Saturday afternoon.

“Why are there lilies on a wheelbarrow outside your room?” Nick scrunched up his nose as he entered the younger boys’ dorm.

The Senpai hung by the door a little bit, taking in the space. Every dorm room had the same kind of architecture to it of course, bathroom to the right by the entrance, tiny kitchen to the left and the bed and stuff to the front, but it was up to the students how they wanted to organize it.

This room seemed to scream intimacy. It was not that disorganized, but also not that neat, as he found out his presence was not enough for the younger ones to make it perfect, but it was just… mixed?

There were some clothes folded on the bed that was clearly Leon's that definitely were not his. The backpack that Nick knew belonged to the long haired boy was left on the opposite side of the room with a bunch of stuff he also knew weren't his. A whole lot of photos were scattered around the room, not following their owner's side, as if each boy kept taking them to look at and not putting it back. There were even beanies and some oversized but still small clothes laying on Leon's side desk that the elder knew belonged to Mark, even though that was not his room.

Between the two single sized beds there was a short table with books splattered on top. The boys were sitting on some cushions on the floor in front of it, but instead of around the table, all of them were on the same side. Mark was laying on Leon's lap, waving at Nick's arrival, John was leaning on Leon's shoulder drinking water from the taller’s water bottle and Leon himself was listening to music with airpods that were not his because his were on the other bed. Do not ask how Nick knew which items belonged to the other boy, he just somehow did.

The younger one opened his eyes when Nick arrived and blinked at him.

Nick didn’t know what to make of any of that. It was like the three boys were a single entity at this point and a little spark of annoyance, that he didn't know where it came from, passed by his mood, and disappeared right after.

Leon took off the airpods and opened his mouth, but instead of a greeting to him or an answer to his question, he said “Oh, Henry-senpai came as well?”

And following right behind Nick, the said Henry-senpai smiled as he closed the door. “Yup, Nick felt awkward to come alon–” He didn't get to finish his sentence, as his friend elbowed him.

“He came for moral assistance for this arduous task and he’ll be quiet” The black haired boy made a face, stomped up to the table and sat at the opposite side of the other three, with Henry following close and snickering. When they made no sign of moving, Nick’s eyebrow twitched “Sit upright to study, Powerpuff Girls”.

He expected some resistance and maybe a counterback from his nemesis, but instead of that, Leon just barked a laugh and pushed his friends to sit. Nick wondered if he had hit his head.

“Who am I, Blossom because of my hair?” The boy smiled confidently.

“Oh, you are definitely Buttercup, that temperamental little shit”.

“Like you are one to talk”.

“Should I go home then?”

“You lost the bet”.

Right. He lost the bet. That was why he was there.

“Fine.” He said between his teeth and rolled his eyes. “What do my dear kouhais want to start with?” He ironized. Nick was somehow bothered by the fact that Leon was unfazed with the situation, even holding a mocking grin on his lips.

The first-year looked over to his friends, waiting for an answer. Why did he need to consult them? Nick frowned.

“How about this?” Mark pointed to a topic on the textbook that was on the table. John and Leon nodded. The second-year bit the inside of his cheeks.

“Then I’m starting with you” He pointed to Leon “Give me your notes and answers so I can look them over”.

The long haired boy just shrugged, still smiling, and gave him his notes. Nick had intended to point out every little mistake that the boy could’ve made. He wanted to at least have that pleasure since he was dragged there. But the more he read the notes, the more he frowned and the more Leon’s smile grew. The elder now understood the stupid grin and the good mood of the hyena.

“What the hell?” He muttered in disbelief. “You don’t need me here” He looked at John and Mark who just shrugged “Did you fucking write the textbook yourself? Why the fuck do you want me here for?” And he threw his hands up as he doubled his curse.

“Because I can?” Leon gave him the most innocent eyes and sweet smile but it somehow sent a chill up Nick’s back. The first-year leaned back on the bed, arms crossed. “Also, these two asked for it, and I can’t say no to them” He gestured with one hand to his friends.

Nick propped his elbows on the table and slumped with his forehead on his hands, feeling absolutely defeated “...Why? Your jackass of a friend is more than enough for this.” He could see Henry at his side, finding all of this absolutely hilarious as he pretended to scroll on his phone.

