When a quiet study session turns into chaos and laughter, hearts make their own rules.
The morning after the blackout, Fah arrived at the library expecting calm, maybe a little quiet studying to recover from the chaos of yesterday. Instead, he found Tawan already sprawled across a study table, books and notes scattered in organized chaos around him, and that infuriatingly confident smirk lighting up his face.
"Late again," Tawan remarked, glancing up without lifting his head. "I was starting to think you'd never show."
Fah groaned, dropping his bag. "I almost didn't. My schedule is… complicated."
Tawan lifted one perfectly arched eyebrow. "Complicated, huh? Or were you avoiding me?"
Fah's cheeks warmed. "Maybe a little of both."
Tawan laughed softly, shaking his head. "Good answer. I like honesty… even when it's grudging."
For the next hour, they studied side by side. Books open, pens scratching, but it wasn't exactly quiet—every so often their hands would brush over a page or a pen, each touch sending an involuntary jolt through Fah that he was starting to accept as normal.
Halfway through, Tawan leaned over and whispered, "Hey… do you want to get lunch after this? Something not drenched in chaos or puddles?"
Fah hesitated for a split second—then smiled. "Yeah. That sounds… nice."
They packed up their things, walking side by side through the campus courtyard. The sun broke through lingering clouds, painting golden streaks over the paths. Fah noticed small details—Tawan's hair catching the light, the way he absentmindedly twirled his pen, the soft curve of a smile that didn't hide his warmth.
Lunch was at a small Thai café nearby, tucked between a bookstore and a street of tiny shops. They ordered pad thai and iced tea, sitting close enough that their elbows bumped often, each collision prompting a soft laugh or a teasing remark.
"You know," Tawan said, leaning back, "you're not as predictable as I thought. You plan everything meticulously, but somehow you end up making life… interesting."
Fah smirked, stirring his tea. "Careful. That sounds like a compliment."
"It is," Tawan said, with a glance that lingered just a little too long. "I like interesting."
Fah's pulse quickened, but before he could respond, his phone buzzed—an urgent message from the engineering lab. A small robotics competition had been scheduled earlier than expected.
Tawan leaned over, reading the screen. "Looks like our calm lunch is over," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Race you to the lab?"
Fah laughed, grabbing his bag. "You're on."
And just like that, the rest of the afternoon was a blur of laughter, playful arguments, and the comfortable chaos that seemed to follow them everywhere.
By the time the sun set, painting the city in amber and rose, Fah realized he didn't mind at all. With Tawan, every small adventure, every teasing moment, every little collision of life and chaos only brought them closer—and somehow, that made everything feel… right.