Archive of Our Own

Duang was having the most mildly-inconvenienced day ever.

While crossing the road earlier, one of his rings had slipped out of his finger and danced away somewhere in the middle of the traffic.

The bus he takes to college was late by ten minutes this morning, and while running to class he had even bumped into a person, apologizing as he rushed off without looking back.

Lunch was boring because Jamie and Pae had decided it was the perfect day to remain absent without informing Duang.

By the time the classes were over, he had been drained of all his patience.

Walking back in the afternoon sun, he let out a tired sigh, reaching for his phone, looking for an escape through music.

Great!

His phone had run out of battery life.

He wasn't physically comfortable either. His hair that he had styled down had started frizzing up from being disturbed by the wind. His well-moisturized face had dried up after being outside for too long. Under his uniform, he could feel sweat forming.

With the irritation building up, he walked to the bus stop and plopped down on the bench, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back slightly.

The bus would be there in about 20 minutes and he honestly had nothing to do till then.

The discomfort and frustration burned at his feet and palms, warming them up. Its not like Duang would lose his temper, he's usually difficult to piss off.

Today just wasn't his day.

He opened his eyes slightly to check the time on his wrist watch when he felt something tickle his thigh over his pants.

Surprised by the sudden movement, he flinched and looked down, ready to swat away any insect that may have landed.

But it wasn't an insect.

Oh?

Something pulled at Duang's heart as he stared at his lap in awe, watching a soft and furry cat climb its way and curl up into a ball there.

Its coat was mostly white, with streaks of grey all over, its fur looking so cottony. Its eyes closed the moment it found its seat on Duang's lap. All he could see was the soft pink nose and the pink under the front paws. The hind paws were tucked under its body.

Duang couldn't move. He didn't want to move. He'd go as far as to stop breathing if it meant the fur ball could have its rest.

Have I been chosen by the cat distribution system?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the cat on his lap shifted slightly and adjusted its position, turning to face Duang and exposing its belly slightly, finally opening its eyes to look at him.

Oh god…

Duang was sure he'd not regret a thing if he died that very moment. This was the cutest thing ever and he didn't know if he was built to handle so much cuteness.

Its eyes were black, deep and shiny, and so unbothered. As if it wasn't causing Duang's brain to melt at that very moment.

A soft meow escaped its throat.

Duang could physically turn into liquid.

He brought his hand up cautiously and stroked the exposed belly. As soon as his hands started moving in a constant motion, the cat closed its eyes again and purred.

It purred.

Now I have to stay here forever.

He actually watched his bus arrive and leave. He indeed had no intention of moving. He could just stay like this forever, petting this soft and tiny creature, until he dies of starvation.

But it seemed like that wasn't the cat's plan for him. After it had finished receiving what seemed like an adequate amount of pets, it just simply got up, climbed off his lap and swayed its hips away, walking out of the bus stop and vanishing behind the bushes.

Duang could physically hear his heart shatter into pieces.

But honestly, his mood was far better than it had been all day. With a small smile tugging at his lips, he booked a grab.

Qin stared at his television screen blankly. He could see his own reflection on the black screen as he sat there and questioned his own existence.

Earlier:

This morning, a senior from his faculty had asked him to accompany him to the Arts Faculty and he had reluctantly agreed. The buildings were close by so it didn't disturb his routine too much, although he did dread the social interaction he'd face once he reached there.

His senior, P'Mark wanted to introduce Qin to a professor from the Decorative Arts department, whose wife was a well known music producer.

Qin had been enquiring about how the ropes work in that industry so P'Mark offered to help him network.

"Its no big deal. Just introduce yourself and make small talk. He's friendly…overly friendly. And he loves boasting about his wife. You'll have it easy."

Qin just nodded at Mark, looking around as they stepped into the unfamiliar campus. It wasn't too crowded, Qin figured it was class hours already.

A few students were seated on the field, chatting and eating snacks. But it was mostly quiet and calm.

Although, he might have jinxed it.

Because the next minute something hard pushed past his shoulder, sending him stumbling to the side in shock.

Or someone.

He watched in shock as a taller boy spit out a thousand "sorry"s , holding his hands up in a 'wai', and running without looking at who he had bumped into.

He came like a cyclone and went by like one too.

Qin blinked a few times to process what had happened and brushed his hand over his shoulder where he could still feel the impact of the collision. He didn't get hurt, but he could still feel the contact.

Mark checked if he was okay before taking him to the professors office.

Qin didn't bother paying much attention to the conversation. As Mark had mentioned, it was indeed mostly small talk. The professor talked enough for all three of them combined so it was easier for Qin to zone out and nod occasionally.

By the end of an hour, they had established that the professor would invite Qin and Mark to one of his wife's workshops soon. They exchanged words of gratitude before breathing in the fresh air outside the office.

"Are you in a hurry Qin?"

"Not really, no."

"Then can you wait for me? I'll go greet my friends real quick."

"Sure."

As Mark took off, Qin wandered around the campus until he reached the cafeteria. He wasn't hungry but snacks don't require hunger— appetite is enough.

The cafeteria was humming with the usual lunchtime chaos— students crowded around tables, trading gossip and stealing bites from each other’s plates. Somewhere in the middle of it all, chairs scraped against the floor, laughter rose and fell, and conversations blurred into an indistinct background noise.

Qin got himself an iced coffee and settled into an empty chair in a corner, away from all the chaos. He let his eyes carelessly scan around the room, unconsciously drawing a comparison to the cafeteria of his Music Faculty.

He concluded that the chaos during lunch remained the same everywhere. Nothing caught his interest.

That was until his eyes land on a boy sitting a few tables to his right, slumped on the table, chin resting on his crossed arms.

Qin recognized him as the guy who had bumped into him this morning.

His hair looked like someone had run their fingers through it too many times. His lips were pulled into a pout, and brows into a slight frown, although Qin doubted that the boy knew that.

Pretty.

The thought crossed his mind too naturally. Well, his subconscious wasn't wrong. That boy was pretty, and handsome. A very welcoming and warm face…objectively ofcourse.

Although it didn't look like he was having a good time.

Qin noticed that he was bouncing his right leg under the table, and his thumb was fidgeting with a silver ring on his index finger.

"Oi Duang! Why the long face?" A passing student called out to the boy.

"Jamie and Pae have abandoned me, Gorn." The boy- Duang- almost whined to this person.

"Sucks man. Come sit with our gang today."

"No I'm good. I'll go back to the art room and check on how the paint's drying."

He straightened up, pushing himself off the table with a sigh. Qin could help but notice the flex of his forearm muscles, and how good the arms looked with the sleeves folded up.

A man can appreciate, okay?

His eyes refused to leave Duang until he was out of sight. After that, nothing else managed to catch his interest in the cafeteria.

He returned to his faculty, got through his classes and band practice with a boring ease, and before he knew, he was walking back home.

His friends, Kim and Tong were staying back to submit an assignment that he had already finished, so today there was no company.

Not that he minded walking alone. He liked the peace.

The peace left his company pretty soon though. Not intentionally. Its that his peripheral vision caught a figure walking on footpath, on the other side of road.

Duang.

Qin noticed his hair somehow looked worse. It didn't look bad—infact it looked like it deserved some pats—but it was all over the place.

He's having a rough day, huh?

He watched as Duang kicked at a pebble a few times, and then missed it once, looked back at it grudgingly, then continued walking.

Qin found it cute honestly.

He didn't know the guy but he would have to agree that he's very eye-catching with his mannerisms.

And looks…but thats a different thing.

The pout on Duang's face seemed prominent by now.

Qin walked slower, tailing Duang simply out of curiosity now. He was supposed to turn left and take a different route about five minutes ago, but that was forgotten.

They were nearing the bus stop and Qin felt the afternoon heat get worse.

He hates feeling hot. So he made a decision that he personally wouldn't recommend to others.

Walking into the public restroom near the bus stop, Qin locked the door, stared into the mirror for approximately 30 seconds before his reflection disappeared.

He disappeared too.

Or rather, changed appearances.

Because a second ago where Qin stood, was now a soft and fluffy, white-grey cat. Big-eyed and harmless (or thats what any cat lover would think, its a bias).

He looked at his uniform that now lied abandoned on the floor, blinked at it and decided it wasn't his problem anymore.

He has a few more sets. Its fine. What's a cat to do with shirt and pant anyways?

It was a much more difficult task to unlock the door that he'd like to admit. But he also could not take the risk of someone walking on into this…transformation.

Cat hybrids, or hybrids in general, weren't unheard of. They were just rarer these days. Most hybrids preferred staying further from busy areas and human populations. Humans ofcourse were still aware of their existence and educated about them too.

Qin can still remember the dreadful day his 7th grade teacher used him as an example in front of the class to explain hybrids. He had to show his ears and tail off and got teased (harmlessly) by his classmates for being cute the entire year.

His train of thoughts was cut off when he spotted Duang— again. Although, this time it was more intentional than the other three times today.

Duang had his eyes closed, lashes touching his cheek, head leaned back exposing his throat, shirt unbuttoned ted slightly, and legs spread apart slightly and casually.

It was very…attractive to Qin, who would like to argue that this was an objective observation.

But Duang also looked very tired. And Qin wanted to change something about that.

He ignored his brain that was trying to remind him that this is a stranger and there's no reason whatsoever for him to do this.

Instead, he jumped onto the bench gracefully, eyed Duang for a few seconds and chose the most appropriate spot.

Ofcourse one should sit on a stranger's lap on their first interaction. Thats basically the rule.

So, as per the rule, he curled up on Duang's lap, ignored the flinch and faced away, closing his eyes.

Duang went still. Too still. Qin couldn't even feel him breathing, and that bothered him. So he let the curiousity get the best of him…despite common advice that its not recommended for his race…and turned to face Duang.

He also decided he could get the best out of this situation. Duang was clearly very ecstatic to have him on his lap, so why not earn a few pets in return.

With his exposed belly, Qin looked up at Duang expectantly.

Pretty.

This was the second time the word had echoed in Qin's brain unconsciously.

Realising that Duang had still not acted on Qin's obvious demand of belly rubs, Qin meowed.

This too was very unconscious. Because Qin did not like meowing…it messed with his mysterious image.

But the meow had done its job. Duang had brought his right hand up and softly ruffled the fur on Qin's belly. Qin was embarrassed at how he had started purring immediately so he closed his eyes.

Never in my 20 years of human life have I…

Qin never meows— okay not never, but it was very rare, he didn't need to. At most importantly, Qin never purrs. Why should he? What could possibly please him so much to require purring?

Well…he might have an answer now.

It was a mental struggle for Qin to force himself to get up. As much as he'd love to stay exactly where he was, he had to go home and work on his next assignment.

Also it looked like Duang was in a better mood.

As calmly and nonchalantly possible, Qin climbed off his comfortable resting place and walked away.

He considered going back to the restroom to pick up his clothes once again but there's no way he was putting on clothes that had touched the floor of a public washroom.

So he trudged away in his cat form, making his way into the condo through the balcony

So he trudged away in his cat form, making his way into the condo through the balcony, sneaking in like a thief into his own place.