“Turns out Leon is just a natural learner” John replied, huffing a sigh “He is absolutely awful at teaching, he thinks everyone can get things as easy as he does” He complained even as he unconsciously patted Leon’s tight.

Nick frowned at the caress, but he himself thought he was frowning at the words. Mark who was quietly observing did not miss it though, making a mental note of it.

“Give me your notes then” The elder rolled his eyes, motioning to John.

And they started studying.

—

The afternoon passed in a blink of an eye and they were well into the night already. For the most part it was very productive. Nick turned out to be a great teacher and found himself satisfied with how the two young boys were dedicated to understanding, even despite their difficulties.

Leon was a surprise, even with the little bothersome comments and cursed remarks at Nick, he mostly paid attention as well, not getting in the way of his friends. Nick caught himself pondering that Oh, so he can be considerate. The boy even added some notes to the teaching that were useful. The second-year couldn’t believe how peaceful this was.

That is, until all of them started getting tired. The sarcastic remarks that came from Leon grew as he got grumpy, Henry started shaking his legs and shaking the table as well, Mark and John started having difficulties at understanding, their brains getting slow, and Nick himself was feeling impatient already.

“Alright, that’s it, that’s enough for today” The black haired boy closed the textbook dramatically.

“For… today?” Mark asked. Leon perked up at that as well.

“What? Are you giving up already?” Nick stared at him “We still have a whole other section to go through. I’m coming back tomorrow” He said plainly. “I’m a man of my word, I’m tutoring you to the end.”

“I’m not coming tomorrow” Henry said “I’m so bored”.

“Suit yourself, you could just help out if you were so bored” Nick gave a bite to his words. He knew his friend had played candy crush all day and would have done the same at his room.

“Alright!” Henry ignored him. “Who wants to come with senpai to buy dinner and drinks for us? My treat”

Mark raised his hands right away and John did it right after him. As Leon was raising his hand, his childhood friend held it down.

“You two are staying, I want no races on the way to the store” 

“We won’t!” Nick and Leon yelled out at the same time.

Ten seconds of pure disbelief passed before both of them buffed “Fine”. And were left alone.

Both boys could almost hear the tick tack of an imaginary clock as an uncomfortable silence extended before them. They were looking everywhere but at each other. After what seemed to be forever Nick murmured something about going to the bathroom and got up weirdly fast.

When the bathroom door closed Leon finally felt like he could breathe again.

Thanks to his mocking friends he was now aware that he maybe, probably, possibly… Had a crush on Nick. He did his best to act like normal, but the truth was that he had spent that whole time feeling very giddy at the fact that the second-year was in his room.

Nick was in his room. Right across from him, looking all handsome, saying he was smart (that’s all Leon heard really), helping his friends and our boy was just beyond excited. Never was he so glad to have bet something on his life.

The first-year was biting back a smile and wiggling his feet when the elder came out of the bathroom. He schooled his expression to look bored even as his eyes sparkled. On the way back to the table, Nick stopped on his tracks, staring at a picture that was actually on John’s desk.

“Why do you have this?” He blurted out, picking up the photo.

On the picture was a one-year-younger Leon, wearing Mark’s beanie to hide his hair. He was beaming, looking all soft and proud. Right by his side was the main dancer of the dance festival he had told John about. It was a photo he was very proud to have. The main dancer was just 2 cm taller than himself, because Leon had grown a lot in one year. He had an Aladdin costume, make up, wig and all that jazz.

“Oh, that?” The first-year got up and walked towards him. “That is my favorite picture” He stopped right by Nick’s side and held the other corner of the image as the older boy was holding it with only one hand. “It was here in uni u’know, last year. I was always a fan of this university dance club, I came every year I could, but last year was my favorite.” He smiled at the memories. “The Aladdin boy was SO good, I was hoping to meet him, but I don’t actually know what he looks like without all the get up” He giggled. “His movements were so pretty, honestly. I want to be able to dance like that, I couldn’t get my eyes off him for the entire play.” He trailed off as a realization came to him. “You were here! Do you know who–” Leon cut himself short when he looked up at the boy by side.

Nick’s face was entirely red. From his neck, up to his ears and cheeks, he was so red that his skin color was barely showing. It was almost as if smoke would sprout right out of him.

“You are kidding…” Leon breathed out as he dropped the corner he was holding.

There was no way. Right?