Crossing Fates

Chapter 14: Unraveling the Threads

The next few days brought a fresh sense of determination to the group. They were closer than ever to uncovering the truth about the shadowy figures lurking around campus, and while the tension simmered beneath the surface, Pond and his friends kept their spirits high with humor and lighthearted moments. After all, they were in this together—no matter how bizarre things got.

That afternoon, Pond and Phuwin found themselves lounging on the grassy hill near the art building, enjoying the late afternoon sun. It was a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos that had taken over their lives recently. Phuwin was sketching, his pencil gliding effortlessly across the paper, while Pond stretched out beside him, basking in the warmth of the sun.

"I missed this," Pond said, his voice relaxed.

Phuwin glanced up from his sketch. "Missed what?"

"Just... being able to relax with you," Pond replied, turning his head to look at Phuwin. "No mystery, no shadows, no running around trying to figure out who's behind all the creepy stuff happening on campus."

Phuwin smiled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We'll get to the bottom of it eventually. But for now, I'm happy just being here with you."

Pond's heart swelled at Phuwin's words. He loved how Phuwin could take something as simple as sitting together and turn it into something meaningful. He reached over, gently tugging at Phuwin's sleeve.

"Hey," Pond said, his voice playful. "Take a break. You've been drawing for hours."

Phuwin raised an eyebrow, amused. "You say that like I don't enjoy it."

"I know you do," Pond said, scooting closer, "but I think you'll enjoy this more."

Before Phuwin could respond, Pond leaned in, brushing his lips against Phuwin's. The kiss was soft, slow—an unspoken reminder that even in the midst of chaos, they had each other. Phuwin responded just as gently, his hand coming up to cradle the back of Pond's neck as the kiss deepened.

Pond's pulse quickened as Phuwin pulled him closer, their bodies fitting together seamlessly. It wasn't rushed or hurried, but there was an intensity simmering beneath the surface—an urgency that came from knowing how fleeting moments like this could be.

Phuwin broke the kiss first, but his lips lingered close to Pond's, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them. "You're right," Phuwin murmured, his voice a little breathless. "I do enjoy this more."

Pond grinned, his heart racing. "Told you."

They stayed close for a few more moments, enjoying the simple comfort of being together before the world demanded their attention again.

Joong and Dunk's Investigation

On the other side of campus, Joong and Dunk were in the middle of what Joong liked to call "Phase Two" of their undercover investigation. This time, they were staking out the student union building, which had become a popular spot for late-night meetings among some of the more suspicious figures on campus.

"I still think we should be doing this at night," Joong muttered as they sat at one of the outdoor tables, pretending to study.

Dunk didn't even look up from his notebook. "We'd stick out like sore thumbs if we did that."

Joong sighed dramatically. "Where's your sense of adventure, Dunk?"

"I left it at home," Dunk replied dryly, flipping to the next page of his notebook. "We're more likely to get caught sneaking around at night. This way, we blend in."

Joong huffed but didn't argue. He knew Dunk was right, but it didn't stop him from wanting to go all out with their investigation. After all, the more dramatic the plan, the more fun it was.