Chapter Text
Morning arrives slowly.
Perth wakes up first, though he doesn’t move right away.
For a moment, he’s suspended somewhere still between sleep and consciousness, warm and comfortable.
The room is quiet, pale morning light slipping through the gap in the curtains and stretching across the bedsheets.
The air is still. Outside, somewhere far below the dorm windows, a car passes along the street. Someone down the hall shuts a door, the sound muffled by the walls.
Perth just breathes deep, taking it all in. He shifts slightly, and something warm shifts beside him. The warmth presses closer for a second, like whoever it belongs to is unconsciously chasing the heat.
Perth’s eyes open, turning his head slightly.
It takes a second, and suddenly everything comes back—the conversation, the guitar confession, the coffee, the kiss.
The kiss.
Santa.
The memory arrives gently, like the last piece of a puzzle clicking into place.
Perth turns his head fully, carefully. Santa is still asleep beside him, lying on his back, his head slightly leaned towards Perth, his mouth just the tiniest bit open. One arm is tucked under his jead, the other resting on his stomach. His hair is messy from sleep, falling across his forehead, and his breathing is slow and even. The blanket is pooled loosely around Santa’s waist, his shirt ridding up. .
Perth watches him for a moment. The sight sends a quiet warmth through his chest.
Oh. He thinks, and a small smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.
It feels a little surreal—waking up and seeing Santa there like it’s the most natural thing in the world. He makes a soft noise and shifts a little closer in his sleep, his cheek smooshing against the pillow and his knee brushing Perth’s under the blanket.
He studies Santa’s face. Up close like this, the little details stand out more—his thick eyebrows, long eyelashes. The helix earring dangling from his ear, the way his lips part slightly with each breath.
There’s a softness to him when he sleeps, something unguarded, something beautiful.
Perth realizes he’s staring, but he doesn’t stop. His brain is still a little foggy with sleep, but one thought floats up clearly. He’s here. He stayed.
The realization settles quietly in Perth’s chest, and he smiles.
As if sensing the attention, Santa stirs. His eyelashes flutter first, then his eyelids open slowly, blinking against the morning light. For a second, he looks disoriented, gaze unfocused as he tries to orient himself.
His eyes move around the room slowly. Then they land on Perth.
The confusion fades immediately, replaced with something soft and sleepy. With recognition.
“Morning.” Santa murmurs, voice rough with sleep.
Perth huffs out a quiet laugh. “Morning.”
Santa squints at him slightly, clearly still waking up. He shifts his head slightly on the pillow and rubs his eyes, trying to focus properly. “How long have you been awake?” He asks.
“Like… thirty seconds.” Perth says, and Santa hums softly. The sound is low and sleepy.
They lie there for a moment just looking at each other. It’s strange and new and a little bit surreal.
Perth likes it.
Santa shifts a little closer, sitting up and leaning against the headboard, the blanket rustling quietly between them. Perth follows him, and their knees brush again under the covers.
“Did you sleep okay?” Santa asks.
Perth nods. “Better than I have all semester.” He admits quietly. “You?”
“Yeah.” Santa blushes, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Another small pause settles between them, and Perth suddenly becomes aware of something. His eyes widen slightly, and he pulls back a tiny bit, covering his mouth with his hand.
Santa blinks. “What’s wrong?”
“I have morning breath.” Perth says through his fingers.
Santa stares at him for a moment. His sleepy brain processes the statement. Then he laughs quietly. “That’s okay.”
“It’s not.” Perth insists. His voice is slightly muffled behind his hand.
Santa just shakes his head, amused. “You’re the one who invited me to sleep over. You should have anticipated this.”
“That was before I remembered mornings exist!” Perth exclaims.
Santa shifts closer. The mattress dips slightly with the movement. “I have morning breath too, then. We can just be unhygienic together.”
Perth’s eyes widen more. “Santa—”
But Santa is already smiling, clearly unimpressed with Perth’s concern. “You worry too much.” He mutters.
