The dynamic between Nio and Tee shifted after that moment. Tee began to sit closer to him. During lectures, he'd lean over and whisper something in Nio's ear, his breath warm against Nio's skin. Nio's heart would race at the proximity. Every time their hands brushed - accidentally or not - Nio's body would flare with heat. Tee's teasing had become more frequent, more intentional, and Nio found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions he didn't know how to handle.
But it was the day Nio mentioned his senior that everything changed.
"I look up to him," Nio had said, mentioning a senior in his department who had been mentoring him. "We hang out sometimes. He's really nice."
The words hadn't even left his lips when Tee's whole demeanor changed. His smile faltered, his body stiffened, and his gaze hardened. For the rest of the day, Tee barely spoke to him. Nio felt the shift like a punch to the gut.
That night, Nio couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. So, he sent Tee a message, apologizing for any misunderstanding, unsure of what he had done. When they met up in person, Tee's frustration was palpable.
"I don't like you talking about him like that," Tee said, his voice low, but firm. "I want you to look at me like that. Just me."
The words hit Nio like a storm. He wasn't sure how to react, but a part of him - deep down - was elated. Tee wanted him. Wanted him in a way he had never been wanted before. And that knowledge made Nio's heart flutter with something he couldn't fully comprehend.