boys turn to each other with matching fond smiles. 

“Finish fast. The show is about to start.” Aye commented, stacking another plate on top of the others and coming closer to his Bigfoot. 

Akk hmms, handing the plate over, but moving fast pretending like the plate fell from both of their hands. His boyfriend curses, bending down to hold it, only to realize that the ex-prefect was still holding it, smiling in triumph. “Jerk. Are you trying to bully me?”

“No.” Taller teen shrugs one shoulder, blinking his doe eyes innocently at the other boy. The very picture of cute innocence, which makes Ayan want to pinch his cheeks, although he knows how sneaky his boyfriend can be. 

“Right.” Aye scoffs in mock annoyance, turning around only to stop  when he sees a stain on the plate. “Almost three years of knowing you and you still don’t know how to wash the dishes properly.” It’s his turn to tease the other, showing the plate under his nose. “Look, the washing bubbles are still there. Do it properly.”

His Bigfoot looks between him and the plate, before pouting his lips and grabbing the dish, showing it under the water. “I always do it right. You’re just picky.”

Ayan is going to die from cute aggression at this point. “Hey, baby.”

This time wide, startled boba eyes stare at him as the apple of Akk’s cheeks turn pink. “Aye~ Shh. Your mom might hear.”

“She hears and so what? You’re my boyfriend, I can call you whatever I want.”  

“Ai’Aye.”

“Come here.” Shortstop gently beckons, absolutely not melting as his boyfriend leans closer even as the blush reaches the tips of his ears. Reaching up, Aye wipes the soap bubbles from the tip of the boy’s nose. “Such a messy boy. What would you do without me?” He smooches the tip of his Bigfoot’s nose, even as he jokingly chastises him. 

Akk blushes impossibly red, leaning back and looking around the room as if someone might jump out from behind the counter and see their interaction. His boyfriend gets shy over the cutest things sometimes. Knowing Akk, it’s not being seen, that he is worried about, but in fact, his adorable boyfriend, probably worries his cute little head over the fact that Aye’s mom might see them. Sure, in the future, just like their friends she is also used to their constant flirting and teasing, always finding it funny, cute and endearing how much they love and care about each other and how attached they are. But, for Ayan’s usually shy boyfriend the reality is, that he just met his mother-in-law and wants to make a good first impression.

His adorable Bigfoot is too cute and innocent.

“Are you washing the dishes or taking a shower?” Shortstop smirks.

Not one to be outsmarted, Akk straightens up, acting like it was his plan all along. “I’m making sure everything is perfectly clean.”

“You’re messy.” 

“You’ve got bubbles on your arm too.” The ex-head prefect grins face practically glowing from within, grabbing the other boy’s arm to show his point. “You’re just as messy as me.” 

Ayan spets close, looking up at him in challenge. “Are you picking a fight?”

“And if I am. What are you going to do about it, Shortstop?” Akk lets him get closer, removing any notion of space between them. 

“I’ll punch you, Bigfoot.”

“Go ahead then. You punch me, I…” He purses his lips leaning in.

Just as Aye smirks about to fulfil the end of that sentence, when Akk suddenly leans back and splashes water onto the Shortstop. Ayan splatters, shaking his head like a soaked puppy, while his boyfriend chuckles, walking around him towards the kitchen island. 

“Since you don’t like my washing. Then you wash and I dry.” 

It took them another thirty minutes to finish with everything, put the dishes away and dry up the counter left wet from when they started another water fight. 

“You should change. You’re all wet and dirty now.” Akk comments, folding the kitchen towel.

Aye looks down at himself with a frown, not understanding how his boyfriend got away dry from their fight, all the while his shirt and shorts got soap water all over them. “You did that on purpose.” He accused, with a whine.

The ex-prefect snorts. “How? It was your idea to start a water fight.”

The boys grin at one another, gazes locked, as if having an entire conversation through their eyes only. 

“Everything looks good boys. Thank you.” Ayan’s mom comes to the kitchen smiling.

“Are you done with your call, Mae?”

“Yeah.” She nods, only to frown when she sees her son. “Were you washing the dishes or fighting them?”

“It’s not my fault, Mae. This guy just splashed me…” Aye whined, only to get elbowed by his Bigfoot, cursing under his breath. “Ai…” He glares at the apologetic little smile from Akk. “You’ll pay for this.” His voice lacked any sort of heart or threat. 

Khun Mae laughs, shaking her head. “Sure. I’ll prepare the drinks. Akk, help me get the sweets from the fridge and set up the coffee table. Aye hurry, the show is starting soon.”

“Yes, Mae.” He shouted over his shoulder, as he ran up the stairs. Both his mom and boyfriend, chuckling at his antics.

Together Khun Mae and Akk worked efficiently, getting everything ready and the show opened within minutes. The ex-prefect put the sweets in three separate plates and took them to the coffee table, along with cutlery and some tissues. Ayan’s mom nodded for him to sit once he was done, as she put three cups of coffee on the table too, turning on the TV as she took her seat on the armchair. 

Like he always remembers doing, Akk sat on the farthest part of the sofa, taking a pillow to hug after making a comfortable space beside him for his Shortstop. Ayan usually sat as close as possible to Akk whenever they watched something, then, more often than not ending up either laying down with his head on his boyfriend’s lap or on his shoulder. So, with that memory, the ex-prefect placed a pillow on his lap and dragged a blanket closer so that he could throw it over Aye when he fell asleep. 

Khun Mae watched him with a curious expression, which turned into a grin when she saw him make a pillow fort for sitting for two people instead of one.

“Akk,” She gently called. “Thank you for taking care of Aye.” 

The ex-head prefect smiles. “That’s fine. I just…” What can he really say? Taking care of Aye is like second nature by now. That Ayan has somehow become part of his soul, his heart, his entire existence and taking care of him, loving him, protecting him is as easy for Akk as doing it for himself - actually it was easier than doing it for himself. IT sounds cheesy even in my own head. 

“Ever since it happened, he’s been depressed. But lately, I see his mood’s been lifted. Ever since he met you he started smiling a lot more, enjoying his days just like he did before and showing interest in his favorite things again.”

“Teacher Dika’s death affected him a lot.” Akk says tentatively, not quite sure how Khun Mae will take it from him as a stranger she just met and not a boy she has known for months.

She looked at the boy shocked, as if not expecting him to know about it or for Aye to actually tell him such a private matter. Back in this time period, Aye was still grieving and wasn’t ready to talk neither with his Mom nor with Akk about Dika and what happened. It will be months later, after they scatter the ashes over the ocean that Ayan will finally break down and spend an entire night in Akk’s arms crying his heart out, before telling him everything - his feelings over such a sudden death, his fears of the same happening to him or to Akk, terror over losing another loved one and his reality after what happened to his uncle.

“He’s probably still shocked by what happened.” Khun Mae nodded, avoiding his eyes. “I took him to see a psychiatrist. When he asked to transfer to a new school, I was against it, but I didn’t want to oppose that. I wanted what’s best for him, but I was afraid I’d lose him too.”

It broke Akk’s heart to see her this worried about Aye, afraid that her son will follow in her brother’s footsteps. “Mae khup, Aye is going to be okay. He is stronger than any person I know.”

“Thank you, son. For caring about Aye and for making him this happy. Can you promise me one thing, Akk?” She smiled gently at him. “Whatever happens, please don’t leave Aye behind.”

“I promise, Mae.” Never again. Akk promised, leaning back with a smile, when they heard Ayan’s hurried footsteps.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

The next morning the classes resumed, students piling in and out of classes. First period was a study hall, so Akk, Aye, Kan and Wat were all gathered around their desks, two of four revising their notes, while Kan and Wat were on their phones, totally ignoring the others.  Aye wasn’t concentrating either, trapping one of Akk’s hands to play with his fingers, forcing the ex-prefect to use only one to underline important passages.

“Guys.” Kan suddenly shouted. “The World Remembers is stirring things up again. Check Twitter.” 

AkkAye exchanged a worried look before they too pulled out their phones and entered the app, seeing the World Remember’s latest posts. 

“An innocent student was blamed. It’s time to unmask the real curse. When school isn’t a safe place, it’s time we gather outside.” Wat read the heading of the last post Three Jums made.

“Innocent student?” Kan frowns looking at Akk. “I think they’re siding with you, Akk.”

Wat cut in. “More people are joining the protest this time too. Many also believe that Akk was just a scapegoat and are asking for justice.” He pointed at his phone. “Look how many people like and retweet it. They’re upset that the curse didn’t stop and about the current Prefect Club.”

“Right.”

Akk leaned into his Shortstop, feeling his warmth against his side. They turned to look at one another, knowing that while this is different from how it went before, it still will lead to bigger issues with the principal and Teacher Chadok.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Kan, Wat and Akk were under the shed, watching as the Three Jums were handing out black armbands, asking people to join their protest. 

“Teacher Sani told us to make sure no one mentions the protest or they will be blacklisted.” Wat shook his head. “Blacklisting their own students, it sounds so weird.”

“We need to get the names of everyone who wants to join and report too. You know I’m leaning towards World Remembers more and more. School is becoming crazy.” Kan grumbles.

“Are you really going to help to get the names?” Akk asks his friends, who look between each other, not answering, but their eyes tell him everything he needs to know. They won’t follow through. There is no reason to escalate this more than it is.

“P’Akk!” Nong shouts, waving at him from across the yard, before running towards him. The other two were standing on the stairs, now looking towards where he stood with his friends. “Here. Please join us too, P’.” He handed the black arm band towards the ex-head prefect. 

Akk could feel eyes all around them, from the students walking in the yard and his own friends, watching him, probably judging and questioning. He was labeled as the Curse and yet here he is talking to one of the protestors everyone now knows he was trying to hurt. But Nong, Nian and Non helped him, they voiced their disbelief over his involvement and never actually blamed him, which helped with the rest of the school staying off his back. The juniors might not have forgiven him yet, but they clearly saw his remorse and accepted it. Giving Akk a chance to redeem himself.

The ex-prefect smiles, taking the black band and pulling it over his arm. “Thanks, Nong. Keep on fighting. You’re doing good.” He probably won’t join the protest, staying with his boyfriend like he did last time. Crowded places are not for him.

Nong smiles at him, nods to the other two and runs back to his friends, joining them on the stairs, where they start humming the funeral song as a mockery for the school board not helping with the obvious assault on them.

“Wat. Kan.” Akk turns to look at his friends. “Don’t allow the school to keep hurting its students.”

They both nodded. He was grateful to still have his friends by his side and always ready to support him.

“Thank you.” Nun spoke into the loudspeaker. “Many horrible things have happened. We’ve been looking for the truth behind it. They blamed the innocent guy without any evidence except for a blurry picture. The bad guy was never caught. Because there are never enough serious investigations. You know why?”

Nian and Nong leaned in, hands over their ears. “Why?”

“Because the school board lacks integrity. They never really cared to find the one responsible. If it was who they said it is, then everything would have stopped, but it didn’t.”

“True.”

“Let’s see.” Nong speaks up. “Are any of you here done with the Suppalo curse? If you are, join us. We have an appointment guys. Where?”

“At the Suppalo Curse Reverse Day. Come and show them our power.” Nian happily concluded. 

“That’s awesome, Nian.”

Non once again spoke through the speaker, pointing at the crowd. “Those who have the armband, wear it. If you haven’t got one, come and get it here.”

“Join us everyone.” Nong asked. 

Akk’s breath caught as he watched in horror as the familiar scene unfolded in front of him.

Suddenly Nian touched his head, fingers coming out bloody as something red and sticky dripped onto his forehead. With a scream he fainted, making the other two panic and lean over him trying to see what happened.

A white banner with red bold writing ‘You freaking misfits, you have it coming.’ which looked as if it was written with blood came down the third floor and hung over the trio. The students started to panic and scream, pointing at the banner, as whispers of the Curse and punishment echoed across the yard. 

“What the hell is this?” Kan turned to his two friends, watching them with wide eyes.

Wat had his camera out, shooting everything. “Exactly. So dramatic.”

“Akk, you ok?” Kan called out, touching the ex-head prefect on the shoulder, brows drawn together in a worry.

This can’t be happening. How can this happen again? Who is this person?

 **** ☀️🌙 ****

Aye rushed to find Akk as soon as he saw his Twitter feed and read the comments following the recent video posted about the World Remembers gang and their protest. It was terrifying really. Not only the fact that so many people thought that those kids got what they deserve and blamed them for what was happening, but also the reality that this exact same thing happened in their original timeline too. He still remembers clear as day everything that led to this point and the line of events that later resulted in Thua publicly announcing Akk and Ayan relationship before the entire school and Akk breaking down with the weight of everything.  

It’s still one of the worst days of Aye’s life. Right after the day he woke up from a comma to the world where Akk was no longer by his side.

Even the account that posted the video with the caption ‘Will you stop or not?’ was the same as the last one, along with the picture and the name. Aye checked the profile right away, ready to go find Thua as soon as he saw no other indication who this account belong to, it was anonymous, filled with posts and threats to the Three Jums, as if it's the Curse himself advancing to the digital world, now that the real world was getting out of control. The only thing that stopped him from going after Thua and demanding answers, was the need to find his boyfriend. 

Especially after Wat’s text.

WAT

Aye! 

Akk is acting weird 😟 

AYE

What happened?

WAT

We were there when the Jums were protesting

He just froze after that

won’t let us close, won’t answer 

He looks like a zombie

I’m not sure how to help him

AYE

I’m coming.

Where is he?

WAT

Prefect Club

Teacher Sani needs us, so we had to leave him there

AYE

Ok

OMW

When Ayan finally reaches the Prefect Club Room, Akk is sitting on the desk watching the clip of World Remembers gang from this morning, expression unreadable. 

Not losing another moment, he slams the door open and rushes in. “Ai’Akk.”

His Bigfoot jumps off the table, looking at him confused, as the shorter teen throws his bag onto the table and rushes to take his boyfriend by the shoulders pulling him close, eyes running over the boy’s body noting any injuries, even though logically he knows there should be none.

“Aye? What’s wrong?” Akk frowns, fingers grabbing at his hoodie sleeves. 

Leaving one hand on his boyfriend’s upper arm, Ayan places the other at his nape playing with the little hairs  there, knowing how much the taller boy calms down with it. “Wat said you started acting weird after the protest. What happened?”

With a sigh his Bigfoot relaxes, not moving away, but instead leaning more into his boyfriend’s touch. “I’m not sure either. Just the familiarity of the scene shocked me I guess. I keep comparing the last time this happened to right now and it doesn’t make sense. What are the chances of Namo actually doing the Curse work the same way Thua did?”

“If it's not Namo, then who? Thua again?” Aye reasoned.

Akk shook his head. “No, Thua changed. He even gave back the journal. He has no reason to do it now.”

“Yeah, I guess his whole ‘I want everyone to tell the truth’ bullshit is null now, since you did tell everyone the truth. Willingly or by exposure.” 

“Aye.” The ex-prefect admonish, eyes getting some of its light back. “Thua is our friend.” 

Ayan pursues his lips annoyed. “Well, I still don't trust him. I say it can still be him and if he hurts you again, this time I’ll punch him. Hard.” He scoffs.

“Kan will kill you.” Akk looks at him amused, eyebrow raised, not even a shadow of his earlier gloom left now. 

“You will protect me though, right Bigfoot?” Shorter boy whined, practically leaning into his boyfriend. 

“Aye, someone might walk in.” The ex-prefect laughs, pretending to remove his Shortstop’s arms off of his shoulders, but using no force at all for it to be at least a tiny bit effective. “You’re clingy.”

“Let them. They will only see me flirting with my amazing, adorable boyfriend.” His grin widened. “Here’s another reason why Thua can’t do anything. We’re already out, so it’s not a secret he can use.” 

His Bigfoot rolled his eyes, looking so affectionate and happy, that Aye forgot everything that wasn’t them in this moment. “You need to learn forgiveness, Shortstop.”

Happy to have his boyfriend back to his usual self, Ayan relaxed further, still not moving his hand away from the boy, fingers tangled in his hair. “Let’s say it’s not him, then who?”

“Must be someone in this school.” 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“You know, if I'd known that we would come to the past and would be hunting down the Curse again I would have taken that IT course in my first year.” Aye complained, opening the Eclipse profile on the computer. 

Akk snorts looking at him sideways, as he leans over his shoulder to look at the screen too. “Is that your master plan, to hack Twitter so we can trace the IP address?” 

They were on the bleachers, skipping class to work over their new plan for the Curse and Akk’s impending Committee meeting regarding his scholarship and future. It was Aye’s idea to make few posts from couple of anonymous accounts about Akk not being the Curse, being blamed instead of someone else, supporting the World Remembers Gang in their petition to force the School Board to look into it as it remains blind to what’s happening to the protestors and using their ex-head prefect as a scapegoat. 

Aye also commented under the latest posts by the Eclipse 12345 account, pointing out that if the Curse was really caught then who did this and then longing in through another profile to say that The Curse is a real human as no banners can be simply manifested and thrown over the balcony by a ghost or non-corporeal being. 

“Au, I can totally do it, Akk. Don’t underestimate me.” His Shortstop stated. “I just need to remember to take that course in junior year.”

Akk leans back, legs drawn close to lean his arms over them, shaking his head as he watches the boy work with fond exasperation. “Last time you used a link to some old clickbait news, because we thought it’s Teacher Chadok. What are you gonna do this time to get the IP address?”

“I’m not trying to get the IP address this time. I’m trying to get a rise out of him.”

“Huh?”

“I’m commenting and texting him from an anonymous profile, acting like I know who he is. I need him to react and bum we have him.” Ayan says proudly. “He won’t be able to stay calm, cool and collected if he thinks someone is onto him. So I’m gonna make him expose himself.”

“Who will fall for that, Aye?” The ex-head prefect looks at him dubiously.

“Why not? He is acting like the Curse, so I’m gonna act like Sherlock Holmes who has already deduced his identity.” 

“Your plan sucks.” He snorts, before continuing. “Let’s say he falls for this and answers. How will we know who it is? It’s not like we can actually ask him to meet us in person.”

“Your main suspect is Namo and mine is Thua. So I’ll watch both of them to see which one is acting sketchy.” Aye reasons. It does sound doable, but there are so many things that can go wrong that Akk is not sure if they will be able to pull this off. They couldn’t the first time, and they might not this time either. “If they don’t then at least we have more people siding with you and the School Board wouldn’t want to risk ruining Suppalo’s reputation by making a scholarship kid take the blame for the Curse, when so many know it’s still happening without you.” At Akk’s worried gaze he added. “Trust me.”

His Bigfoot’s shoulders loosened, as he gave a short nod. “I do. Always.”

Akk takes the laptop, continuing to comment on some of the other posts and answering other commenters - through the anonymous profile - while his boyfriend pulls out his phone and starts checking his own Twitter account. The ex-prefect ignores him, knowing full well that they will get in trouble if they’re caught by the prefects, but clearly aware that asking his Shortstop to not use something for the threat of it being taken away is useless. Aye will just go on telling him about the phone being his asset and will threaten anyone with a fine or a jail time if they try to take it away. So Akk dares anyone to try to make Ayan give something up - not that Akk himself will allow that to happen either. Most prefects are his friends and they won’t even try to dictate to either of them what to do.

Akk was mindlessly scrolling through comments, when a notification came. He frowned reading the words on the screen. “Aye, did you just like my post from your own account?”

His Shortstop turned to him with a proud smile. “Retweeted it too. More people need to see it.”

Does he not understand the point of their anonymous comments and stalking of the account? “If you do that, he will know it’s us spying on him.” The ex-head prefect shakes his head, gently slapping his boyfriend behind the head as if he was a puppy who just chewed on his shoes. Honestly, it was more of a strong pat than a hit, which is why the shorter boy’s over dramatic reaction amused him.

Aye hissed, turning threateningly towards his Bigfoot. “You’re a man of violence.” He poked at him with his finger, which was supposed to look menacing, but instead looked like a grumpy cat.  “A dictator. I’m breaking up with you.” He turns around sulking, pulling his phone close under his nose.

“Awww~” Akk cooed, massaging Ayan on the nape of his neck, turning him around while doing it so they would be facing each other. “Don’t turn away from me. Or else I’ll miss you. Come on, help me finish these posts.”

There was a cheeky smile on the boy’s lips as he turned and leaned close, practically invading Akk’s personal space in broad daylight. The ex-head prefect was sure that if he even hinted at the green light, his Shortstop would already be on his lap. “Are you obsessed with me?”

“Yes, I’m dying without you, Shameless. Now come here.” Akk chuckled, voice filled with sarcasm.

His boyfriend slid closer, turning to lean his back onto Akk’s front as he raised his phone, camera open. “Wait. Let's take some selfies first.”

“Aye~”

“Come on, Akk~ I need a new post for Instagram.” Aye whined cutely, begging to take countless pics, the ex-prefect relaxing and smiling for them, allowing his Shortstop to do what he likes. “A bleachers/spy date with my boyfriend.”

**** ☀️🌙 ****

That evening Akk got to his dorm room, feeling exhausted. Quickly showering and changing into some comfy shirt and shorts, Akk started on his homework, barely able to concentrate as his thoughts kept drifting to the day they had.The day was filled with tension and fear as students looked over their shoulders wherever they went and the teachers were demanding and demeaning, blaming the teenagers for what was happening. 

After their failed attempt to get a rise out of the Eclipse account owner, AkkAye headed to the World Remembers gang club room to check on the boys. Thankfully they seemed fine, as spirited and determined as ever, only a little shaken up. As seniors the boys promised to back them up with anything if they needed and Three Jums once again showed how strong they are by claiming that they won’t back down and this Saturday that protest will happen. The ex-head prefect felt pride seeing them so true to their purpose and not backing down in the face of anything.

After the last class of the day, Kan dragged Aye somewhere to talk, to which Ayan only smirked and told his Bigfoot that he will meet him back in his room later. If Akk’s memory serves him right, then Kan wants some advice from Aye about Thua, at least that’s what his boyfriend told him happened back when they lived through this the first time around. Using Ayan’s distraction, the ex-prefect also went to find Namo, wanting to see if the boy was in any way involved with the banner. 

Mo is the type of person who loves to gloat and Akk is sure that if he has done something as big as that banner incident, he would have been obvious about it. At least towards Akk, just to show how well he is doing something Akk didn’t manage to do before. After all, that’s what he did last time too. Even while not being guilty Namo made it obvious how proud he was of Akk for doing it and that he was ready to support the ex-head prefect if he wanted to do more than that. Okay, maybe Aye wasn’t that far off the mark when he said Mo has had a crush on him in high school.

Following that unfulfilling talk with Namo, the ex-prefect headed to his dorm, texting Aye to come straight there. He got a reply a few moments later with a dozen heart and kissing face emoji, followed by a promise to bring dinner.

A sudden knock at the door broke him out of his thought train. Closing the book he barely touched, Akk headed to the door, opening to his smiling boyfriend.

“Took you long enough.” Aye teased, coming inside, leaving his shoes by the door. Treating Akk’s dorm like his own room has been the shorter teen’s habit ever since they met. So unsurprisingly, his Shortstop walked in like a king, put the bags with food onto the table and dropped himself backwards onto the bed, face turning blissful.

Akk sighs. “Aye. Change before getting on the bed. I just washed those sheets.” Little troublemaker just keeps laying there, looking at his Bigfoot with half lidded eyes, arms spread over his head. “Get up, Shortstop. Go take a shower first.” He complained, taking his boyfriend’s arm and pulling him upright.

Ayan pretended to lose his balance once he was upright and fell right into Akk’s open arms, wrapping his arms around the taller boy’s neck and pursing his lips asking for a kiss. “I’m waiting for my ‘welcome home’ kiss.”

“You’re getting more spoiled everyday.” The ex-head prefect complained with no heat in his voice, smooching his Shortstop on the lips. He really needs to stop spoiling his boyfriend. “Did you find out anything about the new Curse?” He asks, gently pushing the boy off him.

Shorter teen stands upright, hands on his hip, looking kinda annoyed. “Your boyfriend is right here in front of you and you’re only thinking about work. Do you even care about me at all?”

“What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“We’re dating and your priority should be spending time with me and making good memories.”

Akk narrowed his eyes. Two can play this game. “What dating? Didn’t you break up with me earlier?”

“Lies! I never said that!” Aye violently protests, looking like a puppy with big sparkling eyes asking to be pet by his owner. “Take those cruel accusations back.” He pouts his lips at Akk, hands holding onto the other’s arms.

“Since you’re not over here gloating about being a genius, I assume that the fish didn’t take the bait?” 

“Not yet.” Ayan shook his head, looking put out and frustrated. “He’s being cautious. Maybe he needs proof. Not as stupid as I first thought.” 

Akk sighs. “What does he really want? Both Thua and Mo’s motivations don’t match it.”

“I have no idea.” His Shortstop groaned. “Let’s have dinner!” He suddenly perks up. His mood changes always send the ex-prefect reeling.

“Huh? What dinner?”

“Come on, Bigfoot. I’m hungry. You promised me a dinner date.” Came a whine, as Aye used his hold on his Bigfoot’s hands to drag him to the table. 

Resisting Ayan when he wanted something was impossible for Akk, even if he wanted to say ‘no’, which he never remembers actually meaning or wanting, he will never be able to do it. 

They worked together to empty the plastic bags with food containers and set the table, using the plastic chopsticks and forks that the food stall provided, as neither of them wanted to deal with washing dishes later. 

Once comfortable on their own pillows, Akk picked at his sushi, absentmindedly chewing, his mind wandering once again to the Curse and the new account that emerged. In the original timeline no one actually knew about Akk being the Curse, except for Aye, so it made sense for Thua to use that secret and spin it for his own gain. He continued the work Akk stopped and even created a social media account, which pulled more attention to Suppalo, the protest and even the Curse. 

While the ex-head prefect was trying to keep the actions and results of the Curse within the Suppalo walls, so that his school’s reputation won’t be damaged, Thua didn’t care about it. For him, by his own words, was more important for the truth to come out and for everything to go back to how it originally was. Thua, in Akk’s humble opinion, didn’t really care about their juniors or classmates or even Akk and Aye, he only cared about his own repressed emotions, his own pain and pressure from all sides and unresolved feelings. 

Aye said he was bitter and jealous of everyone who was trying to change or wanted to help others, because he saw himself as a victim and hated that no one saved him first. That being said, if Thua did reach out to either Kan or Akk or Aye, they would have helped him with anything - including his step-dad. One time during his therapy session, Akk brought up this with his therapist, asking if she can reason and understand Thua’s view point. She looked at him and told him that it didn’t matter what she thought of it as she doesn’t know him, but what does Akk think about someone he considers his friend. 

“Did you forgive him because you understood him or did you forgive him, because you think you deserved what he did?” She asked him kindly. 

Akk didn’t know how to answer that then and even afterward as he thought about it no answer really came. Thua’s action didn’t make sense to him. Mostly because he would have never done that to anyone. 

If Thua wanted him to tell the truth about being the Curse, then why did he continue bullying and harassing the World Remembers Gang when Akk stopped? Why couldn’t he just come to Akk and tell him that he knows and that he needs to come clean? That’s what Aye did. Why did he make those posts? Why did he scare everyone? That only added fuel to the fire and didn’t really stop the protests and made the ex-head prefect anxious enough that he couldn’t come clean, since there was no way to prove that he hasn’t done anything since the car. Why did he loudly announce it in the middle of the school yard? 

And most of all why did he have to reveal Akk’s relationship when Akk could barely admit it to himself? He wasn’t ready for that. He was scared. And a toxic environment like Suppalo, surrounded by conservative teachers and mainly homophobic students, wasn't actually an ideal place to do it to someone you called your friend. It put both Aye and Akk in danger. If not for Wat’s barely believable lie, then… Akk doesn’t want to think about what would have happened.

Thua betrayed Aye who considered him an ally. Akk and Wat who thought of him as a friend. And Kan who loves him dearly, even if he wasn’t ready then to openly admit it. 

Ayan never forgave Thua and never trusted him after that, not only because of Akk, but also for the fact that Aye himself was also put as a target in a situation that shouldn’t have happened when all they wanted to do was help their juniors. 

Akk therapist told him that forgiveness is done not for the one who has wronged you, but for yourself as it finally sets you free of that situation and that person. Thua probably acted upon his own trauma and insecurities not knowing or caring of the results to other people as in his eyes Thua himself was the biggest victim - not World Remembers, not Aye and not even Dika. So his therapist said that if Akk wants to forgive his friend it’s totally ok, as long as he is not doing it because of some form of self-punishment and was actually allowing himself to heal from the past.

Till now he is not sure which it is, but as he continues to heal, his forgiveness of Thua’s actions become more reasonable and not guilt-ridden.

