falling in love

Pond lounged back on his dorm couch like a prince waiting for his servant.

“Joong, buy me a drink,” he said, waving a lazy hand.

Joong didn’t even look up.

He lifted one finger.... the middle finger and pointed it directly at Pond’s face.

Aou burst out laughing. “That’s a no, Your Highness.”

Pond rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Just hurry.”

Joong stood, stretching. “If I die from walking all the way to the canteen, tell my mother Pond is responsible.”

“Noted,” Satang said.

Joong left the dorm and headed down to the university canteen. He grabbed a bottle from the fridge of the campus shop and turned to walk back…

…and slammed chest-first into someone.

“Whoa....!”

The boy he crashed into lost balance, feet slipping backwards

But Joong’s arm shot forward on instinct, looping around the boy’s waist and pulling him in close.

So close their bodies pressed together.

Dunk froze.

Joong froze.

For a moment, the entire hallway went soundless.

Joong could hear Dunk’s heartbeat fast...

Dunk could hear Joong’s.... equally fast.

Their faces were inches apart.

Dunk’s eyes widened, stunned.

Joong’s breath caught for reasons he absolutely did not want to analyze.

They stared for way too long.

Then Dunk blinked sharply and stepped out of Joong’s hold, clearing his throat.

Joong rubbed the back of his neck, eyes suddenly unable to stay still.

“S-sorry. I didn’t see you.”

Dunk nodded shyly, not meeting his eyes.

“It’s okay… just surprised me.”

Then Dunk practically speed-walked away, ears red.

Joong stood there for a second longer, blinking like he’d just witnessed his own origin story.

He shook himself and headed back to the dorm.

Inside, he tossed the drink onto Pond’s lap.

“There. Don’t ask me again.”

Pond took the drink without looking up. “Why do you look weird?”

Joong sat down, totally silent.

Aou narrowed his eyes.

Satang leaned forward.

Pond paused mid-sip.

Joong’s face was blank ... but his smile was trying to escape, like a criminal.

Aou smirked. “Joong found someone who can make his heart skip a beat.”

Joong’s head snapped up. “What - NO- I - It’s nothing.”

Satang crossed his arms. “Who?”

Joong stared at the floor for a moment, wrestling with his own brain.

Finally, quietly, he mumbled,

“…Maybe… Dunk.”

A moment of silence.

Then ---

“OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

All three yelled in perfect harmony.

Joong covered his face with both hands. “Shut up, all of you.”

Aou snorted. “My man fell in love in the hallway.”

Satang nodded dramatically. “Campus romance speedrun.”

Pond didn’t say anything.

He just smirked.

Because Pond wasn’t thinking about Dunk.

Or Joong.

He was thinking about someone else entirely.

He leaned back, whispering under his breath,

“See you soon…”

His smirk sharpened, amused.

Because if Joong liked Dunk…

There was no doubt they would meet again.

Which meant Pond would be seeing Phuwin.

Again and again.

And the idea made him a little too happy.

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