He grabs Perth’s wrist gently and lowers it, then leans forward and presses a soft kiss to his lips. Perth makes a muffled noise of protest into the kiss, but it lasts about half a second before he gives up and kisses Santa back.
Perth notices sleepy kisses are different. Softer, less coordinated. Just them and the stillness of the early morning.
When they pull apart, Perth groans softly. “That was a terrible decision.”
Santa grins, still half asleep. “Seemed like a good one to me.”
Perth squints at him. “You’re impossible.”
Santa just nudges himself closer under the blankets, their legs tangling together. “Good morning.” He says again, softer this time.
Perth exhales, his earlier embarrassment quickly fading into a quiet smile. “Good morning.”
Santa presses another quick kiss to his lips, the corner of his mouth, his cupid’s bow.
Perth laughs into the kiss, the sound muffled between them. He tries to pull away—not really—but Santa follows him just enough to steal one more quick kisses.
They pull apart only long enough to look at each other before dissolving into quiet giggles, still tangled together under the blankets while the morning light slowly fills the room.
☁︎
The classroom is slowly starting to fill up when Perth and Santa arrive.
Students are scattered around the room in small groups, some rehearsing quietly, others staring nervously at their laptops. The low hum of conversation fills the air, punctuated by the occasional nervous laugh.
They take a seat, and Perth grips the edge of his notes a little tighter than he means to.
Santa notices immediately. “Hey.” He says softly. “Are you nervous?”
Perth exhales slowly. “A little.”
Santa raises an eyebrow. “You’ve already gone through the presentation like four times this morning alone.”
Perth glances down at the pages in his hands. “I know, I’m just… quadruple-checking.”
“You’re spiraling.” Santa corrects gently.
Perth huffs. “I just don’t want to mess this up. I hate presentations.” He mumbles.
Santa leans back in his chair slightly, watching him for a second before reaching over and nudging Perth’s elbow with his own. “You won’t.”
“That’s easy for you to say.” Perth mutters. “You’re great at speaking in front of others. You make it look so natural and… effortless.”
Santa shakes his head. “No, it’s easy for me to say because I’ve watched you work on this all semester.”
Perth glances at him.
Santa’s expression is calm, steady in that way that has started to feel very familiar. “You know this project better than anyone.”
Perth exhales again, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
Across the room, the professor calls the class to attention. “Alright.” He says when it’s their turn. “Next group.”
Perth sits up straighter, and Santa nudges his knee lightly under the desk.
Perth looks over before standing. “You’ve got this.” Santa whispers to him, standing as well, and something in the certainty of it settles Perth’s nerves just enough. He nods.
The presentation itself passes in a blur.
Perth remembers standing at the front of the classroom, the projector light washing the wall behind them. He talks through the opening section, explaining their project, hearing his own voice steadier than he expects.
Santa picks up the next part smoothly beside him, building off what Perth said without missing a beat.
At one point Perth glances out at the room. Most of their classmates are watching the slides or taking notes. But in the third row, Chimon catches his eye. He gives him a small thumbs up, and it makes Perth’s shoulders relax a little more.
They reach the final slide, and Perth realizes he’s not that nervous anymore.
When the professor thanks them and the class offers a brief round of polite applause, Perth finally lets out the breath he’s been holding.
They walk back to their seats together, and the second they sit down, Santa leans closer. “You did great.” He whispers.
Perth blinks at him, Santa’s breath against his neck making him laugh. “I didn’t ramble?”
“Only a little.” Santa chuckles, and Perth groans quietly. “I’m kidding.” Santa adds quickly, smiling. “You were really good.”
Perth glances toward the front of the room where the next group is setting up for their presentation. “Thanks.” He says softly. “For helping me get through it.”
Santa studies him for a second, looks towards the rest of the classroom, then leans over quickly. Before Perth can react, he presses a quick kiss to his cheek.
It’s so fast it barely registers. Perth freezes, and Santa pulls back immediately, pretending to look very interested in the presentation happening at the front of the room.
