"Study hard, okay? See you in the evening."
"Mm, you too."
Duang didn't even realize how wide he was smiling while standing there holding Qin's hand in front of the other's classroom. He had to admit that he was a bit giddy. Even though being in a relationship didn't change much (because everything already felt special from the start), he still couldn't help feeling excited.
He and Qin had agreed that every month they were together, each of them could request one thing, and the other had to fulfill it with no conditions. Of course, he made his request almost immediately.
"You."
"What is it?"
He asked Qin to refer to himself as 'Qin' and to call him 'you' in return.
Damn it, that's so cute. T_T
"You put your phone in my pocket."
"Damn, when did I do that?"
"Go on now, or you'll be late."
Duang watched Qin's back as he waved goodbye before disappearing into the classroom. If it weren't for common courtesy, he would've already announced their relationship over the university's PA system. And he meant it, too.
"Hey, Loverboy, why are you just getting here?"
"Sent my boyfriend off."
"Wow, bold of you. Loud and proud."
"Boyfriend. Emphasize it. Highlight it. Triple asterisks around it—Boyfriend."
As soon as Duang parked his car at his faculty and shut the door, he ran into Jet. Honestly, Jet already knew they were dating—the Instagram post kind of made it obvious. Well, maybe it wasn't that huge, just a photo of Qin sitting behind a grand piano, flipping him off with the caption:
"A drop of water on a stone every day—fine, I'll be your boyfriend."
The best part wasn't even teasing him in the comments. It was reading through the flood of heartbroken replies from others.
Well, no wonder—Qin is the kind of guy people dream about.
"So, how's it feel to be official?"
"Same as before, really."
"Thought so. Nothing much could change—you two were practically a couple already."
"But I'm so, so happy."
"Yeah, your face says it all. You're glowing like a satellite dish."
"Well, I've got a boyfriend, man. Of course, I'm happy."
"Listen to me, the real reason is that it's definitely 'coming soon.'"
"I hope so. You're just messing around too much."
"I'm not a lover, dude—I'm a warrior."
"Maybe if you had someone to care about, you'd be normal for once."
"And what's so abnormal about me?"
Duang sighed, pushing the classroom door open as they walked in together. He waved hello to a few friends who looked half-asleep. The lecture might be dragging, but Duang felt like he was floating—probably because he snuck in a quick kiss with Qin before getting out of the car. Ah, the perks of being in love.
"Ugh, Duang's annoying to look at."
"Agreed."
"Duang's the worst, I swear. I mean, we all knew he'd win him over, they're practically glued together. but now that it's official, it's unbearable."
The target of their teasing didn't care. He couldn't stop smiling—not even for a second.
"So, how'd it go, meeting his parents?" Jet whispered while the professor entered the room, arms full of supplies. Today's drawing class was going to be tough, and they still had a Thai art critique lecture in the afternoon. Just thinking about it made Duang want to collapse on the floor.
"Qin's parents are super nice—like, really sweet."
"Man, everything's going great for you."
"Well, I picked the right person."
"Yeah, yeah, keep gushing." Jet rolled his eyes. But honestly, Duang had been hyping Qin up since before they even started talking. Now that they were official and practically living together, it was nonstop.
"I like that your story isn't complicated—just happy all the way through."
"Why make it hard? If there's something on our minds, we talk about it. It was a bit awkward at first since we didn't really know each other, but he's always been kind to me. He made me realize I couldn't just give up."
"You're right. I still remember the day we had lunch with him and his friends. You were slower than molasses."
"I still think about that. Never thought he'd actually talk to me."
"Did you ever ask why he did?"
Jet asked while sketching, his ears still tuned into the lecture. Duang paused for a moment to think before replying while tracing lines on his paper.
"He said he saw potential in me."
"When it's meant to be, it just is. Sometimes, one look is all it takes."
"Damn, Jet—didn't know you had it in you to drop wisdom like that."
"Consider me the class philosopher."
"Ugh, this is exhausting."
"Quit gossiping and focus on class if you want to pass," Jet cut them off, but Duang knew once lunchtime hit, he'd be grilled all over again.
