Chapter Text
"Are you going to remind me why we're friends?" Dan Heng asked his best friend as they sat in the cafeteria and watched as Boothill drooled over one of the third years. He paid no attention to him at all, and Dan Heng was just complaining to him about his roommate. This was their routine for this semester.
"Because you're petite and you need a bodyguard." Boothill smiled and finally shifted his gaze to the other.
"If you consider yourself one, then why haven't you punched my roommate yet?" Dan Heng hadn't taken his joke seriously, but he still felt bad that his best friend wasn't helping him with anything. At least he used to listen to him, but now he doesn't do that either. He only talked about Sunday, his crush.
"You didn't order me. Don't you think you're exaggerating. Ren's not a bad boy." Boothill felt some sympathy for him, purely out of male solidarity. In most cases, Ren had no fault, but Dan Heng was exaggerating just because Ren was a night bird.
"So you did listen to me." Of course he was. Boothill may appear dim-witted, but he was actually very quick-tempered and clever. It was not by chance that he was in the engineering faculty. In general, he is a hidden lemon. "Suggest then how I should deal with him."
"Have a talk and make it clear to him what's bothering you. I don't think it's fair to go on silent strikes when he's trying to understand you." Boothill knew Ren because they were in the same stream, but they weren't close. However, he had a good opinion of the boy because he was an outstanding student.
Dan Heng thought about it. He certainly trusted his friend, but he was too stubborn to change his relationship just like that. He didn't like being woken up every night because Ren wasn't sleeping, he was going out or doing projects.
"Did you know that Sunday is Catholic?" Boothill couldn't help himself and spoke the first thing that came to his mind after Dan Heng's silence.
"Of course. All you talk about these days is Sunday. You used to at least make some bets, but now your love for that has dimmed." Dan Heng confessed to him. The more honest he is with others, the better. That's what Boothill was talking about a while ago, though, and he decided to train.
"Maybe you're right. It's about time I bet you. Who knows, maybe you'll win after all." Boothill's sly smile was etched in Dan Heng's gaze, who regretted reminding him. "And I know what a bet to make, ooh. You're going to be amazed. Let's bet which of us has the better boyfriend."
Dan Heng widened his eyes and choked on his rice. It took him a while to catch on and stop coughing. "But neither of us have boyfriends."
"That's the catch. First, we'll find someone, second, we'll double date later and find out who has better company. Isn't that unique?" Boothill explained and waited for his friend's opinion.
"If we can't find someone?" Dan Heng was very skeptical. He was sure he wouldn't make it. He had quite a few admirers on campus, but none were to his taste. Also, for him, learning was more important.
"Easy. I'll choose for you."
Dan Heng didn't want that to happen, and so he would do his best to succeed on his own. It was clear to him that Boothill wanted to get things going with Sunday sooner rather than later, and he probably wouldn't have too much of a problem talking about him anyway. Dan Heng sighed. "Okay. So whoever has the better boyfriend wins?"
Boothill nodded and leaned back in his chair. "And also the loser will grant a wish from the winner. Do we have a deal?"
"We have a deal." Dan Heng at least agreed to the latter. The two shook hands and then headed off to their next lectures.
***
Dan Heng thought a lot. During his lecture, after it, on the way to the dorm, and while he was making his salad for dinner. Even when he was brushing his teeth. But he didn't come up with anything.
Ren wasn't there, he wasn't sure, but he assumed he had a late lecture. Although it was bedtime and that option was illogical. He shook his head to stop thinking and turned off the room light. He was already in bed when he heard the lock unlock and a tall boy entered. He was trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb Dan Heng, but it was of no use because he was fully awake.
"Dan Heng? Why aren't you sleeping?" Ren asked as he noticed him standing up in bed and turned on the lamp to get a better look at him. "Did I wake you up…again?"
"Not this time. I just went to bed." Dan Heng clarified to him and took a deep breath. They had things to say to each other, but neither of them knew how to start.
Ren nodded and walked into the bathroom. During this time, Dan Heng thought over and over again. What was he supposed to tell him? Apologizing to him would be a good start, but would he be sincere? He ran his fingers through his short black hair and rested his elbows on his knees.
"Is there something wrong?" Ren came back dressed in his sleep clothes, t-shirt and pants. Dan Heng stood up and sighed. He patted the end of his bed to tell him to sit down and he complied.
Come on Dan Heng. Now or never.
"Ren I want to apologize to you." Dan Heng said as he looked slightly to the side of Ren's head. He was worried, but he was in complete control of himself. At least that's what he hoped.
"I accept. I want to apologize too." Ren replied and Dan Heng looked at him in surprise. "Aren't you going to ask about what?"
"I see what you mean. I think it's high time we resumed our friendship. After all, we still have three years to live together. It wasn't fair of me to nag you about trifles. Thanks to Boothill, I realized ." Dan Heng smiled at him, but when his friend's name came out of his mouth, a horrible memory appeared and his expression immediately turned sour.
"Still, I'm to blame too. I'll try to be quieter at night." Ren stood up and walked to his part of the room where he had an unfinished project on his desk and a stack of notebooks. He sat down in the chair and began to draw a sketch by hand.