This time around Thua and Akk spoke about his feelings and the ex-prefect is not really hiding his love for Aye in public anymore. He wants to believe that their talk and his willingness to change also managed to change Thua’s heart and mind about the whole thing. While Ayan is convinced it might be him, Akk thinks that after their talk it is less likely to be Thua.

Which only leaves Namo. But then again. Mo always adored Suppalo to the level of fanaticism and he admired Akk for his willingness to do anything for Suppalo Rules. Whatever Namo did, good or bad, was done the same way as Akk. Discreetly and within the walls of the school. This latest attack and posts are too public and they call for attention. Would Namo really do something like that? Something so big and grand that Suppalo's reputation is threatened and outsiders are getting involved?

So lost in his thoughts, Akk doesn’t notice Aye’s concerned gaze glued to him or when those eyes turn cunning. “You’re eating with your boyfriend, but looking so distant.” The ex-prefect turns to him with a frown, a memory tickling in his mind of a similar scenario happening before. “Are you cheating on me?” His boyfriend’s eyes widened in accusation.

Akk is too stunned to speak, shaking his head in exasperation. 

“Are you?” Shortstop demands, eyes turning liquid and voice whiny, as if he truly believes that after so many years - both in the loop and out of it - Akk can ever do something like this.

With his index finger the ex-prefect pushes the boy’s head back, looking annoyed. “I’m not going to dignify that. If you’re going to be annoying, then eat and leave.”

“See.” Aye wails. “You don’t want to be with me. You’re cheating on me for sure.” He finishes looking like a kicked puppy. 

Akk points his chopsticks at him threateningly. “You’re obsessed with spouting senseless nonsense again. Stop being a wisecracker.”

His boyfriend’s face lit up like a christmas tree at that, once again giving the Bigfoot as whiplash. “That’s much better, Mr. Nice Mouth. Welcome back.”

“What are you talking about?” The ex-head prefect tilts his head confused. 

“You were so worried about the culprit I could hear your thoughts from over here. You look way better when your attention is on me and not some ghost guy. ” Aye reasoned proudly. If he had a tail it would be wagging with joy.

“So you decided to get yourself yelled at again?” Akk asked in disbelief, snorting.

“You’re way cuter when we’re bickering.” His Shortstop leans in grinning. “I’m a genius, aren’t I?”

“So smart.” Bigfoot mocked. “Should I thank you for your thoughtfulness? You deserved it.”

That seems to send alarm bells ringing in Ayan’s mind, as he suddenly narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Thank me, how?”

It was Akk’s turn to grin cruelly as he reached for the wasabi and put a generous amount onto his sushi. His boyfriend watched him with wide terrified eyes, slowly leaning back. “Akk. Ai’Akk. Don’t you dare. Akk!”

“Didn’t you say I should ‘thank you’?” With a practiced ease of doing this dozen times over during their relationship, Akk quickly moves close and gets onto Ayan’s lap for a change. His Shortstop grabs at his waist not pushing him away, but instead leaning his upper body out of his reach as the ex-prefect grabs his chin, squishes his cute, soft cheeks and coos. “Open your mouth, Aye. Good boys deserve a reward for doing a good job.”

“Akk. No. I hate wasabi. Ai’Akk.” The shorter teen whines, as his Bigfoot leans closer, asking him to open up. 

“Yum. Come on.”

Unable to resist the onslaught of Akk’s blinding smile, big boba eyes and soft voice, combined with his boyfriend’s comforting weight in his lap, Aye finally parts his lips already expecting the sharp spicy taste of the wasabi as he starts to chew. His hands flew on his Bigfoot's waist, head dropping to his shoulder as he tried to fight the bitterness of it. 

Ayan both enjoys and hates the laughter he hears above himself, as soft hands come to pet his hair. 

“I hope you’re happy.” He whines feeling his eyes water as he looks up at the boy still sitting on his lap, like he belongs there. Well he does, so honestly, that’s not something to even complain about.

“Thank you.” Akk says, kissing him on the nose.

Aye scrunches up his nose cutely nodding. “I’ll get you back.” Despite his words and the teary eyes from the wasabi, the Shortstop is smiling still. Relieved that he can help lessen some of the burden his perfect prefect is carrying. “You’ll pay for this.”

“Uh-huh.”

As the bitterness slowly goes away, Ayan begins to smile up at his Bigfoot, arms tightening around him and pulling him close. 

Akk’s eyes widened, hand coming to hold onto his boyfriend's shoulders. “Aye, what are you doing?”

“I missed this, you know. For the longest time I thought that I won’t be able to hug you like this again. To spend time with you alone, close like this.” To demonstrate his words Aye pulls him closer still, which is impossible on its own as they are already as close as they can be, short from only blending into each other. “I trust you, Akk. I trust that you will wait for me this time. I want to keep having these moments with you until we’re old and wrinkly and my back hurts too much to hold you on my lap but I still try.”

The ex-head prefect snorts, feeling teary eyes himself. “I want it too, Aye.” They smile at each other before Akk tries to pull himself up and off his boyfriend. “Let’s finish our dinner. We have school tomorrow.”

“Hmm.” 

Frowning at the quick agreement, his eyes widen as Ayan grabs his neck and pulls their faces closer. Using Akk’s moment of surprise he shows a sushi with wasabi into the ex-prefect’s mouth and smooches his lips. 

With a curse Akk falls back from his lap, eyes watering at the bitter taste of the spice. 

Ayan chuckles, happy with his pay back.

**** ☀️🌙 ****

Water has always calmed him down. Maybe it’s due to being raised in the small fishing town with a sea in his backyard, going fishing every morning with his parents, soaking in the cool waters at noon when the heat is too much. Maybe it’s because he always feels small in comparison to the ocean or the fact that deep water never judges him, never questions, never hurts, it simply listens to everything Akk has to say and absorbs it, returning only a feeling of acceptance, belonging and peace.

When he came to Suppalo, the ocean was no longer anywhere close to him and the ex-prefect was too busy with his studies and duties to even have time to go to the beach. So he found solace in the school swimming pool, his small getaway when it felt suffocating to exist in this school. Sure, it didn’t compare to the sea he got used to seeing every day, but it was still something that allowed him to submerge underwater, swim with no interruption and collect his thoughts without any judgment.

The next morning, in school, as Aye stayed back to talk to teacher Sani about their assignment, Akk went to the pool, changing fast and diving in deep. He needed to be free. He needed to think and be sure of his feelings.

Everything that’s been happening lately felt like a weight on Akk’s shoulders. His guilt and past and reality kept dragging him down. It suffocated him. Especially this uselessness he felt for his inability to change anything and help anyone. 

Aye being here, near him, helped. It lessened the burden and let the ex-prefect know he is not alone. And Ayan trusted him fully again. He believed him when Akk promised to not make the same choices after the accident happened. It made him so happy to hear and even more responsible now. Because Akk can’t fail again. He can’t betray Aye. Can’t break his trust.

Last night, as he slept in Aye’s arms, Akk dreamt of their future together. He saw them studying in the University, doing a student exchange program in their second year and enjoying their time in the UK as foreign students, and saw their bond growing and becoming stronger. Akk dreams of the day he graduates with Ayan and of the day they find their first jobs, sharing their excitement and worry over this new adventure. He saw himself getting older with the love of his life. Dreamt of the house they bought together and of two cats and a dog they adopted. Last, he saw them as old men, sitting on their yard smiling at each other and holding hands, warm cups of coffee on the table in front of them.

That life felt like a perfect dream. So ideal and spotless and something he wants to have. Akk wants to have that life with Aye, wants that future with him and only him. He wants to have those small arguments he got a glimpse of in his dream and then make up with kisses and hugs and cute dates. He wants to propose to Ayan on the boat they went to the secret island for the first time. Wants to kiss him when they pass the equal marriage bill. Wants to adopt their cats and their puppy together. Wants to live his life by Aye’s side and die on the same day as him. 

He wants to be reborn over and over again and find Ayan in every lifetime and fall in love with him and be together forever. Akk desperately wants it. 

And he is so scared that he won’t have it. 

He’s terrified that the accident might be worse this time than it was last. So scared that Aye won’t make it. Won’t wake up. Petrified of a single chance that he will be forced to keep on living without the love of his life. 

Maybe it was that fear which brought P’Fate to his dream again.

In the early hours of the morning, right before he woke up, Akk saw himself in the white room with no windows or doors. Standing as his University self, dressed in black jeans and white button up, in front of Fate, who was smiling at him kindly from across the room. 

Her expression reminded him of his own, eyes holding so much emotion back, whenever he saw Aye or one of his friends worried about something and wanted to help. 

“Hey, Akkie.” She greeted me. “You know you need to learn to enjoy your present and stop worrying so much. Future is not set in stone, Akk, you guys can change it.”

The ex-prefect bit his lips. “P’Fate, is what K said true? Did our action really cause a disturbance in time and space?”

“Every action has a consequence, Akk.  Those time loops didn’t leave anyone unaffected, you two included.” Fate shrugs. “I mean, how else do you think it’s possible that you and Aye remember not only your own lives, but details about your parallel selves too.”

“But after the Eclipse when we go back…”

“Everything will return to its natural order. You two will be back in your own time with your memories erased and this all will look like a dream. You won’t remember parallel universes or previous lives. Even Per and I will be forgotten. This story is not about us, Akk, it’s about you. So just like we agreed, once you go back and change the future, everything else will be erased.”

“And the disturbances?” He wonders.

Fate snorts. “You’re really worried about that, aren’t you kid?” Shaking her head, the girl finally answers. “Time and space will get back to its original order after the Eclipse, true, but, as K said there has been a shift in the continuum because of the loops. It’s like ripples in the water after you throw in a stone. The stone sinks fast, but ripples remain for a long time. Time loops you started are the stones you threw into time and space, which caused ripples to appear. Some of them are big like the waves, others small, but all of them are powerful.”

“Then we should…”

“No.” She vehemently stated, eyes turning serious. “What happened to Time is my problem and I will fix it. Don’t listen to K, Akk. He’s a bitter old man who thinks his life is so hard because he has to type up a new list of people and send a few extra emails.”

Akk frowns. “But we caused it, P’Fate. Shouldn’t we fix it?”

Her laugh rings loud in the empty room, looking so caring as she looks at him like one would look at a cute little bunny. “Akk, darling, you’re a human and what’s more you’re a kid. It’s not your responsibility to fix what’s essentially an adult problem. Reaper and I have been around for a thousand years now, we have seen and dealt with more stuff than a few waves in the time and space continuum.” Coming close she petted him on the head. “Don’t worry about what’s not your responsibility, Akkie. Focus only on your life. On Aye and your future together. That’s all you need to do. Change your life and believe me, everything else will be fixed too.”

“I understand, P.”

“You’re going to do great, Akk. For yourself and for Aye, am I right?”

“I’ll keep my promise, P’Fate. I’ll never leave him again.” Akk swears, feeling his own words ring true in his very soul.

“Smart boy.” She steps back with a nod. Briefly he notices a broken, dark and frayed string attached to her pinky, flashing for a second before disappearing completely. 

“P’Fate, do you also….”

“Time to wake up.” Fate clicks her fingers and Akk snaps awake just as his alarm starts ringing.

The recalling ends just as the ex-head prefect swims up to the edge of the pool, about to go up the stairs. Aye must be already done with teacher Sani by now. 

“I haven’t even gotten to swim yet and you’re already leaving.” 

Hands on the rails about to pull himself up, Akk looks at his boyfriend standing above in his swim trunks smiling down. “I was waiting for you to finish.”

Aye shrugs. “I finished fast and wanted to come for a pool date.” Not giving his Bigfoot a chance to reply, he throws away his towel and jumps into the water, splashing Akk in the process.

“Aye!” The ex-head prefect laughs. Turning to splash his grinning Shortstop and by that starting a water fight with him. 

It felt good to act like the kids that they are while playing in the water, sharing Akk’s safe space between the two of them. The ex-prefect has never allowed anyone this close to himself. Never let anyone into his personal space or into his thoughts and definitely not into his heart. Akk first he resisted giving Aye this privilege too, but his little troublemaker slicked his way into his life and mind and heart so fast and so easy, Akk forgot why he was trying to protect it in the first place. Every insecurity and fear he had, Ayan took and reasoned and wiped away by simply existing. 

Sharing everything with Aye became so natural that at first the ex-head prefect didn’t even realize he was doing it. While he let Kan and Wat to hang out constantly in his room, he never allowed them to use any of his things or sleep in his bed and he never knew how to hug and comfort them when needed, letting them do it for each other instead. Then Ayan came along and without realizing it Akk allowed him to seamlessly blend into his life.

First it was with small things, like sharing the same pen or allowing him to doodle on the ex-prefect’s notebooks. Then it was clothes that Aye always took from Akk’s room and never gave back, then it became the stuff they left in each other’s rooms and houses and Aye’s car. Even before any of that, before they even began dating, Ayan slept on his bed and in his arms. He is the first and the last boy Akk ever let cuddle him and whom he wanted to cuddle for the rest of his life. Before any of that, while he still thought of Ayan as an ‘enemy of Suppalo’, he became the first ever person whom Akk allowed to rest on his shoulder and comforted, as he hasn’t done that before even for his best friends.

Akk wasn’t lying before - Aye is all of his first times and the ex-prefect wants him to be his last times too. 

Compared to all of that, allowing Ayan into his safe space, into his domain in the water, seemed as not such a big deal. And it wasn’t. Ayan is his safe space in and out of the water, so of course he will be everywhere with Akk. There is no reality in which he doesn’t want it to be set in stone. True.

After almost an hour of playing around in the water, they finally came to a stop. Tiredly leaning onto the pool wall, chest to the cold tiles and arms above water. 

“You’re smiling again.” Akk smiles at him. 

Ayan’s grin brightened. “I smile because you smile.” Akk shakes his head at his boyfriend’s cheesiness. “Smiling suits you better than anything. So cute.”

“I’m not cute! I’m handsome! Get your vocabulary straight.”

His Shortstop chuckles. “Why are you so opposed to your own cuteness? I find it irresistible, you know.”

“Because it’s not true.” The ex-head prefect shrugs. “It’s you who's always adorable and tiny. I’m big and solemn.”

“I’m not tiny, you’re a Bigfoot.”

“Now, who’s opposed to their own cuteness?” Akk challenges.

Aye leaned in threateningly. “I know I’m cute, now admit you are too.”

“I. Am. Not. Cute.” The ex-prefect scoffs leaning in. “Wanna fight?”

“You’re big and cute.” His boyfriend pointed out the set in his way.

Smiling widely, Akk pulled the boy away from the pool wall, hands on his arms. “You’re picking a fight, Shortstop!” He dunks Aye underwater, removing his hands and laughing when he jumps out of water, slicking back his hair, smiling just as widely. “See, I’m not cute. I’m strong and solemn.” 

“You’re adorable.” Ayan swims closer.

The ex-head prefect grabs him by the nape pulling him close, trying to sound serious, but he is too happy and smiling too widely for it. “You’re asking for it, Shortstop.”

“What are you going to do to me, Bigfoot?” His Shortstop leans close.

They stand there in the water, looking deep into each other’s eyes, feeling the same love constantly growing inside of their hearts and the same memory of their deep blue kiss echoing in their minds.Akk remembers that moment like it happened only yesterday. The longing he felt, the newly blossoming love he was afraid to name yet kept watering and caring for allowing it to grow. He knows Aye felt it too. Later, during one of their late night talks at 3 a.m. over ice cream and soda with dim candle lights around them, Ayan told him that in that moment he felt breathless and nervous. 

Aye confessed that he was just coming to terms with the love he felt inside for Akk and was nurturing and protecting it, still unsure of Akk’s own feelings and will to fight for them. Yet, even if he was scared, just like Akk he was letting that feeling bloom, watering it and protecting it, allowing it to flower into what he knew will be something eternal and truly beautiful. And yet, in the swimming pool as they looked into each other’s eyes, Aye grew surer not only about his own feelings, but of Akk’s too. 

His boyfriend told him, holding his hands and looking deep into his eyes, that while standing close in the water with nothing between them and no one around, he saw Akk’s true feelings - his need to be kissed, to be loved, to be accepted. Ayan also knew that Akk only wanted Ayan to do it, as he was the only one, the first and last boy, he ever let beyond his walls, who saw the real him. 

That was the moment Aye knew he would fight for this love till the end. The moment he realized Akk will do it too. Despite the fear and uncertainty, they both wanted that special bond growing strong between them.

“I wanted you to kiss me so bad back then.” Akk whispers, afraid to break the spell they fell into.

Gently taking his boyfriend’s hands into his, Aye pulled them close and towards the middle of the pool like he did in their original timeline. “I’m glad I did. I never not want to be able to kiss you, Akk.”

“I’m glad it’s you.” As his Shortstop leaned into a kiss, Akk pulled away, irrational fear making him look around the pool area. “This is where he saw us.”

Aye smiled, cupping his Bigfoot’s cheek with one hand, then the other going around his waist. “No one is here, Akk. And even if they do see, we’re ready this time.” He whispered, bringing their lips close.

“Then…” Bringing his own hand to his boyfriend’s nape Akk pulled him close and down under the water. 

Everything turned blue around them. All the worry and trouble and Curse and uncertainty disappear just like it did when they kiss under the water for the first time. Nothing existed in this magical blue world except for two boys truly in love. Soulmates finally allow their souls to roam free, synching and dancing around each other, becoming one and the same. 

Closing his eyes Akk allowed himself to be pulled close, lips meeting in a slightly chemical tasting kiss, recreating once again the kiss that became their turning point and realization. Sure, their first kiss happened in his childhood bedroom, but he was afraid then, scared and hiding, unable to feel anything. Mostly because to him it felt like a fantasy, like a dream. It took Akk three days to finally understand that the kiss really did happen and wasn’t a figment of his overactive mind. 

The kiss underwater though was when he actually felt free. He was still afraid, sure, but his heart was filled with Ayan by that point. His entire soul sang with Aye’s name and he wanted to care for him, love him, protect him, be with him despite all odds. The kiss in the pool was when Akk truly allowed himself to admit the love he felt and let his boyfriend feel it too. 

Now, recreating that kiss felt just as magical. They still had the Curse to find, the perpetrator to stop and there was a reaper adamant for them to fix what they broke. But AkkAye didn’t care. They were together. They love each other and together they will be able to overcome anything that comes their way. 

**** ☀️🌙 ****

“You know I love this whole ‘Recreating Our Best Moments’ thing we have going on.” Aye pointed out as they walked towards the school building. “Which one should we do next? The first time you said ‘I love you’? Maybe our first night together? Our first date?”

“Aye, be quiet. People will hear you.” Akk sighs, shaking his head in amusement. He doesn’t have a single bone in his body which can ever be truly angry at his adorable Shortstop.

Ayan raised his chin in defiance. “Let them hear. I have a big and strong boyfriend to scare them away. Remember that time in Cafe for All when that customer was trying to flirt with me and you got super possessive. So cool. I don’t think I showed my appreciation for that enough times yet.”

“Will you ever stop teasing me, Shortstop?” 

“I’ll never stop!” Aye stated like it was the rule of the universe, turning to keep walking. 

Another memory sparked in his mind and Akk, smirking, grabbed his boyfriend by the arm and pulled him back and around. As soon as they were face to face he looked at him with all the love and devotion he felt, with all the feeling he couldn’t put into words, because there were no words in any language to explain what he felt for Ayan. No compilation of letters and sounds exists to tell his Shortstop how much he loves him or what he means to him or what Akk is willing to do to keep him by his side, happy, healthy and alive. 

He can’t find the words to say it, so the ex-head prefect can only show it. Show it with his actions, with his body, with his eyes. He can pour everything he feels through his gaze into the boy in front of him. Into Ayan who is the most important person in his life. Who is quite literally part of his soul, his very existence. Who’s smile can light up Akk's entire world and who’s tears can make the taller boy do irrational things. 

How do you tell your soulmate how much you love him, when the love you feel keeps growing and growing? It feels almost as if their souls feed off of each other and blossom more, creating the kinda love that Universe itself fights to recreate and two souls' destiny keeps bringing together. Fate said that no matter the timeline or parallel reality they always manage to find each other and fall in love. If that is not the clear indication that Universe wants them to be together, then Akk isn’t sure what is.

“Aye.” The ex-prefect breathes, like a prayer and looks right into his boyfriend’s eyes.

He can see it, the moment Aye hears everything he wants to say, sees in his eyes everything he feels. Akk also feels the moment Ayan himself lets the walls down and allows all the love and devotion he himself holds to power through like an avalanche, filling Akk’s heart with unprecedented happiness. Nothing else is said, nothing else could be said, as the two look into one another’s eyes and allow each other to see the full extent of love they feel. 

This is what we’re fighting for. This is what I will never give up. 

His Shortstop is breathless, as he says, eyes unable to look away. If Akk’s own feelings of love felt like a dam breaking as he let loose, then seeing Ayan’s true feelings feels like a tsunami, taking over him and leaving him breathless. It’s not only his own feelings mirrored and returned that the ex-head prefect feels, but so much more and stronger too. Like a tornado against his hurricane. 

“Don’t look at anyone else like this. I’m jealous.” 

Aye repeats the words he said before, as if just like his Bigfoot, he is also unable to forget any moment they had together. Keeping each memory they share, like a well loved collection of favorite TV series on the shelf, watching and rewatching the same scenes over and over again like an obsessed fangirl, until he could recite each line from memory and each look is burned behind his eyelids. 

Akk thought he was the only one who did that. 

Oh, how precious it is to know that each treasured memory he holds close to his heart is also cherished by his lover. 

Not taking his eyes away Akk smiles at his boyfriend. 

Maybe one day, he will find just the right words to explain how much he loves him.

And maybe one day, Aye will find some magical way to show Akk how much he is loved back. 

A way that is not a telepathic connection through their eyes.

Silence.

Scream.

Chapter Text

Akk is so lost in Aye’s gaze that he forgets where they are and about the new threat that’s hanging over their heads. That’s when the piercing scream breaks through the silence and with it takes away whatever tranquility they find themselves in. Boys startled, turning wide eyes towards the sound and then back to each other, before running to where they knew the scream came from.

A crowd already gathered in the school yard, surrounding the three Jums and another hideous doll, similar to the one Namo burned before, with Jumnong, Jumnun, Jumnian written on the white band with red bold letters. It was obviously a threat and judging by the fear on the junior’s faces it was working. World Remembers Gang were standing before it, shaking like leaves in the wind, while the students took out their cameras, turning on Live and making quick posts on social media.

Akk and Aye came to the front of the crowd, Thua and Mo on Ayan’s left, while Kan and Wat stood on Akk’s right. Everyone was here, standing in front of another attack, done by the Curse, and putting real fear into everyone. Akk took his boyfriend’s hand into his, looking over at him and getting the same understanding back – ‘This person was getting more desperate. They’re acting in an emergency. Just like before.’

“It’s the Curse again.” Kan said, as Wat took out his camera and started recording.

“I don’t think it the same thing.”

“Put your phones away!” Teacher Waree ordered, coming to the front with Teacher Kalakul. “And don’t make a big deal out of it.” Her voice sounded shaky, despite her patronizing attitude.

As the teachers came to a stop in front of the doll, they looked at one another, realization obvious on their expressions.

“Stop recording! No phones! This is an order!” Teacher Kalakul shouted at everyone, like a drill sergeant instead of a teacher.

Teacher Waree turned to the prefects. “Student prefects, what are you waiting for? Don’t allow your friends to use their phones.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Namo answered, but before he could move Akk stepped in.

“Phones shouldn’t be your main concern, Teacher. What about the students?” Turning to his friends he instructed. “Kan, Wat takes care of everything here. I’ll go get the fire extinguisher.” With that he ran back into the building, Aye hot on his tail. While Teacher Sani ran up to Three Jums to make sure they’re not hurt.

As the ex-prefect ran to get the extinguisher, his mind began to deduct the suspects as they all appeared at the yard. Wat was with Teacher Sani in the Student Welfare Department just like the first time, Namo was doing his rounds and Kan, well he is not really sure about where Kan and Thua were. Last time he was too panicked to realize or listen to where each of them was, which means back then and now the only ones he can be sure of were himself, Aye and Wat, while the rest were still the suspects.

“They are all on the yard. It’s for sure either Thua or Namo.” Aye said from behind him as Akk reached for the fire extinguisher.

“Probably. I’m not sure.”

Aye’s phone buzzed, but Akk paid him no attention ready to go back with the asphyxiator. “Akk. Akk look.”

His boyfriend reached his cell towards the taller teen, to check. Eclipse1234 has made another post of the event with the caption under the burning doll picture ‘This time, I hope it can make you stop!’

“I knew it. He was there too.” Akk stated, returning the phone.

Ayan shook his head troubled. “Even the wording is almost the same, Akk. It must be Thua.”

“And if we’re wrong? What then Aye? We’ll definitely alert the real guy about being on his tail.”

As they looked at each other, their worries transmitted between the two, Teacher Chadok’s voice came through the school radio, making a loud announcement. ‘Attention! Students are prohibited from protesting without school authorization. Everyone, back to class. No more protesting in the school area is allowed. Anyone who joins or gets involved with the protest will face decisive measures.’

“Ai’Akk, do you think maybe it’s really Teacher Chadok this time?” His Shortstop sounded worried at he looked wide eyed at his boyfriend.

Akk’s first instinct was to deny it, but then he froze. If this past changes, then everything is possible. Teacher Chadok might be the Curse as he couldn’t trust Namo to do it. It could also be Kan, who is trying to scare people or Thua again, for whatever reason or even Mo himself. It’s terrifying to think that just like in the past they didn’t have any control over this. They’re just as blind as they once were.

“I… I’m not sure anymore, Aye. It could be any of them. Mo, Thua or Teacher Chadok. It could even be Kan or someone entirely different too. I don’t know.”

****☀️🌙****

It doesn’t take long to extinguish the fire, which thankfully didn’t spread beyond the burning doll. As Akk quickly dealt with the flames, a deadly silence fell onto the yard, all the students standing in half circle, watching with held breath what will happen next and what to do now that such a loud statement was made.

The message was clear ‘Stop this or else.’

“The show is over. Back to your class!” Teacher Kalakul commanded.

Resigned the students began to file away, leaving only Akk and his friends, as well as the World Remembers Gang.

Not one to break under pressure Nun steps forward, voice loud with desperate conviction, despite shaking and breaking at every vowel. “Guys! Did you see? Did you see what happened? Will you really let the school do this to us?”

Teacher Waree looked enraged. “Enough. Back to your duty.”

“This is my duty!” Nun claimed.

Nong put a hand on his friend’s shoulder in support. “That’s right! It’s our duty to protect our own rights and safety.”

“But what you did caused trouble and fear to your friends. Can’t you see?”

“We’re being threatened here.” Nian pointed out, brave in the face of Teacher Waree’s anger. “Why are you saying we’re causing fear?”

“Because your disobedience has brought back the Suppalo curse.”

“That’s not true, Teacher.” Akk stepped between the Three Jums and advancing Teacher Waree, trying to remain calm. “The posts online and this burning doll could not have been done by the Curse. This is more dangerous.”

“Are you siding with the protestors, Akk?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

This time it was Teacher Sani who stepped in, trying to deescalate the situation. “I think, you guys should stop. Please.”

“Stubborn. You only think about yourselves. You don’t consider the peace and wellness of the majority.” Teacher Waree scolded.

By Teacher Sani’s expression it became clear that she didn’t agree with what the older woman said as she stepped between the students and her. “Teacher, the kids are scared. We should discuss this later. Namo, send everyone to their classes.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Mo obeyed. “Guys! We’re done here. Back to your class. All of you.”

Aye took Akk’s hand, pulling him back and towards him, away from Teacher Waree’s angry gaze.

“Stop the Suppalo Curse.” World Remembers started chanting, filling the morbid silence with their voices, which soon got joined and overpowered by the voices of other students who all gathered around the teachers once again, chanting and demanding justice.

Years ago, when this happened, Akk was too shocked and scared to understand the value or magnitude of such a protest, but now, after years of therapy and after leaving this school he can finally see what it meant for Three Jums to protest at this time and for so many voices to join them. To support them. After all, World Remembers weren’t the only students harassed by the Suppalo curse or repressed by the system, they were just the first ones to give voice to what so many people wanted to say. Three Jums are brave for that and Akk only now can they see how admirable their efforts were.

He is glad they managed to change somethings.

 “You can’t protest here.” Teacher Chadok’s voice droned out the protest, shutting everyone up into submission. “Back to your classrooms.”

“What about the burn of our puppet?” Nun demanded. “Why did someone want to do this?”

“The school will set up a team for investigation.”

“What? Another investigation?” Nong whined.

Nian shook his head. “Will the results be just like with the accident again?”

“Don’t worry. Suppalo always provides justice for everyone.”