Now back to present:

Qin's existential crisis continued almost all night. It wasn't because he was a cat hybrid, he was very comfortable with that identity.

He just didn't know he was a cat hybrid that liked sitting on the lap of an attractive stranger.

The next day treated Duang generously well. 

There were no minor inconveniences bothering him last night, especially after his encounter with the cutest cat ever. He had slept very well and woke up with good energy in the morning.

And the heaven's were extra kind to him today, he'd like to say. Because on his way to college, he had seen the most beautiful human walk by. 

And he could not shut up about it.

"You don't get it Jamie, it was like an angel walked past me," Duang exclaimed, hands flaying in the air, trying to gesture the importance of his situation.

"Its not that he doesn't get you…he's just heard too much about one person for the last hour." Pae offered a reply when Jamie just rolled his eyes at Duang. 

"But his face, just pretty eyes, such pretty lips, and his walk! Like he owns the place." 

"And his name? Anonymous. Because our Duang is a chicken who could not even approach a guy and ask for his name, forget about asking for LINE." Jamie smiled at him sarcastically.

"You expect me to go up to that ethereal being and talk to him?" 

" So that wasn't a part of your plan? Then why talk our ears off?"

"There is no plan…haven't gotten to that part of the crush yet." 

" First time witnessing Duang have a crush, and with the way he's making it everyone's problem, it better be the last." 

"C'mon Pae, I didn't even do anything. I just…described him to you."

"You're about to build a shrine for a boy you know nothing about." Pae side-eyed him and then continued adjusting the shade of the paint he was mixing.

" Okay now enough about this very beautiful angel that crossed the road and left your jaw hanging. You're coming to Phi X's bar tonight, right?" Jamie interrupted before Duang could get a word out.

"I'd love to say I'm busy but unfortunately, I'm unemployed like that. So, yes." Duang shrugged and decided to actually get some paint onto his canvas before the class ends.

"Good. And Pae?" 

"Yep. He's treating us and I never say no to free food."

" You never say no to any free stuff." Duang reminded.

"Well, curse me for trying to escape the shackles of capitalism I guess." 

The three ended up laughing at that and figured it was better to get the work done before the Professor kicks them out.

The rest of the day went smoothly, atleast in Duang's dictionary. Was it peaceful? Ofcourse not. He'd hate it if it were to be. Duang is used to the chaos that comes with him and his two friends whenever they are together. 

He did try to bring up the ethereal looking boy a few more times, only to be ignored by both Jamie and Pae. 

He'd expected nothing more from them anyways.

What he definitely didn't expect though, was seeing that very same beautiful man in Phi X's bar, looking hotter than ever.

Duang was seated between Jamie and another friend, Pond. They were occupying the biggest table at the bar, with a seating capacity of twelve people, but he was sure more had squeezed in.

Half of them were drunk already, falling over with laughter over something useless. There were too many ongoing conversations and even Duang struggled to keep up with the energy. 

Because of that, his eyes had started to search for their host, Phi X, so that he could excuse himself and go outside for a while. 

That is exactly when his eyes halted at a certain figure.

Black hair that curled into soft waves, a sheer but full-sleeved black crop-top leaving his waist bare, blue denims that were torn at the thighs, showing off the skin teasingly. And the face that stopped Duang's lung function for a good second.

The guy he saw this morning.

It was that very same face but somehow he had gotten prettier in these few hours. The lights in the club added a subtle highlight to his face, giving a shine to his pretty lips that were coated with lip gloss. 

His eyes were lazily fixated on the drink in his hand, his pretty fingers holding the whiskey glass elegantly and swirling the drink periodically, but never taking a sip. There were three people talking to him but it didn't seem like he cared.

Neither did Duang. Everyone except that boy was background character anyways.

"I know there are no flies here but if you leave your mouth open like that, one will surely fly in." Pae's voice brought Duang back to earth.

He had almost ascended to heaven.

"Pae…its him." Duang spoke dreamily.

"Him? Who him?" Jamie's nosiness got the best of him as he dropped whatever conversation he was a part of to look at who had Duang all flustered. Pae also looked in that direction.

They didn't need to ask which persons Duang was talking about. That person was objectively one of the most attractive people present there.

"Crop top guy?" 

"Huh? Yeah." Duang was so mesmerized, he was barely comprehending Jamie's question.

" I guess you're lucky then. Now you'll know his name. And hopefully more." 

"What do you mean?" Duang finally tore his eyes away and looked at Jamie.

"What 'what do you mean' ? Go talk to him!" 

"What?…Crazy!" 

"Duang, aren't you like the most extroverted person on our campus? What's up with you?" Pae laughed out in amusement.

"That's different. I don't think I'll manage to get a single word out in front of him." 

"God help this guy…" Jamie groaned, taking a big gulp of his beer.

A few more rounds of Jamie and Pae insulting Duang's cowardice, that had basically turned into a banter between three toddlers, was interrupted by Phi X's voice.

"Jamie, Pae, Duang, meet the jazz kids. They're Phi Mark's juniors." Phi X boomed at them, making them look up at him.

And Duang was sure whatever number of beats his heart just skipped, it was medically concerning.

"This is Tong, thats Kim, and this is Qin." Phi X pointed at the three guys individually.

Qin. So that's his name.

Jamie was the first to greet them, "This is Jamie Jettana right here, the life of any party." He pretended to bow like a prince.

Too much. He's embarrassing me. Duang kept that thought to himself.

"Hi, I'm Pae. Take a seat guys." Pae offered and then scratched his neck awkwardly when he realised the table was full.

"Oh, we'll get up. Needed to talk to someone we know anyways." Pond, who was sitting to Duang's right, said while getting up, along with the four other guys beside him.

It happened before Duang could process. He wasn't sure if he had blanked out or simply left the planet, because the next conscious moment, his crush was sitting beside him.

Duang found himself wondering if the sofa that they were sitting on had somehow gotten smaller. Because he knows four people got up, and three people sat down. If his basic mathematics skills hadn't betrayed him, there should be more space to sit than earlier.

So why was Qin squeezed onto his side?

Their arms were literally touching, he could feel the texture of Qin's top on his bare arm and thanked himself for deciding to wear half-sleeves tonight. Qin's body was radiating heat, or maybe it was Duang.

He had no idea, his heart beat was all over the place and his ears were on fire.

"Introduce yourself, Idiot!" Jamie nudged him with his elbow from the left, causing Duang to press into Qin's side even more.

Duang's hand that was resting on his own lap, brushed against Qin's hand, from the impact. 

He could feel his ears get redder. 

"Uh hi, I'm Duang." He tried his best to avoid eye contact with Qin, looking at the other two guys, Kim and Tong instead.

"Oh wait! I know Duang!" Tong explained suddenly, at which even Qin turned to face him. 

Duang caught a whiff of Qin's shampoo and revisited heaven for the nth time today. Amongst the smell of alcohol and sweat, his became Duang's drug for the moment.

"You do?" Qin spoke, too fast to his liking, but it had just slipped out. 

Oh he sounds good too…unfair, was Duang's immediate thought.

"Yeah, he's pretty famous on local forum. Especially after that list came out, categorizing guys from the different faculties into "types". I remember everyone had unilaterally reached the decision that Duang was 'an ultimate golden retriever boyfriend material' or something. Never had I seen such unity amongst our students before."

Qin turned to look at Duang after Tong's explanation, only to realise their faces were suddenly too close. 

Their noses were only a few centimetres apart and Duang's eyes were locked into his. Qin could feel the heat crawl up his neck but couldn't bring himself to look away from those deep eyes.

Neither could Duang. Although he had been wanting to bury himself after hearing Tong explain why Duang was familiar to him, the feeling had vanished the moment Qin had turned around and their eyes met.

Qin's eyes were so captivating, bright and dark at once, that Duang felt like he was drowning in them.

"What…are you guys doing?" It was Kim's voice that made both of them look away.

Qin's hand reached up to scratch at his neck and Duang pressed two fingers to his flaming ear.

Wow. I'm not surviving the night.

Whatever was blooming between the two, it progressively got worse as the night progressed. The two groups fell into a conversation naturally, talking about their faculties and events and exams. 

But the most talkative person could barely a word out. 

Duang did respond whenever he was spoken to. He was just very distracted by the occasional brushing of his hand with Qin's or how Qin's left hand was basically touching Duang's thigh.

"…down for whatever is okay with you guys." Tong and North were agreeing on something that Duang had still not processed.

"You're joining?" A shiver ran down his spine when he heard Qin lean in towards him and speak softly near his ear. It wasn't a whisper, but it felt very private.

Duang gulped and decided it was time he got a grip. So he also leaned towards Qin, bending slightly to match his height and turned his face partially to face Qin.

"If you go." He whispered back with a soft smile, looking into Qin's eyes.

Oh he had definitely caught Qin off-guard. He could feel that in the audible hitch of Qin's breath and the extremely fast blinks, as if he's trying to recover from the moment. 

His smile grew wider at the reaction and he could not help but chuckle. 

Qin rolled his eyes in fake annoyance, turning his face away at the sudden disadvantageous situation.

Cute.

The voices in Duang's head were getting loud with these commentaries and he couldn't help but agree. Cute indeed.

"Then 5 pm it is?" 

"Deal. I'm making a group chat to make sure none of you can ditch. Give me your LINEs, quick quick!" Jamie nudged his phone forward, ready to scan.

Qin also put his scanner forward, letting Jamie scan it. Then he turn towards Duang, raising an eyebrow and pushing his phone towards him.

"You don't want to scan?" 

"Huh? Well Jamie's making the group chat, not me—Oh! OH!" His eyes widened with the realisation and he could already feel Jamie and Pae shake their head in disappointment. 

"I'll scan. Ofcourse I'll scan." Qin felt a smile pull at his lips as Duang clumsily reached for his phone and scanned the barcode.

The night had ended with the two groups splitting up after exiting the bar, as they all reminded each other to keep their word about their next meet up.

On his way back home, Duang kept thinking if he had gotten drunk from just one glass of beer and had imagined the whole thing. 

But the chat on his phone, and the text in it, said otherwise.

Q: "Get home safe Duang."

D: "I will. You (ter) also get home safe" 

Q: "Ter already huh?" 

D: "Does Qin not like it?" 

Q: "When did I ever say that?" 

D: "Just making sure 😚"

Q: "Good😚" 

D: "sticker" 

Q: "reacted 🩷 to your message"

The grin didn't wipe off Duang's face even after he fell asleep.

On the other hand, Qin was wondering what brave demon possesses him anytime he enters Duang's vicinity.

He thought back to the moment at the bar when he had deliberately asked Phi X what was going on at the big table, just because he had seen Duang sitting there, looking hotter than ever in that black half-sleeve t-shirt, with his bicep flexing anytime he took a sip of his beer. 

He thought about how conscious he felt when he arrived at the table and Duang's eyes had dragged over him slowly and quietly.

