POV: Nate
The campus was silent as the evening shadows stretched across the quiet streets. Nate Chaiyaporn had invited Anan Phongchai to his dorm for a private study session. The semester's assignments were piling up, but Nate's real motivation was the chance to spend uninterrupted time with Anan—time that could allow for teasing, closeness, and maybe more than just playful touches.
Anan arrived, backpack slung over his shoulder, eyes wide with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
"Hey, Nong," Nate greeted, holding the door open. "…Come in. Make yourself comfortable."
Anan stepped inside, taking in the cozy dorm space. Bookshelves lined the walls, and a small table with two chairs was set up neatly with notebooks, pens, and study materials. Nate gestured toward a chair.
"…Thank you," Anan murmured, voice soft. He set his bag down carefully, glancing at Nate with a shy smile.
Nate smirked faintly, noticing how nervous Anan still was. "…Relax. Just us here. No one's watching."
Anan nodded, but his hands fidgeted as he opened his notebook. Every glance at Nate—the smirk, the confident stance, the dark eyes—made his heart race uncontrollably.
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Study Session Begins
They began reviewing case studies, side by side at the table. Nate leaned over occasionally to point out mistakes or highlight key areas. Each time his hand brushed Anan's, the first-year flinched slightly, but a faint thrill coursed through him.
"You know," Nate said, his voice soft, leaning closer than necessary to show a diagram, "…I could help you more if you sat closer."
Anan's cheeks flared crimson. "…C-Close?"
"Yes," Nate replied, a teasing lilt in his tone. "…Right here." He patted the empty space next to him. "…Sit."
Anan hesitated, nervous but eager. "…O-Okay." Slowly, he slid the chair closer until he was beside Nate. Their shoulders touched lightly, and Anan felt a rush of warmth.
Nate noticed how tense Anan's body was and decided to tease him gently. "Relax, Nong. You're fine. Just… focus on the work and maybe sneak in a glance at me now and then."
Anan's amber eyes widened. "…Sneak… glance?"
"Yes," Nate said, smirking. "…I want to see if you're paying attention—or just staring at me."
Anan's heartbeat quickened, but he tried to focus on the notebook. Still, the closeness, the warmth of Nate's shoulder against his, and the soft teasing made it almost impossible.
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Escalating Tension
Minutes passed, and the study session became more intimate. Nate adjusted a textbook, and their knees brushed lightly under the table. The subtle contact sent jolts through both of them. Nate noticed the faint blush creeping up Anan's neck and decided to lean slightly closer, his arm brushing Anan's more deliberately this time.
"You're… distracted," Nate murmured, dark eyes locking onto Anan's. "…By me?"
Anan's heart skipped. "…N-No! I… I'm just thinking about… the project."
Nate smirked faintly, letting the teasing linger. "…Uh-huh. Sure. The project." He leaned back slightly, letting the warmth of his arm press lightly against Anan's side. "…You know, Nong… you don't have to pretend. I can feel everything you're feeling."
Anan swallowed hard, the heat in his chest growing. "…I… I… like being close to you," he admitted quietly, almost a whisper.
Nate's smirk softened into a warm, approving smile. "…Good," he murmured. "…Because I like being close to you too."
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Private Moments
The quiet of the dorm made every gesture and glance more intimate. Nate leaned over to correct a note, letting his hand rest just slightly on Anan's. The accidental—or perhaps intentional—touch made Anan flinch, but he didn't move away. The tension was electric, charged with something neither could ignore.
"You're… really focused, Nong," Nate said softly, letting his shoulder press lightly against Anan's. "…And it's… distracting."
Anan's face flared crimson. "…I… I… I'm trying…" he stammered, unable to hide the racing of his heart.
Nate's eyes softened. "…I know," he whispered. "…And it's… okay. I like it. You don't have to hide how you feel."
Anan felt a warmth spreading through him, nervous and thrilled at the same time. "…I… I like you, Nate," he confessed, voice trembling slightly.
Nate's smirk returned, though softer, more tender. "…Good. Because I like you too, Nong. More than I probably should."
The tension lingered as they continued working, every touch under the table—knees brushing, fingers overlapping—carrying an intimate charge. Nate noticed Anan's reactions and smiled faintly, enjoying the subtle thrill of closeness.
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Breaking the Study Barrier
Eventually, Nate closed the notebook, signaling a break. "…Study break," he said, leaning back casually. "…And maybe… a little reward for surviving the session."
Anan looked at him nervously. "…Reward?"
"Yes," Nate said, his voice dropping slightly, intimate. "…A hug. But only if you want it."
Anan felt his chest tighten. "…I… I want it," he whispered softly.
Nate smiled warmly, opening his arms. Anan stepped into the embrace, feeling the warmth of Nate's body close to his. The hug was gentle but lingering, full of unspoken affection. Anan's face rested against Nate's chest, and he felt the rapid beating of Nate's heart echoing against his cheek.
"I… feel safe," Anan whispered quietly.
"You should," Nate murmured, tightening the embrace slightly. "…I'll protect you, Nong. Always."
The intimacy of the moment, the warmth, the subtle scent of Nate's cologne, and the soft pressure of his arms around Anan made time feel suspended. It was more than just a hug—it was a silent promise of closeness, trust, and the slow build toward something more.
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Ending the Evening
Eventually, they pulled slightly apart, foreheads brushing lightly. "…We should get back to work eventually," Nate said softly, voice low and teasing.
Anan nodded, cheeks still flushed. "…Y-Yeah… but… thank you," he murmured. "…For… everything."
Nate smiled, letting a faint smirk linger. "…You're welcome, Nong. And… I think we're just getting started."
As Anan left the dorm, his heart raced uncontrollably. The quiet study session had turned into something far more intimate than either expected, filled with subtle touches, lingering glances, and mutual confessions. The tension between them had escalated, creating a bond that was unspoken but undeniable.
And Nate? He watched Anan's retreating figure, heart swelling with protective warmth. First-year, shy, innocent, and captivating—Nate knew this connection was far from ordinary. The semester was only beginning, and the promise of closeness, teasing, and intimacy was just starting to unfold.
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