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Mystery huffs at his too-long violet bangs, getting a clear look at the fridge before grabbing two clear bottles of alleged spring-water. Caps unopened, they were as safe as it'd get for frosh week.
He heads back into the living room, ducking under free-throwers, avoiding crumpled balls of paper and crushed aluminum cans alike. Some make it into the giant-open trash bag and most don't. The frat house is a frat house: streamers hung up with exploded balloons and confetti around, speakers playing that awful sound of gears grinding and a horrid bass thump, mini spotlights and covered lamps, and a shit ton of beer. There's the pervasive smell of skunkiness that made his nose wrinkle, and he really is reconsidering staying.
He almost regrets coming here. It's all loud and he said the music sucked to a dj's face. He went still after that and let his silence speak for his awkwardness. He was more than thankful when the guy (girl? They smelled cleaner than most around here and had a they/them pin) laughed through bleached-white braids and said it was fine if he didn't like it because other folks already do.
Romance rejoined him then and he was glad that his dorm buddy hadn't heard any of that nonsense. He hands over the bottle of water, watching as relief washes over the pink-haired man.
Briefly, he wondered what he'd look like if drunk. Asian glow? Louder than normal? Leaning on him for balance? The semester had basically just started, and Mystery was just, curious, about him.
One spin the bottle later and they're in a closet together for 7 minutes. Romance can't seem to look at him, but he also didn't run or cop out to the game. Mystery brushes aside his hair, to get a clear look at him.
He hesitates before offering the following assurance: "You know we don't have to kiss. Right?"
Sure, he'd rather this not just be a hook-up, whatever that was going on between them.
"That depends, uh... Is anything going to change if we...mess around?"
"Change like...we start dating or something?" He blinks from behind his bangs, trying to keep hope from slipping in. "It wouldn't be so bad...dating. Would it?"
"Dating?" Romance chokes and starts coughing. "I don't—I didn't think... You liked me back."
"Wait... So you…?" He feels like his eyes are popping out, and he swallows audibly. "Yeah, I... I like you, Ro. I think you're cool and you'll probably be RA next term."
"Really?"
He nods. "I mean, honestly, it's not like Abby or Baby's interested. And Jinu's unreliable."
Romance closes in on him, approaching slowly. "Do you...still want to do anything in here?"
"Do... Oh." He feels a flush settle on his cheeks. And the pink-haired man doesn't stop his approach. "Such as..."
"Maybe we...take it nice and slow...?"
They went too slow and were caught with their hands on each others' dicks. Definitely a reason to leave after that.
Like heading back to their dorm and continuing what they started.