He thought about how he had slipped into the seat beside Duang before his friends could, and had the best idea to stick to him despite having enough place to sit comfortably.

To be fair, he was comfortable.

He also thought about how brave he had been to ask Duang if he would join them for the next hangout, and how quickly the bravery had vanished the moment he heard Duang's voice deepen slightly and saw that tiny smirk play at his lips. 

And the texts ofcourse. He had started something he might not have complete control over. 

There was no way he was spending another sleepless night having a crisis over the same person. He couldn't even blame his cat side for this…he had done all this in his human form.

Well atleast I didn't sit on his lap today.

He discarded his clothes, and shifted into his smaller form because tonight his human skin had blushed enough.

While Duang basked in the relief that the next time he was supposed to meet Qin was a week later— his heart could not handle being close to Qin too soon after everything that happened— Qin wasn't too ecstatic about it.

He was only curious, he told himself. He was curious about what Duang was doing and just wanted to catch a glimpse of him. Especially since it had been three days since he had done so.

Nothing weird about wanting to see a…friend (?) right?

The last three days, he had gone back and forth, convincing himself to not be impulsive and show up on Duang's campus for no reason.

On the fourth day, he lost the battle. Well, partially.

He was glad his friends weren't around when he had made the genius decision to go see Duang as a cat. They'd never let him hear the end of it— especially because he didn't even let them see his cat form more than once despite knowing each other for almost five years now.

By the time Qin managed to reach the Art Faculty, most students were already leaving. 

Qin waited on a wall of a random house outside the college gate, waiting very patiently for Duang to come out.

And he didn't have to wait long. Because the next moment Duang was chasing a Jamie who was skipping away with a phone, and from the look of it, the phone belonged to Duang. Pae was behind them, laughing until tears spilled from his eyes.

"Ai'Jamie, you bastard, give it back…hurry!!!!" 

"So you can stare at one chat for a few more hours?" 

"So what? You're just jealous Qin texted me." 

Qin's ears perked up at the mention of his name. Since the three guys were still running and chasing each other, he decided to follow them closely.

Eavesdropping was bad, he knew. But he was only a cat who happened to pass by…purely accidental.

"Me and jealous? You haven't even been brave enough to go see him after that day, you chicken!" 

"I don't know-I don't know-I don't know! You! Give my phone back!" Duang stopped the chase and put his hand on the either sides of his hips. Then Qin saw something absurd— Duang puffed his cheeks up and pouted at Jamie in the middle of the street.

It was cute, yes. Its just that it wasn't the move he was expecting a grown adult to pull.

"Just give it back Jamie, otherwise you'll find him on the floor throwing a tantrum soon." Pae cringed at Duang's face before taking the phone from Jamie and tossing it to Duang, who thankfully caught it. 

"I love you Paeeeee" Duang ran over and trapped Pae in a suffocating side hug. Qin made an observation that Pae looked eerily similar to a trapped rooster in that moment.

The boys ended up separating soon and Duang was at the bus stop again, although this time he was clearly in a better mood. 

Which would mean he didn't need an emotional support cat.

But thats absolutely nonsense. Everyone needs an emotional support cat.

Justifying his actions, Qin sauntered onto Duang's lap just like the previous day, this time wasting no time to face him. 

He looked up at Duang, who had the expression of a teenager that had been permitted to play games all night. 

The belly rubs were almost immediately and although Qin wasn't proud of how quickly his purrs followed, he was rather proud of Duang for not wasting any time.

"Hi, Pretty." Duang whispered to Qin, or rather the cat on his lap.

Pretty?

"You're so cute oh my god…are you really a stray? Should I just take you home?" 

Well, that…might not be the best idea for Qin.

"Look at your paws awww. You're such a pretty little baby. And your nose?" Duang bravely booped Qin's nose.

Qin was flabbergasted…No one had dared to do that. What's with this boy? Can't he see Qin is a scary, ferocious cat?

"You're the cutest ball of fluff to exist you know? Like melting cotton candy." 

Qin was sure Duang was hallucinating about some different cat by now.

"What does a sweet little baby like you do all day? No thoughts in that little brain of yours, you look so clueless and adorable." 

Excuse me????? 

Qin understands Duang was trying to baby talk to a cat but this was starting to get offensive.

He moved his tail away from where it was resting on Duang's wrist and moved his head up to lightly nip at Duang's finger with his teeth.

"Ow, are we getting feisty now? Are you hungry baby?" 

Qin technically wasn't hungry. And if Duang somehow decided he was, he'd get up to go bring food. And Qin would lose the comfortable and warm resting place. So he just closed his eyes and tucked his face against Duang's stomach, nuzzling.

"Oh, such a cute boy!" Duang gasped and the praise got a meow out of Qin.

Qin definitely meant shut up but Duang took it as the que to shower him with more praises.

To Qin's relief (or dismay) Duang's bus arrived and the praise session lasted only for ten more minutes.

Qin found himself seated on Duang's lap around the same time for the next three days, getting his daily dose of belly rubs. This was purely transactional ofcourse— he'd warm Duang's lap and take belly rubs in return. Thats all.

The fourth day, Duang didn't go. Not because he didn't want to, but because he was supposed to get ready for their very hangout.

That night at the bar, he had been too distracted to actually hear what plan they had agreed upon but Kim later reminded him that they were going to the Loy Krathong fair. 

He had seen Duang everyday for the last few days. But he could not explain why he was suddenly nervous today.

Duang didn't understand why his heart was ready to beat out of his chest when he arrived at the fair. He kept looking at the text on his phone, as if its going to disappear if he didn't check it every two minutes.

D: I'm near the flower stall, Ter. Where are you?

Q: Just entered. I'll come find you.

D: Okayyyyyy, Duang is waiting!!!

He adjusted the pendant of his silver necklace unnecessarily, fidgeting with it every now and then, when he saw Qin and his friends walk into his vision field.

It was unfair how good Qin looked, no matter the occasion. 

Duang took a deep breath as his eyes absorbed Qin from head to toe— he was wearing a white cropped top today, and his flared jeans had lacework done all over them. 

The top was slightly unbuttoned toned and Duang couldn't pull his eyes away from the way his pearl necklace subtly grazed his exposed collarbones.

Qin lifted his hand to Pae as Duang and his friends, and Duang's eyes fixated the way the shell bracelet sat on Qin's wrist so perfectly. And that one ring on his index finger— beautiful.

"Sorry sorry, god knows why our very punctual Qin took so long to get ready today! We're here, we're here!" Tong complained as he high-fived North as a greeting and shook Pae's hand. He lifted his hand to greet Duang too but realised that his focus was elsewhere.

Knowing exactly where Duang was lost, Pae spoke up, "Lets float our lanterns first before it gets too crowded on the bank." There were nods of agreement as the boys gathered around the different stalls, picking their lantern.

Except Duang and Qin, who were busy staring at each other. It took a while but Duang managed to find his voice.

"You…look beautiful."

"You too." Qin's shy reply took Duang by surprise.

"Me? Beautiful?"

"You are. Has no one told you that before?"

"Well…" Duang lightly pulled at the hair on his nape, "some people call me handsome at times but…" 

"I mean you are handsome. And beautiful. I guess its good that I'm the first one to tell you." Qin smiled.

Qin smiled. At him. Oh Duang was so gone.

"You two don't want to float your lanterns?" Jamie called to them from a nearby stall.

Duang cleared his throat, trying to recover from the compliment from his crush. 

"Let's go?" He looked at Qin nervously and held out his hand.

Qin just raised an eyebrow, looking at that hand, questioning that sudden gesture.

"Oh um…nothing haha," Duang moved his hand away, pretending to fix his hair with it instead.

Qin looked away trying to control his smile. When Duang turned around, starting to walk towards the stall, Qin hooked his pinky finger with Duang, matching his pace.

Duang stilled, looking at their joined fingers with wide eyes. " Ter—" He started.

"Don't want to get lost in the crowd," Qin muttered, dragging Duang along with him to the lantern stall.

(There were barely any people around.)

The wide smile on Duang's face could be framed in an art gallery. 

Will I survive the night?

They did have to detach their fingers when they reached the stall and Duang would love to announce how empty it felt (they didn't even hold hands, and it was barely a minute; he's dramatic).

Qin on the other hand would never admit. But his finger did twitch at the lack of contact. 

The river bank was glowing from the lamps reflecting in the water. There were much less people— the crowding would start later— but it wasn't noisy. Everyone was whispering to each other, making wishes and squatting down to give their lanterns a light push. Only the sound of the music from the fair carried.

Duang did notice that Qin maintained a good distance from the river, pushing his lantern from as far away as possible. He didn't think much of it. 

All he focused on was how Qin's collarbones were exposed even more when he bent down.

But when Duang went close to the water, he didn't expect a tug at his sleeve. He turned around to see Qin gripping his sleeve, acting like a harness for Duang.

"Is everything okay?" He asked Qin softly, who just nodded.

"Hmm. You continue." 

"Like this..?" Duang looked down at Qin's hand clenching his sleeve and then back at Qin's face. It wasn't exactly a comfortable manner to float the lantern, with something restricting his movement.

"So that you don't touch the water." Qin stated in the most matter-of-fact tone.

"Are you…scared of water?" 

"It can be dangerous. I don't like it." Qin grumbled.

Duang couldn't help but laugh the adorable reply. 

He's like a kitten, so cute.

"So you're protecting me? By pulling my sleeve?" Duang teased.

"You talk too much." Qin complained but still kept his grip. Duang just smiled and let his lantern down in the water, before walking up to Qin.

"You're so cute, Ter." He scrunched his nose slightly, as if that would help Qin understand the impact of his cuteness.

"Shut up." 

Qin meant it. But his smile and the slight redness of his face under all the fairy-lights decking the riverbank, didn't give him much credibility.

"Ter," Duang's tone was suddenly more serious, the teasing gone from it. It made Qin a little nervous.

"Hmm?" 

" Can I flirt with you?"

Well that wasn't what Qin was expecting to hear.

" What? Haven't you been doing that already?" Qin stepped closer, his hand still anchored onto Duang's sleeve.

"I was. I just wanted to ask you officially."

"Have your way." He said before moving his hand away from the sleeve and lacing it into Duang's hands instead. He turned around before Duang could reply, dragging the boy along, back towards the fair.

Their friends had already gone up when they were talking.

It took Duang a few seconds to process that Qin was holding his hand at the moment, willingly. Like a looping machine, his head kept snapping from their joined hands to Qin's face, and back to their hand.

"Qin, this isn't fair."

"What isn't fair?" Qin turned his face to look at Duang, his face so indifferent that no one could guess how fast his own heart was beating. Qin wasn't aware holding a hot guy's hand would give him so much adrenaline.

"This." Duang gently lifted their laced hands, to show Qin. "I just said I'll flirt with you." 

"I know." 

"If you do this, I'll die before I get the chance."

"Thats your problem. Also I never said I won't be flirting." 

The last sentence might have caused a short circuit in Duang's brain.

"If you both are done looking at each other like you're the only two people in this fair, please do join us peasants for some snacks." Jamie's voice carried over the crowd, making them speed up their steps.

