"Ahhhhh! Nong Qin!"
"Dude, Jo's muscles are so tight. One dunk and my heart's shattered."
"Fuck! Left side, idiot. That was so dumb!"
The loud cheers from the crowd made me frown. I kind of wish I had other friends too, but it's always just Jet and Pae hanging out with me. Same old story today—Jet, that animal-faced guy who keeps flirting with Qin, and somehow, he's the only one Qin doesn't find annoying or brush off like he does with me.
Just wait, man.
"What are you mad at me for now?"
"None of your business."
"I'm writing it down, like those tattle-tales back in primary school. I'm gonna report you to Khun Qin."
I shoved his head while he was chomping on a sausage, almost making him fall over. He kept calling him 'Khun Qin' over and over, but honestly, thetitle really fits him.
Does he even touch the ground when he walks? Why does he seem so high up...
Way out of reach.
"So many people are screaming for Qin. How are you gonna guard him all the time?""But he only talks to me."
"How do you know?"
"You love stirring things up. And seriously, stop spreading rumors that I have girls, that I'm double-timing, or that I've had a lover. Sometimes, he really gets upset."
"Qin? Pfft—cough, seriously?" Jetana's eyes widened in disbelief. I nodded.
That's his cute side—when he's sulking, he'll sometimes ask who someone is. But even just asking makes me panic.
Yeah, he's cute. But I really don't want him to feel hurt over stuff like that.
"Why aren't you two official yet? Waiting for your dad to cut the ribbon or something?"
"I don't know... I just feel like I'm not good enough."
"Dude, if you were any better, you'd be a saint."
"I can't ask... Who'd have the guts to..." I trailed off, watching him dribble the basketball with ease. The faculty games are so intense it's scary. He's been practicing late into the night all week. It's no trouble for me to pick him up and grab dinner, but I worry about him.
"Hey! Did you just shove my boy?!"
"Shit," I muttered as Jet dropped his sausage bag and looked like he was about to storm the court to punch the guy who knocked Qin down. I'm fine with everything—just don't let him get hurt.
But his knee's already scraped.
F*ck.
"Referee, you blind?! Kick that guy out—he totally did it on purpose!"
"Boo!!!"Things got chaotic when the seniors from both faculties started arguing while the injured one, Qin, was still limping off the court. I raked my hair back in frustration, realizing I'd already walked right up to the edge of the court.
"You."
"I'm fine."
"How is this fine? You're bleeding." My eyes fixed on his knee where blood was dripping down. Maybe because his skin's so pale, the bright red stood out even more, and it pissed me off.
If it wasn't intentional, it is fine. But I was watching him—I know he wouldn't fall unless it was a hard hit.
"Calm down."
"Calm down, my ass, Qin."
"Duang."
I exhaled sharply, realizing I'd snapped at him. I shut my mouth, afraid I'd say something worse. I dropped down to sit beside him as he got subbed out —he clearly couldn't play anymore. It was already the second half, and he'd scored a ton of points.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too."
"..."
"I promised last night that I wouldn't get hurt, but I couldn't keep it."
"I'll clean the wound for you." I didn't say anything else because everything I feel for him runs so deep, so wide—it aches a little inside in my heart.I don't want us to be like this.
"It's just a small wound. It'll heal soon."
"Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"It hurts, though. Duang knows."
I grumbled as I gently dabbed the blood away after rinsing it with plain water once. Thank goodness for the basketball team having a first aid kit like they knew someone would get hurt. Otherwise, I'd be even more panicked if he didn't get treated right away.
"It doesn't hurt, kha."
My heart started beating faster—off rhythm in a way I could clearly feel. I met his gaze. He was sitting on the chair while I had moved myself down to the wooden floor of the gym to clean the wound on his knee, and he was saying such sweet things to ease my worry.
I finally smiled.
"Your ears are red."
I couldn't hold it in.
"Don't tease me."
"Is it like a sacred phrase or something?"
"Yeah. It's not like you say it often. Since we started talking, you've only said it twice."
"You're keeping count?"
"I count everything. You've said you miss me three times.""Why does that sound so pitiful?"
