The beach air is warm, salty, and a little too loud with your relatives chatting nearby—but somehow, all you can focus on is him.

“Careful,” Por murmurs behind you, his voice low and teasing as his hand lightly steadies your waist. “You’ll trip over your own feet again.”

You turn your head, narrowing your eyes. “I tripped once.”

“Twice,” he corrects instantly, lips twitching.

You scoff, trying to pull away, but his grip lingers just a second longer than necessary. “Let go, P’Por. My family’s right there.”

“Exactly,” he whispers, leaning closer, his breath brushing your ear. “I’m being very respectful.”

You almost choke on air. “Respectful?!”

He grins—

From behind, one of your cousins calls your name, but before you can turn, Por gently tugs you back, slipping his fingers between yours like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“You’re not escaping that easily,” he says. “You promised me coconut water.”

“I said I might get you one,” you correct, but your fingers tighten around his anyway.

“Same thing.”

“It’s not—”

He suddenly leans in closer, eyes soft now, playful but warm. “Then I’ll just have to stay close until you do.”

Your heart does that annoying little skip.

“Clingy,” you mutter.

“Only with my boyfriend.”

You roll your eyes, but your smile gives you away.

—

Later, when everyone’s gathered for dinner, you’re sitting between your aunt and Por, trying to act normal while he casually rests his arm behind your chair.

Every now and then, his fingers brush your shoulder.

You elbow him lightly. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” he says innocently, taking a sip of his drink.

You glare.

He leans closer again, voice soft enough that only you hear. “You look handsome today.”

Your ears burn instantly. “We’ve been out in the sun all day. I look like a mess.”

“Yeah,” he nods seriously. “A very cute mess.”

You kick his foot under the table.

He just laughs quietly.

—

When the night settles and the beach grows quieter, you finally get a moment away from everyone.

You’re walking side by side, waves brushing your feet, when Por suddenly slows down.

“What?” you ask.

He doesn’t answer right away—just looks at you, that same soft smile replacing all the teasing.

“…Nothing,” he says eventually. “Just thinking I got really lucky.”

You blink, caught off guard. “Why are you being serious all of a sudden?”

“Can’t I?” he tilts his head, then nudges your shoulder gently. “Or do you prefer me annoying?”

“…A little,” you admit.

He laughs, reaching out to hook your hand again. “Good. I’ll keep doing both.”

You squeeze his hand back, pretending not to notice how warm your chest feels.

“…P’Por?”

“Hmm?”

“…You still owe me coconut water.”

He pauses—then gasps dramatically. “So that’s what this was about?!”

You grin.

And just like that, the teasing starts again, your laughter mixing with the sound of the waves.