Ping didn't know how long they stayed like that.
Keng's forehead rested against his, their breaths uneven, the space between them still heavy with years of hurt, longing, and words left unsaid.
Ping's fingers remained curled tightly into Keng's shirt, only realizing after several seconds that he still hadn't let go.
Slowly, almost carefully, he loosened his grip. As if afraid the moment might disappear the second he moved.
"You..." Ping swallowed hard.
"You can't just do things like that."
Keng smiled faintly, eyes softer than usual.
"But you didn't stop me."
Ping immediately looked away, ears burning.
"That doesn't mean anything."
Keng lifted one hand instinctively, then paused halfway. Waiting. Giving Ping the chance to pull away if he wanted to.
Ping noticed that. And he hated how much that small hesitation affected him.
"It means something to me," Keng said quietly.
Ping let out a soft, bitter laugh.
"You always say things like that."
"And you always pretend you don't believe me," Keng replied gently.
Silence settled between them again. Not awkward. Just fragile.
Ping finally stepped back, creating a small distance between them. His expression steadied slightly, walls rebuilding piece by piece.
"If you're trying to play with my feelings," he said quietly, "then stop."
Keng's expression changed immediately. Not angry.
Serious.
"I wouldn't."
"You already did once." ping replied looking at him, eyes sharp.
The words landed heavily between them.
Keng inhaled slowly before lowering his gaze for a moment.
"I know," he admitted softly.
"And I hate myself for it."
Ping's chest tightened painfully.
That was the problem.
Keng still affected him too easily. One kiss. One apology. One look. And suddenly the walls Ping had spent years building around himself started cracking apart again.
"I'm scared," Ping admitted quietly, almost too soft to hear.
"If I fall again... I don't know if I can survive it."
Keng stepped closer this time. But he still didn't touch him.
"Then don't fall yet," he said.
Ping blinked in surprise.
Keng's eyes stayed fixed on him calmly.
"Walk instead," he continued softly. "Stay angry at me if you want. Push me away when you need to."
A small smile touched his lips.
"I'll still be here."
Ping searched his face carefully. Looking for hesitation. For lies. For signs that Keng might disappear again the moment Ping trusted him completely.
But all he found was sincerity. And somehow- that scared him more.
"You're really annoying," Ping muttered weakly.
Keng smiled immediately.
"I'll take that as progress."
Ping rolled his eyes and turned toward the door quickly before Keng could notice how warm his face felt again.
"I'm going back."
Keng nodded once. "I'll walk you."
"You don't have to," Ping replied automatically, trying to sound unaffected.
Keng's smile softened.
"I know."
And somehow, hearing those words made Ping's heartbeat stumble again.
- They walked back in silence. Not too close. Not too far.
The corridor outside the dorm was quiet, their footsteps soft against the floor. Every now and then, Ping became painfully aware of Keng beside him-the warmth, the familiar scent, the calm presence he had spent so long pretending not to miss. When they finally stopped outside Ping's door, he hesitated.
"P'keng."
Keng looked at him immediately.
"Yes?"
Ping looked away first.
"...Don't ignore me like that again."
For a moment, Keng simply stared at him. Then his expression softened completely.
"I won't."
Ping nodded once before slipping inside quickly and shutting the door behind him.
Outside, Keng remained there for a long moment. His fingers brushed lightly against his lips. And he smiled.
-
The next afternoon during lunch, Ping sat at his desk staring blankly at his notebook. He wasn't reading. Wasn't writing. His fingers absentmindedly brushed over his lips once... then again.
Behind him, Rain suddenly leaned over the back of his chair dramatically.
"You keep touching your lips," Rain said suspiciously.
"What exactly have you been doing with them?"
Ping nearly choked. .
"What are you talking about?"
Rain's grin widened immediately.
"And don't think I didn't notice you sneaking out last night," he continued teasingly.
"Where did you go?"
Ping shot him a warning glare.
"Mind your business, Rain."
Rain laughed.
"As usual. But seriously... what did senior handsome do to you?"
"You-" Ping started speaking before stopping abruptly.
Across the room, Keng stood with Tao, Bank, and Jinn. Talking quietly. Laughing softly. And very obviously looking in Ping's direction.
Ping immediately looked away.
Too late.
Tao noticed first and snorted quietly.
"Our friend definitely did something," he said.
Jinn tilted his head thoughtfully.
"He's been smiling all morning," he added.
Bank crossed his arms with amusement.
"Ping's absolutely giving in this time."
Keng didn't deny it. He simply kept his eyes fixed on Ping.
Back at the desk, Rain followed Ping's gaze and burst out laughing softly.
"...Yeah," he teased.
"You're not even trying to hide it anymore."
Ping grabbed his pen aggressively.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Sure."
Before Ping could argue further, a familiar presence stopped beside his desk.
Keng.
Ping felt him there before he even looked up.
"You're distracted," Keng said quietly.
"I'm not," Ping answered too quickly.
Keng leaned down slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make Ping's heartbeat stutter again.
"You are."
Rain immediately raised both hands dramatically.
"Okay, okay," he said, standing up.
"I suddenly feel like a third wheel."
"Rain," Ping warned.
Rain ignored him completely.
"I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
"We are not-"
Rain disappeared before Ping could finish yelling.
Silence settled briefly.
Ping refused to look up, cursing at Rain internally.
Keng could only smile at the cute one in front of him.