The seniors in the Fine Arts Department decided to throw the freshmen a welcome party after their exams, just before heading off for vacation.
After the last exam, everyone was given the time and place for the meet-up.
The party was at a lively bar. Drinks and food were ordered, including alcohol for those who could handle it.
Keng and his friends were there too, but Keng's eyes stayed fixed on Ping the entire time.
Ping, flustered under Keng's unwavering gaze, started drinking more than he should, ignoring Rain's gentle warnings.
"Stop him, won't you?" Rain muttered, concerned.
Keng leaned back lazily, one arm draped over the chair behind him, eyes never leaving Ping.
"Let him have fun. I'll take care of him."
"Oho," Bank teased immediately.
"The caring boyfriend speaks."
"Protective too," Tao added dramatically.
Rain clicked his tongue.
"You people are terrible influences."
But eventually, even Rain got dragged into the chaos. One drink turned into several, and soon he was laughing too loudly at jokes that weren't even funny.
When it was finally time to leave, Keng went over to Ping and scooped him up effortlessly.
"Leave me alone! I want to drink more!"
Ping slurred, swaying in Keng's arms.
"You're drunk, Ping. Let's go," Keng said firmly, holding him closer.
"I'm not drunk! I'm fine, see? I can stand on my own!" Ping insisted, trying to prove it. But his legs gave out and he nearly fell—only to be caught smoothly by Keng.
"See? You're drunk. Come on, let's go home," Keng said, steadying him.
"Fine…" Ping muttered, surrendering with a drunken sigh.
Without another word, Keng scooped him into his arms.
Ping blinked in surprise but didn't resist.
Instead, he leaned against Keng comfortably, face warm from alcohol and embarrassment.
Nearby, Rain pointed accusingly at them.
"Hey! That's unfair. Why does Ping get carried?"
"Because you're heavier," Tao answered immediately teasing Rain.
Rain gasped in betrayal.
Keng shook his head in amusement before turning to Jinn.
"Jinn, can you take Rain back to his dorm? I'll take care of Ping in my room."
"You're trusting him with me?" Jinn asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. He's more safer with you than Tao and Bank. And besides, if I don't take care of him, Little Ping will bite my head off,"
Keng replied with a grin.
"Are we that naughty?" Tao asked nudging Bank.
"Alright, I've got him," Jinn said, moving to Rain.
"Hey! Who are you? Ping! Ping! Where's Ping? What did you do to my friend?" Rain exclaimed, flailing slightly.
"It's me, Jinn. Ping's safe with Keng. I'll take you back to your dorm," Jinn explained calmly, supporting him.
"Jinn? Ohhh… Jinn… senior handsome's friend… oh, Jinn is handsome too," Rain blurted drunkenly.
Jinn just smiled and nodded.
"Let's go."
And with that, the group slowly made their way out of the bar.
__
Outside, the cool night air hit Ping immediately.
He buried his face against Keng's shoulder with a small groan.
"Cold?" Keng asked quietly.
Ping nodded against him.
Keng adjusted his grip instinctively, holding him closer as they walked back toward the dorms.
When they got to the dorm,Keng carried Ping into his room.
Ping looked confused, blinking at him.
"Why did you bring me here, P'Keng?" he asked, still a little unsteady.
"So you're not really drunk?" Keng said, a small, amused smile on his lips.
Ping shrugged, letting his guard down just a little.
"Anyway… forget it," he muttered, suddenly acting clingy.
"Carry me," he said, stretching his hands out toward Keng.
"Carry you? Are you serious?" Keng asked, surprised by Ping's boldness.
"Yes, carry me," Ping repeated, pouting in that irresistible way he always did.
"You don't love me anymore, P'Keng?" Ping added, his voice low, soft, almost trembling.
"I do love you," Keng replied, still holding him, trying not to let the surprise show.
"I hope you'll remember this behavior of yours tomorrow morning," keng said with a small, playful sigh.
