Ups and Downs of Marriage

It had been months since Auau and Save got married. Although they were settling into their new life together, it wasn't always smooth sailing.

Sure, they were getting along most of the time like eating meals together, sharing casual conversations, and even growing comfortable in each other's presence. But just like any married couple, they had their fair share of arguments.

For examples....

"I told you to put the wet towels in the laundry, not just leave them on the bed!" Auau sighed as he picked up the damp towel Save had carelessly tossed aside.

Save, lying comfortably on the couch with his phone in hand, barely looked up. "I forgot."

Auau raised an eyebrow. "You always forget."

Save finally turned to look at him, pouting. "Why are you making a big deal out of this? It's just a towel."

"It's not just a towel, Save. It's about basic hygiene," Auau said, exasperated. "And respect for the person you're living with."

Save rolled his eyes. "Okay, dad."

That made Auau pause, a mixture of disbelief and amusement flickering in his expression. "Dad?" he repeated. "Did you just call me dad?"

Save smirked. "Well, you do nag like one."

Auau took a deep breath, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

Seeing the slight frustration on Auau's face, Save softened. He got up and walked over, nudging Auau lightly with his shoulder. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I'll put my towels in the laundry next time."

Auau eyed him suspiciously. "Will you?"

Save grinned. "I'll try."

Auau sighed, but there was a small smile on his lips. "Fine. But if I see another wet towel on the bed, you're sleeping on the couch."

Save gasped dramatically. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

Save groaned but then laughed.

You guess that's all? nah.

Save stood in the kitchen, arms crossed, glaring at the empty fridge like it had personally betrayed him. His plan was simple which to cook something special for Por and Teetee since they were visiting. But now? There was barely anything to work with.

And it was all Auau's fault.

"You forgot to buy groceries? Again?" Save snapped, turning toward Auau, who stood by the counter, looking slightly guilty.

"I was busy with work," Auau said calmly.

Save groaned in frustration. "You always say that! What are we supposed to eat now? Air?"

Auau sighed. "We can just order something."

"That's not the point!" Save threw his hands in the air. "I wanted to cook something nice for them. I planned for this. But you-" He pointed at Auau, eyes narrowed. "-completely forgot. Again."

Auau crossed his arms. "It's not like I did it on purpose."

"That doesn't change the fact that it happened," Save huffed.

Before Auau could respond, the doorbell rang. Por and Teetee had arrived.

Save shot one last glare at Auau before forcing a smile and going to greet them.

As soon as Por stepped in, he took one look at Save's face and raised an eyebrow. "Uh-oh. What did Auau do this time?"

Teetee chuckled, nudging Por. "More like, what did Save do to Auau?"

Auau just sighed. "I forgot the groceries."

Por smirked. "Oh, that explains the storm cloud over Save's head."

Save huffed, crossing his arms. "It's not funny."

Por patted his shoulder. "Relax, little bro. Let's just order food."

Save grumbled, but with Teetee's reassuring smile and Por's teasing, he eventually let it go.

Later, when they were all eating takeout, Auau leaned in close and whispered, "I'll make it up to you. I promise."

Save sighed but mumbled back, "You better."

Save and Auau argued. A lot.

At least once a day, over the smallest things.

Sometimes it was about something trivial, like who left the bathroom light on.

"Save, you forgot to turn off the light again."

"Oh, I forgot? Maybe you just have bad memory, doctor."

Other times, it was about chores.

"Auau, you didn't do the laundry!"

"I thought you were going to do it?"

"Why would I do your laundry?"

And sometimes, it was about food. Again.

"You ate the last chocolate bar?!" Save gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like he had been stabbed.

Auau, calmly chewing, shrugged. "I was hungry."

Save pointed an accusing finger. "That was mine!"

Auau raised an eyebrow. "Did it have your name on it?"

Save groaned. "I hate you!"

Despite all the bickering, they never truly got mad at each other. Somehow, through these little arguments, they learned more about each other, what annoyed them, what made them laugh, what they actually cared about.

And no matter how many times they fought, they always ended up sitting next to each other, pretending like nothing happened.

Because in the end, their arguments weren't really fights. They were just part of their way of understanding.

Understanding to the point where Save had fallen. Hard.

He never thought he would, not like this. Not for someone he was forced to marry. But somehow, between all the small arguments, stolen glances, and quiet moments together, his heart had already opened up to Auau.