_________
"Not single anymore, huh, hot stuff?"
"The love bug finally got serious."
"Duang really did it, huh?"
I got teased like this all day long.
It really was the whole day—since he dropped me off at the classroom until he left. Even after classes stretched late into the evening, my friends kept teasing me to the point where I kicked them a few times. Not because I was embarrassed—just annoyed. I stopped being shy a long time ago because we've always been like this.
"Wanna grab a drink tomorrow? Eight o'clock, same place."
"Let me ask Duang first."
"Damn, you're whipped. But hey, I'd be too."
"We're together now—why would I do anything to ruin that?"
"I'm jealous of Duang. And you too."
I didn't respond. But if I had to choose, I'd probably be jealous of myself. It's hard to believe someone like him exists—someone who's consistent in both words and actions. Someone who supports you all the way. Someone you can be with without feeling suffocated. Someone whose mindset aligns with yours. Someone who doesn't overlook the little things. It's the kind of love I've always wanted to have and be for someone. And then Duang came along.
"There he is—lover boy."
"Yo, Duang! Look at that big smile."
"Hey, Tong. What's up?"
"Damn, you're always on time. Ever been late before?"
"I just don't want Qin to wait. If nothing's holding me back, I'll be on time."
I got up from the bench and grabbed his hand to walk away together. Myfriends were getting out of hand with the teasing, and Duang, being the shy type, would probably want to disappear into the ground if they kept going.
"Wow, dragging your boyfriend away, huh?"
"Smartass,"
I called back, flipping them off for good measure.
"You seem a little tense—did they tease you a lot today?"
"All day."
"Aww, poor thing."
"How was class? Tired?"
"Seeing you makes it all better."
"..."
"What? Too cheesy?" He reached over to pinch my cheek while we sat in the car. I rolled my eyes—tempted to curse at him, but hey, our agreement was to respect each other.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Something simple. I've got work to do later."
"Same, I've got a drawing assignment."
"Okay, how about stir-fried noodles?"
"Sure."
"I'll eat the kale stems for you."
"That's your job anyway."
"You're cute."
"You say that about everything." I tightened my grip on his hand as he held mine.The day rolled on, slow and easy, but never boring. Life doesn't really need much more than this.
"Are you staying up late? I'll buy coffee if you need it."
"If you sleep, I'll sleep."
"Aww, you just want cuddles. You've been so clingy lately."
"Maybe I'm hooked."
I glanced at him—his ears were turning red. I love seeing him get flustered, how he bites his lip when he's embarrassed or jolts when he catches me staring at him.
"You good?"
"You love teasing me."
"Well, look at how you react."
"Is it weird that I still get butterflies even though we're together?"
"Not at all."
I reached over to ruffle his hair while we were stopped at a red light. He leaned into my hand like a puppy. We chatted about classes, exams, and the upcoming Loy Krathong festival next week, where we planned to make our own biodegradable ice krathongs.
"Oh, I heard your faculty's hosting a concert."
"Yeah, the seniors. Some of them are already in bands like Gump and No Bad Days."
"It's gonna be packed with all those big names."
"If you want to go, I can get tickets."
"Of course I want to go, it's your faculty. By the way, didn't you say you liked that Japanese guy?"
"Shinta?"
"Yeah, him."
"I just like his vibe."
"Do you like me?"
"Are you seriously jealous right now?"
"I'm jealous of everyone, can't help it."
I laughed softly. When we reached the noodle shop, he insisted on going down to buy the food while I waited in the car. I shook my head—I just wanted to go with him. Actually, there's one more thing I want him to know.
"I like you so much more, there's no comparison."
"Good answer."
"Your reward is that you're doing the laundry today."
"Okay, I'm already the househusband."
I mean, I'm totally stuck on him.
__________
A stained paintbrush was dipped into a water jar. Duang was busy painting. The most important thing was how to convey the emotion. They drew lots in class this morning. He got a watercolor assignment where he could only use blue. When it comes to blue, it has to be about sadness, obviously... He played music to set the mood before working. He glanced at Qin, who wassitting on the other side, from time to time because he was afraid the sleepyhead would doze off.