Tong nudged Kim lightly, signaling at Qin holding Duang's hand.

"Wow, when did we miss out on this chapter?" Kim teased Qin, who didn't look too impressed.

"Too crowded. He'll get lost." He simply replied, focusing more on the snacks in front of him.

"Didn't know my friend Duang was a toddler that gets lost in fairs. Must be rough!" Pae snickered from the side.

Duang was still not calm enough to form words so he just glared at his friends who were definitely laughing at his red face. He decided to focus on Qin instead.

"Want this?" Qin asked softly, offering a jelly to Duang.

Instead of answering, Duang leaned down slightly, taking the jelly in his mouth directly from Qin's fingers, his lips grazing them softly.

It was the turn for Qin's brain to short circuit. 

Blood immediately rushed up to his face and ears, and his eyes widened. 

What the fuck? 

He failed to count how many flips his stomach did the moment he felt Duang's lips on his fingers.

"Oh? Its good. Can I have another one Ter?" Duang critiqued, oblivious to Qin's crisis, opening his mouth.

Ofcourse he expected Qin to feed him again…

"Get it yourself," Qin mumbled, turning his face away, trying to find a way to soothe his burning cheeks.

"Oh." Immediate pout. 

How was Qin supposed to not feed him now? So he brought the jelly up to his lips again, and the smile was back.

Qin had come to a conclusion that both the pout and the smile were too powerful.

Their friends had a hard time pretending they weren't witnessing all this in real time. Not only this, but the entire night, Duang and Qin were joined at each other's hips. 

Suddenly, shooting balloons with a gun had become a two people activity, requiring Duang to support Qin's hands from the back.

Duang made sure to take a chance and catch a whiff of Qin's scent again. If someone thinks he's slightly creepy, they wouldn't be too wrong. He likes to use the thin line between creepy and loserism like a jump rope.

The cotton candy was apparently so filling that Duang and Qin had to share one, while the other four had the whole thing by themselves. 

Kim was in utter disbelief when he saw Qin sharing almost all of his food with Duang. Qin never shared his food. 

The Qin they knew never shared anything infact, he was extremely territorial. So Kim was wondering how Duang managed to invade that territory and become a part of it so easily.

When the fireworks started and Jamie wanted to call Duang to the spot that would give them a better view, he wished he'd never had the thought. Because while Qin stood there under the night sky looking up at the colourful crackers so amused, his idiot friend Duang was lost in Qin's face instead.

Jamie decided Duang did not have a single care for any firework whatsoever. 

All of them had fun, without a doubt. They just also had to deal with unnecessary and shameless flirting the entire night. 

"Next time either you both ditch us, or we ditch you. But please spare our sanity." Pae sighed as they all walked back to the parking lot.

"Also Duang, I think you can let go of khun Qin's hand now. There's not a single soul around to kidnap either of you." Jamie added. 

Embarrassed by the sudden attention, Qin pulled his hand away softly, not meeting Duang's eyes. And despite feeling the emptiness in his hand, Duang couldn't help but smile at Qin.

He acts so unbuttoned heard but he's so cute when he's flustered.

"How are you guys getting back?" Tong asked Duang, diverting the conversation.

"Jamie and Pae will take the train. I'll get a Grab. What about you guys?" 

"Oh, me and Kim will take the car. Our Young Master Qin will take his own car back."

"Ter can drive?" Duang turned to Qin.

"Trust me Duang, he can do everything. I have no idea who the person in the fair was today, struggling to shoot a balloon without arm support." Kim interrupted before Qin could answer Duang, only to be met by Qin's deadly glare.

Duang also realised any more teasing would be playing with fire. 

"Get home safe Ter." He smiled at Qin softly, who dropped the glare and nodded.

"You too." 

"Oh? And where's our goodbye?" Jamie clung to Duang, smirking and wiggling his brows at him.

Qin wasn't a big fan of how Jamie's entire weight was resting on Duang but he made no comments.

"Are you driving the train? No, right? Then go before you miss it Ai'Jettana. Also get off, you chubby."

"Qin, your meanness had already rubbed off on your lover boy." Tong snickered, as Duang pushed Jamie off.

Both Qin and Duang were surprised by the new nickname but made no attempt to protest. Infact, Duang liked the title— Qin's lover boy, had a good ring to it.

He smiled to himself like an idiot while everyone else departed. Except Qin.

"You're not leaving?" 

"Where's your place?" Qin answered Duang's question with a question of his own.

"Huh? Me? Its a thirty minute ride— Wait Qin, are you…already trying to come over?" 

Oh Qin would love to wipe that annoying and endearing smirk off Duang's face. But right now there was a bigger problem— if Duang takes a Grab, wouldn't that mean he'll be hugging the Grab driver?

"I'll drop you off then, lets go." Qin turned around, pulling Duang along by his sleeve.

Duang couldn't help but swoon over Qin's demanding tone and ofcourse…his walk. So sultry, so elegant, like every place is a runway.

"Then Qin, let me drive. Atleast till my place."

Qin agreed. And he regretted that decision with every bone in his body.

Duang drove well, that wasn't the problem. He was also talking about things he saw at the fair, about his art class, about Jamie and Pae, about his family and about his favourite music artist— that wasn't the problem either.

The problem was that Qin could hardly focus of what Duang was saying. 

His eyes were locked on Duang's sleeves that he had pushed up to his elbows, and the way his veins showed when Duang steered the wheel.

And the way Duang had pushed up his shades to keep his hair in place, revealing his forehead.

The silver rings on his ears were also a distraction. Qin had noticed them at the fair too when he saw Duang's ears turn red multiple times. But this was different. 

He was hyper aware of every detail because it was just the two of them in the car.

He was about to question if it had been better to let Duang just take a Grab instead— atleast he would not feel like a thirsty Victorian man seeing ankles for the first time. 

But the image of Duang holding a Grab driver by the waist was far too annoying.

He'd rather ogle at Duang while he drove his car.

"We're here. Qin? Qin!" 

"Huh?" 

"I said this is my place. What were you looking at? Is there something on my hair?" 

"Huh? No…No. You should go up, its getting late." Qin blinked away his very holy thoughts.

"Thank you for dropping me off, Ter" Duang smiled, while reaching out to brush of a stray strand of hair that was fluttering in front of Qin's eye.

That was it. Qin had reached his limit of heart flips and anything further would overheat him.

"You— you're too good at this!" He complained.

"At what?" Duang smiled wider. 

Oh he definitely did this on purpose.

"At what Ter?" He asked again. His eyes were so full of mischief that Qin had to break the eye contact and turn his face towards the window.

But Duang hadn't consented to Qin looking away now, had he? So he casually reached out and turned Qin's face back to him by the chin.

If Qin's face was hot before, right now it was about to start radiating waves.

But he couldn't lose. So he leaned forward, towards Duang, and reached his arm around him, hovering over the boy whose eyes had gone wide from the sudden proximity. 

Their faces were so close. 

Duang's eyes were dancing between Qin's and lips, and his heart was ready to beat out of his chest.

A victorious smile graced Qin's pretty lips as a click echoed through the car, and then Qin sat back down in the passenger seat, as if nothing had happened.

"There. Helped you with your seatbelt. Have a good sleep, Duang." 

Duang did not move. His body may or may not have stopped cooperating. 

Pleased with himself, Qin got out of the car and opened the door for Duang, who walked out like a robot, still processing the incident.

Qin took his place in the driver's seat and rolled down the window.

"See you tomorrow, Duang." 

And he drove off.

Stranded in front of his own apartment, Duang's knees almost gave in.

Qin was dangerous. 

In Qin's defense, Duang was dangerous too. And it was worse because Duang didn't seem to know how dangerous he was.

When Qin reached his place about twenty minutes later, he leaned his head on the steering wheel and closed his eyes.

His heart was still beating too fast and his face was still on fire. And it had a stupid smile plastered on it that refused to leave.

Later, on text:

D: Wait Qin, what did you mean by "See you tomorrow"? Are we meeting tomorrow?

Q: Did I say that? I don't remember.

D: I'm pretty sure you said that Ter

Q: You must have heard wrong Duang

D:

D: maybe :( Got my hopes up for nothing :(

Q: It was a fun day Duang. Stop sulking and go to bed.

D: Yes Qin, you too. 

D: Don't forget to dream of me :3

Q: Corny. 

Q: Bye 😐

D: Bye Qinnnn

D: sticker

D: sticker

D: sticker

Qin technically wasn't lying when he said he'll see Duang the next day. Its just that Duang wouldn't be seeing Qin, atleast not in his human form.

So here he was, on Duang's lap, getting his daily share of pats and belly rubs. Infact, Duang had brought treats for him too.

"Should I give you a name? You're basically glued to my lap every afternoon, the least I could do is give you a name." 

Qin obviously paid no mind to him, busy licking the remaining food from Duang's palm. He already had a name, which Duang kept chanting all day (according to the conversation Qin overhead today between Jamie and Duang), so there was no need for a name.

But Duang didn't know that. And thus started his list of names.

"Hmm. Mr. Whiskers? How does that sound?" 

Qin couldn't believe his ears. What kind of name was that?

"Mr. Cat? or Kitty Paws? Mr. Velcro? Get it? Because you're always on my lap like you're attached here? No? Then what?" 

Qin was very close to scratching Duang. Where did he even get these names from?

"How about…Moon? Or maybe Prachan (means moon in Thai) ? No, Prachan is too serious. Lets go with moon. Hi Moon!" 

Okay this was fairly more normal than whatever Duang had been saying for the last five minutes. Qin knew if he didn't finalise this, it would go downhill again.

So he meowed. Duang took that as approval and literally squeezed Qin, leaving tiny kisses on his forehead.

Well…Time to leave.

As soon as the shower of kisses began, Qin jumped out of his lap, disappearing behind the bushes again. 

"So…." Jamie slid into the seat beside Duang, who was currently typing something in his phone.

Pae took a seat opposite to them. The cafeteria was bustling as usual but nothing was more interesting to these two than their friend's developing romantic venture.

"What?" Duang put his phone down.

"Holding hands huh?" 

"He dropped me home," Duang decided to show off.

"WHAT? Wait so we got passenger princess Duang on the second day of interaction?

"1. I drove till my apartment. 2. Wasn't our second interaction, we text each other everyday."

"Okay lover-boy. So when are you seeing him again?"

"I don't know," Duang's shoulders slumped at the thought of not seeing Qin for an undefined amount of time.

"Ask him out on a date. What's stopping you? Didn't you spend the entire last week gathering information about him?" Pae spoke up while simultaneously stuffing a bun into his mouth.

"Hey, don't put it like that. You were the one who texted Tong to ask about Qin." Duang pointed an accusing finger at Pae.

"What what is the current information?" Jamie asked.

"Qin sings—I bet he sounds like an angel. He likes food, especially garlic shrimp fried rice. And snacks, which I confirmed day before yesterday at the fair. Tong said he likes coffee but that day in the car Qin told me he preferred milk. Isn't he just so cute and perfect?" Duang's tone had shifted into something dreamy, as if he wasn't a part of this dimension anymore.