I froze when his cool hand softly touched my cheek. My heart pounded wildly. His skin was so fair it almost hurt my eyes, and I was ridiculously possessive over him wearing a basketball jersey like this. Honestly, he was beyond cute today—with those flushed cheeks, chasing after the ball, and even tying his front hair up.
"All done. Duang's hand is gentle, right?"
"Very skilled."
"That sounds like you're praising a dog."
"Well, it's kind of true."
"Woof."
He let out a soft laugh before focusing back on the basketball game. His department was already leading by a wide margin, but all my attention was on him. My eyes followed the curve of his beautiful nose, his lips as he sipped an electrolyte drink, and his fair skin peeking out from the oversized jersey. His collarbone—God, how much I was possessive over that. His left ankle, where the tattoo of a moon floating above the sea that I drew with my own hands, stood out. And if my gaze shifted just a bit...
It was my right ankle, with the tattoo of the sun.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing."
"I can see you smiling."
Qin spoke without even turning to look at me.
And, seriously—I couldn't stop smiling.
"You're ridiculous."Just having him close by makes it impossible to stop smiling.
__________
"Hey."
"Hmm?"
"Duang is hot. Can I take off my shirt?" The owner of the room nodded in approval before turning back to focus on the MacBook in front of him, still working. After the basketball game ended with a landslide victory for the jazz kids, Duang took the person with the scraped knee out for a nice meal to cheer him up. And since they had to go to Bangkok together tomorrow,
Duang ended up staying over at Qin's place again, by chance. Just seeing those pale legs while hanging out in the room was already worth it.
Lucky as hell that Qin was wearing just a t-shirt and boxers today. Pure blessing.
"Qin, I'm checking your wound."
"Mmm." The person responded absentmindedly, still focused on his work.
"See, I told you not to get it wet."
"..."
"Qin."
Qin pulled his hands away from the work in front of him because Duang's voice sounded unusually stern. His dark eyes shifted to the person sitting on the floor, inspecting the wound on his knee. That slightly damp brown hair and the smooth face reflected softly under the warm glow of the single lamp in the room.
Cool fingers brushed against warm skin as Qin reached out to gently push aside the strands of hair falling over Duang's eyes while softly murmuring:
"You're scolding me over this?"
"It'll get infected."
"I'm sorry kha."
"Oh my God, Duang is gonna die—You said that twice today, Qin! That's a double kill!" Duang blurted, scooting back from the pale-skinned guy with that distinct scent that always tested his sanity.
Every time Duang saw Qin, one thought echoed in his head:
I like him.
I want to be his boyfriend.
"I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Will you be mad?"
"Why? Is it that bad?"
Duang hugged his knees, his expression turning serious. How bad could it be? Whatever it was—just don't stop talking to him.
Please, no.
"I'm hungry."
"Huh?"
"I'm hungry right now."
His face was calm, but his voice was dead serious. So serious that he was sitting there rubbing his stomach in the office chair. Duang bit back a smile. And with Qin's standards, there was no way he'd settle for a quick snack from a convenience store—he'd want proper late-night porridge from a good restaurant.
And at this hour? No way he'd ride his motorcycle there himself. No matter how tough or smart he is, he still loves his comforts. What should I do?
"It's late, you know."
Come on, just hold on.
"..."
"Want some milk? I can grab you one."
It felt like slow motion. Duang didn't know if it was the warm orange lighting or something else, but suddenly, Qin was settling down right in front of him—bringing with him that intoxicating scent that made Duang's heart skip a beat. And those eyes... they had a soft, pleading look that was impossible to resist.
"Please? Let's go get something to eat."
Hold it together, Duang.
You can do this.
You've got this.
"Are you gonna take me nicely, or do I have to use force?"
Damn.
The person being threatened looked stunned when the unpredictable one leaned in close, grabbing the collar of his shirt as if he was ready to start a fight if he wasn't taken to get rice porridge.Gulp... So white.
"Duang."
I can't take it anymore.
Why is the collar so stretched out?
"Duang?"
"Y-You're so white."
"..."
"Really white. Can you back off a little?"
"You're such a pervert."