Duang stood back to view his work from a wider angle. He was satisfied.
Now, all that was left was to wait for it to dry.
"..."
The tall guy took off his headphones. Qin, who wore noise-canceling in- ears while fussing over music notes, made him smile. He's so charming when he works... and now he's free. Might as well do the laundry and tidy up his side of the room. He didn't want to walk over and let Qin know he was already finished.
Otherwise, he'd end up being cute and abandoning his work just to keep him company again.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, you noticed... Laundry." The pale guy sitting with his knees hugged in front of the computer nodded before telling him to hurry back up. Duang agreed and took the laundry down. At that moment, he spotted a roti cart passing by the dorm. Without hesitation, he ran after it to buy some because Qin loved this kind of thing—Chubby, sweet, milky.
Perfect. He'd fatten Qin up and make him all soft. Just the thought of it made him smile.
"Take a break, Qin. You've been working for hours straight."
Duang pressed a kiss to the top of Qin's head as he sat there, wide-eyed and focused. He placed a plate with bite-sized pieces of roti, drizzled with sugar and condensed milk, next to Qin. It was just a suggestion to take a break—Qin could rest whenever he wanted. Duang knew Qin was the type to get completely absorbed when working.
"Come eat with me.""Whoa, are you seriously stopping?"
"Come eat."
I love it.
The privileges of being a boyfriend.
"Let me lean on you."
"Tired?"
"Yeah, headache."
"Want me to give you a massage?"
"Your hands are big. You'll crush my head."
"You're ridiculous. Come here." Duang pulled Qin into his arms, letting him rest against his chest and eat roti like a king. Whatever—he was Duang's boyfriend. He could be as spoiled as he wanted.
"Our hair's getting long, Qin. Both of us."
"I thought we were competing to see who could grow it out longer?"
"You grow it alone. I wanna cut mine. It's hot, and I have to use all these conditioners or whatever." Duang scrunched his nose, looking at Qin, who gazed up at him with those puppy eyes.
"Can you keep it long a bit longer?"
"You."
"I want to see you tie your hair up." And with that, the pale guy gave him a soft kiss that knocked everything else out of Duang's mind. Duang nodded, stuck out his tongue to lick his lips, and tasted the faint sweetness of condensed milk from the kiss."Want some?"
"Nope. Watching you eat makes me full."
"When I'm done working, let's make instant noodles."
"Seriously? We just had rad na at 7:30pm, Qin."
"Can't we?"
Duang wanted to die.
Where did Qin pick up skills like this? Must be that guy—That kindergarten-level cousin of his.
"Who taught you to blink like that?"
"Phi Dao Nuea."
"No wonder I can't win the lottery. Do you two talk often?"
"He texts me, so I reply."
"What about the other one?"
"Not really. Phi Fah's busy, even though he quit being a doctor." Duang's eyes widened as he blurted out,
"Wait, he was a doctor?"
"Yeah, he's super smart. Actually, he's good at everything."
"Damn, I respect that."
"And you? Do you talk to Phi Nan?"
"Tch, he only texts me when he wants to scold me or make me do stuff. I mess with him sometimes. Last time, I bragged about dating you—that'sall."
"Does it have to be that extreme?" Qin laughed softly before shaking his head in exasperation.
"Duang told Dad and Mom everything. If I could put up a sign on the highway, I'd do it."
"So freaking dramatic."
The empty plate of roti that Qin had finished made the guy who ran after the cart to buy it feel ridiculously pleased. Duang pressed his nose against Qin's cheek several times before letting him get back to work. Meanwhile, he tidied the room and prepared ingredients to make instant noodles for Qin later—some meat, a few vegetables, and two cans of beer.
A bedtime snack to make sure he sleeps well. Duang put Qin's guitar and bass back in their cases. He figured Qin probably forgot because he was so busy. As the tall guy moved around the room, every time he passed by Qin, he would drop a kiss—sometimes on his head, sometimes on his shoulder.
"Duang have brought the laundry."
"Mm, thanks."