****☀️🌙****

Pen tapped a familiar rhyme onto the paper, recreating the music to the song he and Aye equally loved to sing whenever they were feeling silly and childish, dancing around the room, arms wrapped around each other with smiles wide on their faces.

Akk got to his dorm in a daze, undressing, showering and taking a seat behind his desk to start on his homework almost on autopilot, not even realizing what he was doing. The events of the last few weeks and the attack from this morning seem to have come from his nightmares, replaying over and over again in his mind, with a masked person setting the doll on fire. Albeit, on each recalling the face of the culprit kept changing. First it was Thua, then Namo, Wat, Kan, before it turned to Teacher Chadok and then to Akk himself. It sent shivers down his back as he saw himself holding a match over the ugly doll as Aye watched from the distance, betrayal in his gaze, pleading for the ex-prefect to reconsider.

A loud knock on the door breaks the boy from his thoughts.

Shaking his head and whipping at his face Akk heads to open the door only to find his pouting boyfriend there. He could see though, beyond the exaggerated pouting, Aye was truly worried. “Aye? What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong with you? You left without saying anything. I was worried.”

“Shit.” The ex-head prefect sighs, sounding tired even to his own ears. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to get out of there and…”

Ayan’s expression shifts, turning troubled. “It’s fine. I understand.”

“I’m sorry. You must have been really worried about me.”

“Words alone aren’t enough to compensate. Take me out on a date.”

Akk didn’t really protests as Aye urged him to throw on one of his more casual button ups and change his shoes before taking his Bigfoot’s hand and dragging him outside. They didn’t talk on the way to the café, the silence between them only filled with Ayan’s chatter about the reviews he read regarding the coffee shop and how excited he is to try their new drinks. Honestly, the ex-prefect was grateful to him for allowing him to remain in solitude of his thoughts, while also subtly reminding Akk that he wasn’t alone.

The sound of his boyfriend’s voice, the feel of the cool sand under their feet, the salty smell of the sea as they walked along the empty beach. Being near the sea calmed him down, Aye’s presence grounding him to the present, and somehow Akk let go of all those dark ideas regarding the Curse and their uncertain future.

“Remember that little café in Chiang Mai we visited?” His Shortstop commented as they sat down at the far end of the beach, away from the random passerby. “They had way better drinks that the last shop here. I want to try them again.”

“Yeah, I remember. We should go sometime.” Akk remembers that little shop they found hidden in the far end of the market, during one of their many late night walks. The lady there was nice enough to allow them to take their time in choosing and even threw in some extra sweets for them.

“Yeah.” His boyfriend happily agreed.

“Aye. Has there been any changes on the Eclipse page?”

Ayan shook his head. “No. He went quiet after the doll.” Turning to his Bigfoot he wondered. “Are you scared?”

“I… I’m worried that history will repeat itself and that we won’t be able to stop it on time. The Best Boy ceremony is near and…”

“We can’t control the future Akk. Whatever is meant to happen will happen. All we can do is prepare ourselves and make sure that we take care of ourselves and each other when the time comes.” His Shortstop spoke in a softer voice, massaging his nape.

Akk turned to him, nodding slightly. “You know, I spoke with P’Mes while you were in a coma.”

His boyfriend looked taken aback by those news, blinking at him. “Teacher Chadok said he was dealing with depression when he last met him.”

“Hm.” The ex-prefect agreed, turning to look at the sea. “Wat told me that he was back in University and after hearing what you and I went through he wanted to meet and talk. I was hesitant to do it, but agreed for Wat to give him my number so we could talk. I thought it would be better to meet him when you were there, and we could all listen to each other.”

“Since he’s returning to his studies does it mean he is better now?”

“Yeah. He told me he is better after years of therapy and is finally able to move on from the scars Suppalo left him. He and his boyfriend both decided to move to Chiang Mai for University, and he wanted to meet me before that. He actually apologized, you know. Said he didn’t understand the weight of what he put on my shoulders and said that he feels guilty over what happened to me.”

“It wasn’t his fault either though. It was all Suppalo and the principal and those archaic rules.” Ayan stated, voice filled with conviction.

Akk chuckled, looking over at his Shortstop again. “That’s what I told him too. He said he was still sorry and invited the two of us to Chiang Mai as soon as you were out of the hospital.”

“Good enough reason for a trip then. Let’s go once I’m out.” His boyfriend announced, laying onto the sand, arms behind his head.

The ex-head prefect groaned in mild exasperation. “Aye, don’t lie down. Your shirt will get dirty.”

“We’ll wash them later.” His smile was bright, eyes sparkling like two consolations against the dark space. “Join me here. Come on, Bigfoot.”

“No. I’ll get sand everywhere.” He resisted without any heat.

Aware of the game they always play, Aye takes his Bigfoot’s hand and drags him down with a cheeky grin. “Come on. It feels good here.”

As Akk laid down beside his lover, his Shortstop extended his arm for him to use as a pillow and put his other arm under his head. The ex-head prefect smiled, getting comfortable, hands on his stomach as he also gazed at the dark sky, where not many stars were visible. He missed the view they had in his hometown, where they would lay on the bow of the ship or on the port and rest under the sea of stars above, clearly visible consolations and twinkling lights making the night more magical. Akk loved going to the open sea with Aye and spending the whole night with him on the boat or on their secret island, simply existing next to each other under the gorgeous night sky, with the moon as their only witness.

“I always thought that growing up is tough. I didn’t want to do it. Didn’t want to change. But with you it got easier. Everything became better with you. It simply made sense. I wasn’t afraid of tomorrow anymore if you were next to me.”

Using the arm under his Bigfoot’s head, Aye pulled the boy into his arms and snuggled closer until Akk was laying on his chest, while using his fingers brushed through the dark brown locks. “I’ll always be with you, Akk. No matter where we are. No matter what we do. Let’s go everywhere together. Let’s always be together.”

Akk looked up at him from his comfy position, met with feline eyes and honest gaze as his boyfriend looks down, promising everything and anything he ever wishes for. Wanting nothing in return but his love. Using his free hand, Aye takes his Bigfoot’s hand, intervening their fingers together. “I told you once, to let me hold your hand until tomorrow comes. I still mean it, Akk. I’ll always hold your hand like this against whatever tomorrow brings.”

“Aye.” The ex-head prefect whispers looking up at his Shortstop, heart filled with warmth, love and something liquid and soft he can’t name. He feels content and safe here. Like he belongs. Ayan looks from their joined hands, where he is playing with the taller boy’s fingers, into Akk’s eyes and promptly manages to take his breath away again. “Stay with me.” Freeing the arm stuck between them, the ex-prefect raises his fingers to line the contours of his boyfriend’s beautiful face.

“Tonight?” He smirks, kissing his Bigfoot’s fingertips as they get too close to his lips.

“Forever.”

“That's all I want.”

They gaze into each other’s eyes, laying under the stars, surrounded by love and safety and understanding that the bond they created is stronger than any fear and challenges life might throw way.

****☀️🌙****

They spend another hour on the beach, simply cuddling on the sand and talking in hushed tones of their plans for the university and their future together, especially now that they know what they want to study and whom to be, unlike the first time they went through this. When the night gets chillier and the fatigue of the long day finally catches up to them AkkAye decides to head back to Akk’s dorm, ready to end the day how they started. Together.

Akk is first to shower, while Aye organizes their notes and packs their bags, knowing how meticulous his Bigfoot is about this. He also hangs their uniforms next to each other in the closet, wanting his boyfriend to go to bed right away instead of worrying about the wrinkles on their jackets or something else.

Once Akk comes out, Aye gives him a sniff kiss with a flirty comment, making the boy blush bright red. Freshly showered Bigfoot with his natural scent without any of those pesky perfumes is the Akk Aye adores most of all. After all, Ayan loves how Akk smells, sure him. Besides Akk loves his smell too, so it’s nobody’s business but theirs. As his adorable dummy blushes and admonishes him for being Shameless, the shorter teen laughs loudly, grabs his towel and spare clothes he left in Akk’s room and heads to the bathroom.

When Shortstop finally came out of the shower, he expected his boyfriend to already be under the covers reading some book or even ready to go to sleep, but stubbornly keeping himself awake to wait until Ayan gets in bed with him. It wouldn’t be the first time. Aye remembers so many night, after they officially got together, when Akk would keep himself awake until his Shortstop comes home and crawls under the sheets with him, only going to sleep once they are in each other’s arms. Usually it’s because Aye left to spend time with his mom or went out with his university buddies and Akk didn’t want to join because he hates crowded places.

There were also a few times when Akk would be out studying with Kan and Wat, where Ayan wasn’t able to join for some reason. On those couple of occasions it was Aye who stayed awake until Akk came home and only went to sleep once his Bigfoot was safely wrapped around him, clinging to the shorter boy like a very tired koala.

Instead, what he saw broke his heart. Akk was sitting over the covers, eyes distant as he was lost in thoughts. Dark clouds almost visible over his head.

“Can’t sleep?” Aye gently asked, not wanting to startle the boy.

“Yeah.” The ex-prefect nodded, looking up at the other boy before turning back to staring at nothing.

Not saying anything else, he went around the bed, grabbing his phone and earbuds from his bag, before getting onto the bed and under the covers, making sure to cover his boyfriend too. Silently, Akk fixed the blanket over the two of them, startling when he felt Aye put an earbud into his left ear, arranging the other one into his own.

“Aren’t you tired? I thought we’ll be sleeping.” Akk voice was calm, lacking its usual amused annoyance when faced with Ayan’s ridiculousness.

His Shortstop nods. “You’re too wired. Music will help us relax and get a better sleep.” With a quick search he found exactly what he was looking for, smiling as the soothing melody filled the earbuds and he watched as Akk’s eyes closed, shoulders losing some of its tension.

 The soft melody played in their ears as Aye simply watched his boyfriend’s profile – roundness of his cheeks, defined jawlines, those full lips he loves kissing, big boba eyes which always takes his breath away, straight nose and that soft hair, Ayan could spend hours playing with. Since the first day he met Akk his beauty mesmerized the shorter boy. He looked like an adonis, who has emerged from Ayan’s dreams and took a form of the one person who stood for everything he hates and yet embodied everything he dreams of.

When they first met on that day when Akk pulled the brakes on that truck, Ayan thought he was someone shady and cruel, ready to endanger anyone in order to implement fear and rule over them. At every corner he kept running to this infuriating boy, who was adamant to follow Aye and interfere with his mission, not allowing him to find the answers he so desperately needed. Truthfully, Ayan couldn’t stand Akk in the beginning – thinking of him as such an obedient little soldier who was blind to the truth and reality of life. So he annoyed the hell out of the Head Prefect, flirted with him knowing that he would fluster the Bigfoot and he would run, irritated him, challenged him, fought with him and did more and more ridiculous things to chase him away. Away from Ayan’s secret, from Ayan’s mission, from Ayan’s heart. It was all a game of who will break first and it was fun, until Aye started doing it all not to actually annoy the other boy, but because he started to like him.

With each interaction, each face off between them, Akk’s walls began to come down and the bright, beautiful, kind, generous, smart, gentle, angelic boy, hidden under the years of repression started to emerge. As real Akk started to come out more and more, Aye started to flirt less to get him to run away and more because he loved the reactions he was getting. And the more Akk opened up and became himself, the more he flirted and bickered and snapped back, loving their interactions no less than the Shortstop himself. Ayan’s last notion about how mindlessly evil Akk fell completely when he not only allowed him to safely break down on his shoulder, without a judgment or mockery, but also went around to the teachers and asked them to leave Ayan alone. Aye got a glimpse of the real Akk and he wanted to break down every wall and shield there was to make sure that the real Bigfoot wouldn’t ever disappear.

Sure, he began trusting him a lot later and even then, didn’t truly let him on his secrets and mission, but Akk still knew more than the other. Even Thua who was Aye’s closest ally, understands why he came to Suppalo. Akk knew more than others, by getting glimpses of real Aye too. Of being allowed to see him at his lowest when he cried, at his vulnerable when he was trapped in a nightmare and only Akk’s warm embrace could bring him out, at his true grieving self when he finally broke down and became weak with the one boy he thought would never understand him. But who understood, accepted and help him together through the storm of emotions. While never asking more than Aye was willing to give, never pushing beyond a single question and letting go if Ayan avoided the answer. Akk never pushed, he just held Aye’s hand and helped him come out of the shell. And he did the same for Akk.

While Aye was getting small glimpses of real Akk and was falling hard and fast for the boy, he was afraid that the Head Prefect didn’t feel the same way. What Ayan missed though, was the fact that as Akk was also getting small snippets of real Ayan and growing closer to him, listening to him, actually seeing him, he also began to feel towards the boy more than simple attraction. Yet, unlike Aye, who accepted his feelings and allowed them to grow, Akk ran from his feelings, hiding and denying them, until Aye literally had to hold him down and let him confess in the safety of his room, Ayan’s arms and small space between them.

Sure, Akk didn’t confess after their first kiss, but his eyes spoke volumes. Aye didn’t hear the words he so desperately wanted, but he saw them in the big shiny deer in headlight eyes staring back at him as if Shortstop was the only water in the desert, as if he was the answer to all his dreams. Even after that, during the weeks that followed and their second, third, and fifth kiss, he still didn’t hear the words of love. But Aye saw them. He read it in Akk’s smile when he dragged him underwater for a ‘secret’ kiss. Noticed it in the shy look as Akk finally agreed to be his boyfriend. Saw it clearly every time he made unreasonable demands, and his Bigfoot complied with them, even though he grumbled and complained, but in the end hugged his Shortstop with all his might and gave him softest kisses, nicest words, most comforting hugs and protective presence.

They became each other’s safe zone through every milestone thrown at them. So when Akk finally said ‘I love you’ Ayan became the happiest person on earth. His heart sang and body shook. Because, yes, by then he knew clear as day that this amazing, kind, wonderful, unreal, sunshine boy loved him, but hearing it from his lover, voiced in his own voice made Aye feel as if he can conquer the whole of Thailand.

Akk is Ayan’s dream. Aye is also Akk’s dream. They fought for their love. They took on the storm and Suppalo and came back victorious. Together and stronger. Hell, they took on death and destiny and the challenges only made their bond unbreakable.

Just like the Shortstop couldn’t take his gaze away from his boyfriend, Akk was sneaking peeks at him too.

Caught looking at Aye, Akk quickly turns away, blushing. The shorter boy snorts. “Why are you getting shy again? If you want to look at me, just look. With boyfriend this handsome it’s hard to keep your eyes away.”

The ex-head prefect rolls his eyes. “It’s such a tiring job to be a narcissist 24/7 and yet you do it so effortlessly.” It was meant as sarcasm, his voice taking on a teasing tone. Which only makes Ayan smile brighter and for Akk to mirror his expression.

“I told you before didn’t I? For an introvert like me, getting yelled at by you is something I have grown used to.”

“Stop doing things that gets you yelled at, so you won’t be forced to get used to being yelled at.” His Bigfoot snorts.

Seeing a depressed and sad Akk always breaks something inside Aye. Making him feel scared and powerless, feeling like he is failing a person he loves by not being able to protect them fully. That’s why he usually gets himself yelled at, not because he likes it, but because when Akk is busy correcting him or teasing him, he doesn’t think about the harsh things which makes him look like a kicked puppy. His Bigfoot has a tendency to overthink everything and worry about stuff beyond his control and usually his Megamind is working overtime to come up with all the negative outcomes. To stop that process and return Akk’s smile and to divert his attention, Ayan does the only thing that will always work and that’s to either do something so shameless that Akk has to react or something so ridiculous that his boyfriend has to ‘lecture’ him on good behavior.

It always heals something broken, demented and dark inside of him when Akk smiles. And maybe that’s selfish or cruel, but Aye would and could sacrifice the happiness and comfort of every other person on this planet to make sure that Akk is always smiling and shining like the sun. Because he is Ayan’s sun and without him the shorter teen, is forever cursed to live in the darkness.

Aye shakes his head cheekily, leaning close with his lips stretched up. “Exactly! I only do this with you. Acting like this only when I’m with you.”

“That’s because you love to get a rise out of me.” The ex-prefect leans close too.

“That’s not it, Akk.” He shakes his head, now only a breath away from kissing the other boy. “I love you.”

The first time he said this, in this very room, Ayan felt so scared and giddy at the same time. Sure, it wasn’t the first time he confessed his feelings to Akk, but it was the very first time he actually said the words and his heart was ready to beat out of his chest, anticipating Akk’s response. By that point Aye was well aware that his Bigfoot already felt the same towards him, that his feelings newly blossomed and foreign to him, were exactly the same as the Shortstop who keeps bothering him. But, Akk wasn’t ready. He was still scared and shy about this newfound truth about himself. Still cautious about who he was and how he will be accepted.

Ayan was ready to wait though. He didn’t say it to hear it back. He said it because he knew Akk needed to hear it. Needed to know that Aye’s feelings for him are real and true, that the shorter teen will wait for him to be ready, to be comfortable. Because that was the most important thing. For Akk to feel comfortable and safe.

Akk was taking baby steps into loving Aye the way he wanted to, into accepting himself just the way he is. He was slowly growing into his wings, ready to fly and soar holding his boyfriend’s hand. And Ayan was ready to wait for him. Was ready to love them enough for both of them, to show his boyfriend and the world how proud of them he is, how happy he is to be by the Head Prefects side, waiting for the day when Akk will admit it too. Not only to Aye and the world, but first of all to himself.

When that day finally came, however forced it was, Akk truly soared and flew and fully broke free of all his chains. Aye was so proud of him then and after and always. Falling in love more and more with every breath he took, especially when he saw the kind of an amazing man Akk was becoming. Comfortable in his own skin, smart, courageous, righteous willing to fight for those wronged, rebellious after the first rally they attended, excited, happy, brave, kind and everything Ayan has ever desired.

Akk’s smile lit up the dark night. “I love you too, Shortstop.” With that he leaned the rest of the way in and joined their lips together.

The kiss started soft, just a gentle touch of lips as they simply enjoyed the feel of each other this close. As Ayan moved his hands to cup his Bigfoot’s face and Akk moved one hand to the back of his boyfriend’s head to guide him and the other to his waist, the kiss started to heat up. Their tongues danced to the rhythm they perfected over the two years and millions of shared affection, while their hands started to roam under the restricting clothes.

In a shift move, Aye threw one leg over both of Akk’s and settled onto his lap, sliding his hips closer to where they both were growing harder. His hands slid down his boyfriend’s front, subtle fingers going under the loose sleeping shirt, lining the contours of Akk’s newly forming abs.

Akk will start gym only in their second semester of junior year, after which his body will grow into a perfectly sculptured dream which Ayan enjoys ravishing any chance he gets.

The ex-head prefect’s own hands, while slower than his Shortstop’s, but just as persistent slid under the shorter boy’s shirt, sliding sensually over his spine, making the boy’s hips twitch rubbing their hardness together and electing twin moans from both of them.

As Akk moved to kiss down Ayan’s neck, the Shortstop’s fingers tangled in his boyfriend’s hair, eyes rolling back. His neck has always been a sensitive area for him. “You know…” He pants, feeling Akk’s teeth graze over the delicate skin of his throat. “This is the night where you agreed to be my boyfriend.”

“Hmm.” His Bigfoot mumbled, busy with leaving an obvious mark on his boyfriend’s collarbone.

Aye whines, trying to get closer to the other boy, hating all they were wearing, wanting him under his skin, inside of him. Wanted him everywhere. “Yeah. So we should celebrate.” Ayan wanted to sound teasing, but ended up breathless as Akk moved his lips to the other side of his neck, now working up to his ear, biting it. “Oh, God. Akk!” The little shit smiles against him, kissing his way back to his mouth, practically devouring the shorter boy, hands now clutching at his hips, which were moving relentlessly. “I missed you.”

“Missed me?” It’s Akk’s turn to sound breathless now, as Ayan starts kissing down his neck, using his hands to raise the damn shirt up and off of him, leaving his Bigfoot half naked. “We’ve been together all day, Shameless.”

Aye was kissing and licking over the boy’s collarbone getting lower to his chest, his nipple already perky and cute. “You know what I mean, Akk. It’s been way too long since we’ve done this.”

“If you missed it…” His breath hitched, hips bucking up, hands buried in his Shortstop’s hair, as the other boy bit, licked and sucked around his nipple. “…missed it so much, then do something about it.”

“I did miss it. Missed you, baby.” Aye smirks, lifting his head to leave a short kiss on his Bigfoot’s lips, who looks at him with dazed eyes. “Will you let me make you feel good, Akk?” An eager nod. “How far can I go?”

“Anything.” Came the statement with a 100% conviction.

Aye paused, leaning back a little to look into Akk’s eyes, expecting them to be filled with lust. They were, surely, but also they shone with trust, love and devotion, which made Ayan drunk. “Anything?”

“Anything, Aye. I trust you.”

“I love you so much, Akk.”

“Me too, Aye. I love you more than anything.”

That was the last thing any of them said, before getting lost in the haze of pleasure. Passion consuming them and lighting them on fire, solidifying their bond and love once again.

****☀️🌙****

When Aye woke up the next morning he already knew it would be a horrible day. He couldn’t sleep the entire night due to the nightmares, his head hurt and what’s more, due to the recent protest the school has become a literal prison. So as soon as his alarm rang he already felt like coming back home and hiding from the world and he hasn’t even left his bed yet. Regardless, the boy did force himself to get out of bed and get ready for what promised to be a long and exhausting day.

It's been months since Ayan transferred to Suppalo and he still doesn’t feel any closer to finding the truth about his uncle than he was the first week after he came here. From the first day he knew that the Curse and Teacher Chadok must be somehow connected as whenever the World Remembers Gang did something against the school rules the Curse acted, and Teacher Chadok enforced a rule which only blamed the Three Jums and did nothing to find out what the Curse actually was.

In Aye’s opinion, the Curse is not some mystical thing, but actual corporal entity, with hand and legs as none of the things that keep happening could be done by anything less than human. A very cruel and evil human, but human nonetheless. The issue was, except for Teacher Chadok and the Head Prefect there was no one who was interested in stopping the protests and they were both too good at hiding it, since Ayan can’t catch them no matter how hard he tries.

On his first day here, he saw a car drive towards the protestors, an empty car with no driver, which threw everyone into panic and the echoes of the curse increased, but to Aye it seemed suspicious as he went to check where the car was park and was trying to see if there was someone there before him. Unfortunately, the Head Prefect caught him there and dragged him to the Student Welfare Department with the suspicion that he might have been the one to mess with the vehicle. In the end, Teacher Sani stepped in for him and it was called an accident due to Mr. Sid’s negligence.

While Aye is grateful that he wasn’t targeted for trying to kill someone as soon as he transferred here, it also made him a primary suspect in the eyes of the school. Students started avoiding him, teachers targeted him with constant questions and the Head Prefect seem to be reporting his every move to the Student Welfare Department. The only one who seems to be willing to talk to him is Thua, who is the class monitor and the Three Jums, who never believed that he was trying to hurt them and actually listened to his suggestions about the protests. That also made him even more of a target as Namo claimed him the mastermind behind the World Remembers Gang and put him on Teacher Chadok’s blacklist.

Despite it all though, Ayan ignored the majority of what was happening around him, liking his peace and quiet away from everyone and concentrating purely only on his mission of finding what happened to his uncle in this school. He ignored Namo who was constantly tailing him and watching him, Thua who was trying to somehow get him interested in their classes and projects he preferred to do alone and by never even trying to work with anyone else, and even Wat and Kan who were nice guys, but were too cautious around him.

When Aye wasn’t in class or sneaking around the English Department to find some clues about Teacher Chadok’s involvement with his uncle’s death, he was on the bleachers or behind the school playing with Singto and keeping away from everyone’s way. School was boring and while he really did want to help the Three Jums, he had no interest in anything beyond his Uncle and the truth behind his suicide.

His heart grew heavier by the time Ayan entered the school grounds and was met with Namo’s ridiculous check at the gates. He ignored the Head Prefect and the stupid demand for him to change his hoodie into his uniform and headed to class. This morning everything seemed somehow gloomier and heavier to bear. His heart hurt as much as his head and there was this foreboding feeling of grave loss, which left him just as shambled as when he first learned of his uncle’s death.

When his Uncle died, Aye’s whole world came breaking down, he felt as if every dream, every relationship, every truth he knew or was aware of suddenly became a lie and nothing matter anymore. Since that day teenagers have been living in a gloomy world, where the sun no longer shone and where nothing tasted, looked or felt the same. It was as though he got lost in the dark forest, where even the moonlight couldn’t penetrate through the thick fog and he was forced to walk in circles blindly, hoping for some light to finally break through his grief and show him that living was worth it.

Ayan was chocking on this overbearing reality of loss of his best friend, his uncle and the person who understood him the best. Since he got the news and had to see the body in the morgue gripping his mom’s hand painfully, the first question in his mind every morning became ‘Why did I have to wake up?’ and the last has become almost a prayer, ‘I hope tomorrow never comes.’

Because if he is honest, he saw no point in continuing to live in the world which so cruelly took someone he loved away from him. Not only that, but the thought that someone from this school, someone who was probably close to his uncle was the one who drove him to take his own life made this whole reality even more cruel. Because who can Aye trust then, if the person he loved and cherished the most decided to leave his life without caring for the kind of pain he will inflict with his decision.

Was Aye no important enough for Uncle Dee to keep on living? Was his family not a good enough reason to keep fighting? Why didn’t he care about the people he will be leaving behind? Didn’t he love his sister? Didn’t he love Ayan? Because if he did he wouldn’t have left. He wouldn’t have ended his own life like this.

The more he thought about it the deeper into darkness Aye was sinking. The forest around him grew thicker, the fog more persistent as even the road in front of him became unclear. It felt harder to wake up every morning or to try to enjoy what he usually loved doing, everything losing the excitement it once held. He didn’t feel like studying beyond the assignments, even though education was one of his passions ever since he entered high school, and his uncle started tutoring him. He rarely read any history or philosophy books as there was no one to discuss them with and what’s the point of knowing all of this when it wasn’t every enough to save someone he loved. Aye didn’t even go to the Café of Diversity anymore as it reminded him of Uncle Dee and the time they spent together. If not for his promise to his Mae he wouldn’t even be leaving the house right now. Truthfully, his mom was the last piece that tied him to this world and yet sometimes even her presence wasn’t enough to keep him from entering the dark corner of his mind, which drove him closer and closer to the edge of the cliff.

He went to the cliff, his Uncle used to leave this world, a couple of times already. Sometimes he would sit on the edge, feet dangling as he remembered the days he spent with his uncle. Other instances he would stand there, hugging the leather journal close to his chest, tears flowing like rivers down his cheeks, pleading and screaming at the void, demanding the world to bring uncle Dee back, asking why he had to be taken away from him so cruelly. Each time he came to the cliff Aye felt closer to the edge, felt ready to leave behind this dark world. It felt so cold and lonely here, where the sun no longer shone, where there was no one to help him, to protect him, to make him feel safe and secure. Everything was colorless and dull, so cold, so pointless. Why should he continue to exist here?

When Ayan was at the cliff the last time he felt way too close to making the same decision as his Uncle and he recoiled in fear. The thought of his mom being left alone with no one, stopping him. He hasn’t gone back since then. The teenager was afraid that the next time even his mom’s grief wouldn’t stop him from making his decision.

Maybe it was imagination, but somehow today seems worse that any other day before. The world has completely lost all color. Aye felt surrounded by grey, as if the world got submerged under the dark clouds, ready to rain down, but the rain won’t come to clear the clouds and what’s left now are the cold winds and lifeless days. The fog around his heart seems to have thickened too, making the boy freeze in the same spot, not seeing the road ahead, no future to look forward to and no past to guide him away from committing the same mistakes.

When Ayan entered the classroom, heading for his seat near the window, everyone was already there, Wat, Kan and Thua having gathered around the same seat, looking something up on their phones, while the rest of the students were each busy with something else.

Throwing his backpack onto the desk, Aye sat down, eyes going to the seat near the window. It was empty like it has been since the beginning of semester. However, the sight of the empty seat brough a sharp pain to his heart, piercing ache burning through his whole body.

“Aye.” Thua’s voice broke through his thoughts, making the teen turn towards the class monitor. “You didn’t submit your assignment for Teacher Waree’s class yet.”

“Hmm.” Ayan nodded, opening his bag to find the needed notebook and hand it over, eyes involuntarily going to the seat next to him.

“You okay?” The other boy wondered, seeing Aye rubbing his chest with a slightly pained look. “Do you need to go to the infirmary?”

Turning to him, he shook his head. “I’m fine.” Even to his own ears, he sounded rude, but honestly Aye didn’t feel like befriending anyone in Suppalo. He just wanted to be left alone to finish his revenge and leave this hellhole.

