FLAMES - A KimChay AU

seven

The next day, the air around the campus seemed to hum with the stress of exams fast approaching. The usual chatter in the halls was replaced with quiet murmurs and the sound of students frantically flipping through textbooks.

In the campus café, Chay sat with his friends, Sky and Rain, at a corner table, all huddled around their textbooks. They had decided to take a break from the chaos of study sessions by grabbing some coffee and a quiet space to focus.

But despite the piles of notes in front of him, Chay's mind kept drifting, especially back to that stupid FLAMES game. He couldn’t help it. His cheeks flushed every time he remembered Rain’s relentless teasing. The words LOVE kept echoing in his head. And, despite what he told himself a part of him kept wondering if there was any truth to it.

"Chay" Sky said, his voice calm but sharp enough to pull Chay out of his thoughts. "Are you seriously thinking about that dumb game?"

Chay froze, a deep flush creeping up his neck. “What? No, I’m not” he stammered, quickly looking away.

Sky raised an eyebrow, giving Chay a skeptical look. “Really? You don’t look like you’re not thinking about it.” He smirked, leaning back in his chair. “Come on, Chay. Don’t tell me you're actually believing that thing”

Chay immediately shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. “It’s just a game, Sky. You know that”

Rain, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, couldn’t resist joining in. “See? Even Sky’s starting to believe me! The game’s magic is real, Chay. It’s telling the truth!”

Chay groaned and slammed his hand lightly on the table, his face red. “ But it’s impossible! Love? With Kim? Look, we’re not even that close. The last time we talked was when I asked him to teach me music... and guitar!” He threw his hands up in frustration. “It’s nothing, guys.You’re all overreacting!”

Rain’s grin widened, sensing Chay’s discomfort. “You’re really good at denying, Chay. But I can see it! It’s right there on your face!”

Sky laughed softly, enjoying the playful back-and-forth. "You know Chay, you don’t look that unaffected. In fact, you’re totally red"

“I’m not!” Chay shot back, his voice getting higher. But the blush on his face betrayed him.

Rain leaned closer to Chay, his voice lowering dramatically, “Oh, come on. You totally like him, don’t you?”

Chay opened his mouth to argue, but before he could respond, the door to the café jingled, announcing someone’s arrival. Sky and Rain both turned toward the sound, their eyes drawn to it.

A playful grin spread across Rain's face as he nudged Chay. "Speaking of the devil... look who’s here"

Chay’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked up to see Kim and Phayu entering the café, walking side by side. The two of them were talking casually, laughing at something. As they came closer to the counter, Kim looked around, his gaze landing on the group. His expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something—was it recognition? Interest?

Rain smirked, his voice dropping to a teasing tone. “Chay, look. They’re coming this way... and it looks like P'Phayu’s with Kim today”

Chay froze. His heart raced, and his throat went dry. He hadn’t imagined that Kim would show up here. The sight of him made something stir in Chay, something that felt like warmth but also unease.

Sky, noticing Chay’s sudden stillness, grinned. “Chay, You look like you’ve seen a ghost”

Chay barely heard him. He was too busy trying to keep his cool as Kim and Phayu approached their table. Chay’s pulse quickened as they got closer.

Kim, with his usual calm attitude, nodded in their direction, while Phayu flashed a friendly grin. “Hey, guys. Mind if we join you?” Phayu asked, his voice was warm but teasing.

Rain, always quick to react especially when it came to Phayu, leaned back in his chair with a playful smirk. "Sure, why not? It’s not like we’re busy torturing Chay with his feelings or anything"

Chay nearly choked on his breath, his face burning even brighter. Kim glanced at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. But Chay could feel the weight of it, the way Kim’s quiet attention made him more aware of his own discomfort.

As the two of them took seats, the tension in the air thickened. Sky looked at Chay, a teasing glint in his eyes, while Rain leaned in, whispering just loud enough for Chay to hear “Well, Chay... looks like the game just got a little more complicated”

Chay didn’t have time to respond before Phayu’s voice cut through the moment “So, what are you guys studying for? Exams?”

Chay's heart skipped a beat, but he tried to keep his voice steady. "Yeah... exams" he replied quickly, still not entirely sure how to act with Kim sitting so close.

Phayu grinned, looking between the group. “Well, I’m sure you all are fine. You’re the smartest bunch I know, especially you” He chuckled and glanced at Rain, though Chay noticed how Phayu’s eyes kept flicking between him and Kim, as if he were waiting for something.

The conversation continued, but Chay found it hard to focus. His thoughts kept getting tangled between the awkwardness of the game and the reality of the people around him. The air felt different, like something was about to change.

As they talked, Chay noticed Kim’s eyes occasionally glancing at him, and Kim kept looking at Phayu, like they were silently communicating, urging him to make a move.

Finally, Kim turned to him and asked "When will you be free?”

The question hit Chay harder than he expected, leaving him suddenly tense. The tension between them was thick, and Chay wasn’t sure how to respond.

When did everything get so complicated? he thought, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him.