Duang got scolded straight to his face, but it didn't hurt one bit. He just realized how much more thrilling it was to see things peeking out here and there—his shoulder, his collarbone... and his chest.
He had all the same body parts as anyone else, but damn...
"You're thinking dirty again. Get up."
"Ow, ow—I'm going, I'm going!"
"You give me a headache."
"I want to say you nag like a wife, but I won't."
Duang said while watching Qin put on jeans over his boxers but still wearing his sleep shirt. He must be so hungry he didn't care about anything else.
"Asshole."
And me, what's wrong with you, Chiwin?Liking it when get scolded.
"You drive. I'm sleepy."
"At your command, Princess."
"You really want to get hit, huh?"
"Hit by what? Watch your words, hey."
"My damn foot."
"Oh, that's fine. I thought you meant... Mm, better not say it."
Qin smacked the troublemaker on the head, but he just kept laughing—still in a good mood as they got in the car, during the drive, and even when they arrived at the restaurant.
But seriously, it was almost 1 AM. Why was the place still packed?
"Do you want the same as usual?"
"Yeah. Order the salted egg salad too."
"Huh? You don't eat that."
"You do."
"So sweet. I'm running out of heart, Qin."
"Don't be dramatic."
The hungry and annoyed one glanced at Duang's messy handwriting as he scribbled down their usual orders—most of it was for Qin. Duang probably wasn't even hungry, just here because Qin told him to come.
"Are you just giving in to whatever I want?"
"Huh? Me?""Yeah, who else but you?"
A simple sentence, one that probably didn't mean as much as how Duang interpreted it in his head, yet it still brought a wide smile to his face. His warm fingers brushed against Qin's, which were absentmindedly stirring the straw in his drink.
"Not really."
Our eyes met— In a bustling rice porridge restaurant, with the clock ticking past 1 AM.
"Duang wants you to get plenty of rest, eat the things you like, and do the
things you dream of. It's not called spoiling you."
" ... "
"I only have you. Spoiling you like this isn't a big deal at all."
But it feels more special every day.
Even more special with each passing day.
__________
Qin glanced at the time on his phone. Duang hated the sound of an alarm clock—he preferred someone shaking him awake rather than hearing something blaring and forcing him to get up for work. And somehow, Qin ended up sitting here watching him sleep under the faculty building because Duang wanted to nap before continuing to paint the faculty's cut-out board.
He didn't know why he did it—but he already had.
Duang had been resting his head on Qin's lap for nearly forty minutes.
"Khun Qin, do you w—" Jetana who was about to ask if Qin wanted a fried hot dog was cut off when the person in question pressed a finger to his lips,signaling for silence because someone was sleeping.
No one would believe it, but Duang had the highest potential in their year.
That's why he was entrusted as the head of the cut-out board team for the upcoming faculty sports event—the final task before they finished their first year and moved on to their second in just a few months.
Time passed quickly... but some relationships moved slowly.
Jet figured it might be like a chemical equation—something needed to act as a catalyst to speed up the outcome. But in the end, he didn't really know what was missing in their relationship.
Or maybe... what Duang and Qin had was already enough.
"How long has he been sleeping, Khun Qin?" Jet whispered.
"Five more minutes and it'll be forty-five."
"He's dead asleep. Last night, he drank two cups of 7-Eleven coffee."
"I thought he said it was one."
"Well, looks like I accidentally exposed him," Qin shook his head in exasperation. He'd already told Duang—if you're sleepy, just come nap in my room. But no, instead, Duang stayed up late and downed two or three cups of coffee.
He glanced down at the peacefully sleeping figure, hand tucked under his cheek like a child, and couldn't help but reach out to brush through the messy hair. When Duang was asleep, at least he wasn't being a pain.
"Duang," Qin gently shook him awake, but Duang just groaned and buried his face against Qin's lap, curling up like a little kid. Jet, who is munching on his sausage, struggled not to lose his composure—it was just too cute.
He wanted to scream and declare that Duang is a wife, but he didn't want to break his friend's heart. Seriously, Qin was beyond cool, warm (to someone special) and utterly dreamy.
"You've slept long enough. Wake up and let's go eat."
"Mmhh..."
"Chiwin, wake up already."
