After dinner, the group slowly began heading back to their rooms, laughter fading into tired yawns.
"Baby, you must be exhausted," Keng said, eyes soft as they settled on Ping. "I'll carry you to the room."
Ping's ears instantly turned red. "P'Keng… people are still here," he whispered, tugging lightly at Keng's sleeve.
"Oh?" Keng leaned closer, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "Then let's hurry back to the room so no one sees us."
"Oooooiii!" Tao exclaimed dramatically, wiping imaginary tears. "It hasn't even been one day since you two started dating. Do you want to kill us with sweetness?"
"Senior handsome, go easy on my friend," Rain added with a laugh.
"Not you too," Ping groaned, embarrassed, making everyone burst out laughing again.
One by one, they all headed off, still teasing as they disappeared into their rooms.
Back in the room, Ping stopped just at the entrance, standing awkwardly.
"Are we doing this again?" Keng asked, amused. "Why are you freezing at the door?"
"Well…" Ping hesitated, fingers twisting together.
Keng sighed softly and stepped closer, his voice gentle. "Don't listen to what those guys say. I told you—I won't touch you unless you want me to."
Ping relaxed slightly.
"I'll shower first," Keng said, grabbing his clothes.
When Ping finally stepped into the room, Keng was nowhere in sight. He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding—only for it to get caught again moments later.
"I'm done," Keng said casually.
Ping turned—and instantly froze.
Keng stood there with a towel hanging low around his waist, hair damp, skin still glistening slightly. Ping's brain shut down.
He turned his head away so fast it almost hurt. "P–P'Keng!" he muttered, face burning.
Keng chuckled and stepped closer, gently pulling Ping into his arms.
"We're boyfriends now," he murmured. "You'll have to get used to seeing me like this."
"Phi—" Ping tried to speak, failed completely, then bolted straight into the bathroom. "I-I'll shower too!"
From outside, Keng only smiled to himself, shaking his head.
Cute, he thought. Way too cute.
Calm down, Ping… calm down, he told himself, splashing water lightly on his face.
"Gosh, why is he so damn handsome?" Ping muttered, his cheeks heating up as the image replayed in his head.
"OMG, what am I even thinking?" he whispered, shaking his head as if that would chase the thoughts away.
When he finally stepped out of the bathroom, the room was quiet. Keng was already on the bed, fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady.
Ping carefully lay down beside him, turning slightly to face him. Even asleep, Keng looked unfairly handsome—long lashes resting against his cheeks, lips slightly parted.
"Aren't I lucky… to be his boyfriend," Ping murmured softly.
Without realizing it, his fingers lifted, tracing the air just above Keng's face. His hand drifted lower, hovering hesitantly, memories of earlier flashing through his mind.
Then—
Keng's eyes opened.
"You want to touch it?" Keng said lazily, voice thick with sleep.
Ping gasped and instantly sat up. "P–P'Keng! You're awake," he blurted, completely ignoring the question.
"I… I was just—" He stammered, words refusing to cooperate.
Before he could finish, Keng gently caught Ping's hand and placed it against his stomach.
"Here," Keng murmured. "I'm yours. You can touch me anytime."
The softness in his voice made Ping's heart skip.
"R… really?" Ping asked quietly.
Keng nodded, eyes already slipping half-closed again.
Given permission, Ping carefully let his fingers move, tracing the firm lines beneath his palm, more in admiration than anything else.
"Perfect," he whispered without thinking.
Keng smiled faintly. "I know. And you have all of it to yourself."
He lifted Ping's chin so their eyes met, just for a second.
Ping smiled back, shy and bright.
"Sleep," Keng said gently.
Ping settled down again—but this time, Keng pulled him closer without opening his eyes.
Ping didn't resist. He simply wrapped his arms around Keng, fitting perfectly against him, and let sleep take him too.
"I'll sleep on the bed. You can take the couch," Rain said, already moving away, his tone firm as if there was no room for argument.
"Oh… okay," Jinn replied easily.
Rain paused for half a second, surprised.
Jinn didn't complain. Didn't tease. He simply picked up the things he needed and lay down on the couch without another word.
He's not bickering with me… Rain thought, frowning slightly.
For some reason, the silence felt heavier than if they had argued. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling oddly unsettled. He wasn't sure why—but seeing Jinn this quiet made his chest feel strange.
"You should sleep," Jinn said calmly from the couch.
Rain turned his head.
"Good night, Rain. Sleep well," Jinn added, lifting his head slightly to look at him.
Their eyes met.
Rain felt it again—that weird tight feeling in his chest.
"Good night," he replied, pretending not to care as he turned his back to Jinn.
But even with his eyes closed, Rain knew one thing clearly.
Sleep wasn't coming anytime soon.
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, landing softly on Ping's face.
Keng stirred and noticed it immediately. He shifted closer and lifted his hand, shielding Ping's eyes from the light.
But Ping was already half-awake.
When he felt the shadow fall over his face, his eyes fluttered open—and the first thing he saw was Keng.
"Good morning, Ping," Keng whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"Good morning, Phi," Ping replied, smiling sleepily.
Keng brushed Ping's hair aside. "What do you want to do today? It's our last day here."
Ping thought for a moment. "Nothing special. I just want to have fun in the water."
"Alright," Keng said fondly. "Let's shower and go for breakfast first."
Ping nodded.
After getting ready, they stepped out together—only to find everyone already seated at the table, clearly waiting.
Tao grinned. "Ping, you've been staring at Keng the whole time. Is he that handsome?"
Ping froze, flustered. "Since we're done eating I—I'll go play in the water," he said quickly, grabbing Rain's wrist and dragging him away.
Then he stopped.
He turned back suddenly. "He's my boyfriend. Why can't I stare at him?"
And with that, he ran off.
Everyone at the table went quiet.
"…Wow," Tao said slowly. "Keng, what did you do to him last night? He's completely in love."
"None of your business," Keng replied calmly, though the smile on his face said everything.
Rain caught up to Ping by the water. "So bold now, huh?" he teased. "You couldn't even look him in the eyes before."
"Shut up," Ping muttered, embarrassed.
"What about you,You can't even take your eyes off him. And you clearly look like someone that didn't get to sleep all night"
"What are you talking about—!" Rain suddenly pushed Ping into the water playfully.
"Hey!" Ping splashed back. "You wanna start a war?"
They laughed, splashing each other as they played in the water, carefree and loud.
From a distance, Keng and the others watched.
Tao sighed. "If only we could stay longer."
"This isn't your hotel," Bank said, laughing. "You can't live here."
"Asshole," Tao muttered.
But no one missed the way Keng kept his eyes on Ping—soft, steady, and full of warmth.