Keng lifted him carefully, supporting his legs behind him and his hands behind his head.
"Yayyy!" Ping cheered softly, curling into Keng's arms.
Keng could only smile, amused and slightly stunned at Ping's cute, unguarded behavior.
"P'keng," Ping started again, his voice low.
"You're so nice to me… but what if i lose you again."
" I… I like you—no, I love you," he confessed, shaking his head slightly.
Then Ping suddenly whispered,
"I'm scared."
Keng looked down at him instantly.
"I'm scared you'll disappear again," Ping admitted, voice small.
"But I still love you anyway."
Keng's chest tightened painfully.
Ping buried his face closer against him.
"You've already proved yourself enough," he continued softly.
"So… when are you going to ask me to be your boyfriend?"
Keng froze.
Ping pulled back just enough to look at him properly.
"I want to be your boyfriend," he said honestly.
"I don't like people flirting with you."
Keng stared at him for a long moment, completely undone.
Then Ping added the final blow.
"Kiss me."
Keng exhaled shakily.
"You really won't remember behaving like this tomorrow, huh?"
"You said you wouldn't touch me unless I wanted you to," Ping whispered.
"I want you."
That was enough to destroy whatever restraint Keng had left.
He leaned down slowly and kissed him.
Soft at first.
Careful.
But Ping kissed him back immediately, fingers tightening in Keng's shirt as if he never wanted him far away again.
Keng deepened the kiss slightly, one hand steady at Ping's waist while the other brushed gently through his hair.
"I love you, Ping," Keng whispered between kisses, his hands holding him firmly.
Ping leaned forward again, pressing into him.
"I love you too," he said, breathless but steady.
For a second, Keng looked dangerously tempted to continue.
Instead, he rested his forehead against Ping's and laughed quietly at himself.
"Alright," he muttered.
"Before I completely lose my self-control… we're stopping here."
Ping pouted instantly.
Keng flicked his forehead lightly.
"Shower first. Sleep second. Decisions tomorrow."
Ping pouted but nodded, letting Keng guide him.
There was no resistance now—just heat, trust, and the thrill of being close to each other.
Meanwhile.....
Jinn's night was going far less smoothly.
Halfway back to the dorm, Rain suddenly stopped walking and froze, then doubled over.
"Ugh…"
Before Jinn could react, Rain threw up on him.
Rain looked up weakly.
"…Oops."
Jinn stared at his ruined clothes for two seconds before sighing.
"Are you okay?"Jinn asked, rubbing Rain's back gently, concern in his voice.
"I'm fine… I just want to go home," Rain muttered, annoyed but exhausted.
"Alright, let's go," Jinn said, lifting Rain onto his back in a piggyback.
When they reached Rain's room, Jinn helped him inside carefully, supporting him as he removed the soaked clothes.
"Oi! You pervert! What are you doing?" Rain exclaimed, squirming a little.
"You threw up on them. I'm just helping," Jinn said, holding Rain gently to prevent him from falling.
After a few moments, Rain stopped resisting and let Jinn take off the rest of his wet clothes.
Jinn couldn't help but notice how toned and handsome Rain looked, even in this vulnerable moment.
' D*mn… he really is…', Jinn thought, feeling a heat rising in his chest.
Before he could dwell on it, he felt Rain shift, drawing him closer.
"Wow… you're so handsome, P'Jinn," Rain murmured softly, his voice low and sleepy.
He slumped against Jinn, completely trusting him, and soon drifted off.
Jinn smiled quietly, running a finger over Rain's shoulder.
'So soft… so warm… and somehow, why do I find you attractive '
He tried to stand up, but Rain's small hand held onto his arm, tightening unconsciously.
Jinn chuckled softly.
"Alright, looks like I'm staying," he whispered.
Leaning down, he rested his head near Rain's, careful not to wake him, but secretly enjoying the closeness.
" Guess I'll spend the night keeping an eye on you, Rain. You owe me one for scaring me half to death back there",
he teased quietly to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.