"Yes, Ma..."
"DUANG IS A WIFE!"
Jet blurted out while pointing an accusing finger at his friend, who had just opened his eyes and flashed a playful smile—teasing Qin by calling him
'Mom,' just like how a kid would address their mother when being woken up. You will never be the dad!! Never!!
"Shut up, you idiot."
"Since you're awake, go eat. I'll finish this up—the others will be here soon."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm going."
"Alright, see you later, Khun Qin!" Jet waved dramatically as Qin nodded back before pulling Duang up to go grab dinner and then return to work.
Dinner would probably be at the nearby food stall since they didn't have time to drive out for anything fancy.
Qin listened to Duang complain about the senior assigning work. He watched the long eyelashes of someone as tall as him was catch the last rays of sunlight while we walked side by side—going about our lives and daily routines that had gradually become something we shared.
He never really thought –"They gave me a job with the scale of a million but only paid me twenty baht. Guess if they deserve to be scolded?" —that in this vast world, someone like this would cross paths with him.
That we would meet.
And get to know each other.
...And we keep orbiting together.
"I'm so freaking tired..."
The one complaining nearly stopped breathing when the other reached out to hold his hand. Even though their fingers weren't fully intertwined, just holding hands like this made him feel stronger—strong enough to take up a little more space in Qin's heart, bit by bit.
"I probably can't help much because I can't draw well."
"..."
"But...you have me."
It was such a simple sentence—no sweet gaze, no change in tone. All of it was Qin, 100%, who he loved.
Just knowing that he had Qin was already more than he had ever dreamed of.
"If you're tired, you can come and complain to me."
"Thank you."
"Mm, it's nothing."
"And you? Are you tired of anything?"Qin shook his head, watching Duang swing their joined hands back and forth like the motion of a swing. Somehow, it put him in a good mood in a way he couldn't quite explain.
It must be a bit strange—two tall guys walking hand in hand.
"I haven't really taken care of you lately."
"It's okay."
"Just... don't go giving your heart to anyone else, okay?"
That sentence wasn't answered with words—it came through actions.
Qin intertwined all five fingers with the warm fingers of the person who tended to overthink things.
Overthinking again.
"Talking to you is enough for me."
"Marry me." Duang grinned widely.
"Marry your dad. I meant I'm tired enough already."
"Well, that's fine. I'm not against it."
"Smartass."
Qin grumbled as he shook off Duang's hand when they arrived at the diner. Duang whined and followed the person whose room was clean but wore a wrinkled shirt every time they met because, according to Qin, cleanliness and neatness were two different things.
We sat across from each other, scanning the menu like we always did— ordering our own dishes and picking a shared soup for the table.
Classic Khun Charasmi style."You drive my car back later, okay? When I'm done, I'll have Pae drop me off. So you don't have to walk back or hail a motorcycle taxi."
"I'll just come pick you up."
"No, it's too late."
"You don't have to do everything for me. I want things to be fair."
"But I'm the one who asked you out."
"That's your problem. I want it this way."
Duang wanted to revise that sentence.
It's your problem, but I want it this way—and you have to go along with it.
Yeah, that's how it was.
"But it's late. You should just sleep—I've got the key already."
"So what if it's late? I come to campus every day, and I drive just as well as you."
"Well, I'm worried about you."
"And I'm not worried about you?"
Fine, you win.
Take the house, the car—whatever you want.
"Hmph."
"Eat your food. Hurry up, your friends are waiting."
"Yes, yes, yes." The person who is all grown up but always whines answers repeatedly before scooping up a bite of his rice topped with pork panang curry and an undercooked fried egg. Qin starts eating his food as well.
"Eat a lot."
A piece of fish from the clear seafood tom yum is placed onto the plate of the person mumbling to himself. Qin shakes his head in exasperation at the childish and spoiled behavior of the person sitting across from him.
"Stop whining already."
"Alright."
"Or not. Just focus on eating."
"Are you a soldier or something?"
"Eat."
"No, I'm just playing hard to get. I want you to yell at me like, 'Or do you want me to feed you?' Something like that."
"Give an inch, take a mile. Hurry up, your friends are waiting."
