HEMP ROPE

24.

 

The cool morning air was too comfortable for...

 

"Argh!!!

 

The man covered in tattoos choked, feeling disoriented. He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling and threw away the arm slung over his stomach.

 

"Shit. You keep tossing and turning." Win sat himself up, running a hand over his face. His eyes watched the sleeping guy next to him, wearing only boxers. Nothing sexy about him, of course...

 

"Ngh." Dark eyebrows furrowed as Team curled up on himself, shifting closer to Win as if looking for warmth. Win chuckled, then reached for the blanket, kicked it to the side of the bed to cover the sleepy guy. He recalled that Team easily got cold. It was the kid's secret, but Win caught it every time as Team shivered like a puppy. Wearing thick clothes wasn't his thing, either.

 

Knock knock

 

The sound made Team move in his sleep. Win's big hand patted his head until his breath was calm enough. Win got up to answer the door. "Speak."

 

Three first-year juniors lined up in front of his room, blinking before they went disconcerted as they saw their fourth-year senior with a bare chest covered in tattoos, looking groggy.

 

"We... come look for P' Team." The young man knocking on the door gave him a lopsided grin. They were new guys to the swimming club, yet they knew the vice president well.

 

Win was perplexed. They were looking for Team but knocked on his door. They knew too much.

 

"He's sleeping. Wanna leave him a message?"

 

"Then, please give him these handouts." They handed him a folder that they got from another senior.

 

"Okay."

 

As the juniors gave a farewell wai and were about to leave, Win called, "Wait."

"Yes?" The juniors blinked at him.

 

Win touched his lips with his index finger, smiling. A secret shared between the juniors in their club. They nodded and rushed off. A secret passed from one to another in the swimming club. Don't let P'Team know that everyone knows.

 

The man walked back into the room, dropping the folder on the desk. He was about to look for food, but instantly changed his mind upon looking at the bed. The big sleepyhead was still fast asleep. Yet his hand swept around the space next to him, looking for something. His eyebrows knitted in frustration.

 

"Alright, alright, here I come."

 

Win climbed back on the bed, letting the hand latch onto him. Win clambered up on him with a satisfying hum. He shook his head, smiling.

 

Mhm...cool air was nice.