“He’s probably thinking what other trouble to cause.” Kan snorted from the desk next to them. “I heard World Remembers Gang is planning to protest outside of school. Was that your idea too?”

Aye looked at him sideways and turned towards the window sighing. The seat next to him looks weird. “Hey, Thua.” The boy standing by his desk startles. “Was this seat always empty?”

Something weird passes through the class monitor’s expression, before he answers, voice as calm as ever. “Yeah. No one used it in a while.”

“A while?” He raised a brow.

“Yeah. There was a transfer kid sitting there before, but he left before you came. No one was in that desk since.” Wat was the one to answer, looking at him as if he lost his mind.

Ayan nodded, turning away from all three and looking out the window again. Seeing no more point in trying to chat, Thua went back to his own seat and Kan and Wat returned to what they were doing before he came. It wasn’t long before Teacher Waree came, and the class began.

Despite Wat’s words, Aye felt weird through the whole day. Like something was missing. His heart kept hurting, the sense of grief and loss consuming him as if it was indeed the first day since Uncle Dee’s death. The more he thought about the thickening fog in his mind and the suffocating pressure of darkness around him, the more sorrow wrapped its claws around his throat and chocked him. Not once did he feel the need to reach his hand to the space beside him trying to grasp something.

Something that was no longer there and he wasn’t sure if it ever was.

During lunch break he headed to the back of the school, finding Singto hiding under the tree, lazing on the shadows away from the heat. Sitting by the puppy, Aye pulled treats from his bag and urged the dog to bite, smiling for the first time in a while as he saw the little jerk shying away from him.

“There is one dog that won’t get to see me smile.” He heard a warm voice light up the are around him, returning the color to him, before disappearing as fast as it came. Ayan blinked in surprise looking around only to see everything as dull as it was ever since he lost his uncle and no one around. Was he going crazy?

“I started hearing things, Singto. I guess I’m loosing my mind.” Aye complained petting the dog, bringing the cup of water for it to drink from.

‘The dog is pretty cute, don’t you think?” The same voice said in amusement and Aye could almost feel his heart warm up, something inside of his coming alive, before it disappears once again.

As his world once again sinks into the same grey tones, Ayan sighs, petting the puppy once more, before heading away. “See you, Singto.” He feels exhausted somehow. There is burning behind his eyes, tears begging to break free of their prison as he feels once again the loneliness of his existence.

“What the hell?” He curses, shaking his head in frustration.

Ayan walks aimlessly, lost in his thoughts over the weird foreboding feeling. Like a memory is scratching at his mind, looking for an outlet, but instead of understanding or remembering, all Aye feels is an excruciating pain in his chest and the feeling of loss. He keeps seeing a shadow behind every corner, a pop of color at the edge of his vision, yet every time he turns the corner or tried to grasp it, the vision dances away from his hands. Taking any warmth and light away from him and leaving only gray area with a stab to his chest.

The longest Aye walks the more desperate he feels, eyes looking for ghosts and heart wailing desperate calls into the void. He feels like he did when his uncle died, grasping at straws and waiting for him to come through the door, telling the teenager that he is actually alive, and this is all just a dream.

Walking along the empty side corridors, over what’s essentially a bridge connecting two parts of an unnecessarily huge school, Ayan once again spots that splash of color at the corner of his eye. Stopping in his steps he looks through the gaps of the metal door towards where the staircase is, almost able to see moving shadows leaning against each other. One pushing the other towards the wall, heads leaning close. Stepping closer to the metal gate he hears the voices, his world once again taking shape and color as that same warm voice fills not only his ears, but also his heart with the light of the sun Ayan has been starved for, for way too long.

“Don’t make be the only one who kisses. Or that will make you my wife.” The voice similar to his own, yet filled with teasing warmth and uncontained happiness urges. It’s been a while since Ayan heard himself sound as something other than dead and lifeless.

The other voice rang later, tone pouty yet filled with the kind of affection that lit Ayan’s heart on fire and heated up his soul, making it sing like it had never done before. “I’m not your wife, you’re my wife.”

Before he realizes it, Aye is smiling, soul singing with excitement, enamored at the cuteness of his… His… His what?

Confusion clouds the joy he started to feel and suddenly he is back into the colorless world, any light and warmth which grew in his heart suddenly freezing over by the harsh winds.

“Aye?” Wat calls, snapping the boy into reality. “What are you doing there?”

Ayan turns around coming face to face with Kan and Wat coming towards him, both frowning in confusion.

“Why are you standing there smiling like a lunatic?” Kan mocks.

“Nothing.” Aye scoffs, gripping his backpack closer and leaving in haste, not letting the other two to ask any more questions.

He felt his soul wail in agony, seeking something, clawing at his mind for answers.

Ayan’s hand went to his chest again, the knife in it sinking deeper now.

It hurts. Hurts so badly.

****☀️🌙****

After that he becomes obsessed over finding that light again, that sunlight shining through the dark clouds, warmth of the summer day after years of winter. Aye felt like an addict chasing his next hit, wanting to feel the ecstasy of colors as that voice rang filled with affection through his very soul.

He hasn’t felt this alive in months, maybe even years. Not since his uncle died and even before that, he feels like he kept chasing some unattainable miracle that escaped his grasp at every turn, denying his soul the partnership it so desperately craved.

“You’re weak, Shortstop.” Ayan heard near the dojo, his lips and heart both now heating at the voice, making him enter the empty room, ears ringing with chatter. “You want it now, Shortstop?”

“Yes, Bigfoot.” His own teasing voice rang back into the emptiness of the showers, strange to his own ears as Aye has never heard himself sound this happy and carefree before.

“If you don’t stop disrespecting my school, I’m going to wrestle you to the ground, Shortstop.”

That name, the nickname only this voice calls him. Ayan usually hates any remark at his height or looks, but when it’s said by the owner of this mysterious voice he likes it. ‘Cause it’s something that only he can do. Something which belongs only to the two of them. Aye doesn’t know why he is so sure of it, but his heart knows without a doubt that only this warm voice can call him Shortstop and he only allows Ayan to call him Bigfoot. It’s their nickname. Pulling them closer. Theirs.

Shortstop.

Shameless.

Ayan. Ayan. Aye. Aye~

It was like the sunlight enveloped him in his warm embrace, a ghost of a kiss on his lips and strong arms holding him in an embrace. When that feeling faded, Aye was left breathless trying to desperately hold on to the high in his heart, not willing to let go of that happiness just yet, alas it disappeared soon too.

Cursing loud, Ayan left the dojo, running to find that light again, source of his happiness. He needs to find it and he has to find a way to make it last more than just a few seconds. Aye feels drunk with desperation of finding sunlight again, of saving himself from this dark world he seems to be trapped in and returning the colors of life into his soul.

“Are you scared of being alone with me?” Aye’s more cheer filled voice teases, he could feel it too, the underlying affection inside of him.

That warm voice, the one that is so precious to Ayan’s heart. “Scared, my ass. What can a small guy like you do?”

“I’m small and what? What can a big guy like you do to me?” Aye’s voice challenged, tone more teasing, but still tingling with affection.

Ayan felt his body tingle with something as he felt a warm breath on his face. “Shut your mouth or I’ll punch it until it bleeds.” Despite the threat the teenager still feels something intangible fill him from the tips of his fingers to the ends of his hair. The dark cloud disappearing from his heart momentarily.

“Go ahead. You punch me once, I’ll kiss you.”

With that the memory faded with those words, returning the darkness that seemed to disappear and sinking him even deeper into the forest of his mind, now completely submerging him into the cold waters of loneliness.

Aye needs that warmth back, that feeling of freedom and safety filling his soul again. He feels alive and he wants to keep feeling it. This ghost, this person whose voice is the only thing he knows of him, this mysterious savior who feels so familiar to him, even though the boy never met him, he is someone Ayan needs. He has to find him. Has to bask in that sunlight once more and feel his long frozen heart, beat again.

With that need for safety and life again, Aye starts to run. He runs along the yard and through the empty corridors, seeking that shadow of light, ghostly voice which has sunlight trapped in every syllable. Ayan has been frozen alone in the dark of his mind for a long time, ready to end it all and reach freedom by Uncle Dee’s side.

But this voice, this ghost, this dream keeps him alive. It makes Ayan want to be alive. If he can find this voice again. If he can find the person this voice belongs to again, then maybe, just maybe he would want to survive. He would want to keep on fighting and finally get himself out of the darkness and into the light. This voice, which opens his eyes and disperses the fog around him, making Aye want to keep walking, until the winter finally passes, and spring comes, bringing warmth and sunlight and long lost something with it.

 He needs to find his… His what? What is he looking for? His sun? His safe space? What? What did I lose?

“I’m not cute. I’m solemn. The President of the Prefect Club, you know?” Aye hears as he runs pass the swimming pool area.

“Why are you smiling? Why aren’t you at the dojo?”

By the time he reaches the bleachers, Aye is breathless, his legs aching and breath coming in puffs. He drops onto the bleachers exhausted, throwing his backpack next to him and taking off his hoodie, feeling too hot. Leaning his back onto the step behind him the boy regulates his breathing, trying to overcome his fatigue, so he can continue on his quest. Honestly, he is not even sure what he is looking for. What he is trying to find. Some mysterious voice that suddenly brings him to life. Owner of that voice he is not even sure exists. It’s like he is chasing ghosts. Blindly. In the dark. In the storm. Impossible.

He is so desperate for the impossible.

The more he looks the father from reality he gets. It’s like Ayan is slowly loosing his mind, detaching himself from what’s real and choosing to live in the imaginary world where voices as warm as the sun exist and lead him through the hardest times into the light, making him want to live and survive and fight and keep on going. They say, “You’re not alone.” “We’re here”, they whisper. “We’re always by your side”, they promise. “Hold on just a little longer. Don’t die. Keep going. It’s worth it.”, - they beg. And by this point Ayan isn’t sure if this is some mysterious power of the universe supporting him or his own crazy mind making up excuses, because he is too much of a coward to kill himself.

Yet, as long as this warm voice rings in his ears, fills his soul with light and his heart with warmth, he will keep going, keep searching, keep looking for.

He wants to find that ‘his…’ he keeps trying to name. His what? What belongs to him so truly and completely that even though Aye doesn’t remember its name, its shape or what he looks like, the boy still knows that whoever is hiding behind the colorful shadows and ghostly voice is his safe space, his comfort zone, his reason to live. This ghost is his… This voice belongs to his… This is his Sun, his…

 Leaning onto the step behind him, Aye closes his eyes, letting his mind work through his feelings, trying to chase the evasive memory that scratches at the back of his consciousness. Chasing something that feels like a dream he has seen once and is trying to recall.

All that running made him so thirsty, he needed something to drink. Not completely understanding himself, Ayan looks beside him, expecting to see a white-blue drink with the small note ‘I don’t want it anymore. You take it.’ Which can make him smile lovingly. There is, of course, no drink beside him, which leaves Aye feeling melancholic.

With a sigh, Aye rests his back onto the steps and leans his head to the side, as if he is putting it on someone’s shoulder. The boy smiles, heart hurting.

“It’s not you at all. You normally don’t yield easily. Why did you let them do that much to you?” The voice sounds worried, why would he worry about Ayan.

Imaginary Aye must think the same as he says, pleads. “You won’t be so mean to me too, right?” And the warm presence against his cheek stays.

“Do you think there’s someone in real life who is brainwashed like the main character in the book?”

“You.”

“You asshole.”

Aye's heart is not so cold anymore. Winter is coming to an end.

“I like it this way. So what?”

“Why? You don’t want to call me by the nickname because you’re afraid you’ll be too close to me?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Go ahead then.”

“Sure. Shameless. Happy now?”

He knows the voice wants to be close to him, knows he must be feeling the same happiness. Because this imaginary Aye, whose voice sounds so happy and in love and kind, feels foreign to the Ayan right now, who is feeling cold, lonely and filled with resentment, anger and hate. He wants to feel in love like that imaginary Aye feels and he wants to be loved, like that sunlight voice starting to sound.

“You’re allowed to be weak, at least with me.”

Can he? Can he be weak with his… His sunlight. This voice which somehow seems like the embodiment of his every dream. As if he's the last gift from his uncle Dika. An apology from the universe for all the pain he endured until meeting this… voice. His sunlight. Bringing color to his life.

“Sometimes, I just don’t want tomorrow to come.”

No. No don’t think that. It’s Ayan who should feel like this. Ayan who lost everything. Ayan who is alone and suffocating in this darkness. Ayan who is living in this colorless, dull world. I should want to end it all. I’m the one who doesn’t deserve tomorrow. Not you. Please don’t disappear.

Aye could feel tears coming to his eyes. Losing someone so warm, kind and gentle. Losing another person he loves. It hurts. It hurts so bad.

He never met the owner of this voice and yet, Aye already loves him. He loves him so much. He needs to find him. Needs to save him.

Ayan wants to live, so that he can meet this voice. So that he can save him, like this voice keeps saving him.

I need my Sun. I have to find him. My…

“You can’t like a bad person like me.”

I love you. I love you. I love you. You’re perfect.

Another warmth against his lips. Aye loves shutting him up with a kiss.

Big doe eyes, sparkling whenever Ayan kissed him. Whenever Aye looked into his eyes. Whenever their gazes meet.

Did I meet him? Have I met my Sun? Who is he? Where is he?

“You ran away with me, or I ran away with you exactly?”

“You dragged me here. It’s called kidnapping.”

He’s so silly. Such cute, adorable, precious… My…

Who? Who is he?

“I’m so worried about you. Please don’t leave me.” Imaginary Ayan says.

The warm tone changes to something sad, as if he was crying. “I’m fine. What’s wrong?”

Please don’t leave me. Please don’t disappear. I’m lost without you. I’m stuck in darkness.

Please, please, please. Don’t disappear…

“Akk.” Aye whispers in a prayer.

Eyes snapping open he sits upright.

“Akk. My Bigfoot. My Sun. My perfect prefect. My boyfriend. Boyfriend.” Ayan chants desperately, jumping onto his feet, looking widely around as if the boy will materialize in front of him. “How the hell did I forget Akk?!”

What the hell is happening?

The fog around his mind seemed to thicken, yet he could feel it, the light shinning through the mist showing him the way out. Finally he can find an exit. Finally he can find his Sun.

But where is Akk?

 An avalanche of 2 years’ worth of memories come flooding into his mind, as every happy recollection, every memory taking shape of his tall, gorgeous, silly, shy, adorable, kind, gentle Bigfoot. His Akk. His Sunlight. As Akk’s name filled his heart, so did the colors which came back and the love of life he thought he would never regain again. Ever since his Uncle died, Aye felt lost, alone and cold, yet when he met his prefect that all changed. He gained a new purpose in life, he loves whom he wanted to care about, wanted to forget.

Akk became his safe space, his comfort, his everything. Akk made Aye want to fight. Want to survive beyond his revenge over Uncle Dika’s death.  Ayan saved himself from the swamp that threatened to consume him, but the reason for him to want to fight in the first place was Akk, who entered his heart, build his nest there and became Aye’s home. Akk is his dream, his reality and his sun, his colors of life. Ayan feels safe when Akk is near, happy when he hears his voice and alive whenever he looks into his Bigfoot’s eyes. Those gorgeous, big, boba eyes.

****☀️🌙****

Now, as Ayan begins to run around the school, it’s with one purpose only. To find Akk.

He zooms through the long corridors of the Suppalo, through the empty classrooms and the Student Welfare Department. He comes and goes through the swimming pool area, the dojo and the showers. Aye even goes to the parking lot to see if by some magical appearance he is there, but Akk is nowhere.

Ayan heads to the dorms later, only to find out that someone else has settled into Akk’s room. Returning back to school he seeks out Thua, who looks at him like he has lost his mind – the fact that Aye probably looks like he has just escaped an asylum notwithstanding – as he grabs the boy by the shoulders to demand. “Have you seen Akk?”

“Who?” The class monitor frowns.

“Akk. Have you seen him?”

“Aye, I don’t know who you’re talking about. Are you okay?” Thua wonders, trying to grab his arm.

Ayan recoils, stepping back. Right, this guy is the last one he will ever trust with anything Akk related, anyways.

Without another word, Aye turns and runs, circling towards the Prefect Club, where Kan and Wat are discussing something with Namo. Entering the room, he looks around as if suddenly his Bigfoot might walk from the corner.

“Aye? You okay?” Wat asks worried, while the other two frowned at him.

“Have you three seen Akk?”

“Whose Akk?” Kan wonders, looking between his friends and him. “There is no one with such a name here.”

“What the hell do you mean? He is your friend. Akk!” Aye snaps.

“Aye, there has never been anyone named Akk in this school.” Namo scoffs, narrowing his eyes. “I think you’re delusional.”

“Fuck off.” Ayan curses, turning and running, ignoring Wat’s calls.

How come no one remembers Akk? Where is he anyways?

Calling Akk’s number is futile, as someone else picks up and claims it has always been their number to begin with. After that Aye decides to make one more round around the school before getting in his car and going to Akk’s hometown. If Akk is not in Suppalo then maybe he has never came here for high school and is right now simply studying in his hometown.

Or maybe he disappeared, like he wanted. He left you, Aye. He abandoned you.

A cruel voice whispered in his mind, but Aye shook it away. Unwilling to believe such a lie.

Akk promised to never leave him again. To stay with him through thick and thin and to never again cause him pain by abandoning him. Aye trusts Akk. He trusts that his Bigfoot didn’t abandon him. That he didn’t break his promise. Ayan believes Akk, believes in his love and his promise.

Something must have happened, or the ex-head prefect would have never left his Shortstop. Aye needs to find his boyfriend.

As he finds himself in the empty rooftop almost at the end of the day, twilight embracing the sky, but no Akk anywhere, Aye feels like crying.

“Akk, where are you?” Closing his eyes Aye whispered. “P’Fate. Please if you can hear me, help me find him. I know he didn’t leave me. He couldn’t have. Akk promised.”

“He didn’t.” Fate says, appearing in front of him, looking disgruntled and incredibly pissed off. “I’m glad you trust him now.”

He nodded. “I do. I know he won’t hurt me. Where is he? Where is Akk?”

“That asshole K took him and trapped him somewhere.” She stated with a venomous voice.

“What?”

“Exactly! But don’t worry I’ll deal with that asshole myself. He is messing with the wrong entity.”

“I… I don’t understand. Why would he take Akk?”

“K thinks that Akk is the reason for the Time inconsistencies and that removing him from reality and from existence will somehow fix everything. Hence, why you guys forgot about Akk in the first place. Cause now, thanks to K, he doesn’t exist.”

“But… That… It’s not Akk’s fault!”

“I know, K, unfortunately, is not the brightest out there. He rarely uses that peanut thing in his skull.”

“I’m the one who made the time loops, P’Fate. If someone is to be blamed then it’s…”

“Me.” Fate cuts him, with a harsh tone, eyes blazing with anger. Aye snapped his mouth shut. “I knew what will happen when I made that deal with you, Aye. I knew of the risks, calculated it and took it. I allowed you to make the deal and didn’t stop the time loops, until Akk himself remembered and realized something is wrong. Me. And by far it’s my responsibility to fix whatever those loops cause, which I’ve been doing lately. But thanks to K, I have to now leave that job behind and fix this timeline before Akk and you disappear.”

Ayan frowns. “Can they be fixed?”

“Of course. It will take some time, but I’ll fix it. I told Akk too, Per and I dealt with far worse than few time lumps on the road. It will be fine.”

He nodded, sighing in relief and somehow feeling better knowing that they didn’t completely destroyed the equilibrium of the universe with their selfishness. It doesn’t make K kidnapping Akk and erasing him from existence acceptable, even if they did destroy the universe. Akk is a human being. He has a life, family and people who care about him. Erasing him from existence means also depriving those who care and love him from the kind of energy and peace his presence brings them. ‘Cause while Akk himself wanted to disappear and might not see it, but without him in this world no one is happier.

Kan never grew comfortable in his feelings for Thua. Wat never got courage and support to pursue his dream in Film making. Namo became the perfect puppet to Chadok and in the end lost any notion of self. Thua floated through high school barely noticeable and never able to express himself. Akk’s parents never got the child they could pamper and spoil and raise to be their pride and joy and source of happiness. And Aye…

Aye got stuck in the eternal darkness, frozen in place, surrounded by a suffocating fog of depression and grief he never battled or even felt able to escape from. His world lost all it’s color, stuck in eternal winter, grey becoming his home and the warmth of the sunlight just a fairytale which he could always dream of but never touch. Revenge became his whole personality and hate filled his heart, not allowing love to bloom, sinking him deeper into anger and spite for everything and everyone who dared to live in the world, when his beloved Uncle was forced to die.

 When he met Akk, Aye was lost in the darkness, chocking on his need for revenge, hopping that once he destroys the school which killed Uncle Dika, he will be able to breathe again. To escape the colorless world and finally be able to live and smile and enjoy his days. But it was not true, cause grief is a quicksand, pulling you deeper and deeper the more you struggle. Wrapping its clawed hands around your throat, so that breathing becomes novelty. Depression clouds your mind, until your skin is eternally frozen, cold running through your veins instead of blood, making you forget what sun and warmth and happiness feels like. Depression is the result of grief in many cases and unless you find a saving a raft, you will drown in your misery, never again feeling summer, getting buried under the cold of winter.

Akk became Ayan’s sunlight. Like the spring he came into his frozen life and brought blossom and happiness and life back. Even while arguing and chasing and pushing each other’s buttons, Aye felt alive. Before he knew it his heart no longer was frozen, the world no longer was gray and dull and dead and his soul sang the melody so ethereal that every morning it gave him strength to keep going. To keep fighting. To not give up. Akk saved him, not by pulling him away from the cliff, but by holding his hand, giving love, comfort and understanding, telling Aye ‘It’s okay, I’m here. You’re not alone anymore.’

By becoming his safe space and his home, Akk stood beside him, giving Ayan the strength and support he needed to fight. Akk held his hand as Aye saved himself. And that’s what partnership is. What friendship and love that emerge from such a deep bond should be like. It’s not only keeping each other floating in the deep sea, but also giving each other strength, power and motivation to keep on fighting.

Akk is Ayan’s sun. His spark of color in the grey world. That leading light, which keeps him moving through the fog, illuminating the way.

“Will the others remember him? Like I did.” Ayan wonders, looking over at the girl.

She shakes her head. “Not right now, no. But when he returns everything should go back to normal.”

“But I…”

“You’re Soulmates, Aye. You and Akk are bound by destiny. Once you have met and formed the deep bond, the Red Strings will never allow you to part again. It’s the curse and the blessing of having a Soulmate. You’re always going to feel the pull and you’re always going to be restless until you find the one meant for you.”

“Did P’Per say that the Red Strings of Fate don’t force people?” He asked dubiously.

Fate shrugs, cheeky. “It doesn’t. You can choose to be with that person or not. Can be friends with your Soulmates and not lovers. Soulmates don’t always have to be romantic. But once the connection is there, it’s hard to break and if you want to do it, then you have to want to break it with your very soul and not with simple angry sentences. You can live away from your soulmate. You can break up. Hell, you can even spend the rest of your life loving and married to other people. But connection will always remain, and you will meet this person in every lifetime and different realities. As I said curse and a blessing.”

“So complicated.” He murmurs, shaking his head. He has more important things to worry about than decoding the Red Strings of Fate and Soulmates debacle right now. “Do you know where Akk is, P’Fate?” Aye almost pleads.

Fate shakes her head, looking apologetic at him. “I know he is stuck in his memories, but where exactly I can’t find. That’s why I need your help Aye. You can find him.”

“Me?” He nodded, stepping in. “What can I do? I’ll do anything.” If there is even a slight chance that he can find his Bigfoot, he will do it. No matter the cost. No matter what.

Fate smiles at him gently, the anger in her expression replaced with affection as she looks at the teenager. “I need you to pull at your Red String, Aye. K is hiding Akk’s presence, so that even I can’t see him, even though he is… Never mind. I can’t see him wherever he is, but you can. You and Akk are bound by something far more powerful than some spiteful reaper. So pull at your Red String and it will lead you to Akk.”

Ayan nodded, looking down at his raised hand, his Red String of Fate visible now, stretching towards the horizon and disappearing. It was bright and shining, lighting from within as if millions of light bugs were swimming through the red line, illuminating the path.

Fate raises her own hand, placing it over Aye’s heart, with a command. “I’m not sure where exactly Akk is trapped, so you might need to search for a while. But as long as this string is bright and burning, you can find him.”

Ayan looks down at the hand on his chest, noticing the broken, fraying, black string attached to Fate’s pinky, before looking back at the girl. Her cut string looks the same as the one he saw on P’Reaper’s hand. It made him want to ask questions, but something in her expression stopped him.

Some things were better left unasked. Some wounds will never be able to close.

“Good luck, Aye.”

Ayan nodded, closing his eyes.

He imagined himself grabbing at the Red String, fingers wrapping around the bright line, light coming through the gaps between his fingers. There is warmth against his skin. As if it’s Akk’s lovely face cupped between Aye’s palms, cutely squished with his lips pouting and boba eyes wide and shining.

Smiling, he tightens his hands and pulls.

There is a strong, answering tug at his heart and Aye smiles as he feels the warmth of the sun and senses his soul sing, as it floats from his body, flying towards where his Soulmate is.

He needs to find his Sun. His Bigfoot. His Soulmate.

Chapter Text

Ayan remembers one time when he was a child, his mom was going to Singapore for work and she took him with him, because Uncle Dika was in the facility for treatment of his depressive disorder, and she had no one to leave him with. It was the little boy’s first time traveling abroad and he remembers every new thing excited him, the views, the culture, the people and the way life was shown there. They stayed in Singapore for five days and on the third day, when his mom was done with majority of her meetings she took Aye to the Singapore Cable Cars, because he saw them when they arrived and wanted to try riding in one.

The cabin they entered was small, round shaped and with windows everywhere, even under their feet. Aye remembers holding onto his mom when the cable car started to move, afraid to look under his feet where there seemed to be an endless abyss, as the car passed over the top of the tallest trees and scared to move because somehow he was convinced that by moving the cable car would twist and fall into emptiness. They were halfway through their trip when little Ayan finally opened his eyes looked around himself, seeing the amazing view of the city, other cable cars around them and when he looks down, instead of the eternal darkness, he feels like he is floating above the world, with wings wide open flying over the trees and the city. Aye felt so free and powerful just then, feeling sad when the ride ended and telling his mom that he wanted to fly again.

As Ayan pulled at the Red String attached to his finger, it felt like he was back in that cable car, experiencing the high of flying over the world for the first time, but closing his eyes as he was afraid to look at see how far he would fall if something broke.

 His hands held strong around the strings, almost painfully biting the rope into his palms, using the pain to ground himself. There was nothing under his feet, strong wind blowing all around him as he zoomed through space, towards something he hoped was where Akk is, the cold biting into his cheeks. The only warmth Aye felt was in his palms, where he was still holding the string, while the world around him felt stuck in a blizzard, ready to swept him away too if he lets go.

Aye bit his lips, zoning all his attention on Akk and his need to find his lover. As the windy space kept rushing by, the teenager manifested his boyfriend – his beautiful boba eyes, his bright smile, those plus lips and cute nose, the way he would look at Aye like he is a miracle, his warm hands and strong embraces, which always made Ayan feel love and safety. His Bigfoot was too tall, but that’s one of the things Shortstop found so endearing, always managing to fit his smaller frame within the comfort of those arms as if he really was created just to be hugged forever by Akk.

Ayan remembered their first meeting and their first kiss (in Akk’s childhood bedroom, the one in the shower was not a kiss and he refuses to name one), their quarrels and arguments, the way he slept in Akk’s room for the first time and the way the head prefect comforted him after the nightmare. The cold around him seems to have lessened as the teen recalled the way Akk refused to admit his feelings, yet his every action screamed about how much he cares. Those eyes were truly mirrors to his Bigfoot’s heart, letting Aye read straight into his soul and grow more confident in their feelings.

As his hands tighten over the string, Aye recalls the small kisses and teasing touches they shared during Suppalo, but mostly after. How they would wait for each other after the orientation and classes to go home together, or simply hang out and eat and chat and enjoy the freedom the university gave them. He smiles at the memory of moving his stuff into Akk’s dorm room, after they managed to win their rightful argument over them rooming together. Remembers how his boyfriend lovingly folded their clothes next to each other in the closets and somehow by the end of the week their stuff ended up mixed and matched, ‘cause Aye loves wearing his boyfriend’s stuff and Akk resigned himself to sharing a closet with his Shortstop.

The more Aye thinks about his life with Akk, the warmer he gets. The space around him, the howling blizzard, doesn’t feel as scary anymore. It’s like as long as he knows why he is doing this, then life is not scary anymore and is actually once again exciting.

