When overheard words stir doubt where laughter used to be.
The cafeteria hummed with its usual lunchtime chaos—clattering trays, loud conversation, the smell of fried rice and strong coffee hanging in the air. Fah picked his way through the throng, scanning for Tawan.
He had caught sight of him at the corner table, slouching slightly away from a cluster of med students. His smile was easy, charming—the kind that always constricted Fah's chest in ways he didn't want to admit out loud.
But Fah drew back.
"I don't really have time for relationships," Tawan said casually, stirring the straw in his iced coffee. "Too much work, too many expectations.".
The table snickered, bobbing its head, and someone affectionately teased him for marrying his books. Tawan just smirked and shrugged it off as though nothing was amiss.
Fah remained static where he stood, tray in hand. His stomach curled. Did Tawan really mean that? All the late-night studying, the teasing, the umbrella moments—had Fah been reading too much into things?
Before he could decide whether to confront him or flee, Tawan's gaze caught his across the cafeteria. His expression shifted instantly—smirk softening into something warmer. He waved him over.
Fah forced a small smile, walking over and sliding into the seat beside him. "Hey."
"You're late," Tawan teased, nudging his shoulder. "I was about to eat your dessert."
" Wouldn't be the first time," Fah growled, spearing his rice a little too harshly.
Tawan tilted his head, clearly seeing. "Something wrong?"
"Nope," Fah said quickly. Too quickly.
The rest of lunch was spent in relaxed banter, but Fah's smile was a little forced, his laugh a little short of reaching his eyes. Tawan noticed—he always noticed—but didn't push the point. Not yet.
As they left the cafeteria, Tawan reached for Fah's hand, holding it casually as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Fah's heart leapt, the earlier doubt colliding with the warmth of Tawan's touch.
"Hey," Tawan said softly, leaning closer. "Don't overthink things, okay? You'll tell me if something's bothering you."
Fah gulped hard, wrestling with telling Tawan what he'd overheard and pretending it didn't happen. "Yeah… I will."
He didn't. At least, not yet.
And when Tawan yanked him happily down to the library, Fah couldn't help but question the nagging question in his mind: Was he merely another distraction for Tawan, or something more?