Dan Heng had no problem with the noise. It had a relaxing effect on him and even if he relaxed he would fall asleep. But he never liked Ren not getting enough sleep. That's why he grumbled at him most of the time.
"No." Dan Heng said an idea louder. "Ren I want you to get some sleep too. It's bad for your health. Have you seen your dark circles?"
Ren didn't turn to the other, but smirked and stopped the movement of his pencil. "Dan Heng don't worry. I'm used to it."
"I don't care if you're used to it. You need sleep." Dan Heng got out of his bed and walked over to Ren. He folded his arms and looked at him intensely.
Ren looked at him and could barely contain his smile. He found his demeanor cute. “Dan Heng I have work.”
"You'll finish it in the morning. Now get up." Dan Heng pulled him by the hand to stand up, and only now did he realize how much shorter he was than him. He led him to his bed and pushed him to sit there.
"Even if you make me, I still won't sleep."
"Don't be stubborn."
“Dan Heng, I have insomnia.”
And then Dan Heng snapped. In all these months they had been roommates, Ren had never told him about it, but it was clear to him. How could he not come up with it sooner?
"Um, sorry." Dan Heng looked down and took a step back, but Ren grabbed his wrist and stopped him.
"Wait. How about you help me sleep?" Ren didn't know what he was getting at with this, but he couldn't help but say it before thinking. He didn't like Dan Heng's dejected face and didn't want to worry him anymore.
"I.. ok but how?" Dan Heng frowned as no ideas came to him.
"Maybe if there's something to hug I'll be able to sleep."
Dan Heng froze. How was he supposed to understand that? He looked calm, but in fact his heart rebelled. Ren looked at him expectantly. If he didn't accept, surely Ren would be up all night again, and he didn't want that to happen. But why was he so worried about him? He was old enough to take care of himself, but it was obvious how much he neglected himself.
Ren watched as Dan Heng turned his back on him and inwardly regretted his suggestion. However, when the boy turned off the light and instead of going back to his bed as Ren thought would happen and get from those silent strikes again, Dan Heng nudged Ren's shoulder to lie down. Ren pushed himself against the wall and Dan Heng sat down next to him. He pulled the covers over them both and rested his head on Ren's shoulder. The two were glad it was dark because Ren had a big smile that couldn't be stopped from appearing and Dan Heng was blushing.
Ren slipped one arm more comfortably under Dan Heng and placed it on his back, pulling him close and closing his eyes.
"Thanks." Ren said quite quietly, but Dan Heng was able to hear him. He didn't answer him anything, but plunged into his warmth and was already carried away.
Ren waited for a while to make sure Dan Heng was asleep and placed a kiss on his hair, then closed his eyes again and fell asleep thanks to Dan Heng who was actually still awake and opened his eyes wide when he realized what he had done. He wasn't scared, but he was excited. Could it be that Ren has feelings for him? If so, he might have been able to win the bet. But the catch is whether Dan Heng has feelings for him. He thought no more and closed his eyes again to fall into a sweet sleep.
***
Boothill was dusting his bike when he got a notification. He unlocked his phone to see that it was nothing important, but looked at the time. He widened his eyes and swore under his breath. He had to go now if he wanted things to go according to plan. He had been preparing for this moment all evening and had even written down a few phrases with which he would impress Sunday.
He got on his bike and started it, drove off with a loud noise. Boothill usually put his helmet on, but this time he was in a hurry and hoped his long black and white hair didn't get too messy. At least he had a towel on his head and this time he was wearing his fingerless gloves. His tall boots were black with a silver zipper that complemented his typical leather pants and jacket. He had gone a little extra this morning with black eyeliner and a long chain.
It was planned to be located in front of the Sunday family's large estate. They were rich and important sticks in the country. They invested in quite a few businesses and emphasized the education of their children. Robin, Sunday's sister, was their great pride. She became a famous music artist and at the same time a role model for many.
Sunday walked out of the house with his typical pensive face. He looked dapper as ever and his chin held high. He was alone and this gave Boothill an opportunity to approach him.
"Sunday! Good morning." Boothill flashed one of his charming smiles and looked the other in the eyes.
"Morning. How was I supposed to meet you at this point? Boothill, right?" Sunday answered him with a slight incredulity and kept his serious face, but his gaze was gentle and welcoming.
"Yes, I wanted to get to know each other, but every time we meet is not a good time. How about I treat you breakfast and coffee?" Boothill explained, words coming out slowly, and felt butterflies in his stomach as Sunday looked at him, shocked at his audacity.
"I'd love to, but I hardly have time. My lecture starts in an hour and a half."
"Don't worry. I'll get you there in time." Boothill pointed to his bike and smirked. "Well, what do you think?"
"If you insist. Let's go." Sunday passed Boothill and turned his head towards him with a smile to invite him. Boothill gave Sunday a helmet and helped him up.
"Have you ever ridden a motorbike?" Boothill asked and was told no. "Don't worry. Just hold on to me and stay still." After saying that he felt Sunday's arms wrap around his waist and smirked to himself.