"And how does that help you progress?" Pae brought him back.

"Progress what?"

"Do you have no plans on winning his heart?" Pae stared in shock.

"When have you seen Duang plan something?" Jamie snickered from the side.

"Ai'Jamie! I'll win his heart with my dedication."

" And you have done nothing to show that yet. Atleast ask him out. Take him to drink milk that he likes so much or something."

"Don't give him ideas Pae, he'll actually do that. Duang, ask him out for a movie date. He likes movies right?"

"Don't know. Pae, ask Tong for me please." 

"No. You ask Qin. You want to date Qin then do this directly, without shortcuts." 

"He's right Duang. We can help but you should pursue Qin with your own efforts." Jamie gave Duang's shoulder a pat.

" Hmm you're right. I'll ask him out for a movie date tomorrow." Duang nodded and suddenly he was grinning again.

"What now?" Pae looked weirded out.

"Well, I'll get to see Qin. I'm shy~" He said while covering his face with both his hands, giggling.

"Pae, lets go. The demons have possessed him again."

" Aow." Duang glared at them as Jamie and Pae ran out of the cafeteria. He too took off behind them.

Later, that afternoon, Duang was having a very important debrief with Moon about his plans. And Moon being Qin, would do anything to escape the current situation.

Qin had not expected to be lifted up by his torso the moment he climbed onto Duang's lap. Duang held him up and brought him close to his face, scrunching his own face in the process.

" What do I do Moon? What if Qin says no?"

At the mention of his name, Qin stopped wiggling around and his ears perked up. Duang had never mentioned Qin in these afternoons before.

"Do you think he'll want to watch a movie with me? Do you think he likes movies? What if he hates movies? What if he hates the movie I pick and then hates me?" Duang blabbers and then pouts at Moon, as if waiting for an answer.

Qin could only meow in response.

"Are you saying yes or no?" 

Meow. 

"Yes?" 

Meow.

"No?" 

Meow.

"C'mon Moon. You're not helping me at all here." He settles Qin back on his lap again, resuming the pets.

"I'll text him— no, I'll ask him in person…but how? I don't even when his class ends. Like, I do know— Pae told me that Tong told him. But he also said Qin doesn't go back with them. Qin practices alone after they leave and they don't know when he leaves." 

Qin let Duang continue his monologue. There's not really much he could do here.

"This won't do! I'll go wait for Qin after classes tomorrow. But what about you? Will you be lonely if I don't come?" 

Technically, its the same thing. I'll see you anyways.

But Qin couldn't say that to Duang. He decided not to meow this time though, Duang clearly misinterprets them.

"If there's a really tiny chance that Qin says yes to the movie, which movie should we watch? Do you have any recommendations Moon?"

There's no way he's talking so much to a cat. He can just ask me in person tomorrow…

"Silly me. Your teeny tiny brain probably just knows food and sleep."

Excuse me?

Offended by the remark, Qin walked off Duang's lap. He decided he's going to make Duang work for that movie date simply because of this comment.

"Hey— you're just gonna walk off on me like that? Wow!"

Qin was done with his classes for the day. His solo practice was over too. And he was also aware that Duang had been pacing his campus for the last hour.

One would think he had wheels for legs with the way he refused to stop pacing. 

Qin looked out from the window of the practice room before taking his phone out.

Downstairs, Duang's pacing was disturbed by his ringtone.

" Ter? You called Duang? Now my soul can rest peacefully." He didn't even wait for Qin to greet him.

"You're about to flatten the pavement of our campus better than any heavy machinery if you stomp around for any longer. Come up. 5th floor. Room 508." 

And Qin ended the call.

It took Duang less than two minutes to appear at the door of the practice room— panting but definitely not tired. 

That stupid grin on his face refused to leave.

"Qin!" 

"Come in." Qin signaled him in with a nod of his head.

"Are you done with your practice?" Duang asked, taking a seat on the floor, near Qin's legs. Qin was sitting on a stool with his guitar on his lap.

"Almost." 

That wasn't true. He was done with practice. But he didn't want to leave right now, especially since Duang was here already.

"Then…can you play something on your guitar?" Duang tilted his head slightly, his eyes pleading.

"You— don't look at me like that." 

"Like what Ter?" It was surprising that Duang's grin could widen further.

Like you have stars in your eyes.

Qin couldn't bring himself to say that out loud, so he decided to answer Duang's previous question.

" What song?"

"Anything you want, Qin." 

Qin nodded, adjusting the strings of his guitar before he started casually strumming a tune. Duang recognized that tune.

That night in the car, he had told Qin about this song. It was the first english song Duang had learnt to sing along to.

Bloom by The Paper Kites.

'In the morning when I wake

And the sun is coming through,

Oh, you fill my lungs with sweetness,

And you fill my head with you.

Shall I write it in a letter?

Shall I try to get it down?

Oh, you fill my head with pieces

Of a song I can't  get out.'

Qin was softly singing along with the tune and Duang's heart did something weird. It had been skipping beats around Qin a lot but hearing him sing made his heart feel rather full.

Like it was about to overflow.

When Qin stopped playing, there was a long silence in the room. Neither of them spoke. 

Qin, who never really got conscious about his voice, was suddenly wondering if he didn't sound good. But he gave Duang the time to speak up.

"Qin…how long does it take for someone to fall in love?" 

"What?" Qin had not expected this question at all.

"Is it possible to fall in love with someone by hearing them sing? Because I think thats what is happening to me right now." Duang breathed out, mesmerized.

Qin didn't answer. He couldn't answer. 

But it seemed like Duang realised what he had set. Qin watched the realisation creep up in real time, watching Duang's eyes become clearer. He abruptly placed a hand over his mouth, as if preventing more words from pouring out.

"Duang." 

Duang just made a sound in response.

"Want to watch a movie with me?" Qin asked.

Again, he watched the confusion creep into Duang's eyes.

His eyes are so expressive.

"Ter, you are asking me to watch a movie with you?" He stared at Qin in shock. 

" Yes. Will you?"

"Ofcourse, I will. But— "

"But what?" 

"Actually I had come to ask you if you wanted to watch a movie with me too…" 

Qin then remembered that it was Duang who was supposed to ask. He technically wasn't supposed to know anything about the movie date.

Date. 

Wait did I just ask him out on a date?

"Qin, did you just ask me out on a date?" Duang stared up at him, a smile tugging at his lips, unable to hide the happiness."

Is this guy reading my mind? What the fuck?

" Well, if you want to call it a date, you can."

Duang couldn't help the giggle that rushed out of his throat.

"A date it is," He confirmed.

"Let's go." Qin said, standing up to put his guitar away.

"Huh? We're going now?" Duang also scrambled off the floor to help Qin with his guitar.

"Are you not free?"

"Ofcourse I'm free Ter! I'm always free for you. What movie are we watching?" 

"You can pick after we reach home."

"Wait Ter— We're watching it at your place?" Duang thought he must have misunderstood.

"I don't like theatres. Why, scared I'll do something to you?" Qin smirked teasingly.

" You can do whatever you want with me, Qin." Duang stepped closer to Qin, closing the distance between them.

"Depends on how well you behave." Qin whispered, and Duang could feel his breath on his lips.

He gulped. He had been so brave while coming close but the moment he saw the look in Qin's eyes— the one that said 'last one standing wins', his knees suddenly felt a little weak. 

He couldn't help but glance at Qin's lips. It was almost involuntary.

"You're driving." Qin suddenly says, breaking Duang's concentration from his lips.

" Huh?"

" You say that a lot." Qin stepped back slightly to put some space between them, but not too much.

"Say what a lot?" 

"Your 'huh?'" 

"Thats because you are always catching me off guard Qin." Duang whined.

Qin just laughed softly and tossed his car keys to Duang. 

Even one hour into the movie, Duang couldn't believe he was in Qin's condo, on Qin's couch, beside Qin, watching a movie with Qin, eating the popcorn that Qin microwaved, and drinking the water that Qin had served in Qin's glass.

(Author- We get it Duang, you're winning in life.)

On top of that, it was really hard to focus on the actual movie when Qin was sitting beside him in shorts, his beautiful, fair legs on display. 

Duang would not shy away from admitting he was a pervert, especially when it came to Qin. What plotline could be more interesting than this?

He did wonder how his luck had brought him here— especially after he spent an entire day anxiously preparing himself to ask Qin out, only for Qin to do it first. And somehow they had the same idea for a first date. He made a mental note to boast to Jamie and Pae about this, and to Moon too.

"If you stare at my legs for another minute, I'm throwing you out, Duang." 

"What? Me? Haha— okay Ter." He forced his eyes back onto the screen, trying to focus on the movie.

Good for him, the plot was indeed a little interesting. It didn't take him too long to get engrossed in it. 

Meanwhile, the other person in the room had also been severely distracted from the moment the two of them had taken a seat on that couch.

While Duang finally started watching the movie— albeit half of it was already over— Qin found it easier to look at Duang without getting caught.

Qin's problem was that anytime he was in a situation where he was left alone with Duang, he'd have to fight some interesting mental battles.

The current one was whether he could the urge to climb up onto Duang's lap. 

In his defense, his lap looked very free.

All the afternoons that he had spent on Duang's lap as a cat, were coming back to bite him. It wasn't proving easy to convince himself that it would be very sudden if he decided to sprout his ears and tail, and then roll up onto the lap of a guy he had brought home for a date.

Qin had to think of something. Anything that would help satisfy himself without freaking Duang out. 

He didn't mind telling Duang that he's a hybrid, but he still wasn't sure how the other boy would take that news. And currently Qin didn't want to think about that.

So he did the next best thing he could think of.

He closed his eyes and slowly let his head fall onto Duang's shoulder. He felt Duang go rigid immediately.

"Q-Qin?" 

No response.

"Qin, are you asleep?" Duang whispered, careful not to move too much.

Qin didn't respond.

"You really fell asleep? With a guy in your house that you have known for two weeks? You can't do this Qin…" 

His voice was still a soft whisper. He was mostly talking to himself. 

Qin heard Duang let out a sigh and then felt a hand move away some stray hair strands from his face. 

"Rest up, Ter." 

When Qin was sure that Duang bought his act, he nuzzled closer to Duang's neck, making himself comfortable. 

Qin loved the way Duang smelled— like warm tea and freshly baked muffins with hints of fresh morning air.

Duang froze slightly once again. Qin opened his eyes slightly, making sure not to get caught, and saw Duang clenching his hands into a fist.

It took him all his self control (which clearly isn't that great) to not smile. 

"You're dangerous even when you're asleep." Duang admitted.

Qin let himself smile. Duang couldn't see it anyways.

"Why does he look so stupid today?" Jamie whispered to Pae, trying not to alert the Professor.

"He always looks stupid. Whats new?" 

"No, look at him. He looks extra stupid today. Like his brain got trafficked." 

They were talking about their dear friend Duang, who had a particular look on his face all day and stupid would be a good way to describe it.

