Since the vacation ended, calling each other had become routine.
Voice calls.
Video calls.
Late nights where neither of them wanted to be the first to hang up.
Still, it wasn't enough for Keng.
"I want to see you," he said one night, resting his chin in his palm on the screen. "Not through this."
Ping hesitated. "I've been seeing you. We literally video call every day."
"That doesn't count," Keng replied easily. "Come over tomorrow."
Ping bit his lip, thinking. "…Okay."
"Mom, I'll be visiting P'Keng this morning," Ping said the next morning.
His mother paused, then turned slowly to look at him.
Ping burst out laughing. "What is that look for? Don't think too much."
"I'm not," she replied calmly, though her lips curved. "You two just miss each other so much. And when people miss each other that much…" She trailed off teasingly.
"Mom," Ping groaned. "What are you saying?"
She laughed. "Go on. Just behave yourself."
Ping shook his head, smiling as he grabbed his bag.
Keng was already waiting when Ping arrived.
The moment Ping stepped inside, Keng reached out, ruffling his hair like it was second nature.
"This is becoming a habit," Ping muttered, fixing his hair.
Keng only chuckled. "You look good like this."
Ping followed him inside, glancing around. "Is it really okay for me to come over like this?"
"It's fine," Keng said gently. "My parents aren't home."
Ping froze. "…That's not comforting."
Keng laughed and tugged him forward. "Relax. Come on."
Keng's room was spacious, neat, and unexpectedly warm.
Ping slowly turned in place, taking it all in. "This room suits you. It feels… calm. Like you."
Keng blinked, clearly caught off guard. "You think so?"
Ping nodded. "Very."
"Look around if you want," Keng said.
Ping wandered over to a shelf and stopped.
"…Phi," he said, picking up a framed photo. "You were really cute as a kid."
Keng groaned. "Don't."
Ping smiled softly at the picture. "You haven't changed much."
When he turned around, Keng was already standing close — too close.
"Well," Keng murmured, eyes dark with amusement, "why do you still call me phi?"
Ping swallowed. "I—I always have."
Keng leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against Ping's temple. "Call me hia."
"Phi—" Ping started.
"No," Keng whispered, lips moving to his ear. "Hia."
Ping's breath hitched. "…Hia."
A soft sound escaped him before he could stop it.
Keng smiled against his skin. "Good boy."
His lips finally met Ping's — slow, deliberate, unhurried.
Keng's fingers brushed against Ping's cheek as he leaned closer, his gaze soft but insistent. "You know… I've missed you," he whispered, his lips hovering just above Ping's.
Ping felt heat bloom across his chest, a mixture of nerves and excitement. "P'keng… I…" he started, but his words faltered.
Keng chuckled lowly, pressing a gentle kiss to Ping's temple. "Shh… don't think, just feel," he murmured, his hands moving to the buttons of Ping's shirt.
Ping's pulse quickened as Keng's fingers skillfully worked at the buttons, one by one, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
"P'keng…" Ping gasped softly, caught between wanting to pull away and leaning into the warmth.
"I just want to see you, all of you," Keng said, his voice husky but tender, his lips brushing against Ping's ear. He finally slipped the shirt off, his hands lingering on Ping's shoulders, tracing the lines of him like he wanted to memorize every inch.
Ping swallowed hard, feeling a mix of shyness and desire as Keng leaned in, forehead resting against his. "You're mine,"
Keng whispered, letting the words sink deep, his presence enveloping Ping in a warmth that made it impossible to think clearly.
Ping's hands found Keng's chest, gripping lightly, not resisting but not fully surrendering either. Their breaths mingled, the quiet intimacy of the moment stretching on, leaving everything else in the world far away.
"You're incredible," Keng said softly, his nose brushing against Ping's, a teasing smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "And I'm not letting you go."
Ping's knees nearly gave out at the closeness, at the gentle insistence in Keng's eyes. "I… I'm yours too," he whispered, letting himself sink into the comfort and thrill of the moment, hearts and breaths tangled in quiet, teasing intimacy.
Keng deepened the kiss, and Ping melted against him, not ready to pull away anytime soon.
"Hia…" Ping whispered, struggling to catch his breath.
"I can't… I can't breathe," he said, pulling back just slightly.
Keng smirked, seeing Ping finally take a breath, then leaned back in, pressing close again. Their lips met, tongues gently exploring in a heated kiss that made Ping's heart race.
Ping's soft moans escaped, and Keng's grin widened. He brushed his hands over Ping's shoulders, holding him close, making sure Ping felt every bit of his attention.
"Why are you teasing me?" Ping asked, half in protest, half in awe.
"Because I like this," Keng murmured against his lips, brushing a strand of hair from Ping's face.
Ping shivered, leaning into him. He tried to stop for a moment, shaking his head, but the longing was too strong. He pulled Keng back into a kiss, letting himself get lost in the warmth and closeness.
Keng's hands lingered on Ping's sides, their bodies pressed together, hearts racing. The tension between them was electric, every touch and sigh sending shivers down their spines.
Neither noticed the soft footsteps approaching the door until it swung open with a sudden creak. Both froze, hearts jumping at the interruption, cheeks flushed, eyes wide open in surprise and shock.