Perth stares at him. “You just—”
“Shh.” Santa whispers, eyes still forward. “I’m learning.”
Perth tries very hard not to laugh, though his cheeks stay warm for the rest of the class, his knee leaning against Santa’s.
☁︎
By the time they get back to Perth’s dorm, the sun has only just started to set.
The hallway is quieter than usual, most students at cafes or the library studying for their last exams of the semester before summer break.
Perth balances the takeout bag in one hand while unlocking the door with the other. Santa stands just behind him, leaning slightly against the wall while he waits, the other takeout bag in his hand.
They enter and quietly take a seat at Perth’s small kitchen table, their feet resting together beneath it.
“You look very serious about those noodles.” Santa says, amused, as they take the containers out from the plastic bags and set everything on the table.
Perth glances at him. “I carried them all the way here and almost tripped trying to save them. I’m not letting them die so easily.”
Santa laughs softly at the memory. “That would be tragic.”
Perth nudges them towards Santa. “See? Safe and sound.”
The space feels familiar and warm, the smell of yummy food and good company filling the air. They finish setting everything on the table and look at each other.
“Okay.” Perth says, looking at the feast in front of him. “We have noodles, dumplings, fried rice, egg rolls, and spring rolls.”
Santa leans closer. “That’s a lot.”
“You said you were hungry.” Perth argues.
“I’m starving.” Santa grins wide. “Let’s eat.”
Perth nods and hands him a pair of chopsticks before grabbing his own, and they dig in. For a few moments they just eat, the quiet comfortable.
Perth didn’t realize how hungry he was until the first bite of noodles enters his mouth, and he exhales softly, shoulders finally relaxing.
Santa watches him for a second. “Good?” He asks.
Perth nods. “It’s really good.”
Santa smiles at him. “I can tell. You look so happy eating.”
Perth blushes, looking away. “It’s not because of the food that I’m happy.” He says quietly, and Santa blushes as well.
The food disappears slowly as they keep talking in between bites—how the presentation felt, the way their professor kept nodding throughout, the quiet relief of finally being finished with the project.
Santa leans back slightly on the chair, stretching his legs out. “I can’t believe it’s done.”
Perth nods, chewing thoughtfully. “One whole semester of work.”
“And you stressing about it every week.” Santa adds. He reaches for another spring roll, then glances at Perth before taking a bite. “You did really well today.” He says quietly.
Perth blushes, looking away. “You already said that.”
“I know.” Santa tells him. “I’m saying it again.”
Perth looks down at what’s left of his noodles for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Thanks.” He says softly. “I wouldn’t have made it through the presentation if it wasn’t for you.”
“I don’t believe that.” Santa says. “I think you would’ve done just as great even if you were on your own.”
The containers finally empty as they finish eating and they move to the bed, shifting to sit more comfortably against the headrest.
Santa glances around the room. “You know.” He says after a moment. “This is nice.”
Perth looks over at him. “What is?”
“This.” Santa says, gesturing loosely between them and the messy takeout containers. He takes Perth’s hand in his, interlacing their fingers. “Celebrating like this.”
Perth feels something warm settle in his chest. “Yeah.”
Santa bumps his shoulder gently. “I’m glad we did this.”
Perth nods. “Me too.”
For a moment neither of them say anything. The room is calm, filled with the soft afterglow of finishing something important.
Santa shifts slightly closer, their knees brushing as he settles beside him. His expression is relaxed, content in a way that makes Perth’s chest feel light.
Perth stretches his legs out next to Santa’s. “You know.” He says quietly. “I think this might be the best part of finishing the semester.”
Santa tilts his head. “The takeout?”
Perth shakes his head. “No.” He lifts their intertwined hands. “This.”
☁︎
They stay sitting on the bed long after the food is gone and the sky has darkened.
The the room has settled into the kind of quiet that only happens late in the evening. The desk lamp casts a soft circle of light across the bed, leaving the corners of the room dim.