After their last class, their patience gave out and they finally cornered him.

"Whats with you today?" Jamie grimaced as he took another look at Duang's face.

" Yea, where did you lose your brain?" Pae patted Duang up and down, pretending to look for the lost organ.

"Not my brain. Lost my heart." 

Both Jamie and Pae physically cringed at that statement and took a big step back, distancing themselves from Duang.

"Pae, can I hit him?"

"Add a few hits on my behalf— he's stronger than me." 

"Aow, you guys are such killjoys ." Duang folded his arms across his chest.

"Yes, yes, you're the only one with joy in your life right now. Joy named Qin. So, bark away. What happened between you two thats got you all puddle-brained?" Jamie draped an arm across Duang's shoulder, and the three started walking again.

"He invited me to watch a movie with him last night. At his place." 

"That was a good dream. Now tell me the truth."

"Khun Jettana, just because your Marvis Chan hasn't come back to the bar to see you, doesn't mean everyone else is suffering." 

" Low blow, Duang," Pae laughed. Jamie just tickled Duang in response, who wriggled like a worm to escape his grip.

"We watched a movie and Qin even fell asleep on my shoulder. And later when he woke up, he looked so cute. Just like a little cat!" 

"Qin and cat? More like a tiger that will eat you alive with one wrong move. Are you sure you didn't see a different person?" Jamie pretended to shiver— as if even the thought of Qin being soft like a cat was ominous.

"I trust him though. Khun Qin was sticking to Duang all night during Loy Krathong. Maybe not a cat, but he's definitely like a tiger that has marked its territory." Pae added.

"You guys just don't see it. I'm telling you, he's very cute." Duang grinned ear-to-ear as the image of a sleepy Qin crossed his mind.

"Enjoy man! Also why is your bag so stuffed today?" Jamie pointed at Duang's bag that looked heavier than usual.

"Oh this? Remember the kitty that comes to play with me in the bus stand everyday? I didn't see him yesterday, so I'll make it up with some snacks and treats." He explained.

"Thats too many for one cat. Don't overfeed that poor thing please." Pae pointed out.

"Yes, yes, I know. Now off you both go. I need to go see my Moon." 

With that, they parted ways.

Qin wasn't a big fan of the scene that was unfolding in front of him at the bus stop.

His friends had started an unexpected interrogation after practice today as for why Qin had been in a weirdly good mood these days and somehow traced it back to Duang. That had delayed him from coming to find Duang as Moon at the usual time.

He was fifteen minutes late. Only fifteen minutes.

So why on earth was there an unwanted guest trying to pry his way into his Duang's arms in the name of eating snacks.

It took Qin a single leap to climb up to the bench where Duang was seated.

"Moon, you're here. Look at this kitten, now you have a friend— Woah Moon, what are you doing?" 

But Qin had already taken his position— hair standing, eyes glaring, claws out. The new kitten that had roamed into the bus stop by mistake and stopped for some snacks that Duang had so kindly offered, looked so pitiful and terrified now. 

Qin could tell it was just a normal cat, not even a hybrid. But he didn't care. He had no plans of sharing Duang.

Before Qin could attack the other cat, Duang lifted him up by the torso and held him close to his chest.

"What's wrong, Moon? You don't like the other kitty?" He cooed at Qin, trying to calm him down. And it worked.

Any other witness to this situation would be extremely confused. Picking up an angry cat that had its claws out is the same as putting one's hand inside a hungry lion's mouth. But this cat, and the human holding it, were weirdly calm about this.

The other cat, whose life had flashed in front of its eyes the moment it met Qin's glare, had already seen itself out. 

Snacks could wait, life mattered more.

Here, Qin went limp in Duang's arms, letting his hold calm his anger slightly. He still wasn't pleased about the situation, but atleast the annoyance was gone now.

"Why were you so angry Moon? You shouldn't fight the other cats. You'll get hurt." Duang let Moon down, patiently waiting for him to settle on his lap as usual.

'Before you, I never had to put up with other cats anyways. Also, I'd win.' is what Qin would have loved to say, if he wasn't in his cat form at that moment.

"Now calm down you feisty baby, and have some snacks." Duang offered the milk cubes to Moon.

Qin turned his face away. He was not going to eat the snacks that Duang had just now fed some other cat.

He just tucked himself into a loaf, deciding a nap would be better. 

Duang was trying his best to understand his current predicament.

It had been two days since their movie date and he really missed Qin, so he asked him out for a cafe date. 

He had really wanted to see Qin, especially because for some reason, Qin's responses to his texts were unusually dry. He had no idea what he had done to upset Qin, but it was clear that something was up.

"Qin, what do you want to order?" Duang passed the menu to him.

"…Anything works." The reply was monotonous.

"Uh…Strawberry milkshake?" Qin just nodded in reply.

After the server took their order, Duang took a good look at Qin. He looked beautiful as always, but his lips were pulled into a tight line.

"Ter, is something bothering you?" 

Qin looked at Duang. 

Yes. Something was bothering him. Duang playing with a cat that was not him, is what has been bothering him. 

There's no way he can say that out loud.

"Just a tough day." Qin replied, averting his eyes.

"You know you can tell me right—" He was cut off by someone approaching their table.

"Excuse me?" Both of them looked up to see a girl standing at their table, looking very nervous. She had her phone held out towards Duang.

"If you don't mind, can I have your Instagram handle? My friend there," She pointed at another girl sitting at a nearby table, "thinks you're really cute." 

Duang blinked, and then looked at Qin. Something about the sight gave him an odd deja vu. He thought he must be mistaken though— because Qin looked like he was about to pounce on that girl for a split second.

The thought made Duang laugh nervously. 

"Haha.. I'm sorry, I'm on a date right now." He scratched his head from embarrassment. "Thank your friend for her appreciation though. I'm sorry once again" He bowed in apology.

The girl brushed it off and ran back to her friend.

On the other hand, Qin's expression had grown darker.

Cats and humans? This is getting more and more annoying.

The entire time, Duang tried really hard to make a conversation. But Qin wasn't cooperative at all. In the end, they paid for the coffee and left the cafe.

It was close to Qin's place so Duang walked him to his apartment. 

Duang fidgeted with his own hands, not used to the tense atmosphere between them. He wanted to hold Qin's hand, to clear things up, to make Qin feel better. 

When they reached the apartment, both of them paused. Qin didn't look at Duang but he didn't leave either. He just stood there, thinking.

"Ter—" Duang started.

"Duang." Qin turned to face him. Duang's heart broke a little. It was evident on Qin's face that he was upset.

"Yes ter?" Duang's voice softened, trying to comfort Qin with his tone.

"Will you come upstairs?" 

"You're inviting me to your place?" Duang asked, slightly surprised.

"Yes. Not like you haven't been there. Will you?" 

Duang would have teased or joked, but Qin looked too serious. He just nodded and followed Qin upstairs.

Qin's apartment was neat, as neat as the previous night. Duang's was neat too, but his was more vibrant and his walls were covered with his own paintings. Qin's walls were empty except a few decorative art pieces framed.

But his focus was on Qin. Qin who still refused to look him in the eyes, Qin who kept finding something to get busy with despite being the one who called Duang over.

Right now he was re-arranging the cushions on his already well-arranged couch. 

"Qin. Look at me. Whats bothering you?"

Qin paused, his hand stopping mid-air as he was about to reach out to the next cushion.

"Why ask me? Ask the girl who thinks you're so cute." He mumbled under his breath but Duang heard him.

His sentence was followed by a long silence— so long that Qin had to finally turn around to see what Duang was doing.

All he saw was Duang's face turning pink and he wasn't sure if it was shyness or the evident laughter he was trying to control, his eyes almost tearing up.

"Ter," He cleared his throat, trying not to laugh, "are you perhaps…jealous?" 

No answer.

"Wait, you actually are jealous?" Duang sounded amused.

Qin wasn't. He sat down on the couch with a plop, arms folded over his chest. Duang coyly shuffled close to him, a wide grin on his face.

"I'm happy that you care enough to be jealous over me, Qin." He poked Qin's shoulder with his finger, only to be nudged off. 

"But," He continued, "I hope you know that I like you and only you. If I didn't like you, I wouldn't have asked to flirt with you and neither would I be here." His voice was more serious now.

He saw Qin's shoulder's relax slightly, despite the expression remaining unreadable.

"I know we are still getting to know each other. I know there is a lot that I don't know about you. But I love what I know and I'm ready to love what I'm yet to know."

He took Qin's hand in between his palms and Qin didn't resist.

"Can you look at me, Qin?" He peered over to look at Qin's face, who finally gave in. His eyes were slightly glossy.

"I saw Ter one day on my way to class. You were so charming, you know? It felt like the world had stopped spinning. I didn't even have the courage to ask your name. Until I saw you at the bar. My heart would have jumped out and landed at your feet if it could."

" You're overdoing it, Duang." Qin scoffed at his analogies, finally speaking.

"I'm not," Duang shook his head. "What I'm trying to tell you is, I've liked you since I first saw you and although it may seem too soon to say this, I like you more and more every moment. I like that you want to know me and I like that you let me know more about you everyday. So you don't have to hide your feelings from me— even if its jealousy and anger."

Qin wasn't expecting such a sincere answer to his childish behaviour. He was at a loss of words and could only pout as a response. 

" So cute." He heard Duang whisper to himself and glared at him, although it was clear that the glare meant no harm.

"By the way, Qin, can I use your kitchen?" Duang asked.

"My kitchen? Why?" The playful glare had been replaced by confusion.

"You barely finished your drink at the cafe. I'll make you something to eat."

"You can cook?" Qin looked surprised. Qin basically survived on takeouts and outside food, so he wasn't expecting Duang to offer a home-cooked meal.

"Ofcourse Ter! I'm a really good cook— you can ask Jamie and Pae." Duang boasted, a smug look on his face.

"Well, I don't think there's enough ingredients for you to make something…" Qin trailed off.

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. You can watch something till then." Duang softly patted Qin's head before heading into the kitchen.

Qin just sat there slightly stunned as an after-effect.

Duang managed to find four eggs in the fridge, a tuna can, and some other basic ingredients. He started draining the tuna when he heard footsteps behind him.

"You actually managed to find these. I'm surprised." Qin commented before lifting himself up to sit on the kitchen island's countertop, his legs swinging slightly as they couldn't reach the floor.

"It was definitely a task, Qin. You should keep some proper food in your fridge." Duang nagged, his back turned away from Qin as he washed the cherry tomatoes at the sink.

"I can't really cook so what's the point?" Qin shrugged.

Duang chuckled and then they settled into a harmonious silence. Qin watched as Duang whipped up a batter out of the fish, eggs, some cheese and flour. He didn't know what Duang was making but watching him concentrate on something made Qin's previous anxiety vanish.

It didn't take too long before Duang was plating the make-do fish cakes and presenting them to Qin.

He stood in front of Qin, who was still on the countertop, and held out a plate in his direction. Qin reached out without hesitation.

"It's hot—" 

"Ow!"

...