****☀️🌙****

When the blizzard finally stops and his feet touch the solid ground, Aye frowns, not sure if he has arrived yet. The weather is too warm and there are voices around him shouting and accusing him, he can hear the Three Jums and Teacher Chadok. Then there is his own voice joining the mix and then… Thua?

His eyes open in panic, coming face to face with one of the worst days of his life. Everyone, students and teachers, gathered in front of Suppalo, the World Remembers with posters and loud accusing words, which led to them being forced to step away as the prefects grabbed at them. Aye, of course, stepped in to help and the students backed him up, demanding for the juniors to be let go and for justice. But Thua had his own plans at this moment, as he stepped up and instead of helping the Three Jums like the rest he started throwing accusations and names left and right.

Pushing Akk under the bus and stepping on him while he was down, not able to even pretend to fix it, when he called Teacher Chadok on being the one manipulating the head prefect. No one heard that part, ‘cause everyone grew more interested in the relationship between Akk and Ayan and the fact that Akk was the Curse and Aye hid it. If not for Wat’s quick thinking, this day would have ended worse than it did indeed.

Teacher Sani was another person who helped them there, before anyone could question the validity of that short film and truth behind the dating allegations. “Leave the film for now. Teacher. Lets handle the protest first.”

But the damage was already done. Students were whispering about Akk being the Curse, doing all those horrible things. They were pointing fingers and demanding punishment. Even Kan and Wat turned their backs on Akk just then, angry in their own way and unable to comprehend that their best friend lied to them and betrayed them. If Thua was truly the champion for truth he claimed himself to be, then he would have actually revealed his own crime too, telling everyone that he was the one behind the Eclipse account who continued after Akk stopped.

But he didn’t. Cause he is a selfish, bitter man who wanted to destroy whatever happiness Akk and Aye were building away from the toxicity of Suppalo.

Just like it always happens in his nightmares, Aye watched with a broken heart as his Bigfoot crumbled to the ground. Wailing in pain and breaking down right there at those stairs, feeling alone and helpless. Ayan was the only one who held him together, hugging him and comforting Akk, making sure he knew that he was not alone. That he will never be alone. Aye watches himself grab at his Bigfoot and pull him close, embracing him as if his arms are enough to hide him to the pain Thua just inflicted, heal the hurt and betrayal he feels.

As Akk broke to pieces in his arms, Aye felt himself barely holding on, breaking with his boyfriend, but promising to find the strength to not only help the boy heal, but help himself grow stronger too. It’s this scene right here, this feelings of fear, hopelessness, helplessness is why he will never forgive Thua.

“Why am I here though?” Aye whispers to himself, wiping at his tears. P’Fate said, K trapped Akk in his memories, but where exactly she didn’t know. Is she making Ayan walk through Akk’s worst memories to find him? Or maybe he himself needs to decide which memory he wants to visit and when.

Hiding Akk in his worst memories and hurting him does sound like something K might do, so Aye is not really surprised.

The Red String tugs again, as if someone of the other end is pulling at him, so Aye grabs at the string and pulls back in answer. This almost feels like a paper cup thread cable phone they used to make when they were kids. However, instead of talking through the cups, Ayan and who he hopes is Akk, are communicating by pulling on different ends to call the other for an answer.

Now that he thinks about it, this also feels like Ariadne’s Thread, but instead of leading him out of the labyrinth, this thread leads him to his Soulmate.

****☀️🌙****

This time, his trip through the blizzard and empty space is short. Aye feels himself pulled into a vacuum and then spit out like gum, feeling dizzy and disoriented afterwards. This time he is standing in the middle of Akk’s Suppalo dorm room, with his Bigfoot sitting behind the table with Kan and Wat around him and a hot pot burning in the middle. This must be one of those best friend time hang outs the trio loves to do away from their boyfriend, as Wat always complains that since Akk started dating Aye and Kan started dating Thua, the three of them didn’t hang out much. That being said, the fact that Thua and Aye join the trio in two hours every time seems to be a loophole in Wat’s plan, no one wants to correct.

He is not sure which year it is exactly, but as Aye watches his boyfriend’s face fall, turning crestfallen, makes the teenager frown and move closer to them, sitting next to Akk, even though he can’t see him.

“Wow, Aye is really smart.” Kan whistles.

“He’s a genius.” Akk says filled with pride as always, yet his smile is sad and not bright like it usually is. “They offered him a good scholarship in the program he wanted.”

Ah, this must be before graduation, when Aye got accepted to his first choice university in the UK and was planning to move after their summer break. When did this conversation even happen? And why have I never heard of it before?

Wat snorts. “Don’t knock yourself down, my friend. You got the same scholarship. I think you two together are literally a Supercomputer. It’s cool.”

“It’s not a full-ride though. They cover my education but nothing else. Aye’s Mae will get him an apartment and help out with everyday expenses until he finds a job or something. She offered it to me too. But I refused.”

“Why? I thought you also want to study there with Aye?” Kan frowns, flipping the pork.

“I do, but my parents will never allow Aye’s Mae to pay for everything and they’re already working hard for me, I can’t ask them to sacrifice even more for this. I can try to find the job there, but the prices in the UK are insane and I can share a flat with Aye, but since he won’t accept any rent from me, technically he will be burdened with everything, and I can’t let him take that pressure on. We’re partners, I can’t always depend on him.” Akk sounds resigned, avoiding his friend’s eyes and looking right through Aye’s illusion towards his desk where their pictures are. “I’m gonna study in Thailand and maybe apply for a summer program in the UK later.”

Ayan grasps his fists tight, not knowing how to feel over this. Sure, Akk told him he won’t be going to the UK and will stay here, but he never told him why he chose it and most importantly he never showed how hurt he actually was. In the end, Aye didn’t go, true, but what would have happened if he did go to the UK? Will Akk feel abandoned? Alone?

“Does Aye know you’re not going?” Kan wonders.

“Not yet. I’ll tell him soon though. We need to send in our documents in a month and he needs to know before that.”

“He won’t like it.” Wat points out. “He wants you both to go together and when he hears this he won’t like it. Honestly, I understand your decision in this, but I still think you should go and find a compromise with Aye and yourself to make it work. Mostly, because I know how much you do wanna study there.”

“I do and I know he wants us to go together. I also don’t want him to go alone and have a long distance relationship. I want him near and yet I don’t want to tie him down. I don’t want him to postpone his dreams and then resent me for them.” Akk sounds choked up, as if he was ready to cry.

Kan snorts. “You don’t wanna stay here without him and Aye doesn’t wanna go without you. You two are too attached for this.” Glaring at him, the taller boy threw a pillow at his friend.

Wat pats him on the shoulder. “Talk to Aye, Akk. You’re a couple, you need to figure this out together.”

“Exactly, you shouldn’t decide for him.” Kan butts in.

Wat snorts, throwing a bunch of tissues at him. “Stop quoting what Thua said and give me some pork, asshole.”

Aye feels like screaming and crying and raging for answers. Akk never told him this before. His Bigfoot told him that he wants to stay in Thailand to study, but never gave him a reason no matter how many times Aye asked. Then after, they were too busy with entrance exams and registration to actually talk and his boyfriend is way too good at running away from answers when Ayan doesn’t literally looks him in the eyes, traps him in an embrace and demands honesty.

Now those months leading up to his supposed flight date to the UK and Akk’s sadness made a lot of more sense.

When, during their last semester in high school, Aye voiced his wish to abroad to study, Akk shily also confessed that he has always wanted to pursue an International Communication Degree in the UK, ever since he heard from someone back in his hometown about the awesome Universities there and all their benefits. Ayan was ecstatic when he heard that and without a second thought offered for them to apply together, already speaking about all the fun they might have there and the life they will lead. “I can’t wait to live there with you and build our lives there, Akk.” – Aye said then, hugging his boyfriend and feeling his own happiness and excitement through it all.

Through the whole process of gathering their documents and sending off their applications, Ayan has been convinced they wanted it on the same level. And when they both got the scholarships and acceptance, they celebrated with a romantic dinner and amazing night together. It wasn’t until Akk told him that he decided to stay in Thailand and got to Uni here that Ayan realized that all his plans about them leaving together and studying in the UK together wouldn’t happen. He never heard of this conversation or of Akk’s fear over his financial status and honestly, Aye never though of it either. ‘Cause Akk is right, if Ayan heard of such a thing, he would have offered to pay for their rent and all the expenses. Hell, he did offer to cover all of the expenses before.

It's now, hearing his boyfriend voice his fears that he understands how selfish he was. Aye was so excited about going abroad with the person he loves. About sharing his dream with him. Building his entire future with Akk, around Akk, for the two of them to be together that Aye forgot to count in one important thing – Akk’s fears and insecurities. He was so lost in his own plans and happiness that he didn’t stop to listen when his Bigfoot hesitated at seeing the ticket prices or the rent in the UK. He didn’t stop to ask if he is ok about these changes when Akk read the Scholarship agreement, about it covering only study and education expenses and nothing else.

Ayan offered to help with finances and rent and expenses, but did he really not stop to think how that would make his boyfriend feel? Akk hates being a burden to anyone. Of course, he wouldn’t accept that without thinking about the strain it would put on his parents and Aye’s mom, especially since he didn’t know when he can find a job and how much money can he actually earn by himself to not depend on others. His boyfriend has never been a burden to his parents, Aye’s mom and specially never to Ayan himself, but Akk still feels like that and he hates depending on others.

True, if Akk came to him and told him of his fears and the reason why he is refusing to go, instead of giving a vague answer, then they could have figured it out themselves. But Aye knows his Bigfoot. He knows when he is hiding something and when he is being secretive. The beginning of their relationship is literally Akk acting shady and Aye untwisting every web around him, until he was able to read his boyfriend better than he was able to understand himself. If Ayan was less absorbed into his own dreams and paid attention he might have noticed, if Akk actually talked to him about it, they could have worked it out.

They are both to blame. And more than anything Aye is glad he decided to stay back in Thailand and reapply later when Akk could come with him. Because what his precious Bigfoot didn’t seem to understand is the fact that Aye was so excited to go, to fulfil his dream and build his future was because Akk was going to go with him. Once his boyfriend took himself out of the equation, Ayan no longer wanted to leave and study anywhere further away from Akk than a different faculty building.

Ever since they fell in love, Ayan began to build his future with Akk as a crucial part of it, so of course, all his plans involved him and when he was no longer on the same page, then Aye simply changed the narrative. He knows Akk does the same thing, felt him do it and argued with his Bigfoot over doing it against his own dreams. “My dreams all have you in them, Aye. So if I’m planning a future you should be in it and we have to plan it together.” – His boyfriend shily said after they made up, following one of their arguments. His cheeks were red, lips pouty and eyes shiny with so much earnestness that Aye spend the whole night smothering him with kisses and showing him exactly how happy he is to have him in his life.

He is not sure when I became We for them, but somewhere between high school and University, AkkAye began to make plans and speak and dream for them, together as a package deal.

Looking at Akk’s sad eyes as he speaks about moving to the UK and fear of telling Aye, the shorter teen wishes they did talk about this. Wishes he found time in the business of the final exams to actually sit down and discus their future together, instead of assuming. Wishes Akk could have come to him. Maybe, if they manage to change the future, he can also fix his selfishness and miscommunication here too.

Another tug on his string pulled Ayan back to reality and the mission at hand. Taking his eyes away from his Bigfoot, who was now answering the call from his Aye, the Shortstop gripped the Red String tightly and pulled.

Just like that, he got sucked into another vacuum. Flying through time and space to land in another one of Akk’s memories. He hoped it would be something happier than the other two were though.

****☀️🌙****

Ayan ended up outside this time, behind what looked like a theatre. Frowning the boy looked around trying to understand where he was and where his boyfriend is as he walked around. He found Akk around the corner talking on the phone. He was wearing a white hoodie and jeans, looking softer and more relaxed than he was in Suppalo, which meant this is after their graduation. It took him another minute to remember where they were.

It's the theatre where Wat won his first short film award, the summer before they started University. Today must be Akk’s birthday.

Aye smiled at the recollection of the days leading up to this day – their couple’s trip, meeting their friends, working on Wat’s film and then Akk’s birthday surprise, also the night after the surprise when they hand fun in their shared room. It was overall a good and fun trip, despite the tension and small arguments Wat’s film brought.

Why am I here then? Ayan frowned, getting closer to Akk to hear him better. Sure, they argued during the days leading to the birthday, but he didn’t think it was that bad of a memory for Akk. Or is it?”

“Thank Pa, Mae.” Akk smiles as he listens to what must be his parents congratulating him. He chuckles. “Sure, Mae. Aye and I will come visit after we’re back. We were thinking of staying with you guys for few days, before leaving to visit Aye’s Mae too.”

Aye smiles lovingly listening and watching his boyfriend’s easy demeanor, his soft expression and unrestrained happiness while talking to his parents. He always loved the relationship his Bigfoot had with his Mom and Dad, it was built on such genuine understanding and support and mutual love that it always made Aye proud to be part of that family and be accepted so easily. Akk’s parents share the kind of love and partnership that Ayan wants to have with Akk too when they’re old and wrinkly and living by the sea with their cats and a dog.

“Did Aye congratulate you already?” Shortstop could hear Khun Mae asking through the speaker, voice happy and carefree. “He must have prepared a big present for you.”

To his surprise Akk’s face fell, eyes growing distant. Why? What’s wrong? “No, he… He didn’t yet.” Aye didn’t understand why Akk sounded so sad, wasn’t Ayan with him this day? They literally celebrated together the same evening. “He’s been busy helping his Mae lately, so he probably forgot. It’s ok, Mae, he’ll definitely remember soon and make it up to me.” Even his laugh was forced.

The rest of the conversation became static as Ayan suddenly got whiplashed as understanding suddenly dawned on him. It felt like he was drenched in cold water and then thrown into the frozen lake. I’m such an asshole!

Sure, he did surprise his boyfriend with a song and then a late night date, giving him not only a song, but also spoiling him the whole night, but… Ayan pretended to forget about the said boyfriend’s birthday for almost 2 weeks and spend that time being an asshole who ignored him, teased him and pushed all the wrong buttons on purpose, just because he couldn’t process his own feelings well enough and was afraid he will actually spill the truth and coo at his love by telling him everything just to remove that heartbroken unsure look from his expression.

You see, if Aye had one weakness then it’s Akk’s sadness. When his Bigfoot is sad or unsure or insecure, it’s like Ayan can’t function properly until the boy is back to his usual stubborn, teasing, straightlaced self, Shortstop adores so much. So, when Aye got the stupid idea about ‘forgetting his boyfriend’s birthday just to surprise him later’ idea and decided to apply it, he didn’t count on the small little fact. Akk being upset. ‘Cause when his boyfriend thought Aye actually forgot his birthday - as if Ayan can ever forget anything about his Bigfoot, it will be like forgetting how to breathe – Akk grew so dishearten and kicked puppy that Aye had to barely hold himself back to not kiss him, confess and end the whole plan. Instead of that he teased him mercilessly and acted like he didn’t care for his Bigfoot’s feelings, when it’s the farthest thing from the truth. He was stupid and desperate and wanted the plan to work.

He probably should have ended that stupid plan right away on the river when Akk voiced his insecurity about Aye not caring about his feelings. Pretending to forget your boyfriend’s birthday even for a day is already a stupid prank, doing it for two weeks is an asshole move. The fact that he got meaner and dishonest just to hide his plan was even worse. Honestly, he is glad Akk forgave him and didn’t punch him for that stunt. Considering how upset the boy was the whole time leading to the surprise.

That was the last time Ayan even listened to Kan about Birthday Present idea.

If Aye ever sees himself in this Summer after Suppalo version then he will punch his own stupid, naïve self for ever listening to Kan and not to his own heart.

This time, Aye didn’t wait for the tug, wrapping his own hands around the Red String, closed his eyes and thinking about his Akk, pulled at the rope hopping to find him. Fourth time is a charm. Maybe?

The last thing he saw before the vortex pulled him away was Akk’s teary eyes as he looked towards him. Ayan felt his heart shatter to pieces for the umpteenth time today.

****☀️🌙****

Aye is standing in front of the white, nondescript door when he opens his eyes next. There are empty corridors on either side of him, when he looks, with identical doors with blurry numbers floating around. This feels more like a dream than a memory, but he doesn’t dwell on it too much. This is Akk’s memories, which means only solid things and his own emotions are the only manifestations that are completely corporal, while other items are just to fill the background with unimportant pieces.

Ayan raises his hand to look at his Red String of Fate and is surprised to see the string burn even brighter as it stretches through the white door and beyond. Akk is here, behind this door.

“What is this place? Where are we?” Aye whispers, not understanding or recalling ever being in this corridor this room.

There is no way he will walk away or stall now that he is here and no way he will leave without his Bigfoot, so with a deep breath for courage, the boy wraps his hand around the door nob and pushes the door in.

Once inside he remembers where he is exactly and the bittersweet taste of the future that could have been fills his heart. Akk and Aye found this little one bedroom apartment thanks to Ayan’s classmate, who happened to have a brother who was moving to a bigger place with his own lover and offered the old flat for the boys to take. The rent was nice and cheap, and the apartment wasn’t that far from the university, which made commuting really convenient.

Aye remembers the days leading up to their big move, how the two of them packed up everything in the dorm room and bribed Kan to lend them his car so that they could move everything faster. Kan and Wat lending them a hand with the boxes and the small household items Akk’s parents and Aye’s mom sent them, as soon as they got the news of their sons moving to a new place.

The flat was thankfully fully furnished, but Akk wanted to buy some plates and cups that is clearly theirs, so Aye recalls driving with his boyfriend to the store and having debates over which color towels, bedsheets and even cups to choose. They spent what seems like hours there, before a nice worker offered to compromise and get the towels in Akk’s favorite color, cups in Aye’s, while the sheets should be neutral colors, since they would be using them together. In stroke of genius, Ayan ended up buying boy the colors him and Akk wanted, which earned him a playful slap and eyeroll from his Bigfoot.

Right through the door was a tiny corridor, with a closet for shoes and few hangers. To the left was a door leading to the bathroom, while the rest of the room opened to the kitchen on the right. The kitchen was a perfect size for the two of them to be there at the same time, during those rare evening when the boys cooked together instead of ordering in. The kitchen island, which also worked as a dinning table, separated the space from the spacious living room, with a big soft looking sofa, coffee table, TV set with two empty shelves. Another door beyond the kitchen led to the bedroom, which was now serving as a storage room, where they put all the unopened boxes.

If Aye remembers correctly, then they finished moving on February 14^th and were as such going to celebrate finishing their first year on University, their first apartment and Valentine’s Day all with a simple romantic dinner in their new flat and then begin the stramineous work of unpacking the next day. They were supposed to go visit Akk’s parents on the 20^th and then meet Aye’s Mae when she comes for a visit, before starting their second year.

All those plans thwarted when…

“Aye!” Akk greets him cheerfully, placing some food onto the coffee table.

At first glance, it’s easy to see how much thought and care his wonderful boyfriend put into their little Valentine’s Day date/Celebration.

The coffee table was pushed to the far wall, in its place Akk laid a big red cover framed with fairy lights and surrounded by soft pillows he probably dug up from their boxes and dragged down from the sofa. A vase with a big bouquet of white roses was lovingly placed onto the side, next to an ice bucket filled with their favorite soda on one side and a cheese plate on the other. In the middle of the makeshift blanket was a heart-shaped plate filled with cupcakes and right next to it were bowls of cookies and popcorn, and then a huge pizza right to the corner. Akk has also arranged two plates with utensils right next to each other, right across Aye’s laptop.

The lights in the room were dimmed to give it a more romantic vibe as his boyfriend hurried to finish up and came closer, smiled as bright as the sunlight. “You’re back early. I thought I had some more time.” Holding the shorter teens hands, Akk kissed his cheek. “Happy Valentine’s day baby.”

“Akk.” Aye chock, all his fear, longing and desperation of the last however long finally catching up with him, as the boy wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and pulled him close. Finally. I finally found you. “Akk, I was so worried. I missed you, Bigfoot.”

 “Aye, what’s wrong? You’ve been gone for less than 20 minutes. Are you ok?” Despite sounding confused, Akk’s own arms tightened around his Shortstop, ruffling his hair as the boy nuzzled into his neck.

They stayed like that, arms wrapped tightly around each other, swaying to a melody only the two of them could hear, as the fairy lights burned around them and the silence lulled them into safety and comfort, they boys haven’t felt in such a long time.

Way too soon Akk pulled away, bringing his hands to lovingly cup his boyfriend’s cute face, wiping the tears from his cheeks. “I’m fine, Shortstop. What’s happening?”

Gulping down on all that he wants to say, Aye brings his own hands up to hold the boy’s face in his palms, looking at him with all the love and devotion he feels. Like he is the most important thing, the most precious thing in this Universe – because he is. Akk is so precious and perfect and loved, and Ayan is so grateful every day that this amazing human chose him, broken and imperfect and selfish Aye to love and hold close, to cherish and treasure the same way as Ayan loves, treasures and cherishes him.

“I’m sorry, Akk. I was so selfish. I hurt you. It wasn’t on purpose, I swear it wasn't. I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.”

“Aye, what…? What are you talking about? You never hurt me.” Now his Bigfoot sounds worried, eyes running over his boyfriend’s face, as if he can read what exactly brought up this pain and then go and fight all the monsters who have ever hurt his Shortstop.

Aye lets out a pained snort, shaking his head, eyes filled with desperation. “I did, Akk.” He licked his lips, lowering his hands to the boy’s shoulders, petting him, not sure if he was trying to calm him or himself. “About the UK, when I got so absorbed into my own plans and dreams and our future there, that I didn’t stop to consider your comfort. I didn’t ask if you were ok with those plans. Didn’t wonder about your mental state.”

“Aye…” Akk tried to stop him, but Ayan is fired up now and he doesn’t know how to stop.

“I should have asked about your worries. Should have included you in my own plans and discussions. Should have given you a chance to tell me about the financial situation and then tried to actually help to work through your worries instead of offering to pay for everything. It’s not because I thought you’re weak or I didn’t care, Akk. I swear. It’s because I was so excited. So happy about going there with you. About fulfilling our dreams together that I got lost. I swear, Bigfoot, I didn’t…”

Whatever he was trying to say next gets cut off by soft lips against his own. When Akk moves away from the kiss only far enough for their foreheads to stay touching, soft smile on his lips, Aye looks at him with big, glassy eyes, tears once again flowing down his cheeks. “I know all of that Aye and I know you love me. I love you too. And I was excited to go with you. I wanted to go with you. More than anything. It’s also my fault, I should have come to you with my concerns, instead of hiding them. If I came to you I know you would have listened, and we would have solved it all. I… I guess I was just afraid.”

Ayan bit his lip, leaning back, fingers tightening on his boyfriend’s grey shirt over his waist, where his hands naturally gravitated. “And the time I pretended to forget your birthday? You can’t tell me that was okay too, Akk. I was an asshole!”

Akk chuckles, wiping the boy’s tears away. “You were and I was hurt, yes. But we talked it out Aye. You explained and I listened.” He leans in to kiss his Shortstop’s cheeks, before landing a last smooch on the tip of his nose. “I also told you about how that made me feel and guess what, you silly Shortstop, you never did something like that again. That’s what makes it ok, Aye. We talk, we discuss, and we make sure that every misunderstanding is wiped out. We’re a team and we’re partner, in every meaning of that word. It’s ok, because I know once you realize your mistake you would never repeat it again.”

Something heavy and painful finally lifts off of Ayan’s heart, making him smile back at his love, kissing him one more time, before hugging him close. I have him back. That’s all that I need.

“Come on, now. Let’s celebrate.” Taking his hand, Akk tries to pull him over to the picnic blanket, but Aye freezes, pulling the boy back by his hand. As much as he wants to sit in this room, celebrating the way they didn’t get to because of that accident and months of coma, and forget the world outside these walls. They can’t.

“Aye?” His boyfriend frowns, turning to him.

“We need to go back, Akk.”

“Back? Back where?”

“To Suppalo. The Eclipse is in few days, we have to return to our timeline.”

“What? Aye we already graduated. Why would we go back there?” Akk tightened his hand over his boyfriend’s, voice confused, but eyes betraying the fear he felt.

Aye takes a deep breath, taking the boy’s other hand and stepping close so that they’re once again face to face and holding eye contact. “This is not real, Akk. This place, our apartment, this date is all part of your memories. This is just a memory.”

“This is not funny, Aye.” He sounded heartbroken and Ayan hated himself for doing this to him, for breaking his dream. But they have to, they need to go back. For themselves. For their future. For their friends and family. They have to return.

“I wish it was, Akk. I wish we really had this date and spent this night together. I wish we finished moving in and then started our second year. I wish we graduated and went for an MA. I wish we started working and building our future step by step just like we’ve planned. But plans change, Akk. Life gets in the way. This time it got in the way.” His Bigfoot is crying now, breaking the shorter boy’s heart. Stepping close he wipes his tears, massaging his boyfriend’s nape.

The taller teen bites his lower lip almost to making it bleed, until his Shortstop uses his thumbs to pull the abused skin free with a coo. “I don’t want to go back.” He whispers, locking his teary eyes onto the other boy’s. “I’m so scared, Aye. I don’t want to go back. What if after the Eclipse nothing changes? What if you still get into that accident and fall into coma or worse…”

“Shh. Shh. Akk. Shh, come here. It’s ok, Bigfoot.” Aye pulls his close, hiding his Bigfoot’s face in his neck, enjoying his arms once again wrapped around his waist. It always amazed him how Akk manages to fold and fit his big frame into Ayan’s much smaller one when he wants to hide from the world. “It’s going to be fine. I promise. I’m also scared. I’m also worried, Akk. But we can’t stay here. We can’t hide here forever. Our friends need us. Our parents need us.”

“It’s just… What if it’s me in a coma this time and you don’t wait for me? Or what if, the accident is worse and you… You…”

“Akk. Akk. Ai’Akk! Listen to me.” He squeezes his nape. “It won’t happen. Do you hear me? That won’t happen. I promise you that you won’t lose me. I will wake up and come back to you. You just have to wait for me. And if it’s you in a coma, I promise to wait for you, too. A year or ten or even fifty, it doesn’t matter, as long as your heart is beating I’ll wait for you. I’ll come back to you. I trust that you will do the same this time as well.” Leaning back he smiles through tears. “It’s like Reaper said, Akk. We have to trust each other. Only then we can change anything.”

“I trust you, Shortstop. With everything that I am.” Akk sniffs, smiling, this one genuine.

“Me too, Bigfoot. More than anything.” Ayan returns his boyfriend’s grin, giving him a deep kiss. Sealing their promise.

Once they separate, Akk links their fingers together, their Red Strings of Fate intertwining around each other like an ivy around a tree, strong and unbreakable. It was shining within like it had trapped a supernova inside of it or a whole nebula system existed in the stream of the strings. It was beautiful to watch as its light enveloped the two of them in a warm cocoon of safety and comfort.

Leaning their foreheads together the ex-prefect whispered. “Let’s go back, Aye. We have an Eclipse to watch.”

“Together, Akk.”

“Forever.”

With their hands still held tightly they pulled at their string, feeling a vacuum pull them into the vortex of a strong blizzard and storm.

The trip this time wasn’t scary as they closed their eyes and held onto one another. The time passing in seconds before Akk and Aye found themselves back on the rooftop of Suppalo right at twilight.

The boys looked around surprised, before looking back at one another with bright smiles. Not waiting for another moment, the two wrapped their arms around each other and embraced once again.

“I never thought I’ll ever be so happy to be back in Suppalo.” Ayan mumbles into his boyfriend’s shoulder.

The ex-head prefect snorts, shaking his head as he sniffs kisses the shorter boy’s hair and buries his face in the dark locks. “I’m just happy you’re with me.”

****☀️🌙****

“You two are nothing but trouble.” A harsh voice rang beside them. Hate evident in the tone of the man who sent them searching through the web of complicated memories just to find one another.

Akk and Aye released each other from the embrace, standing shoulder to shoulder now as they glared at K, who was just few steps away from them, looking completely unbothered.

K scoffs as he looks from one to the other. “Is it so hard to understand that everyone’s well-being depends on you going back to your own timeline.”

Aye grabs Akk’s hand in a tight grip, pulling the boy behind him as if he is a shield standing between a villain and his lover. “How does removing Akk from existence helps? Do you even understand how terrible it was for everyone?” The boy shouts, anger bleeding through each word.

“Now you’re just overdramatizing.” He rolls his eyes. “You two are children who don’t understand how meager your life is compared to the Universe.”

“You asshole!” Ayan shouted, letting go of Akk’s hand and running towards the Reaper, with arm raised about to punch this man, dangerous entity or not.

Before the Shortstop’s fist could connect with K’s smug face, another figure appeared between them, punching the taller Reaper instead, sending him reeling back from shock.

