The final project was over, but not the semester.
The four of them had worked on it for weeks: a joint presentation between two departments, something that needed visual editing (thanks to Cheng Yu and Xiao Shuai) and presentation finesse (Chi Cheng and Suo Wei were unexpectedly great at public speaking—though Wu Suo Wei mostly trembled his way through and earned bonus points for looking adorable doing it).
It was late evening now, and a mini afterparty was already underway at a nearby rooftop café hosted by their classmates. Paper lanterns swung lazily in the breeze, music thumped gently in the background, and someone had brought too much wine.
Wu Suo Wei was already giggling as he clung to a glass of sweet, pink cocktail.
"I only had one," he insisted as he slurred slightly, leaning against Chi Cheng, "and it tasted like watermelon and glitter."
Chi Cheng caught him as he stumbled a step, hands firm on his waist. "You don't even drink soda properly, Da Bao, and now you're chasing glitter?"
Suo Wei laughed, his head falling against Chi Cheng's chest. "You're warm..."
Across the rooftop, Xiao Shuai had his head on Cheng Yu's shoulder, muttering something about how "starlight was leaking into his eyes."
"You're drunk," Cheng Yu said flatly.
"Nooo..." Shuai blinked up at him, cheeks glowing red. "I'm just emotionally festive."
"You're quoting yourself again."
Shuai pointed dramatically at him. "That's because I'm a poet."
Cheng Yu chuckled and wrapped an arm around his waist. "Let's get you both home before the poetry turns into vomiting."
Later That Night
Suo Wei had fallen asleep in Chi Cheng's lap on the couch, one arm thrown over his chest like a sleepy kitten, occasionally mumbling "no more glitter."
Chi Cheng brushed Suo Wei's fringe from his face with a soft smile.
"He really can't hold his liquor."
From the hallway, Cheng Yu carried Xiao Shuai on his back, Xiaoshuai's arms looped lazily around his neck, face pressed into his hair.
"I'm never drinking again," Xiao Shuai muttered.
"You said that last time," Cheng Yu replied, lowering him onto the bed gently.
"I mean it now."
"You always mean it."
Xiao Shuai grabbed the front of Cheng Yu's shirt and yanked him down into a messy, clumsy kiss. It was warm and full of sleepy affection, their breath mingling between soft laughs.
"Thanks for carrying me," Shuai mumbled.
"Anytime."
In the other room, Suo Wei stirred, blinking up at Chi Cheng.
"I feel floaty."
Chi Cheng kissed his cheek. "You'll be fine. Just rest."
"But I wanted to tell you..." Suo Wei's voice faded into a whisper as he curled into him. "I'm glad I met you."
Chi Cheng held him tighter, burying his face into Suo Wei's hair.
"I'm glad you never let me go."
Text Message Thread – Next Morning
Chi Cheng: ''You alive?''
Guo Cheng Yu: ''Barely. Your Da Bao and my boyfriend are sunshine gremlins when drunk.''
Chi Cheng: ''Facts. Let's meet later—there's talk of a faculty event for grads.
Guo Cheng Yu: ''Copy. Tell your gremlin I saved that glittery drink recipe he liked.''
Chi Cheng: ''...He will cry.''