"Got it, sirrrr."
"Chew thoroughly, too."
"Why is it so complicated? Eat fast, but chew thoroughly."
"Stop asking questions. You're giving me a headache."
Seriously.
Such a wife-like attitude. Why can't Jet see this side of him? Duang buries his head in his food while chewing exaggeratedly to show the person who looks like he's about to scold him any second. He knows Qin doesn't want him to be late and have their friends accuse him of ditching them to eat with him, but still—he's so fussy, just like a girl.
Anything that spills, he immediately wipes it.Eat from the left side first. Spoon and fork must be paired together.
"Your mouth is dirty."
And if he eats messily, Qin immediately wipes it off because he hates seeing anything dirty.
See?
How is this not wifely behavior?
"What are you staring at?"
"You're so strict."
So freaking cute.
"Strict like a wife."
"You're gonna get it, Duang."
Seriously, though.
___________
[Battery's dying, Khun Qin. Come get him back already. I'm begging you.]
"Okay, I'm about to drive over."
[So damn stubborn. He's overworking himself. I'm seriously worried he'll drop dead.]
"What's Duang doing?"
[Bossing his friends around and helping with the work. It started with the cutout section, but now he's involved in every department. Come take himhome to sleep already.]
Jet's sharp voice clearly shows his patience is running out. He was the same way. So don't ever call him stubborn—it's Duang who's the most stubborn of all.
"I'll see you at the faculty then. That's all, Jet."
Qin hung up and sped up as he entered the university grounds, now that he was off the phone. He exhaled softly to himself. At first, he thought it wouldn't go past 2 AM, but it was already 2:30 when Jet called to tell him to take Duang home—because no one else could get through to him.
Isn't it something to worry about?
Always pushing himself too hard like this.
"..."
Even with him too.
"Duang."
Qin didn't realize how fast he had been until he felt slightly out of breath, having run from the car to the faculty building. There, he saw Duang walking unsteadily, looking like he might collapse at any second.
"You... it's not even time to leave yet."
"Go back to the room."
"Qin."
"Go back to sleep."
Duang pressed his lips together.
Whose fault was it anyway?He knew he didn't stand a chance.
"Get out of here already, you idiot. You've been working overtime for too long—we're about to leave soon anyway."
"Yeah, Duang, you should go. You've been at it since the night before."
Before he could process it, someone had already walked up and grabbed his wrist, pulling him along. Duang looked at Qin's back—pale skin peeking out from the oversized t-shirt he always wore to bed. Good thing he wore long pajama pants tonight; otherwise, he'd definitely get scolded.
Getting bitten by mosquitoes wasn't enough— but I also have to go and be possessive again.
"Hey, I'm leaving already, see?"
"Don't be stubborn."
"..."
He lost.
Completely and utterly lost.
"When I pull all-nighters, at least I do it at home. I can pass out anytime and it's fine. But if you collapse, what do you think will happen, Duang?"
It was the first time Qin had spoken so seriously, explaining his thoughts ina long-winded way like this. He knew it wasn't appropriate to feel happy, to have his heart race, or to smile.
But he couldn't help it.
"What the hell are you smiling at?"
"Qin, stop being so cute."Duang said that and pulled Qin into a hug.
He never thought he'd be brave enough.
Never thought Qin wouldn't push him away—instead, Qin hugged him back loosely, his hands awkwardly resting on Duang's body, as if unsure where to place them.
Liking Qin felt like winning the lottery.
Realizing he could actually pursue Qin—it felt like hitting the jackpot.
"As much as you want me to be okay, I want the same for you."
Everything just felt so lucky.
"You're not the only one trying, you know."
Qin whispered to him and the darkness as Duang buried his face into the crook of Qin's neck, knowing full well he was being selfish—but believe him, he wasn't trying to take anything.
Even if he got nothing in return, it didn't matter.
Not even a little.
"Who's the one pursuing who? who's the one being pursued?"
"Qin."
Maybe, all you need is to spend your life with someone— Even if it's just for a short while.
"It doesn't matter at all."
But to his heart, it already meant everything.
"Today, I feel the same for you as much as you feel for me, Duang."