“You freaking asshole!” P’Reaper screamed at K’s face, eyes blazing furry, her aura so strong and vicious that Aye took and involuntary step back, until he was once again next to his boyfriend, their fingers intertwined as they drew strength from one another.

“What do you think you’re doing, Per?!” K demanded, hand massaging his chin. It satisfied something in Ayan to see a little cut on the jerk’s lip.

“How dare you do that to Akk!” P’Per crossed her arms now, glaring at the man, standing between him and the boys. “K… It’s Reaper 101, you dumb sack of overcooked meat, Every Human Life Matters! Especially if it’s someone like Akk! Like Ayan! They’ve already impacted so many lives and they’re barely 18. They will influence and save so many more lives till the end of theirs. How stupid, are you?”

 If anything K looks almost bored, eyes reflecting something dangerous as he glares at the girl. “Them being in this timeline is messing with the order of the Universe. I was doing what’s right and setting everything straight.”

It kinda amazed the ex-head prefect that P’Reaper was half K’s size, and she still wasn’t intimidated by him, if anything she looked even more dangerous that the other Reaper himself.

“Maybe I’m speaking too fast for you to comprehend. K, you removed a Soul from existence! Do you understand that?”

“I only removed the problem that causes all the disturbances in time and space.” K spoke as if he was the reasonable one and the rest were crazy.

It was then Fate’s voice joined the conversation, sounding calmer than P’Per, yet nothing about the way she was stalking close to the reapers or her tone or the way she looked at the man was calm at all. If anything it felt like a hurricane was trapped inside of a body and could erupt at any moment.

“By removing the said ‘problem’ you created a vortex of million other issues.” Fate came to stand by Reaper, arms crossed. “All of my Strings are all twisted up and broken, because of you. Reapers are running around trying to sort through the endless lists of souls not meant to be collected yet, because of you. Akk being gone even for a moment messed with time so much that all the books in archives are missing now.”

K snorts. “As if he’s that important.”

“I think you’re still missing the point, K.” Fate’s smile was cold as ice, the air around the roof turning cold. “Time. Death. Fate, herself, the original one. And all of their little minions are pissed off at you.”

Whatever P’Fate’s expression showed must have not only scarred K, who took an involuntary step back, but also P’Per, who was looking at the other woman with wide worried eyes. If anything, to Akk and Aye, it felt as if P’Fate was a wild animal about to rip her prey to shreds, even though she was completely calm and even smiling. Yet, the aura around her, the air surrounding them was heavy, dangerous and suffocating.  

Those minutes before the big storm, that’s what it felt like.

“F-Fate…” P’Per called softly, stepping next to Fate, placing her hand carefully on her shoulder, as if she was afraid what reaction she will get. “Calm down.”

K tried to snap himself away, but Fate with a single nod sent the bigger man to his knees. “Fate! What are you doing?” He demanded with a pained groan, unable to stand up, due to the humongous pressure pushing him down.

Aye gulped down, heart beating fast in trepidation. Squeezing Akk’s hand he looked over at his Bigfoot, who pulled him close and a little away from whatever tornado was circling the three beings. Logically the Shortstop knew P’Fate wouldn’t hurt them after she did so much to help, but when faced with something this dangerous, uncontrollable and rightfully pissed, it’s better to not get in its way.

“You are the problem now, K. The inconsistency. The disturbance. The stake in Universe’s back.” She is now standing over him, powerful and ethereal, winds blowing around her as K kept kneeling before Fate, eyes wide and terrified now that he realized he can’t escape her.

P’Per bravely stepped closer once more, both hands now on P’Fate’s arm. “Fate, please…”

“Guess who is called when the Universe is twisted and needs to be fixed.” Her voice sounds so calm, total opposite of the tornado now almost visible around them. “It’s not Akk whose existence Universe wants gone. Actually, that kitten is the favorite.” Her smile disappears then, hand rising fingers placed for a click.

“Fate. Stop. You’re making a mistake. You won’t get away with this.” K pleads, making a last attempt to stand up, but P’Fate powers push him down again with a loud scream.

“Fate, stop. It’s not worth it.” Reaper looks at the other girl with tear filled eyes. “You’re gonna get in trouble.”

P’Fate’s voice is as cold as ice, when she states “I don’t care”, - then she clicks.

The tornado squeezes around them into a vacuum, winds like sharp swords cutting through the skin.

Loud scream of a man.

And silence.

Just as fast as it started it ended.

The tornado stopped. So did the wind.

Twilight shone around them in beautiful hues. The air clean and warm against them.

“Aye.” His boyfriend called, pulling him to face him, hands going to the boy’s shoulders as his eyes roamed over him, checking for injuries.

Ayan did the same, brushing over his Bigfoot’s arms, eyes looking worriedly over him as if somehow the tornado hurt him, even though it was nowhere near them. Fate keeping her rage far from the boys and surely punishing only the guilty one. “You okay?”

“Yeah. You?”

“I’m fine.” They smiled at each other, turning to the girls.

Reaper has taken her arm off the other woman, taking a step back, tears streaming down her cheeks, looking devastated and pained. “What have you done? Fate, they will punish you for this. You can’t just…”

“Per. Per.” Fate turned fast, taking the girl’s face between her palms and speaking with such warmth and love in her tone, that it was impossible to believe that this girl and the cruel entity capable of murder was the same person. “I’m going to be fine, Per. I promise.”

“But…” P’Reaper shook her head.

Fate smiled, wiping her tears away. There was something unreadable in her eyes, something so entirely like the feelings Akk bares for Aye and yet so cruelly shielded under the pretense of indifference. “It’s fine. I’ll be ok.”

Per gritted her teeth. “You better, or I’ll make you regret it.” The way it made the taller woman laugh made it seem like a love confession instead of a threat it should have been,

“Sure.” She jokingly petted the shorter girl’s head, earning a slap to the hand. Turning to AkkAye with a bright smile and kind look, giving Reaper time to get herself together, she asks. “You boys ok?”

“Yes, P’.” They answer in unison.

“Good. Sorry for scaring you.” The nod and she continued. “With K gone, there should be no more problems. Enjoy your time.”

“Thank you, P’Fate. For everything.” Akk smiled at her, truly grateful for having the chance to fix their past and their future. For being given a chance to try and save the love of his life. “Whatever happens after this, we’ll handle it. Together.” Turning to his Shortstop he raised their linked hands together, as if to prove his point.

Aye smiles back at him, rubbing his thumb over the back of his boyfriend’s hand. “We trust each other P’Fate and now, I’m sure. We can change the future, and we can handle anything this life throws at us. Together.”

The girl looks from one to the other, her smile filled with fondness of an older sister towards these two boys in front of her. P’Reaper, who seems to have gathered herself and not longer looks like a crying mess, also comes to stand by her partner’s side, her expression just as kind and loving towards them.

“I’m happy to hear that boys.” Fate approves. “The Eclipse will be in two days. We’ll see you then.”

“See you, P’.”

As Fate raises her hand to snap the two of them away, Per’s voice stops her.

“Hey, Aye. Remember, fixed points in time can’t be changed. But they can be transferred.” She winks and then they disappear, leaving Akk and Ayan a little confused on the rooftop.

****☀️🌙****

The ride to Aye’s home was silent.

Since the days they met Akk and Aye have never experienced the uncomfortableness of silence that sometimes fills the space between them. It was never weird or awkward and it never made either of them feel anxious. After all, for Ayan, who is an introvert by nature silence usually meant discomfort in communication where neither party didn’t know how to remove. While for Akk, who has always strived for perfection and acceptance from others, prolonged silences meant that someone might be judging him or displeased by him.

That completely changed when the boys met. Even at the beginning of their ‘enemies’ saga, where they kept misunderstanding and evading the answers, there has never been any awkwardness between them. Regardless of the fact that Akk kept running from his feelings and Aye kept running from the truth of why he came to Suppalo. They argued, teased, got on each other’s nerves, but when the two sat in silence – at the bleachers where Aye showed vulnerability for the first time or on the beach where Akk told him the truth or even on that boat ride where they both wanted the kiss-that-could-have-been – whatever miscommunication, secrets and lies existed between them disappeared.

In silence they understood each other better. It gave them time to collect their thoughts, form logical answers or arguments. Even in the two years of their relationship their fights never escalated beyond some steamed remarks, which resulted in Akk and Aye each retreating to their own corner and then somehow gravitating back together to talk it out and make up.

So after Fate and Reaper left them on that roof, the boy gathered themselves, wiped their tears and headed to Ayan’s car, both too exhausted for the last class of the day. The ride home gave them time to work through what happened in the last 24 hours and work through the fear of what could have happened if Aye didn’t remember his boyfriend or if Akk decided to stay trapped in his memories.

Once home, his Bigfoot went straight for the shower, while shorter teen ordered them some dinner and used the second bathroom to shower and change himself. Ayan did flirt and teased his boyfriend as they ate, just to see his smile, but their conversations didn’t stray father away from light chit-chat.

After what felt like forever, the boys got into bed, exhaustion finally catching up to them.

“Thanks for staying with me tonight as my boyfriend.” Aye smiles, fixing the covers over the two of them as Akk lays next to him, turning to his side to face his Shortstop better.

His Bigfoot snorts, shaking his head. “Why do you keep adding ‘boyfriend’ at the end of every sentence? Just say ‘Thanks for staying with me.’”

“Au.” If anything his boyfriend looks almost offended, as if Akk offered to take a break or something just as ridiculous. “What if you get amnesia because of that whole ‘trapped in your worst memory’ thing? I’m just making sure you know we’re boyfriends, not friends. No way.”

“Aye, I wasn’t the one who forgot who my boyfriend was.”

“I’m not taking that risk. You better get used to it, boyfriend”

The ex-head prefect chuckles, smile lighting up the room and warming Aye’s heart. I missed this. “You just keep talking nonsense again. I’m tired. Good night.” With a quick kiss to the boy’s forehead, Akk turns around with his back to his Shortstop and snuggles under the covers.

“Ai’Akk!” Ayan calls, sounding and probably looking as offended as if someone just insulted his favorite book and author and his boyfriend and Mae and everything in between. “Why are you moving away?” Leaning over his Bigfoot, he wraps his arm around the boy’s waist and pulls him against his chest, removing any notion of space between them. “Snuggle with me. Come on.”

“Aye~ It’s too warm to cuddle.” Akk whines, tone betraying how happy he is.

“I don’t care. Come on.” Shorter teen sneaks his fingers under the ex-prefect’s shirt, splaying his fingers over his abdomen. “Aye~.”

“No.”

His Bigfoot lets out an overexaggerated sigh, grinning big and bright, as he turns over and around. Akk wraps his own arm around his boyfriend’s waist and pulls the boy close teasing. “Why are you so stubborn, Shortstop?”

Aye throws a leg over both of his and his arm over the ex-head prefect’s waist, propping his head up with his free hand. Their faces were close now, eyes gazing deep into the other’s soul. “To get your attention like this, Bigfoot.” With that he leans in a places a soft kiss onto his boyfriend’s lips, earning himself a loving smile to mirror his own.

As they lay there, facing one another, legs intertwined, arms around the other’s waist, the time seems to stop, the outside world completely disappearing. For them nothing existed beyond this bed and each other. “Kiss me.” Aye demands cheekily, pointing at his cheek.

Akk smirks. “No.”

“Come on. You know our ritual.” He whines.

“Nope.”

“I’m not letting you sleep.”

The ex-head prefect gently takes his Shortstop by the nape and smiling leans in to place a gentle kiss on his left cheek first and then his right. Before Aye can protest or ask for more, he leans in an smooches him on the forehead and last on his chin. “Enough.”

 “You forgot one place.” Aye says cheekily, pointing at his lips with his index finger.

“That wasn’t part of the ritual.”

“We need an upgrade anyways. New subscription. Go on. Fast.”

“Shameless.” Akk chuckles, obeying the command and kissing his boyfriend exactly where he wants to be kissed. Their lips move against each other sensually, savoring the feel and taste they both missed in such a short time, letting the familiarity of the moment calm them down, blanketing them in safety and care. “Happy?”

His Shortstop nods enthusiastically, sneaking both arms around his Bigfoot and snuggles in close, nuzzling his nose under the boy’s neck and slotting his legs between the two of his. He feels safer now. Protected and shielded away from all the dangers that kept shadowing them for the last few months. The impact of what K did and what they witnessed on the rooftop. The knowledge that he lost Akk, even for a second, forgot him and was about to lose what they had finally catching up to Ayan, now that the adrenaline is gone. So he seeks reassurance and protection in the only place he knows, in his lover’s arms.

“It was terrible without you, Akk. When I started to remember and couldn’t find you, everything lost its color. Everything became so sad and dull.” He whispered against his boyfriend’s throat. “I was so scared, Akk.”

The ex-prefect tightened his arms around the smaller body, burying his nose in the dark hair. “Me too. When I found myself in that dream I kept looking for you and kept searching. Every time I got too close K threw me somewhere else. Every bad memory I relieved lacked you in it and I knew, I know that was wrong. When I ended up in our apartment I stopped. Not because I gave up, but because I felt it, Aye, the pull. My heart told me you were coming, so I waited. And you found me. Like you always do.”

His Shortstop nodded against him. “I’m still sorry. Those memories made me realize how terrible I have been at paying attention to your feelings. It was never my intention, Akk, I swear.”

“I know, Aye. I know.” Leaning back Akk smiles lovingly, nuzzling his boyfriend’s nose. “It hurt when it happened, but I know you never wanted to hurt me. I know you never would. Besides, as I said, we talked about this before, we solved all the hurts. There is honestly nothing for me to forgive. And I’m sorry too, Shortstop. I did some things to hurt you without meaning to before and I’m sorry for every being the reason you felt insecure, hurt, alone or misunderstood.”

Kissing Akk on his chin where his beauty mark was placed, as if designed specifically for Aye and his obsession of kissing it whenever he was close to it (which was frankly - always). “I know, Bigfoot. There is nothing for me to forgive either. Like you said, we talked it out and solved it.”

“What is your plan for tomorrow?” The ex-head prefect suddenly asks, as soon as his Shortstop’s back to snuggling to his collarbone.  

Aye freezes for a second, mumbling. “Nothing.”

“Aye~ I can feel your grin against me. Tell me what you’re planning.”

“I’m tired. Let’s sleep.” He says hurriedly, cuddling close and letting out exaggerated snoring sounds.

“Aye~”

****☀️🌙****

“Gonna borrow my jacket?” Aye asks, bringing his uniform to where Akk’s sitting on the bed, putting on his watch.

“Sure. Mine needs to be washed.” Taking the item, he stands up.

Seeing his boyfriend pause lost in thought, the shorter teen inclines his head cutely to the side. “Are you worried about today? Today is the Best Boy ceremony and the day everything came crashing down.”

“A little. The Eclipse is tomorrow. Yet we still don’t know who might be the new Curse or if our future has changed.”

Aye nods. “We’ll also know the choice of the committee today. If they give the scholarship then the Aluminums Club should announce it during the ceremony.”

“It’s so weird. I don’t care about the ceremony or the award or if that guy will act today. All I can think about is if our future changed even a little bit and if we can save you and me.” Akk sighs, putting on the jacket, allowing his boyfriend to fiddle and fix it, knowing how much Ayan loves helping him get dressed and ready for class.

“Should we do another ritual?” His Shortstop suddenly asks, eyes wide and bright, smile like a ray of sunshine.

“Hm?”

Pulling out the pin, he steps close to pin it on Akk’s lapel. “This is one of our rituals, isn’t it? We pin the pins on each other and enhance them with their own story.” Aye puts his hand over the pin as if putting a spell on it, before reaching his other hand to his Bigfoot and dropping the second pin in his palm.

Smile blossoms on Akk’s face as he looks at their school pin. Also stepping close he reaches to pin the item on his lover’s uniform. “It’s no longer a school pin anymore. It’s my school pin I pinned for you, the person I love.” He repeated the same words Aye told him all those years ago, placing his own hand over the pin, just like his boyfriend did earlier.

“And going forwards, regardless of what happens in the future or what changes, you’ll always be the same Akk for me.” Aye completed his vow, leaning their foreheads together, hands on each other’s pins over their hearts. It feels like a wedding vow. Like a promise. “Forever.”

“Forever.” Akk repeats into the space between them.

Chapter Text

Everyone was already gathered in the big auditorium by the time AkkAye arrived to Suppalo. The prefects were urging all the students to hurry up and take their assigned places, seniors standing at the front rows, while others were in the back. When Kan and Wat met the boys at the gates they complained about Namo getting a stick up their ass and making this day even more torturous, following Akk and Ayan to the auditorium. 

“I’m done with Namo acting like a drill sergeant. I quit.” Kan complained as they entered the hall.

Wat laughed with the other two, pushing his friend to hurry up. “Sure, sure. Whatever. Let’s just get this day over with and then we will talk.”

Despite their names being on different spots, Aye pulled Akk to stand right beside him with a cheeky smile and half-assed shrug toward their classmate they pushed out of the way. The boy, to his credit, looked between them and their joined hands, before simply shrugging and going to take the spot where Akk was supposed to be. 

“Aye! Stop, they will notice.” The ex-head prefect complained, not doing anything to pull his hand back.

“Shh.” His Shortstop shushes, leaning close as if it’s a conspiracy. “I’m making a statement, don’t interfere.” He squeezes his hand tighter and stands straight as Namo takes his places and calls the students to attention. 

Teachers, all dressed in blue costume, line up in front of the door, greeting the Alumnus Club with smiles and respect. As the biggest investors to Suppalo, they are the only committee above the principal and the only ones who can ever control her. It was them who, in the original past, pressured her to not expel Akk and Thua, urging them to give a warning and suspension for a few days instead. It was later that AkkAye learned from Wat that Teacher Sani and Teacher Chadok revealed the new law regarding education and after not being able to convince the principal, went to the Alumnus Club for them to take care of it. Afraid of the lawsuit and the media backlash they did as expected and both Akk, his scholarship and Thua were saved.

In this timeline the narrative changed and there is no more Teacher Chadok, whose relationship with Dika got revealed and Teacher Sani, with her pure intentions, to step in to defend Akk. The ex-head prefect have been outed as the Curse way before the award ceremony and was removed from the position, principal personally investigating this case. Since the Curse continued to act even after Akk stopped and worse things kept happening, the students and teachers started to ask questions about the reliability of blaming the Previous President of the Prefect Club. It also helped that World Remembers Gang were also speaking up for Akk and their suspicion about him being innocent in this. But the final nail in the coffin was the social network posts made by Wat, Kan and Ayan himself, bringing outsiders and media into this issue and probably putting more pressure on Suppalo. 

Aye hopes that now with media involved in this and parents actively interested, the Alumnus Club might be forced to rule in Akk’s favor and at least give him the scholarship he worked so hard for. They won’t risk their good name being ruined just because they blamed an innocent teenager instead of doing a proper investigation and finding the actual Curse who was terrorizing the students and juniors.

Yes, he knows that after the Eclipse everything will go to normal. 

No, he doesn’t care.

This is Akk’s life, Ayan is not taking chances. Shut up!

As the three heads of the Alumnus Association enter the auditorium, the students and teachers alike greet them with wai. The principal falls a step behind the man, Aye thinks is the leader, and ushers him towards the elegantly placed sofas, where the two sit, while the teachers and the other two Alumnus sit on the chairs in the back. The students stand straight like soldiers once the trio pass, not daring to make a single sound. 

“Thank you for coming today, sir. I know lately it’s been quite chaotic.” The Principal leans close to the man, speaking softly.

The Alumnus looks displeased, frowning at her. “You told me that the Committee did their jobs and the issue should stop. Apparently your investigation was only enough to blame a Scholarship Student with no solid evidence at hand. What’s worse the issue still remains and it’s on social media. Do you have any idea how that makes us look?”

“We’re investigating it, sir. The committee…”

“Your committee is useless. Because of it, now the media labeled Suppalo as Elitist School which uses Scholarship Kids as scapegoats. Our rating has fallen. Parents don’t want to bring their children to Suppalo anymore and many are leaving us next year.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll deal with it until the sponsorship discussion in the next meeting.”

The man scoffs, leaning back. “No need. We’ve already decided how to stop all of this.”

The principal looks taken aback. “You… You did?”

He nods, handing her an envelope. “Here is the name of the student who is getting Full Scholarship to Thailand’s most prestigious university. This should erase any misconception about Suppalo.” His eyes warned her against any mistakes as she opened the envelope and read the name with wide eyes. 

“But he…”

“He was chosen for this school for his academic excellence, is he not? I read the profile, and it was quite impressive. His was the first name you mentioned at the beginning of this year too.”

“Yes, but then…”

“Do it right.” He commanded, leaving no room for argument. 

The principal nodded, put the paper in her jacket pocket and walked up to the podium to deliver her speech. 

Aye squeezed Akk’s hand in his. 

“Today’s ceremony has been Suppalo’s tradition for more than a century. Everyone, please recite the pledge with pride.” The principal looks sharply at Namo.

Mo straightens, and with a deep breath step up to the podium, bowing low and continuing up the steps until he is right next to the principal. Once again bowing to her, before turning to the who auditorium, voice strong and unshaking as he recites the pledge, urging others to do the same. 

“I pledge to adhere to Suppalo rules above all else. As I realize that with rules comes honor.”

Aye squeezes Akk’s hand, turning to look at his Bigfoot with understanding. The ex-prefect touches his pin with his free hand nodding back, lips turning up when he sees his boyfriend also softly touch the edges of his own pin too. As the who auditorium sites the pledge over and over again like robots, Akk and Aye simply stand silently, looking at one another. They know Namo, the principal and probably all observant Thua can probably notice them, but honestly, tomorrow is the Eclipse, and they don’t care what this last day has in store.

They’re together. They have each other. They’re in love and that all that matters.

To everyone’s surprise, Aye’s happiness, Kan and Wat’s delight and Namo’s barely concealed relief – it’s Akk who is presented with the Best Boy Award and the Scholarship. The ex-prefect freezes when the Principal calls his name, looking with wide eyes at her and then turning his teary grateful gaze to Ayan, just standing there, until his Shortstop lets go of his hand and gently pushes him by the shoulder to get moving.

Akk hurries up the steps and greets the Alumnus leader, who smiles at him, shakes his hand and hands him the award. The pictures are taken, where both pose with the award, and then the Principal, and then the teachers, at which point students clap and Ayan pays close attention to everyone’s reaction. He’s pretty sure he has already figured out who the culprit is, but it never hurts to check again.

Fixed points in time can’t be changed. Just like P’Fate said.

 As soon as the ex-head prefect is let go and he returns to Aye’s side, he grasps at his hand right away- like Aye is his very own, personal comfort boyfriend.

****☀️🌙****

The principal and the teachers lead the Alumnus members towards their cars, with last goodbyes, students following and gathering around them on the steps. Even before the chanting starts, Aye turns to Akk and motions for him to be ready as the two push themselves to the front, right next to the prefects. 

“Stop the Suppalo curse. Find the one responsible.” Three Jums cut in front of the vehicle, chanting their protest.

The Alumnus members look disappointed, and the man glares at the principal, before they get into their car and drive off. She in turn, looks disapprovingly at Teacher Chadok with an order, “Deal with them”, before scurrying away herself.

“Stop the Suppalo curse. Find the one responsible.”

“Stop the Suppalo curse. Find the one responsible.”

“Stop the Suppalo curse. Find the one responsible.” As the last chant dies down, the World Remembers are already standing in front of the teachers. 

“Protesting inside the school is strictly prohibited. You are in breach of the rule.” Teacher Chadok talks down at them, voice unwavering and strong. 

Teacher Waree, always the supporter of Suppalo speaks up. “What are you doing? Don’t you care at all about the school’s reputation?”

“Teacher, should we talk to them in the Student Welfare Department room?” Teacher Sani steps in, trying to help the students.

 Teacher Chadok doesn’t look calmer or willing to be reasonable, as he points at them and orders. “Student Prefects, take them.” He is acting as if the Three Jums are prisoners, and they need to be executed for daring to speak their minds. “Security!”

The student prefects and school guards all rush in, capturing the Jums.

“Let me go! We have a right to protest!” Nun demands, struggling against the hold. “We have the right to find the truth.”

“You can’t do this to us.” The Three Jums continued, trying to break free. “Let us go!”

“It’s show time.” Aye whispers, making Akk turn at him cutely confused. The Shortstop winks at his boyfriend, shouting loudly, above the screams on juniors and the prefects. “Release the students! Let the students go!” Everyone stops, frozen in surprise, turning to look at Aye, who is glaring at Teacher Chadok. “We’re not prisoners in this school.”

The ex-prefect gets close to his boyfriend, voice just as loud. “Release the students!” 

With that the rest of the students, Wat, Kan, Thua, join in too. And just like last time the students divide in two, the school entrance filling with a mixture of loud protests of people calling to “Release the Students!” while others called them “Misfits!”

Akk felt his breathing increase as he looked over the students. Panic trying to consume him once again as the voices got louder and chaos was about to erupt. Sharp claws of anxiety wrapped around the boy’s throat, removing him from the present moment and pushing him into the deep parts of his mind. 

In the last two years, Akk has replayed this same scene over a thousand times. Dissected it like an unknown species on the lab table. Theorized about what led them there, what could have been different, what he could have done differently. Analyzed every action and reaction and result, which pushed Thua to make that choice. Broke it down into pieces and reassembled it again, some parts missing and misplaced on purpose, just to see if the results might change. Debated over it, with Aye, his friends and therapist countless times, yet never managed to find the answer – the ex-head prefect doubts the right answer even exists.

But nothing ever changes. Thua always ends up betraying them. Truth always ends up coming out. And Akk always ends up broken and alone on the stairs, held together by Aye’s strong embrace. 

Now, as the shouts grow louder and he seen Namo with the prefects trying to calm it down, looks over at Aye, who is watching with him with worried eyes, Akk acknowledges the one truth he refused to admit to himself all these years. 

There is nothing any of them could have done to stop Thua. Even if Kan was open about his feelings. Akk confessed about his crime earlier. Ayan wasn’t as protective over his boyfriend. Thua would have still stood on these stairs, shouting in support of the releasing the World Remembers Gang and then would have stabbed Akk in the back. 

Sure, maybe it was jealousy over Akk and Aye enjoying their relationship in private, not bothered by hateful comments, which Thua experienced when he was outed so cruelly. Maybe it was envy over how Aye never hid his feelings for the Head Prefect and how Akk, despite his fears, was painfully obvious over how he felt towards his troublemaker. Or maybe it was something else entirely, more sinister or not even that complex. But the truth of the matter is, Thua’s betrayal didn’t come over night with him suddenly deciding to go against his friends, no. It’s something that must have built and festered for a while, before finally erupting like a volcano. 

Akk is starting to think it’s been brewing inside of the class monitor even way before Aye came to Suppalo.

The ex-prefect smiles at his Shortstop giving a nod to indicate that he is fine. It doesn’t dispel the worry from Aye’s features, but it does make him take a step close to him. 

“Enough!” Teacher Chadok shouts loudly, his command strong enough to make everyone fall in line and turn to him.

Teacher Waree looks over them, both in worry and belittlement. “Aren’t you scared of the Suppalo Curse?”

Ayan feels ready, knowing that the moment which brought such fear to his Bigfoot’s expression is here. This time he won’t let this get out of hand. “No! We just want the school to take responsibility for what happened.”

1… 2… 3…

“Not just the school.” Thua shouted from behind him, 

Akk turned wide-eyed towards Aye, who only smirked at him, winking. Like clockwork. Right on time. 

Breaking through the crowd, Thua comes to stand in the middle of the semi-circle of teachers and students. “The Student Prefect Club must take responsibility as well. Because you guys took part in this conspiracy with the school. You made up stories and used them to scare us.” He looks first at Akk and then towards Namo and the other prefects.

The students begin murmuring between themselves. When Akk being the Curse came out everyone assumed the Prefect Club’s involvement with the stories which were purely made up to ensure the obedience of students. But then, after Akk left the Club and stopped everything, the Curse still continued, which scared people more. Not only did they assume that Akk might be innocent, but also, if Akk didn’t do it, then the Suppalo Curse must be real. So the student body divided in two – those who feared being cursed and those who believed that another Prefect was involved in the latest events. 

To many what Thua said made sense and they agreed about the Prefect Club’s involvement with the Curse. After all, directly or not it was them who made up stories and scared them. 

“You’re head of the class.” Teacher Waree accused. “You’ve been a well-behaving student. Why are you siding with these unruly students?” She points at the Three Jums, who look at the seniors and the teachers with betrayed eyes.

“I’m just doing my duty, Teacher.” 

Kan steps in front of Thua, frowning. “What are you saying, Thua? You can’t just accuse us. We had nothing to do with that.”

