You say you love me

Scene: Night — Outside the Pub

Thonglor, bright with streetlights and the lazy hum of traffic. The door of the pub swings open and the warm throb of music spills out onto the street. A breath of whiskey, smoke, and sweat. And then: Hong steps out, unsteady, his eyes glassy. Behind him, Nina follows in her black coat, a half-smile playing on her lips like she’s already won.

But they’re not alone.

Waiting near the curb, caught in the glow of headlights and neon, stand Lego, William, Tui, and Nut.

They hadn’t meant to find him like this. It was supposed to be a casual night out, or maybe Nut just wanted to make sure Hong was okay after hours of silence. Either way, they’re all frozen now, watching as Hong stumbles forward — clearly drunk, clinging to the wrong person.

William mutters something under his breath, stepping forward out of instinct.

But it’s Nut who moves first.

And then Hong sees him.He blinks once, twice, as if Nut is something he didn’t expect to see in real life. And then his face cracks open into a soft, messy smile — the kind only Nut ever gets. “Nut…” he says, voice thick. “You came.”

Before Nut can say a word, Hong wraps his arms around his neck, full-bodied and warm. He leans into Nut, resting his head on his shoulder like he’s finally found something solid. “You’re here,” he mumbles. “I missed you.”

Nut stiffens.

Nina stands to the side, arms folded, watching with a vague smirk. “Looks like he missed someone else,” she says lazily.

Lego says nothing, jaw tense. William’s eyes flick between them, confusion rising.

Tui exhales and checks his phone.

Nut pulls away slightly, his hands gripping Hong’s arms. “What the hell is this?” he asks, not loud, but sharp. “What are you doing?”

Hong just blinks again. He doesn’t know how to answer. Everything is slow in his head.

“Come here,” Nut says, grabbing his wrist now. “We need to talk. Now.”

“Nut,” Lego calls, a warning maybe. But Nut isn’t listening. He’s already pulling Hong back inside, toward the bathroom at the back of the bar.

Scene: The Bathroom — Moments Later

The light in the pub bathroom is harsh. Fluorescent and cold, too white against the red in Nut’s face. The music outside is muffled now, just a heartbeat beneath the silence.

Hong leans against the sink, unsteady, his breathing uneven. Nut paces in front of him like he’s holding something inside that’s about to explode.

“You confessed to me,” Nut says. His voice is low, angry, but shaking. “Yesterday. You told me you loved me. You held my hand. You said we mattered. And now — now I find you out here with her? With her?”

Hong frowns, like the words are struggling to land. “I didn’t — ”

“Don’t say you didn’t mean it,” Nut snaps. “Don’t do that.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Hong says.

“That’s not what I said.” Nut’s voice cracks. “I’m not angry because you saw your ex. I’m angry because you made me believe we were something real, something we were both afraid to say out loud, and then you disappear without a word — and I find you drunk, with her — like none of it meant anything.”

Hong looks up at him, eyes wide. “Nut,” he says. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say. She asked to meet… and I thought — I thought maybe it would help me close that door.”

Nut’s breath catches, chest heaving. “And did it? Did she help you?”

“I don’t know.” Hong’s voice is small. “I thought she would. But all I could think about the whole time was you.”

Nut’s hands ball into fists. “Then why?”

“I’m stupid,” Hong says, voice breaking. “I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never felt like this with anyone, not even her. And that scares me.”

Nut closes his eyes, turns away for a moment. “I’m not some safety net for when you get confused, Hong.”

“I know that.”

“You say you love me — ”

“I do.”

It hangs there.

Nut turns back. His eyes are glassy now, angry and aching and so full of love it hurts to look at him.

“You can’t just say that,” Nut whispers.

Hong steps forward. “Then let me show you.”

And before Nut can stop him, Hong leans in and kisses him.

It’s messy. A little desperate. Tastes like salt and alcohol and something breaking open.

But Nut doesn’t pull away.

He kisses back.

And for a moment, there’s no pub, no Nina, no confusion — just this. Just the two of them in the quiet, white light of the bathroom. Two hearts colliding, wounded and wanting and wild.

Nut pulls back first, forehead resting against Hong’s. “You’re drunk,” he murmurs.

“I still mean it,” Hong whispers.

Nut exhales, shaky. “Then prove it. Tomorrow. When you’re sober. When you’re not running.”

Hong nods. “Okay.”

And Nut, finally, lets himself hold him.

For now. Just for now.