Chapter Text
“Fight. Fight, over here.” Dew waved his arm and hollered across the basketball court, indicating he was free. Fighter noticed, turned his back to block his opponent, and threw the ball towards Dew with force. He caught it, and with almost no effort jumped and dunked it into the hoop.
“Yes,” exclaimed Fighter loudly as he high-fived his friend and beamed with pride.
Tutor smiled to himself as he watched this from a bench set back from the court. It was a comfortably cool day and he’d decided to revise outside. It should be an easy quiz, he just needed a quick refresh, but still he was cursing himself for quite how easily he was distracted.
One of the opposition had retrieved the ball and the noise on the court started up again. All Tutor could hear was feet slamming, the ball bouncing on the hard court and the players barking at each other.
Tutor had never been one for team sports, he went for a run a couple of times a week but only because he knew he was supposed to (and maybe cos his jeans got a bit tight). He wouldn’t say he enjoyed it, more like he knew it was the right thing to do. Watching the game (and who was he kidding, he had spent most of the previous half hour ignoring his textbook and watching Fighter), he was in awe of how much his boyfriend revelled in it.
Fighter’s eyes narrowed in concentration whenever he tried to get the ball from an opponent and his face lit up when his team scored. Fighter was a good player and Tutor enjoyed watching him. He was usually pretty reserved, half of his words are basically grunts or “hhmms”, but he was very animated when he played basketball. Tutor didn’t often see him this expressive with other people. Of course Fighter was totally different when they are alone - recently Tutor has discovered an endless number of facial expressions that go along with the grunts and “hhmmms”. There are at least six different types of smile (he’d counted), thick eyebrows raised in surprise, intense wide eyes challenging Tutor, smug smirks when winning a silly argument, and the adorable koala impression. And, of course, the looks just before they kissed, when they fuck, Fighter’s face when he comes. Tutor has particularly enjoyed studying those facial expressions.
His mind had wandered onto the vison of Fighter’s face, looking up eagerly from between his thighs - he always looked so pleased with himself, and so turned on, when his mouth was on Tutor. The phone in Tutor’s pocket suddenly beeped snapping him back to reality and the noise of the basketball game. He flushed slightly and picked up his phone.
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From Hwa:
- You still on campus? Can I come get my umbrella?
- *Frog in rain sticker*
- *heart sticker*
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Tutor took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind. This was not the time to think about his boyfriend naked. That was a dangerous path to go down - arousal in public is not a good look. He forced himself to read his textbook for a minute then typed out a brief reply to Hwahwa.
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From Tor:
- Yep, I’m revising by the basketball court
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After Tutor, Fighter, Day and Hwahwa had been out for dinner at the weekend she had left her umbrella in Fighter’s car. After they had dropped Day at home, she had been too distracted chattering about how funny he was, how cute he looked in that shirt, how he had a beautiful smile. Tutor had caught his boyfriend’s eye in the rear-view mirror and pulled a face but Hwahwa noticed - Shut up Tor, you can’t talk. You two are even more gross.
Their double date had actually gone surprisingly well. As expected, it had started out awkwardly - Day and Fighter didn’t really know each other and shared a weird handshake and just kept quiet at first. Then they’d all had a few beers, the food was delicious and, as the evening went on, their boyfriends had discovered how much fun it was to team up and tease Hwahwa and Tutor together. When he had collapsed into bed with Tutor later that night, even Fighter admitted it had been a good evening. Tutor was pleased his boyfriend and best friend genuinely seemed to want to be friends – this was a huge achievement given their history.
Hwahwa appeared in less than five minutes and sat down on the bench next to Tutor.
“Hi Tor,” she didn’t pause for breath, “oh my god I had so much fun on Saturday night. The restaurant was lush. You had fun didn’t you? The guys seemed to get on okay didn’t they? Did P’Fight have fun? It wasn’t too awkward was it? I know it could be weird, but can we do it again soon yeah?”
“Woah, woah,” laughed Tutor. “One question at a time Hwa.”
“Sorry,” she giggled.
“Yes it was fun.” His voice was calm, trying to slow down the pace of the conversation. “Yes we would like to do it again.”
“Good.” She smiled and patted his hand.