"No problem."
We exchanged soft smiles before Duang took care of both his and Qin's laundry. He shook out the clothes before hanging them on the balcony. He wanted the laundry to dry in the sun, but there was no time to wash it in the morning. At this rate, they'd probably end up buying a dryer.
"Here, let me help."
"Hey, just finish your work. I can do it myself."
"I'm done already. Give it here."The pale guy quietly took the laundry, shaking and hanging the clothes.
Duang worked on the left side of the rack while Qin handled the right.
Before they knew it, their shoulders were brushing together as they hung the last piece.
"The weather's nice."
"Winter's probably coming soon."
"Does Thailand even have winter?"
"Youu," Duang laughed softly, pulling Qin into his arms from behind. He rested his chin on Qin's shoulder and pressed a kiss next to his ear.
"At first, I thought it was cheesy—those lines people say about missing someone even when they're right in front of you."
"Please."
"But it's true. With you, it is. Even when I'm holding you like this, I still miss you."
"Such a hopeless romantic."
"You're so good at teasing me."
And just like that, we stood there kissing on the balcony. It wasn't too deep, but it was the first real kiss of the day—more than just a peck. Duang pulled back first, worried that it would go further. He wanted Qin to eat the noodles, take a warm shower, put on comfy pajamas, listen to his favorite music, and fall asleep without any worries.
"Alright, who wanted instant noodles?"
"Qin."
"Cutest thing ever."
And that was really all there was to it.
_________
Duang looked at Qin's pale, smooth back, glistening with water droplets, and held himself back... They often showered together—it wasn't unusual.
If they had classes at the same time and one of them was too sleepy to go first, they'd end up getting ready together.
But this time, it felt different. Fully awake and aware.
"I know what you're thinking."
"I don't want to be selfish with you."
"You can be as selfish as you want with me... It's the same for you, too."
"..."
"You can be selfish with me."
It was like a thin thread of restraint snapped. Duang grabbed Qin's slender waist, and the soap Qin had been rubbing on himself was now shared between them as their bodies pressed together. Duang completely lost control of his hands, kneading every inch of the pale skin that made his heart race. When their lips touched, it felt like time stopped.
The sound of warm water running down their bodies and hitting the floor became nothing more than a faint background noise. All their focus was on the kiss—deepening, growing rougher and hotter with every wave of emotion. Duang let out a low moan when Qin bit his lower lip before pulling away.
"Impatient."
"Not as much as you... Mmm."
Qin sucked on Duang's neck, deliberately leaving marks that would stay for days. The smug little smirk and the way he raised his eyebrows made
Duang pull him in for another kiss."You're impossible."
"Why?"
"Such a tease."
"Well, I know you want me."
"Qin."
"Yeah?"
Duang mentally repeated the word 'patience' a hundred times, but it was too late when Qin kissed his chin with those playful eyes. Just the brief touch of Qin's hand brushing against him had Duang painfully hard.
Honestly, he'd been turned on since he first saw Qin naked. Come on, how could he not realize that?
"Don't ever talk like this to anyone else, okay?"
"Who else would I talk to? There's only you."
"Do you even know what you're saying?"
"I do."
"And do you know what happens when you say things like this?"
"Show me, then."
It's really over.
Duang turned the tease around. After doing it often, it became easier, and they understood each other more... So much that when Duang smacked those pale thighs and heard the moans, his length grew so hard that he used it to rub against Qin's hot, twitching entrance that was eagerly demanding him to go all the way in."Troublemaker."
"Mmm... You, don't."
"Don't what? Just tell Duang."
Duang held Qin's hands behind his back to stop him from moving. He kjmkissed his shoulder, the back of his neck, his back—biting every spot his lips passed—while his right hand pressed his own arousal against Qin's entrance without pushing inside.
He wanted to tease him until he cried.
He loved it so much.
"Put yourself inside."
He loved it when Qin begged.
"Duang, hurry."
"I'm not going easy on you today, Qin. You're the one teasing me."
"We'll see."