Santa stretches his arms over his head and lets out a quiet sigh. “I think I’m finally relaxing.”
Perth glances at him. “Finally?”
“Yeah.” Santa says. “I didn’t realize how stressed I was about the presentation until it was over.”
Perth huffs softly. “You seemed pretty calm.”
“That was acting.” Santa says, matter of factly.
Perth laughs. “You’re a good actor.”
Santa nudges his knee lightly against Perth’s. “I was also stressed about other things.” He says quietly. “But now everything’s worked out.”
He and Perth smile shyly at each other.
They sit quietly for a moment before Santa glances over at him again. For a while, they trade small stories from the semester—late nights studying, professors who assigned too much reading, and Perth finds himself relaxing deeper into the moment.
At some point Santa shifts closer without really thinking about it, and their shoulders touch.
Perth turns towards him slightly. “You know.” He says. “I didn’t expect this semester to turn out like this.”
Santa glances at him. “Like what?”
Perth pushes his foot against Santa’s. “This.”
Santa’s expression softens. “Me neither.”
Their legs are pressed together now, their shoulders touching more firmly.
Santa’s voice grows quieter. “I’m really glad it did, though.” He says, and the silence that follows feels different now. Closer.
Santa turns his head, looking at Perth. Perth meets his gaze. For a moment neither of them speaks. Then Santa leans forward just a little, and Perth closes the distance between them.
The kiss is soft at first, familiar now in a way it wasn’t before. Santa’s hand lifts instinctively, resting lightly against Perth’s shoulder as they shift towards each other. Perth’s hand slides gently to Santa’s arm.
They take their time, kissing and touching and just breathing each other in.
When they pull apart, they’re both smiling. Santa brushes his thumb lightly along Perth’s sleeve. “Is this okay?” He asks quietly.
Perth nods, and Santa leans in again.
The second kiss lingers longer. Their bodies naturally shift closer on the bed until they’re facing each other fully, knees brushing, legs intervened, hands resting lightly on each other.
Perth feels Santa’s fingers curl softly into the fabric of his shirt. He pulls back slightly, just enough to whisper. “Is this still okay?”
Perth nods immediately. “Yeah.” He says softly.
“I don’t want to rush you.” Santa says.
“You’re not.” Perth tells him. “I feel—good. I feel comfortable, with you.” He says, shy.
“You’ll tell me if it’s too much—too fast?” Santa asks, and Perth nods.
Santa hesitates just a moment longer before lifting his hands to the hem of Perth’s shirt. “Um.” He says says, a little shy. “Can I…?”
Perth’s eyes widen slightly before he nods again. “Yeah.” He says, equally shy. “You can.”
Santa pulls Perth’s shirt over his head, suddenly very aware of the warm air between them.
They pause for a second, both boys blushing as they look at each other. “You too.” Perth says, and he helps Santa take off his own shirt.
He reaches out slowly, resting his hand lightly against Perth’s neck, his collarbone. “Is this okay?” He asks again.
Perth nods. “Yeah.” His own hand lifts, brushing carefully along Santa’s arm, his shoulder, his jaw.
They move slowly, almost cautiously, exploring the unfamiliar closeness—hands tracing along arms, shoulders, the warm skin of each other’s backs.
Nothing rushed, nothing demanding. Just curious and careful.
Santa lets out a quiet laugh when Perth’s fingers brush along his side. “That tickles.” He giggles.
Perth smiles. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Santa leans forward again, pressing another gentle kiss to Perth’s lips. This one is softer, slower, their foreheads touching when they pause for breath.
Perth’s hand rests lightly at the back of Santa’s neck, playing with the hair there that’s started to get a little longer.
Santa’s fingers curl loosely against Perth’s side, pulling him close. “Still okay?” Santa murmurs.
Perth nods. “Yeah.”
And for a while they stay like that—close, warm, unhurried—quietly learning the shape of each other in the soft light of Perth’s room.
☁︎
The afternoon sun hangs low over campus, warm and golden in that quiet end-of-semester way.