Thua’s accusations were venomous, each syllable laced with poison meant to kill and not wound. “Yes, you did. You, Wat and Aye are my witnesses. The most credible witnesses I have. You three know who brought back the curse. No, who invented it!” He turns to where Akk is standing, looking at him with equally void gazes. Aye takes a step, placing himself in front of his boyfriend almost instinctively.

Something inside of Aye burned with vengeful fire. Anger and frustration lighting up in his heart as he heard the hateful tone of the person they thought was their friend. But before he could step in, Akk’s voice rang beside him, making the shorter teen turn to him wide eyed.

“It was me.” Akk announced, looking dead into Thua’s eyes. “I brought back the Curse, you’re right. And I was punished for it, Thua. I quit the Prefect Club and apologized to the World Remembers Gang. That’s not news.”

Aye could kiss him right now. His Bigfoot was so brave and fearless, helping with Ayan’s plan without even realizing it. “Exactly. Akk stopped and Jumnun, Jumnian and Jumnong are the most credible witnesses to that.” He nodded towards the juniors who nodded, kinda lost on why they were dragged into this.

Thua only smirks, not willing to let go and step back. “True, he stopped, but he is still guilty! He is the one who started it all.”

“Thua, stop while you can.” Ayan warned, one last time.

“Stop protecting him, Aye! He’s done many terrible things that can’t be erased with a simple apology. He didn’t stop, he just passed his duty to the next President of the Prefect Club. Namo!” He turned to Mo, pointing at him with a sinister smile. “Or would you say that’s not on Akk either.” 

Namo looked scared, as the students closed in on the circle, stepping close and eying Akk and Namo, whispering and pointing. Three Jums and the teachers looked lost, unsure who to believe and who to side with. Not able to stop the commotion or the truth from finally being spilled. 

“Oh, that’s right. It’s because you two are secretly dating. That’s why you’re protecting him.” Thua just hammered the last nail into his own coffin.

Akk grabbed Aye’s hand, instinctively knowing that his boyfriend was about to throw that punch he promised to land if Thua dares to hurt them again. The ex-prefect is no longer afraid of his relationship being so cruelly outed in the name of revenge, no longer bothered by what the students or teachers will say. First of all, he is already 2 years in the future and away from this. Two, even if he is stuck here, the people who matter to him – his friends, parents and Aye – already know the real him and accept him just the way he is.

They love him. He accepts himself. And he has an amazing boyfriend who is willing to go to the ends of the Universe for him. Literally. Thua and this spiteful revelation no longer have an effect on Akk.

“I respect your love…” Thua was about to continue, when Ayan’s loud unamused laugh filled the air. 

Everyone looked at him like he had lost his mind. Akk softly pulled at his uniform sleeve. “Aye?”

“Respect? You respect our love? Oh, please. You don’t care about anyone, Thua.” As he finished his last sentence, his Shortstop’s eyes turned cold and deadly. He looked ready to hurt the boy worse than he did Akk. “If you truly want us to tell the truth so much. Need everyone to be responsible for what they did and how they did it. If you care so much about justice and honesty. Then why don’t you confess yourself, The Eclipse account?”

Thua’s eyes widened, as he takes a step back. Kan is the one to step in this time, stepping in front of the class monitor and glaring at Aye. “Ai’Aye! Don’t you go around accusing people like this!”

“I’m not.” Ayan shrugs. “After Akk stopped, Namo wasn’t willing to go to the extremes either. That’s when the Eclipse account stepped in and did all the dirty work for him.” 

“You were the one who created the fabric banner to scare the World Remembers gang. You threatened the protestors on Twitter. You burned their doll.” Akk continued after his boyfriend. “Why did you do it, Thua? Why?”

“Ai’Akk.” Kan warned, but Thua’s voice stopped him.

“I had no choice. I couldn’t let things to just die out after you stopped.”

“Thua, you…” Kan looked so betrayed and heartbroken just then, Aye almost wanted to stop. Almost but not really.

“I’m sorry, Kan. I just wanted everyone to tell the truth. I didn’t want it to be forgotten so easily. I hated it that once Akk and Aye got together, they helped each other to cover the truth. It shouldn’t go away quietly.” Thua reasoned, as if that made perfect sense, before he looked over at the students again, eyes going back to Akk and then sliding towards Teacher Chadok. “Because in the end, Akk and Namo didn’t do it alone, right? Someone was backing you two up, right? My stepdad told me the curse began when Teacher Chadok was a student here. And he became the Student Prefect president. There was a solar eclipse happening that year, just as now. Many scary tales about the curse had been told among the students. Students were terrified and paranoid. They used the curse to eliminate those who had opposing viewpoints. The Student Prefect Club was the army. And the Head of the Student Welfare Department was the one behind them.” He explained, turning to look at everyone as if giving a lecture.

Teacher Waree’s voice sounded disbelieving as she addressed him. “Thuaphu, you’re a student. You can’t just accuse your teacher like that.”

“There are no more secrets!” Akk announced, voice loud and commanding. He sounded sure and strong, unlike the teenager on the verge of breakdown who took on all the responsibility in the original timeline. Aye still hated that his Bigfoot was helping Thua, but he was glad that at least, this time, he wouldn’t be left in pieces once this is over. “No student will bring back the Curse or use it to scare the others. Just like the Eclipse account.” Everyone was looking at him, listening attentively. Eyes moving from Akk to Thua to Teacher Chadok. 

Aye nods along. “Everyone should be free to speak up and express themselves. From now on no one will interfere with that.” 

“So are you two really dating?” Someone from the crowd asks. 

Just like last time, Ayan wants to groan, at this school and its students, who only care about juicy gossip regarding someone’s personal life instead of what really matters.

“Is that why Akk quit and stopped.”

“Are you two together?”

Before Aye could point out what he thinks about these people’s priorities, Wat comes down the stairs, once again saving Akk and Ayan. 

Last time, Wat was angry at Akk for lying and Aye for covering for his boyfriend, but he still came to their rescue as he saw the ex-head prefect’s panic and desperation. This time, Wat knows Akk and Aye can handle themselves, but as he looks at his best friend’s tired expression, Aye’s blazing glare towards Thua and Kan’s hopeless puppy eyes, he wants to defuse the situation and get them all somewhere where they can talk privately, without side characters.

“It’s for a movie!” He happily announces, coming to stand beside Kan. “This is all part of the script.”

“Script? What movie?” Teacher Waree demands.

Wat smiles awkwardly. “A short film. I’m making a short film for a contest. It’s about two students in an all-boys school secretly dating.”

“That’s right. I can confirm that. I’m working behind the short film. Right, Akk, Aye?” Kan asks.

“Yes.” Ayan announces, looking over at Akk, who also nods along. “Yes.”

Aware of their poor attempt at diffusing the situation Teacher Sani comes to their rescue. “Teacher. Let’s handle the protest first.”

“Yes.” Teacher Chadok says. “We will investigate what happened today and the day you guys protested outside the school too. The principal is waiting to hear the results.”

“Yes.”

“Follow me to the Student Welfare Department!” He ordered, turning to leave.

Kan took Thua’s hand against his protest about his mom being here to pick him up and pulled him inside the school with him. Wat patted AkkAye on the shoulders following the other’s inside. Someone needs to be there to calm Kan down when speaking to Thua, not that Kan will ever be rough with the boy, but he can say some stupid things sometimes.

Finally alone on top of the stairs, Akk and Aye stared at one another. His Bigfoot shook his head disapprovingly, trying to seem angry, but his small smirk gave him away. Shorter teen looked up at him cheekily, daring him to be angry when they both knew the anger and frustration never lasted long between them. 

At one point, Ayan was scared that his plan wouldn’t work, and he will once again helplessly watch as his love breaks down in his arms, crying and broken. He would rather see the world burn that puts them in a place where they both are forced to relieve this scene the same way over and over again. His Sun deserves to always smile and be happy, sadness, anxiety and heartbreak don’t belong anywhere near him. Never. 

Maybe it makes Aye cruel or cold, but he doesn’t care at all. Akk is his sunlight, center of his universe, his soulmate and for Ayan no one and nothing comes above his boyfriend’s happiness.

He knows his Bigfoot will do the same. Literally did the same, when he forged a deal with Fate and came back in time, defined the law of time and space just to save Aye and change their destiny.

He is so grateful though that his plan worked.

So grateful that Akk is standing in front of him, smirking, his big deer like eyes sparkling as he looks at him, lips moving as if he is not sure, if he wants to scold his Shortstop or kiss him.

Aye doesn’t give him a chance to decide. Taking a step closer, he wraps his arms around his boyfriend and pulls the boy into his embrace. He feels Akk’s own arms wrap tightly around the smaller boy’s waist and smiles, feeling a sniff kiss to the top of his head. Not missing a beat, Aye kisses the neck right in front of him, making the boy giggle cutely and nuzzle deeper. 

He is not sure how long they stand there, simply hugging, but he doesn’t care enough to count the minutes. He stands here forever, close to the love of his life.

****☀️🌙****

Akk is sitting on the bleachers, texting Wat to tell him that they will meet them at the Student Welfare Department in a bit, before pocketing his phone and massaging his temples. 

While the boy is happy that everything worked out slightly better than last time, he still feels bad for Thua. He knows what it’s like to be accused of crimes in public like this and how that makes you drown in guilt and shame – especially because the accusations are true, and you are guilty. Last time, Thua made sure Akk’s crimes became public, while his own involvement remained as a knowledge between their friend group. This time though both Akk and Thua’s crime was announced publicly, and they both were forced to stand face to face with the very people they hurt.

The only difference being the ex-prefect has already been accused of being the Curse and was punished for it. While, Thua being the Eclipse account became a shock to everyone. He is no less guilty that Akk himself, maybe more so even. Sure, Akk is the one who started it, but he stopped. He didn’t want to continue, he was trying to do the right thing and if Thua let him he would have done it less publicly and less painfully. 

There was another point that the ex-head prefect missed the last time. Now that his fears and insecurity over being the one behind the Curse and being in a relationship with a boy wasn’t causing him uncontrollable anxiety, the boy could fully focus on what was happening and it is then that he saw something he missed before. 

Thua didn’t hesitate to turn the blame on Teacher Chadok, once he was done throwing those spiteful words at Akk. He stated very clearly that the Curse started with the establishment of the Prefect Club and when Teacher Chadok was the President of the Prefect Club. Which means, from the very beginning Thua knew the same thing Aye did, since the first time Akk told his boyfriend the truth on that beach after he caught him with the lighter. Thua knew that Teacher Chadok was the one behind Akk, the one controlling him, manipulating him and even brainwashing him to doing all those Curse things in order to stop the protestors.

Sure, Akk is the one who acted, but he was directed by someone he admired and respected. His very future was dangled in front of him like a prize for being a good dog, while powers beyond his control played with him like a puppet to make students obey every rule and command. He was a marionette in the hands of Teachers who didn’t bother to actually do their jobs in making Suppalo a more student-friendly place and instead burdened a teenager with responsibility of hurting those who disobeyed. The guilt Akk felt over that couldn’t be washed away, no matter how many years of therapy and Aye’s reassurances he experiences.

But the fact is, that Thua knew Akk is being controlled and still chose to put all the blame on Akk and destroy everything, instead of taking responsibility for his own actions and framing everything in a way that at least he wouldn’t hurt the ex-head prefect to a breaking point. He didn’t have to frame Akk as a monster who wanted to hurt people for his own pleasure. Didn’t have to out Akk and Aye’s relationship just to prove a point. He had no evidence and was desperate, but that’s not an excuse to put someone in danger in an environment which you know is not safe and without knowing if they out to their families yet. If not for Wat, Suppalo students wouldn’t have let it go so easily. The principal would have used it to expel Akk. 

It was dangerous in school, and it might have been unsafe outside, but Thua didn’t care about it and just shouted about it for everyone to hear.

Anyways, Thua knew Teacher Chadok was the one behind the Curse. The one controlling Akk. Thua himself was guilty and yet he blamed everything on Akk. Let him take the fall. Unlike, Aye who understood him and was trying to save, unlike Kan and Wat who, while still pissed, could see his guilt and notice a veiled truth behind his actions, Thua was the one who took the most cruel way to expose everything. 

He isn’t sure if Aye remembers this part and that’s why he came up with this plan, that’s why it’s not so easy for him to fully forgive Thua, or this was just done as a precaution, but it feels like they were both blindsided by this.

“You’re thinking too loud.” His Shortstop jokes, coming to sit next to him, handing him one of the soda cans he bought.

“Thank you.” The ex-head prefect takes the can, leaning back. “This feels so messy now. We still have to face Teacher Chadok, but just with what happened I already feel like this should be closure enough.”

“No way! Teacher Chadok needs to snap out of it and see how much he hurt my Uncle. He almost caused you the same thing he did with Uncle Dee.” Aye announces passionately, looking just as angry as he did on the stairs. “Uncle Dika deserves better.”

“Yeah. I know they loved each other, but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if that was us. If after our relationship got outed, I was given an ultimatum by the principal that I should either break up with you or I would lose my scholarship. Would I have done what Teacher Chadok did and let you go with an empty promise to come to you after graduation, but never having the courage to do it? Or would I have said, fuck it and followed you to another school, Parot or something else, where we could have graduated together?”

“And what’s the answer?” Aye leans in, his eyes showing that he already knows. How could he not? Aren’t they stuck in the past because Akk is unable to let Aye go and Ayan would put the Universe in an endless time loop, disturbing time and space continuum, just to be with Akk. 

“I think you already know, Shortstop.” Akk smiles back, letting them enjoy this moment for a second longer, before he leans back and pokes the boy between the eyebrows. “Now tell me what will we do about Thua?”

 “Nothing. Just think of it, as getting rid of some bad memory.”

“Aye~” Akk sighs, shaking his head. “You know after the Eclipse this changes, right? It never happened.”

“So what? It still feels good.”

“Let me get this right, your brilliant plan was to out Thua like he did me and take your revenge. All the while allowing Thua dug himself deeper for blaming me, Mo and the teachers.”

“I’m a genius, aren’t I?” His boyfriend preens.

Akk snorts, gently ruffling the boy’s head. “Genius, my ass. We could have actually prevented this. Why did you let this go so far?”

Ayan shrugs. “Both P’Fate and P’Per said that fixed points in time can’t be changed. I was just doing what’s meant to be done.”

“Is that it?” The ex-prefect narrows his eyes, hand taking a hold of the boy’s neck and pulling him close. “You just wanted to keep everything in order. Right~?”

Aye groans, cutely wrinkling his nose. “Ok, fine! I did it because I’m petty. Sue me.” He pouts exaggeratedly. 

Akk chuckles, kissing those pouty lips. When he leans back his boyfriend is beaming at him. “Are you happy now?”

“Ecstatic!” He announces proudly. If he had a tail it would be going wild right now.

“You know…” The ex-prefect bright his hand down from the boy’s nape, holding his free hand instead. “I think I kinda understand why it’s so hard for you to forgive him now. I see your point.”

“Really?” Aye intertwines their fingers, smiling softly.

“Hm.”

“Then you know, right? I’m not doing this because I hate Thua. I just wanted him to taste what it's like when your friend betrays you. Even if he won’t remember it, I wanted him to feel it. To see what he did.”

“I know, Aye. I get it. Thank you.”

****☀️🌙****

They met their friends right in front of the Student Welfare Department. Thua was avoiding their gaze, keeping himself straight and looking stiff, seemingly still sure of the choice he made, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings. Kan looked like he would rather go hide in the dark corner to lick his wounds than be here. Standing next to Wat he kept sending Akk apologetic looks, like a puppy who broke the vase. The ex-head prefect smiled at his friend, trying to show that everything is ok, grinning towards Wat too who nodded at them that he understood and they will talk later.

After the incident, once everything calmed down, and they all came back to Suppalo, Akk invited Kan and Thua to the Cafe of Diversity for a double date. Aye was reluctant to go, still bitter about what happened, despite how friendly they were while watching Wat’s movie in Akk’s home, by the beach. Not that his Shortstop interacted with the other boy beyond a few cut-edge sentences and replies, mostly sticking to Akk’s side and chatting with Wat and Teacher Sani.

So when the ex-head prefect came up with the idea to do a double date as a chance to reconnect with Thua, Aye put his foot down and strongly refused. He wanted to avoid the other guy until graduation and beyond that if possible, even if they both knew he couldn't do that. They might be hurt and angry at Thua, but Kan is and will always be one of Akk’s best friends and no matter what he didn’t want to lose that. So either they will live to be civil with the class monitor or Akk will have to lose one of his friends. In the short time that Aye has known Kan and Wat, the shorter teen has to admit that he has also grown quite fond of the duo to the point that he had to agree with Akk, that while they could distance themselves from Thua, neither of them wanted to lose the friendship with Kan. That’s why they did go to that Double Date, had an amazing time and while Thua will never be someone they trust, AkkAye did learn to be civil around him without any malice to stain the relationships with others.

For Akk it has always been easier to forgive Thua, his guilt over what he has done overshadowing any malice he might feel over how everything got revealed. After Ayan’s accident and during his 7 months in coma, Thua, just like Kan and Wat, has become a permanent fixture in Akk’s life. All of his friends and family took turns to stay with him whenever they could as the ex-prefect took care of his boyfriend. During those long night talks and study sessions, Akk and Thua did grow closer, their friendship and understanding becoming stronger and Akk was grateful that despite feeling the distance AkkAye put between them, Thua still kept trying and was still there as a friend and as a support. 

Now, seeing the boy so heartbroken, the ex-head prefect did feel bad, but the class monitor was living the consequences of his own actions. Of the way he tried to spin things. Of forcing people to play by his own rules. After all, as he said, now that he saw in Thua’s betrayal the same jealousy as Aye did the first time, it was easier for Akk to side with Ayan and decide that they were right in keeping Thua as more of an acquaintance than a close friend.

“What do you think Teacher Chadok will do? He looked pretty pissed earlier.” Wat broke the silence.

“Everyone responsible for the latest events need to be investigated and punished.” Thua pointed out.

Kan looked up at that, eyes going to the boy with a desperate plea. “Ai’Thua, if I tell, they will…”

“You have to. I hated it when Aye was protecting Akk. Tell the truth.”

Aye looked like he was about to put his own two cents in, but Akk spoke over him. They really didn’t need another altercation. “Let’s go in. Teachers are waiting.”

****☀️🌙****

The meeting with Teacher Chadok and revelation about his relationship with Uncle Dika was a shocking thing to learn about and a hard pill to swallow. When Aye confronted the man he was sure caused his Uncle’s death he expected many things, accusations, denial, hateful words and even anger, what he didn’t expect was to learn that this man was his beloved uncle’s fiance. God, that’s a kind of a twist he never once saw coming before. 

As Teacher Chadok recounted how they met and how their relationship developed until the principal caught them and forced them apart, all Aye could think about was ‘How could you leave him? How could you let him go alone? Why didn’t you fight for him? Why didn’t you go with him?’ Even as he could see the man’s heartbreak, desperation and hurt over what his own cowardice caused to his beloved, Aye still couldn’t find it in himself to forgive this man - not in the past and not now, after hearing this for the umpteenth time. After all, no matter how you phrase it, it was Teacher Chadok leaving Dika and not following him, him being afraid of his true self and ripping those journals that made Uncle Dika take that one last step to ending his life. 

Directly or not, Teacher Chadok was guilty.

So was the principal for forcing her own homophobic views of people. Her idealized view of perfect Suppalo, which made her a Dictator who rips people’s future to shreds.

Uncle Dee deserved so much better than this. He deserved a man who loved him truly and fearlessly. Who held his hand and stood by him till the end. Who fought with him, for him and by his side. He deserved the kind of love he always dreamed of, the one he read in books and romanticized about. Dika was an amazing uncle, amazing teacher and simply the best human being. He didn’t deserve to be abandoned like this, didn’t deserve to be left behind, feeling bad just because someone else wasn’t secure enough in their own self. 

Dika deserved the world and Aye wanted to weep and cry and rage, because this amazing human being was treated this way. He was abandoned to fight his own demons alone, while the man who is right now crying in front of them, hid in Suppalo, ripping the journals filled with his fiance’s feelings, because of fear. And as such, pushing Aye’s beloved uncle closer to that cliff. Teacher Chadok didn’t deserve Dika. He doesn’t deserve to cry out of guilt, because he ‘didn’t’ know or because he was ‘weak’ or some other bullshit. 

Hearing this again. Even knowing what he knows, Aye still can’t forgive Chadok or the principal. He never will. Since that day in the Cafe of Diversity, Akk and Aye didn’t see Teacher Chadok and he is glad for that. He might be the man Uncle Dee loved, but he is also the man who broke Uncle Dee’s heart. 

As they leave the Student Welfare Department, Akk takes Aye away, not letting their friend’s ask questions or even see his Shortstop’s broken expression hidden behind the bangs fallen over his eyes. The ex-head prefect drags the boy towards the swimming pool area and hides the two of them in the locker room - well aware that no one uses this place during lessons. 

As soon as the room is locked, he turns towards Aye, who is standing in the middle looking like a lost child, eyes red rimmed and expression crushed, and opens his arms. Not missing a beat his boyfriend crashes into chest, arms going around his waist and face buried in his shoulder, squeezing him so tight it becomes impossible to breathe. Akk wraps one arm around the boy’s shoulders, burying his free hand in his hair. “It’s ok, Aye. I’m here. I’m with you. Let it go.”

And just like that, Ayan breaks in his boyfriend’s arms, letting out a loud cry, nuzzling deeper into the warm body in front of him.

“You’re safe, Aye. I’m here. It will be fine, I promise.” Akk makes sure to lace every syllable with all the love he feels, needing to fill Aye with warmth, massaging the boy’s nape and giving him the only thing he needs right now to calm down. 

Safety. Security. Comfort. And Love. 

****☀️🌙****

Aye is exhausted after crying so much, so they in the locker room for a while, with Akk sitting on the floor, his back to the lockers and Aye practically in his lap, with his legs thrown over both of his, face squished against the ex-prefect shoulder, as he played with Akk’s pendant and rings almost absentmindedly. 

“When are you giving me back my promise ring?” Ayan mumbles, finger brushing over the smooth surface of the ring with the sun design.

Akk hums, fingers drawing shapes over his Shortstop’s back, while his other hand is warm on the boy’s knee. “We exchange these in the summer after graduation. So maybe then.”

“Akk~, that’s not what I mean. I want to wear it. It’s not fair you have them both.” He looks up with a pout.

Smiling the ex-prefect gently wipes at the boy's cheeks. “Dunno, I put them on the necklace and wore it ever since the accident. I’m kinda used to it by now.”

Aye straightens up, extending his hand, palm up. “I want it back! Now.”

Glad that his boyfriend is back to his usual spoiled, cheeky self, Akk slowly sits up and removes his necklace, taking out the rings and putting the pendant back on. “Here.” He hands over the ring with the moon design, the one his Shortstop put on his all that time ago.

Aye happily takes the ring and reaches for Akk’s other hand pulling it close. “How come you still had these when you time traveled? Shouldn’t there be only one Uncle Dee’s necklace for the continuum sake or something?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I was holding on to it when P’Fate sent me back, so I kind of assumed she forgot, maybe. Not that I’m complaining. It used to calm me down a lot, when I first came here and had to meet you again, relieving these things again.”

“I actually like the idea of us having matching necklaces like this. Maybe I should commission it once we’re back.” His boyfriend pointed out, playing with his Bigfoot’s fingers on his left hand.

“Sure, if you remember this.” Taking the other ring, this one with the moon design, he waited patiently for Aye’s next move. “Want us to put it on each other like last time?” Just by the way the shorter boy’s eyes lit up, the ex-prefect already got his answer. “Go on then. The guys are probably already waiting for us to do the movie.”

“You know, I used to think that this whole marriage thing was just another way to control society. Government just wants to control the lives of individuals by implementing in their heads that they have to get married and have children.”

“Don’t tell me you changed your mind?” Akk asked, amused.

Aye snorts, the ring notoriously placed over his boyfriend’s ring finger, not putting it on and not pulling away either, simply hanging there. He looked up, eyes filled with so much unsaid emotion that it made Akk’s breath catch. “I didn’t, I still think that marriage is not something we have to do . It’s good to have a choice and equality for it, but I don’t need a piece of an official document to tell me that I will love you forever until death do us apart. Even then, I’ll come to you in my next life and love you again. I want to be with you in every time, form, state and reality, Akk.” 

Finally putting the ring on, Ayan took both of his Bigfoot’s hands and smiled. “I simply wanna be with you. And marry you. With the big celebration. Surrounded by our friends and family to announce to the whole world that this amazing perfect Bigfoot is mine.”

“Then…” Akk says, cheekily, taking his Shortstop’s left hand and putting the ring on his finger, before placing a gentle kiss over it. “You better think of a grand proposal, Shortstop.”

“Will you say ‘yes’?”

“Hmm, you have to wait and find out.”

“Ai’Akk!” Aye shouts, throwing his arms around his Bigfoot’s neck and hanging on his like a monkey. “Don’t tease.”

“Well…”

“Ai’Akk.”

“Hm?”

“Akk!”

“Hm.” 

They end up in a tickle fight. Rolling on the cold floor, their laughter loud and unrestrained as it echoes around the empty locker room.

****☀️🌙****

When they arrive at the Prefect Club room, Wat and Mo are already there waiting for them. Namo is behind the camera, doing so last place adjustments, while Wat runs to the couple, takes their hands and drags them to stand right in the middle, with clear instructions, hands placed on each of their shoulders. 

“You two face each other. Imagine the person in front of you to be the one you love the most.”

 Aye looks into Akk’s eyes with all the love and devotion he feels, heart beating faster as he notices the same gaze directed back at him. It feels so good to be loved back with the same intensity. What Wat is telling them to do is the easiest thing in the world, especially when the one standing in front of you is the love of your life. Aye isn’t sure he can even look at Akk with anything less than a love sick puppy gaze. 

“Now close your eyes.” Wat orders. “Touch each other’s faces. Picture him as the most important person in your life.” 

Wat keeps saying ‘picture him as the person you love’ or ‘picture him as the most important person’ as if Aye isn’t already all of that and more for Akk. The ex-prefect can literally see the image of his Aye’s cute smile whenever he closes his eyes, as if his day doesn’t get 100 times better whenever he sees his boyfriend and as if one touch of their pinkies is not enough to remove all his fatigue.

As their hands cup each other’s cheeks, Akk hears Aye laugh as he squishes the ex-prefect’s cheeks, making his lips pout out like a fish. Akk should be annoyed at being teased, yet he can’t help smiling widely himself, shaking his Shortstop by the neck urging him to behave. 

Their teasing and smiling doesn’t go unnoticed by Wat either, as he scolds. “Ai’Aye! Focus.”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now slowly open your eyes.” He waits for them to do as instructed, two pairs of dark orbs lighting up like a night sky when they meet again, lips stretched into a soft smile. “And tell him how you feel.”

“I love you.” Aye confesses with a soft voice, eyes portraying the truth. “More and more everyday.”

As if Akk can ever misunderstand the truth. As if he can even believe that these words are simply part of the performance and not Ayan’s true feelings. When this happened for the first time in their past, Akk also knew this confession to be real and not part of the script, which is why he interrupted the filming, because he felt shy and thought Aye was teasing him by confessing in front of the camera and his friends. Now, with his mind 2 years in the future and memories filled with 10 years worth of love story between him and Aye, how can he doubt that each word out of his boyfriend’s lips is the truth.

With the softest smile, the ex-head prefect leans in and kisses his Shortstop on the forehead. “Thank you for coming into my life. It’s always better with you in it. I love you.”

“Ai’Akk.” Wat’s annoyed voice broke the love sick smiles the boy’s were sharing. They turned to their friend, one looking annoyed at being interrupted and the other smug, looking at the others as if trying to say ‘Take a look at my boyfriend, isn’t he the cutest.’

“Don’t make it mushy! Stick to the script!”

****☀️🌙****

The next scene was by the billboard and honestly, Akk was starting to enjoy this. Openly arguing a.k.a flirting with his boyfriend in broad daylight under the pretense of shooting a short film is probably the best idea Wat ever had. 

“Who sent you to mess with this school?” Akk asks in his best Head Prefect tone of voice, trying to channel the stuck up boy he was before meeting his troublemaker and not a fool in love. “Your old school?”

Aye looks at him kinda lost, he has been biting his lips from the start of this scene which means he is either planning something mischievous or he is enjoying the new role play they were doing too, with some ideas running through his head. 

He stiffly reaches for the pin on Akk’s uniform, lips now bitten red and glossy, making the ex-prefect want to reach and kiss the silly boy. 

“What are you doing?” He asks, voice choked up from having disheveled Aye in front of him, hoping it comes out more like confusion than attraction.

“Your pin tilts.” His boyfriend comments, nonchalant, as if he is not teasing the ex-prefect on purpose. “Let me fix it for you. So you’d look like the Perfect Club president again.”

