Wish I Were - Qinter (Human) AU

3

Qibli PoV:

Since Moon had always technically been part of the friend group, life shouldn't have seemed so different. I mean, it would be the same people I hung out with practically everyday, no changes there.

"Well if it isn't Jade's newest lovebirds." Kinkajou exclaimed when Winter and Moon showed up at our usual study table in the library. I tried not to stare at their intertwined hands, trying not to notice how tightly Moon was clutching Winter's hand.

"Everyone's here? Good, let's start." Turtle said, looking up from his laptop with a start and clicking repeatedly with his mouse.

"Tuuurttle, aren't you gonna comment?" Kinkajou drawled, gesturing to the two.

Turtle glanced skeptically over the rim of his glasses at Kinkajou, then at Moon and Winter, and looked back at his screen without a word. Kinkajou huffed and sat back in her chair, lifting her knees to rest on the table.

I shrugged at her, then opened my own laptop to my character sheet, eager to begin the session and distract myself for a few hours.

By the time the librarians kicked us out, it was nearly 1:45 AM and we had been laughing about fish for the past hour and a half. Suffice to say we hadn't made much progress in the campaign.

"Oh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu- we have a test tomorrow in World Historyyyy" Kinkajou drawled on our way across the parking lot.

"We'll have to persevere Kinkajou." Winter gave Kinkajou a unenthusiastic pat on the head.

Kinkajou groaned. "Do you think it's a bad idea to study all night and not sleep? Or would Professor Webs kill me with bad grades?

"Yes, yes it is Kinkajou. And he so would." Moon rolled her eyes affectionately. "Why didn't you study beforehand?"

"Cus I was adding people to my character's backstory and also finishing a paper for Literature."

"I studied, I could quiz you quickly beforehand." Winter said.

"Omigosh PLEASEEEEEE THAT WOULD BE GREAT THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOUUU" Kinkajou said, shaking Winter's shoulder.

"Hey, only I get to say that, Kinkajou." Moon said, her expression suddenly much more stony than two seconds before.

"What? 'I love you' to Winter? You know it's only platonic, sheesh." Kinkajou huffed. "He's not even my type."

"Should I... be offended by that?" Winter mused.

"No." both Moon and Kinkajou said at the same time. Winter looked between the two quizzically.

"Anyways." Moon flipped her hair over her shoulder. "When's the next study sesh? We've got some projects coming up and I know for a fact that Turtle is going to procrastinate."

"Hrrghhh don't remind me." Turtle shifted his laptop back strap. "I swear one of these days I'm going to strangle that old ulcer-riddled excuse for a History teacher."

"Oh don't say that." I mocked being appalled. "Isn't he like- related to your parents or something?"

"What? No no no, absolutely no relation. He's just- y'know, he's well-known where I come from." Turtle shrugged.

"He's not the best teacher." Moon added. "Be glad you don't have his class."

"Duly noted." I replied.

"Welp! This is our stop." Kinkajou stretched hr arms over her head. "Moon, you coming?"

"Oh I-" She looked between Kinkajou and Winter. "I- I guess I am."

"Cool cool. Don't get lost, kids! See you when I see you." Kinkajou gave us a wave and began to saunter away, humming an off-key tune. Moon followed behind hesitantly, looking back at Winter once or twice.

I glanced at Winter, who still had his hand up in a half-wave. His face held a conflicted expression, but whatever it was must not have been very important, because he began to walk away towards our dorms.

"Yo, wait up." I called, jogging to catch up. Turtle followed behind us at a distance, looking at something on his phone.

We walked in silence for about two seconds before Turtle suddenly said "Oh shit I'm going in the wrong direction." and turned around to speedrun towards where Kinkajou and Moon were standing at the front of their dorm, looking at him with obvious confusion (Moon) and amusement (Kinkajou).

"I hate how transphobic this college is." I muttered.

"Agreed." Winter sighed.