Students move lazily across the path, some with suitcases, others sitting in the grass in small groups like no one is quite ready to leave yet. It feels lighter somehow, like everyone can finally breathe again.
Perth and Santa walk slowly along the main path between the library and the main building, their hands linked together.
It’s still new enough that Perth keeps noticing it—the warmth of Santa’s fingers against his, the way their hands fit together naturally. Every now and then his thumb brushes lightly against Santa’s knuckles without him really thinking about it.
At first he’d been a little self-conscious about it. The first time their hands had brushed earlier on the path, he’d hesitated before lacing their fingers together, glancing around quickly out of nervous habit.
Santa had just squeezed his hand gently and kept walking.
Now it feels easier. Still new, but easy.
Santa glances down once, smiling softly. “You’re doing that again.” He says.
Perth looks over. “What?”
Santa lifts their joined hands slightly. “This.”
Perth follows the motion and realizes his thumb has been absently tracing the side of Santa’s hand. He feels his ears warm. “Oh.”
Santa squeezes his hand gently. “I like it.” He adds.
Perth’s smile grows a little as they keep walking. “Good.” Perth says after a moment, trying to sound casual.
Santa bumps his shoulder against Perth’s. “Good?”
“Yeah.” Perth replies.
Santa grins. “I didn’t know if you were aware you were doing it.”
“I wasn’t.” Perth admits. Santa smiles at him, and Perth laughs softly under his breath.
The path curves past one of the open lawns where a few students are sitting in the grass. Laughter drifts through the air along with the faint sound of someone playing music from a phone speaker.
Someone calls out a goodbye across the field, and another group is taking pictures together nearby, probably celebrating the end of the semester.
Perth slows slightly, and Santa follows his gaze.
A little farther down the lawn, two familiar figures are sitting on the low stone edge of the walkway.
Chimon and Ohm.
Ohm is talking animatedly about something, gesturing with his hands while Chimon laughs beside him, head tipped back slightly. There’s an easy closeness between them—shoulders brushing, Ohm leaning in slightly when he talks.
Ohm says something that makes Chimon lightly shove his arm, still smiling.
Perth stops for a second, enough to take in the moment. Santa slows beside him but doesn’t say anything.
Chimon notices them first.
For a brief moment, their eyes meet across the distance. Then Chimon smiles. It’s warm. Easy. No tension in it. He lifts a hand in a small wave.
Perth smiles back and raises his hand too. Santa waves at them as well.
Ohm glances over at them, immediately grinning before lifting his own hand in greeting. He and Chimon go back to talking, Ohm leaning slightly closer to him to continue their conversation.
They continue down the path, and Santa nudges Perth lightly with his shoulder. “They look cute together.” He says.
Perth looks back one last time. Ohm is saying something that makes Chimon laugh again, his hand briefly resting on Ohm’s arm.
For a second Perth just watches them. There’s no tightness in his chest anymore. Just something calm.
He turns back toward the path ahead. A small, genuine smile settles on his face. “Yeah.” He says. ”They do.”
☁︎
The café is quieter than it had been earlier in the semester.
Most students are gone now, the rush of finals and presentations finally over. Only a handful of people linger inside—someone typing on a laptop near the window, a couple sharing a pastry by the counter.
Perth and Santa sit at a small table near the back, two iced coffees between them.
Perth’s fingers tap absentmindedly on the table while Santa looks out the window. His foot is hooked casually around Perth’s, and their hands brush every now and then when both of them reach for their coffees at the same time.
Perth glances around the café. “It feels different now that the semester’s over.” He comments.
Santa hums. “Yeah.”
Perth takes a sip of his coffee, and they sit in quiet for a moment.
Santa notices something, then reaches down and picks up the sugar packets by their coffees. Perth watches him curiously as he dumps them on the table and starts arranges them in a heart shape facing Perth.
“For you.” Santa says, a bright smile on his face.
Perth blushes. His chest feels unexpectedly warm. “Thank you.” He says, voice low.