"I love it when you challenge me... It's raw, okay?" Qin felt like dying hearing those two sentences that didn't match at all, and even if he wanted to open his mouth to tell Duang to stop or to put on a condom, it was too late... It was too late for both his desire and Duang's patience.
It was so tight.
But the sensation was different from every other time.
"Breathe slowly, it's so tight."
"Is it all the way in?"
"Yes... Mmm, Qin."
Duang scolded him for pushing back on his own. Duang was watching as Qin's body swallowed him whole. It was an obscene sight, and it made his heart race so much that everything felt like it was in slow motion. He couldn't control anything anymore, and this first-time sensation made him feel so good that he couldn't hold back his excitement.
Duang kissed Qin's cheek, tilting his head to capture his lips. The kiss was deep, and they both sank further into their feelings. It overwhelmed them until nothing could stop it. Duang started moving his hips, slow at first, then faster and harder. Qin's legs trembled, barely able to hold himself up—if it weren't for Duang's arms supporting him, he would have collapsed from the intensity.
The sound of skin slapping echoed throughout the bathroom. Qin struggled to catch his breath because every time Duang thrust into him and pulled out fully before slamming back in again and again... it stole every bit of air from his lungs.
"Qin, you... You okay?"
Qin didn't answer. It was as if he'd forgotten how to speak because Duang was hitting all the right spots, driving him closer to the edge. Before long, he came, panting against the wet bathroom wall. His whole body trembling as Duang followed, releasing himself deep inside.
Duang leaned in, kissing every part of Qin's face before pulling out. The emptiness where Duang had been made Qin feel hollow. His legs weak, he let Duang clean him up, and the next thing he knew, he was being led out of the bathroom, receiving a kiss on the forehead by the bed.
"What's wrong? You're so quiet."
"..."
"Was it not good?"
Qin shook his head as an answer, burying his face against Duang's waist as he dried his hair. They were both completely bare... Qin didn't know what to say. His face felt hot.
It wasn't enough.
He was addicted now.
"Duang."
"Yes?"
"Can we go again?"
The dark eyes watching him saw Qin swallow hard... That was probably his answer. Qin thought to himself as he reached out to touch Duang's length, which was already starting to harden again. He moved his hand up and down in a rhythm he knew Duang liked.
That's why he said sex is important.
"What if you can't get up for class tomorrow?"
"I already submitted my work by email."
"You're being too naughty, Qin."
"Isn't that a good thing?" As he asked, he pressed his cheek against the growing heat in his hand. Duang felt like his mind was spinning, his breath hitching in a way that Qin definitely noticed—and enjoyed—because he made it even deeper.
Duang ran his hand through Qin's damp hair while watching him use his mouth on him, unable to look away.
He promised himself he wouldn't be selfish.
He promised he'd stop.But Qin was just too damn good at teasing him.
"That's good... Just like that."
The pale-skinned boy sitting at the edge of the bed playfully nibbled at the tip of Duang's length like a kitten playing with a toy. It was the most erotic and alluring sight Duang had ever seen. In his mind, he was already planning how to torment Qin on the soft bed next.
Without wasting time, he pushed Qin onto the bed, turned him around, and bit his soft skin as a punishment for being too mischievous.
"You're such a pervert."
"I'm going to bite you all over."
"Not this position, I'll come too fast."
"I'm begging you."
He flipped Qin over to face him, straddling him, and leaned in to whisper against his lips. At first, Duang thought they'd finish showering and head straight to bed after such an exhausting day—but clearly, that wasn't going to happen.
"I'm not stopping until the sun comes up."
"Such a smart mouth."
"You better watch yourself."
"So bossy."
"Only in bed. Can you handle it?"
"Such a big mouth."
"I love it... You're such a brat."Qin let out a soft moan when Duang kissed his ear and bit down on the soft skin of his neck with clear intent. Their bodies were pressed together, leaving no doubt about what was coming next. Pale fingers traced along Duang's broad back before pressing a kiss to his cheek.
He didn't care about getting any sleep tonight.
"I'm even more of a brat than you think, Duang."
"You'll find out soon enough."
And in the end, they really didn't get any sleep.