"Campus Hearts: The Beginning"

Chapter 5: The Beach Escape

The final day of Freshy Camp dawned bright and clear, with the sun shining high in the sky and a gentle breeze blowing through the campgrounds. Excitement was palpable as the freshies and facilitators prepared for their trip to the nearby beach-a tradition that marked the end of the camp. It was a chance for everyone to relax and unwind after days of intense activities.

As the buses pulled up to the beach, the freshies erupted into cheers, eager to dive into the water and soak up the sun. The facilitators, though just as excited, kept a watchful eye on their charges, making sure everyone was safe and accounted for.

Daou and Offroad were assigned to the same section of the beach, overseeing a group of freshies who were already splashing in the waves and building sandcastles. They exchanged a brief, charged glance, the tension from the previous night still simmering beneath the surface.

"Looks like they're having fun," Daou commented, his gaze following a group of freshies who were racing along the shoreline.

Offroad nodded, his eyes on the water. "Yeah. It's nice to see them unwind after all the activities."

They fell into a comfortable silence, watching the freshies from a distance. Despite the easy atmosphere, there was an undercurrent of something much more intense between them-something neither could ignore.

As the morning wore on, the beach became a hub of activity. The freshies played games, swam, and lounged on the sand, soaking in the last day of camp. The facilitators mingled among them, joining in on the fun while keeping an eye on things.

Eventually, the freshies began to scatter, some heading off to explore the nearby rocks, others drifting toward the beachside café for a bite to eat. Daou and Offroad found themselves alone, their friends occupied with their own groups.

Daou glanced around, making sure they weren't being watched, before leaning in closer to Offroad. "Wanna take a walk?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

Offroad hesitated, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves in his stomach. But something in Daou's eyes, a mix of challenge and genuine interest, drew him in. Without a word, he nodded, and they started walking along the beach, the waves gently lapping at their feet.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sounds the distant chatter of the freshies and the rhythmic crash of the waves. The farther they walked, the more secluded the beach became, until they reached a stretch of sand that was almost completely deserted, shielded by a cluster of rocks.

Daou stopped, turning to face Offroad. The intensity in his gaze was unmistakable, and it sent a shiver down Offroad's spine.

"Offroad," Daou began, his voice husky. "I can't keep pretending I don't want you. I've tried to be patient, to give you space, but... I can't fight this anymore."

Offroad's heart raced as Daou's words washed over him. The raw honesty in Daou's voice, combined with the heat in his gaze, broke down the last of his defenses. All the confusion, the denial, the frustration-it all melted away, leaving only one undeniable truth.

He wanted Daou just as badly.

Without thinking, Offroad closed the distance between them, pressing his lips to Daou's in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was a clash of need and desire, a release of all the tension that had been building between them for so long.

Daou responded immediately, wrapping his arms around Offroad and pulling him close. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, lost in each other.

The kiss deepened, growing more urgent as their hands roamed over each other's bodies, exploring, claiming. Offroad could feel the heat radiating from Daou's skin, could taste the salt of the sea on his lips.