By Your Side ✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 15

The tension between Perth and Santa had been building for days. Ever since the argument about Aou, Santa had grown increasingly annoyed with Perth’s overprotective behavior. He couldn’t understand why Perth felt the need to control every aspect of his life. This was university—his chance to experience independence, to make his own decisions, and to live freely. Santa had thought that once he entered Chulalongkorn University, Perth would ease up. He had hoped the older boy would finally see him as capable of managing himself. But he was wrong. Perth’s protectiveness only seemed to intensify, making Santa feel smothered.

Santa avoided Perth at every opportunity. When Perth waited by his car in the mornings, hoping to drive Santa and Fourth to their faculty, Santa would grab Fourth’s wrist and insist they walk instead. Fourth tried to mediate, but Santa was stubborn. “Ta, you can’t keep ignoring phi Perth,” Fourth said one morning as they made their way across campus. “You know you can’t avoid him forever. You’re in the same university, for crying out loud.”

Santa sighed but didn’t respond. His frustration with Perth was too strong to entertain Fourth’s suggestion.

Meanwhile, Perth was in his dorm room, lost in thought. Est’s words from a few days ago echoed in his mind. “Do you see Santa as your brother or… something more?” Est had asked. Perth had dismissed the idea outright, but the question lingered. He couldn’t understand why everyone seemed to have a problem with his protectiveness. He had always been this way. Ever since they were kids, he had watched over Santa like a hawk, ensuring no harm came to him. To Perth, it was just his nature. But Est’s warning about Santa possibly reaching his breaking point made him uneasy. Was he really crossing a line? Was he pushing Santa further away with his actions? Perth sighed and rubbed his temples, unable to find any satisfying answers.

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Santa was at his locker, putting away his textbooks while Fourth scrolled through his phone beside him. Their two other friends, Chokun and Aston, had left earlier to grab a snack at the faculty café. Once Santa was done, he and Fourth exited the faculty building.

To their surprise, Gemini was waiting outside on his motorcycle, leaning casually against it with a smile. Santa smirked and nudged Fourth. “Well, well, phi Gem. Here to see Fourth?” 

Fourth immediately swatted Santa’s arm. “Shut up, Ta,” he muttered, his cheeks turning pink.

Gemini chuckled, stepping closer. “Actually, yes, I am here to see Fourth.”

Fourth blinked in surprise. “What’s up, phi? Do you need something?”

Gemini smiled mysteriously. “You’re done with class for the day, right?”

Both Santa and Fourth nodded.

“Great. Can I take you somewhere?” Gemini asked, his tone playful.

“Where?” Fourth asked cautiously.

“It’s a secret,” Gemini replied with a smirk. “So, can I?”

Fourth glanced at Santa, who gave him an encouraging nod and a wide grin. “Go on,” Santa teased.

Fourth rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his small smile. “Alright, phi.”

Gemini smiled and fetched a helmet, carefully placing it on Fourth’s head. The two then hopped onto the motorcycle and sped off, leaving Santa behind.

Santa shook his head and chuckled to himself. “Ah, young love,” he muttered as he started walking toward the dorms.

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