“No Day with you today?” Tutor asked after a few seconds of comfortable silence. “I didn’t think you two could be apart for more than ten minutes?” Hwahwa and her new boyfriend had been entirely inseparable since they got together, and Tutor rarely missed an opportunity to tease either of them.
“Oh Tor, don’t be mean. He had to go help his dad with something.” Her gaze travelled across the court to where Fighter was currently trying to get the ball from his opponent. “And that’s rich coming from you.”
“What?” Tor asked, voice rising slightly.
“You just happened to choose this bench to sit and work, did you?”
“It’s a nice day. I have a quiz, I need to revise.” As he said this his eyes also travelled across the court and landed on Fighter, unfortunately at just the exact moment he lifted up the hem of his yellow and blue basketball top to wipe his face. The action exposed most of his well-toned stomach and perfectly defined abs. Tutor’s mouth dropped open slightly as he allowed himself a split second to stare. He knew Fighter did this on purpose. His boyfriend didn’t spend hours in the gym just to keep his hard work concealed under layers of clothes. His inability to fully button a shirt was a constant source of amusement to Tutor. Hwahwa noticed Tutor’s face and chuckled.
“Pervert,” she reprimanded.
“Why can’t he keep his clothes on?” laughed Tutor.
“Oh you love it, don’t pretend you aren’t staring Tor.”
“I mean he’s hot, obviously, but look,” he gestured to a group of first years on the other side of the court, “I’m not the only one staring.”
“Oh my god you are so possessive Tor.” Hwahwa laughed and he furrowed his brow slightly.
“I’m not. I just don’t think he needs to show off. Those freshmen are practically drooling. It’s tacky.”
“You’re just jealous Tor.”
“But he is such an exhibitionist.” Tutor was also laughing properly now. He did try to keep his jealously in check. He knew it made him sound petty but sometimes he couldn’t control it. Why was he even bothered if girls stared at his boyfriend? He was the one Fighter was in love with; he knew this with total confidence. “It happens all the time. Girls just come and fawn over him when I’m sat right next to him.”
“Well maybe you should try being a bit more open in public,” Hwahwa leaned in as if sharing a secret, “let people know P’Fight is taken.”
The game had paused and Fighter was now on the far side of the court looking towards Hwahwa and Tutor. He was drinking from a bottle of water, allowing excess liquid to escape his mouth and trickle down his neck. He locked eyes with Tutor as he lowered the bottle and slowly licked his lips.
“You do know this is just a show for you Tor?” Hwahwa asked, laughing again. “It is all totally for your benefit.”
“But why must he put on the show here?” He was still laughing but beginning to sound slightly exasperated. “Oh god that girl is going to talk to him.”
They watched a beautiful girl break away from the group of first years and walk over to Fighter. She was brave, he had to give her that. Tutor couldn’t hear what either of them said but he could see her charming smile and just about make out her flirtatious giggles. As she reached a hand to brush Fighter’s arm he flinched and stepped back.
“Oh Tor, he looks so awkward.” They were both just openly staring now, watching the interaction with amusement. Fighter smiled politely and evidently said something to excuse himself, turning his back and bending down to get something from his bag. The girl walked back towards her friends.
“Oh she looks so embarrassed,” remarked Tutor. “He better not have been rude to her.”
“P’Fight practically ran away from her. God he just cannot handle girls hitting on him, can he? How did I not realise he was gay?” She placed her face in her hands and pretended to cry.
Tutor’s voice turned serious suddenly, “I’m so sorry Hwa. I should have told you earlier.” His eyes darted downward a look of shame coming across his face.
“Oh Tor, I’m joking. How many times have you apologised? It’s okay. You know I’m okay with it. You two are cute together.”
“But are you sure?”
“I know he makes you happy Tor. And you know Day is amazing.” She squeaked slightly, “oh he got me the cutest present.” She held out her wrist and showed Tutor a delicate silver charm bracelet. Tutor knew changing the subject to her new boyfriend was just another way for Hwahwa to make him feel better.
“That’s beautiful Hwa. And thanks.” He grasped her hand and squeezed gently, yet again feeling incredibly grateful for Hwahwa’s forgiveness. THey were quiet for a few seconds as they watched the basketball game start up again.
