Ping found himself at the old pavilion again, the wooden floorboards creaking softly under his footsteps. He hesitated at the edge, heart thumping faster than usual. Last time...last time he had run, leaving keng behind.
This time, he didn't want to run, he told himself, he wouldn't run. But a small, stubborn part of him couldn't help waiting, hoping – hoping that keng might appear anyway.
And then he did.
Keng appeared at the edge of the pavilion, casually leaning against the railing as if he had been waiting all along. His eyes softened when they met ping's, like he already knew every quirk, every nervous tic, and he didn't mind.
Keng froze. He had been kind of certain ping wouldn't come this time. Maybe he had thought ping would avoid him, scared of the attention. But here he was – quiet, patient, steady.
"Hey", keng said softly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Ping's throat lightened. He managed a nod, unsure whether to speak or just sink into safety of the pavilion. Somehow, just seeing keng there made the place feel... Warmer.
They sat together in silence for a while. Ping's thoughts tumbled over themselves – wondering what keng might be thinking, how he had known ping would stay, whether he should finally speak.
Slowly the words came.
"I'm sorry, yesterday I ...." Ping wanted to apologize for running away but keng cut in "it's fine,they scared you, didn't they?", keng smiled.
Ping not knowing what to say nodded and said "..... hmm"
" So... You come here often?" Ping asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Keng tilted his head smiling knowingly, "yeah, but I already know you do".
Ping's ears flushed . He wanted to protest, to say that keng didn't really know him, but something about the way keng said it made him pause. Maybe he did know, maybe he had been paying attention all along.
Just as ping began to relax,three familiar voices called out from the path leading to the pavilion.
"Tao ! Jinn! Bank !" Keng muttered under his breath, standing and gently holding ping's arm before he could retreat. "Hey these are my friends".
Ping blinked.
The trio approached, smiling in that easy, teasing way that made ping's stomach twist nervously.
"Hi", keng said, introducing them,
"This is Tao, Jinn and Bank"
"Hi", ping mumbled, still unsure where to place himself.
Tao leaned forward, grinning,"so you're the one who stole our friend, huh ?"
Ping froze, unsure whether to laugh or blush. Keng's hand on his shoulder was grounding – silent, protective, and somehow reassuring.
"Not stolen", keng said, a teasing note in his voice.
"I came on my own"
Keng's friends exchanged playful glances, nudging him,"yeah, you're ours too, you know. But.... You're pretty sneaky ".
Ping froze as they subtly reached out , playful but a little too close. His heart raced,not sure what to do. But keng's hand in his shoulder was grounding – protective, subtle and reassuring. He gently moved ping closer to himself, shielding him without a word.
"Don't scare him", keng said lightly, a soft warning in his tone.
The friends laughed , stepping back a little, still teasing but respectful.
The tension melted, replaced by playful chatter. Ping listened, responded shyly, and even managed a small laugh when Tao told a silly joke.
As the laughter faded into soft murmurs, ping shifted slightly on the bench, still close to keng. His heart fluttered – not panic, but anticipation, maybe even..... Comfort.
Without thinking he leaned toward keng, a small, unspoken gesture of trust.
Keng noticed instantly. His hand brushed lightly against ping's – not in a grab, just gentle, protective, lingering long enough to make ping's chest tighten pleasantly.
Ping's eyes widened for a moment, then he let out a quiet, embarrassed laugh.
Keng simply smiled , calm and steady, leaning back slightly to give ping space while keeping that subtle connection alive.
For the first time, ping realized that being seen, being close to someone who understood him – didn't have to be scary.
The pavilion wasn't just a safe place anymore, with keng – and even his friends teasing around them – it had become warm . Alive.
And for the first time, ping didn't want to run,he wanted to remain like this for a little longer.