Guo Cheng Yu had no idea why he said yes to this group hangout.
Well, actually, he did.
Because Xiao Shuai said yes first.
So here he was, outside a newly opened boba café, watching Chi Cheng laugh softly as his ridiculously adorable boyfriend, Wu Suo Wei, tried to balance four drinks with one hand and a bag of snacks with the other.
"Da Bao, just give me the drinks—"
"I can manage!"
"Da Bao—"
"Let me feel useful, ge!"
Cheng Yu almost choked on his tapioca pearls. "They're like a walking rom-com."
Xiao Shuai glanced over, eyes lingering on the way Chi Cheng took Suo Wei's drink and held it for him without asking. "Yeah. They really are."
And for a second, Cheng Yu wondered–Was that longing in Xiao Shuai's eyes?
A quiet heat rose to his chest.
***
Later that evening, the group had settled at a rooftop park near the dorms, city lights twinkling beyond the rails. Suo Wei sat snuggled into Chi Cheng's arm, half-asleep with his head resting on Chi Cheng's shoulder. They looked peaceful. Like a puzzle that had finally fit together.
Cheng Yu wasn't used to feeling envious.
He was used to being wanted. Flirted with. Admired.
But watching Xiao Shuai laugh across from him not at anything he said, but at something Chi Cheng had tossed out while Suo Wei giggled — Cheng Yu felt a weird pull in his chest.
Jealousy.
He masked it with a smirk. "You sure laugh a lot when Chi Cheng's around."
Xiao Shuai arched a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just saying. He's got that tall, broody, I-play-sports-and-have-secret-feelings energy. Your type, right?"
"I've only ever had one type," Xiao Shuai replied, meeting his gaze. "Annoying flirts who can't stop pretending they're not secretly soft."
Cheng Yu froze.
Then he chuckled, hiding the flicker of stunned delight. "Touché."
As they walked back, the group slowly splintered, Chi Cheng and Suo Wei turning left to their apartment, arms linked as Suo Wei babbled about dessert.
That left Shuai and Cheng Yu walking the last block alone.
"You okay?" Shuai asked, glancing sideways.
"Yeah. Just..." Cheng Yu hesitated. "Watching Chi Cheng and Da Bao tonight made me think."
"About what?"
"About how maybe... maybe I want that."
Shuai's steps slowed.
Cheng Yu looked up, eyes meeting his. "With you."
It was the first time he said it out loud. No flirting. No teasing.
Just truth.
Xiao Shuai's lips parted. Then softened into the smallest, most genuine smile Cheng Yu had ever seen on him.
He didn't say anything.
But he reached for Cheng Yu's hand.
And held on.
Tightly.