Chapter 4 You are my habit

The clock on the wall quietly ticked away the minutes. Exhausted by Latin terminology and sleepless nights before the tests, Sun began to lean slowly to the side. His head nodded a few times until it finally came to rest softly on Wat’s shoulder.

Wat froze. The pen in his hand stopped mid-sentence on a financial report. He held his breath, fearing that even the slightest movement would shatter the moment. Sun’s body heat seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt, and the faint, citrusy scent of his shampoo filled the space around them.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Jet appeared in the doorway. At fourteen, he was a carbon copy of Wat as a child, but with a much more mischievous glint in his eyes. He opened his mouth to shout something, but stopped when he saw the scene: his older brother, with their neighbor peacefully snoring on his shoulder, and Wat’s icy glare that seemed capable of pinning him to the spot.

Wat placed an index finger to his lips: "Shhh."

Jet froze for a second, then a smug, knowing grin spread across his face. He understood everything without a word. Slowly, almost spy-like, he backed away and noiselessly closed the door, leaving them in silence.

Sun opened his eyes. The sun was already touching the horizon, painting the walls of the room in a deep amber hue. He felt something soft beneath him—it was Wat’s bed.

Wat was sitting in the armchair by the window, backlit by the last rays of sunset. He held a book, but as soon as he heard the rustle of the blanket, he looked up. In this light, his face seemed less stern.

"Awake?" Wat asked quietly.

"Did I... did I fall asleep?" Sun sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry, I must have slumped onto you..."

"Don't worry about it," Wat interrupted, closing his book. "Let’s go downstairs. My mom made dinner. I already told your parents you’re eating with us. They don’t mind."

Sun blinked in surprise. Wat had already decided everything for him. But the feeling of "homey comfort" in his neighbor's house was so familiar that he only smiled gratefully.

Dinner with Subtext

The entire Wong family had already gathered in the large dining room around the massive table. Mr. Phum was reading news on his tablet, while Mrs. Mita was meticulously straightening the napkins.

"Oh, Sun, dear! Sit down, quickly," Mrs. Mita pointed warmly to the seat next to Wat. "You study so much, you’ve grown quite thin. Your mother should let me give you more of my recipes."

Dinner proceeded quietly until Jet, who had been suspiciously silent all evening, finally spoke up.

"Listen," he started, spearing a piece of meat on his fork. "How are you two even planning to be without each other at university? You’re like Siamese twins—only one is always silent, and the other never stops talking. Maybe you should go to the same university?"

Wat nearly choked on his water but maintained his composure. Sun simply froze with his spoon mid-air.

"That’s a wonderful idea," Mr. Phum suddenly said, putting aside his tablet. "Mahidol has an excellent business faculty and one of the best veterinary schools in the country. It would be good if you looked out for each other."

"I completely support that!" Mrs. Mita nodded happily. "That way, Olena (Sun’s mom) and I will feel much more at peace."

Jet looked slyly at his brother, his voice carrying a note of blatant teasing:

"Yes, that would be the right thing to do. Because Wat would just wither away without Sun. He’d sit over his charts and forget to even eat if Sun didn't bring him another sandwich or make him laugh with some nonsense."

Wat shot his younger brother a look that promised a very long "educational" talk after dinner, but Jet only smiled innocently.

Sun felt heat rushing to his cheeks. He looked at Wat, expecting him to offer a cold denial, but Wat remained silent. He simply continued eating, and only a faint reddening of his ear-tips betrayed that his brother’s words had hit the mark.

"So, Wat?" Sun nudged his shoulder, regaining his confidence. "Are you taking me with you to university, or will I have to find another 'bore' to help me prep for tests?"

"You won't find another. No one else would put up with you sleeping on their shoulder."

The evening ended in the Wong family’s cozy garden. The air was filled with the scent of night jasmine, and a massive moon hung overhead, reflecting in the dark water of the pool.

Sun and Wat stood by the low stone fence. Sun twirled an empty glass in his hands, gathering his thoughts.

"Wat..." he began, looking at the reflection of the stars. "Why didn't you argue with Jet? You know, about you 'withering away' without me. It was so awkward in front of the parents."

Wat was silent longer than usual. He stared into the distance, his profile looking as if it were carved from marble.

"Why deny the truth?" he finally said softly. "You know yourself that I don't like changing my habits. You are my oldest habit."

Sun felt his heart skip a beat. He had expected sarcasm, but not such bluntness.

"A habit? Only a habit?" Sun stepped closer, looking into Wat’s face.

"The best one I have," Wat touched Sun’s hand for a moment, squeezing his fingers almost imperceptibly. "Go home, Sun. It’s late."

Back in the Living Room: Dealing with the Brother

As soon as Sun left, Wat returned to the living room. Jet was sitting on the sofa, playing a video game with a triumphant look on his face.

"Why did you bring that up?" Wat’s voice was cold, but Jet didn't even flinch.

"Oh, big brother, save that tone for your business negotiations," Jet put down the controller. "You look at him as if he’s the center of your personal coordinate system. If I hadn't said anything, you’d be walking in circles for another ten years. The parents liked the idea, so the path is clear."

Wat didn't answer, but instead of scolding his brother, he simply turned and went to his room, hiding a faint trace of gratitude for that "push."

When Sun told Kinn the details of the dinner, Kinn nearly jumped out of his seat with excitement.

"Mahidol? The same university? Sun, that’s perfect!" Kinn rubbed his palms together. "If you’re on the same campus, I’ll personally make sure Wiwat doesn't get too comfortable. This is going to be so much fun."

"Kinn, don't you dare do anything," Sun warned.

"Me? Never! I’ll just help your 'neighborly love' finally come out from the shadow of textbooks. If you get in together, I’ll throw you an initiation that will finally make you stop pretending to be 'just friends'."

Then came the period the seniors called "Hell on Earth." Piles of tests, finals, and endless coffee marathons.

For Wat, it was a test of leadership. He prepared for three people but still managed to control Sun’s schedule.

For Sun, it was a time of panic. Biology came easily, but Chemistry... Chemistry was his enemy.

Every evening they sat together. Wat became Sun’s "anchor." When Sun’s hands began to shake from stress, Wat would silently place his hand over Sun’s and say:

"Breathe. You know this. You’re the best future doctor I know."

On the final night before the Chemistry exam, Sun was on the verge of tears.

"I don't remember anything! These formulas... they all look the same!"

Wat stood up, walked behind Sun, and gently placed his hands on his shoulders.

"If you don't pass, I’ll hire the best tutors in the world for you. But you will pass. Because I believe in you."

Those words worked better than any energy drink. Sun pulled himself together and scored 95 on the test.

Day X arrived. They both stood before the laptop screen in Wat’s room. The family held their breath behind the door.

Wat pressed "Refresh."

Wong Wiwat — Faculty of Business (Mahidol). Accepted.

Sun Lertchai — Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Mahidol). Accepted.

Sun screamed with joy and, losing himself in the moment, threw his arms around Wat’s neck. Wat gripped him tightly around the waist, lifting him into the air. In that moment, the cold businessman vanished—leaving only a boy who finally felt that his world was staying whole.

"We’re together, Wat!" Sun laughed, pressing his forehead against Wat’s.

"Together," Wat confirmed softly, in no hurry to let him go.

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