POV: Anan
Next day the morning air in Bangkok was crisp, with a slight breeze rustling the palm trees lining the campus walkways. Anan Phongchai hurried across the courtyard, clutching his notebook tightly against his chest. Today was another long day—lectures, assignments, and another scheduled project meeting with Nate Chaiyaporn, his senior and now study partner.
Anan's heart raced at the thought. Even after two encounters—the library collision and their first study session—he couldn't shake the flutter he felt whenever Nate was near. He told himself it was just admiration for a senior, nothing more… but deep down, he knew it was something more.
As he rounded the corner to the business faculty building, he almost collided with someone again. "Oh! Sorry!" he exclaimed, fumbling to steady his backpack.
"It's fine," a familiar deep voice replied. Nate stood there, leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, a small smirk on his face.
Anan's chest tightened. "N-Nate…" he stammered.
"Late again?" Nate teased, raising an eyebrow. "You're really going to keep giving me excuses, huh?"
Anan laughed nervously, shaking his head. "No… I'm… I'm on time today."
Nate's smirk softened into something warmer. "Good. Come on, let's grab a seat before the lecture starts."
They walked together, side by side, and Anan couldn't help but notice the subtle ways Nate's presence affected him. The warmth of his shoulder brushing against Anan's as they passed through the doorway, the calm, confident stride that seemed to command attention, and the faint scent of his cologne that lingered in the air.
Once inside, they found a quiet corner near the back. Nate pulled out his notebook and placed it on the table. "Alright, Nong," he said, leaning forward slightly, "let's review yesterday's progress. You've been doing well, but there are a few things we need to polish."
Anan nodded, eager to impress. "…Okay. I'll try my best."
As they worked, small gestures began to punctuate the session. Nate would adjust Anan's notebook when it slipped slightly off the table, hand brushing Anan's as he did. He'd point at charts and graphs, sometimes leaning just a little closer, giving Anan an excuse to glance at him. Each time, Anan felt his cheeks heat up, his stomach twisting in nervous excitement.
"You're really focused," Nate remarked, noticing Anan's concentration. "I like that about you."
Anan's ears burned. "…Thank you. I… I want to do a good job."
"You are," Nate said, his voice softening. "And you don't need to worry about messing up. I'm here to help."
The words sent a comforting warmth through Anan's chest. He glanced up, meeting Nate's dark, attentive eyes, and felt a shiver run down his spine. It wasn't just admiration anymore—it was something more intense, something he couldn't quite name yet.
As they moved on to the next section of the project, Nate handed him a pen. Their fingers brushed again, lingering just a fraction longer than necessary. Anan's heart thumped loudly in his chest.
"You really are clumsy, you know," Nate teased lightly, his voice carrying a warmth that made Anan's face heat even more.
"I'm not!" Anan protested, though his voice was more breathless than angry. "I… I'm careful!"
Nate chuckled softly. "Mostly. But that's okay. I like it."
Anan's eyes widened. "…You… like it?"
Nate nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "It makes you… you. And I like you, Nong. More than you probably realize."
Anan's breath caught. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he felt a strange mix of exhilaration and nervousness—a delicious tension that made him acutely aware of Nate's proximity.
The rest of the session passed in a blur of laughter, teasing, and quiet concentration. They shared pens, notebooks, and even small snacks from Anan's bag. Every time Nate offered him a piece of chocolate or adjusted his chair to sit closer, Anan felt a warmth spreading through his body, a feeling both comforting and electrifying.
During a short break, Nate leaned back in his chair, stretching casually. "You know, Nong," he said, a teasing glint in his eyes, "you're doing better than I expected. I might have underestimated you."
Anan's cheeks flamed. "…Really?"
"Really," Nate affirmed, leaning closer, his voice dropping slightly. "You're… impressive. And adorable, in a way that makes me want to protect you."
Anan's heart skipped a beat. Protect him? Did Nate really mean that? The thought made him flustered, but also… strangely happy. He nodded silently, unable to find the right words.
The bell signaling the next class pulled them from their moment. They packed up, and Nate stood, offering his hand to help Anan with his chair. Their fingers brushed once more, and Anan felt his knees weaken slightly.
As they walked out of the study hall, Nate's voice was casual, yet carried a note that made Anan's heart flutter. "Let's grab lunch later. There's a new café nearby; I think you'll like it."
Anan nodded quickly, cheeks burning. "…I'd like that."
Nate's smirk returned, faint but knowing. "Good. It's a date then."
Anan froze for a second. A date? Did Nate just say date? His mind raced, thoughts tangling with excitement and disbelief. "…Y-Yes… a date," he managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nate's smirk widened. "Perfect. I'll pick you up after your last lecture."
As they parted ways, Anan couldn't stop replaying the moments in his head—the touches, the teasing, the soft words, and the subtle glances. His heart raced uncontrollably, and he realized something important: he didn't just like working with Nate. He wanted to be closer, to know him better, to feel the warmth of his presence whenever possible.
Meanwhile, Nate walked to his next lecture, a small, satisfied smile on his face. First-year, innocent, clumsy… and completely captivating. He felt a protective and possessive urge rising, stronger than he expected. He wanted to see Anan smile, hear him laugh, and perhaps… explore what this growing tension between them could become.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the campus, but inside Anan, there was a new kind of warmth—an excitement he hadn't felt before, the thrill of knowing that his connection with Nate was only beginning, and that their days together would be anything but ordinary.
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