“Cut!” Wat stops the scene, letting the boys relax.

“Good acting friend.” Kan applause with the others. “Right, Thua?”

“Yeah.” The boy nods.

“The next scene will be filmed at the school’s bleachers.” Wat instructs, taking his camera and motioning for the others to follow.

Now that they are alone, Aye slides closer to his boyfriend. “Maybe we should pursue acting instead. What do you think, my perfect prefect?” 

“No way.” Akk shakes his head, smiles as big as his partner’s.

“Au? Why?”

“Cause you will definitely use that to publicly tease me and will absolutely flirt in front of the cameras, while announcing to all our fans how much I spoil you.”

“I don’t think we can hide our relationship, anyways. I won’t be able to take my eyes off of you and will stick to you forever.” Aye says it as if that’s the only reason to not get into acting.

The ex-prefect shakes his head in amusement. “You and I are not subtle, Aye. We will be found out right away and like it or not, the media and fandoms are not always accepting of their idols being in a relationship.”

His Shortstop shrugs. “Our fans will be different. They will support us.” With that said, he leans in, smiling smugly. “So is this the moment you fell for me?”

At first Akk wanted to tease him back, say some stupid joke or change the subject. He enjoyed their back and forth, loved how they always teased and poked at each other, how openly they flirted and adored how easily Aye brought him out of his shelf and allowed the ex-head prefect to be his true, carefree self when they were together. It felt freeing and empowering. Never before has Akk ever opened up so completely to someone, let someone see even the darkest parts of his mind and still felt loved through it all. Never before has been allowed to see beyond another person's armor into his soul and grew to love them more and more and more.

Seeing his Shortstop’s expectant look, he just couldn’t pass up the moment. “Maybe or maybe it was way before this, when someone so shamelessly showed me their tattoo.” He whispered, leaning in close with a smirk.

Aye narrowed his eyes, his usual flirtatiousness back. “I always knew you had a soft spot for my tattoos. Considering how many time you bite them.”

“Ai’Aye!” Akk scolds with no real heat, stepping back. His cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling, but he didn’t care the least. “Shut up.”

“Okay. I would rather listen to your heartbeat instead anyways.” Ayan announced, bringing his face close to his Bigfoot’s neck, imitating heartbeat sounds. “Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.” Seeing Akk off guard he slightly jumps onto his tiptoes and kisses his boyfriend on the cheeks. 

“Aye!” The ex-prefect laughs, looking around and then adoringly at his Shortstop.

“What?” Little Shameless says, smile just as big and proud as it ever is.

****☀️🌙****

The rest of the scenes went mostly the same way, with Akk and Aye performing their best, letting real feelings blend into the characters they need to portray and nailing it everytime. Flirting, teasing, and gazing longingly at one another, is like second nature to them and with the pretense of shooting the film they can even do it in public, which means while people look and talk - probably about the Curse thing and Thua and Namo - none of the group members pay it any attention. Giving their all to finishing Wat’s film.

Before they know it, it’s time for the Eclipse and once again the boys find themselves on the rooftop of Suppalo, listening to Wat’s instructions and warnings about this being the only shot to get Eclipse into the viewpoint and make the perfect scene. 

As they take their spots and Kan makes sure they remember their lines, both Akk’s best friends run behind the camera ordering them to be ready.

“Are you scared?” Aye asks in a low voice so that only the two of them could hear.

“This is the last chance we have.”  Akk confesses, eyes not leaving his boyfriend’s face, trying to memorize every crook and line, afraid that he won’t get to do it anymore.

Honestly, Akk is terrified of what might happen after this point. He is scared that nothing changes and the same future will repeat itself, putting his lover in a coma for 7 months or maybe longer. He is terrified that maybe this time Aye won’t make it after the accident, not surviving the injuries. He can feel his body tremble as he imagines the call from the hospital telling him his boyfriend is dead or in surgery or maybe he does make it, but loses his ability to walk or loses his limbs or… His mind feels like an endless loop of negative outcomes. 

Akk and Aye came to the past to change their future, to change the accident. Sure, P’Fate said the accident can’t be avoided, either Akk, Ayan or someone else has to be in that car crash. It’s just the matter of who will be the unlucky soul serving as a collateral damage to the choices they made in the past. 

It’s scary not knowing how long he has with his boyfriend. Scary not knowing what can happen to either of them in 2 years. Sure, Akk was always afraid of what tomorrow will bring, but it was always hypocritical, now he knows for sure that something bad will happen. Something that will force either him or Aye to make choices they don’t like. 

He clearly remembers Valentine's Day. Remembers 3 days sitting outside of the surgery, 2 in the ICU and 7 months in that hospital room waiting for Ayan to open his eyes. He recalls clearly the desperation and pain clinging to him every waking moment, reminding him that he is about to lose something important. Akk couldn’t sleep, because every time he closed his eyes he saw Aye’s funeral. He couldn’t rest, study or eat properly, imagining all the terrible things that might happen if he leaves Ayan’s side. 

After all, isn’t that why Ayan was in that accident? Because he was alone? Because Akk left him alone?

“Akk.” Aye’s soft voice calls to him, his hands on his Bigfoot’s shoulders, eyes earnest. “We will be fine. Trust me.”

Stepping close, Akk raised his hands, gently cupping his Shortstop’s face between his palms. “No matter what, wait for me, Aye. I’ll come back, I promise.”

“You too. No more deals. No more running. I’ll come back to you, no matter what. I swear.”

They heard Wat shout for the scene and both closed their eyes. 

As Akk’s lips touched Ayan’s in a soft kiss something settled in his heart. Something warm and comforting filled his veins, heating his soul as if the spring finally came after eternal winter. 

It will be ok. He will make it ok. 

As long as they have each other.

****☀️🌙****

Click.

“And everything back to how it’s supposed to be.” Fate announced. It was completely heartbreaking - seeing Akk’s tears as he couldn’t say the words back to Aye, running because he felt guilty over his own weakness, looking at Aye standing there helpless, asking his boyfriend to love himself, to not care about others.

Per stood near, both invisible to the others as they observed Akk and Ayan of the past live through this moment. “They’re back to the future then?”

“Hm. Their memories are gone too. They won’t remember us or time loops or being in the past.”

Reaper snorted, eyes going over to Fate. “Is looking like a thirty-something year old tattoo artist with the style sense of an old man, your new image now?”

“Hm?” Fate looked down on his own body. In the last hundred years he has been in the shape of a woman, copying the image from the girl he has once met, but during their last mission he had to change his looks, so Fate went back to his original form, which he had before making the deal and becoming Fate’s apprentice. 

He was just as tall as when he was a girl, but more built and masculine now, his hair was shorter and styled messily to the side. He is wearing dark wash jeans and a blue shirt with its sleeves rolled up and buttons halfway open to show off his tattoos. There was more ink on his back, legs and behind his ear with a variation of his real name scribbled there. He liked this cool older lover look and knew the effect his big doe eyes, not unlike Akk’s, had on people, so he often used it on both his conquests and later when he needed to complete Fate’s missions.

With narrow eyes he turned to Per, smirking as he noticed that just like him Reaper has also changed his appearance. Gone was the image of the cute, shorter girl with mischievous smile and long hair, instead in front of him stood a slightly built, but delicate looking adorable guy, with short spiky hair, feline eyes that promised trouble and puffy lips which would make anyone drop to their knees. Per was wearing cargo pants, white tank top and a button up with weird art, completely unbuttoned, he even had accessories on, which Fate never saw him wear before - white, black and silver beaded necklace standing out on his delicate white skin. 

“Look who’s talking. At least I don’t look like a twink with a bad temper.” 

He narrowed his eyes, grinning. “Wipe your face. It would be more believable if you weren’t drooling all over me.

Fate leans in, making his eyes bigger and pouting. “I can’t really help it, you’re prettier than any person I’ve ever met. Most adorable in the universe even.”

Per raised a disbelieving brow. “Right.” She looks back at the boys. Aye has run after Akk, not willing to let him be alone in pain for more than a few minutes. With another click, the two of them end up by the pool where AkkAye are hugging. 

“Does seeing them make you want to find your own Soulmate?” Fate asks, head inclined to the side, watching the shorter boy. He can’t take his eyes off of him now, almost enchanted by this cute little creature he wants to devour. Cute yet fierce, like a penguin.

Reaper looks at him shocked, before chuckling with a shake of his head. “You act like a child so much, I somehow keep forgetting that you see everyone’s Red Strings of Fate.”

“Au! I feel offended.” He pouts.

“What was your name?”

Something flashes in Fate’s face, but he quickly looks away before Per could decipher it. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I already know you were a human before Fate made a deal with you, so I just want to know what your name was. Maybe we met before.” Reaper pushes.

“I… I don’t remember.” Fate turns away, voice almost harsh, but not quite. It sounded more hurt than angry. I wonder what’s wrong.

“But..”

“Do you want me to help you find your Soulmate?” He quickly changed the subject, tone final and insistent. The shorter one drops the issue. For now.

Per doesn’t answer right away, thinking it over. Biting his lips as he looks at AkkAyan, yearning for that kind of connection, for that kind of love and yet… There is something holding him back. “No.” He finally shakes his head. “I may not remember my previous life, but I feel like there was a reason that I chose to become a reaper instead of being reborn to meet my destiny again. So maybe, it’s better if I don’t meet them.”

“So mature.” Fate mumbled, finally turning to look at him, the usual carefree mask on his face, hiding whatever was trying to break free earlier. “Well, let me know if you change your mind.”

“What about you? Don’t you want to find yours?”

“I…” He looked at his hand, massaging his pinky with his thumb, probably seeing something no other being could.

Fate didn’t know how to answer. What to say or how to explain? There were too many secrets. Too much hurt beyond that story. He doesn’t want that pain to seep through to others. To destroy his flowering relationship with Reaper, like it did before.

If he is the one hurt, at least all the other’s can be happy. He can bear the pain, take the heartbreak, he is used to it. As long as others are not hurt.

“I don’t have my Red String anymore. After all, I’m the apprentice of Fate herself. So even if I do find my Soulmate I can never recognize him and he will never recognize me.” Fate’s posture straightened as he spoke, turning to look at Reaper with the last word.

Something inside of Per shook, hand reaching towards the taller boy almost against his will. “Fate.”

As fast as it came it was gone. Fate shook his head, smiled so wide his cheeks must have hurt, all teeth on display and raised his hand, playfully announcing. “I don't know about you but I'm too impatient to wait for 2 years. Let's see if this worked.”

Click. 

And he is gone.

“Wai– What? Ai'Fate!!! Damn it Fate, stop running away!” Reaper screamed, blinking himself out of the present and following Fate to wherever he ran away to. Again.

****☀️🌙****

2 Years Later

Beep. Beep. Beep. 

The annoying beeping sound was the first thing that Aye heard as he felt himself waking up. It was supposed to be a mid-term break, he and Akk agreed to let each other sleep in without setting any alarms. So what was this annoying beep? 

His head hurt like crazy, his eyelids burning and there was a strange heaviness to his body, which he couldn’t explain. He felt hungover, even though Ayan is sure that neither him nor his straightlaced Bigfoot drank anything last night. His limbs were numb, throat as dry as sandpaper, breathing hurt as if there was something sharp stabbing him everytime he inhaled and despite laying on a soft pillow Aye felt as if there was something tight wrapped around his head.

“Akk…” He tried to call, voice coming raspy and broken. He needs water. Maybe he can get his boyfriend to get him something to drink before he can force himself to open his eyes. Aye wanted to see where he was and look at his boyfriend again, looking at Akk always made him feel better. Made him feel happier. All his ache will disappear with it. He is sure. “Akk… Water…” He tried again.

Soft, familiar hands helped raise his head, as a cool block of ice was pushed against his lips. There was someone talking over him, a voice gentle and loving. Instead of comfort though it made Aye frown in confusion. Neither this touch nor the voice was Akk’s. 

Sure, his Bigfoot had the softest touch, skin always so smooth and body warm like a warm cup of coffee and he always smelled so wonderful too - Ayan remembers it by heart, could never mistake it. Yet, this person helping him lay down now wasn’t his boyfriend, the hands were not the same, not as warm, they didn’t even smell right. 

Despite realizing this and wanting to react, Ayan couldn’t. It’s like his brain was working on energy saving mode and his thoughts and actions came at a slower, almost snail like phase.

“Aye, son. It’s ok. I’m here.” It was his Mae’s voice. It helped to calm him down, knowing his mom is here, knowing he is safe. Why does she sound like she has been crying though?

“Mae… Where…? Why…?”

“It’s ok, son. Take your time. I’m here.” She urged, gently brushing his hair.

What felt like forever later, Aye finally managed to blink his eyes open.

This was not his room. The walls in his house weren't as white and the dorm room ceiling he has been looking at for the last year had strange cracks in it. This room wasn’t familiar and it smelled weird, like medicine and bleach. There was also that annoying beep sound.

With what felt like a herculean effort Ayan turned his head towards where the annoying beep was coming from. There were machines over his head, colorful lines in the screens and reading he couldn’t understand. There was also an IV stand with a plastic bag half empty, connected to his left hand. When he looked around the room, he noticed Kan and Thua standing by the foot of the bed and a small sofa at the far corner with bedding on it. On his other side was a big window, showing the clear blue skies, and a small table with his phone and some other trinkets there. He felt relieved seeing his necklace and ring right beside the device.

The room was missing one very important Bigfoot and he had no idea why the person he wanted to see the most was not here. 

Here being the hospital room apparently.

Why am I in the hospital?

“Where…?” He tried asking, but Mae shushed him gently, taking his hand.

“Take it easy, son. You just woke up.” She smiled, eyes looking tired and red rimmed. She must have been so worried about him. “Do you know where you are?”

“Hospital?” Aye answered slowly, slurring his words.

“Yeah. Good. Kan, son, can you go get the nurse, please.”

“Sure.” And the boy left. Thua stayed awkwardly in front of him, avoiding Aye’s eyes.

“Aye, do you remember what happened?”

At his mom’s voice, Ayan turned to her, frowning. Everything was so cloudy, as if his mind was submerged in the thick fog, blinding him to what was beyond. It didn’t help that his head hurt, making it harder to think. Still, he closed his eyes against the blinding lights and tried to remember.

The last thing he recalls is the morning he woke up in Akk’s arms. It was Valentine's Day and last night they stayed in the University dorm room. Their new apartment was ready, the last of the boxes stored into the trunk of Aye’s car to take with them that day. Akk wanted to celebrate this Valentine's Day in their new flat with a romantic dinner, so they sped up the process until they were ready to move in completely on February 14th. 

Sure, there was still the whole unpacking to do and shopping for the necessities and missing dishes and new cups and stuff to do, but it was more about the symbolism of finally moving in together, rather than anything else. Akk wanted to celebrate 3 occasions in their new flat, with just the two of them, away from anyone else and who was Aye to deny him anything.

The morning passed in bliss. Aye, being the first awake, woke his boyfriend up with kisses and tickles, until Akk flipped them over and made his Shortstop forget about anything but pleasure and happiness. They spent hours fooling around in the bed, before going to shower together, where Ayan dropped to his knees and claimed that they should say proper goodbye to the room that hosted them for the whole year. Not that Akk was against it. Anything his Aye wanted he got.

The rest of the day passed almost the same way. They packed the last remaining clothes and furniture, making sure to relentlessly flirt, tease and make out at every chance, before they were finally in Aye’s car and driving off to their new apartment. 

He remembers arriving at the new place and helping Akk carry some of the bags to the flat. It was already late evening and they were both tired and hungry, so they ordered food. Aye remembers them joking about which movie to watch while eating and debating where to sleep tonight before their new mattress arrives tomorrow. Remembers tickling Akk on the big white sofa until he relented and agreed on the rom-com they had on their TBR for a while.

It becomes a little blurry after that. 

There was a phone call… From his mom. She arrived early and wanted him to pick her up. Ayan doesn’t remember how he got into the car. Nor how he was driving… 

There was a loud horn. Two headlights rushing towards him from the passenger side. Scream. Crash. 

It’s as if he gets shocked by a strong current of electricity, body jumping, trying to sit up, completely ignoring the pain in his head and over his own body. “The accident.”

His Mae is on her feet right away, hands gently trying to make him lay down. “Aye, please calm down son. Yes, there was an accident. You hurt your head and had to go through surgery.” She explains, as she finally manages to make his still against the pillows. Aye is too weak to resist, breathing labored as if he ran a marathon. “Son, you have broken ribs and a concussion. Please calm down before you make it worse.”

“Akk! Where is Akk? Akk!” He trashed against his mom’s hold, Thua coming from his other side to try to hold him down too. He was half sitting now, pushing the two away, burning in his ribs and headache feeling like he was being impaled by a thousand swords at the same time. It was unbearable. “I need to find Akk.”

“Aye calm down. You’re going to open up your wounds.” Thua pleaded.

“You don’t understand.” Ayan grabs his mom’s shoulders, eyes wild. “Akk. Akk was in the car with me. That asshole hit us… right side…” He was panting now, breathing becoming impossible, but he needs to explain, needs to make them understand so that they will let him go. Let him see Akk. “That asshole hit Akk. Mae please, where is he?!”

She avoided his eyes, looking at Thua for something, but the boy looked just as troubled, looking between mother and son. “Aye, calm down. Let the nurse check you. We will explain later.”

“No! Tell me what happened! The accident…” Aye feels dizzy now, his mom’s hands on his arms the only thing holding him upright. He feels his vision swim, but he can’t sleep. He needs to know. Needs to know what happened. “I remember Akk was in the car when we crashed. He was hurt badly. I remember…”

Sirens were blaring everywhere. Aye felt his body hurt, eyes unable to open from the blood dripping down his forehead. Akk was unconscious next to him, head hanging forward unnaturally. Red. Everything was red. He was covered in red. He wasn’t moving. Was he even breathing? Aye tried to reach towards him, but darkness claimed him first.

When he blinks next, Ayan is on the stretcher, doctors over him talking too fast, too loud. There is too much noise. Too much light. Where is Akk?

They were wheeled into the back of an ambulance together. Something heavy over his face, but breathing is somehow easier now. There is a nurse working over him, checking something. They were over Akk, screaming orders, doing compressions. But Akk… He wasn’t responding. Ayan is weak as he reaches between the small space and grasps at Akk’s fingers. 

Long beep. Ringing. 

“Tell them to get the OR ready. Have doctor…” 

Aye doesn’t hear the rest, darkness claiming him. Akk’s name is the last thing on his lips.

“Mae…” Aye begs, voice hoarse and broken from screaming. “Please. Tell me he’s ok. Please.”

Her eyes turn soft at that, something deeply pained and fearful hiding behind that look. Yet, her hands are gentle, as she brushes over his arms soothingly. “I’ll tell you, son, I promise. But first let the doctors check you, ok? You were badly hurt, Aye. We were so worried about you.”

“If I’m hurt badly,” He chocks. “Then how is Akk? He took the brunt of the crush. That asshole hit us from Akk’s side. Mae, is Akk… Is he… Please tell me Mae. I can’t… I can’t lose him, Mae. I can't live without him. Mae, please. Please.”

“Aye, son… Akk is…”

Thua stepped back, allowing mother and son to have some semblance of privacy. Aye’s mom took a deep breath, about to deliver grave news.

“What the hell?!” They heard Kan’s scream as the door slammed open and hurried footsteps were heard.

Ayan looked over at the door, tears now flowing freely down his cheeks, just as his Mae stood up to see what the commotion was. 

“Aye!” Comes the voice he thought he would never hear again.

****☀️🌙****

Akk was having the worst morning of his life. First of all, he woke up in an unfamiliar room, attached to a million wires and tubes, with Wat standing over him, scrutinizing his face for any sign of movement. Second, his boyfriend was nowhere to be found and his best friend refused to answer any of his questions until the nurse came to check on him. 

Akk wasn’t stupid, he knew something was wrong from the way Wat was avoiding his gaze and wouldn’t dare to make eye contact as he told him to wait until after his check up for the doctor to explain. He also remembered the accident, as clear as day. 

He remembers driving with Aye to pick up his mom from the airport. Remember the asshole who ran the red light as he hit them from the passenger side, sending Ayan’s car rolling and slamming against the light post sideways. Then there was pain and pain and pain. All the ex-prefect can remember is the agony that took him over. 

Akk remembers not feeling his arm and Aye’s soft voice calling for him, but he was too weak to answer. He was in and out of consciousness when the ambulance came and they were wheeled away. He could barely remember the talk and questions asked, but it’s as if he is looking at it through the stained glass.

When Wat went to go call someone, the ex-head prefect grabbed his hand and pulled him back, eyes blazing as he demanded answers. And with an uncomfortable, guilty look his best friend told him everything. 

Told him in detail about how no one knew what happened, until Aye’s mom, who was waiting for them for two hours at the airport, called her son’s number only to be told by the nurse that both boys were in the hospital. She called Akk’s parents and Wat, who then got Kan and Thua, who were out of town with Kan’s family. 

Apparently, Akk and Aye were already in the surgery when their friends arrived, Ayan’s Mae was sitting alone by the OR doors. The surgeries took the whole night, only finishing closer to the morning, with Aye coming out first, with few fractures and a concussion which doctors said they will hold under observation. Akk came out an hour later. His injuries were worse than Aye’s as the doctors talked about skull fractures and head injury, which required a surgery and needs close observation, broken ribs and cracked bones in his leg and arms, broken clavicle and skin bones. Both surgeries were successful, but doctors were worried about Akk as he had gotten the brunt of it all.

Akk’s parents arrived later that day, as the boys were taken to ICU.

The same night Akk was taken to the surgery right away, the second one of the three he will have, because of internal bleeding. As if they’re in a competition Aye also went into shock because of a hemorrhage and was taken away. Both coming out almost at the same time, this time with nurses sticking to them, checking every hour for any more emergencies. Akk’s third surgery was apparently the worst one. Wat dramatically retold, how one doctor found a barely noticeable dot in the x-rays which turned out to be a lung incarceration they diagnosed during something called the thoracic exploration. Akk was wheeled to his third surgery right away, thankfully they found it in time and any tragedy could be prevented.

“2 weeks?” Akk asks, shocked. Eyes wide.

Wat nodded, sitting beside him. Having lifted the back of the bed so that the ex-prefect could sit up leaning. His ribs kinda hurt, but his head and back were getting better. Almost. “Yeah. At first they were keeping you two asleep, in case there were any more surprises, but after like 3 days they tried to wake you up, but like Siamese twins you fell into a coma. Together. The whole hospital is practically invested in you.”

“What do you mean invested?”

“Well, half of the place is swooning because, ‘oh, how cute they are, one wouldn’t wake up without the other, so now they’re both sleeping. True sleeping beauties.’” Wat made his voice sound high pitched and crazy, flapping his eyelashes. “And the other half wants to experiment on your brains, since doctors have never seen two people have similar surgery times and symptoms like yours.” His voice was mocking.

Akk tried to roll his eyes, but his head hurt too much. Pushing his sheets away he slid over to the side trying to stand up. 

“Where are you going?”

“To find Aye. I need to see him.” He stated matter of fact.

“Akk you just woke up. Let me call the doctor. Then I’ll take you.”

“Hell, no. I need to see my boyfriend. I need to make sure he’s fine.”

“He’s fine, Akk. He’s sleeping like you were.” Wat tried to reason.

The ex-head prefect only glared at him and pushed past him heading towards the door. Once outside he came face to face with Kan who was walking with a nurse towards the room next to Akk’s.

“What the hell?!” Kan shouted, shocked to see Akk standing.

Nurse looked less surprised, but her eyes kept darting between the two rooms. “You’re also awake?” She asked softly. 

Akk ignored both of them and Wat, who was trying to grab at him, stepping into the corridor and turning towards the room next door. Not waiting he slammed the door open and rushed inside, coming face to face with wide eyed Aye’s Mae. 

It wasn’t until he rounded the corner and saw his Shortstop, just like him attached to million machines and an IV, dressed in a blue hospital gown, with gauzes covering his head and chest, that Akk could clearly breathe again.

“Aye!” He says, ignoring everyone else in the room.

Ayan is crying, he notices, paler than usual cheeks stained with tears, eyes just moments ago filled with grief now shining with hope and what’s more important love.

“Akk.” He whispers back, voice hoarse as if he has been screaming for a while. 

The ex-head prefect is moving even before his boyfriend opens his arms in invitation. In two steps Akk throws himself onto the tiny hospital bed and straight into the waiting embrace of his love. Ayan wraps his arms around the taller boy's shoulders pulling him practically to sit on his lap, which Akk is trying to avoid in order not to aggravate his wounds more. The ex-prefect’s own arms are around his Shortstop’s waist, soothingly moving his fingers over the bumps of his spine. 

Akk and Aye bury their faces in each other’s shoulders, arms tight around the other, as if someone might come and pull their boyfriend away. 

Their friends are all smiling at their over-dramatic behaviour, happy to have them back to being mushy and cheesy, glad that both Akk and Aye are okay now. Wat, Kan and Thua would rather have them being annoyingly cute and flirty together, than hurt and laying still in this cold room.

Ayan’s Mae is watching the boys with unlimited amounts of adoration. She is happy that her son is well and healthy again. Happy that her son-in-law is out of danger and both of them once again by her side. These last two weeks were terrifying and she never wants to experience this again.

“They are so cute.” The Nurse coos, looking as if she just saw the world’s cutest kittens cuddle.

“Have this in your face everyday, it becomes annoying.” Kan mumbles, earning a slap on the arm from Thua.

Wat sighs. “Why did none of us think to put them in the same room? I knew they would panic without the other.”

“Nurse, please do the check-ups, they won’t be separating any time soon.” Aye’s Mae asked resigned.

The Nurse looked delighted, moving around the bed, to check on the monitors. “We will need to do Khun Akk’s check separately. I believe the Doctor wanted to send him for another full body check this morning.”

Ayan’s mom nodded, she already talked to the boys’ doctor and knew they were due for another round of check ups. Now that they’re awake it should make some things easier. “Kan, Thua, can you please drive to their place and get them some change of clothes. Wat, please call Akk’s parents, they will be happy to know they are awake now.”

“Sure, Khun Mae. I’ll go pick them up too."

“Nah, we’ll get them on the way back from the apartment.” Kan shook his head. “You stay here, someone needs to help doctors and nurses handle these two.”

As the three of them filed out of the room, Khun Mae heard Thua complain. “They’re not zoo animals, Kan.”

“Leave him Thua, he’s just so happy they’re awake he might cry, so he’s being an asshole.”

“Ai’Wat! You asshole!”

She laughs as their voices fade, turning to the boys and the Nurse. “Boys, stay put and don’t cause trouble. I’ll go talk to the doctor and try to move you to the same room. I’m afraid there is no way to keep you separated and resting to heal at the same time.”

****☀️🌙****

Aye heard their friends and mom leave, smiling at their conversations, but not acknowledging them. He tightened his arms when Akk tried to move and his Bigfoot nipped at his shoulder, getting more comfortable without releasing their embrace.

The nurse worked silently around them for a while, helping another nurse to bring in some extra machines’ probably the ones in Akk’s room and attach them slowly to his boyfriend’s hand, who reached his left limb without breaking the hug. By this point Aye isn’t sure they can be separated even if they wanted to.

Done with their work, the nurses left too, the room finally empty and silent. 

Finally Akk is the one who sits back, hands going to Ayan’s neck, caressing his skin with his fingers. He is just as warm he remembers, as warm as a cup of coffee. “I feel like we did something big. Changed something big. I’m not sure what, but I have a feeling we won, Aye. Does it make sense?” He asks softly.

Aye’s fingers are careful, as if he is touching the most precious treasure in the world, as he moves his hands over his boyfriend’s shoulders, up his neck and cups his face. “Yeah, I feel the same. We won. We did it. I’m not sure what, but we made it.”

“I’m just grateful that you’re ok. That you’re right here with me.”

“Me too. I’m so happy you’re here, Bigfoot. Stay with me. Never leave.”

“I won’t. I’ll be here for as long as you want me. I’m so damn happy when I’m with you too, Shortstop.”

Aye leaned their foreheads together. “I love you, Akk.”

“I love you, Aye.” He whispers into the space between them. 

A secret. A promise. A vow. Shared between the lovers.

****☀️🌙****

“You know what you did will get you in trouble, right?” Fate teased, bumping their shoulders together.

Per feigned innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on, Per. I know you have a soft spot for these two. They wouldn't have survived this crash if you didn't pillow the impact.” Fate said, burning the order form with AkkAye's name on it.

“We’re already in trouble for interfering with their destiny anyways. What’s one more thing? I just want those kittens to be happy.”

“Aw, such an adorable kid.”

“Shut up!”

“Make me.”

“Ai’Fate!”