Santa looks up at him. He watches Perth for a moment before speaking again. “So.” He says slowly.
Perth looks up. “Yeah?”
Santa hesitates just slightly. “Do you remember when I told you about my hometown?” He asks. “It’s a few hours from here.”
Perth nods.
“My parents are asking me when I’m coming home for the summer.” Santa continues.
Perth takes a sip of his coffee. “Your little cousins must miss you a lot.”
Santa looks down at the heart shape on the table. “I was thinking maybe you’d like to come home with me.” He says quietly.
Perth pauses mid-sip. He lowers the cup slowly. “Oh.”
Santa watches his reaction carefully. “Just for a few days. You can meet everyone, eat way too much homemade food, I can show you around, and—it’ll be fun. If you want.” He says shyly.
“Really?” Perth asks quietly, a hopeful smile on his face.
Santa nods once. There’s a small pause, then he asks, voice softer now. “Would you want to come back home with me?”
Perth blinks at him.
“I told my parents about it, and they’d really like to meet you.” Santa tells him.
“You did?” Perth asks.
Santa’s ears turn the slightest bit pink. “Yeah. I was thinking… maybe I could introduce you as my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Perth asks, and he can’t hide his smile anymore.
Santa nods.
Perth smiles wide. “Boyfriend. I like that.” He says.
“Yeah?” Santa asks, and Perth nods. “Me too.”
And for a moment they just sit there together, coffee half-finished, the word between them like a quiet promise of what comes next.
☁︎
The campus feels different now that the semester is finally over. Quieter. Not empty, but softer somehow.
A few students still linger here and there—sitting on the grass, finishing conversations that feel like they’ve been stretching across the entire semester.
Some are dragging boxes or suitcases toward the exit, others are just wandering like they don’t quite want to leave yet.
The air is warm, the kind of slow summer heat that settles over everything.
Perth and Santa walk along the shaded path that runs behind the faculty buildings, where tall trees stretch overhead and the sunlight filters through the leaves in shifting patches of light.
Their hands are linked again, fingers fitting together easily now. Every few steps their shoulders bump lightly, like neither of them is trying very hard to keep the distance.
A warm breeze moves through the trees. Santa glances up at the sky. “It feels like summer already.”
Perth hums. “It always kind of feels like summer in Thailand, though.”
“True.” Santa laughs. “I can’t wait to take you to my favorite beach back home.”
Perth scoffs playfully. “You just want to show off your abs and turn me into a blushing mess in front of your whole family.”
“Have you been thinking about my abs?” Santa teases.
Perth laughs, giving up easily. “Touché.”
They walk a little farther. The campus pond comes into view ahead, the water reflecting the late afternoon light. A couple of birds fly near the edge to drink some water while someone sits on the grass nearby sketching in a notebook.
Perth slows slightly. “You know.” He says. “A few weeks ago this place felt really stressful.”
Santa tilts his head. “Because of Chimon?”
Perth shakes his head. “Because of… everything.”
Santa doesn’t ask him to explain. He already knows. Instead, he squeezes Perth’s hand tightly.
Perth looks down at their hands, smiling. Then he glances back up at Santa. “I’m glad you waited.” He says quietly.
Santa looks surprised. “I told you I would.”
“I know.” Perth pauses for a moment, thinking. “I’m just… really happy you did.”
“Me too.” Santa tells him. “You’re worth waiting for.”
Perth huffs a quiet laugh. “Are you excited to go home?” He asks after a moment.
Santa nods enthusiastically. “Yes! I’m excited to eat my mom’s cooking again, and I have so many snacks packed in my suitcases for my little cousins.” He glances at Perth. “But I’m more excited to show you around.”
Perth smiles. “I’m excited too.” He looks out towards the campus.
In a few days they’ll pack up their dorm rooms. They’ll take a bus to Santa’s hometown, meet his family.
Start whatever comes next.
But for now, they just stand here together, hands linked, enjoying the last slow days of the semester before the rest of their story begins.