It had been a few weeks since that night at the overlook, and Beam found himself thinking about Forth more often than he cared to admit. Their “arrangement” had started off simple, but now it felt like there was something more beneath the surface — something Beam wasn’t sure he was ready to face.
It didn’t help that Forth seemed to be everywhere lately, showing up at his dorm unannounced or waiting for him after class. Beam wasn’t used to having someone so present in his life. As much as he tried to act nonchalant about it, he knew that Forth’s quiet intensity was slowly chipping away at his defenses.
One evening, after a long day of classes, Beam was sitting in his dorm, flipping through his notes, when there was a knock on the door. He already knew who it was before he opened it.
Forth stood there, his expression unreadable as always. “Busy?” he asked.
Beam leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms with a grin. “Depends. What’s in it for me?”
Forth raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You coming or not?”
With a dramatic sigh, Beam grabbed his jacket and followed Forth outside. They walked in comfortable silence, Forth leading him to the usual spot — the quiet overlook where they could see the city lights stretching out below them.
Beam leaned against the railing, waiting for Forth to say something. But Forth just stood beside him, staring out over the city.
After a long pause, Beam broke the silence. “You know, if you wanted company, you could have just texted me. No need for the silent treatment.”
Forth smirked. “You’re one to talk about silence. Half the time you’re a mystery yourself.”
Beam laughed, nudging Forth’s shoulder. “Mystery? Please. I’m an open book. Just ask my fan club.”
Forth gave him a sidelong glance. “I’m not interested in what everyone else sees.”
There was a sudden tension in the air, a shift that made Beam’s usual cocky grin fade. For the first time, he felt like Forth was seeing through the mask he wore, glimpsing the person he tried so hard to hide.
“You really want to know who I am?” Beam’s voice was quieter than usual, almost hesitant.
Forth didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out, his hand brushing against Beam’s shoulder in a gesture that was both comforting and unsettling.
“Maybe I already do,” he said softly.
---
**Unraveling the Facade**
That night marked a turning point in their relationship. Beam tried to go back to his usual routine, to keep things casual and light, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. Forth was no longer just an ally or a convenient shield — he was becoming a constant in Beam’s life, a presence that was both comforting and unnerving.
One afternoon, as they were studying in the library together, Beam noticed Forth looking at him with an expression he couldn’t quite read. It wasn’t the usual smirk or teasing grin — it was something softer, something that made Beam’s heart race.
“What?” Beam asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Forth shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “Just wondering what’s going on in that head of yours.”
Beam rolled his eyes, feigning annoyance. “You think too much, Forth. Relax a little.”
But Forth didn’t look away. “Maybe. But I’d still like to know.”
For a moment, Beam considered deflecting, making a joke like he always did. But something about Forth’s steady gaze made him pause. He realized, with a jolt of surprise, that he wanted to open up, to let Forth see the parts of himself he usually kept hidden.
“I guess… I just don’t get close to people easily,” Beam admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’s easier to keep things on the surface, you know?”
Forth nodded, his expression understanding. “I get that. But sometimes… it’s worth letting someone in.”
Beam looked down, his heart pounding. He hadn’t expected Forth to be so patient, so willing to see beyond the surface. It was unsettling and comforting all at once, and it left him feeling more vulnerable than he’d felt in a long time.
---
**Crossing the Line**
As their friendship — or whatever it was — deepened, Beam found himself spending more and more time with Forth. They studied together, ate meals together, and even attended campus events side by side. The other students noticed, of course, and rumors began to spread.
One evening, as they were walking back to Beam’s dorm, they ran into Kit and Pha. Kit raised an eyebrow, looking between them with a knowing grin.
“So… you two have been spending a lot of time together,” Kit said, nudging Beam playfully.
Beam rolled his eyes, but there was a faint blush on his cheeks. “We’re just friends. Relax.”
Pha chuckled, crossing his arms. “Friends, huh? Because from where we’re standing, it looks a lot like something more.”
Forth just shrugged, his expression calm. “What we are is between us,” he said, his tone even.
The words hung in the air, and Beam felt his heart skip a beat. He knew Forth was right — what they had was their own business. But hearing Forth say it out loud, so calmly and confidently, made it feel more real somehow.
After they said goodbye to Kit and Pha, Beam turned to Forth, his gaze serious. “You know… people are going to keep talking.”
Forth shrugged again, a faint smile on his lips. “Let them.”
Beam felt a surge of warmth at Forth’s words. It was rare for him to feel so understood, so accepted for who he was. For the first time, he wondered if maybe, just maybe, he could let go of his fears and let someone in.
But even as the thought crossed his mind, a nagging doubt lingered. Beam had always been the type to keep people at a distance, to protect himself from getting hurt. Letting Forth in would mean risking everything — and Beam wasn’t sure if he was ready for that.
---
**The First Kiss**
One evening, after a late-night study session, Forth walked Beam back to his dorm. They stood outside the building, neither of them quite ready to say goodbye.
“Thanks for tonight,” Beam said softly, his gaze meeting Forth’s.
Forth smiled, his expression warm. “Anytime.”
For a moment, they just stood there, caught in a comfortable silence. Beam felt his heart pounding, his mind racing with thoughts he wasn’t ready to confront. Before he could stop himself, he took a step closer, closing the distance between them.
And then, without thinking, he leaned in, his lips brushing against Forth’s in a gentle, tentative kiss.
The world seemed to stop, the noise of the campus fading into the background as they stood there, lost in each other. Beam’s heart was racing, his mind spinning with emotions he couldn’t put into words.
When they finally pulled away, Beam looked up at Forth, his expression a mixture of surprise and vulnerability.
“I… I didn’t mean to…” he stammered, his face turning red.
Forth just smiled, his gaze soft. “You don’t have to explain,” he said quietly. “I wanted it too.”
Beam felt a surge of relief, a warmth spreading through his chest. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he didn’t have to hide, didn’t have to pretend. With Forth, he could just be himself — flaws and all.
---
Tbc
YOU ARE READING
Through the Noise
RomanceBeam Baramee is known as the charming, carefree Casanova of the medical faculty. He's the kind of guy who can win over anyone with his smile, but when it comes to commitment, he's a master of evasion. That is, until one unforgettable night. A chance...
