As Anan walked down the corridor, still feeling the warmth of Nate's hug, his phone buzzed softly in his hand.
> Nate: "Nong… don't go to your dorm yet."
Nate: "Come with me for a walk?"
Anan paused, heart skipping. He slowly turned back and saw Nate already standing near the staircase, hands in his pockets, as if he had followed him out moments after he left the room.
Nate's eyes met his, warm and inviting.
"…Just a short walk," Nate murmured with a faint smirk. "…Just us."
Unable to resist, Anan nodded shyly. The quiet night awaited them—along with emotions neither of them were ready to admit, but both were eager to feel.
The campus was nearly silent, the soft glow of street lamps casting long shadows along the pathways. Anan Phongchai walked beside Nate Chaiyaporn, the quiet night amplifying the rapid beating of his heart. After their private study session in Nate's dorm, he hadn't expected Nate to suggest a walk.
"I… I didn't think you'd want to walk at night," Anan murmured, trying to mask his nerves.
Nate glanced at him, dark eyes glinting with mischief and warmth. "I like the quiet," he said softly. "And… I like being with you, Nong. Just us."
Anan's chest tightened. "…Just us?"
"Yes," Nate said, his voice low and intimate. "…No distractions. No one else around. Just… you and me."
The words made Anan's cheeks burn. He kept his gaze on the ground, trying to appear calm, but every step beside Nate felt electrifying.
---
Hand-Holding Tension
As they reached a quieter path, lined with flowering trees, Nate slowed slightly. "…Anan," he said softly, voice carrying a teasing undertone, "…do you mind if I hold your hand?"
Anan froze, heart hammering in his chest. "…M-Mind?" he stammered, cheeks flaming.
Nate smiled faintly, reaching out slowly. "…Only if you want me to."
Anan felt a rush of warmth and nervous excitement. "…I… I want you to," he whispered, barely audible.
Nate's hand closed gently over his, fingers intertwining naturally. The contact sent shivers through both of them. It wasn't just a casual hold—it was intimate, a silent acknowledgment of their growing closeness.
"You feel… warm," Anan murmured, looking up briefly at Nate.
"I could say the same about you, Nong," Nate replied softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "…And I like it."
The night seemed to wrap around them, a cocoon of intimacy. Each step, each gentle squeeze of the hand, intensified the quiet, thrilling tension between them.
---
Teasing and Laughter
As they walked, Nate let a playful smirk slip. "…You know, Nong, your hand is perfect for holding. Soft… warm… and… reactive."
Anan's face flared crimson. "…R-Reactive?" he whispered, voice trembling.
"Yes," Nate said, eyes sparkling with amusement. "…Every little touch seems to make you… flustered. And I love it."
Anan tried to pull his hand back slightly, but Nate held it gently, guiding it along as they walked. "…N-Nate…" he murmured, breathless. "…Stop teasing me."
"Stop teasing you?" Nate echoed, mock-surprised. "…I think you secretly like it, Nong."
Anan's heartbeat raced uncontrollably. "…I… I… maybe a little," he admitted, voice soft.
Nate's dark eyes softened, and he gave Anan's hand a gentle squeeze. "…Good. Because I like teasing you. And holding your hand. And being close to you. All of it."
Anan felt his chest tighten, warmth spreading through him. The night, the quiet, and Nate's teasing made every nerve in his body alive with anticipation.
---
Subtle Physical Closeness
They reached a small bench near a flowering tree and sat down. Nate kept his hand intertwined with Anan's, their knees brushing lightly. The subtle physical contact was thrilling, intimate, and completely new for Anan.
"You know, Nong," Nate said softly, leaning slightly closer, "…I could stay like this forever. Just holding your hand, sitting close, talking about anything… or nothing at all."
Anan felt his heart race uncontrollably. "…I… I like this," he whispered, voice trembling. "…Being with you… like this."
Nate's smirk softened into a warm, affectionate smile. "…Me too," he murmured. "…I like you, Nong. More than I probably should."
The words, the warmth, the quiet intimacy, and the gentle touch of their hands created an electric tension. It wasn't just romantic—it was intoxicating, emotional, and deeply personal.
Anan's cheeks flushed, but he didn't pull away. "…I… I like you too, Nate," he whispered, voice barely audible.
Nate leaned slightly closer, their shoulders brushing. "…Good," he murmured. "…Because I want to see where this goes. Slowly, carefully… but definitely."
---
Lingering Before Parting
After a few moments, Nate finally let go of Anan's hand, though the warmth lingered in memory. "…We should head back," he said softly, eyes lingering on Anan.
Anan nodded, cheeks still flushed. "…Y-Yeah…"
As they walked back toward the dorm area, their steps were slow, reluctant to break the intimate bubble they had created. Even the subtle brush of arms and hands left them both breathless.
At the dorm entrance, Nate paused, tilting his head slightly. "…Tonight was… special," he murmured, voice low and tender.
Anan nodded, unable to speak immediately, heart racing. "…It… it really was," he whispered. "…Thank you, Nate."
Nate smiled faintly, letting a teasing edge slip in. "…And this is just the beginning, Nong. Just wait… the semester has a lot more surprises for us."
Anan felt a thrill of anticipation, realizing that every day with Nate brought new closeness, teasing, and emotional intensity. The hand-holding, the quiet laughter, the near-intimate touches—all of it was slowly weaving a connection neither of them could ignore.
As they parted ways, Anan watched Nate's confident figure retreat, heart fluttering uncontrollably. Tonight had deepened their bond, and both knew that the subtle, intimate moments were just the beginning of something far more intense.
---