"It's hot, Ter. You literally watched me take it out of the pan ten seconds ago." Duang scolded softly as he set the plate down, a little away from Qin, and took his scalded finger into his hand.

He blew on the fingertip that had turned red, eyebrows pulled into a frown.

"You should be careful—" 

He stopped speaking when he realised he was standing really close to Qin. Somehow he found himself between Qin's knees, and Qin towering over him slightly as he was sitting on the island.

Their eyes locked and neither said a word.

The ticking of the clock was the only audible noise as they held their breaths for some unknown reason. Duang couldn't help but let his eyes flicker down to Qin's lips, before looking up again.

Qin's hand that was in Duang's gentle grip, felt hot, and it wasn't because of the scalding. His own gaze wandered to Duang's lips and his throat felt a little dry.

He gulped, and unconsciously wet his lips. Duang noticed. And Qin noticed how his eyes turned darker for a second.

He looked up at Qin again, as if asking for some kind of signal. 

Qin was about to say yes when a sudden beeping made them both flinch. Duang stumbled back as he looked around awkwardly for the source of the sound.

It was the microwave. Right…he had forgotten about the leftover rice that he had decided to heat up. He hurried over to take the bowl out, face fuming.

Qin also was sure his own face was catching on fire.

And he also was considering throwing his microwave away.

The awkwardness after that didn't completely subside until Duang went home. 

Qin's life for the last twenty years had been normal, ordinary. He had a bearable childhood despite being one of the few hybrids around. Went to school, scored well, hated sports because it made him sweat, dated someone who had confessed to him out of courtesy, broke up with them, and continued with his life.

Nothing had caused any dramatic feelings within him. Not when his parents explained to him why he was different than others, not when he told his friends about his ears and tail, not when he got the scholarship to pursue his degree. He was confident, unbothered and went about his life peacefully — and slightly irritated when required to socially interact with people.

But that was it. There was nothing in particular that made him look forward to the next day— just routine.

Until Duang happened.

Qin was sitting on his couch, head resting on Duang's shoulder, whose had his arm around him, hugging him close. He had long stopped paying attention to the show they had turned on, fiddling with the buttons of Duang's shirt instead.

It had been four months.

Four months since he had gone to the campus of the Arts Faculty and had collided into someone that changed his life, slowly and subtly. 

Since that day, he had spent almost everyday with Duang. He would be there at the bus stop, more punctual than ever, waiting for Duang who looked equally excited to see him everytime. And on the days one of them wasn't at the bus stop, it would mean Qin would be meeting Duang in his human form.

It was almost a ritual now, to spend every weekend together. Sometimes they would go to the bar with their friends. Other times it would be just them, either at Qin's place, or at Duang's place. 

Duang had now learnt to play the guitar a little. Qin had now learnt how to make some basic dishes to prevent himself from starving. Both of them had somehow acquired a new hobby of solving puzzles together, spending hours bantering over which piece goes where, before they would collapse on the floor, tired.

They had also learnt things about each other without meaning to. 

Qin had learnt Duang was scared of any flying creatures— be it birds or insects— getting close to him. He knew that Duang loved the scent of paint and his apartment carried that scent really well. Duang also loved anything shiny and fluffy, his attention drawn to them like moth to flames. And he was aware that Duang cried easily, especially from watching shows.

He found it endearing.

Similarly, Duang had noticed how Qin was easily startled by sudden noises. He knew Qin's love for milk was almost religious. He had learnt Qin loves playing with the loose threads of his own clothes and Duang's too. Qin loved watching things that moved fast, his eyes fixated to them. He loves sitting in sunlit spots, until it gets too warm, and he also has the ability to fall asleep in weird and cramped places, especially if Duang is around.

Duang was sure he'd die from cuteness aggression some day.

After that day in Qin's kitchen, when they had almost kissed, things had somehow become more comfortable between them. But they still hadn't been brave enough to actually kiss for some frustrating reason, despite getting so many chances to do so. Something or the other would manage to interrupt them. As if the world was plotting against them, testing their control.

And there was another thing that was bothering Qin. Duang would often mention Moon to him, gushing about the cute cat that he plays with everyday at the bus stop after his classes. And Qin felt guilty. 

He knew he should tell Duang but it had been years since he had last told someone about being a hybrid, and suddenly it required more courage than he had realised. So anytime he would convince himself to come clean to Duang, his brain would find an excuse to delay it. 

He knew he'd tell Duang eventually. And he knew Duang would atleast try to understand— he trusted Duang. But he still couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.

"Ter, did you fall asleep?" He heard Duang whisper against his hair.

"No, just thinking." He tilts his head up to look at Duang.

"About what Ter?" 

"Just…this and that. Let's just finish the show-" He looked at the screen only to realise the show was over. Duang giggled softly, his chest shaking with the laughter.

"You never watch the shows till the end, Ter." He laughed.

"Hmm…Duang?" Qin looked at him again, this time softer.

"Yes, Qin?"

"Can you stay over tonight?" He asked nervously, losing his confidence slightly.

Duang was slightly surprised but he managed to nod. Qin smiled, relieved to which Duang raised his eyebrows.

"Qin, did you think I would say no?" He asked as if he couldn't believe it.

"No, not really. I just didn't know how to ask I guess." 

"You could keep me in your house forever if you want, Ter." Duang let his finger softly tap Qin's nose.

"No thank you, I'd like my future boyfriend to be educated—" He stopped speaking.

Duang was already looking at him with eyes blown wide in surprise.

"Future boyfriend?" His voice came out in a whisper.

"Well— Wait, why are you surprised? You're literally in my house, with me cuddling up to you and I asked you to stay over. Do you think I'll do that with anyone? You better become my boyfriend— mmph!" 

Duang cut him off mid-sentence with his lips, startling Qin. He didn't move, he just pressed his lips softly against Qin's until he relaxed. 

He felt Qin's hand move up to the side of his face, the hand trembling slightly, and he moved his lips, taking Qin's bottom lips in between his own.

It started slow, except it was really difficult for Duang to keep his pace controlled. 

Qin's lips were delicious. They were soft and he could taste the strawberries that Qin was snacking on earlier, making him feel insanely hungry. 

Qin shivered as Duang attempted to devour his mouth, struggling to keep up with him, his body almost melting from the intensity. He felt Duang's hand slide up his nape and tangle into his hair, almost drawing a moan out of him when—

Duang stopped.

He pulled away, breathing hard, as his eyes zoomed in on Qin's hair. Or rather, something in between Qin's hair.

And his hair had turned from its usual midnight black to a soft, cottony white with solid streaks of grey, reaching down to his neck.

He blinked in confusion. He knew that the kiss had almost left him feeling dizzy but he didn't expect to start hallucinating.

That is when he saw Qin's expression — face flushed from the kiss and eyes blown wide in horror.

Qin was panting too, and instead of his breath slowing down, it became faster. He reached his own hand up to feel between his hair, already dreading what he'll discover.

Apparently the kiss had left him so flustered, he had sprouted cat ears on top of his head. He couldn't pull his eyes away from Duang's face, which looked confused at first and then his expression morphed into something Qin couldn't read.

It wasn't blank…There were too many emotions on Duang's face and Qin wasn't sure what to focus on.

All he could feel right now was fear.

What if he's uncomfortable?

What if he leaves—

His eyes started tearing up at the thought, without permission. His body had really stopped listening to him recently.

It was on seeing his eyes gloss over that Duang realised what the situation might seem like to Qin. He immediately reached forward to cup Qin's face.

"Ter, why…why are you crying?" He wiped a tear that fell from Qin's eye.

Qin didn't speak. His lips simply trembled as he tried to hold back the tears.

"Ter is so pretty. Please don't cry." He softly caressed Qin's cheeks with his thumb. 

"Do you want to hug?" He asked, to which Qin's response was immediately melting into his arms, burying his face in Duang's neck, tears dampening his shirt's collar. 

The fur on Qin's cat ears tickled Duang's neck slightly but he kept quiet, rubbing Qin's back to comfort him. That was when he noticed something familiar.

A tail was poking out from under Qin's shirt, a colour similar to his new hair, and that is when the gears in Duang's head started turning.

"…Moon?" He called out cautiously and felt Qin go rigid in his arms. Qin clung onto Duang even harder, refusing to let go.

Duang had to physically peel him away just to take a glance at Qin's face. 

"You're Moon, right?" He asked. Qin who wasn't ready to face the situation yet, nodded, turning his face away to look anywhere but at Duang.

"Wow…" Duang breathed out. 

Qin braced himself for the words that might follow, but nothing could prepare him for this.

"I'm so embarrassed." Duang groaned, burying his face in his palms. Qin turned to face him so fast, his neck almost dislocated.

"I've been talking to Moon— I mean Ter, about Ter everyday….you literally heard me make delusional scenarios about you out loud." He fake sobbed, as all his mortifying moments of gay panicking over Qin came rushing back to him.

Qin stared, really stared. He may have expected a lot of things, but this definitely wasn't on the list.

He saw Duang part his fingers to peek in between them slightly, his eyes lingering neat his white hair and ears. 

"Ter is so beautiful even as a cat. Qin, do you know, you are the first cat hybrid I've seen with my own eyes." The embarrassment had been replaced by pure amusement.

"Well, P'Funan, my brother used to hang out with P'Namping at our house before and P'Namping was a bunny hybrid. When I played with them, I made many hybrid friends. But you are the first cat hybrid I've met, and the most beautiful of them all." He kept rambling, like someone had broken the key to a talking doll.

"Duang." Qin called.

"Your ears are so pretty and your hair is magical. And your tail is so fluffy Qin." 

"Duang…" But Duang could hardly hear him, engrossed in his new-found discovery about his crush.

"When I saw Ter at the bus stop, you were so cute. Ofcourse, you are always cute—"

Qin shut him up with a peck to his lips, returning Duang's gesture that had pretty much started all this. The kiss did its job.

Duang went quiet, the blush returning to his cheeks.

"Calm down, Duang. Answer my questions first." Qin's tone was strict, but it was only to hide the lack of surety beneath it.

Duang nodded, still slightly flustered about the peck, mainly because it left him wanting more.

"Are you upset?" Qin asked, nails digging into his own palm. But Duang looked at him like he had grown two more heads.

" Upset? About what?"

"That I didn't tell you?"

"Well, I'm a little bummed out that I didn't know earlier but you had no obligation to tell me. Infact, I should be asking you— are you upset that I found out when you weren't ready to tell me?" 

"No, I'm okay now. Will me being a cat hybrid change anything between us?" 

"Honestly, I'm not sure. But as I had once told you, my feelings for you will only grow stronger every passing day." Duang assured him.

"Then…does me spending time with you as a cat, without telling you that its actually me, bother you?" 

"A little, yes. If I had known Moon— I mean that was you, I wouldn't have tried to kidnap you and take you home. Not of speak of the countless stupid things I've said. You have great control Qin, for not teasing me about my stupidity." He scratched his head awkwardly.

"Then, do you still like me?" Qin finally managed to ask the question that he had really been meaning to ask.