But had he confessed?

Of course not.

Because Save had an ego the size of the moon.

There was no way he would be the first to say it. No way he'd let himself be the one to break first. Auau should be the one to confess.

Save convinced himself it was only fair. Auau was the older one, the more responsible one. Shouldn't he say it first? Shouldn't he admit his feelings first?

So Save waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Every time Auau did something sweet like making him breakfast, buying him his favorite snacks, or pulling him close when Save got cold, Save's heart would race, hoping maybe this time, Auau would say it.

But it never came.

And it was frustrating.

One night, as they sat on the couch watching a drama, Save glanced at Auau, who was casually eating popcorn.

Would it really be so bad if he confessed first?

No.

Yes.

Maybe.

Save sighed and shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth, glaring at the screen like it had personally offended him.

Auau noticed. "What's wrong with you?"

Save shook his head quickly. "Nothing."

Auau stared for a moment before shrugging and turning back to the TV.

Save huffed. He would not confess first.

He just had to be patient.

Right?

If Auau wasn't going to confess first, then Save would just have to make him.

Of course, he wasn't going to be obvious about it. His ego wouldn't allow that. But subtle hints? Those were fair game.

So, he started small.

One morning, as Auau was about to leave for work, Save leaned against the kitchen counter, watching him. "You're really dedicated to your job, huh?"

Auau raised an eyebrow. "Of course. Why?"

Save shrugged, playing with the hem of his shirt. "Just wondering if you'd ever be as dedicated to someone as you are to work."

Auau blinked. "What?"

Save immediately turned away. "Nothing. Have a nice day."

That hint? Completely ignored.

Okay, fine. Maybe he needed to be a little more obvious.

That night, while they were watching a drama, Save sighed dramatically. "Ugh, these leads are so slow. If they like each other, why don't they just say it?"

Auau, eyes on the screen, casually replied, "Maybe they're waiting for the right moment."

Save's eye twitched. That was the moment!

He turned to look at Auau, who was still focused on the TV. "But what if both of them are waiting? Then they'll just keep waiting forever."

Auau nodded. "Yeah, that'd be frustrating."

Save sat up expectantly. "Exactly!"

Auau took another bite of popcorn. "Good thing this isn't real life."

Save nearly lost it.

This man was dense.

Was he doing this on purpose? Was he actually this oblivious?

Save flopped back against the couch, groaning. At this rate, he might actually have to say it first.

...No.

There had to be another way.

He just had to drop a bigger hint.

So, one evening, as they sat across from each other at the dining table, Save decided to go all in.

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, and stared directly at Auau. "You know..." he started, his voice slow and deliberate.

Auau, cutting into his food, barely looked up. "Hm?"

Save sighed dramatically. "I think I might love someone."

That got Auau's attention. He looked up, fork paused mid-air. "Oh?"

Save nodded, keeping his eyes locked on him. "Yeah. A lot."

There. That was clear enough, right? Surely, surely, Auau would catch on now.

Auau, completely serious, set his fork down. "Who is it?"

Save almost choked.

He forced a smile. "Take a wild guess."

Auau frowned slightly, actually thinking about it. "Por?"

Save's soul left his body. "WHY WOULD IT BE MY BROTHER?!"

"I don't know," Auau said, completely unfazed. "You two are close."

Save groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Not Por."

Auau nodded. "Teetee?"

"I'M GOING TO THROW THIS PLATE AT YOU."

Auau raised an eyebrow. "Then who-"

"You, you idiot!" Save finally snapped, standing up so fast his chair almost fell over.

There was a brief silence.

Then, Auau blinked. "Me?"

Save collapsed back into his seat, utterly exhausted. "Yes, you."

Auau stared at him for a moment, as if processing the words. Then, slowly a small smile curled on his lips.

"...You love me."

Save crossed his arms, looking away. "I never said that."

Auau chuckled. "You literally just did."

Save huffed. "Whatever."

Auau leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, mirroring Save's earlier position. "Well, that's good to know."

Save squinted. "...Wait. Good to know? What does that mean?"

Auau smirked, standing up and ruffling Save's hair before walking away.

Save gawked after him. "HEY! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SAY SOMETHING BACK!"

Save groaned and dropped his head onto the table. This was not how it was supposed to go.