“Okay I should go, I need to finish an essay for tomorrow.” Hwahwa grabbed the umbrella off the bench and stood up. “Thanks for bringing this, say hi to P’Fight for me”.
After she left Tutor resolved to focus on his textbook. He actually managed to ignore the basketball court for a solid 10 minutes and made notes on the remaining few pages of the chapter. His concentration was finally broken when Fighter flopped down on the bench next to him.
“Oh P’Fight, you’re finished?”
“Yeah. If you hadn’t been ignoring me for the last ten minutes you would have seen us finish up. You’re such a nerd Tor.” Tutor smiled, he knew this was meant with affection, Fighter teased him at any opportunity.
“Did you win?”
“Yes, we did.” He looked happy and proud of himself. Tutor liked seeing him like this.
“Well done.” Tutor glanced across the court – the group of first years were staring them now. “I see you made a new friend?” His voice was aiming at teasing but he suspected a trace of jealousy might be creeping through.
“Huh?” Fighter looked confused.
“The pretty girl.” He nodded his head towards the other side of the court. “Seriously phi, why do you always have to show off your body? You know I am possessive.” He was laughing, the smile on Fighter’s face dissolving any actual jealousy or annoyance. The way Fighter looked at him, his insecurities couldn’t ignore the love and desire in his boyfriend’s eyes.
“Oh, you noticed my body did you Tor?”
Tutor leaned his face in towards Fighter, a challenge in his eyes. “The whole university noticed your body phi. Quite a little show you put on.”
“But you know it’s all for your benefit Tor, don’t you?” His voice had dropped and he was staring into Tutor’s eyes.
“I’m not sure those girls realise that though phi, you have quite a fan club.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Fighter’s eyebrows were raised in mock innocence, stepping up to the challenge. Their faces were getting closer now, only a few centimetres apart.
“Don’t pretend you don’t love the attention P’Fight.” This reminded Tutor of when they first met, when Fighter was always invading his personal space, getting uncomfortably close as he teased. Except now this closeness was very welcome, right now he could feel Fighter’s warm breath on his lips. “Hmm?”
“And you didn’t enjoy watching me at all did you?” Fighter’s eyes were darting from Tutor’s eyes to his lips and back again. “You were practically drooling Tor.”
“Oh that was nothing to do with you phi. I was just really enjoying my book.” The gap between them closed almost entirely as Fighter moved his body in towards Tutor, crowding even further into his personal space and brushing his hand against Tutor’s thigh. Tutor felt his own breath getting quicker and shallower, this game had always made his heart race.
“You okay there Tor, having a little trouble breathing?”
“Oh I’m fine,” he wasn’t going to lose, “I’m just thinking about the chapter I just read. Really stimulating stuff.”
Tutor’s tongue slowly glided over his lower lip but he didn't break eye contact. This wasn’t accidental, he knew the effect this had on his boyfriend, how much he stared at Tutor’s lips. He watched as Fighter swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. God why was he so obsessed with that part of Fighter’s neck? It took all his self-control not to reach out and press his thumb against it. If they weren’t sat in university he would probably have his hand on Fighter’s throat by now.
“Sounds exciting, maybe we need to go home and I can give you a hand?” Fighter’s eyes darted down to the younger man's lap, but this last statement was too much for Tutor. The tension broke as he suddenly burst into laughter.
“Give me a hand? Oh phi you’re so cheesy sometimes.” Fighter looked suddenly shy and embarrassed and Tutor felt instantly guilty for laughing at him. He knew Fighter worried about being too much. Why had he spoilt it by laughing? He smiled warmly to try to erase the hurt on Fighter’s face. “I love you,” he said simply. This seemed to work and Fighter’s face lit up again.
“Yeah you do,” Fighter practically gloated. Without warning, he leaned in and closed the gap between them again, pressed his nose against Tutor’s cheek and made a short, cute sniffing noise, taking in his scent.
Across the court, the group of first years was still looking at them. They couldn’t hear the conversation but they watched as Tutor giggled and tried to squirm away from Fighter, before a second sniff kiss was pressed against his neck.
One of the girls turned to her friend and laughed. “Don’t be too offended – I don’t think you’re his type.”