"No." Duang answered with a straight face.

Qin felt his heart drop immediately. His stomach churned and throat closed up with dread and discomfort. But a warm hand touched his cheek.

He looked at Duang, whose eyes held an emotion so strong, it proved difficult to continue looking at them.

"Duang has fallen in love with Qin long back. I don't know when it started. It may have been the day I first saw or it may have been at Loy Krathong. All I know is that I love Ter and I'm ready to love you with my everything."

Qin's eyes threatened to spill tears again.

"Why are you so good to me, Duang?" 

"Because its you, Qin. Because my heart saw you and decided you are worth everything. And more. You will always be worth more than I can give and I'll never stop trying." 

"You—" Qin choked over his tears. "Can I also love you as much as you love me, Duang? Will you let me?" 

"What?" Disbelief coated his word, too afraid that he was misunderstanding Qin.

"I want to be your boyfriend. I want to love you as much as you love me, not just with words but with actions. Will you let me, Duang?"

It was Duang's turn to tear up. He nodded hastily through his blurry vision, as if the opportunity might not present itself again if he delays his response.

" Ofcourse! Ofcourse I want to be Qin's boyfriend. Oh no, here come the waterworks." He laughed as his own tears started spilling from his eyes.

Qin laughed with him, leaning into Duang's hand that was still on his face.

"Look at this, you've turned me into a crybaby too, Duang." Qin complained as they both cried together, soft laughter escaping with them instead of sobs. 

"Ow! Its my fault now?" 

" Mhmm, your fault. Who told you to make me love you so much?"

"Ter! You can't say things like that!" 

"Why? Only you're allowed to be cheesy?" 

"No, but if you say such things, I won't be able to take it. I'll die for sure." He pressed both of his hands to his chest, pretending to clutch his heart.

"Come, I'll help you." Qin playfully aimed a punch at him, only for his fist to be caught by Duang.

He pulled Qin towards himself by the wrist, his other hand gripping Qin's waist to balance him. His attempt to balance Qin however, was unsuccessful, as he fell on his back on the couch, Qin landing on top of him as a result of the momentum.

Duang's eyes drew to Qin's lips, almost as a reflex. Qin noticed and leaned closer, his breath fanning over Duang's lips. 

Duang's eyes fluttered closed before their lips even touched, anticipating.

Except Qin just swerved to his neck and nuzzled his face in there.

"Ter, you're a tease." Duang groaned as he wrapped an arm around Qin's waist, letting Qin lie down on top of him properly.

"Deal with it, boyfriend." Qin whispered. 

Duang noticed he could not feel the pointed ears brushing his neck and neither could he see Qin's tail, which meant that Qin was in his complete human form right now.

He smiled as he felt Qin shifting slightly, trying to move even closer to him.

Maybe the first night at his boyfriend's place would be spent with them cuddling on the couch afterall.

If there was one thing that had changed since the day Qin's secret had been revealed, it would be the fact that he made no attempt to mask his clinginess.

Wherever Duang went, Qin followed. 

Once Qin's classes were over, he would be glued to Duang as Moon— Duang insisted that he'd call Qin as Moon when he was completely in his cat form. And "Moon" had promoted himself from a lap cat to a shoulder cat. 

He would no longer leave when Duang's bus would arrive. Instead, he would climb onto Duang's shoulder, hanging there like he's the best accessory, as Duang would board the bus, following him home. Once they would reach his apartment, he'd turn back to his human form, changing into Duang's clothes.

This exchange had led to almost half of Duang's clothes being transferred to Qin's closet. It has gotten to a point where Duang started wondering if a certain clothing piece would suit Qin when he'd be shopping for himself.

Even right now, Qin had attached himself to Duang. 

The group had found itself in Phi X's bar thanks to Jamie's persistence. He had whined Duang's ears off about how he had basically abandoned his friends after getting a boyfriend (they see each other everyday in class).

Duang had given in only for Jamie to ask him to invite Qin and his friends as well, which defeated his entire lecture about how Duang needs to stay away from Qin at times and pay attention to him instead.

Logic and Jamie rarely coexist.

"Khun Qin, have you switched to oversized looks recently?" Jamie wondered out loud as he looked at Qin's loose shirt, straying away from his usual crop tops or fitted shirts.

Qin just shrugged and sipped his drink.

"Jamie, thats clearly Duang's. We've seen him wear that like 50 times already."

"Ai'Pae! Thats not true. 30 at best." Duang corrected.

"That wasn't the point. The point is you guys are sharing clothes." Jamie pointed out.

"Yes, so?" Duang nodded, failing to see the problem.

"Whatever it is, we're just surprised to see our notorious 'I-do-not-like-sharing' Qin to throw away his boundaries across the country when it comes to Duang." Kim added.

Duang just smiled in response, expecting the conversation to be over when Qin suddenly decided to speak.

"Well, we've shared saliva so what's the harm in sharing some clothes." 

Duang choked on air and so did the rest of them. Except Qin, who just calmly took another sip of his drink.

" What?"

"Nothing. I just forget how wild you could get." Duang mumbled, making sure Qin was the only one who heard his reply.

"Am I wild, Duang?" Qin smirked, leaning in closer to whisper into his ears.

" I—" Duang stumbled over his words, unable to focus on anything but Qin's sultry voice.

"And here they go. No respect for public decorum, flirting in front of my poor eyes from day one." Jamie groaned.

"Maybe find yourself a lover and then you can also flirt with them." Tong suggested.

"Nope. I'm a warrior, not a lover." He raised his hands up in surrender. "The night is still too young for me to settle down. Let the winds lead my heart."

" Stop saying weird shit, man." Pae cringed beside him, trying to move away.

But Jamie was right. The night had indeed just started and he wasn't prepared for all of Qin's antics that he was about to witness in the next few hours.

It started when Duang was about to get up to use the restroom. As soon as he stood up, Qin's hand caught his wrist in panic.

"Where are you going?" Qin asked as if Duang was abandoning him after he had just birthed their child.

"To the washroom, Ter." 

"Oh." And with that, Qin started getting up too. 

"You wanna come along?" 

"Ofcourse." Qin nodded.

Jamie was trying to remember since when boyfriends were required to go to the washroom together, hand-in-hand.

Qin's friends looked fairly amused at the exchange.

"Has Qin always been like this? He didn't seem like the type." Pae asked them.

"You mean the clinginess? Absolutely not. We've known each other for years now and trust me, he's the most aloof person I've met." Tong replied.

"Yeah, your Duang has done some magic on him." Kim added, looking at the couple who were making their way back from the washroom.

A little later, Duang had gone up to greet one of his seniors and this time Qin didn't follow. But he refused to peel his eyes off Duang.

"You do know he's not going to evaporate if you look away right? You're going to spill sauce on your clothes." Jamie pointed out at the food in Qin's hand that looked dangerously close to spilling.

"I won't."

"You won't what? Spill the sauce or look away from your boyfriend?"

" Both." They all just collectively sighed at his reply.

When Duang came back, Jamie gave him a "good for you bro, winning in life" look that he didn't quite understand.

Later, when Pae had whipped out a deck of UNO cards from his pocket, the table had gotten livelier. Everyone got a taste of each other's competitive spirits.

"Got to admit, UNO really brings out our most evil sides." Kim laughed as he watched Duang ponder over what card he should play, before finally deciding on one.

His choice of card made Jamie jump up in his seat with joy, evident that Duang had just handed a win over to him.

"My bestie loves me oh my god! Come here, let me give you a kissie!" He joked, puckering his lips out and reaching across the table to grab Duang's face to tease him.

Big mistake.

He heard a clatter next to Duang. Qin had dropped his fork to his plate and was glaring at Jamie with such strong intensity, he almost called for his mom to rescue him.

"Q-Qin…you know I was joking, right?" Jamie laughed nervously as he settled back down in his own chair.

Qin didn't answer. He just lifted Duang's hand that was laced with his under the table, to place them on the table, sending a clear signal.

Jamie looked terrified and amused at the same time.

"Pae, its your move now." Kim called out, cutting through the unnecessary tension in the room.

The game continued peacefully — as peacefully as a game of UNO could proceed.

Meanwhile, Qin managed to sit even closer to Duang that he already was. It would make almost no difference if he got up and sat on Duang's lap that very moment.

Duang wasn't new to Qin's possessiveness (and he was the biggest enabler). He just pulled Qin as close as possible, leaving soft pecks to his hair and cheeks occasionally.

They wrapped up their hangout past midnight. All of them were still fairly sober, just a light buzz of the alcohol in their system making them feel more free than usual.

Qin had his arm hooked around Duang's as he simultaneously booked a cab. That was when Wave nudged Duang from the other side, stealing his attention.

"I know you told us Qin is a cat hybrid, but I didn't realise he really is so much like a cat." He whispered to Duang.

"Why do you say so?" Duang seemed confused.

"Are you being real right now? He's literally like a wild cat hissing anyone who even dares to look at you but the moment he has your attention, he's like an innocent, docile kitten. The contrast is absurd to witness." 

"Is he? I think he's just cute all the time." Duang shrugged. Wave hadn't even thought of a reply yet when he felt Duang being pulled away from him slightly.

Apparently Qin was done sharing his attention. Wave got the message and walked faster to catch up with Jamie instead.

"Cab's here, Ter." Qin showed his phone screen to Duang.

But Duang wasn't looking at the phone.

"Ter…did you just call me Ter? Qin…can you— can you say that again? Please." Duang was almost jumping from excitement.

Qin giggled. As cute as always.

"Let's go home, Ter." He laughed as Duang enveloped him into a suffocating hug, unable to contain his happiness.

If a year ago Duang was asked what his life would look like in the coming few months, he would have said something along the lines of "paint until I collapse", "have fun with Jamie and Pae", "make good memories" and "make others smile". 

One year later, he had done all of that. And more. 

Because there was no way he'd have predicted that he'll spend his term break cuddling with his boyfriend everyday. 

After their final exams,.Duang had pretty much moved into Qin's apartment. His own condo must have collected dust by now. 

Right now he was finishing a painting and Qin was lying on the rug, head on Duang's lap. His hair was white and his pointed ears twitched everytime Duang caressed them softly with his left hand. 

Qin would occasionally lift his head to slightly and pout his lips at Duang, who would get the message and lean down to kiss his lips softly before continuing with his work.

That was how most evenings in the house looked like now. 

Sometimes Duang would wake up in the morning, expecting to feel Qin's warmth, only to be tickled by something wet on his finger. He would open his eyes to find Qin as Moon, biting his finger playfully.

If Duang pulled his hand away, "Moon" would hide under the blanket and turn back to his human form, giggling at his successful mischief.

Then he would slowly peek out from the blanket, only for Duang to pin him down and attack him with never-ending kisses.

"Wait! Oh my god! Duang! Haha it tickles! Ahhh!" He'd be in tears from laughing so hard. "Stop, stop, stop!

I'm sorry!" 

"You're so naughty, Ter!" Duang would whisper.

"Then punish me." He'd whisper back, changing the cute morning into something more intimate.