SOTUS: The University Days (and Other Universes)

Little Things

 

The first time it happens, it's unintentional.

He doesn't show it, but Arthit always feels a certain kind of happiness after spending time with his boyfriend. Tonight, they ate their dinner together in his room, and he tutored Kongpob for his exam. While the tutoring session got prolonged because of Kongpob's stolen kisses and their usual bickering, Arthit is confident that Kongpob will pass it. He sent Kongpob home with another kiss, uncharacteristically initiated by him.

Ready to go to bed, he takes one last look at the room across his porch. The lights are still on. His wall clock says 12:02. Why is Kongpob still up?

He's grabbing his phone from his table to text his boyfriend when he hears a soft knock on his door. Then, he hears Kongpob's voice from behind it, so Arthit opens it in no time.

"Why are you back?"

"I forgot my notebook, P'Arthit. I'm sorry."

"Oh." Arthit turns to look at the table where his TV is on, and there it is, Kongpob's notebook.

"Do you really need this now? It's already late. You shouldn't be out by this time. Haven't you heard of the student that was robbed and mauled by gangsters?" Arthit sighs heavily. "I'll walk you back to your dorm."

"P', there's no need. My dorm is just there. I also don't want you to return alone."

"No. I don't want you walking alone again this late."

Kongpob frowns at him but doesn't say anything.

Arthit looks around. "Uhm. Sleep here tonight. Do you have anything else to do?"

Kongpob's frown turned into a wide smile after realizing he'll spend the rest of the night with his boyfriend. He nods with enthusiasm of a child. "I have nothing else to do."

Arthit steps inside and lets Kongpob in. "Okay. We'll go to university together tomorrow anyway."

"Thank you, P'Arthit."

"Hey, no funny business okay?"

"Okay!" Kongpob pokes his side repeatedly. "But I want to hug you when you sleep."

Arthit wants to protest, but he immediately realizes he'd like it too. "Fine. Just a hug."

"Just a hug."

~

The next time it happens, Kongpob tries his luck.

Arthit is already half asleep when he knocks.

"Kongpob?" Arthit's voice is groggy, and the bed has already made a mess of his hair.

"I left my highlighter."

"Huh?" He looks at the time. "It's almost 1 am. Why do you need a highlighter at this time?"

"I'm reviewing, P'. The exam is tomorrow."

Arthit clicks his tongue. "I told you it will be easy. Why are you so nervous about it?"

Actually, Kongpob isn't nervous about the exam. He doesn't even need a highlighter right now. So he doesn't have an answer to his boyfriend's question.

After letting out a deep sigh, Arthit grabs Kongpob's wrist and pulls him inside. "I told you not to walk alone outside late at night. Sleep here tonight. The exam will be easy. No need to pull an all-nighter for it."